Sunday, October 27, 2013

-23

I had an unusually eventful week.

Monday night I was babysitting my nephew so that my sister could get a bit of a break and make it to sewing class. He's the sweetest thing.

Wednesday evening there was a feast at the complex to celebrate what one couple has done for the community during their time here, before they move to Edmonton for health reasons. The children from the elementary school performed some singing and jigging, and there were many emotional speeches after a giant feast of delicious food.

Thursday was the first big bazaar I've been to here. For $10 a table, anyone can rent a table and sell crafts, carvings, sewings, baked goods, etc. I was on the prowl for some slippers to wear around the house, but I didn't see anything my size. There was a gorgeous carving that I desperately wanted, but the $250 asking price was a bit out of my budget for the evening!

Last night (Saturday) was the Halloween Social, which was tons of fun. A group of 8 of us dressed up as the 7 Tetris pieces and the game player. The costume was a hit, and we were posing for pictures all night (none of which were taken with any of my cameras).

Today the snow is falling beautifully, and it's not as cold as it has been (currently only -12 compared to -23 yesterday). Maybe I'll get out and take some pictures.

Now if only I could get rid of this cough!

Friday, October 18, 2013

Reflection

In school we were always taught about reflective practice - looking back at what we've done, considering what went well and what didn't, what we could try to make it even better or to address the parts that didn't go as planned, asking more questions and taking different approaches.

Before I got here, I expected my main challenge to be motivating the staff to get excited about their work and finding a way to work in an environment where I was surrounded by a culture unlike my own. When I got here, I quickly learned that the two biggest issues would be 1) to get the building in a state where it is safe for children to spend a day, and 2) actually getting the staff to show up for their shifts. Mind you, the summer is very different from the rest of the year, as most people would easily ditch work for the day/week if the weather was nice and they would rather be out on the land/at the cabin.

The task I thought would be the hardest - finding staff who I could count on to show up for all of their shifts - didn't end up to be the most difficult. It took some time to find them, but for the past 5 weeks that we've been open, the staff have showing up to work with positive attitudes every day and working extremely hard for the children.

What has actually been the greatest challenge is feeling a huge lack of support from some of my "bosses". The centre is run by a society/board of directors, so all of the major decisions concerning the Daycare's spending, policies, etc., must be voted on before the changes can be made. I've been experience a lot of resistance to some of the changes that are necessary to keep the centre open and to improve the program, for no clear reason and without explanation. Without the support from the Board, I am extremely limited in my ability to do my job and to do it well, so I am constantly running in to obstacles. I never thought that those who hired me to come and bring change to the Daycare would be the ones standing most in my way.

It has been really tough, but I can look back and see that I have made some positive changes:
- the building has been renovated, cleaned and set up in a way that promotes exploration and play in a safe way;
- brand new appliances, building and renovation materials were donated;
- a group of ladies who enjoy their work and show up for all of their shifts has been assembled;
- the Daycare passed the inspection, qualifying for a renewed license with very few changes to be made; and,
- a program has been put in place.

I hope this isn't all the change that takes place, but even if it is, I know I can say that I contributed to the improvement of the program.

There is still a lot of work to do, and I still have a lot to learn about managing and working under a Board of Directors, but I feel like we are well on our way.
I am so incredibly thankful to those of you who have been a constant support to me, providing guidance, challenging my perspective, offering ideas, and just being a friend. Thank you for keeping me accountable for the work that I am doing and for helping me reflect on the reasons why I am here and what my capacity is to doing this job. I have and will continue to persevere thanks to you.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Quadding

I finally got to go out on the land on a quad. It took until the first major snow fall, but I had a blast! The temperature was only about -2, warming up later in the afternoon when the sun finally came out from behind a thick blanket of clouds. To stay dry, I was suited up in my snow pants, parka, winter boots and some borrowed (and very manly) leather gloves. It was the coldest on my face speeding down the various trails in the snow left by others still eager to get out on the land before pulling out their snow machines. I even got to drive the quad...and I didn't crash! Though I did run in to a few bushes...whoops.
I was having a blast kicking around in the snow.

We could see the sun off in the distance, hoping for it to come out for us to enjoy!

Took a little break for some lunch and tea.


"S Lake" 

The sun!!! 

My turn to take a snooze in the snow



Possibly the most beautiful part of the day.



Reluctantly leaving the beautiful land behind.


We did see tracks of the following animals: hikhiks, foxes, ptarmigans, rabbits and grizzlies (though the latter was probably a day old, and could be debated, but we were almost eaten by bears as far as I'm concerned!)

Thursday, October 10, 2013

3 hours

I'm not sure how I'm going to get through the next week without sewing class because I'm already itching to get back to my kamiks! With Monday being Thanksgiving, sewing won't be again until Wednesday. Last night I sewed for 3 hours straight, adding the bottom to one of my kamiks, leaving only the cuff and laces to do before I start on the duffles.

Here's how it looks so far:




I'm going to have to go to Anne's fur store to get some rabbit pelts to make some mittens in the interim to help deal with this craving for sewing!

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

frozen dirt road

I was walking to work this morning on the frozen dirt road, cozy warm with my long johns, parka, knitted scarf, headband and mittens, wondering what I'm doing here. As someone who is constantly cold, how did I end up in a place where the ground is already frozen, snow has been falling, and the temperature is below zero from now until spring next year? How did I end up as the girl with a parka, beaver and rabbit fur mitts and seal skin mukluks?
It's going to be an interesting winter, and I'm already looking forward to my southern vacation come Christmas - Toronto is going to feel so warm!
I'm hoping the clouds clear soon so that I can actually see the Northern Lights.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

kamiks

Now that it's fall, many of the ladies in town (and occasionally a guy or two) will get together Monday and Wednesday nights for sewing class. They provide all of the materials, teach you how to make whatever you're making, and you pay for your project when you're finished. 

I was looking around town for someone to make me some kamiks (mukluks), but then I went to sewing and found this gorgeous seal skin: 

Just the right size to make tall, stylish kamiks.
 After finding the right size pattern for me, I traced it on the back of my hide.


Then one of the instructors showed me how to use the ulu to cut out the pattern. Using scissors would damage the fur on the other side.


To making cutting easier, it's best to put your foot or knee on one side of the hide to keep it taught.


The finished tops of my kamiks:


The patterns for the toes:



All of the pieces cut:

I decided to do a silver toe instead of continuing the spotted pattern - to add a little bit of excitement and contrast.

I finished sewing the toe on one, and half of the other. Next will be to stitch the back!