Flying in the North

Living in the northern communities there is really only one way to travel between the towns; you fly. There is the option of taking a snow machine once the snow hits, but 9 hours in the cold vs a 1/2 flight hmmm. There are almost daily scheduled flights but often the school board hires charter flights to get the teachers to and from their communities for training etc. These flights are not the cushy big planes of the south either, our plane was a nine seater with a little room for cargo in the back. As one of my coworkers said; if we go down there is nothing to catch and save you, we're screwed. Despite his lack of confidence in the plane and pilot, I love to fly. There is always that moment of uncertainty as the plane lifts off at the end of the runway. Flying low enough to see the landscape change and flow beneath you. No flight attendants or wheelie carts down the aisles, just a basket at the back of the plane. There is also the chance that your flight might be suddenly cancelled due to weather or the fact that your plane is needed as a medivac flight. Suddenly you find yourself waiting for a few hours in the tiny local airport, hoping to get a spot on the next scheduled flight out. Ah flying in the north.

Lesson learned: always have a pack of cards in your bag and an ipod at the ready.

But on the other hand on my flight up to Kuujuak the first time back in August was a riot. We were again in the small nine-seater because we had the lightest luggage of all the teachers flying up. So after our safety check, which consisted of "Ok so there is the exit at the back, buckle up" we were off. We had the pilot and co-pilot up front and we were left to our own devices, holding our lunch trays on our laps during take-off. Spirits were high and the sky was perfectly clear. Beautiful day, it felt like you could see forever. We had the run of the plane pretty much as long as we stayed out of the cargo area, served ourselves drinks and snacks, last chance for Timmie's coffee and muffins. I felt like a teenager, flying for the first time without parents if that makes sense. Felt a tiny bit of turbulence getting closer to Kuujuak, mainly cause we were so small. Would do the whole thing over again in a heartbeat. Love to fly :)

Fire under the Starry Sky

How many teachers can you pile into the back of a truck to take out on the tundra? More than you would think. The decision was made to celebrate the new school year (and the labour day weekend) with a bonfire out on the tundra. Some of the guys had managed to get a huge pile of wood out there ready to go, and as night fell we headed out. Only a few of the teachers here have vehicles and by the time we finished picking everyone up there were close to a dozen of us in the back of the pick-up headed out onto the land. We couldn't have picked a better night. There was enough of a breeze to make things comfortable and to blow away the light cloud cover. The sky was a stunning carpet of twinkling lights and not too long after the stars came out, the northern lights decided to make an appearance as well. They weren't the bright pink, yellow, and green that you see in the famous pictures. Instead we were treated to shimmering waves of green that danced in the sky, illuminating the few clouds that were left with an almost silvery colour. Fire burning brightly as people baked bannock, roasted hotdogs, and enjoyed each others company. It was a great night of camaraderie out on the land. A few of us decided to end the night by walking back to the village. As we walked back, skirting the bay under that blanket of stars I was stuck by a feeling of happiness. I am a teacher in the arctic and I think I am going to love it here.

My Personal Hell

... is filled with endless days and nights of planning math lessons and then having to teach them to my unsuspecting students while not betraying the fact that I hate every minute of it (math that is). I understand the value of it. I suffered through it during my time as a student. I applaud those that have chosen some form of math as their career. But as for myself I pity my students. I feel as if I am just turning them in circles as I try my best to explain the different math skills that they will need to know for their exams next year. This is not to say I loathe all forms of math. There were many kinds that I actually enjoyed learning as a student, never thinking that I would one day have to teach it. At this point, I just pray that we will make it through spatial sense and on to graphs without too many confused casualties.

Peace in Unpacking

It is amazing how light and happy I feel now having my things around me. I don't have much by way of expensive electronics, or fragile knickknacks, but the few things I had sent to me in the North make such a difference. I had almost resigned myself to another weekend without my luggage, having heard the plane leave and being told by the airport that there was nothing for me, when I heard a knock at my door. As I went to the door all I could think was "I am really not in the mood to say no to another carver tonight" but when I opened the door I was shocked to see a big delivery van at my front steps. I think I was in shock, all I could say was hi with a look of confusion on my face. The delivery guy quickly explained that he had my boxes at last, to which I jumped up and clapped my hands with glee (really I did, he must have thought I was a little nuts). With a huge grin on my face I helped him unload my boxes, not even feeling the rain that was falling on my head. With a final wave goodbye and a shower of thanks on the delivery guy I shut the door and did a little happy dance in my kitchen, giggling like a maniac the whole time. Three weeks with nothing around you that is familiar can bring you into a feeling of semi-depression or at the very least melancholy, a feeling that is quickly dispersed upon seeing familiar handwriting on boxes. After whirling around for a minute or two I fell to opening my riches: pictures of family, a few well loved posters, my kitchen goods, and best of all my fluffy warm blankets and pillows. Winter clothes, school sweaters, bath goods, an orange gorilla :), and my books. It felt like all my favourite holidays rolled into one as I discovered things I had forgotten I sent. The house I rent from the school is a nice house, better than some apartments I have lived in, but until I started unpacking it didn't feel like my home. Now I feel like I am home, I have a place that is mine to recharge and feel comfortable in. Anyone who says that you don't need to feel safe and comfortable from time to time hasn't felt as if they were living in just a house, not a home. I am happy to say I am starting to feel at home in the north:)

1st week at School

Well, it has been a whole week teaching at my new school. High school...remember high school? It hasn't changed much. The student cliques still exist. There are still those quiet students who do their best to work while others try their hardest to get a rise out of the teacher. So far my students have not been successful in getting a rise out of me, not for lack of trying. The first few weeks of school are when the students try their hardest to challenge the teacher and put on their masks, not willing yet to allow their teacher a glimpse into their heads. Time and patience it seems are the best defence and offence in trying to establish relationships with these teenagers that are now a part of my daily life. Though I had forgotten how exhausting teenage apathy can be at times. Aside from a few surprises, like that fact I found out that I was teaching Math and Bio a couple days before classes started, it has been a pretty good week. Nerve-wracking, peaceful, exciting, fun, and frustrating all at the same time.

Heading to the Great White North -Aug. 8

It has been a hectic month since returning from the road trip with the girls. First weekend back was a flurry of packing and an assembly line of wrapping/addressing boxes. At the time it seemed unreal that I would be leaving so shortly for a northern part of Quebec known as Nunavik. Flew out of Sudbury on the weekend of the 8th for Montreal and points north. Feelings: excitement, nervousness, peace, curiosity, and a tiny bit of fear. I love to fly. Doesn't matter if it is a small plane or a jumbo, it never fails to entertain. One thing that I find endlessly amusing about the Sudbury airport is that after you go through your scanners and security you still actually walk out onto the tarmac to board your plane; the airport is actually that small. Smooth flight, short and uneventful; just watching the scenery below drift by. A quick transfer in Toronto and the on towards Montreal. I met up with another teacher heading to orientation with my school board, nice to have a friendly face for the flight. During the flight I am one of those people that takes pictures from the windows of clouds and passing landscapes below. I make no apologies, I find it fascinating. Rainy as we descended into Montreal but the city light still shine to welcome travellers. After a bit of confusion trying to find luggage and the airport shuttles, my fellow teacher and I say goodnight. Hoping for a restful night before flying north tomorrow. Hotel was nice, cozy with a queen bed all for me. I found it difficult to settle down for the night despite the knowledge that I would have to be up early to catch the charter flight north, nerves and excitement making equal headway. Finally drifted off dreaming of the new school year ahead of me.

Return to Canada - July 24-26

Crossed the border this morning. Nice to be back but must remember that we are also back to kms instead of miles..hmm bit of a lead foot it seems. You never know what to expect at the border crossing; sometimes it takes forever as the guards inspect the different vehicles. But luckily today was not one of those days. Some of the cars ahead of us were being questioned very closely but when it got to our turn we just got the standard few. We had decided to stop on our way to Toronto to see our cousins, it has been a while. It was fun catching up with them but too soon we had to get on the road to TO as we have theatre tickets to see Miss Siagon. Ok, it is definitely one I have wanted to see for a long time and luckily the girls were game as well. Despite the construction that seems inevitable during summer in TO we made it to the theatre with time to spare. The show was fantastic! Such a sad, beautiful story. I loved every minute of it. Too soon the show was over and it was time to hit the road again, thankfully not a far drive. We stopped for a visit at Aunt M's, with plans to return to chinatown the next day. Back in TO the next day was full of chinatown with dim sum for lunch, visits to some essential stores (Lush & David's Tea), and a quick stop in koreatown for some kimchi to take home. I love visiting TO but cannot honestly think of having to drive in the city on a permanent basis; the drive to and from the show on saturday was enough to drive a person mad with all the detours due to construction. Spent the evening at M's weeding and then relaxing on the deck, getting ready for our final drive home tomorrow.

Headed north again at last, still construction but interesting to see how far they have gotten since we first drove south three weeks ago. We had almost perfect weather for our drive home, much like what we had when we first set out on this crazy adventure of ours. The last few kms flew by as we got nearer to home, all the familiar sights that scream Sudbury to a local. Home at last, hugs and kisses all around. Now the next adventure: the great unpacking and sorting of everything we accumulated on our trek :)