Paper Driver Licences and Goose Down....

What does Goose Down and Paper drivers licenses have in common? Well both are new experiences for anyone coming to the North. Today I happily experienced both. First I went with my wife to get new drivers licenses. Mine expires at the end of the month from Nova Scotia so it was time! It was a pleasant surprise to head into the motor vehicle branch and be the only one there. Unlike down south where there can be hundreds sitting and waiting, and the process can be 2-4 hours, here it is a very quick process. Everything looks the same when you enter, just on a smaller scale. You still fill out paperwork, and hand over money, and get your picture taken....but then it changes....Your drivers license will arrive in 3-5 weeks, and here is your temporary drivers license....

Your temporary license is on a piece of for all intents and purposes receipt paper. The same paper that comes from the cashiers at the grocery store. It has all your information on it, and you treat it like a license. I was deadly serious when I asked the lady behind the counter if I really had to carry my license. Where I do not carry a wallet, I am not quite sure how I keep this receipt licence for 5 weeks......but here is hoping I have it all the way through!

The other first today was the purchase of my Canada Goose Parka. I went for a red resoloute parka........I can tell you already that it is warm......and big, and bulky. I know I will be happy when the weather gets colder.....and I certainly will have lots of time to use it so all is good! The parka is expensive, but you pay for quality, and I have to say it was less then 700.00 so actually not all that bad. I am ready for the winter, and for years to come.

Every day is a new experience and today was a chance to experience Goose Down and Valuable 5 week receipt paper.

Take care, more to follow!

Hard to work at 7:00am when you stay up until 2:00am the night before....

Ok, I am getting old. There was a time when I could easily stay up for 2 or three days without sleep and just power through. Even up to 2 years ago, I used to power through 2 days, 48 hours straight at the store when we were setting up displays and what not. Well that time has passed, I believe that I am now officially part of the old crowd....I knew that every year after celebrating yet another wedding anniversary that it was creeping up on me....15 years 16 years, 17 years...yeah Heather and I were part of a select few.....but now I realize that as the old saying goes.....I am not as young as I used to be.

I worked all day yesterday, when I went home we had plans to go to the bosses place and play poker......we got there at 8:00pm.........I think I yawned a few times around 10:00 when I would normally be asleep in my bed....by midnight I was slowing down...by 1 am I was getting a second wind, and by 2:00 am I was thinking I was not old at all......but then there is the next day.....

My alarm went off at 6:55 am...weird cause it normally goes off at 5:30. At 7:45 I pushed myself out of bed......worried that I had slipped being normally at work by 7:00 am........I knew I was in trouble when we had zero cashiers show up.......so needless to say, I was a cashier.....but not my normal happy self......I went home for lunch with Andrew, and fell asleep on the couch. Andrew took pitty on me and made me lunch.......by 1:00 I was headed back to work dragging a little too much....back on cash for a few hours.....then once we got through the slow time, by 4:50 I was just passing time looking at security footage. I gave in and headed home at 5:15...which is a first.....I guess I am worn out.

That is ok....great things come from challenges when we overcome them......to bed early tonight.........tommorow is Sunday so I can sleep in until 7 and head to work for 8:30........all is well that ends well.

Onwards and upwards......

A Wonderful Thanksgiving in Iqaluit

Thanksgiving was a wonderful blessing and a great time here in Iqaluit. It started with a great Sunday evening dinner. Just outside the door to my home is the door to what we refer to as the 8-plex. This building has 8 apartments, a mix of 2 bedroom and 1 bedroom units. It is the home of many of our fellow colleagues at the store. They have on holidays taken to the art of hosting a meal with everyone in the 8-plex as well as others in the hallway downstairs. Tables are lined up and chairs from everyones apartment and food is cooked in multiple apartments in multiple ovens. Everyone contributes something (we took the easy way out and put a turkey forward).....in the end a great meal with some great people. Full turkey, dressing and all the trimmings, great dessserts and above all great time with fellow people away from their "home" family and friends coming together to share and enjoy. We really enjoyed it!

Monday was a time for our family.......Heather cooked a great meal, and we took the time to sit around a table ourselves and enjoy each other....

Yes it snowed on both days!