I got my first pay cheque today, it’s been 3 weeks… time flies!

What I thought was going to be a horrid flash back to my first job in the working world when I was 15 at the Real Canadian Superstore, turned out to be much more fun and exhilarating than I had ever expected.

What turned out to be a position working as a cashier in the retail section focusing on soft lines (clothing) and hard lines (housewares and toys) turned into being a ‘special projects’ employee to a web design and social media personnel. Yes, I’m still getting paid my average wage here up in the north ($15.00/hour) but I’m loving my job much more than I ever anticipated!

Making fun posters, flyers and different promotional ads working from home, along with my ‘special’ tasks such as building toy mountain for Christmas or decking the halls in the electronics department makes work a great time for me!

Life in the North

My sisters other half, Katie Inukshuk left today to be the head manager for another Northern (North Mart) store up in Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut (about a 2 hour flight away close to the Davis Straight). An amazing opportunity for Katie but Shemekia (her 2 year old daughter) is moving back to Arviat, Nunavut with her Atata (daddy) while her Anana (mommy) works in Qik.

Just me, Meliss and baby left here in Iqaluit!

I’ve been on a few walks around town – across Iqaluit which is about 15 minute walk anywhere or a $6.00 cab ride. The museum, Yummy Shwarma and The Store House (bar) is about the only thing to experience here that can keep you preoccupied for a while.

As strange as this may sound, although I wake up to darkness, come home for lunch around 2:00pm to watch the sun set and come home at 6:00pm in the pitch black, I really enjoy it up here. I hate snow, I hate cold weather and I hate falling numerous times on the ice. Yet, somehow… I love waking up every morning to the crisp fresh air and when the sun starts to rise & set at the same time around noon the light that bounces off the snowy peaks is remarkable. I stand there and smile everyday while everyone around me stares at me like I’m a typical tourist in my big white ear muffs and furry white boots.

It is truly breathtaking up here and I am so glad to be spending my last couple months this year in Iqaluit, Nunavut with my sister and my new baby nephew Brody Scott Maqaiti Davis.

However, trying to understand half of the signs around town… why do you try it out?

ᐊᐃ ᐊᐃᓐᖓᐃ, ᖃᓄᐃᐱᑦ
…ᓂ ᓇᒡᓕᒋᕙᒋᑦ ᖃᓄᖅ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖃᖅᐱᑦ?

ᖁᔭᓇᐃᓐᓂ

ᐅᓪᓗᖃᑦᓯᐊᕆᑦ

haha..thanks to www.omniglot.com language and phrases I can try and put you all in my shoes for a minute!

The one word I do know how to say … because I love my Mekia kisses oh so much is…. KUNI (ᑯᓂᑉᐳᖅ) MEKIA KUNI (ᑯᓂᑉᐳᖅ)!

Life in the North