5 months later...

I am home sick today, but good sick. (If that makes any sense?) Sick that comes when you have had a week full of extremely good physical, emotional and spiritual activity, the kind that leaves you 100% empty, drained but VERY pleased with the experiences you have had.

Last week, I was chosen to be a chaperone for some students to go to the Snow Festival in Puvirnituq, Nunavik where they would take part in a follow-up project to last year's highly successful Hip Hop week. This project was still with the same organization, Blueprint for Life, but would focus on teaching the students to be leaders in their groups at home, to help maintain the project even when the Blueprint people are no longer around. To say that I was flattered for having been chosen as an escort, is an understatement, but I was extremely happy to be involved, despite the long hours that I knew it would entail.

We left by plane on Monday, and were promptly rushed onto another plane, earlier than expected, since the flights were all "up in the air" excuse the pun, due to the Snow Fest. I sadly missed my lunch date with Andie, Scrabble and pizza, but was pleased to know that we would at least make it to POV, since bad weather had been in the area all week. When we (Jeremias, Christy and I) arrived we learned of our living arrangements, a KSB house that was empty, would be our home for the week- 10 students and 3 chaperones- my only concern was the one bathroom, but otherwise I was happy to find Junior Ranger cots, so at least I wouldn't be on the floor all week. We were told that the real workshops would only begin on Tuesday, but we were free to go to the Snow Fest events that night at the Community Gym.

The week flew by, the Blueprint team, as expected, were full of energy, passion and a sensitivity that really causes them to break through the hardest kids in a matter of minutes. (I wish more teachers had their compassion and kindness at times, but THAT is another story!!) The students went from being strangers to being a very tight knit group of confident, young leaders. They impressed me a lot, and will always stay in my memory! As will the battle of Friday night, at the Snow Fest gym.

The crowd was large, noisy and hyper- small kids running all over the place in excitement. The area where were stored our coats to the left of the stage and waited reeked of sewage, was warm and crowded. But despite those things, the anticipation and creative energy of the weeks work overflowed from the students and coaches in an undeniable way. We were told the battle would be the third act of the night, everyone was anxious. Teams would be drawn from a hat and would dance three rounds if they succeeded in going to the finals.

When the battle began, the students for the most part, tried things that they had never tried before, did routines with attitude and passed on a message- they were not afraid. The would no longer be afraid- of challenges, of expressing themselves, of being leaders and making the tough decisions that such a role entails. As I watched, I was in awe of the change that I could see in those students. In my heart, I was encouraged by the thought that these students would not just be dancing into the future, but they would be carrying the region into the future- the new government and cultural identity would be passed on their shoulders; they would not drop the ball.

I'll add pictures of the important faces I want to remember from this week! Enjoy!

GEO Week at School

So, I want to do a VERY short update on the activities at school this week that have kept me very drained and tired, but also happy since it has been a very fun week.

Basic premise is that each class chose a country to do a presentation on. Then there was a (very complicated, I can saw that since I was one of the three who created it) schedule made up for 15 minute visits, for each country. We have either three or four classes presenting each day and otherwise it is regular instruction. On Tuesday, my class presented. Presentation day is the long one since you have to do presentations for every class, no breaks other than recess and lunch, over and over with the same material, all day!

My students were a bit shy at first but everyone seemed to enjoy the stuff we were sharing so it was all good!

Below are a few pictures I took to give you a feel... I am too tired to elaborate tonight, but feel free to ask any questions... Good Night!!!