Send In The Snow

The snow has finally arrived.  And it's staying.  Until summer next year.

            

The snowfall began sometime on the 15th and continued steadily for several days.  The town is not buried in white; more like being covered with a light blanket.  The disappearance of the brown ground has prompted me to break out my large winter boots.  It may look like too much for the beginning of winter (most people are still walking around with running shoes and low hiking boots), but I don't want to risk dirtying my dress pants when I walk to work.  My morning walk to the high school still includes trekking up a hill carrying my laptop briefcase.  The added weight of my thick winter jacket and boots makes the trip a rigorous exercise.

Just before the arrival of snow, I participated in a Field Training eXercise (FTX) with 795 Iqaluit Air Squadron on October 12 & 13.  My job was to provide supervision and to take pictures.  FTX Endurance was organized to teach cadets how to survive on the land by: building shelters & fires; cooking food; staying warm; and how to signal for rescue.  Endurance began on the evening of the 12th (Friday), with all cadets meeting at the cadet hall.  With all of their kit (sleeping bags, extra clothing, wash kit, etc) placed around the parade square, the cadets were formed up and separated into two groups.  Each group was given a lesson on tying knots & lashings.  The next class was on constructing improvised shelters.  Cadets were split into five groups and given fifteen minutes to construct shelters using rope, wooden planks, and ground sheets.  Once time was up, each shelter was examined and critiqued by the instructors.  It was the late evening when the class ended; it was time for bed.

            

For the FTX, the cadets would be spending the night at the cadet hall.  Males & females slept in separate rooms.  Adult staff slept in the lounge area.  Each cadet was given a military cot to sleep on.  The only challenge to setting them up is putting on the bars at the ends.  The green fabric stretches and becomes really tight.  It's best if two people put together a cot.  Even though I don't have a problem with sleeping on a cot, I chose to decline the offer an instead slept on a couch.    
         

Reveille was at 0800hrs on the morning of the 13th, and breakfast was served at 0815.  While waiting for breakfast to be served, the junior cadets set up tables and chairs on the parade square.  Adult staff and senior cadets had woken up earlier to prepare breakfast IMPs.  When it comes to food in the field, the military serves Individual Meal Packages, 'a bag of goodies' designed to give a soldier all the nutrition (s)he needs.  IMPs are organized into three sections (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) and there is a variety of meals to choose from each section.  With cadets, they are given a meal and then allowed to trade.  They were also instructed to place any unopened leftovers into designated boxes.  For safety reasons, all matches were removed from the bags.  Down south, the instant coffee bags are also confiscated by adult staff.    

            

For breakfast, I had the sausage & hash browns and which were quite good.  My favourite part of the meal is eating the loaf of bread that has been shrunken to the size of my hand.  This is done by 'removing' all the air pockets.  How exactly, I'm not sure, but the important thing is that it tastes great with peanut butter. 

            

After breakfast, the parade square was cleaned up and everyone was instructed to get ready for the walk into the field.  For the day, the cadets would be taking part in activities at Sylvia Grinnell Park, located just to the north of airport.  I was excited because this would be my first time visiting the park.  Once all the necessary supplies were loaded onto the truck and the cadet hall was locked down, the cadets began the long walk to the park.  There was a little snow on the ground but not too much to be a bother.  I did my best to stay with the main group because I frequently stopped to take pictures of the beautiful landscape.  Very few people get to see and experience such undamaged wilderness.

            

We arrived at one of the designated camp sites at the park by the mid morning.  Looking 360 degrees, I noticed that we were the only group in the park.  Even though it was an overcast day, there was a cold wind and it would play as a constant annoyance for everyone.  Cadets were given some time to explore the surrounding area but not wonder off too far.  They were also warned to stay away from the nearby river and to report any polar bear sightings. 

            

The first class was to construct the large 5-person winter tents, a good idea since the cold wind was beginning to pick up.  Once that was completed, the cadets were taught how to light a Coleman stove.  Around this time, the adult staff noticed that the wind was keeping the cadets inside the tents.  I and two officers headed back into town to fetch some firewood.  We brought back a truckload of discarded wood that was originally destined for the landfill.  Once we got a fire going, many cadets stood around it and warmed up.

            

The lunch IMPs took longer to prepare because one of the Coleman stoves decided to stop working.  When lunch was served, many chose to eat their meals in the arctic tents to get away from the wind.  I chose to eat mine in the supply truck where there was comfortable seating and because my feet were cold.  I knew I should have worn two pairs of socks. 

            

After lunch, it was becoming apparent that the cadets were not wearing enough layers of clothing.  Because of this, the cold wind was preventing them to concentrate.  The adult staff decided to fast track the training schedule and head back to the cadet hall.  Before we set off on the return hike, the cadets took down the tents, did several garbage sweeps over the area, loaded everything back onto the supply truck, and posed for unit photo.  Rather than go back the way we came, we walked a little further into the park and then turned left, trekking over rocky hills, and eventually ending back at the airport.  The walk back to the cadet hall took a little longer because there were plenty of mud puddles to avoid.     
   

            

Back at the cadet hall, the cadets were debriefed and instructed on how to dress better the next time they go into the field.  The cadets were given some time to relax as the dinner IMPs were prepared.  Once dinner had been eaten and the parade square was cleaned, they were allowed to play sports and watch a movie.  Overall, the FTX was a success even though there wasn't time to teach hand signals and map & compass.  That'll be for next time.   

            

On October 12, the students of Inuksuk High School were treated to a special presentation by the Canadian Football League (CFL).  The CFL is currently celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Grey Cup, a silver trophy commissioned by Governor General Albert Grey to be awarded to the best football team back in 1909.  To promote the celebration, the Grey Cup has been touring all over Canada and Iqaluit would be the furthest north it would travel.  Touring alongside the Cup was former wide receiver for the Toronto Argonauts Andre Talbot, who himself is a 2004 Grey Cup champion.  (In 2004, the 92nd Grey Cup match was held in my hometown of Ottawa, Ontario). 

            

The entire student body assembled in the main foyer to see the Grey Cup and hear Andre Talbot speak.  He explained what the Cup meant to him and how much it should mean to everyone in Canada.  He also answered many questions from students, explaining how he got drafted into the CFL, what he's doing now that he's retired, and how he remained focused on his studies & avoided drugs.  Students were also treated to a short video on the history of the Cup.  Even though I'm not that big into sports, I always watched the Grey Cup (and the American Super Bowl) with my father and older brother.  Despite hockey being the sport of choice in Nunavut, students and teachers were still thrilled to see the Grey Cup.

            

After the presentation, t-shirts and official CFL footballs were handed out by CFL representatives.  The Cup remained on display so that teachers and students could pose for pictures.  And Andre Talbot signed autographs.  I got a free t-shirt but didn't have the time to get a photo with the Cup; there was a long lineup.         

            

Moving on to municipal politics, John Graham, the former manager of the Iqaluit Airport, has been elected as mayor with an overwhelming majority.  He received 71 percent of the vote.  Graham was also a Captain in the military but had to retire in order to enter the mayoral race.  He worked at the air cadet squadron as the Administration Officer.  It's hard to believe that I was working alongside a future town mayor.

            

What's also good to hear is that voters have decided to let the town borrow up to $40 million to pay for the new aquatics centre.  However, many are beginning to think that that much money is not needed to build a new pool.  We'll see how it goes but I'm sure many are happy that things are moving forward.  The current pool at The Brown is closed until further notice because of large cracks in the concrete foundations.

            

With October already entering its final two weeks, the Halloween concert I'm planning at the end of the month is quickly approaching.  My musicians are working hard to get the music right and even though I'm starting to get the jitters, I'm sure everything will sound great.  There are still ten more days left for them to practice.     

Into October

For the last two weeks, things have been steadily moving along.  Hard to believe that it's already the month of October.  The teachers here have told me that once you get through September, it's smooth sailing until the end.  I do agree with the observation because I just recently noticed that it has been over a week since my last post.  Time for a recap.    

            

On Saturday, September 29, all of Canada was celebrating Sports Day, 'a national celebration of sport at all levels.'  The staff & cadets of 795 Iqaluit Air Squadron promoted the event by hosting a sports day of its own at the Cadet Hall.  A good twenty-eight cadets showed up to participate in a variety of sports activities.

            

For the first half, cadets were divided into 3 groups and engaged in a round robin of team games.  Several of these were: shooting hoops, bean bag toss, over & under with a ball, passing a volleyball in a circle, and trying to stand on a box as a group.  The most challenging activity was the two-by-four walk.  Four people had to stand on two wooden planks and walk around the parade square, moving their left & right feet at the same time.  Let's just say there was a lot of falling down moments.  

            

The second half of the sports day was devoted to activities that pitted teams against each other.  The first activity was a funny relay race where cadets had to run to the middle of the parade square, put on female pantyhose using oven mitts, and then quickly take them off and run back to tag the next person in line.  Yeah, don't ask.  Next came several rounds of volleyball & handball.  By the end of the day, everyone was tired from running around but it was a day well spent promoting physical fitness & health.  We ended the event with a group photo in front of the cadet hall.

            

The following Saturday (October 6), the cadets of 795 participated in a Power Familiarizing Flying Exercise.  In two separate groups, cadets were driven to the Iqaluit Airport where they strapped themselves into a small 18-seat turboprop and were given a free 25-miunte flight over Iqaluit and the surrounding area.  I tagged along with the second group to provide adult supervision and to take photos.  For safety, passengers were given complimentary ear plugs and air sickness bags. 

            

After arriving at the terminal, we were driven to the red & white turboprop by bus.  Once we all climbed aboard, the copilot gave us a quick safety briefing before he sat in the cockpit with the pilot.  I was glad that I swallowed some Gravol before we arrived because the copilot informed everyone that there would be moments in the flight where the plane would suddenly descend and ascend.  Seated next to a window right behind the cockpit, I watched in silence as the plane was brought to life and slowly taxied to the runway.  With my digital camera, I filmed the take off and the first five minutes of the flight.  Thereafter, I took still photographs and of course, enjoyed the ride. 

            

One specific location we flew over was the remote cabin the air squadron owns several kilometres to the south of Iqaluit.  The cabin is used for Field Training eXercises (FTXs) out on the land.  Due to the rough terrain, it takes several hours to get there on foot, ATV, and snowmobile.  The pilots flew the plane as low as 200 feet, flying between steep cliffs and skimming over water and the rocky terrain.  Judging from the all faces, the cadets really enjoyed the experience.  On the way back to the airport, we flew past a sea lift vessel that was anchored in the bay.  When the plane landed, the pilots received an applause from the passengers.  As well, everyone was relieved that no air sickness bags were used.  Lunch was provided at the Legion for cadets & staff.  As always, the prime roast was delicious.

            

My Grade 10 guitarists have formally been introduced to basic music theory, that is, learning how to read traditional music notation.  The standard notation method has been present since the beginning of the semester but more as background information.  (My students prefer reading guitar tablature).  However, since it's been there from the beginning, my students weren't combative when I formally introduced it.  My guitarists won't be participating in the upcoming Halloween concert but they will get their performing chance at the year-end Christmas concert.

            

On that note, the Halloween concert is a go and my juniors & senior musicians are doing their best to get the all the notes & rhythms right.  Next week, both groups will start practicing together during lunch time.  Even though the concert is still two weeks away, I hope the other scores I ordered arrive in time.

            

At this time, my Grade 11 English students have read more than half of the novella, Of Mice & Men by John Steinbeck.  At the beginning, most of my students were shy at reading out loud, but after some prodding and constant positive reinforcement, many have 'broken-out-of-their-shell(s)' and enjoy reading to the class.

            

With the arrival of October, I thought the snow would start falling almost immediately.  True, there was one day where snow fell for a short time, but since then, nothing.  That hasn't stopped the temperature from steadily dropping.  The lows are now slightly below zero and it'll only continue to drop from now on.  Because of this, people have been able to see their breaths for the last several days.  Snowfall is expected for Thursday & Friday, so maybe this time, the snow will stay rather than melt.