Day 11- March 31- Jason Annanack

I don't think anyone has ever (in the last little while) stood out to me as much as Jason the past few weeks. I have had the opportunity to see him at school, see him around town, see him on the land for a class excursion and now yesterday and today on the lake as part of Culture Day. I cannot help by smile and think about how far this guy has come over the last few years! I taught him in Secondary 1 a few years back and although he was a cheerful, kind student he had some difficulties in the academics. He lacked confidence and didn't seem to be very deep down happy.


The Jason I have seen the last couple of weeks is a talented leader, a respected guide, a mentor to the younger kids around him, a, extremely- deep down- happy guy, who is confident, well adapted and who is an absolute delight to be around. He has an excellent sense of humour, is doing extremely well in his class and also in his hockey. I am so proud of the guy he has become and hope that he dreams big and follows through with everything he wants to achieve in life.


This picture was taken atop the (don't remember the Inuktitut name for it) freezer platform, where traditionally meat was kept up away from wild animals before people lived in houses with refrigerators. He had just finished telling me that the fish wanted a big kiss as I passed by and then hysterically giggling. Enjoy the pic!





Theme song of the day: I'm so Sick- Flyleaf (because I can't stop coughing, haha)

Day 10- March 30- Jobie and William

Today was Culture Day for the primary students. After dropping my cousin, Angela, off at the airport for her flight home, I zipped out to meet the crew on a lake near town through the trees. It is an absolutely beautiful location even on a not-so-nice day, but we were spoiled as the sun started beaming down and making it downright HOT! I started my annual face tan, and enjoyed the time spent with colleagues and kids.



There was lots of things happening around the site- people chopping up caribou and fish to eat, playing old style games with kamiks and caribou bones, rolling down the hill, snowshoeing through the trees, boiling tea over the fire, telling stories of the old times in the tents... I could go on and on! The following two boys: Jobie and William asked me to take their picture, so I couldn't resist. Jobie is a great kid, LOTS of energy, spunk and drive. He's had his share of challenges in school, but he's got a super nice side too, that was definitely present yesterday as I watched him and his cousin play a traditional game. William is always bouncing around everywhere. I don't know him very well, but was once camping somewhere that his aunt brought him along, and I was amazed at his fishing skills! He's got a wonderful smile and passion for life. Enjoy the picture- I know I really enjoyed the day!!





Theme Song for today: Hard Sun (Main) by Eddie Vedder from the Into the Wild soundtrack

Day 9- March 29- Angela Thistle

Took it easy a bit today. I went towards the bay with Angela this morning, to show her past the dump and poop lake. Then we packed up, invited Heather Rose to go for a drive into the trees and have a fire for lunch. We drove in many circles through soft snow on the trails between town and Tasialuk before deciding on a spot for the fire.



My cousin, Angela, has been visiting since last Monday evening. It's her first time in the North and I think she's having a fun time testing her own limits and experiencing the land first hand. She is my father's sister's eldest daughter, with whom I met up in Liverpool, England as a part of her 5 month world tour earlier this year. I've really enjoyed getting to know her better over the last week and glad she came up for this time. This picture was taken while we were roasting wieners and chilling in the trees.

Day 8- March 28- Stephanie McNaughton

Was out on the land today with some friends. Angela, Peter and I bundled up and left with the dog team and crew shortly after 10am heading towards the mouth of the Koroc River. The day was sunny, yet deceiving as the wind was just high enough to make the ride feel VERY cold! Once the dogs were into their ivakkak (steady running pace/trot), we went ahead to the cabin where Nancy cut a fabulous trail through the higher than normal sea ice(it's close to a full moon so the tides are at their peak).



After a snack and tea, everyone got ready to drive a further 20 or so minutes to Qarliit Tasinga (sp?) where there is charr fishing. I decided to take my picture of Stephanie, mostly because I really loved the colours in her scarf. Stephanie is a fellow Nova Scotian and was hired as my replacement since I am on a year off. I only met her a few weeks ago when I arrived but can tell she is a top notch teacher, human and tea maker!! I've had a great time getting to know her better and am even more excited that she might stay at least another year since one of our colleagues is pregnant and will be on maternity leave next year. Enjoy!





Theme song of today: The Middle by Jimmy Eat World (It was stuck in my head while I drove home from the cabin)

Day 7- March 27- Luc Paquet

Had a Rockband party with a few of my colleagues. Wish you could hear the audio to go with this picture. Luc Paquet, an extraordinary hockey coach and French teacher, knows how to GIVE 'ER when he sings for Rockband. He's also an amazing drummer and an all around stand up kind of guy. We're lucky that he came here- and we being the staff, the students, and the community in general. Hope he stays here a long time because he does so much to make our school and town better (and who will ever Rockband as hard as him?)





Theme song of today: Psycho Killer by The Talking Heads

Day 6- March 26- Peter Guzman

Today has been miserably snowy, windy and cold. The storm started slowly overnight and was full force this morning, making any outdoor activities rather unappealing. Peter, Angela and I went to the hockey game at 2- Kuujjuaq versus George River. the team played pretty hard, especially a few who were my former students. They were outplayed by their opponents, but I enjoyed watching the play.



We laid low this afternoon, watching some TV until making a beautiful supper of curried vegetables and shrimp that had enough spice to aptly satisfy my heat loving guest. I loved the colour of the meal and insisted that tonight was the night to finally take a portrait of Peter for my blog. Stay warm everybody!







Theme Song of the day: Men of Snow- Ingrid Michaelson

Day 5- March 25- Little Cynthia

I went to the hockey opening for the regional Junior's Tournament. There was electricity in the air and the game started with a bang with one of the teachers, Luc, flying through the Kangirsuk team and driving hard to the net. It was quite a day- lunch in the trees of ptarmigan heaven with Peter, Angela and Jean Leduc with a fire, charr chowder and fresh homemade brown bread, and then dogsledding with Mark as well.

While at the arena, I was approached by a birthday girl and her grand daughter, Cynthia. Cynthia saw my camera and made the absolute most adorable smile that didn't leave her face for many shots. Her granddad is one of the most talented Inuit artists I know, he carves some of the most detailed and incredible work ever.





Theme song of the day: Club Thing by Yoav

Day 4- March 24- Monica Etok

Kind of a slow paced, windy day today. My guests and I hung out indoors for the morning then went out for a walking tour this afternoon before Angela gave Peter his very first Canadian hockey experience, on Andrea's mini outdoor rink next door. I also gave my new wide angle lens a try, and convinced Monica to be my next muse. The wind was really strong and there was lots of blowing flakes of snow as I tried to negotiate this picture.


Monica is my neighbour's niece or cousin (I can't remember which one). She is a very fun and helpful girl, and has the sweetest little daughter, Vanalena, ever!





Theme song for today: Through & Through & Through by Joel Plaskett

Day 3- March 23- Jennifer Morgan

I just got back inside from a morning out with Angela, Peter and the grade 2 IPL dogsledding excursion to Old Woman's Lake. What a wonderful day! It was very chilly in the morning when we woke up but it turned out to be beautiful and sunny, like no day over the last week.



While we were at the tent I decided to capture my next victim. Peter helped me choose a girl who had a beautiful orange parka and white fur. Jennifer is a very special girl, that I have known from the past few years of being here. Her smile is infectious and her eyes turn like little sunshines when she smiles. Enjoy!







Theme song for today: Cold Water by Damien Rice

Day 2- March 22- Annie Baron

Couldn't decide between two shots! Annie Baron was my model today, an incredible woman that is now working for the new National Park opening near our town. She has an infectious smile and bubbly, kind and caring personality! I always laugh and feel good when I am around her!!






Theme Song for today: Boo Hoo by Serena Ryder

Day 1- Nancy Etok

This afternoon while I was driving ahead of the dogs to help pack a trail in the new, fresh soft snow for them. I spent the time thinking about this blog and how I could make it work. There are so many things to take pictures of, which I already post on FB, so how could I make this blog different.



As I thought about it, the conversation I had with Peter early that day about how beautiful people are, popped into my head. We had met one incredibly beautiful Inuk woman, while we were sightseeing the day before and it sparked this conversation about the beautiful people we meet, those who are beautiful inside and out.



So I've decided that this blog, this year of photos, is going to be trying to capture 365 different beautiful faces of people I know or meet. My friend Nancy volunteered to help me out today. I was slow to get this off the ground and called her a few minutes ago, hoping to catch her before bedtime. She is one of those inspiring and incredible people that Peter and I talked about.
I hope you enjoy this year!







Theme song for today: 55 years by Irish Mythen