We left uninspiring accommodations that had three things going for them; an in-room kitchenette, working TV and functioning internet. Three things I was very, very partial to. There was also a distinct lack of drywall dust and paint fumes at the old place, things I am NOT partial to.
It took me about a week to warm up to our new place, but this weekend I finally feel comfortable here. The addition of TV and internet has gone a long way to improve my feelings on my situation. However, I still miss the ability to cook in our room - I've never enjoyed sharing a kitchen with strangers and this is no exception. I do appreciate leaving the cooking smells in the kitchen, but I am and always will be a fan of convenience. I also miss our bathtub terribly. We sacrificed the tub for the great view. I'm still on the fence about whether it was a good trade.
Iain and I have a lot of sympathy for the construction crews who are working to put the hotel together. They have been short manpower (many of the construction specialists live out of town and have to fly in for a week or two at a time) and have had to work around Iain and I. One morning Iain left the room to get his coffee and saw the lead carpenter literally tiptoeing past our room and moving in slow motion so as not to wake us up. They are really great guys in a crappy situation, however, my sympathy isn't as far reaching as Iains. There are some things I just didn't want to have to deal with on top of a stressful work environment. Having said that, I am trying to look outside myself and shed the 'poor me' act I've got going on so well. We'll see how that goes this week! My new shipment of exercise DVD's should help me burn off a little excess frustration.
On the teaching front the past two weeks have been insightful. Iain was in Rankin Inlet for a week instructing the Oil Burner Mechanics Class in Trades Mathematics. He encountered a few hiccups regarding course materials, but with a little elbow grease and some of his excellent 'fix-it' dedication he helped bring a little order to their mathematical world.
During the week Iain was gone I was assisting Alan with the Red Cross First Aid course and WHMIS. I truly enjoyed watching Alan interact with the class - his use of Inuktitut words made a huge difference in the attitudes of the guys we were teaching. I was amazed how they snapped to attention with a single phrase and the positive feedback he was getting from even the most recalcitrant students. He rarely seemed fazed by the poor attendance or daily struggles I find so overwhelming at times.
Alan indicated he is interested in getting me certified to teach First Aid and WHMIS in the next year as they are currently short instructors in those areas as well. Alan uses personal stories and even a few unique 'magic' tricks to engage the students - initially I didn't believe I have very many first aid related stories to contribute, however as the week progressed I found more and more of my own memories popping up and believe I could effectively teach First Aid with as much interaction and enthusiasm as Alan. Of course, the other thing I learned was that embellishment can be a very effective tool when teaching bored students. A little 'shock and awe' goes a long way.
The past week has been mostly a week of adjustment. Adjustment to teaching English to ESL students, adjustment to living in a construction zone and adjustment to changing weather and decreasing energy. I had forgotten how much the dark and grey fall can affect my energy levels. I am going to watch myself for signs of SAD and break out the Blue Ray lights if need be. There have been a few rays of sunshine peaking through, but the overwhelming majority of days are steel grey with low clouds and howling winds. Grey skies, grey tundra and a churning grey Hudson's Bay - the major splashes of color are the bloody red caribou hides drying on every shed and doorway.
Our big-little Hamlet of Arviat keeps springing little surprises on Iain and I. Today one of the last barges was tugged into the harbour here in Arviat. I couldn't believe I was seeing a barge at the end of October. If ever there was a doubt about climate change, this effectively put it to rest. The other little surprise was told to us yesterday: the Hamlet has deemed Halloween to be an un-Christian holiday therefore they cannot celebrate it on Sunday. So this year, Halloween will be celebrated in Arviat on Friday the 29th. This way the children can have their candy fiesta and the dominant religious groups of Arviat are satisfied that all souls will remain untainted by pagan rituals. Or something like that.
All I can do is shrug my shoulders and do my best to educate the small few in my instructional care. Although I am dubious of my chances when one of my students questions my 'crazy' belief that we descended from monkeys but is certain that centaurs exist somewhere down south.
What can you do eh?
Iain in our front yard
Showing off the parka with the Hudson's Bay in the background
The view from our bedroom window
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