Category Archives: Life in Nunavut

Night Nation Run: Toronto

Last Saturday night I participated in a FUN RUN…it was so much FUN! Way back in February….I saw that the Night Nation was coming to Toronto…it was cold and dark so I thought why not sign up for a fun run? Then bring on the actual day… Saturday was a HOT and Muggy night…but there was a nice warm breeze…but it was SO HOT.

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At the last minute the friend I was suppose to go with texted me and told me she was sick! So I put a FaceBook status out there asking if any friends would like to come join me in 5 1/2 hours to run a race? My friend Michelle…figured out childcare and drove down from Barrie to join me! (Thanks to Michelle’s Hubby for rearranging his day… so they could swap off the child care duties.)
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So what is a Night Nation Run?

The Night Nation Run is the world’s 1st Running Music Festival. A 5K musical voyage filled with live music, lights, lasers, and celebration for the lover of Electronic Dance Music. Run, walk, skip or dance your way through this electrifying adventure with music carrying you every step. Your journey will take you through an illuminated racecourse to multiple on course DJ stages, each with its own unique exhilarating party, finishing with an explosive main stage after party featuring top EDM DJ’s and special guest celebrity performers.

We started off with a dance party at the main stage… then started to make our way to the start line! Michelle and I actually randomly bumped into people we knew… (me from my university days) and Michelle use to run with them before she had babies! (then a random guy in orange photo bombed our selfie!)

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Michelle kept track of our distance…apparently it was just under 5km… but it was a fun run, so distance didn’t really matter!

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All the route markers were in ‘miles’…even though we are in Canada and run ‘kilometres’ but…that’s ok! (never did see the 3mile or the finish line marker….there was one, but it was dark by the time we got across the finish line.) Nation Night Run_0004

All over the course there were dj stations to dance, selfie stations for photos…and well just lots of people having fun! I must admit I did run a wee bit…but most of this ‘race’ was walked…with a really great friend! It was pretty cool to actually get onto Woodbine Race Track…and run where the horses do…. even though some of the tunnels really were pretty ripe… heat + humidity + horse poo = a fast sprint through those tunnels! LOL

Once we got across the finish line it was time for the after party! (Reminder: sometimes your friends will take videos of you, if you hand them your phone and ask them to take a photo…)

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This is true… I am really enjoying running…but I do RUN for the AFTER party for sure!!!! Thanks again Michelle for joining me…it was fun to party with you!

I just hope there is a break in some of this heat soon…because I have learned that I don’t enjoy running in the heat and humidity…and I need to keep on running for my next run that’s happening in September!

Four Years Ago Today…

Four years ago today, I woke up in a hotel room in Ottawa…and started my trek north for the 2nd time to live in Pangnirtung. The time has flown by, it seems like yesterday I arrived!

Today I am starting a new chapter in my life… it’s hard to type that but with endings come new beginnings. I am flying south back to Ontario. It seems fitting that I will be flying south 4 years to the day that I flew back to live in Pang!

Last night after the Pang Music Festival wrapped up for the evening…I went for one last drive around town with friends. It was just after 10pm…but the sun was setting behind the mountains (to pop up again a few hours later!)

Thanks Maki, Marton and Riina for driving me around….to visit everywhere one last time!

I have been so blessed to be able to call Pangnirtung my home not once but twice…it will hold a special place in my heart forever.

The friendships and memories I have made here will last a lifetime! Until the next time we meet…

Pang Music Fest

Last weekend was suppose to be Pang Music Fest. A committee has been working hard all year to re-start this musical festival that was a highlight of the summer but hasn’t happened in years. But after a week of really bad high winds, no planes and then fog in Iqaluit which stranded 5 planes overnight here in Pang…let’s just say it was postponed…you can’t have a music festival if the bands playing can’t get into town. It was decided to reschedule everything to this weekend! There were a few people that couldn’t make it because of the weather delays but they have a great line up of groups to play.

Tonight I headed to the high school gym and was not disappointed. The first act was Northern Haze–they had a really great rock beat to their songs. Some of them made me wish I had longer hair and could still head bang like I did as a teenager at a rock concert.

The second act of the night was Saali and the Raven Hearts. They had a great sound as well…made me want to get on my feet and dance! Pang Music Fest (4 of 21)

It was fantastic watching this band play–they really got into the groove and their enthusiasm was just contagious! Pang Music Fest (3 of 21)

The Pang Music Festival will continue all weekend…if you are in town, should definitely go check it out!

Weekend Happenings…

This past weekend was action packed fun with friends–all surrounded by great food and conversations!

Saturday morning I went over to my friend Mary’s house for brunch. I didn’t take any photos! But everyone knows when you go to brunch at Mary’s house—you usually get amazing waffles, eggs and bacon! It was such a yummy way to start off the day.

Later that evening…my neighbours and a few other friends joined for a BBQ behind our house!

The guys took care of doing the BBQ-ing…and lighting of the fire for marshmallows… YUMMY! Thanks for doing the cooking!

While some neighbourhood kids stopped in to play…and then be close for when the food was ready! (It smelt so good…)

All four of the kids–searched for what they called “butterflies” and they would catch them…but they were some kind of moth..(I think, I didn’t look that closely).

I must admit–after they were “caught” I’m not sure many of the ‘butterflies’ lived to tell their tale. But it kept the kids busy.

It was a gorgeous evening for a BBQ! After having a crazy windy week—and bad weather it was nice to have the sun shining and no need for a jacket! I was super comfy in my hoodie.

There’s something about marshmallow roasting that brings people together.

On Sunday a group of friends got together for a ‘sushi’ making party! My friend had caught a huge Char (this spring) and gave it to my neighbours and they decided to throw a party. Who can say no to fresh arctic char sushi? Not me… It was so good…we made our own rolls, but Maki did all the crazy cutting and preparing for us. Thanks for hosting the party Maki it was a great lunch!
It always amazes me that so much fun can happen when friends get together to share a meal together…another memory for the memory bank! Thanks for a great weekend.