Gone Goosebreak

Like the title suggests, Goosebreak came in like a crazy wife, played with my mind and emotions and disappeared without a trace. 

That being said, this Goosebreak was pretty nice. As planned, I caught up and enjoyed some great meals and time with family and friends, got some much needed rest and even managed to squeeze a little shopping in there! I spent some quality time with my Mama (rendering me homesick the minute I pulled out of the driveway for my trip back on Saturday) and visited with my sick Nana and since I don't get to see her often, it was really nice to share some time with her and I hope she recovers soon. I also spent MUCH quality time with the love of my life Bobo. 

 Mmmm movie theatre popcorn. 

Sweet love. 

That face. 

A summary of my break. 

As my sisters and I get older and "mature" it's nice to see that we are growing closer together as the years progress. Before, not having a lot in common at the time or simply being testy females, we weren't particularly close growing up. Close as in "paint each other's toe nails, stay up late at night telling secrets, braid each other's hair" kind of close. Sure we shared the same experiences and went through a lot together but it really hasn't been until recently that we could all connect on a deeper, more meaningful level. Growing up has a lot to do with it but so do huge life changes for all of us. I won't divulge their life changes but for me, it was probably moving to Wemindji. Being so far away - even with the marvels of modern technology to help us keep in virtual touch - constantly helps me realize and acknowledge what is important when all the distractions of daily life are peeled away. Coming home to Oakville and spending time together is such a treat and something I really look forward to. No bells or whistles necessary, just hanging out or grabbing a sandwich. It's all more special when it's something you haven't done for months and know you won't be doing again for months to come. So personally I have to credit Wemindji for strengthening my bonds with my family. My mom, sisters and I had a really nice girl's night (which included pizza, clay masks, pedicures and a scary movie) before a fantastic Mother's Day dinner that Sunday.

 

So beauty. 

I'm not upset I just couldn't move my face much. 

Costco date!

Mother's Day dinner!

Planting for Mother's Day. 

Besides seeing a lot of family I managed to squeeze in time for my first life changing shellac manicure. I sat through about an hour of psychological and verbal abuse at the hands of my manicurist but emerged a changed woman. I have a slight obsession with nails and now a huge obsession with shellac manicures. However I live in a town with NO beauty amenities so I am going to, of course, have to procure my own UV manicure setup so I can appease the nail polish beast that lives within. 

Obsessed. Do these look like the "worst cuticles ever" to you?!?! Frig. 

So after a well deserved 2 weeks off, Monika and her sister Raquel and I took off on Saturday morning to come back to Wemindji. It was a gorgeous drive with hardly any traffic which was puzzling especially since it was a long weekend and we were driving straight through cottage country. Anyways we made great time both days and I made it home without incident AGAIN!! Perhaps the driving gods are beginning to see they have taxed me too hard and too often and now it is time for a break. (Side note: I did run over a nail on my way down it turns out and punctured one of my winters but it was easily reparable thankfully.)

Anyways we arrived yesterday in Wemindji to what felt like an artic hurricane. Winds were wild and it was (and still is) COLD. In fact I saw some flakes just now blowing around outside and I went to my happy place (aka the liquor cabinet). I didn't go crazy like I usually do with shopping since there is only about 4 teaching weeks left and didn't need much for the classroom or home so unpacking didn't take long. Today I built my new treadmill, prepped my meals for the week, did laundry, cleaned my house a little, got groceries and dropped off stuff at the school! Now I sit and relax and will watch some shows as I nurse my hand which I just stabbed with scissors and may require stitches who knows. 

Yum

Found this at the dump. 

Call 911

Anyways so as one countdown ended, another shall begin - this time for summer break! Ta ta for now!

Knee-deep in Goosebreak

Well folks I'm currently a few days into my wonderful, glorious Goosebreak!  

Monika, Meghan and Samantha along with pets Ellie (dog), Flip (cat) and Nick (hamster) hit the road Friday afternoon at 4pm after a long day of work with the sun shining, tunes blasting and a box of pizza to keep us company. The weather was gorgeous and roads perfect! We had a few laughs in the car and listened to a masterfully crafted 1990's and 2000's playlist which set the tone for the trip. 

We made really good time on the James Bay Highway with not an incident to report! It was awesome! We even saw a linx!! Rolling into Amos around 1am, I promptly collapsed into bed and woke around 8:30 to get the day started. Saturday felt longer for me but was still a great drive with great roads and weather. Making a pit stop at the local Tim Hortons that morning I discovered their new Nutella products. Sometimes I have regrets about living in the north....

Anyways after dropping off Meghan in North Bay where her parents drove from Ottawa to pick her up, then Samantha in Etobicoke and then Monika in Oakville just north of me, I made it back to good old Pinegrove Road at about 7:30ish. I was POOPED but glad to be home in one piece!!!! (Or so I thought... Turns out I ran over a nasty nail the size of a French bread stick requiring a repair, you just can't take me anywhere!!)

Since Saturday I have really packed it in and I'm paying for it now. I caught up with Clair and Ryan and Heather as well as went for a really nice dinner at the Lowville Bistro with family on Sunday. I got my first sunburn of the season and discovered that I packed horribly for this tropical southern weather. Monday I had brunch with Hilary and Mummy and literally shopped the entire day, picking up many items on my list which felt good but I also spent so much money I felt a bit of panic. I saw my first theatre movie in months (the James Franco and Jonah Hill one, pretty good!). Today I had my winter tires changed over to my summers, repaired the puncture (thank goodness I didn't have to replace yet ANOTHER tire) got my oil change, ran some more errands and had to literally and forcibly crash at home. I've been in bed ever since. Bobo has been my constant and loving companion over the last few days, following me around the house, laying with me, giving me kisses on demand and really just being an all-around prince. 

On a more somber (yet celebratory) note, I have finally gotten rid of my last hamster, Nick! All of the 8 babies born to sweet Carmonika either died peacefully (...hopefully) or were adopted out. When Carmonika herself passed (too soon), I decided it was time to finally get Nick a home that would appreciate him and love him. 

Traveling long distance with hamsters is no easy task believe it or not and had become somewhat of a burden. I had looked for months for someone to take him with no luck. While he used to be a classroom pet last year, certain circumstances with my new class meant that I couldn't keep him with us. I also didn't want to advertise him on the Internet incase some sicko took him and wanted to use him as their weird play toy or for anaconda food so I decided to take him to my local humane society. Did you know you needed to be INTERVIEWED in order to surrender an animal? Yeah. I had to make an appointment and fill out a looooooong application/history as well as pay a $35 fee. Gone are the days when you could just leave an unwanted pet on the doorstop in a wicker basket in the night. 

Since they took my drivers license information I'm pretty sure I'm blacklisted forever from adopting from there so that's great. Feeling judged and like a knob for having to surrender him, I made sure every person I came into contact with at the shelter knew the backstory. I was given a beautiful gift of a hamster who turned out to be pregnant. I tried my best to care for a billion hamster babies (buying the best cages, food, bedding, toys and treats - all of which I donated to the shelter) but I just couldn't do it anymore. It's hard being a single grandmother to 8 babies. 

Its a no-kill shelter so they assured me no one would be plotting his death with a string of dental floss and that since he was the only hamster in the shelter, he would likely be adopted out soon. I pranced out of there with my sister and I am now a free agent!

So as I lay here in my bed, feet up and the window open, I am grateful for the past few days and a relatively intact car. I'm so happy to see my family and friends and am really looking forward to the next week and a half of reunions and catch up. I'm saving my big Costco and Dollarama shops for the end of the trip since there really is no space to store all that stuff in my mom's house while I'm here. 

Anyways I'm going to watch a show or something. I leave you with some words of wisdom from Cookie Monster. 

The Final Countdown (do do do do)

It's ON like Donkey Kong people. In 5 sleeps (as the kiddies like to say) I will be back in Ontario and on my Goosebreak!

For those of you new to the ways of Wemindji, Goosebreak is the annual sanctioned time to go goose hunting in the bush. The entire town takes off for 2 glorious weeks to hunt and the teachers take off to home and abroad for a much-deserved and well-celebrated break. Each of the Cree nations gets their own two week Goosebreak, some taking place earlier than ours. Wemindji's Goosebreak was supposed to start last Friday but was pushed back because in recent years, the geese hadn't flown yet so it was wasted time. I am in favor of pushing our Goosebreak back a week because it means we get a extra day with the Victora Day holiday tacked on so it's pretty awesome. 

Since we get a 2 week Goosebreak, we don't get the traditional March Break. Let me tell you something. March Break is sacred. I totally get March Break. I miss March Break. I NEED March Break. Don't take March Break for granted southern teachers. Because when you spend 4 loooooooong, dark, cold months in the wild North, March Break makes a lot of sense. But no. We employees of the Cree School Board suck it up and trudge along, dreaming of May 1st and the promise of the sweet, sweet Goosebreak. Things often get crazy during this time. I liken it to being the winter groundskeeper at the Overlook Hotel. All work and no play make Aidan a crazy teacher... instead of blood spilling from the elevator (there exist no elevators in Wemindji EDIT: I think there's an elevator in the clinic) children spill from the hallways into my classroom after Gym or Cree Language, screaming about this offence or that injustice. 

Anyways, Goosebreak is almost upon us and I plan to spend most of it at Dollarama and Costco, prancing through the aisles, filling cart after cart of wonderful supplies and provisions for the North and my classroom. I will be driving down with the Dream Team, myself, Monika, Samantha and Meghan, as well as all of our pets - a cat, a dog and a hamster. (Did I mention Carmonika died? She died. Now I am left with Nick). Oh and our luggage. It'll be a tight squeeze. One night's stop in Amos and we'll be in Ontario on Saturday! I'm really looking forward to seeing friends and family as usual and catching up with everyone. This is the longest I have ever gone in the North without going home at least once so it's about time! 

Anyways this time next week I will be cuddling with my handsome prince Bobo, sitting in the backyard with the sun shining and the birds chirping! Wish me luck on my drive!

It was cRaZy hAiR dAy at school this week. 

Back to square one we go. I made them take an oath, it lasted less than 30 seconds. 

It did snow again this week but today it was 8 degrees and gorgeous so I forgave Mother Earth. 

This is going to be my view in 5 short days. 

Night of Nostalgia

What a weekend!! Last night was my friends Sam and Meghan's joint birthday party which took place at my home. It was 90s themed costume party which was SO MUCH FUN!!!! I, as well as everyone else had the best night ever. The decor was amazing, the costumes very well done and the music INCREDIBLE. We danced until the wee hours of the night and had so many laughs. 

Last week at school was pretty awesome too. My kids seem to be going through a burst in skill development and are working really hard and producing some great work! We are diving into writing always working hard on reading and they are superstars in math. We have a lot of fun activities planned for the next few weeks leading up to Goosebreak and it's really nice to be able to motivate the kids to give it their best with engaging learning experiences. It's also really nice to be at the point with my kids that they now have enough confidence to work more independently and try new things. Just talking to my students in regular conversation is becoming a really neat experience because the topics and details are becoming more mature and introspective as the kids are learning ways to express their thoughts and ideas with clarity and reference a lot of learning and details I know they have picked up on in lessons and activities.  I'm feeling inspired as an educator and really excited for the leaps these kids are making in their learning!!

This past week Wemindji has also begun to thaw!! Temperatures were in the posititives last week and this weekend was absolutely gorgeous. The snow has REALLY started to melt which means a) the roads are atrocious and b) my basement is flooded. After being covered in at least a foot of permafrost for the better part of a year, the mush in some places is incredible. Today while going to the Inn for dinner, I got my van stuck not once but twice in the feet of slush and had to be pushed out by Meredith and her handy boyfriend Carson. 

It may be "warm" but this is still what my lawn looks like. 

Anyways, it's the start of one of 3 rare 5 day weeks tomorrow and I must get my beauty sleep. It's as if the kids can smell the "I didn't get enough sleep Sunday night" scent and push alllllllll the buttons so ta ta for now!

Eat Your Heart Out Easter!

Another long weekend has come and gone and I took every advantage to nap and watch Netflix. 

We have been blessed in Wemindji in the last couple of months with plenty of short teaching weeks. This one was the piece de resistance, a 4-day long weekend of work obligation-free time away from the classroom!! Besides unloading a truck delivery for Breakfast Program in a blustery blizzard on Friday morning, I managed to spend most of the weekend doing what I do best: cleaning, sleeping and hosting parties. Lol Jk but not really about that last one. 

As I alluded to above I hosted an Easter dinner for 13 of my dearest coworkers and friends. I had to borrow a table and chairs from school but still managed to squeeze everyone in! It was potluck style and everyone brought delicious sides and desserts and a great time was had by all. It was my first time cooking a turkey and rightly so I was extremely nervous. I spent the better part of an hour screaming and gagging on the phone to my mother who (bless her heart) tried to walk me through the de-necking of one of two raw turkeys I prepared (turns out this one was pre-de-necked and I was in fact cutting out the spine but that's a tale for another day).  After delivering my "backup" turkey to Meghan who graciously cooked it for me in her oven while I cooked the other in mine, I retuned home to do some last minute prep. Guests arrived and we had a great meal and chatted long into the night. 

Turkey #1

Turkey #2

This weekend the Internet service was pretty spotty and I've been watching my Netflix screen pause at loading the new season of the Mindy Project at 82% for the last 5 minutes so I feel as if we may be in another "ebb" of the "ebb and flow" cycle. Oh well. That's what books (aka naps) are for! Sometimes I feel like a pioneer living in the wilderness in the 1800s or whatever. Hand me my knitting box dear and I'll darn your socks by the light of the fireplace. Next thing you know I'll be churning my own damn butter and milking stray Wemindji dogs for my morning cornflakes. ANYWAYS.

Speaking of Internet, one man has been working tirelessly to solve our Creenet problems. That man, that INTERNET SUPERHERO would be the great and powerful Jeremy Brown. People, the one man you want in your corner is Jeremy Brown. He is a dedicated family man, a connoisseur of all things all things, a true friend and confidante. Truly. The better half of my good friend Marsha, Jeremy works hard for our community and amways has time to help out his friends. And, tomorrow is his birthday!! So the happiest of birthdays to you Mr. Jeremy Brown and from our friend....