Another Break...

Well, its 3pm here in Patuanak, and the beginning of a long 2 week break for the kids. I'm leaving to Toon Town tomorrow morning and then to Regina on Monday for a conference. The conference is finished on Thursday and I'm off to Brandon to check out Jenn's new pad. Then, back to the farm to have a visit with the folks and then back to work....I'm sure it will go by that fast too. The kids are ready for a break, then only 5 weeks until finals. This school year is almost over...phew... survived! Shouldn't speak too soon I guess:) I'll try to post a bit of news (if there's any to report) if not, you'll be hearing from me (and I will TRY my hardest to start taking pictures) on April 16th. Ciao...

Hockey, Hockey, Hockey

Did I mention hockey?!? So, the FSIN (Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations) hockey tournamnet was on in North Battleford this past weekend, and I watched a lot of hockey. Even though I remembered to grab my camera on the way out my door Friday afternoon, I didn't manage to take any pictures...bad Trena, I know. But, it was an action packed tournament. Patuanak had 3 teams (Rec Boys, Girls, and the Pats played in the contact division) I went with Alex (from next door) and we pulled in right before the rec boys' second game. The tournament started Friday morning, but we worked until noon, so we didn't make it until around 6pm. The rec boys were out of the tournament after their second game, but they played hard and had fun. The Pats came in third in their division after putting in a good fight (they had to play 3 games back to back so they were pretty worn out) Our girls lost in a shoot out so they came in second. It was good to see them play and its always nice to be in an environment other than school to get to know the kids and people in the community. Starting to feel better about being here and missing Deline a bit less...which is good. I guess it just took some time. But, spring has arrived. The roads are slushy and the kids are full of spring fever. I caught a cold (insert sympathy here) and am back at work after a very busy weekend. Life is good. The weather has peaked my spirits a bit...now just have to finish getting rid of that slush all over our driveway so my poor little car has a chance. I realized I've moved off of the title for this post...hockey, hockey, hockey....

Rowan

For those of you who are interested, this is the newest picture of Jana's baby boy, Rowan. His jaundice is gone and he looks so sweet!

ERFN's Winter Festival

I suppose I should take the word "photographs" out of this title as I never seem to take any...I have 2 fantastic cameras but rarely do I carry them around with me. Must make better effort to be a tourist in this community so I can start posting pictures. Regardless of my inability to snap a shot, I'll try to locate some pictures from the weekend and post them soon.

We didn't have school Thursday afternoon or Friday b/c of the winter festival. Thursday at lunch, I packed up a tonne of work to complete over the extra long weekend as I wasn't planning in partaking in the festivities. However, I got the bug. The community bug. It's the one thing I probably miss the most about Deline -- community events where you really get to put faces to names and names to faces....and where you can mingle and laugh and get to know people a bit outside of the usual 'teacher' role. And that's what this weekend was all about.

I was at the festival pretty much all weekend, barely home at all to work on all that 'stuff' I had intended to do. I laughed so much during the Elder's activities and the Mr. Macho and Ms. Beautiful contest (all about cross dressing). It was very rejuvinating for me....made me appreciate the community more.

I figure. This is home now so best make the most of it. Getting to know more people makes it feel more like a home -- I know, I've said that already.

So, activities were everything from street hockey, snow shoeing, slooshing, nail pounding, jigging, fishing derby, Mad Trapper Relay events and more. I was on the lake for about 4 hours yesterday and it was cold (ever)! The wind was wicked and I ended up getting a bit of a wind burn -- but I have to say it was worth it. There were also dances on Friday and Saturday night with a fiddle band...good times....just like in Deline, the elders like to laugh at me....at least I provide some entertainment! LOL

Well, back to work now... another full week of school ahead with report cards coming out on Friday. Sorry about the lack of images, I'll work on it.

Trena

Craving Spring, Summer, Fall...Anything but Winter...

This is an aerial photograph of the community of Patuanak. Seeing it makes me want the snow to be gone and the spring air to be here...although I'm not really looking forward to the mud...but, can't have it all! We've been having some pretty strange weather...last Friday I thought for sure that the melting process would be underway but today I woke up to -27 ....and its March! Aaaawwww.... I was at the gas bar the other day, filling up, and one of the ladies from town was there...she told me "the weather is like a man, just keeps teasing us and changes like (insert sound of snapping fingers here)" Hmmm....the weather is something alright. We were chatting for awhile and came to the conclusion that regardless of the season, there is always something to complain about...too muddy...too hot....too many bugs....I guess we need to enjoy the day for what it is...regardless, it still is beautiful up here... enough rantings from me....

My Visual DNA

Haven't looked at it closely yet so not sure how accurate it is, seeing as you have to choose one of the options available...or a blank box...however, fills the time!

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

What's in a name?!?

So I got this interesting email from one of my friends...rather than forwarding it on, I thought I would just post it here...try it out...good for a laugh anyways (and having a laugh is a great way to start the week off...)

1. YOUR PORN STAR NAME: (first pet and current street name)
Snoopy Campbell

2. YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME: (grandfather/grandmother on your dad's side, your favourite candy)
Olive Licorice

3. YOUR "FLY GIRL/GUY" NAME: (first initial of first name, first two or three letters of your middle name)
Tade

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Blue Dog

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Adele Saskatoon

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 2 letters of mom's maiden name and first
3 letters of the town you grew up in.)
Phetrpacla

7. Terrorist Name: (first name spelled backwards, your mom's maiden name spelled backwards) Anert Nosluap

8. SUPERHERO NAME: ("The", your favorite color, favorite drink)
The Blue Coffee