HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Hello All!!!!

I know I haven't written since Thanksgiving, but life HAS been VERY busy during the past couple of weeks. I can't believe how busy I really am- and am thriving on it.

Paul arrived for a 1 week visit on the 20th, and we had a truly wonderful time. It was all too short, and I cried when he left, but in some ways I believe that this experience,too, for us both was "meant" to be. We cooked "Artic Char"( which I was able to purchase from the local Inuvialuit office, through connections) and shared it with my new friends Lorraine and Rob Stiles. We all had a great evening together. During his visit, Paul did get to "sleep in" (much needed), but we had an expert tour of Inuvik by one of the local cabbies, visited with "amazing" dog-sledding huskies, attended church( Paul gave the blessing) followed by a marvellous pot-luck lunch,(including a caribou casserole)and had a tour of the incredible "Igloo" Roman Catholic Church by one of their parishoners, including a climb to the top of the dome. Paul also spent time with me at school meeting many of my colleagues and students, and even taught a beginning recorder class for me. We "hit" all the important shops, and enjoyed the frosty unpolluted air!

Meanwhile, after Paul's departure last Monday, I left for Calgary on Wednesday to attend a College of Examiners workshop for the Royal Conservatory of Music, getting back yesterday. It was great to be down"south" as they call it here, with leaves still on the trees! It's been full blown winter here since Sept. 28th. I went for a long walk following my workshop, picked up a couple of Christmas gifts, had my hair trimmed, AND treated myself to a manicure and pedicure. As I landed back in Inuvik I felt the peace that this place brings, and was amazed how happy I was to be back! It felt especially heartwarming to return to the school for the afternoon, and to be hugged by so many of the little students saying "Where were you Mrs.M- we missed you so much!" I literally had tears in my eyes. Being Halloween, a HUGE event here, the afternoon consisted of a costume parade for all students, pumpkin carving,and class parties. I have NEVER in my life seen such costumes- many hand sewn and SO elaborate and creative. One grade 4 student was dressed as an IPOD and asked me if I would like to listen to him at our next music class!!!!!! CAN YOU ALL BELIEVE IT?

Now it is into a REALLY busy schedule until Christmas. I'm conducting a community choir for the BIG annual community concert held in the IGLOO church on Dec.14th. My school choir is also participating. I'm also part of a committee arranging a performance tour of the North the week of November 20th. I have a Professional Developement day next week with a top clinician from Toronto on the use of "smart boards" in the classroom, have to busily prepare for our school concert on Dec.17th, and have 5 social events on my calendar thus far.

The 6 week freeze up has now begun, where the river crossings are closed, until trucks can use ice roads. Until then EVERYTHING has to be flown in and milk can hit $10 a litre, so we all freeze some ahead!

Had GREAT news from Stephanie yesterday that she graduated Suma Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Ottawa, with a 4.0 GPA! She is now into her 3rd month of Masters at U of T. We are all so proud of her.

All for now- I can't believe that 20% of my teaching year has passed!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!

A lot has happened since my last posting. My friends from BC came and are now gone. We had a good visit even though I was not too well for most of it. I did manage, however to cook 2 dinners for them in my small humble apartment, and Jan sang in for me when we offered our "first" anthem at Church of the Ascension. They had a good time- managed to get to TUK for a day, and then I was back to my "routine".

I, as most other teachers on staff, caught bad colds etc. over the past few weeks- new year, change of seasons, many ill children coughing and sneezing all around us etc. We are all organized for our flu shots within the next couple of weeks. I had the joy- as I obviously had not secured a GP yet, of visiting EMERG at the hospital early on Wednesday am. Yes, I did need an antibiotic etc. Bottom line, I only had to wait 30!!! minutes in a "state of the art" facility, got great care, and am now doing REALLY well. The medical care here in Inuvik is excellent, and as government employees, we are given top end care. It was also GREAT, once again, to meet Maritimer nurses!!

My past 10 days have been filled, apart from my ongoing VERY busy schedule, with ARTS Planning Events here at Aurora College, where I have met the most amazing people!! We have a huge number of events to plan- a Trio Performance tour in Nov., A Storytelling festival, A celtic Band Tour, An Amazing Violin tour from a young 24 year old violinist just out of Julliard, etc, stc. - the list goes on.

My new top-end Yamhaha Clavinova arrived on Thursday -amazing quality! My principal has invested( through the school board etc.) $5000.00 in the music program since I've arrived! I have a waiting list for private students- I obviously can't take on too much due to the busyness of my job- but plan over this weekend to set an initial schedule. I am the only person in Inuvik who can teach piano.

The "noise" of snownobile traffic is incredibile. We are buried under a foot of snow!! My sweet students continue to AMAZE me. They are innately talented, and we are SO happy together. As one class arrived at my room this past Thursday, one little guy exclaimed as I arrrived about 2 Minutes late ( from My K gym class, and my new keyboard was upended near my door in a box about 6 ft. tall)- here is Mrs. M-
We thought you were in the Box!!

I am cooking Thanksgivng dinner tommorrow for 2 dear friends I have met since arriving here. Lorraine and Rob are from New Brunswick, attend the church with me , and are incredible. Lorraine and I ( she works for Human Resouces(Gov) here) have a major Saturday "ritual" now of shopping for groceries AND doing fun things. Apart from our weekly consversations, we are truly "two" bonded women!

One week from Monday, PAUL ARRIVES!!! I am SO looking forward to his week long visit. I just wish he could bring my "Golden Girls"! However they are getting used to their SPA visits at Martindale Kennels and come back HAPPY. Paul will be with Steven, Candice,and the Goldens tomorrow in Milton with 16 of the "Whitten" family . Thank God for family!!

Goodnight and God Bless from this beautiful corner of our country!!!