Last day of work :(

Today was my last official day of work at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum.  The internship is over.  It makes me quite sad to think that this time next week I will no longer be in Saskatchewan, but I have had such a wonderful time here these past four months.  Words cannot describe how much I learned and experienced!

I fly out of Regina next Tuesday morning.  Hopefully I will make it out here again in the near future!

Meandering in Moose Jaw

Alyssa and I took a jaunt over to Moose Jaw on the weekend - she wanted me to see it before I leave Saskatchewan next week.  (insert sad face)

The trip was absolutely lovely.  I think Moose Jaw is quite possibly one of my new favourite little towns.  It was like being transported back to the 1950's, with its beautiful downtown architecture and mid-century storefront signs.  I loved it!

We ended up taking one of the Tunnels of Moose Jaw tours, The Chicago Connection.  Did you know that Moose Jaw was referred to as "Little Chicago" in the 1920's and 30's because of its connection to prohibition and gangsters?  Most notably, Al Capone made Moose Jaw one of his most important bootlegging stops during his heyday of prohibition booze smuggling.  The tour guides took us through an 'old' speak-easy and the underground tunnels where Capone's bootleggers conducted their operations.  I thought it was a hoot and a half!  There's also another tour offered called Passages to Freedom, all about the Chinese immigrants who worked on the railroads at the turn of the last century.  Both tours sounded really cool, and I'd definitely recommend them if you're in town!

After the tour we had some lunch at Nit's Thai Food, which came highly recommended and didn't disappoint in the flavour department.  (Best pad thai I've had in a LONG time!)  Then we headed through the park to Moose Jaw's museum and art gallery.  I always enjoy going through small, local museums and seeing what sorts of things they like to put on display in order to showcase their histories.  Moose Jaw was no exception, and I learned a lot about this part of Saskatchewan and its colourful past. 

And what better way to finish off the day than with a trip to the local fudge factory and gift emporium?

Me with Mac the Moose (Biggest. Moose. EVER.)

Tunnels of Moose Jaw - The Chicago Connection Tour

Where the Chicago Connection tour starts - head up the stairs for some fun!

Where the Passages to Freedom tour starts - head down to the Chinese laundry to start your adventure!

Some of the really fun nostalgia-style signage in downtown Moose Jaw.

Nit's for lunch - great movie-house signage, great pad thai!

If only I could actually DRIVE the getaway car...

Lunar Eclipse

I woke up early this morning to watch the lunar eclipse scheduled (I say scheduled as if we here on Earth somehow have any effect on it whatsoever).  It was -13 below, but considering how cold it's been lately, it was actually not too bad.  However, I was the ONLY person out in the park this morning, other than the guy walking his dog.

Well, it was AWESOME.  By the time I got outside the moon was already moving through into a partial eclipse, but I spent the last half hour watching it move into full eclipse.  I only had my dinky point-and-shoot digital camera with me (curses for leaving all my good equipment in Ontario!) so the photos I got are terrible.  But it was really cool to watch nonetheless.

Fun little tidbits

More cowboy boots than you can shake a stick at (found at Cowtown in Regina).

One of the funniest ads this season from across the street.

My cross-stitch project template.  Can anybody figure out what it is yet?  :)

Why do actions speak louder than words?

I feel this Baha'i quote is most timely, given the current state of world affairs:

"Let those who meet you know, without your proclaiming the fact, that you are indeed a Baha'i. 

Put into practice the teachings of Baha'u'llah, that of kindness to all nations.  Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path.

...

What profit is there is agreeing that universal friendship is good, and talking of the solidarity of the human race as a grand ideal?  Unless these thoughts are translated into the world of action, they are useless.

The wrong of the world continues to exist just because people talk only of their ideals, and do not strive to put them into practice.  If actions took the place of words, the world's misery would very soon be changed into comfort.

A man who does great good, and talks not of it, is on the way to perfection.

The man who has accomplished a small good and magnifies it in his speech is worth very little.

If I love you, I need not continually speak of my love - you will know without any words.  On the other hand if I love you not, that you will also know - and you would not believe me, were I to tell you in a thousand words, that I loved you.

People make such profession of goodness, multiplying fine words because they wish to be thought greater and better than their fellows, seeking fame in the eyes of the world.  Those who do the most good use fewest words concerning their actions.

The children of God do the works without boasting, obeying His laws.

My hope for you is that you will ever avoid tyranny and oppression; that you will work without ceasing till justice reigns in every land, that you will keep your hearts pure and your hands free from unrighteousness.

This is what the near approach to God requires from you, and this is what I expect of you.

The power and value of true thought depend upon its manifestation in action."

- Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks

The Saskatchewan Swing-Step?

I went and visited a friend of mine in Wyoming last year at Christmastime, and he taught me what is lovingly referred to there as "the Wyoming Shuffle" - a preferred walking style for when it's snowy, icy, and generally super-slippery outside. 

Well, I have taken that shuffle and I have made it my own.  I have reworked it and am now doing what I like to call "the Saskatchewan Swing-Step".  Or "the Regina Processional"; I haven't really decided yet.  It's a combination glide/shuffle/stomp/swing/occasional two-step to avoid icy, angled driveways.  It ain't all that pretty, but it gets me where I need to go without ending up sliding on my butt.  (Which, coincidentally, is looking fabulous due to all this strenuous Swing-Stepping to and from work! I knew there had to be an upside to walking in the winter...)

Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs! DINOSAURS!!!

Here's a little visual tour of my work trip last week - I headed to the T-Rex Discovery Centre in Eastend to help dismantle and move the Tylosaurus, Omaciw (pronounced O-mawch-ee-oh; it means "hunter" in Cree) to the museum in Swiftcurrent for exhibit.

Out at the T-Rex Discovery Centre! FINALLY!

A giant, terrifying mural inside the Discovery Centre.

Heeeeeeeeere's Omaciw!!

Omaciw on display with some of the text panels.

Wrapping the text panels so they don't get damaged in transit.

Getting ready to dismantle the behemoth.

Dismantling in progress.

The T-Rex Discovery Centre.

A beautiful moonrise as we pack up and get ready to leave.

Unpacking Omaciw in Swiftcurrent.

Setting him back up on the stands was way easier than taking him apart!

Putting Omaciw back together.

Making sure the stands are tight!

Taking a quick break to discuss how to get the head remounted.

A whole lot of ladders were needed to get Omaciw's head on straight.

The finished product, ready to strike terror into passersby!

So if you're in the area, be sure to check out the T-Rex Discovery Centre in Eastend for more totally awesome dinosaur exhibits, and get to Swiftcurrent to visit Omaciw!

First snowfall of the season. Yay?

Ok, so technically the first snowfall was actually on Sunday but since the snow has decided to hang around until now, I wanted to put together a list of things for which I am thankful this winter season:

Winter tires - Rather, driving around with people who have already put on their winter tires.  Had no idea until I moved out here how big a difference snow tires can make vs. all-season ones.  I'm now a believer.

People who shovel their sidewalks - THANK YOU. I love you people.

Proper winter accoutrements - Down-filled ski jacket? Check.  Ear-muffins? Check.  Lo-Jo's? Check.  Gloves, scarf and toque?  Check, check and check.  Fantastic boots with amazing traction? Double-Check.  Awesome.

On the downside, I am NOT thankful for roads and sidewalks that are icy as all hell due to thawing and refreezing, and the fact that there's no daylight savings time in Saskatchewan (I walk to and from work in perpetual twilight now.) 

Now let's see if I survive the imminent -40 below temperature drop...

You know you're Canadian when...

You know you're Canadian when you're walking behind a complete stranger, and they go into a store just ahead of you and hold the door open behind them expectantly, and even though you weren't actually planning on going to that store, you have a moment of panic where you think, "If I don't go through that door, they're going to think me ungrateful" and you actually contemplate going through the door just to make them feel better.

Happy Hallowe'en

Ah, Hallowe'en!  It is quite possibly my favourite holiday of the year.  I like the promises that it brings.

Promises of little ghouls and goblins, princes and princesses, witches and warlocks, superheroes and supervillains, all parading around in the hopes of getting a piece of candy or two (or two hundred, totally depends on where you live and what kind of ground you can cover in one evening.)

Promises of Moms and Dads and older siblings diligently taking these young ones around the block, chatting with friends and neighbours, and generally having a spooky old time.  

Promises of porchlights being lit, creepy decorations lining the rows of houses down the street, and flickering jack-o'-lanterns grinning ghoulishly as you walk up to that next doorstep.

Some people may be all hum-buggish about this particular holiday, but I simply say, "Boo on you!"  (See what I did there? Mmwhahahaha!)  By the way, this time of year is not about dressing up as a sexy/slutty-fill-in-the-blank-profession-here; such a pet peeve of mine, ewwwww.  It's about coming up with creative and conversation-starting costumes and having a great time doing it!  "Why yes, I AM dressed up as the Doppler effect" (Oh Sheldon Cooper, how I admire those costumes of yours, even if they are written in by sitcom staff...)  

And for those of you who aren't planning on going out this eerie, and rainy, Hallowe'en evening, I suggest a spook-tacular movie night in.  Personally, I shall be watching Young Frankenstein and Dracula: Dead and Loving It. 

So happy Hallowe'en everyone!  Stay safe and be sure to grab lots of candy loot!!

Hookah!

Now that I am no longer ill, I have decided to go out and enjoy some Saskatchewanian nightlife.  

Tonight I accomplished this by chilling at the Baha'i Centre for a great devotional meeting, then heading out with some buddies to the hookah lounge located over this amazing Ethiopian restaurant in downtown Regina.  It was pretty fantastic - we may have been the only people in the place not drinking, but the grape-mint tobacco more than made up for that.  And since I'm half Persian, it's nice not to feel like a total wannabe when smoking.  It's part of my culture, man!  (Just minus the hashish.)

On a side note, I have determined that the use of a hair straightener and a whole lot of eyeliner really does bring all the boys to the yard.  I'm just sayin'...

Sickie

I've been fighting off a cold for almost a week now, and I have to say, it hasn't been pleasant.  Ever since my trip north I've had a tickle that just won't go away.  Today I actually stayed home from work because that tickle turned me into a sneezing, watering, nauseated sad sack.  Blech.  

May my ministrations of tea, vitamins, and immune boosters have some sort of impact soon.
I HATE being sick; why does it happen to me so often?? 

*sigh*

Trip North to La Ronge and Stanley Mission

I just spent the last week traveling through northern central Saskatchewan up to La Ronge and Stanley Mission.  Myself and some ladies from the museum went up to deliver some display cases to the band office in Stanley, and then we did some artifact inventory work at Mistasinihk Place, the government offices in La Ronge.  I got to visit the Holy Trinity Anglican church which is famous for being one of the oldest mission churches still left in the north and I also got to check out the cool trading post in La Ronge and pick up some sassy moccasins.

Driving through the Qu'Appelle Valley on our way north from Regina.

Dropping the display cases off at the band office in Stanley Mission.

Oops!  Repairing a ceramic plate sherd that got broken in transit.

Breathtaking view of the church across the river at Stanley Mission.

View of the church and part of the graveyard. I'd never seen fences like that around graves before.

Heading back to Stanley after our tour.

View of the church across the river from the Stanley peninsula.

Stopping at Mistasinihk Place in La Ronge to do some inventory work.

Me and Alyssa hard at work in the display cases.

Inside Robertson's Trading Post in La Ronge.  More pelts and hides than I've ever seen!

Portagers in La Ronge!

Me and the giant robot off the highway at Tireson's Store!

We stopped in Watson on the way home for lunch and a photo-op.

One of the MANY grain elevators I saw along the way.  This was one of the nicest.

My brand new moccasins, made of moose hide and rabbit fur.  They're beautiful!!

No-Pants Friday

Today became my first No-Pants Friday.  We've been having torrential rainstorms on and off all day, and biking to work through a downpour with one hand holding an umbrella is not exactly easy.  By the time I got to work my pants were SOAKED, front and back! Fortunately, having a private office meant I could remove said pants and let them dry on the radiator for a couple hours while I worked on my research project.  

Talk about your casual Friday attire...

The Titanic Exhibit at the Sask. Science Centre

Intriguing.  Heart-breaking.  Fascinating.  Moving.

These words all describe the "Titanic: The Artifacts Exhibit" now on at the Saskatchewan Science Centre.  I had the privilege of going with the Museums Association of Saskatchewan (MAS) group through this new exhibit today, and it is breath-taking. 

Before you enter, you are given a White Star Line boarding pass with the information about one of the actual Titanic passengers.  This becomes who you are as you pass through the exhibit.  I was a well-to-do American, Mrs. Ryerson, whose family was traveling first class on their way back to the States to attend their son's funeral.  (SOOO tragic!)  The staff also snap a photo of you before you start through the exhibit.

Although this exhibit is only a third of the full touring exhibit (the other two thirds of which are currently in Edmonton) there is still a fascinating array of artifacts that were pulled up from the bottom of the ocean - plates from all classes (the first-class plates were NICE), cutlery, various metal objects like sink pieces and window fastenings, glass bottles, even towels, postcards, bank notes and assorted personal effects that were protected from the water by whatever they happened to be packed in. 

My impressions:

- light levels were excellent and were adjusted accordingly depending on the artifacts on display

- the text panels were gorgeously designed and easy to read; the background photo on each tied in perfectly to the large-scale photos that were scattered on the various walls

- the information makes everything very personal - lots of anecdotes about particular passengers; who survived and who didn't; a lot of detailed information about the ship itself

- the area leading up to the video display that shows an animation of the sinking Titanic is sufficiently eerie, with the iceberg warning cables from other ships written on the walls (and the sound effects are the creaking sounds of a ship in icy water)  Brrrrrr...

I've been fascinated with the Titanic tragedy ever since I was little, and this exhibit really brought everything home.  I definitely teared up a few times, especially at the end when you see the list of all the passengers divided up by who survived and who didn't.  (By the way, Mrs. Ryerson and her three children survived, but her husband did not.)

If I get a chance to go back through the exhibit, I'm definitely taking it.  And since it's on until March 2012, if you're in the area you should consider checking it out as well.  Totally worth the visit!!

This is what they do with your photo at the end, complete with a ghostly captain.  Creeeeeepy!