Already one down and seven to go…..

Streetscape

It is difficult to comprehend that even with the slow pace the time flies and I've been here over a week already - 1/8 of my rotation already behind me. I am on call tomorrow, as I am 
every other night but except for one phone call each on the weekend there has been no need for either of us nurses to work on the off hours. And I must say that I am enjoying the sunshine and relatively comfortable temperatures here versus the mountains of white stuff in the maritimes. Crazy amounts of eastern snow!

Sunday is the day for the prearranged FaceTime chat with the life partner. He suggested that 3 - 4 pm Mountain time zone was his preferred schedule and as I was settling myself, the computer chimed. He promptly hit something on his iPad mini and lost the connection but not before I realized that he wasn't at home. No snow and lots of people were the first clues. After a number of callbacks we finally were looking at each on the screen and I said "where are you?" The reply was "Boston at the Seafood Show". No indication of this during our chat Thursday evening when I'd announced my safe arrival in community and excitement with having cell coverage. He had left Friday after getting a haircut (proving that if you really want to do something you can get yourself together) driving down with a trucker and another seafood broker. The background noise was not conducive to having a rational conversation but what do you do? As I was on call, I left a message / note of where to find me and enjoyed an evening out as I was invited to supper at the home of my boss, her RCMP husband, other RCMP and wife, the teachers and wife. We supped on chili, bread the host had made and a selection of desserts we'd contributed - pies, apple crisp and meringue. Yum. Nice to visit with others who have lived in various northern communities and endorse this the 'best one' which I heartily agreed with after only a few days. 

This week has been one of working through manuals, doing online tutorials, checking cupboards, trying out new to me equipment and attempting to make myself useful. Of course the one time I think I've mastered something I either can't complete it without checking with Andrea or attempt it anyway screwing it up. Such is the lot of the new employee. I contacted WestJet to extend my ticket one more day in May so I could spend the entire weekend in Edmonton with the oldest daughter who will be attending school then. Plans are to visit the Cuban friend in the city and stay over. I was pleased to find that I could change the ticket to the same time on Sunday for only $65 and promptly did so, sending a message to the travel folks at GNWT who had purchased my ticket. On Monday I received a pointed email from the travel clerk telling me that I should've checked with my manager first before making changes due to liability issues. I responded that since I wasn't on salary by Sat/Sun (job share employees are only paid one day each way) and had covered the difference I didn't realize I had to ask. She responded that I should notify my manager of the change. I emailed the manager explaining that I hadn't realized the process and would ask in the future. She was gracious in her reply stating she didn't mind if it didn't cost or affect my working dates. Whatever. As the oldest daughter says "better to beg forgiveness versus ask permission". 

On Tuesday, which is the day the flight arrives here late (as it goes to Uluhuktuk first) there was a bit of excitement.  We finished up work and my boss and her husband headed out to

Food mail 

meet the plane and pick up their (and my) food mail order. They arrived back at almost 6 pm with three boxes of grub which set me back $188 - the northern food subsidy had saved me $150 in freight costs however. I had purchased a large box of frozen chicken breasts, pork chops and lean ground beef as well as milk, greek yogurt, veggies, cranberries (for the scones I've promised on handover to my job share partner) wholewheat bread and the only fail of the order….bananas. The very expensive organic bananas arrived with half of them squashed - I baked with the mushiest of them and crossed them off my food mail list. I carried my frozen food to the laundry room to store the meats in the freezer located there and discovered a funny smell and brown liquid all over the washer, dryer and freezer. With the NICs comment "we have trouble with the sewer sometimes here" ringing in my ears I retreated and called Terrance the DPW guy responsible for maintaing the health centre and apartments. As I headed back with my food to the kitchen the video monitor beeped and I noticed a local male who looked familiar holding something in his hands, standing in the front entryway. I pushed all the buttons on the intercom (remembering the instructions in the orientation manual) while yelling "hello hello" loudly into the machine. The guy looked hopefully into the camera a few times and then gazed towards the door so I sprinted down the stairs only to find an empty front entryway. I looked around and finding no evidence of his visit, assumed (incorrectly I found out later) that he was perhaps selling crafts or country food and checked the orientation binder again - yep, it said to push the button (didn't specify which one) to talk. Sigh. I returned to my food storage. I sent a text to my boss with a photo of the video monitor asking "what button do I press to talk?" and received no answer. She received the text about 24 hrs. later for some reason. Terrance arrived, pronounced a glycol leak in the pipe in the laundry room, stated he would clean it up (his version of this was to put some pads down and close the door) and would return in the morning to fix it. I made supper, attended to email and assumed the fellow in the lobby would return if he had a health problem. I finally went to bed. 

In the morning I questioned the NIC about which button to push on the intercom and she said….wait for it….."you pick up the receiver". I hadn't even noticed there was one in my focus on buttons. Then she said "that must've been Fred from COOP with an air freight delivery - did he leave anything?" I assured her I'd looked and hadn't seen anything. Of course she quickly found a small box from the pharmacy on the shelf around the corner. After this (likely feeling she was dealing with a real winner) she went out to the front entryway and insisted I go into the emerg room to answer the video monitor there ensuring that I actually knew how to lift the phone receiver and talk to her. I discreetly checked out the box and was thrilled to find that it contained no narcotics or perishables which should've been refrigerated. Only a ventolin inhaler and a B/P med. Whew! When Fred came to the health centre the next day (and the light went on as I realized he had been the one to chauffeur me from the airport to the health centre upon my arrival) I questioned if he'd heard me yelling "hello" from my apartment he said "I wondered why you didn't answer" I didn't bother to go into that button thing. This learning one mistake at a time is the part of being the 'new kid on the block' which I like the least, and the reason for wanting to settle in one community. 

Wednesday night I decided I would be domestic so after making supper I cooked up a pot of ham and pea soup and a batch of banana oatmeal muffins. I left a muffin for our newly hired janitor in the kitchen but….he didn't show up for work on Thursday. Not a good start as it was only day two of his employment. When he arrived in the afternoon he pronounced them delicious. Since he only works four hours/day it was decided that 1 - 5 pm might be a more suitable schedule for someone who only went to bed at 4 am. He worked diligently while there and had to be reminded to go home after 5 pm as he was attempting to make up for his tardiness. We did hear him exclaim "oh ewww" when he was emptying garbage, so hope he's up for the task. Thursday had began with the usual routine, then the clerk/homecare

Kamiks in progress

worker and I headed out to do home visits. There are two elders who have 'friendly visits' so I dropped in to introduce myself. Neither of them require an interpreter but clearly English was not their first language. I discovered the lady sewing some beaded fronts for kamiks - she does lovely work. She told me that she was "born in an iglu out on the ice" when we discussed her early years. The next stop saw me looking at hunting photos on the wall of a much younger man with a polar bear and a muskox as he said "back then when I could". The schedule included a bit of a flurry in the afternoon where I learned how to manage the consults to counselling, the physician on call, and a schedvac over to Inuvik with the attendant travel paperwork as well as deal with the X-ray machine and PACS system. Four patients by the end of the day - the highest totals I have seen in the logbook are seven (these include admin work, phone calls, consultations etc). 

Friday in celebration of nutrition month the plan was to host a 'Swap Your Lunch' event at the health centre. The clerk cooked up a storm and I assisted her by running the biscuits (sweet potato were good as expected - lentil biscuits were an epic fail) upstairs to my oven to bake and by washing a few dishes. We had a small grant for food and she put on quite a spread.

 Inualthuyak School 

Nice to meet some local people I hadn't encountered and some really cute kids came along. the school is next door to the health centre and the 'bus' usually takes them home at lunch. In between I attended to various nursing duties and administrative duties which is what Friday afternoons are scheduled for. Spent the final hour inventorying and ordering for the stock drugs in pharmacy - not a wonderful task but a great opportunity to see what is where - to hopefully make it easier when looking for something. The Nurse in Charge (NIC) and her husband are heading out on Monday to BC and then onwards to an Australian/French Polynesia cruise. Ahhh. A replacement from another health centre is flying in to keep me in line. Oh and I learned that the Aklak Air pilot is actually the 

Parka required

small guy with Pete crocheted on his flap hat and the big guy with the grey goatee who does all the talking is Peter the copilot. The clerk told me that they are known as Pete and Repete. As you can see according to instructions I shall have to drag my parka if I wish to travel back next October with them. Yvonne told me that her husband had called on his cell to advise they'd gotten nine muskox hunting today so she said "I guess I know what I'll be doing with my weekend - making dried meat". In answer to my question of their size she told me that "muskox are big" but when I suggested I might come see them as I hadn't seen one before, it occurred to me that they would likely be chopped up and she confirmed this. No need to travel to see a mound of meat. 

A quiet evening here where I downloaded the Best in Travel Lonely Planet guide for 2015, online shopped, FB chatted with my job share partner and sorted emails. Gotta get rested up for call tomorrow. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha 

New northern home

A wonderful 'day off' in my new home in the high arctic and so time to post. Enjoyed a (for the most part) relatively smooth commute to work and am all settled in. 

The final last minute details of domestic chores, final weighing and packing of the duffle bags and action packers took up Monday and Tuesday. I did have a nice visit with a previous co-worker as I psyched myself up to pick up my perishables.I grieved to leave a wonderful cauliflower and the key lime greek yogurt when the scales warned me the tote pan was over the 70 lb. limit. However, I refused to part with the cherry tomatoes and carefully transported them in my knapsack the thousands of km door to door - leaving them was non negotiable. It was a cooperative cannery operation as the shore captain and I steamed and cracked lobsters for the cooler bag. Finally, a few hours of restless naps before it was time to leave for the airport, falling asleep just before the 2 a.m. alarm sounded. The drive to my nursing school classmates who stores my car was uneventful as the roads were dry and I arrived in time to grab a cup of tea and bagel at the local Tim Hortons before heading over to her place to meet the taxi. 

The cabbie was late, he finally phoned to say that with the tall snow banks he couldn't locate see the house numbers and I stood at the edge of the road to direct him. Not the usual driver, this must've been someone's grandfather. He edged up the driveway, complained about the amount of luggage, managed to lock the door when putting the action packers in the back seat, fussed with the arrangement while I loaded the rest of my bags and finally we were underway. He crept onto the main highway and drove 60 - 70 km/hr so we were passed on the inside and outside lanes. I sent a text to my classmate to let her know there were lobsters on the passenger seat floor (storage payment) and in my flustered state apparently sent a text to landline voicemail message instead of to her her cell (I later learned this had woken her up and she thought 'car what car?' and went promptly back to sleep. We eventually arrived at the airport, the cab driver parked at the wrong door, I finally sourced a cart and struggled with baggage placement. I reluctantly included a tip and sped over to print baggage tags about 20 min. later than I'd planned. I dropped the duffels onto the belt - overweight the clerk said and I replied "do you know how many times my husband stood on the scales with those bags" She gave me a pass and I headed over to the excess baggage scan then backtracked to join the security screening line. I was very disconcerted to find it extended (for those who are familiar with the Stanfield Halifax International Airport) back past Clearwater Lobsters. Lots of folks in shorts and flip flops heading to warmer climes. Finally the 'WestJet Edmonton flight' passengers were rescued by a TSA staffer who directed us into the rapid line. Never would've made the flight if not. Have been told a Nexus card allows you to the front of the line - at $50 for 5 yrs and the ability to keep your shoes on at USA scanning and liquids in your knapsack it is worth investigating. 

An uneventful direct Halifax to Edmonton flight where I enjoyed a three hour nap - good thing as with the 140 knot headwinds we were were 35 minutes late getting in. I was met in arrivals by a former co-worker who was returning from a (conjugal visit I tease her) in Fox Creek with her husband who works there. She kept me company as I retrieved my baggage and we even found a very cooperative male traveler (much more patient than the two men we've been mixed up with for decades) to take our photo. Was great to see a familiar face - who would've thought 30 yrs when we were working shifts that we'd be having such adventures? She headed off to departures to catch the flight east and I phoned for the hotel shuttle. The familiar driver said "oh it's you" with a smile and wrestled my bags onto the shuttle. I checked in and specified three times that the two action packers were to go to the cooler - this enables me to have them brought out on a cart in the morning and (usually) speeds up the departure. I settled in to check out my perishables - things were still cold but the whole lobsters I'd brought for a friend had punctured the box of tomato sauce and I'm sure the maid thought there was some kind of massacre in the room when she cleaned the towels up the following day. Thank goodness for duct tape as I was not about to ditch the remainder of the sauce. A nap and then a Cuban friend and his girlfriend dropped by for a drink and visit while they retrieved the lobsters. I grabbed some supper after they left and had an early bedtime. 

Was awake just before the 5 a.m. alarm so I was either rested or excited. Packed up the perishables and headed down at 0530 for the booked shuttle. It took over 20 min. for the clerk to find and access my action packers - multiple trips to find keys, calls to the security guard, back for a cart and finally when she appeared with the totes she said "they were in the freezer not the cooler". Great, just great. "Is that okay?" What can you say to this? No! Fruits and veggies are not fond of being frozen that is why I asked for them to go in the fridge? Did she expect I'd say I'd leave them then? In the meantime, the shuttle had come and gone. When the 6 am shuttle arrived it quickly filled with the usual tradesmen and I told the driver (my friend of yesterday) I would just take a cab. He efficiently stacked all my bags and found me a seat - boy he works hard for his $5 tip that's for sure. Check in at Canadian North for flight #444 was painless in comparison - I have now established a system for prioritizing two of my four bags (perishables and must haves) with my name in cursive writing on one tote and printing on the other and a blue and brown luggage tag on my respective duffle bags. Through security and to the gate. The usual trot out on the tarmac to the plane - very mild in Alberta this year. Nice breakfast and a short nap and we were landing in Yellowknife. Snowing, -30c and windy. I decided not to get off - familiar to me as this is the usual flight I take, then transfer to Kitikmeot - I felt a tug in my chest as I watched a line of passengers being led to a such a flight heading east to my old stomping ground. Up and off -  a warm

Warm scone - yum

herb and cheese scone (well fed on those northern runs) on the 1 hr. and 15 min. flight. A quick station stop in Norman Wells where I deplaned to check it out. A very pretty spot with snow capped mountains and lots of trees. My seat mate was heading out to Tulita on the winter road from there. Back on the plane and a delay as they wrestled with the portable power supply to start he plane but we're finally off for the 50 min. flight to Inuvik. I am surprised to find there are  still lots of trees in Inuvik as it's further north than Kugluktuk where there are none, but the tree line is apparently not straight. Hadn't considered there were trees this far north. Hmmm

Fairly good sized airport and terminal in Inuvik. I locate the Aklak Air desk and clarify that I retrieve my luggage and push the cart full  over to them. After the calculator stops whirring the clerk says "wow" when she looks at the total and I pull out my Amex for the $742 the four bags will cost me - good thing I am being reimbursed. A large guy sporting a salt and pepper crew cut and neatly trimmed beard, wearing a Carhartt shirt and worn jeans wandered by and asked "are we going to be alright on the weight with all that luggage?" which turned out to be more than a rhetorical question. My baggage disappeared through a

Aklak Air

hole in the wall on the conveyor belt and I made a BR stop. An announcement was made for Aklak Air boarding at Gate 2 and I asked the clerk to point that out. I followed several people out through the door, past the Canadian North flight departing loudly, behind a parked service cube van and across the tarmac to a small plane. We climbed up steep steps into the Beechcraft 1900 and five Inuit ladies and myself arranged ourselves in the first seats as the rear was full of pop according to our host who turned out to be…..the pilot! He proceeded to do a safety briefing - how to open the now closed door, where the fire extinguishers are located, ear plugs in the seat pocket and about an hour to Sachs Harbour. Then he and another smaller guy in worn coveralls and a crocheted hat with ear flaps

Landing in Sachs Hbr

reading PETE across the front climbed into the two seats in front of the windshield, pulled BOSE headsets on and started a preflight checklist as the engines came to life. I was still working on the guy who doesn't look anything like a pilot is the pilot as I settled in, while he buckled in the elder sitting in front of me. No facilities and the lady next to me with the orange juice obviously had more idea of the (non) services on board. Very smooth take off and we were soon flying at a cruising altitude which allowed us to see the trees receding, ice covered NW

Sachs Harbour, NWT

Passage, then cliffs and my first glance of Sachs Harbour perched on the edge of the water. I have decided that I really like a door to the cockpit so that I don't have to hear all the alarms and whistles sounding. A very smooth landing and taxi to the tiny terminal and I was collecting my stuff, dressing for -34c and climbing down the steep steps and across the icy runway. Into the waiting area and a big hug with my job share partner. We covered a few hand off items, schedule changes and local news "what have you gotten me in to Bee?" "trust me, you'll love it" and then she was off across the snow covered gravel airstrip and home to her family. 

A short but entertaining ride to the health centre in the COOP truck and I was deposited with my mound of luggage in the waiting room to introduce myself to my new boss. The Nurse in Charge is an RCMP wife (her husband is in charge of the detachment and they have been here two and a half years). I would guess she's the age of my kids and has been very good to me (I'm invited over for supper on Sunday). She gave me a quick tour of the health centre,

8 wks of supplies

we chatted a bit and she mentioned that Sachs Harbour has cell service - made my day - whoohoo I began the dragging my stuff up the stairs and settling in routine. I was pleased there were no further perishable punctures and everything appeared to be intact. I spent the evening getting the cupboards and fridge filled, made a lobster sandwich for supper, put away supplies, made up the bed and fell into it and sound asleep.

Down in the morning to begin work and at 8:30 the boss unlocked the front door. Guess there's no morning report here. Likely as there's nothing to discuss since she was on call and I didn't hear the phone ring since 5 pm last night. We count narcotics, tour the emergency room, discuss some processes and I start reviewing various bits of information. GNWT is more organized than GN and there are various things to sign, applications for various training and new ways of doing things - none of them bad. We record five patient encounters which cover two visits (foot dressing and a viral sore throat) and three phone calls for the entire day. I will have time to get myself organized with the orientation during work hours for sure. I agree to take call as long as I can ask for help from the NIC and she readily agrees. I

Fast paced call

decide to visit the COOP for milk, eggs etc and so we leave a note on the door saying 'nurse at the coop' with the same phone recording and take the new health centre SUV with cracked windshield to do a short tour of the community - doesn't take long to see the small collection of houses. Andrea points out one of the two elders places we do home visits (friendly vs care delivery).  The prices at the COOP aren't as bad as I'd thought but the selection is limited. I pick up milk and eggs but there is no butter. The clearance items sport expiry dates in the 2011 - 2014 era so I pass. I drop the boss off at her place and (after two attempts) get the vehicle parked and plugged in by the steps. Yes there is a garage but apparently someone somewhere in NWT left a vehicle running in an attached garage and there was a carbon monoxide poisoning incident so now we all have to suffer. I remove the note and recording and drag my stuff up the stairs to make some supper. A couple of hours later the health centre phone rings and I rush to answer it. A local male voice asks if I'm Bernice so I explain that I'm her alter ego who just arrived yesterday. He tells me there is a red light flashing on the health centre, he has tried to reach Terrance the DPW employee responsible for the building but no answer and things will freeze up so he'll come over and fix the garage door. What do I need to do? "Just open the side door, I'll be there in five minutes" he explains. I look out the window to find an amber light flashing and await his arrival. Shortly a snow machine purrs up the back lane to the garage and a stocky middle aged Inuit man alights and heads towards the door. A wail issues from the skidoo and I notice a perhaps six year old in a pink snowsuit with a face completely obscured in a dark vader mask and goggles dismounting. I invite the child inside but the wails increase and she refuses. Her grandfather makes the executive decision to deal with the situation as quickly as possible and disappears with his shovel in to the garage where he clears the snow from the bottom of the door so it will close and shows me some pumps that will freeze if the door remains open. He then banks snow outside and disappears with his sidekick. I notice the light has stopped flashing when I check a few minutes later. Glad someone is looking after me. I learned tonight this kind rescuer is the recently retired DPW employee who used to be responsible for the health centre - old habits die hard apparently. 

The rest of my evening is spent chatting online with my departed job share partner who has made it as far as Edmonton, reading and changing my WestJet ticket (for only $65) to a day later on my return trip home in May so I can spend an extra day with the electrician daughter who will be attending her final apprenticeship course. She tells me that her Serbian coworkers have suggested we eat Serbian food in Edmonton "like Ukrainian but better" is how they describe it - it's a plan. I head to bed about 11 pm after I see nine teenagers walking home past the health centre - that is the excitement of the evening. I awake at 8 am to discover that I have been paid to sleep the entire night - unheard of for most communities on Friday evenings. I make myself scrambled eggs and lobster with toast and a pot of tea for breakfast . I put the note on the door that Andrea is on call, press the button for her answering machine message and settle in on the couch. Covered with the down filled throw, Didn't move much from this spot except for snacks, it's been a blowing snow -46c wind chill day outside so good to snuggle in. Had a nice chat with the daughter heading to Cuba (jealous) next week ahhh. Went down to sewing class at 7 pm (which really means they don't open the

Sealskin for slippesr

doors until about 7:10 on northern time :) in the recreation centre to learn how to make my own crafts. Decided on a pair of slippers and cut out the bottoms, blue dyed sealskin tops, duffle lining and black beaver trim. The north is a small place and people knew folks in other communities I'd worked in. The ladies insisted on driving me home citing safety issues as wolves wander in town - I didn't argue with them but climbed in the van. It has been windy today and the snow has drifted in large banks across the road and would've been in my face on the incline anyway.

Drinking some Lipton mango peach white tea and I don't even care if the cute little triangular bag isn't compostable. Yes it is that delicious. Shortly off to bed as I plan to set the alarm for call tomorrow. I do believe that this spot is very suited to an old gal and I shall enjoy my time here to the max. 

From the tropics to the arctic

All my plans to 'write more' while I'm off work have not materialized, but it is certainly time for an update. And why is that the three months "off' which stretch ahead at the end of a contract speed by until it's the 'less than a week before I go back to work' time again? Almost seemed to fly by the same way as the four days off after a set of two 12 hour day and night shifts. It has been a good break and now I am looking forward to the change at work (even though it feels a bit unsettled to be heading to a new community, new employer and new co-workers) but enough whining. 

I did manage to get through the busy pre-vacation week and speak a few words at a former co-worker's memorial service. Easy to find nice things to say about her and there was a good turnout of former work colleagues. Several of them bawl at kleenex commercials so you can imagine looking down into the assembled to see them sobbing did not lighten the task. My theory is that if you can't compose yourself to deliver a eulogy to friends and family then you aren't the right person to do it. 

Current and past managers attended and I was pleased to be able to tell my former boss that I was doing a job share. It may be 30 years since she unilaterally cancelled the job share arrangements of eight of us RNs saying "I'll go the hospital board and tell them this is best - who do you think they'll believe - you or me?" as we sat in stunned silence, several of us with babies on our laps - but I clearly remember how it went. The circle was closed as I described my job share with a grin. Sometimes it takes a while for resolution. District managers attended as well and when complimented post service, I said "I'm just tough I guess" and walked away. Felt good. Lots of faces from my 'former life' and it was great to see so many people taking time to honour a co-worker who did so much for all of us. 

We headed down to the city a bit early to begin our vacation as there was (another) winter storm predicted for Sunday morning. We joined the daughter and son-in-law for a sushi supper at Hamachi Mura on Valentine's Day and then stayed over at the airport hotel to park the car. Up in the wee hours of the morning and over to the terminal on the shuttle. Although at first having a 0530 hrs departure and flying through Pearson seemed like a crappy idea, that thought vanished with the major storm coming up the north eastern coast. Our flight to Toronto and one to Punta Cana were the only flights out of Halifax Sunday morning and it was several days before air travel was restored to the Maritimes. Whew! A longer than expected layover in Pearson as it was one of the coldest days on record with a windchill of -40c and the ground crew had difficulty getting the plane out of the hanger as the electronic doors were frozen! Many fellow travellers were irate as they were making connections, but we were just a bit late getting to the warm. West Jet gave us credit for the inconvenience anyway. 

Supper at Sazon

A bit of wait for our luggage (first world problem) and we signalled for a taxi. Before long we were settled into a large classic sedan with an elderly female (Haitian) cab driver. She was very short, missing a few teeth, grey frizzy hair escaping a head scarf, dark wrinkled skin and very no nonsense in appearance. She clutched the steering wheel with gnarled fingers and leaned forward peering over it as she muttered to herself in patois through the traffic. I smiled as I we made our way towards the water. I need not have worried, she delivered us directly to our accommodations. We stayed at the New Casablanca on the Ocean hotel in Miami Beach which would make you think it was swishy. It was anything but. In fact I wrote the most scathing report on Tripadvisor that I have ever submitted. We checked out the beach and the water - warm ahhh. We also had a wonderful supper (seen above) at Sazon which is a Cuban restaurant. Large families, lots of seniors, a few who were likely pre-Revolution in the old country. We had had difficulty getting a cab and waited with another couple on the hotel steps. The Safari Tours bus pulled up and our new traveling companion petitioned the driver to drop us off about a mile down the street. He quickly pocketed the bills we gave him, so I'm guessing this wasn't the first time he'd rescued tourists for cash. Needed the walk back to work off the food - even had enough for lunch the next day. 

Life is good

Monday was a lounge chair, quick dip in the pool and take it easy day. We headed over to check in for our cruise about 5 pm and it was an efficient and painless process. We were quickly screened, photographed and welcomed aboard to our…..grand suite. And oooh boy was it ever grand! Ronald the butler introduced himself and Rene the cabin stewardess. I think we were a bit less entitled than their usual clientele but they quickly adjusted to our Canadian casual style. With a 76% savings we didn't pay as much as we'd originally planned for a balcony so we were smiling. We enjoyed the bubbly, canapés and fruit basket and checked out the Miami skyline from the wrap around balcony - yes it really is that large as here on the left. Down to our late seating for supper - 9 pm European style - and to meet our waiter Labrador. We had a table for two as no one joined us. The food, service and wine were exceptional (consistently) and a great way to start the cruise. And no, I won't torture you with the photos as that would really cross the line. 

Room service breakfast delivered by the butler is a wonderful way to start your day and we decided to make that a habit. Key West was our first port of call and as we'd not visited here we enjoyed the funky little tourist town.
Lots of roosters, we checked out Sloppy Joe's (Ernest Hemingway's favourite bar) and Hemingway's House with all the six toed kitties - one posing here on the right. Had forgotten about all the wonderful books / movies he'd created. Great amble through the streets, toured the very pricey yachts at the dock and headed back to enjoy the ship. The buffet was busy, but the restaurant is always an option. Time to catch some rays, fire up the Kindle and enjoy sail away on our own. 

Sea days are a chance to really unwind and the sunshine, calm seas and in suite snacks just added to the relaxing. Formal night wasn't even too painful and after we got all gussied up, we had Rene snap a photo on our way to supper. The officers were all Italian and the Captain (who we were introduced to) didn't speak much english. I'm not easily impressed with marine titles as I sleep with the captain every night and gave birth to one too. 

Samana, DR was not a new port of call to us but we took the tender ashore and wandered a bit in the heat, stopping for a beer for the travel partner. We found a couple from NS (he is DFO and known to the shore captain) on the cruise who we'd met in Cuba 15 yrs ago. Small world. Checked out the market and purchased a bottle of vanilla - big spenders. Tortola, BVI was our next port of call and again a repeat but we elected this time to do a snorkel excursion

Cuttlefish 

Long Bay Beach

(had done the history tour last time). I had trouble with my mask fogging (applied my own anti fog drops after that and solved the problem) so it was frustrating but mister saw some new specimens such as a cuttlefish. We snorkelled off Treasure Island which was the one Robert Louis Stevenson wrote about. The next day brought us to Antigua and we chose to do our own snorkel trip with a taxi to Long Bay Beach. It was a beautiful spot with white sand, warm clear water, beach chairs, beverages and food and the reef was good for snorkelling too. Our driver had a nap while we sunned and when he awoke we headed back across the island to the cruise port. 

Guadeloupe spice market

The following day found us in Guadeloupe which was new to us. It was a damp day with tropical showers and grey skies. We opted for a driver and shared a tour with the other NS couple of some of the islands. Interesting to note that Guadeloupe is much like St. Pierre and Miquelon off Newfoundland - a department of France. It was very developed thanks to its EU status and not at all what we'd envisioned. Freeways, fast food, Renault dealerships….Our guide Jimmy was very informative and showed us the national park with it's rainforest and waterfalls, a fort, seaside in several towns and a beach with a market. We managed to avoid the showers in our travels and picked up some nice spices as well. 

Atrium

Two sea days in a row are a lovely luxury and we enjoyed both as we made our way back up towards the Bahamas. We enjoyed the specialty
restaurant where the food was wonderful but the service was a bit spotty - Labrador could whip them in to shape we decided. We did explore the ship a bit - it was (in our opinion) extremely gaudy. Think Las Vegas or bordello - as if the designer was on LSD, colour blind and doing a grade two art project. The crew were as expected Filipino, Indonesian and East Indian and their usual hard working, pleasant selves that we've come to expect. Labrador had a ten year old daughter and eight year old son in Philippines he hadn't seen for nine months and….his replacement didn't arrive so his contract was extended and he was not able to fly home from Miami to Manilla as he'd hoped. My heart ached. 

Our final port of call was Freeport, Bahamas and we did a snorkel excursion with Reef Tours here. Caught the shuttle bus over to Port Lucayna and boarded the catamaran with Captain Gus. Wonderful snorkelling on Treasure Reef and we were the

Barracuda 

last two out of the water and reluctantly at that. Last snorkelling for a while so we had to make it count. Huge schools of fish, lots of different kinds, beautiful coral and very clear water. A short shop at the market and back on the shuttle and to the ship. Wonderful afternoon and evening on the deck and late sail away towards disembarkation. 

A final room service breakfast, disembarkation - luggage, a cab and over to the hotel. We decided to visit the Miami Seaquarium - across the city - and enjoyed the exhibits and shows. Dolphins, sea lions and killer whale shows were fantastic and we didn't get soaked until the final show. The reaction of the grade primary class in front of us was priceless! A cab back to Miami Beach, tostones, bean soup and mojito field the online research for supper which suggested 

that Juicy Gyro might be an option. It did not disappoint - again, enough food for the next day and the need to walk it off. Last breakfast, a few moments by the palm trees and the ride to the airport. A wonderful vacation where the workaholic travel partner never once checked email and we remembered why we're still together after 40 years. Can't do better than that. 

A long process to check the bag, security and finally to the gate. Pizza hut and a glass of red wine and we were ready to board with a nap but….we had to wait for a mechanic to 'reset a circuit breaker' and so with the delay we had missed our connection in Pearson. This wasn't our first rodeo so the travel partner arranged a new flight for us from Toronto to save time on the other end and we were finally on board. What a circus in Pearson - we do our best to avoid flying internationally through there and instantly remembered why. Walked kms then through customs and to the luggage carousel, picked up the bag, out through to security. Lost a bottle of sunscreen and one of lotion from our carry on luggage to the smug TSA screener. Explain how we were so thoroughly scanned in Miami that we had to remove shoes and have a total body scan, review everything in the bin etc etc but those liquids weren't found? I told the shore captain "I feel so much safer flying within Canada without my sunscreen now" but those at the gate who had lost their liquor to the same screener were much more ticked off than me. And to think that I remember when flying was fun. More kms to the gate which….had been changed so even more kms to find the new one. Rush to grab a sandwich and then….delayed again. 

We landed at almost 1 am and awaited the airport hotel shuttle. It was freezing and I chose to wait in the terminal. Finally over to the hotel and the fun began. I had no more than settled myself on the couch to check email when the chauffeur's  distressed and cold face appeared in the doorway. I assumed the car was stuck but he said "you only brought one set of keys did you?" Now, since it only takes one set of keys to operate a car, I think you already know the answer. Clearly, you also know the answer to "you locked the keys in did you?" He acknowledged that he had and the car was running. He also insinuated that if I had been helping it wouldn't have happened. Well…yes, I could've been freezing my butt off in the cold car and when he clumsily locked himself out, I could've opened the door but…I calmly reminded him that when I returned in January to a buried car that I excavated it solo without locking myself out as I'd instructed my travel partner to wait at the hotel - no point in two of us being hypothermic - female reasoning at work that time. The night clerk gave us a phone number and we called for help - the dispatcher said 30 - 45 minutes. Waiting is not something the shore captain does well. Nuff said. At the half hour mark without any sign of the help, I remembered I have roadside assistance on my car - never had to use it before and wasn't sure if it was even still current - 5 yrs or 100,000 km - although I hope I don't need to use it. I called the roadside assistance number and spoke to a calm representative who asked if everyone was safe from danger and I said "I haven't killed him yet, but I have considered it" and he chuckled and said "let's just keep that between us shall we?".  He advised that with the recent weather there had been + + calls for assistance and we would do well to wait for our call. He also advised they would compensate up to $100 for lock out assistance and to call back tomorrow and get details for where to send the receipt. The truck arrived shortly after and opened the door but it was quickly apparent the car was completely stuck so he towed it out as well. The guy requested cash. We didn't have any Canadian funds so he suggested the ATM, I trotted downstairs and found it out of service. We finally pooled our resources from various pockets and purses and came up with $150 US. He wrote he'd unlocked the car and towed us on a business card and pocketed the bills. We collected our gear and started out. As we pulled out on the highway and accelerated to 70 km there was a violent shaking (it would loosen fillings I assure you) and thumping noise. The chauffeur got out to check. No flat, must be something out of line. We discussed heading over to the daughter / son-in-laws for the night but mister decides it's best to drive three hours home at 3 am on sketchy roads at 65km - male logic at work here, forgive the sexist remark. After 90 min. there is a mighty bang and crash and suddenly the car is acting normally. Clearly the ice berg wrapped around the underneath had detached itself after the vehicle warmed up. Made good time after that and crawled into bed at 6 am - thankfully the Red Cross workshop had been cancelled so that wasn't awaiting me. Now as you review this paragraph, please keep in mind that the shore captain had a brand new 4wheel drive truck sitting in the driveway but…he hadn't gotten the registration switched over and the temporary registration would expire before we returned. And don't even get me started about the multiple times I attempted to get out of the driveway today to get to my hair appointment - even though an employee ploughs the parking lot at both world headquarters and the satellite office, driving past our house to do so. Sigh. The 14 stair commute is looking good. 

Have spent the past few days taking care of post vacation, last minute details for home and thinking about packing - not actually getting my act together yet. And the everyday things like walking the dog which I will miss after Tuesday.

Have had some positive developments this week where I scored Huey Lewis & the News concert tickets for Boston this summer (playing with Jimmy Buffett) August 15th. If our Cuban friends are permitted to visit us this summer, it won't be any problem to sell those tickets. Had a nice visit with the boy captain (last I'll see of him until May) and a chat with two daughters - one heading to Cuba, one to Hawaii and mittens for the teacher daughter's class donated by a neighbour. And no, I didn't put strings on the mitts - they're a hazard apparently - how did my kids survive? The quote of the day is "it's a double edged sword raising strong independent daughters". Oh my, yes it is, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I received a full refund of my reassessment income tax (after the accountant fought on my behalf) meaning that CRA had $3000 of my money to work with since last fall. Just in time to file again. A nice visit/lunch at The Lobster Shack with my house/pet sitter where I showed her the vacation photos to get her revved up for her trip to Cuba in a couple of weeks - as if that was required! Plans to have a double date this weekend - the movie Kingsman looks promising….Discovered I have a direct flight from Halifax to Edmonton next Wednesday - won the travel lottery! A few last minute details with the job share partner and now it's all beginning to sink in- I have a real job again. Ahhhh nice. Next posting from 72 degrees north latitude. Sachs Harbour here I come. 

How suite it is

A(nother) snowy evening as I update this blog. Have been having a bit of a real winter (unusual for NS) this month with regular snowfall and cold enough temperatures for the white stuff to remain. Mind you, it's been three years since I've experienced January/February in this part of Canada. And weather is relative with temperatures of -54c in Sachs Harbour and across the high arctic this week. Will have moderated by next month a bit but there will still be lots of winter for me to experience in NWT. 

Reno kitchen

One of the bedrooms

My job share partner kindly posted some photographs of the apartment which give a real sense of where I'm headed. Although the healthcentre is 80s vintage, apparently the kitchen and furniture have had a makeover. I was clearly able to visualize myself doing crafts in that living room, baking in the kitchen or napping in that bed. As you can see with this assortment of photos. There is a lovely redone bathroom and an in-apartment laundry room - not coin operated. Ahhh but enough boasting. 

Dining room 

The cleaning lady suggested new sofa and chair covers for this living room as she struggled to conceal the stains and holes on Friday. Well, it has been almost nine years for the present ones so certainly justified. Sears.ca and the task was accomplished. They are scheduled to arrive in time to freshen up the place before we have company over on Wednesday pm. Close enough to the shades of the various pet hairs here to work. 

Living room 

Announcing….I have completed the Diploma Tropical Nursing course and passed. That is all I am going to say about it. My final paper mark was not a proud moment but….it's a pass. 
My diploma will look the same as everyone else's when it 

Living room

arrives in the mail. And I'm done. I am taking a while to regroup and think about what I'm going to do for humanitarian work. 

We have booked a last minute 10 day cruise and fly to Miami a week from today. We began looking at a balcony - hard to do without one of those in the Caribbean and by the time the search was completed we'd booked a grand suite for less than what we originally found a balcony listed for - impossible to resist the Vacations to Go 75% off deal. On previous cruises we've glanced into a suite as the cabin steward had the door open cleaning and the travel

Itinerary 

Grand suite 

partner has mused "someday we should have a suite just to see how it feels to travel that way". Will let you know. Discussion has run to room service on the large balcony at the stern of the ship, where is the sunscreen and do you have enough e-books downloaded? I attempted to do the online check in but…in my demographic details found myself listed as a male. Not wanting to take a chance with Homeland Security I phoned Vacations to Go to ask them to correct this to female. The supervisor Jonathon checked but as it was too close to departure he had to contact the cruise line to adjust it. He phoned me back shortly to advise that the correction had been implemented and I could proceed with the online check in. I told him that he could add 'gender reassignment surgeon' to his list of skills and he chuckled and said "happens frequently" and added "wasn't expensive either" and I assured him that since we're Canadian we don't worry about the cost of healthcare, we just keep paying our taxes, but I appreciated his expertise. He said "you have a great vacation, but I don't think I have to tell you to do that, you're going to have fun" and I assured him that was the plan.

A former coworker agreed to animal/house sit for us in a test run of her plan to leave almost adult offspring at home with her own animals when she goes to Cuba next month. At least this way she can intervene from half an hour away if required vs another country. I told the pets and the dog was excited, but she's excited about everything and the cats, well…they don't give a crap anyway. So all is set and it's a win win situation. 

Aside from digging out the snorkel gear, I am finishing up some last minute courses to do a Red Cross workshop the morning after we (hopefully) fly back. I am putting some strings on mittens which a neighbour has kindly knit for the grade primary class teacher's collection, downloading music for the travel partners iPod 

Have been asked to say a few words at a memorial service on Thursday for a former coworker who lost her battle with cancer last month. What a fighter she was. The difficulty is not in finding positive thoughts to share but limiting the list to a few minutes. 

Bring Snakes

To avoid being accused of 'not keeping the blog anymore' I shall attempt to update more regularly. Since I am living the life of the semi-retired there is very little reason to avoid posting - once you exclude naps, walks, socializing, reading…...

We have had winter weather - surprise - it is January and February, the past few weeks. A power outage which was mercifully only about 12 hours and with the generator hooked up, isn't really noticed here. No internet for netflix so we watched Captain Phillips which I'd downloaded on my laptop. What a powerful story! The fact that the Somali pirates dialog was subtitled in Mandarin was a bit of a detraction - memo to self….gotta be more mindful of my pirating of online movies. After the outage however there was no internet, so wrangling with Eastlink - a VERY unsatisfactory pastime should you consider engaging it in - resulted in the purchase of a new router. Once set up, the router dropped the signal after about 10 - 15 minutes. Contact the (previous computer geek) now shore captain's employee who made a house call, manually setting up the router. Although functioning when he left, he was likely not a km down the road when it failed. He suggested purchasing another router. Thankfully my northern backup Apple Airport Express worked when pulled from the action packer. Technology! Not as annoying as thinking we needed a new fridge - came home with $200 worth of groceries and found the light bulbs in the holder had detached and cooked food on the top shelf. After clearing everything inside out and putting it in the outside cooler aka veranda and cleaning off the exterior (which now means I need to purge tomorrow) it decided to arise from the ashes (overheating) and begin working again, for which I am grateful. I refuse to allow the light bulbs back inside as this is both a food safety and fire hazard. Personally, I don't miss the light, but then again, I am not one who stands in front of the fridge with the door open as if it is a TV I am watching. Sad.

Last week as I drove to an appointment I was listening to a segment on CBC about the media and politics, especially as it relates to our conservative (in all senses of the word) PM and how the PMO has stifled the relationship with the press, limiting opportunities to speak to them or even to reply to their questions. The journalist described how he had in the past been a "scrum monkey" and it took me a moment to understand he meant one of those reporters/cameramen yelling at politicians in the halls of parliament hill. And yes, now that I think about it, you really don't see a lot of those scrums on the evening news since Stephen Harper do you?

The snow covered roads on my way were a bit of a challenge, but not as bad as I'd expected. The shore captain's 4 wheel drive truck, and my not usually stirring if the white stuff arrives, means that not much plowing gets done here. One of the shore captain's employees had done a swing by and plowed the bank from the end of the driveway so my little car could make it out for my scheduled appointment. As I settled in to wait, another lady arrived and replied to one of the staff "yes I swam the moat and slayed the dragons to get here this morning" which made me smile. 

How to build an igloo

Afterwards I continued along to the city to read to the teacher daughter's grade primary class for literacy week. I had chosen to read about the arctic and with limited options for books I had created an individual book for each of the 16 students. I found a teacher source online about building igloos, printed, cut, folded, taped the pages back to back and sewed the centre of each booklet. I made a brief slideshow of northern photos to cover the concept of no trees, 24 hrs of darkness and sunlight and community photos, I collected up some traditional carvings and took along my Canada Goose parka and sealskin mitts. The children, a number of them new Canadians, were very well behaved and engaged - what a wonderful year they are having. 

After school was dismissed and the planning for the next day completed, we set out on our shopping mission as I was looking for some new threads. This daughter is very positive (you have to be to encourage five and six year olds) and doesn't say (as did her more critical younger sister) when asked for fashion advice a few years back "well, if that's all you have"…. It's a bit discouraging to clothes shop as I am wearing a posture support brace around my shoulders which makes it unfun. The necessity of wearing two layers - it's like wearing hockey shoulder pads and just about as comfortable so an undershirt with at least medium sleeves, difficult to cover requiring a tighter neck on the overshirt, and it puts the search up another size on a later years generous body shape, generally an unattractive look. I have a new sympathy for those who wear prothesis now. Actually when I took the (metal filings filled) brace off for TSA scanning in Savannah airport the security asked me if I had any other 'prothesis'? But enough whining...

We scored a pair of skinny jeans early in the search and since Reitman's markets to their audience meaning I took a size 3 sizes smaller than usual, the price on the tag wasn't even examined. I found a pair of leather riding boots for 50% off to go with them. While searching for a top the clerk who was trying to assist asked me "what's the occasion?" meaning casual or dressy sweaters. To which I replied "I bought a new pair of jeans". We all agreed this was the best occasion we could think of.  Managed to find a tunic in bamboo marked down to $20 from $80 and leggings (yes I've decided I dare wear those if the top is long enough) before calling it in and heading home in the snow of rush hour. 

The next morning after the working folks left I spent some quality time with the grand dog - he got an extra run in the yard full of snow and a treat before being crated. I headed off for some more retail therapy where I found a very nice tunic/dress to wear over my leggings which sadly will be good to wear for an upcoming memorial service of a former coworker, Moving on I scored an $80 marked down to $15 top with the help of a Lebanese saleslady. She an another customer were discussing how long they'd been in this country (38 and 13 yrs respectively) and how they'd gotten used to the snow and cold. I thanked them for choosing Canada. I picked up the shore captain at the Avis office where he was returning the rented cube van which had transported lobsters for the past two months. We joined a former northern nurse co-worker for lunch at Jack Astors as she had agreed to be a courier for some lobsters to someone north of 60 who provided a positive reference. Got to settle my scores. A very pleasant drive home as I chauffeured and the business mogul conquered empires on his cell phone. Time to get the dog out for a walk before the sun set and it was nice to stretch legs in the fresh if brisk air after all the sitting.  

FaceBook can be a royal pain but it does connect us all and I had a message from a local lady who winters in Texas (apparently with parents of another northern nurse - but as I explained the north is a BIG place) saying "your parents would be so proud of you". I stopped to consider that and agreed that yes, they likely would - my father for the adventure and my mother for the nursing part. 

Speaking of northern work, I had an online chat with my job share partner this afternoon. Asked her if she was on call and it was quiet? These two descriptors go together in that community as she disclosed our last chat that she'd only had one call in the three weeks she'd been in community and that was a phone call. She replied "I'm on call….. that's all I'm going to say" so apparently the tranquility continues. My heart be still. I told her I was stocking up on crafts and downloading ebooks to which she typed "bring materials for a large project and snakes" I stared at the screen for a bit and typed 'snakes'? Arrgggh she replied "snacks, that friggin autocorrect I hate it". Made my afternoon - would be hard for a snake to make it in the arctic - it's -46c with the wind chill there today. 

Another nasty couple of days forecast with snow, wind, freezing rain, rain so fingers crossed for the power to stay on. Will soon enough be putting on ALL my layers of clothes to head out a few steps. Lots of winter left at 72 degrees north. 

Job Share it is!

After sleeping in, walking the dog and doing a very minimal amount of domestic duties….I'm sipping strawberry rhubarb David's tea, settled cozily on the couch gazing out on the grey harbour as a few snowflakes fall,  with the cat purring next to me, dog settled across the living room in the armchair and the lots of time to update the blog. My only decision is whether to turn on the fireplace or not. As you can tell, I am very much enjoying being at home for a while as it's been August since that has happened in segments measured in weeks not days and with a return to work date of March 11th or so (more on that later) life is good. 

The previous posting was just before New Years and highlighted the DTN course which seems a lifetime away now. In case you were wondering…I DID finish the essay, submitting it before the planned girls getaway. And although it was quite an effort, I do have to admit that I learned a great deal about malnutrition, feeding centres, humanitarian work and myself - in addition to the intense information of the on site lectures. According to my classmates (who are apparently more concerned about their marks than yours truly) the provisional results for exams are to be released tomorrow, the papers on Feb 6th, I'm still sticking with the plan to announce I made a 98% and have one LARGE celebration next month. Then again, there are no FB postings of me having a send off celebration before heading to an ebola treatment project in Africa either, such as the younguns are sporting so we'll just celebrate in our own ways. 

I am however, doing a free online course on ebola this two weeks. This one is through the London School of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene but there are various (all free) courses offered through 

www.futurelearn.com

An interesting one that began while I was vacationing (so I put my name on a future list) focuses on crime scene forensics….next time. I did register for one in March called Medicine in the Arts out of Cape Town. Although they're free you can opt to purchase a certificate of completion. I suppose if you have a spot on your wall that needs covering…

After January 7th my activities have been social versus academic though, as a buddy and myself headed out to Savannah for a girls week to celebrate my course ending. It was winter in Georgia too, but certainly a much milder version than the NS one, and since their cold 

Savannah Airport - can you imagine?

St. John the Baptist

season is so brief, most of the tourist attractions were open (Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House will have to wait for another time as it closes for January) and very uncrowded. We were the only passengers on the free ferry across the river and had most of the free bus to ourselves as we hopped on and off the people mover. As tourists we took the narrated city hop on and off tour, a riverboat cruise, toured the Ships of the Sea, Civil Rights and Telfair Art Museums, Visitors and Jepson Centre, First African Baptist Church, scenes featured in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and Forrest Gump, attended a dance recital at the Lucas Theatre and shopped through the riverfront (the smell of those praline candy factories still haunts me), city market, Broughton St, areas and several 

Riverboat Tour

museum shops of spots we didn't tour. Savannah is more historic than Atlanta (as it wasn't burned in the Civil War) and a very friendly place. Highly recommend it if you're considering a visit. Spent a few hours sitting on the plane in Savannah while the mechanic checked the brakes before we left and a good number of the passengers missed their connections accordingly. We were pleased that only did the brakes work in the drizzly landing in Atlanta but we were able to grab something to eat on the way to the plane and actually connected to LaGuardia and onwards. Overnighted and saw a local Dr and his wife at the hotel in the am (small world moments) then dropped off gifts along the way and stopped for errands on the way home. 

Enjoyed having a 'crowd over for crustaceans' on the weekend. The shore captain saved 20 lobsters and 12 of us devoured them with greek salad, bread and beverages. Lots of catching up for us all. I was particularly pleased when the German pastry chef guest complimented me on the apple pies I made for dessert. It's one thing to receive a thumbs up from amateurs but when someone who's a professional baker thinks I hit the target, well…. Last night we had a double movie date and enjoyed The Imitation Game which was excellent. I managed to get the life partner there on time by (as required) subtracting 15 minutes from the departure time, allowing him to yak on the cell phone several times en route  then insisting he leave it in the vehicle. I drove and as we exited the car he was still sitting in the back seat engrossed in a work call so I said to other female "just pull his door open will you so I can lock  it electronically, hard to tell how long he'll be" and the three of us headed in to the ticket machine. He was saved by the two senior techno wizards attempting to (painfully) purchase tickets ahead of us and rushed in as we headed in the doors. We left him standing in line to buy snacks and as we headed in to the theatre the other male asked where the shore captain was "shall I call him?" he grinned - obviously didn't get the memo that guys are supposed to stick together. Was a good time. Promises all around to do it more often. These last two social events were more successful than the much anticipated New Years Eve celebrations. Note to self - do not take a sleep deprived non party animal with you if you'd like to party. Nuff said. 

Was trying to distract myself from the sad news this week of the RCMP member who was murdered out west. Always hits too close to home with the RCMP history of the life partner. And as his name was released I was shocked to find that I knew this policeman. He had been a paramedic in this province and a previous Red Cross first aid instructor / instructor-trainer with me. Always sad, but worse when they're known to you. As I watched his wife weeping at a news conference, I remembered him sharing the story of how he'd met her. As a paramedic they have to do a certain number of deliveries and he met her in the case room as he delivered her baby. They got together, married and he adopted the boy and they had two more sons - good story for  the baby book. 

Now as promised earlier, here are the details of the position I accepted. I felt I had to wait until I signed on the dotted line and (politely) informed my former employer (never burn any bridges - even at this age) of the development. Beginning March 12th (well the 11th if you consider the commute) I will be job sharing a CHN (Community Health Nurse) position in Sachs Harbour, NWT. As you can see from this map on the right, it really is at the top of the world at 72 degrees north latitude. The flights run Edmonton - Yellowknife - Inuvik - Sachs Harbour and medevacs are out to Inuvik. There are flights three days a week from Inuvik to Sachs Hbr but a Thursday departure adds an extra day to the commute home (three in total) as the connection is too late in the day. The Wikipedia overview gives you the basics:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachs_Harbour

The sun hasn't returned yet - another five days before sunrise according to this website:

www.timebie.com/sun/sachsharbournt.php

My job share partner (who is in community now) tells me there are usually approx. 70 people in community as the kids go out to school from grade nine and people are out working, so ignore the pop, 120 part. Also according to my partner (who is doing the research) this spot is very laid back, slow, fun, able to spend time with patients, whatever descriptor you choose - and she's a bit of a hard sell so I am already getting pumped to go. Especially as it met my primary criteria of apartment attached to health centre - these -47c days it is a bonus to have that 14 stair commute. The food mail option (my on the ground researcher tells me) means that your grocery list is phoned to Stantons in Inuvik with your credit card info, they pack and ship your order which arrives on the flight the next day, then Lloyd delivers it to your door which is better than walking to the store. Better than the $16 for 2L of coconut water she found at the grocery store for sure. She (having been a previous roommate) has shown me the way on many things, including applying for this job share - so I shall continue to learn from her. 

This is a two nurse station with a CHN and a NIC (nurse in charge) so staff are only first call every other night. No, there is no second on call nurse because….there is no need. If the bad thing happens, the 'other nurse' will just be located. Since it's a small fly in community, clearly that won't be too difficult. And apparently when on call it is customary to leave a message on the phone / note on the door if required to say "gone to the COOP" which is the only grocery store or "walking down by the shore, come find me if you need me" The collective agreement states GNWT reimburses for 225 kg of luggage every 8 wks and will pay the shot for my spouse to come in for a for a wk or so to visit every rotation. In addition to the usual government benefits there is a $2000/yr personal professional development budget (half of the full timers).  And I was pleased to learn that the health centre has a vehicle now as previously there were just a skidoo and an ATV. How would you transport a medevac patient? Tell the team to arrange themselves however they wished, layer themselves up and put the patient on top? I'll plan to get a work restrictions letter from my physio if there's a hint that this old gal be expected to drive off road vehicles. So I think all in all that this shall suit an old nurse who likes to do crafts and study a bit right down to the tundra. Might be the last 'paid work' job I have. Mind you, I've uttered those words before….

On my errands this week when I was buying craft supplies, I picked up some yarn so that a neighbour (who loves to do so) can knit some mittens for the teacher daughter's grade primary class and I have sourced some small winter hats. Winter weather requires hats and mitts for the little people who often lose or forget them and although Frenchy's is a great source of the former, the latter tend to go missing. Hats are (of course) non returnable to the collection (as the retired teacher who helped me dig in the bin reminded me) due to fear of that L word. I'll watch the weather and plan a trip to deliver the mittens when they're ready. Such is the ability of the semi retired nurse. Ahhhhh