It’s so easy to get caught inside during the dark season in the north. Then, once you’re used to all the tv shows and junk food that makes you fat, the sun comes out. You may try to go outside, but the shock of the cold is so intense that you just rush from place to place hoping to avoid the inevitable frostbite.

BUT…

…every now and then something will happen to get you outside.

This week I actually got out to take some pictures of the beautiful community in which I live. Sure, the temperature was about -40C to -50C the whole time, but it was still nice (just avoid the metal-rimmed sunglasses).

Just beautiful. And some more…

Now, one might ask, “Tara, why did you decide to risk your face and fingers to gets some shots?” Well, I think the answer is as simple as sharing my beautiful view with the people who have questioned why I am here in the first place.

Last night, around midnight, my friend Sarah and I got our camera bags and tripods, then headed out behind my place. Taking pictures of the Northern Lights is so amazing, but I could never do it before; I needed someone to help me with my camera settings. After everything is clicked to the right setting, you point, shoot, and wait – quite awhile – for the shutter to close. What follows is my first foray into night photography…

And, ta-da! I’m hoping to get back into blogging a bit more, but these pics will have to sate your hunger for entries right about now.

Final Thought: Go out and enjoy your day…it’s taken me awhile to learn that.

Throughout the years I have met quite a few people through blogging, and it never fails to amaze me. For example, the last time I was in Iqaluit, I was blogspotted by Clare from The House and Other Arctic Musings at the airport. Sure, some people in the south might find this a little weird and…stalker-ish…but northern bloggers are different.

The very first blog I had was pretty basic: sub-standard camera and blogger format instead of wordpress. As time went by, though, it’s the relationships with blogggers that developed which ended up being the coolest. Sarah is one of those people. The weekend was fantastic because she was able to come to Kug for a visit; it was great to catch up.

First off, she came over for dinner and a computer session…lots of fun. I’m going to put up a few pics of the food but, before I do, I just want to make a note that it was Sarah who took them, not me.

First, there was the preparation of the pizza…asparagus, cremini, brie, and the chili peppers that Sarah so brilliantly added.

Sooooo much cheese…so much so much cheese! I forgot the pine nuts, but it was still pretty awesome (all things considered).

Dessert? Well, this is a recipe I heard on CBC radio. It’s a cored apple filled with Nutella and wrapped in pie crust. Looks weird, but it was awesome!

So thank you so much for the great visit Sarah! I love your photos. I will be adding some of my own pics to this blog sometime soon, but for now you’re my ‘guest photographer’.

Question: How long can you not do something, yet still consider your past habit as a part of who you are? I don’t mean anything like battling an addiction for the rest of your life. No, I mean something more along the lines of blogging.

This is the view from Nakashuk School out over Northmart. Winter sun at its best!

I’m in Iqaluit this week for professional development workshops with the college and, though I could write about the fact that we got in 16 hours late due to a broken landing gear grounding us in Rankin and a bumpy milk-run through Coral Harbour, I’m going to focus on something else in this post.

So, yes, blogging. I started when I moved north about 3 years ago as Pangnirtung Bound. I remember racing to get to my computer to upload my pictures and get them out to everyone – wrapped, of course, in my random thoughts. The inevitable follow-up activity was to surf through other blogs – reading, learning, sharing. When it comes to certain geographical quirks, the world can feel so empty yet so full at times!

I’ll always remember the first time I was ‘blogspotted’. I was in Iqaluit for a birthday celebration, and someone at the next table hesitantly leaned over and said, “You’re Pangnirtung Bound, right?” Then she turned to my friend and continued with, “and you’re Newbie in the North“. Someone I hadn’t even met knew me and had a connection with me. It’s a pretty amazing turning point in a blogger’s evolution. It starts with being amazed that someone is actually reading then balloons into something so much more.

When I was transferred to Qikiqtarjuaq, I redirected all everyone to Just Qik’in Around. When I started getting a few new readers, I decided I wanted to change my format…dropped blogger, signed up with wordpress, and bought a domain name. This site is basically built to incorporate future experiences…it’s not tied to one community by the url…it’s just tied to me!

But what happened? Blogging used to be a way for me to share and grow as a person. I know it’s not for everyone, but neither is skydiving, right? I was reminded of that today in one of our sessions. One of my colleagues has started with a blog to help partner her class with our extended program contacts at the University of Regina; and she was sharing he experience with us…it’s a very organic process. I know she’s a bit shy, but her entries have made me re-evaluate my own. You can find Ainsley, my friend in Pond Inlet, here.

Anyway, shame on me for dropping the ball on this front. How can I possibly ask my students to be consistent in something just because I once was. No, I can’t claim to know much about “life-long learning” if I let things like this blog stagnate. I’m orienting myself with VoiceThread and hope to post something in that format in the near future.

Hmmm…almost 2 in the morning here. I no longer refer to this time as ‘the witching hour’…it should officially be renamed ‘the blogging hour’ (at least in my journal). It’s exhausting to move through time zones while trying to absorb as much content as possible, but I’m happy to have had the opportunity.

How many of you still write Christmas cards? How many of you still enjoy receiving Christmas cards? While listening to the radio this morning about Decima polls which study this phenomenon, I had to ask myself the same questions. Do I write Christmas cards? Well, it’s been awhile. Email. Blog. Skype. Facebook. Sure it keeps you ‘in touch’, but can it replace an honest-to-goodness snippet of snail-mail? Something that will be lodged in your mailbox between your Northwestel and Qiniq bills?

After listening to a conversation of radio station employees about their Christmas card writing and receiving habits, it somehow made sense to me to roll out of bed at the ungodly hour of 5am and go searching for my collection. Sure enough, there among the recycled bows and tangled wrapping ribbons was a handful of memories. I’m sure everyone has that stack somewhere – read them again this year.

I’ve moved around so much in the past 15 years it’s actually amazing to see how many cards I have amassed. Most, of course, came during those Christmas holidays I couldn’t make it home, but the fact that I still have them – in northern Canada no less – is pretty amazing. The oldest one I have at this point is about 6 years old and it’s the only one which has the distinction of being ‘internationally traveled’, for it found me as I was on my way out for bulgogi and aloe juice in Seoul, South Korea.

Inside: 'And that was the last year Aunt Connie told the family Christmas story.'

How is it that my ever-growing and rotating collection of suitcases has been able to keep this piece of sturdy paper safe? I don’t have an answer for that. I can say, however, that finding it with my yet-to-be-used wrapping scraps every year is a lot nicer than sitting in front of a computer and rediscovering a note when you’re cleaning out your email inbox.

And then there’s always the note. Ok, sure, you always get those cards which just have a name after the pre-written Hallmark message, but the personalized ones are the ones that have real staying power. For example, despite the memorable picture of a ‘crazy Aunt Connie’ on the above, the real enjoyment comes from reading the scratchings of my brother on the inside; they make me think of the mischief we got up to around the holidays when we were kids. What’s funny, though, is how my parents’ cards may mirror the exact event yet describe it as ‘cute’ and what they miss. Ahh, what badness. Sean, do you remember? Gift-giving until our next ‘fight’? Bananadoo? Cu-roo-coo-coo-coo-ru-coo-coo? Perfect alarm clocks we were.

Anyway, it’s Christmas and, I’m sure, the blogoshere will be hopping again this year with nostalgic stories of ‘way-back-when’ and family and traditions…I imagine this blog will have some of the same. However, from now on I’ll try not to make it overly-sappy. Or smooshy and sentimental. Again, I will try. No promises.

Now it’s time to logoff and pick up a pen – egad! [That's what Archie and Jughead used to say, right?] It’s time to write some Christmas cards because, although people don’t particularly like writing them, market research has proven they love receiving them. But who needs market research when it comes to some things? My imaginary ‘Aunt Connie’ has traveled the world with me and every season I get a visit – that’s proof enough.

People have been asking me to get back to writing this for awhile…strangely enough. Who would have imagined, though, that I would get back to it at 4 in the morning because I can’t sleep. In fact, it seems like I’ve been waking up a lot lately somewhere between 2 and 4. Usually I would attribute this to how the northern darkness confuses my body clock, but I know that would be an excuse. Hmmm.

I have to say – mom, dad – you’ll be disappointed…no new pictures of Kugluktuk. It’s so so cold these days, I don’t know how my fingers would manage the camera without my gloves! Also, I don’t know if this temperature will wreck my camera without some kind of special protection. If I could manage the cold, there are some amazing things to see both night and day. Tonight the moon was so beautiful it was impossible not to stand outside and stare.

It’s almost Christmas, and this will be my third full December in the north. I must say, I’m curious to see how the holidays are celebrated here. I think it’s around this point in the year that people start to get smooshy and sentimental. Perhaps I’m getting smooshy and sentimental at 4 in the morning? Enough to wake me up? That would be a new one.

Well, as it turns out, I’m not much of a writer at this hour…good to know. Reading through those scanty paragraphs makes me blush to an extent. But you know, watching Parking Wars while sitting on my couch of springs is also a viable option. I’ll be back when I have something more coherent to say.

Usually I classify my blog in only one category; if you check through the archives, you will notice that this generally means the blog about the community in which I live (currently ‘Kugluktuk’) or stories about the general state of being of dogs in the north (‘Snow Dogs’). It’s also no secret that my two dogs, Scarlett and Gryphon, feature regularly in both. What do you do, then, when you go out with your dogs and take pics that could easily blend into a new category called ‘Kug Dogs’? That’s a page I refuse to put together.

For the past two years I have lived on Baffin Island in the eastern Arctic – a land that didn’t quite fit in with the view we were presented with in grade school. On Baffin, there were mountains everywhere and the fjords and islands I encountered were breathtaking. This year, however, I’m living in the community that pushes to the furthest-most location along the western boundary of Nunavut.

I know that’s not the clearest map, but you can still make out the names. Pangnirtung and Qikiqtarjuaq are about as far east as you can go whereas Kugluktuk hangs out there in the west (just north of Yellowknife – and the Arctic Circle).

…and you know what? It’s just as beautiful. Check these pictures out…

From the hilltop behind my house looking back over the hamlet.

OK, one more before I start impressing you with the dogs.

Pretty amazing right?

Or what about this…

These next pics could be filed under ‘Kug Dogs’ but, of course, that’s just a tab that’s not going to happen…

NB: For some reason the pictures of Gryphon have him looking like some weird stretched out dog. He’s actually quite well-proportioned in real life!

Another one of the cuties together…

Facing the wind...I love how Scarlett's ears act like sails!

Scarlett (or ‘carlett as my nephew says)…

Gryphon…

When the ravens caught sight of the dogs and started circling, I knew that was the end of the outing. We had a great time, though, hopping from rock to rock in 12 degree weather. Can you believe that? 12 – 15 degrees all day yesterday, and right now it’s around 10; what a beautiful place.

Always remember...

I’m getting back into the swing of blog surfing every day with my coffee and today, of all days, there is only one topic in sight. Check out the publishing date for this entry, and you couldn’t possibly wonder what that subject may be.

So here’s my story…

Ten years ago I had just started working at the University of Ottawa. I remember it was really hot for a September day, and I wasn’t looking forward to the walk home. For the time being, I figured I should just try to enjoy the air-conditioning that kept the class cold and not think about the stack of unpacked boxes in my stuffy apartment.

Class started at 8:30 – it was one of those 3 hour courses to start the day) – and I had the class into their first assignment by 8:45. Everything progressed as normal until the 10:00 break. At that point, like most people do, all my students headed out to check their emails and refill their coffee cups. By 10:15, though, not many of them were back. I had a quiz planned so I was really not too impressed and, as anyone who knows me can attest, I’m someone who believes adult students should be mature enough to follow a schedule.

…but September 11, 2011, was not a day during which anyone stuck to a schedule…

When my students finally did return, nothing they told me made sense. They said ‘World Trade Center’ but I heard ‘World Exchange Plaza’. The latter is a little shopping area in the business district of Ottawa located about a 10 minute walk from campus. “No,” I thought. “If a plane crashed not too far from here, I’d be able to see something outside the window and hear sirens.” Nothing.

Class finished…I let everyone out at 11:00 because I knew I had lost their attention. My boss was always very strict with lesson plans and objectives, and I was not looking forward to explaining how I had ‘lost’ it; there was a syllabus to follow, and universities are notorious for pushing through them – even when the students aren’t prepared.

Next came the walk home. Through the downtown business district. As soon as I hit the bridge I knew this whole World Exchange Plaza deal was a really odd tale to tell your instructor. Sure, people looked stressed and it was busier than normal, but I was just following the street lights. Red. Stop. Green. Go. Put my head up and saw emptying parking garages and people heading for the highway. Strange for Ottawa so close to the Parliament on a business day. Then I started down Bank St. which had the smaller stores – the ones with the TVs in the windows.

And holy crap, that was it.

I don’t think anyone can accurately describe that first feeling he or she experienced. I think most of us were numb and just didn’t understand what was happening. People standing on Bank St., frozen in front of electronic stores, and the shock. I remember feeling a bit weak after walking about 20 minutes. It took about an hour to get home.

I don’t really have anything too eloquent to say. This blog post has already wandered for too long. I’m just going through that day again. Class, walking home in the heat, my stomach dropping out, feeling weak, then spending the entire afternoon and night watching the same story on every channel…on a tiny TV perched atop a moving box. I think my roommate and I forgot to eat. I don’t know. It was just the planes slicing through the Twin Towers like a heated knife through butter that sticks in my mind after that long walk home.

But you know what? Despite that horrific act of hatred, I think it was the day that I fell in love with the world. Partisan lines dissolved and countries began to realize how connected we are. Thousands died that day. Millions rose to support another part of the world.

I’ll stop rambling…my sealift container has arrived and I should be unpacking it…but if you wouldn’t mind watching this clip from my favorite movie, you’ll understand why I fell in love with the world…the day the Twin Towers fell.

The closest window is actually my unit...when I'm washing my dishes, I see what's in the following pics...

I did it…I’ve figured it out! I was having problems with my pictures before because I never really turned my computer off. No, generally I just shut it which sends it into ‘hibernate’ mode. Apparently it needs to be reset. Well, I’m sure there’s an easier way, but my way has been to turn the darn thing off.

So here is Kugluktuk – well, a few pics that the hounds have been howling for.

So that’s the view right outside my kitchen window these days. Certainly a change from last year. I wish I could get a picture where the colour actually reflected the was it is here; I’m not that talented yet.

In case the green is confusing, check out this picture…I really am in the north!

And that bottom pic is just fun…where snowmobiles go to die.

I know that’s not much, but it’s a start. My journey here in Kug has just started, and I’m sure I’ll have better photos in the future.

“Enough lazin’ around now!” was what I said to my Mac last night. It is a sentiment that I repeat today.  I’m sure “it’s not you, it’s me,” would be the appropriate quote, but I don’t want to break up just yet. Can’t we try again?

It’s the iPhoto…curses (imagine a type of evil mutter and exhale of breath here)! I’ve been trying to load pictures into a post for the past 2 days with no luck. If I just want to view then I can, but if I try to load them it won’t read most most recent transfer from my camera.

…the pictures of the golden grass and mini-bushes, the big rock behind my place, the madness of sealift preparation…and I can’t access them. Why, oh why Mr. Mac, are you holding out on me? Oh, and when I say ‘mini-bushes’ it’s only because I spent the last two years on Baffin Island where it’s already snowing.

I suppose I can post some summer memories – all photo montage-like.

Above: Huge tree, right? Completely out of the realm of northern imagination. My older brother lives in Haida Gwaii, and how could I resist checking this out? Sometimes the sound of the damp surroundings under the canopy reminds me of the inside of an igloo – completely different worlds, but somehow similar in their solitude.

Above: This is Yakoun Lake at the bottom of a beautiful hike through the trees (the previous picture of the big tree was taken on the walk down).

Above: No, my nephew is not a crazy miniature boy…this is just Scarlett – the chihuahua mix – on a very large stump. This was taken, in fact, just before she found a pile of some sort of nastiness to rub herself in; she loved the back-twists, but she sure hated the bath!

Above: Of course, safety first if you’re out on a boat with dogs who don’t really like to swim!

Above: At my younger brother’s wedding in August, this was one of the only pictures taken of me – I was snapping for most of the weekend. Painting nails and drinking coffee. What? You thought the sunglasses were the only note-worthy things in this snapshot?

When I was growing up, I actually thought it was ugly…that was, of course, until the 70s revival of the 90s. At that point, I thought the orange and avocado daisies were so amazingly cool. It was in the neon of the 80s, though, that I realized its usefulness.

I am, of course, speaking of the awesomely ugly (depending on the decade) tea cozy tucked away on my mom’s shelf; the shelf which houses the comeback team of kitchen appliances such as the crockpot, rice cooker, bread maker, and steamer. They all take up a lot of room, but they’re definitely convenient additions.

Anyway, this tea cozy is amazing. It has a wire frame which makes the whole thing open like a puffy clam shell, and I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s like having a thermos to carry around your house, but classed up enough so that you can still serve tea from a pot. Well, as classy as a Danish tea cozy ’70′s style’ can be…oh, haven’t I mentioned that it was Danish? Seriously. From Denmark. Or perhaps it came from friends who were Danish – the details are all very muddy.

Nope, the only detail I remember is the fact that it was one of the only things my mom steadfastly refuses to give me. So the search was on. Unfortunately, I’ve never been able to find another awesomely ugly (depending on the decade) clam shell tea cozy.

However, a I have been able to find some other cool things. What I bought last night is not so much a tea cozy – though that was what it was called by the little women at the door. I generally haven’t bought too much since I left the craftmasters in Pangnirtung, but I thought this was pretty cool.

And, on the other side…

And, though it’s not puffy, it has something a little extra…

…coasters!!!

…and now all I need is a teapot…