Wasn't it fine indeed!

The best is yet to come and, babe, won't it be fine?
You think you've seen the sun but you ain't seen it shine
~ Tony Bennett lyrics

Reflections of the Scientific Coordinator on the year that was 2011.

Shakespeare wrote that the best days of your life are yet to come but I’m pretty sure he did not live last year in my shoes. But maybe Tony Bennett has it right that I think I saw the sun but haven’t really seen it shine. But all in all…. It was pretty shiny year for the research staff at the Study Centre and the rays of sunshine were definitely visible on a few occasions.

Last year was probably one of the most significant years for me and strangely enough most of the significance was related to my place of work. I didn’t graduate from school, get married, have a child, make a life changing decision or even make significant career advancements. What did happen is that all the talks and dreams of having a brand new research and education facility in Churchill were realized with the completion of a new $18 million dollar building on the Centre property. I now work in a spectacular state of the art building that is purpose built to house the Centre operations incorporating green technologies to sustain our environment while being practical for our subarctic location.

While this reality was years in the making, the concrete realization of these dreams were made possible by a team of dedicated folks including me who spent hours hoping and working in so many different ways to make the facility possible and it happened in 2011. While there was a whole lot of pain, blood, sweat and the odd tear involved in the process, it has been an incredible reward with what might be considered a lifetime of opportunities to learn rolled up in the finality of seeing a shiny red ribbon cut on the front step of the new facility during the grand opening on August 24, 2011.

It is not possible to convey the immense joy, pleasure and sense of accomplishment seeing those bits of glossy ribbon flutter to the ground on that sunny day in August with a cluster of my friends and co-workers witnessing what could unarguably be one of the best things I have been part of so far. The many friends and colleagues that I have met and worked with during the 9 years I have been a part of the Centre joined in sweet celebrations and each one’s presence (or memory for those who couldn’t be there) made the day a little bit more pleasurable. Thanks to each of you who came back to join in the celebrations – Jen, Jennie, Steve, Kate, Emma… and others.

The challenges to such a construction project were many and the small things sometimes seemed insurmountable but in the end the project is wildly successful. The best thing is that the spirit of the Centre lives on in the people who foster the memories and celebrate the accomplishments made possible in the bricks and mortar. My parents, who rarely take long trips, also made the journey to Churchill to see the task that has capture much of my time and attention for the last couple of years. It has truly been a year to celebrate. If you haven’t already, you’ll have to come and visit to truly see for yourself this wonderful place.

The CNSC Research staff this past year have been singularly spectacular and a source of inspiration during the chaos and upheaval involved. Many thanks to each and every one of the members of LASS (League of Awesome Science Staff) – Kat (your monogrammed cloak is waiting), Kuz, Krista, Carley, Kaleigh, Amanda, Caleigh, Matt, Leah and Paige…. Stunning and fantastic team.

LeeAnn

PS. It is true that to work for LASS your name must start in the first half of the alphabet or you will be assimilated (e.g. Kuz) or your name is Paige (nobody messes with that one).