Yesterday noon I must admit I was feeling pretty grim and not very hopeful on my chances of getting out of the arctic. I could not see across the street for howling snow and Friday night working late at the office, even contemplated what it would be like if I had to spend the night, and finally walking 3 block home was appreciative of my goggles. 

As per forecast: Blizzard warning in effect.

Blizzard ending late this afternoon then periods of light snow. Snowfall amount 2-to 4 cm. Wind northwest 60 km/h gusting to 80 diminishing to 30 late this afternoon. High minus 23. Wind chill minus 42.

So my reflections on a Sunday morning where the sky is clear but cold and I counted 8 ravens out my window on the sea ice playing tag and bobbling in the wind…

First of all hopefully my blogging and photos gives one a touch of the different world up here and maybe why I keep coming back. If there weren’t the work opportunities, the arctic is a part of Canada I would never see. Just so blessed to be able to do so over the last almost 10 years.

So what has this stint been like…highs, lows and regrets but I WILL COME BACK just give me a little time to warm up in between.

Highs

• The stunning beauty of the arctic in winter, being out on my skis or walking and the way the snow is sculpted after a blizzard or wind storm.
• Being able to use my camera to capture some of it
• The people I have met:
•  Both clients who said thank you even when I could not help them, and those who said thank you when I did.
• The preschooler who returned my office toys,
• An office mate who every morning greeted me with “ Coffee, Bonnie”
• Carvers at the door who are always polite even if I didn’t purchase and sharing stories when I did
• Colleagues and my nurse manager in other communities who would listen to my vent or provide email docs when I could not find them
• Invites out by teachers and RCMP to potlucks
• Driving in the health center van to scrumptious Sunday brunch at the DEW line with the nurses and families including two very talkative Australian pre-schoolers
• The variety of roommates and dogs that shared my living space in the transient northern house
• Being able to have solitary time at the house without roommates
• Buying a large frozen arctic char and have to figure out how I will bring it home!
• Having my qiniq modem to stay connected with facebook and other friends
• Having my sister call from Edmonton
• Thankful that my “ on call” was generally quiet
• Having my radio and getting CBC-1.
• Seeing some of my favorite medical TV shows like Greys on TV not on line.

Lows

• Running out of energy when I wanted to do more whether …well just more.
• Still needing my cane when walking outside.
• Power outages at the office
  
• That mental check every time to think where my keys are and fear of losing them or being locked out in the cold
• Standing out side doors in minus 30oC trying to find the right key to open the door.

• Days of feeling grumpy & knowing my calling is not to detective or clerical work. After going at the request of my bosses through every single file on the office computer and every paper in a closed disorganized file discovering that the needed docs are probably in another community!  The next morning they had been found and emailed to me…Well at least hoped pointed in the right direction!

• Worrying about my dogs in Edmonton when they escaped and feeling helpless other than making Internet ads and checking all the phone messages.

Regrets

• Due to cold weather not getting out on my skis as much as I would have liked.

• Not finding an evening sewing class or getting as much done on the sewing projects I brought with me.

• Not watching a local hockey game.

• Not getting as much reading done as I had hoped.

• Not getting to the local church as on call on weekends.

I have been asked when I would next be available but just give me some time….sort of like when the obstetrician said after the birth of one of my children…so Bonnie see you next year same time!