in one's spirits when the sun is out, and although clear and cold still able to get outside. This morning after being cooped inside for a day or two got out both to church and for a ski. Located in the newer area of Gjoa Haven there is a long down hill walk or ski from my unit. Looking back up the hill mine is the green central 4 plex. The Anglican service was totally in Inuktitut and my bilingual hymn book from Rankin Inlet didn't have quite the same numbers but eventually figured it out and was welcomed, although the only " kablunac " present. Home for a brief lunch and then out on the skis, encountered this group ice fishing. With a small wooden handled line and hook and bait ( told fresh seal the best ) constantly jiggled these two cod fish were the result. not as good this weekend as last when over 15 were caught in the same half hour time period!

This is the sun about 3 PM... just love the smokiness of the light here.  On the return trip in the middle of the skidoo trail was a kamotik full of ice. Families will go go out to collect ice as it is fresher and makes purer water.

An up hill hike, skis on the outside porch and a satisfied afternooon trek.

It has been just over a week of weather and housing delays since I left Edmonton but have finally arrived in Gjoa Haven, where I will be working for the next two months in an acting supervisor position. Only one day in the office in the health center so not alot of time yet to explore.... except of course that noon hour when I succeeded in finding myself locked out of the transient unit!

Gjoa Haven, Nunavut, located on the southeastern coast of King William Island on the Northwest Passage, is also known as Uqsuqtuuq, or 'place of plenty blubber', because of the once plentiful seal. One of the fastest growing communities in the Kitikmeot Region, in 1961, its population was estimated at 100 and now well over 1000.

The hamlet seems very spread out with two sections of the town separated by a long gully. Main facilities such as the schools, COOP, Northern, health center, RCMP detachment & houses, hamlet office etc. also seem to be scattered. Attending a potluck supper last night, must have driven 20 minutes around every street to find the right unit, finally asking a group of children for directions! I brought a salad and enjoyed everything from pyrogies to icecream with strawberries and pineapple! A pleasant evening with some of the staff from the health center, some of whom leaving soon, stories were exchanged & some deeper discussions on slowing down, living in the present moment and the richness of life we encounter in our work as health care professionals.

Personally much of the past week has been packing and unpacking and am finally glad to be settled!!! I am in a lovely two bedroom transient unit ( shared housing maintained by DHSS) in a newer area but had to be cleaned, furnished and equipped with the basics of kitchen dishes, pots & pans, bathroom shower curtains, bedding quilts and sheets .... the latter all of which arrived at 9:30 PM the first night I arrived. It was somewhat like Christmas unpacking and putting away the boxes but must admit very zapped when I finally fell in to bed after midnight!

This weekend am rather housebound because of the minus 30oC temps and horizontal snow today decided x-c skis were not it, but instead did the stairs as exercise. Also a chance to add those personal touches to the unit such as with my wall hangings and books. Quite amazed that my plant cuttings have survived, although the hydrangea bulb has blossomed at a strange angle....just a little attempt at bringing some touches of spring!