Random work-day thoughts:
• Definitely not a morning person. Still. And probably forever.
• I need to go to New York City to realize my child-hood dream of seeing Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. I didn’t do this when I was in NYC for my 23rd birthday (!!) because I was on podium and feeling poor. Now, the show closes at the end of July. After thirteen years of procrastinating, now is the time. I can fly from Ch’town for about $500. I need to go. Plus this time I won’t be trudging about in NYC the day after a storm, so site-seeing may be a wee bit easier!
• I bought a wee radio with headphones (about the size of an MP3 player) at the Dollar Store a few days ago. The radio was crap and wouldn’t pick up any stations in the gym. I figured that was acceptable, I mean, we are talking Dollar Store here. The earphones worked well though, so I figured it was really a one-dollar investment on earphones. Until I yanked them out of the radio too quickly this morning and they broke. So my $1.16 investment was terrible. Should have put it in an RRSP…
• You know, it’s cheaper to go to London Gatwick from Halifax than it is to go to NYC (La Guardia, I think,) from Ch’town. Oh, and flying is starting to make me feel morally irresponsible thanks to the talk I went to delivered by David Suzuki. So I’m feeling a bit torn because I loooove traveling and driving is just not an option for so many destinations. Nor is bus, or the non-existent PEI rail.
• I admit to stick checking the weather in Orlando, and usually sighing sadly followed by longing glances out the window.
• I’m excited to walk home today as it’s, apparently, like, eight degrees outside!!!!! Which is better be, because I’m wearing a skirt and don’t have any pants with me.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Saturday, March 10, 2007
I want it more than I can tell
And for once it might be grand
To have someone understand
I want so much more than they've got planned
Those are a portion of the lyrics from "Belle (Reprise)" from Beauty and the Beast. It just kind of popped in my head. Mostly I think the first two lines pertain to me as I have been feeling a little trapped on PEI lately. I know I can just get up and leave, but I almost feel guilty about wanting to leave. So many people like it here, why not me? I almost feel as though leaving is either me A) giving up, or B) being a snob and thinking I'm above PEI. I haven't given up on it yet, but I'm getting close. I am also definitely not a snob. I was thinking about it today in my mind's chain of random thoughts. In a job interview about a month ago I was asked to describe myself in one word. I should have been prepared for such a question, but I wasn't and definitely said something stupid. (Regardless, I still made it through to the next round of interviews?!) Before my interviews last Tuesday (the third of the previously mentioned and one for a server at the Delta) I came up with a good word to use. I then promptly forgot it minutes later. Today I thought of a word, again, but this time remembered it. It actually may have been the same word I previously thought of, but I cannot be positive on that.
Curious.
Yup, that's the word I came up with. It kind of developed from "discovery", which isn't an adjective thus cannot describe me. ("An adjictive describes a noun." Thank you, Mad Libs.) But I like discovering things. Discovering new places, new people, new adventures, new languages, etc. I think this is a solution to the "problem" - my curiosity. I like knowing how people got to "where they are". I like talking to people about their jobs, finding out what they do and what that job title really means. I like talking to people about their hometowns.
To sum up a bit of my current problem and relate it to the previous paragraph, I have discovered nothing since being in Charlottetown. (Relating to the town, not people.) I know Charlottetown. I went for a walk last weekend and discovered nothing new. I remember on nice weekends in Edinburgh I would just walk... or hop on a random Lothian Bus, hop off, and then walk. Usually I had an idea where I was as I knew the bus system ridiculously well. If I was ever stuck I could just scan the sky line for Arthur's Seat, the Castle, Calton Hill, the Walter Scott Monument, etc., and determine my approximate where-abouts. When all else failed, I would just find a bus stop and work from there. I really don't ever remember getting lost, and if I did, I had a mobile and, sometimes, a map.
This week was a good week. I worked part-time at Junior Achievement and part-time piloting the 2007 Tourist Exit Survey (TES). I don't really care for surveying people, and I quite hate bothering people but most people are good about it and it has quite a high response rate. I think I just don't feel very productive doing it because there are so many Islanders at the airport. Of the many people I talk to, very few are even eligable to fill in the survey. At JA I'm doing .... let's make it sound fancy! "Database administration." I have to do 100 hours over the span of five weeks. I am temporarly filing in for someone who is one a leave of absense for, shocker, five weeks. She was a part-time employee working twenty hours a week hence my time obligations. I plan on working more than twenty hours a week, and once the TES is over I'll be able to put in more hours than I put in this week (twenty seven).
On Friday afternoon I wrote the ... I can't remember the of it, but a government test required for a position I applied for back in January. The test itself was quite easy. Hee hee, I just looked at the job description again (which was very vague) and the language requirements are "bilungual imperative" with a pretty high standard for French (C-B-C). I wonder if, provided I get through to the next round, will I have to write a French test? Oye. I may have to consider myself out of the running if that's the case, although I *do* listen to the radio in French so that's a start. Also relating to the test which I found interesting, all the people writing it were female. Curious!
Ooh, time to hop off, I think Jannie is home from Victoria =) And I have to run to the toilet. AND I'm thirsty. AND I need to brush my teeth. Wow, busy times.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Wow - it is windy outside! This winter weather is getting old. I realise winter is supposed to last for multiple months, but I'm done. Winter can leave. Where is my sun? I'm probably going to get rickets from lack of vitamin D. Wouldn't that be sad? I wonder if more Canadians develop rickets than, say, Brazilians.
I am still going through my quarter-life crisis. I randomly freak out, stuff myself with sugar, whimper, and then smile again. It is becoming quite repetative and annoying. My quarter-life crisis will probably leave me with a perma pot belly and diabetes.
I am trying to improve my French and it is kind of hard. I listen to Radio Canada 88.1 (French CBC) almost 100% of the time when driving. I sometimes watch TV in French and understand just about nothing. I am reading Harry Potter a l'ecole des sorciers and am quite enjoying it! But that doesn't quite satisfy me. I never really lost my ability to read in French; I really would like to improve my speaking and listening skills. My pronounciation is also shite, as I find myself mentally giving certain words spanish accents when reading.
Today I determined that getting a job is scary because I feel like it will be the end of my adventures. It's like someone will hand me a job on a plate, and I have to make it last forty years. Will I never get to live in Europe again? Will I bedoomed destined to spend the rest of my life on PEI? What if I become... boring? Oooh, scary. However, I don't find people who chose to live on PEI boring, so hopefully I won't be boring either.
Being unemployed should be enjoyable, but it's really not. It is stressful. It is ALWAYS on the back of your mind. Personally, it feels like such a failure and I have, umm, kind of stopped applying on jobs in the past week. I just got frustrated and angry. I pretty much flipped out and bawled (productive, I know,) when I found another interesting position open only to someone on E-freaking-I. I realise the purpose of the HRSDC Job Creation Program is to take someone out of the unemployed work rather than have someone quit a job in order to take the new one, but I am unemployed too! Just because I do not fit the proper EI statistic doesn't make it right to leave me stuck in the red mud.
I have a job interview tomorrow morning and meeting re another job in the afternoon. I know that makes it seem like I'm making great strides, but that's after about a month of looking. Brilliant. I'm actually quite disappointed in myself regarding how I have been handling my life lately. I should be enjoying my free time. That volunteer work I intended to do? I have done minimal. My scrapbook? Sitting in a drawer in my closet. Becoming super-fit, gym rat? Well, I've become a gym rat, but I also turn to delicious ju-jubes for a quick pick-me-up. Skiing? Nope, not yet. RRSP investments? No again! Filed my US or Canadian taxes? No, of course not, but I pretty much just have to print off my already-filled-in forms. This is when I wonder, what do I really do with myself all day? Nothingk, especially when you consider I usually sleep for only six-and-a-half hours a night. I get up, eat breakfast, maybe read some (I have read a lot recently), do some sudokus, watch some telie, eat some more, waste time on the Internet, maybe do something productive online, nothing, etc., blah blah blah. It's quite pathetic. I remember when I used to hardly spend any time at home. Hardly ever watched TV. Spent minimal time on the Internet. Well, that's in the past. I am trying to look forward, but I can see only fog for the most part. Randomly I catch a glimsp of a light in the distance, but the luminance is not quite great enough and I fall back to a displacement of zero. Okay, that is a bit of a lie. I am not at zero, I like to think I at least bumped myself up to two.
I have to do some interviewing prep now which will probably get me a little more excited :) Seriously.
Cheers!
I am still going through my quarter-life crisis. I randomly freak out, stuff myself with sugar, whimper, and then smile again. It is becoming quite repetative and annoying. My quarter-life crisis will probably leave me with a perma pot belly and diabetes.
I am trying to improve my French and it is kind of hard. I listen to Radio Canada 88.1 (French CBC) almost 100% of the time when driving. I sometimes watch TV in French and understand just about nothing. I am reading Harry Potter a l'ecole des sorciers and am quite enjoying it! But that doesn't quite satisfy me. I never really lost my ability to read in French; I really would like to improve my speaking and listening skills. My pronounciation is also shite, as I find myself mentally giving certain words spanish accents when reading.
Today I determined that getting a job is scary because I feel like it will be the end of my adventures. It's like someone will hand me a job on a plate, and I have to make it last forty years. Will I never get to live in Europe again? Will I be
Being unemployed should be enjoyable, but it's really not. It is stressful. It is ALWAYS on the back of your mind. Personally, it feels like such a failure and I have, umm, kind of stopped applying on jobs in the past week. I just got frustrated and angry. I pretty much flipped out and bawled (productive, I know,) when I found another interesting position open only to someone on E-freaking-I. I realise the purpose of the HRSDC Job Creation Program is to take someone out of the unemployed work rather than have someone quit a job in order to take the new one, but I am unemployed too! Just because I do not fit the proper EI statistic doesn't make it right to leave me stuck in the red mud.
I have a job interview tomorrow morning and meeting re another job in the afternoon. I know that makes it seem like I'm making great strides, but that's after about a month of looking. Brilliant. I'm actually quite disappointed in myself regarding how I have been handling my life lately. I should be enjoying my free time. That volunteer work I intended to do? I have done minimal. My scrapbook? Sitting in a drawer in my closet. Becoming super-fit, gym rat? Well, I've become a gym rat, but I also turn to delicious ju-jubes for a quick pick-me-up. Skiing? Nope, not yet. RRSP investments? No again! Filed my US or Canadian taxes? No, of course not, but I pretty much just have to print off my already-filled-in forms. This is when I wonder, what do I really do with myself all day? Nothingk, especially when you consider I usually sleep for only six-and-a-half hours a night. I get up, eat breakfast, maybe read some (I have read a lot recently), do some sudokus, watch some telie, eat some more, waste time on the Internet, maybe do something productive online, nothing, etc., blah blah blah. It's quite pathetic. I remember when I used to hardly spend any time at home. Hardly ever watched TV. Spent minimal time on the Internet. Well, that's in the past. I am trying to look forward, but I can see only fog for the most part. Randomly I catch a glimsp of a light in the distance, but the luminance is not quite great enough and I fall back to a displacement of zero. Okay, that is a bit of a lie. I am not at zero, I like to think I at least bumped myself up to two.
I have to do some interviewing prep now which will probably get me a little more excited :) Seriously.
Cheers!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
This is coming from a girl who is home from the bar far too early before her bedtime:
I know I'm going to be happy with my life; and I know I'm going to do great things. It's just a matter of putting up with the 'icks' that are currently, and will continue, to meet me. I can handle the bad things with a few tears, but the tears exist only because of the amazing experiences I have already have. Life will go on...
As it is. Despite moping for many months (!!) life keeps ticking as it should. Tomorrow I am whoring out my resume. I may wind up working at a pet shop, but that's okay. My new goal is to bring entertainment to PEI. Let's make PEI cool, eh? As Lord knows something is lacking right now. I'm going to fix that. Screw the Gentle Island stuff, we are know the Island of FUN!
I know I'm going to be happy with my life; and I know I'm going to do great things. It's just a matter of putting up with the 'icks' that are currently, and will continue, to meet me. I can handle the bad things with a few tears, but the tears exist only because of the amazing experiences I have already have. Life will go on...
As it is. Despite moping for many months (!!) life keeps ticking as it should. Tomorrow I am whoring out my resume. I may wind up working at a pet shop, but that's okay. My new goal is to bring entertainment to PEI. Let's make PEI cool, eh? As Lord knows something is lacking right now. I'm going to fix that. Screw the Gentle Island stuff, we are know the Island of FUN!
According to todays Guardian, PEI has a deficit of $1.3 billion. WOW. Rather sad, for the country's highest taxed province. (At least our PST is highest... not sure about actual taxes on wages, but I'm sure we're up there.)
Based on our 1999 population of 138,000, each Islander owes approx $9422. Also curious is why the most recent population statistic on Government's website is from 1999. Is there not a more recent figure? Or is it shameful that our population is decreasing? I don't know for sure if it is, but it seems like it should be. Us Islanders aren't popping out the babies like we used to! But, of course, people are living longer and blah blah blah. But daily we contend with the Island human resource drain as "our most precious resource" leaves the Island due to shite wages. Go figure. Recently the premiers of the Atlantic provinces went out west to Alberta to try and entice our precious resources to return to the homeland. Honestly, let them stay out there. There are people here (me) that are smart and have a decent education (me) but can't seem to stumble upon work (me again!). We already have a relatively high rate of unemployment, officially. Unofficially it's even higher as I believe the rate is based on those eligible for EI. (Not me.)
So, it's essentially costing the government $10,000 per person to keep us here. Really, that's quite a bargain for them, I think. Or at least I think I'm a bargain. I cost the department of health very little and have been to the doctor's, like, three times in almost four years (and once the province wouldn't even cover me =( ) and have been in the hospital, excluding audiology and speech crap when I was little, four times - including once to be born.
I really don't have much of a point here. I wonder how much the average Islander is in debt by? Although it's debatable as to whom is considered an Islander. A student studying here for four years from, say NB, who has full intentions of leaving after grad, is he/she considered an Islander for debt stat purposes? At first I thought you could judge debt by banking figures, but that doesn't take credit cards into consideration, or financing provided by car dealerships.
While sweeping today (don't I sound like Cinderella pre-Fairy Godmother?) I thought about the lack of a theatre in Cavendish. Just a thought. As far as I know there isn't one. Would it be viable? Profitable? I think there would be potential, but could it compete with the Confederation Centre of the Arts (Confed Centre in Island terms)? The Mac? Victoria Playhouse? And others? PEI is so small that driving from Cavendish/Anne's Land takes under an hour depending on, heh, camper traffic, weather, tractors, etc. Could you find people willing to put on a show? What would the incentive be? Why would a director and/or producer chose Cavendish over another location?
I also have been thinking about the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Could a similar festival on a (much) smaller scale be replicated on PEI? It's so much fun, pretty affordable, and really does have something for everyone. Venues don't necessarily have to be a proper theatre. Anywhere a band can play a production can be performed.
I haven't been too busy with the job hunt this week. I have an interview coming up in a couple of weeks. I'm just a little indecisive as to what I want. (Other than my new two-hour dream of opening a theatre in Cavendish.) I liked working with the public at Disney and poking at kids. However, sometimes being fabulously happy and ALWAYS working with guests was a little much, and intellectually it wasn't a very rewarding job. In the other hand, I had office jobs that offered minimal contact with others and I didn't care for that too much either. I'm think I'm designed to be a temp. Bump around in a lot of different roles. Or maybe I'm best suited to run a pub or some sort of business. I could get out and work with people, but also do my intellectual running-a-business stuff too.
I don't want to sell things. Well, that's a bit too broad. I don't want to be constantly on the phone trying to sell things! Outbound sales rep isn't really for me. I mean, those are the people I feel bad for everytime they call a house and get shot down. Does anyone really take those calls?? I'll have to ask Brother because I think he did something like that for a little while.
Jobs are stupid. Remember that time I filed for six hours a day? Oooh, wow. Not fabulous.
I really want to work at a theatre. Hmm.
I miss Disney World. (Again.)
Well, it's 12:30 and I have accomplished nothing other than bookmarking a few job postings, semi-cleaning the kitchen, and watching two episodes of Save by the Bell.
Based on our 1999 population of 138,000, each Islander owes approx $9422. Also curious is why the most recent population statistic on Government's website is from 1999. Is there not a more recent figure? Or is it shameful that our population is decreasing? I don't know for sure if it is, but it seems like it should be. Us Islanders aren't popping out the babies like we used to! But, of course, people are living longer and blah blah blah. But daily we contend with the Island human resource drain as "our most precious resource" leaves the Island due to shite wages. Go figure. Recently the premiers of the Atlantic provinces went out west to Alberta to try and entice our precious resources to return to the homeland. Honestly, let them stay out there. There are people here (me) that are smart and have a decent education (me) but can't seem to stumble upon work (me again!). We already have a relatively high rate of unemployment, officially. Unofficially it's even higher as I believe the rate is based on those eligible for EI. (Not me.)
So, it's essentially costing the government $10,000 per person to keep us here. Really, that's quite a bargain for them, I think. Or at least I think I'm a bargain. I cost the department of health very little and have been to the doctor's, like, three times in almost four years (and once the province wouldn't even cover me =( ) and have been in the hospital, excluding audiology and speech crap when I was little, four times - including once to be born.
I really don't have much of a point here. I wonder how much the average Islander is in debt by? Although it's debatable as to whom is considered an Islander. A student studying here for four years from, say NB, who has full intentions of leaving after grad, is he/she considered an Islander for debt stat purposes? At first I thought you could judge debt by banking figures, but that doesn't take credit cards into consideration, or financing provided by car dealerships.
While sweeping today (don't I sound like Cinderella pre-Fairy Godmother?) I thought about the lack of a theatre in Cavendish. Just a thought. As far as I know there isn't one. Would it be viable? Profitable? I think there would be potential, but could it compete with the Confederation Centre of the Arts (Confed Centre in Island terms)? The Mac? Victoria Playhouse? And others? PEI is so small that driving from Cavendish/Anne's Land takes under an hour depending on, heh, camper traffic, weather, tractors, etc. Could you find people willing to put on a show? What would the incentive be? Why would a director and/or producer chose Cavendish over another location?
I also have been thinking about the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Could a similar festival on a (much) smaller scale be replicated on PEI? It's so much fun, pretty affordable, and really does have something for everyone. Venues don't necessarily have to be a proper theatre. Anywhere a band can play a production can be performed.
I haven't been too busy with the job hunt this week. I have an interview coming up in a couple of weeks. I'm just a little indecisive as to what I want. (Other than my new two-hour dream of opening a theatre in Cavendish.) I liked working with the public at Disney and poking at kids. However, sometimes being fabulously happy and ALWAYS working with guests was a little much, and intellectually it wasn't a very rewarding job. In the other hand, I had office jobs that offered minimal contact with others and I didn't care for that too much either. I'm think I'm designed to be a temp. Bump around in a lot of different roles. Or maybe I'm best suited to run a pub or some sort of business. I could get out and work with people, but also do my intellectual running-a-business stuff too.
I don't want to sell things. Well, that's a bit too broad. I don't want to be constantly on the phone trying to sell things! Outbound sales rep isn't really for me. I mean, those are the people I feel bad for everytime they call a house and get shot down. Does anyone really take those calls?? I'll have to ask Brother because I think he did something like that for a little while.
Jobs are stupid. Remember that time I filed for six hours a day? Oooh, wow. Not fabulous.
I really want to work at a theatre. Hmm.
I miss Disney World. (Again.)
Well, it's 12:30 and I have accomplished nothing other than bookmarking a few job postings, semi-cleaning the kitchen, and watching two episodes of Save by the Bell.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
The highlight of my day was getting my transcript from UPEI. Not only did it have my marks on it, but it also had the class average from each class I took. I was smack on the average for two of my English classes, and the rest of my classes were above the average! The highlight was Math 111 - I got 99% (*cough* nerd) and the avearge was 65%.
Interestingly, the median for Intro. Accounting I was 78%. (This keener got 90% ;) ) The median fell rather dramatically for Intro Accounting II: 57%!! What happened, former classmates? I"m sure the switch I made from Dave Adams to Ab Ferris really didn't make THAT big of a deal as the exams, midterm and assignments were the same for both professors. I was also smack on the average in Project Management in fourth year. I believe that to be irrelevant as it was a sorry excuse for a class, and I'm pretty sure I gave that class the worst course evaluation EVER. I won't get into it now, except I have noted that the course has been offered again at UPEI. Hopefully they fixed it up and made it into something worth paying for than $3.00 for.
Time to make supper!
Interestingly, the median for Intro. Accounting I was 78%. (This keener got 90% ;) ) The median fell rather dramatically for Intro Accounting II: 57%!! What happened, former classmates? I"m sure the switch I made from Dave Adams to Ab Ferris really didn't make THAT big of a deal as the exams, midterm and assignments were the same for both professors. I was also smack on the average in Project Management in fourth year. I believe that to be irrelevant as it was a sorry excuse for a class, and I'm pretty sure I gave that class the worst course evaluation EVER. I won't get into it now, except I have noted that the course has been offered again at UPEI. Hopefully they fixed it up and made it into something worth paying for than $3.00 for.
Time to make supper!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Jen gets frustrated because the alignment on one of her resumes gets throw off. It was initally drafted on Shan's laptop in Edinburgh, and I made many alterations but forgot to change the page type. A4 paper is useless here! Ahhh!!!
Yesterday and today I was looking at some job openings with the Feds. There were a few that I know I'm qualified for that are openining up in the National Capital Region. However, you have to live within 125-km of Ottawa to be eligible!!! Quoi? I mean, we're all Canadians, aren't we? =(
I also found a couple of jobs that one must qualify for EI in order to apply. I do not quality for EI as I was living the US and working for an American company. However, I may be eligible for the American version of EI?! Hmm, something to look into. I worked in the US for longer than 52 continuous weeks... Hee hee! Thank goodness I had that last-minute extension ;)
Well, my goal to be in bed by 12.30 failed. Here's going for a 1.30 fallback!
Yesterday and today I was looking at some job openings with the Feds. There were a few that I know I'm qualified for that are openining up in the National Capital Region. However, you have to live within 125-km of Ottawa to be eligible!!! Quoi? I mean, we're all Canadians, aren't we? =(
I also found a couple of jobs that one must qualify for EI in order to apply. I do not quality for EI as I was living the US and working for an American company. However, I may be eligible for the American version of EI?! Hmm, something to look into. I worked in the US for longer than 52 continuous weeks... Hee hee! Thank goodness I had that last-minute extension ;)
Well, my goal to be in bed by 12.30 failed. Here's going for a 1.30 fallback!
Friday, January 12, 2007
I haven't written here in awhile, eh? Well, over Christmas I tried to keep myslf as busy as possible since friends were home for the holidays adnd there was no use keeping still! Let's do a brief recap.
Fri, Dec 22 - most fabulous house party EVER! The beer pong table investment was well worth it. And our oparty had a random German, which was nice as I haven't seen random Germans since my Disney days.
Sat 23rd - go to Aunt Jean's for late lunch for Dixon Christmas thing and spend the evening at Sarah Keith's house at a party that reminded me very much of grade twelve!
Sun 24th - go to Grammy's last afternoon into the evening. Play texas hold 'em poker with the fam. Brother gets home mid afternoon after a gongshow of a drive home.
Mon 25th - "So this is Christmas" open presents, eat ridiculous amounts of food, have Grammy in for lunch, then go to the Cameron's for dinner. Come home and play more cards.
Tue 26th - Boxing day! Have Kolawski's over, go to Kelly and Laura's for party, then to 223 NR Rd for another party. Then to Piazza Joe's for some classy dancing before waiting forever and a half for a cab downtown with Mr. Brother.
Wed 27th - Brunch at Cora's with Lynda, Candace and Heidi. Try on bridesmaid dresses. Sit in parking lot at Civic Centre for a long time. Watch Little Miss Sunshine in the evening with Shan, Kiki, Heidi and Jannie.
Thu 28th - Hmm... I don't remember. Oh, oh, oh! Went to play pool with Keri and Kat, then went to NR Rd, then to Hunter's... Tried to find Shan in the mess of Ch'town but could not so went home. And Brother goes home :(
Fri 29th - Uh oh... Heidi's last night! Start out at 223 NR Rd (of course) and eventually find our way to ODP.
Sat 30th - Farmer's Market in the morning, say bye to Heidi and buy stuff for dinner the following night. Then have a , gasp, low-key night.
Sun 31st - help parents prepare massive quantities of delicous food and then head to NR Rd for a lovely, multi-course supper with Shan, Malcolm, Jill, Jannie, and Hannah. Then party with lots of folk, because it's New Years Eve! I also have a slight mope fest as 7/8 of my friends are in other parts of the world and I can't see them, and don't know when I will see them again. Sad.
Mon Jan 1st - go to gym to find ppl are doing a 5-km RUN the morning after New Years Eve. Wow. Then have MacPhail family over and have a grand ole time playing balloon volleyball. Woohoo!
The end. Then I moved to 223 North River Road on the 3rd, because I spend so much time here anyway. ha!
I am now also jobless. Brilliant, eh? I am becoming very good at being lazy which makes me sad. Being lazy has snowball effect. First you are a little lazy, and suddenly moving more then three feet a day seems like such a challenge. So I spend my days slowly applying for jobs. Yesterday I watched a ridiculous amount of tv. Generally I do not watch a lot of tv, but something happened yesterday. I just sunk into a chair in the livingroom and become one with it. We bonded. We watched just over four hours of tv (not all at once) and then felt disgusted with ourselves afterwards. However, the chair didn't really convey these emotions although I'm sure it was feeling them. We watched Jersey Girl last night which I secretly kind of enjoyed. Well, the first 2/3 of it. Then I found my mind trailing a bit.
Well, that's all. I'm going to try slugging through the slush to walk downtown now. Mope.
Fri, Dec 22 - most fabulous house party EVER! The beer pong table investment was well worth it. And our oparty had a random German, which was nice as I haven't seen random Germans since my Disney days.
Sat 23rd - go to Aunt Jean's for late lunch for Dixon Christmas thing and spend the evening at Sarah Keith's house at a party that reminded me very much of grade twelve!
Sun 24th - go to Grammy's last afternoon into the evening. Play texas hold 'em poker with the fam. Brother gets home mid afternoon after a gongshow of a drive home.
Mon 25th - "So this is Christmas" open presents, eat ridiculous amounts of food, have Grammy in for lunch, then go to the Cameron's for dinner. Come home and play more cards.
Tue 26th - Boxing day! Have Kolawski's over, go to Kelly and Laura's for party, then to 223 NR Rd for another party. Then to Piazza Joe's for some classy dancing before waiting forever and a half for a cab downtown with Mr. Brother.
Wed 27th - Brunch at Cora's with Lynda, Candace and Heidi. Try on bridesmaid dresses. Sit in parking lot at Civic Centre for a long time. Watch Little Miss Sunshine in the evening with Shan, Kiki, Heidi and Jannie.
Thu 28th - Hmm... I don't remember. Oh, oh, oh! Went to play pool with Keri and Kat, then went to NR Rd, then to Hunter's... Tried to find Shan in the mess of Ch'town but could not so went home. And Brother goes home :(
Fri 29th - Uh oh... Heidi's last night! Start out at 223 NR Rd (of course) and eventually find our way to ODP.
Sat 30th - Farmer's Market in the morning, say bye to Heidi and buy stuff for dinner the following night. Then have a , gasp, low-key night.
Sun 31st - help parents prepare massive quantities of delicous food and then head to NR Rd for a lovely, multi-course supper with Shan, Malcolm, Jill, Jannie, and Hannah. Then party with lots of folk, because it's New Years Eve! I also have a slight mope fest as 7/8 of my friends are in other parts of the world and I can't see them, and don't know when I will see them again. Sad.
Mon Jan 1st - go to gym to find ppl are doing a 5-km RUN the morning after New Years Eve. Wow. Then have MacPhail family over and have a grand ole time playing balloon volleyball. Woohoo!
The end. Then I moved to 223 North River Road on the 3rd, because I spend so much time here anyway. ha!
I am now also jobless. Brilliant, eh? I am becoming very good at being lazy which makes me sad. Being lazy has snowball effect. First you are a little lazy, and suddenly moving more then three feet a day seems like such a challenge. So I spend my days slowly applying for jobs. Yesterday I watched a ridiculous amount of tv. Generally I do not watch a lot of tv, but something happened yesterday. I just sunk into a chair in the livingroom and become one with it. We bonded. We watched just over four hours of tv (not all at once) and then felt disgusted with ourselves afterwards. However, the chair didn't really convey these emotions although I'm sure it was feeling them. We watched Jersey Girl last night which I secretly kind of enjoyed. Well, the first 2/3 of it. Then I found my mind trailing a bit.
Well, that's all. I'm going to try slugging through the slush to walk downtown now. Mope.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Happy Christmas!
I sent out my pretty Christmas e-card today. I had too many people to send it to, and the third email I sent out failed to attach the picture properly. So I'm posting it here, along with my "fabulous" poem.
The Christmas Tree
Every year it is up to me
to fetch the MacPhail Christmas tree.
Having been a lumberjack for several months
I will admit to being kind of pumped.
I went deep into the woods
As far as I could!
First I headed East
Thinking about the impending Christmas feast.
I eventually turned South
Catching snowflakes in my mouth.
Soon a beaver was tagging along,
And a bluebird followed me singing a song.
I got a bit worried when the wolf appeared,
But I just winked at him and tossed him a beer.
Suddenly a fabulous tree stood right in my path
I estimated its height using some math.
A physics calculation determined the angle of my swing,
And the axe hit the tree with a rather subtle ping.
I dragged the tree to the homestead with a proud trot
Only to discover it was filled with termite rot.
So please, come to Charlottetown and see
My fabulous fake Christmas tree.
Every year it is up to me
to fetch the MacPhail Christmas tree.
Having been a lumberjack for several months
I will admit to being kind of pumped.
I went deep into the woods
As far as I could!
First I headed East
Thinking about the impending Christmas feast.
I eventually turned South
Catching snowflakes in my mouth.
Soon a beaver was tagging along,
And a bluebird followed me singing a song.
I got a bit worried when the wolf appeared,
But I just winked at him and tossed him a beer.
Suddenly a fabulous tree stood right in my path
I estimated its height using some math.
A physics calculation determined the angle of my swing,
And the axe hit the tree with a rather subtle ping.
I dragged the tree to the homestead with a proud trot
Only to discover it was filled with termite rot.
So please, come to Charlottetown and see
My fabulous fake Christmas tree.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
So Christmas is fast approaching. It doesn't feel very Christmas-y though, I'm not sure why. Maybe now that we have snow again I'll feel a bit more of the holiday spirit.
Yesterday I went on a shopping trip to the Charlottetown Mall yesterday for the first time in probably two years. I have been there twice since I've been home but both times just kind of to run in quickly or waiting for my mum, who had run in quickly. Oh, and to The Spa once. Quite the mall. "My" mall in Florida, i.e., the one closest to my home, was fantastic and I miss it. I didn't go there that much, (except to walk through on the way to the grocery store,) but it was lovely. Good deals on, well, everything, and they HAD everything, minus a department store. The mall was almost like a strip mall in the way the stores were connected by their walls, but you had to walk outside to get store to store. There was a fountain, an outdoor coffee/beer place, seating, etc. So nice!
It's been two-and-a-half months since I have worked. By the time I start my job it will have easily been three months. I was thinking to myself, "What have I done with my time?! Nothing," but that's not true. I spent almost five weeks on vacation!
When shopping on PEI, in the back of my mind I wonder if the cost of living on PEI really is that cheap. Our wages are lower than those of many provinces/cities and that argument is that our cost of living is lower. Perhaps my problem is that I generally shop only at the liquor store and grocery store, but I really don't notice things being excessively cheaper here. Rent/housing and gas are the big things, and it is quite cheaper here than many places. But with so many stores being chain stores where the price tag is put on a garmet before it's decided where it will be sold, lots of things are the same price as they would be in, for example, Toronto. I think a bit of it has to do with options. In big cities, you have the choice of going to a restaurant where you spend $35 on an entree. On the top of my head, we don't have restaurants in that price range in Charlottetown.
I know my mind is a little skewed from having spent almost fourteen months in the States, as it was skewed when I returned to Canada after being in Edinburgh. I thought Edinburgh was so expensive. However, a lot of that was due to the miserable exchange rate when we first arrived there. It improved a lot over the course of sixteen months, but by that time I didn't want it to improve as I wanted to get more dollars when I exchanged my pounds. Rent was definitely more expensive there, but the pay was higher to compensate. In retrospect, it was not as expensive as I initially thought. You could get a good meal in a restaurant for about $12CAD including tax, and no tip as tipping was not the norm there. I don't remember the price of milk, but it was normal. You could get a loaf of bread for 20p, (about 48 cents,). I remember cereal could go both ways... The sugary, American-inspired stuff was a bit pricey. The healthier or store-brand stuff was a pretty good deal though, perhaps $2.50 a box. The price of alcohol was pretty decent, you could get a pint for about 2.00GBP depending on the bar. I don't remember ever getting beer from a bottle in a bar... Except at Belushi's where Foster's Ice was buy one, get one free.
Random: any fellow deported Canucks remember Reef coolers? Ooooh, they were GOOD. They had great flavours! I like the red one and the tourquoise one. The purple, (black currant and grape, I believe,) was, umm, different. Definitely British ;) i don't remember what the red one was, but I believe the tourquoise was Green Apple and Pear. Different, but delicious. The red one makes me think of The Standing Order on George Street.
Oooh, or WKD Blue! That was like drinking a blue, melted popsicle.
You know what? I should really get into the import business. Introduce Islanders to the great things they are missing in other parts of the world. Sure we already import lots, and lots, and lots of stuff... but what's wrong with adding a little WKD Blue to our lives? Or Chomp bars. Or Tesco Fruit and Fiber cereal!
Keri is in Scotland right now. Hmm, kind of jealous.
Well, this was intended to be an educationed post about economics, but as usual, it ended with me rambling about Disney or Scotland.
Word.
Yesterday I went on a shopping trip to the Charlottetown Mall yesterday for the first time in probably two years. I have been there twice since I've been home but both times just kind of to run in quickly or waiting for my mum, who had run in quickly. Oh, and to The Spa once. Quite the mall. "My" mall in Florida, i.e., the one closest to my home, was fantastic and I miss it. I didn't go there that much, (except to walk through on the way to the grocery store,) but it was lovely. Good deals on, well, everything, and they HAD everything, minus a department store. The mall was almost like a strip mall in the way the stores were connected by their walls, but you had to walk outside to get store to store. There was a fountain, an outdoor coffee/beer place, seating, etc. So nice!
It's been two-and-a-half months since I have worked. By the time I start my job it will have easily been three months. I was thinking to myself, "What have I done with my time?! Nothing," but that's not true. I spent almost five weeks on vacation!
When shopping on PEI, in the back of my mind I wonder if the cost of living on PEI really is that cheap. Our wages are lower than those of many provinces/cities and that argument is that our cost of living is lower. Perhaps my problem is that I generally shop only at the liquor store and grocery store, but I really don't notice things being excessively cheaper here. Rent/housing and gas are the big things, and it is quite cheaper here than many places. But with so many stores being chain stores where the price tag is put on a garmet before it's decided where it will be sold, lots of things are the same price as they would be in, for example, Toronto. I think a bit of it has to do with options. In big cities, you have the choice of going to a restaurant where you spend $35 on an entree. On the top of my head, we don't have restaurants in that price range in Charlottetown.
I know my mind is a little skewed from having spent almost fourteen months in the States, as it was skewed when I returned to Canada after being in Edinburgh. I thought Edinburgh was so expensive. However, a lot of that was due to the miserable exchange rate when we first arrived there. It improved a lot over the course of sixteen months, but by that time I didn't want it to improve as I wanted to get more dollars when I exchanged my pounds. Rent was definitely more expensive there, but the pay was higher to compensate. In retrospect, it was not as expensive as I initially thought. You could get a good meal in a restaurant for about $12CAD including tax, and no tip as tipping was not the norm there. I don't remember the price of milk, but it was normal. You could get a loaf of bread for 20p, (about 48 cents,). I remember cereal could go both ways... The sugary, American-inspired stuff was a bit pricey. The healthier or store-brand stuff was a pretty good deal though, perhaps $2.50 a box. The price of alcohol was pretty decent, you could get a pint for about 2.00GBP depending on the bar. I don't remember ever getting beer from a bottle in a bar... Except at Belushi's where Foster's Ice was buy one, get one free.
Random: any fellow deported Canucks remember Reef coolers? Ooooh, they were GOOD. They had great flavours! I like the red one and the tourquoise one. The purple, (black currant and grape, I believe,) was, umm, different. Definitely British ;) i don't remember what the red one was, but I believe the tourquoise was Green Apple and Pear. Different, but delicious. The red one makes me think of The Standing Order on George Street.
Oooh, or WKD Blue! That was like drinking a blue, melted popsicle.
You know what? I should really get into the import business. Introduce Islanders to the great things they are missing in other parts of the world. Sure we already import lots, and lots, and lots of stuff... but what's wrong with adding a little WKD Blue to our lives? Or Chomp bars. Or Tesco Fruit and Fiber cereal!
Keri is in Scotland right now. Hmm, kind of jealous.
Well, this was intended to be an educationed post about economics, but as usual, it ended with me rambling about Disney or Scotland.
Word.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Pictures pictures pictures.
I have pictures everywhere as I'm attempting to make a scrapbook.
And I'm relapsing. I miss the Commons sooooo much that I cried and now I have a headache.
----------------
I'm looking at old pictures on our computer. I used to have really long hair. That's because getting your hair cut in Edinburgh was expensive. Not related, but when I left there I threw out a lot of clothing. Specifically, there is a blue shirt that I really miss. WHY DID I NOT TAKE IT WITH ME??!! Probably because I wore it all the time and it was getting soooo fuzzy, not to mention the 20-kg weight limit. But why? Sad. And I'm wearing these random mitts in France and I have no idea whose they are. Were they mine? Did I borrow them from Keri?
----
Okay, I just remembered that I'm quite sure they ARE mine. I bought them at Internationale because I didn't have any mitts. I also almost lost them quite a bit. If it weren't for strangers tapping me on shoulders and me running back to the toilet minutes before a flight I would have had some rather cold hands by the time I left Finland! (Speaking of Finald, I have a fantastic photo of Patrick and I eating the most stupid backpackers supper EVER. I have a box of cereal, and he has a PICKLE, among other things. Hee hee...!) I did eventually lose a mitt, but I'll have to continue looking through pictures to determine when.
You know, I was soooo sad earlier but after looking at the THOUSANDS of pictures I have taken the past few years I really have no reason to be sad. Honestly, I think I had more fun these past few years than some people have in their whole lives. So how on Earth can I be sad?! Yes, I don't get to see people as much as I would like to, I have no idea when I'll see the majority of my friends again (come visit "The Gentle Island" please!) but I'm lucky to have met them. I've been to numerous fabulous places, had the job that I dreamed of since I was eleven-years old, have a brilliant family, etc. Despite throwing out my fabulous blue shirt, at least I got my 7GBP out of it.
So this wasn't supposed to be a birthday post, but the clock is inching towards 1:00am on December 8th and I'm cheering up. I survived another year, and somehow, despite living at the Commons for thirteen months, my liver still functions. THAT is something to be proud of! I've also managed to have a great tan through most of it, despite being stuck in Scotland's rainiest summer on record ;)
On my happy note, I think I'll go to bed. Tomorrow night, I think I need an adventure. Looking at my pictures, I had lots of random adventures that don't happen unless you are willing to "put yourself out there". Hard sometimes, but I haven't had a REAL adventure in Charlottetown yet and I know there is one out there waiting for me, waiting to wish me a Happy Birthday and welcome me "home".
Happy 24th Birthday!
I have pictures everywhere as I'm attempting to make a scrapbook.
And I'm relapsing. I miss the Commons sooooo much that I cried and now I have a headache.
----------------
I'm looking at old pictures on our computer. I used to have really long hair. That's because getting your hair cut in Edinburgh was expensive. Not related, but when I left there I threw out a lot of clothing. Specifically, there is a blue shirt that I really miss. WHY DID I NOT TAKE IT WITH ME??!! Probably because I wore it all the time and it was getting soooo fuzzy, not to mention the 20-kg weight limit. But why? Sad. And I'm wearing these random mitts in France and I have no idea whose they are. Were they mine? Did I borrow them from Keri?
----
Okay, I just remembered that I'm quite sure they ARE mine. I bought them at Internationale because I didn't have any mitts. I also almost lost them quite a bit. If it weren't for strangers tapping me on shoulders and me running back to the toilet minutes before a flight I would have had some rather cold hands by the time I left Finland! (Speaking of Finald, I have a fantastic photo of Patrick and I eating the most stupid backpackers supper EVER. I have a box of cereal, and he has a PICKLE, among other things. Hee hee...!) I did eventually lose a mitt, but I'll have to continue looking through pictures to determine when.
You know, I was soooo sad earlier but after looking at the THOUSANDS of pictures I have taken the past few years I really have no reason to be sad. Honestly, I think I had more fun these past few years than some people have in their whole lives. So how on Earth can I be sad?! Yes, I don't get to see people as much as I would like to, I have no idea when I'll see the majority of my friends again (come visit "The Gentle Island" please!) but I'm lucky to have met them. I've been to numerous fabulous places, had the job that I dreamed of since I was eleven-years old, have a brilliant family, etc. Despite throwing out my fabulous blue shirt, at least I got my 7GBP out of it.
So this wasn't supposed to be a birthday post, but the clock is inching towards 1:00am on December 8th and I'm cheering up. I survived another year, and somehow, despite living at the Commons for thirteen months, my liver still functions. THAT is something to be proud of! I've also managed to have a great tan through most of it, despite being stuck in Scotland's rainiest summer on record ;)
On my happy note, I think I'll go to bed. Tomorrow night, I think I need an adventure. Looking at my pictures, I had lots of random adventures that don't happen unless you are willing to "put yourself out there". Hard sometimes, but I haven't had a REAL adventure in Charlottetown yet and I know there is one out there waiting for me, waiting to wish me a Happy Birthday and welcome me "home".
Happy 24th Birthday!
Today I did very things that tested my patience.
I downloaded stuff from youtube with DIAL-UP.
WOW.
I was kind of a nerd and watching British commercials/"adverts". Okay, so they were Irn Bru commercials. For anyone who has seen them, I guess around World Cup time (Juneish? I remember because we, in pure class, had a World Cup of Drinking marathon at the Commons) Irn Bru released commercials celebrating Scotland going to the World Cup! HUUUUUGE deal, eh? Well, turns out the Trinidad and Tobago team has a player with the last name Scotland. Hilarious! I was then inspired to watch Orange Wednesday adverts. Dear Lord - those are the funniest things EVER. Really, I don't understand why the cinemas here don't show them. (Actually, I do completely understand - Orange mobile service doesn't exist here so their customers can't take advantage of the Orange Wednesday promotion. DUH.) But I love them.
This is one with Carrie Fisher that I had never seen.
Spike Lee. Also new to me!
Roy Scheider.
Steven Seagal.
I haven't actually watched these all yet, (note the dial-up,) so apologies if they aren't great. And I NEED to find the original one and the Patrick Swayze one. And Ewan McGregor just so I can listen to his fabulous accent.
Note to prospective British or American (I need citizenship) husband: Linking to these proves I have a lovely sense of humour. This is very desirable in a mate.
I watched some of Elf tonight. Good Lord that movie in HILARIOUS.
I downloaded stuff from youtube with DIAL-UP.
WOW.
I was kind of a nerd and watching British commercials/"adverts". Okay, so they were Irn Bru commercials. For anyone who has seen them, I guess around World Cup time (Juneish? I remember because we, in pure class, had a World Cup of Drinking marathon at the Commons) Irn Bru released commercials celebrating Scotland going to the World Cup! HUUUUUGE deal, eh? Well, turns out the Trinidad and Tobago team has a player with the last name Scotland. Hilarious! I was then inspired to watch Orange Wednesday adverts. Dear Lord - those are the funniest things EVER. Really, I don't understand why the cinemas here don't show them. (Actually, I do completely understand - Orange mobile service doesn't exist here so their customers can't take advantage of the Orange Wednesday promotion. DUH.) But I love them.
This is one with Carrie Fisher that I had never seen.
Spike Lee. Also new to me!
Roy Scheider.
Steven Seagal.
I haven't actually watched these all yet, (note the dial-up,) so apologies if they aren't great. And I NEED to find the original one and the Patrick Swayze one. And Ewan McGregor just so I can listen to his fabulous accent.
Note to prospective British or American (I need citizenship) husband: Linking to these proves I have a lovely sense of humour. This is very desirable in a mate.
I watched some of Elf tonight. Good Lord that movie in HILARIOUS.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Woohoo! So I got home from Florida this evening. Yes, I did just leave it the sunshine state on Oct 20th, but I really didn't have a good reason NOT to go back as I scored myself a job for the new year!
The job is on PEI.
This has shocked a few people. However, I really just didn't feel like moving again. Do you realise how many times I have packed up my junk in the past years? In Jan 2003 I moved to Ottawa for two work terms, came back to Charlottetown in August. In May 2004 mere DAYS after graduation I hopped over to Edinburgh with Shan and Keri. (RIP our adventures in one of the world's most fabulous cities.) In mid July we packed up our stuff and moved flats. It wasn't a hard move as the flat was in walking distance, however it still sucked. And I have faint memories of a hungover Keri and I taking a dresser that we stole from a neighbour's pile of rubbish through the George V Park. A shopping trolley from Tesco was used at one point. I'm tired just thinking about it! In August 2005 I came back to Charlottetown for ten days. Unpacked the Scottish stuff (that which I had not thrown out) and packed up summer clothes to head to Florida. In October 2006 I left Florida and lugged my crap with me on a cruise ship, in Ottawa and in Toronto. So yes, the idea of packing up again made me want to hide deep under my bed. Like, halfway-to-China deep. Even more bizarre than the "I'm staying on PEI!" thing, is the fact I actually FOUND a job on PEI. Scientists are studying this as we speak.
Starting in January, I will be working at the PEI Tourism Research Council. I will be polishing the Bridge with a toothbrush and examining the tourists' reactions to see if they have a sense of humour. If PEI tourists have at least a 6.45/10 on the sense-of-humour scale we will be tearing down Gateway Village to make room for the world's third-largest comedy club.
No, not really, obviously. I'm actually the Team Leader of the Data Collection Team. See my left arm? The iron fist there? That is what I shall rule with. That and a little bit of pixy dust because WDW habits are impossible to break. Anyone want to wear piercings while working under me? Reprimand! Ha ha. (Yes, I realise my nose is pierced. However, I took it out EVERY DAY AT WORK for over a year. Except two days that I forgot. Whoops. Point is that it made people less scared of me. Not that I'm scary, but you know...)
So PEI for a year, eh? I'm kind of worried, to be honest. Considering on my four-week anniversary of being home I hightailed it to Orlando, went out pretty much every night, was surrounded by people my own age, etc. Charlottetown needs a club. It needs either, (I can't believe I'm saying this...) Motions (gasp!), House of Blues, Destiny, or a Chillers. Actually, we need all of them, but let's be realistic. But the market really can't support it. Myrons has closed again, the Page (all the rage during second/third year uni) closed it's club, Peake's is seasonal, and the VUG is just... well, has that stigma attached to it. Eww. A bit of the problem is that people are meant to feel kind of old once they hit, like, 21. I used to live at Myrons twice-weekly when I was 19. However, by the time you hit 21 you have to laugh when you go there because the place was filled with under-agers that you used to BABY-SIT. I don't know what the solution is. As much as I enjoy the Old Dublin, I can't go there all the time. I like going out frquently and I can barely bother going there once a week. And ODP won't be playing techno anytime soon. Only if a dj plays the wrong song.
My left ear is still throbbing from my flight so I think it's best I head off to bed. Before 1:00am. I am SHOCKED. But I did get in last night at about 3:00am, and then got up for the airport about 45 mins later. I think that explains it ;)
So to everyone I saw in Florida, thank you so much! It was absolutely fantastic seeing everyone again and it shatters my heart knowing I'm not there anymore. =(
Oh yes, and Friday is my birthdays. Cheers to Hannah for the reminder! So if anyone I know is on PEI ( :P ) I want to hang out. Go out. Maybe have a little techno. Maybe drink a martini. Perhaps a glass of wine. (Dear PEI - Start selling ice wine. I need it. Canadian or German, I really don't care. I will even settle for a late-harvest riesling. Love Jen.
Bonne soiree
The job is on PEI.
This has shocked a few people. However, I really just didn't feel like moving again. Do you realise how many times I have packed up my junk in the past years? In Jan 2003 I moved to Ottawa for two work terms, came back to Charlottetown in August. In May 2004 mere DAYS after graduation I hopped over to Edinburgh with Shan and Keri. (RIP our adventures in one of the world's most fabulous cities.) In mid July we packed up our stuff and moved flats. It wasn't a hard move as the flat was in walking distance, however it still sucked. And I have faint memories of a hungover Keri and I taking a dresser that we stole from a neighbour's pile of rubbish through the George V Park. A shopping trolley from Tesco was used at one point. I'm tired just thinking about it! In August 2005 I came back to Charlottetown for ten days. Unpacked the Scottish stuff (that which I had not thrown out) and packed up summer clothes to head to Florida. In October 2006 I left Florida and lugged my crap with me on a cruise ship, in Ottawa and in Toronto. So yes, the idea of packing up again made me want to hide deep under my bed. Like, halfway-to-China deep. Even more bizarre than the "I'm staying on PEI!" thing, is the fact I actually FOUND a job on PEI. Scientists are studying this as we speak.
Starting in January, I will be working at the PEI Tourism Research Council. I will be polishing the Bridge with a toothbrush and examining the tourists' reactions to see if they have a sense of humour. If PEI tourists have at least a 6.45/10 on the sense-of-humour scale we will be tearing down Gateway Village to make room for the world's third-largest comedy club.
No, not really, obviously. I'm actually the Team Leader of the Data Collection Team. See my left arm? The iron fist there? That is what I shall rule with. That and a little bit of pixy dust because WDW habits are impossible to break. Anyone want to wear piercings while working under me? Reprimand! Ha ha. (Yes, I realise my nose is pierced. However, I took it out EVERY DAY AT WORK for over a year. Except two days that I forgot. Whoops. Point is that it made people less scared of me. Not that I'm scary, but you know...)
So PEI for a year, eh? I'm kind of worried, to be honest. Considering on my four-week anniversary of being home I hightailed it to Orlando, went out pretty much every night, was surrounded by people my own age, etc. Charlottetown needs a club. It needs either, (I can't believe I'm saying this...) Motions (gasp!), House of Blues, Destiny, or a Chillers. Actually, we need all of them, but let's be realistic. But the market really can't support it. Myrons has closed again, the Page (all the rage during second/third year uni) closed it's club, Peake's is seasonal, and the VUG is just... well, has that stigma attached to it. Eww. A bit of the problem is that people are meant to feel kind of old once they hit, like, 21. I used to live at Myrons twice-weekly when I was 19. However, by the time you hit 21 you have to laugh when you go there because the place was filled with under-agers that you used to BABY-SIT. I don't know what the solution is. As much as I enjoy the Old Dublin, I can't go there all the time. I like going out frquently and I can barely bother going there once a week. And ODP won't be playing techno anytime soon. Only if a dj plays the wrong song.
My left ear is still throbbing from my flight so I think it's best I head off to bed. Before 1:00am. I am SHOCKED. But I did get in last night at about 3:00am, and then got up for the airport about 45 mins later. I think that explains it ;)
So to everyone I saw in Florida, thank you so much! It was absolutely fantastic seeing everyone again and it shatters my heart knowing I'm not there anymore. =(
Oh yes, and Friday is my birthdays. Cheers to Hannah for the reminder! So if anyone I know is on PEI ( :P ) I want to hang out. Go out. Maybe have a little techno. Maybe drink a martini. Perhaps a glass of wine. (Dear PEI - Start selling ice wine. I need it. Canadian or German, I really don't care. I will even settle for a late-harvest riesling. Love Jen.
Bonne soiree
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Blog blog blog.
So yup, not too much going on. Today I got up and took a reallllllllly long bath.
I've been having random Disney dreams. They used to be about work, (still, even AFTER I got home,) but now they are slowly turning into seeing Disney people outside of Disney World. One night I had a dream that all the UK lads were on PEI (WHY?!) so they stopped by my house to see what bars they should go to. So I took them all downtown, went to a bar with them, and when it came time to leave I couldn't find my vehicle ANYWHERE. I searched and I searched and then with some help I eventually found it. I do believe Lynda was the one who eventually put me right direction along with my neighbour Jane. Once we found our car/van/giant SUV or whatever it was, I cheered and woke up.
Last night my dream took place at Colonel Gray High School. Despite being 23, (almost 24!!!) I was heading back to school. However, everyone was my age. Maybe it was actually a university that was IN the Gray? Anyway, I saw my French roommate and nearly ran her over with hugs and happiness! Then, I was walking into the cafeteria and saw my Mexican roommate sitting and having lunch with the other Mexican exchange students!! Almost ploughed her down as well. I was so happy! So yup, those are the two of most recent memory.
In other news, still no job but I actually haven't tried too hard. I'm dropping off some resumes todays, and who knows if anything will come about of it. If not, well, hopefully the investment in gas and paper will eventually pay off. I have/had a couple of "leads" so we'll see what happens.
That is all.
So yup, not too much going on. Today I got up and took a reallllllllly long bath.
I've been having random Disney dreams. They used to be about work, (still, even AFTER I got home,) but now they are slowly turning into seeing Disney people outside of Disney World. One night I had a dream that all the UK lads were on PEI (WHY?!) so they stopped by my house to see what bars they should go to. So I took them all downtown, went to a bar with them, and when it came time to leave I couldn't find my vehicle ANYWHERE. I searched and I searched and then with some help I eventually found it. I do believe Lynda was the one who eventually put me right direction along with my neighbour Jane. Once we found our car/van/giant SUV or whatever it was, I cheered and woke up.
Last night my dream took place at Colonel Gray High School. Despite being 23, (almost 24!!!) I was heading back to school. However, everyone was my age. Maybe it was actually a university that was IN the Gray? Anyway, I saw my French roommate and nearly ran her over with hugs and happiness! Then, I was walking into the cafeteria and saw my Mexican roommate sitting and having lunch with the other Mexican exchange students!! Almost ploughed her down as well. I was so happy! So yup, those are the two of most recent memory.
In other news, still no job but I actually haven't tried too hard. I'm dropping off some resumes todays, and who knows if anything will come about of it. If not, well, hopefully the investment in gas and paper will eventually pay off. I have/had a couple of "leads" so we'll see what happens.
That is all.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
I wrote this a couple of nights ago... But couldn't get it to post. Pfft.
So here it is, another day.
I can't wait to get unlimited long distance. I think I'll do that tomorrow.
And to get a car to drive. Also potentially tomorrow. (No more house arrest, ha ha!)
I am very slowly applying for jobs. It's funny, having nothing to do makes me even more ambitious to do nothing. Suddenly getting out of bed before 11:00am seems like such a challenge. Going to bed before 3:00am is also a challenge. However, I think the extra half-hour of sleep every day is supposed to balance out the ridiculous amounts of sleep I missed out on in Florida.
Oh, Florida, how I miss thee. Sniffle. =(
I'm also going on some kind of random UK withdrawal. I partially blame the book I'm reading: A Year in the Merde. It's about an English guy who spends nine months working in Paris. So he is learning about culture, doing stupid things because you don't know any better, and all that fun stuff that comes along with moving somewhere new and different. So now I have a huge desire to improve my French and to marry an English guy so I can move to the UK. Any help with either goal is much appreciated. I really wish I could have put my UK visa on hold while I was in Florida, but nope.
I was quite back and forth about coming back to PEI. If I had left Disney and come straight home I probably would have locked myself in a closet. However, I had a nice, three-and-a-half-week-long holiday and felt a little ready to come home. Mostly to stop living out of luggage. Then I got home and felt like hiding. Then I felt like seeing people and so I did. I was pretty sure I was ready to get a "real" job, as I kept referring to it as, but now I'm not sure. First of all, I don't think I even know HOW to get a job! Secondly, I kind of mentally freaked out on Saturday at the Old Dublin when I realised if I stayed on PEI that would be my typical Saturday night. Don't get me wrong, I quite like the Old Dublin, but not for every Saturday. And I know my brain completely blew it up into a huge deal, which it isn't, but Sunday was pretty much a write-off for me not wanting to do anything except lay in bed and stare at the wall. And sulk. A lot. It wasn't all a "I don't think I can live on PEI" thing though; I really miss the Commons. I miss having friends so close. When the people who live far away live only a ten-minute walk away. When you're bored you have the option of watching some of the world's best fireworks or lazing about in a fabulous pool.
Then I missed Edinburgh too. Sometimes I got bored there because I kept doing the same thing over and over. (*cough* The Walkabout - although after I took a brief hiatus it became enjoyable again!) But the thing was, if I was bored, there was always something new I could do. A new part of town to explore, a new bus to hop on, a new town just a mere train-ride away.
Charlottetown doesn't even have a train.
Of course, who knows if I would be anymore cheery elsewhere. I had moody days in Orlando. I had blue days in Edinburgh. I definitely had foul moods in Ottawa.
And this is why I stay up so late at night. Thinking. (And reading about my new lovely English friend.) Wondering what will happen in the coming weeks. Trying to figure out how to solve my travel itch. Thinking about ways to out-smart Air Canada and West Jet and get a fabulous deal on a flight somewhere. Which is a laugh-and-a-half in Charlottetown! HA HA HA! One of the reasons Edinburgh was fabulous - great day trips or weekend breaks for pretty cheap. Orlando was AMAZING for flight deals. On a good day is costs only half a leg to fly somewhere from Charlottetown instead of the usual whole leg.
I think I'm thirsty.
Buh-bye
Oooh, and I'm also going to start emailing lots of ppl since I pretty much fell off the radar screen for many months. I'm Jen Mac, and it turns out I *didn't* die when away!
So here it is, another day.
I can't wait to get unlimited long distance. I think I'll do that tomorrow.
And to get a car to drive. Also potentially tomorrow. (No more house arrest, ha ha!)
I am very slowly applying for jobs. It's funny, having nothing to do makes me even more ambitious to do nothing. Suddenly getting out of bed before 11:00am seems like such a challenge. Going to bed before 3:00am is also a challenge. However, I think the extra half-hour of sleep every day is supposed to balance out the ridiculous amounts of sleep I missed out on in Florida.
Oh, Florida, how I miss thee. Sniffle. =(
I'm also going on some kind of random UK withdrawal. I partially blame the book I'm reading: A Year in the Merde. It's about an English guy who spends nine months working in Paris. So he is learning about culture, doing stupid things because you don't know any better, and all that fun stuff that comes along with moving somewhere new and different. So now I have a huge desire to improve my French and to marry an English guy so I can move to the UK. Any help with either goal is much appreciated. I really wish I could have put my UK visa on hold while I was in Florida, but nope.
I was quite back and forth about coming back to PEI. If I had left Disney and come straight home I probably would have locked myself in a closet. However, I had a nice, three-and-a-half-week-long holiday and felt a little ready to come home. Mostly to stop living out of luggage. Then I got home and felt like hiding. Then I felt like seeing people and so I did. I was pretty sure I was ready to get a "real" job, as I kept referring to it as, but now I'm not sure. First of all, I don't think I even know HOW to get a job! Secondly, I kind of mentally freaked out on Saturday at the Old Dublin when I realised if I stayed on PEI that would be my typical Saturday night. Don't get me wrong, I quite like the Old Dublin, but not for every Saturday. And I know my brain completely blew it up into a huge deal, which it isn't, but Sunday was pretty much a write-off for me not wanting to do anything except lay in bed and stare at the wall. And sulk. A lot. It wasn't all a "I don't think I can live on PEI" thing though; I really miss the Commons. I miss having friends so close. When the people who live far away live only a ten-minute walk away. When you're bored you have the option of watching some of the world's best fireworks or lazing about in a fabulous pool.
Then I missed Edinburgh too. Sometimes I got bored there because I kept doing the same thing over and over. (*cough* The Walkabout - although after I took a brief hiatus it became enjoyable again!) But the thing was, if I was bored, there was always something new I could do. A new part of town to explore, a new bus to hop on, a new town just a mere train-ride away.
Charlottetown doesn't even have a train.
Of course, who knows if I would be anymore cheery elsewhere. I had moody days in Orlando. I had blue days in Edinburgh. I definitely had foul moods in Ottawa.
And this is why I stay up so late at night. Thinking. (And reading about my new lovely English friend.) Wondering what will happen in the coming weeks. Trying to figure out how to solve my travel itch. Thinking about ways to out-smart Air Canada and West Jet and get a fabulous deal on a flight somewhere. Which is a laugh-and-a-half in Charlottetown! HA HA HA! One of the reasons Edinburgh was fabulous - great day trips or weekend breaks for pretty cheap. Orlando was AMAZING for flight deals. On a good day is costs only half a leg to fly somewhere from Charlottetown instead of the usual whole leg.
I think I'm thirsty.
Buh-bye
Oooh, and I'm also going to start emailing lots of ppl since I pretty much fell off the radar screen for many months. I'm Jen Mac, and it turns out I *didn't* die when away!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
So here it is, another day.
I can't wait to get unlimited long distance. I think I'll do that tomorrow.
And to get a car to drive. Also potentially tomorrow. (No more house arrest, ha ha!)
I am very slowly applying for jobs. It's funny, having nothing to do makes me even more ambitous to do nothing. Suddenly getting out of bed before 11:00am seems like such a challenge. Going to bed before 3:00am is also a challenge. However, I think the extra half-hour of sleep every day is supposed to balance out the ridiculous amounts of sleep I missed out on in Florida.
Oh, Florida, how I miss thee. Sniffle. =(
I'm also going on some kind of random UK withdrawal. I partially blame the book I'm reading : A Year in the Merde. It's about an english guy who spends nine months working in Paris. So he is learning about culture, doing stupid things because you don't know any better, and all that fun stuff that comes along with moving somewhere new and different. So now I have a huge desire to improve my French and to marry an english guy so I can move to the UK. Any help with either goal is much appreciated. I really wish I could have put my UK visa on hold while I was in Florida, but nope.
I was quite back and forth about coming back to PEI. If I had left Disney and come straight home I probably would have locked myself in a closet. However, I had a nice, three-and-a-half-week-long holiday and felt a little ready to come home. Mostly to stop living out of luggage. Then I got home and felt like hiding. Then I felt like seeing people and so I did. I was pretty sure I was ready to get a "real" job, as I kept referring to it as, but now I'm not sure. First of all, I don't think I even know HOW to get a job! Secondly, I kind of mentally freaked out on Saturday at the Old Dublin when I realised if I stayed on PEI, that would be my typical Saturday night. Don't get me wrong, I quite like the Old Dublin, but not for every Saturday. And I know my brain completely blew it up into a huge deal, which it isn't, but Sunday was pretty much a write-off for me not wanting to do anything except lay in bed and stare at the wall. And sulk. A lot. It wasn't all a "I don't think I can live on PEI" thing though; I really miss the Commons. I miss having friends so close. When the people who live far away live only a ten-minute walk away. When you're bored you have the option of watching some of the world's best fireworks or lazing about in a fabulous pool.
Then I missed Edinburgh too. Sometimes I got bored there because I kept doing the same thing over and over. (*cough* The Walkabout - although after I took a brief hiatus it became enjoyable again!) But the thing was, if I was bored, there was always something new I could do. A new part of town to explore, a new bus to hop on, a new town just a mere train-ride away.
Charlottetown doesn't even have a train.
Of course, who knows if I would be anymore cheery elsewhere. I had moody days in Orlando. I had blue days in Edinburgh. I definitely had foul moods in Ottawa.
And this is why I stay up so late at night. Thinking. (And reading about my new lovely English friend.) Wondering what will happen in the coming weeks. Trying to figure out how to solve my travel itch. Thinking about ways to out-smart Air Canada and West Jet and get a fabulous deal on a flight somewhere. Which is a laugh-and-a-half in Charlottetown! HA HA HA! One of the reasons Edinburgh was fabulous - great day trips or weekend breaks for pretty cheap. Orlando was AMAZING for flight deals. On a good day is costs only half a leg to fly somewhere from Charlottetown instead of the usual whole leg.
I think I'm thirsty.
Buh-bye
Oooh, and I'm also going to start emailing lots of ppl since I pretty much fell off the radar screen for many months. I'm Jen Mac, and it turns out I *didn't* die when away!
I can't wait to get unlimited long distance. I think I'll do that tomorrow.
And to get a car to drive. Also potentially tomorrow. (No more house arrest, ha ha!)
I am very slowly applying for jobs. It's funny, having nothing to do makes me even more ambitous to do nothing. Suddenly getting out of bed before 11:00am seems like such a challenge. Going to bed before 3:00am is also a challenge. However, I think the extra half-hour of sleep every day is supposed to balance out the ridiculous amounts of sleep I missed out on in Florida.
Oh, Florida, how I miss thee. Sniffle. =(
I'm also going on some kind of random UK withdrawal. I partially blame the book I'm reading : A Year in the Merde. It's about an english guy who spends nine months working in Paris. So he is learning about culture, doing stupid things because you don't know any better, and all that fun stuff that comes along with moving somewhere new and different. So now I have a huge desire to improve my French and to marry an english guy so I can move to the UK. Any help with either goal is much appreciated. I really wish I could have put my UK visa on hold while I was in Florida, but nope.
I was quite back and forth about coming back to PEI. If I had left Disney and come straight home I probably would have locked myself in a closet. However, I had a nice, three-and-a-half-week-long holiday and felt a little ready to come home. Mostly to stop living out of luggage. Then I got home and felt like hiding. Then I felt like seeing people and so I did. I was pretty sure I was ready to get a "real" job, as I kept referring to it as, but now I'm not sure. First of all, I don't think I even know HOW to get a job! Secondly, I kind of mentally freaked out on Saturday at the Old Dublin when I realised if I stayed on PEI, that would be my typical Saturday night. Don't get me wrong, I quite like the Old Dublin, but not for every Saturday. And I know my brain completely blew it up into a huge deal, which it isn't, but Sunday was pretty much a write-off for me not wanting to do anything except lay in bed and stare at the wall. And sulk. A lot. It wasn't all a "I don't think I can live on PEI" thing though; I really miss the Commons. I miss having friends so close. When the people who live far away live only a ten-minute walk away. When you're bored you have the option of watching some of the world's best fireworks or lazing about in a fabulous pool.
Then I missed Edinburgh too. Sometimes I got bored there because I kept doing the same thing over and over. (*cough* The Walkabout - although after I took a brief hiatus it became enjoyable again!) But the thing was, if I was bored, there was always something new I could do. A new part of town to explore, a new bus to hop on, a new town just a mere train-ride away.
Charlottetown doesn't even have a train.
Of course, who knows if I would be anymore cheery elsewhere. I had moody days in Orlando. I had blue days in Edinburgh. I definitely had foul moods in Ottawa.
And this is why I stay up so late at night. Thinking. (And reading about my new lovely English friend.) Wondering what will happen in the coming weeks. Trying to figure out how to solve my travel itch. Thinking about ways to out-smart Air Canada and West Jet and get a fabulous deal on a flight somewhere. Which is a laugh-and-a-half in Charlottetown! HA HA HA! One of the reasons Edinburgh was fabulous - great day trips or weekend breaks for pretty cheap. Orlando was AMAZING for flight deals. On a good day is costs only half a leg to fly somewhere from Charlottetown instead of the usual whole leg.
I think I'm thirsty.
Buh-bye
Oooh, and I'm also going to start emailing lots of ppl since I pretty much fell off the radar screen for many months. I'm Jen Mac, and it turns out I *didn't* die when away!
So here it is, another day.
I can't wait to get unlimited long distance. I think I'll do that tomorrow.
And to get a car to drive. Also potentially tomorrow. (No more house arrest, ha ha!)
I am very slowly applying for jobs. It's funny, having nothing to do makes me even more ambitous to do nothing. Suddenly getting out of bed before 11:00am seems like such a challenge. Going to bed before 3:00am is also a challenge. However, I think the extra half-hour of sleep every day is supposed to balance out the ridiculous amounts of sleep I missed out on in Florida.
Oh, Florida, how I miss thee. Sniffle. =(
I'm also going on some kind of random UK withdrawal. I partially blame the book I'm reading : A Year in the Merde. It's about an english guy who spends nine months working in Paris. So he is learning about culture, doing stupid things because you don't know any better, and all that fun stuff that comes along with moving somewhere new and different. So now I have a huge desire to improve my French and to marry an english guy so I can move to the UK. Any help with either goal is much appreciated. I really wish I could have put my UK visa on hold while I was in Florida, but nope.
I was quite back and forth about coming back to PEI. If I had left Disney and come straight home I probably would have locked myself in a closet. However, I had a nice, three-and-a-half-week-long holiday and felt a little ready to come home. Mostly to stop living out of luggage. Then I got home and felt like hiding. Then I felt like seeing people and so I did. I was pretty sure I was ready to get a "real" job, as I kept referring to it as, but now I'm not sure. First of all, I don't think I even know HOW to get a job! Secondly, I kind of mentally freaked out on Saturday at the Old Dublin when I realised if I stayed on PEI, that would be my typical Saturday night. Don't get me wrong, I quite like the Old Dublin, but not for every Saturday. And I know my brain completely blew it up into a huge deal, which it isn't, but Sunday was pretty much a write-off for me not wanting to do anything except lay in bed and stare at the wall. And sulk. A lot. It wasn't all a "I don't think I can live on PEI" thing though; I really miss the Commons. I miss having friends so close. When the people who live far away live only a ten-minute walk away. When you're bored you have the option of watching some of the world's best fireworks or lazing about in a fabulous pool.
Then I missed Edinburgh too. Sometimes I got bored there because I kept doing the same thing over and over. (*cough* The Walkabout - although after I took a brief hiatus it became enjoyable again!) But the thing was, if I was bored, there was always something new I could do. A new part of town to explore, a new bus to hop on, a new town just a mere train-ride away.
Charlottetown doesn't even have a train.
Of course, who knows if I would be anymore cheery elsewhere. I had moody days in Orlando. I had blue days in Edinburgh. I definitely had foul moods in Ottawa.
And this is why I stay up so late at night. Thinking. (And reading about my new lovely English friend.) Wondering what will happen in the coming weeks. Trying to figure out how to solve my travel itch. Thinking about ways to out-smart Air Canada and West Jet and get a fabulous deal on a flight somewhere. Which is a laugh-and-a-half in Charlottetown! HA HA HA! One of the reasons Edinburgh was fabulous - great day trips or weekend breaks for pretty cheap. Orlando was AMAZING for flight deals. On a good day is costs only half a leg to fly somewhere from Charlottetown instead of the usual whole leg.
I think I'm thirsty.
Buh-bye
Oooh, and I'm also going to start emailing lots of ppl since I pretty much fell off the radar screen for many months. I'm Jen Mac, and it turns out I *didn't* die when away!
I can't wait to get unlimited long distance. I think I'll do that tomorrow.
And to get a car to drive. Also potentially tomorrow. (No more house arrest, ha ha!)
I am very slowly applying for jobs. It's funny, having nothing to do makes me even more ambitous to do nothing. Suddenly getting out of bed before 11:00am seems like such a challenge. Going to bed before 3:00am is also a challenge. However, I think the extra half-hour of sleep every day is supposed to balance out the ridiculous amounts of sleep I missed out on in Florida.
Oh, Florida, how I miss thee. Sniffle. =(
I'm also going on some kind of random UK withdrawal. I partially blame the book I'm reading : A Year in the Merde. It's about an english guy who spends nine months working in Paris. So he is learning about culture, doing stupid things because you don't know any better, and all that fun stuff that comes along with moving somewhere new and different. So now I have a huge desire to improve my French and to marry an english guy so I can move to the UK. Any help with either goal is much appreciated. I really wish I could have put my UK visa on hold while I was in Florida, but nope.
I was quite back and forth about coming back to PEI. If I had left Disney and come straight home I probably would have locked myself in a closet. However, I had a nice, three-and-a-half-week-long holiday and felt a little ready to come home. Mostly to stop living out of luggage. Then I got home and felt like hiding. Then I felt like seeing people and so I did. I was pretty sure I was ready to get a "real" job, as I kept referring to it as, but now I'm not sure. First of all, I don't think I even know HOW to get a job! Secondly, I kind of mentally freaked out on Saturday at the Old Dublin when I realised if I stayed on PEI, that would be my typical Saturday night. Don't get me wrong, I quite like the Old Dublin, but not for every Saturday. And I know my brain completely blew it up into a huge deal, which it isn't, but Sunday was pretty much a write-off for me not wanting to do anything except lay in bed and stare at the wall. And sulk. A lot. It wasn't all a "I don't think I can live on PEI" thing though; I really miss the Commons. I miss having friends so close. When the people who live far away live only a ten-minute walk away. When you're bored you have the option of watching some of the world's best fireworks or lazing about in a fabulous pool.
Then I missed Edinburgh too. Sometimes I got bored there because I kept doing the same thing over and over. (*cough* The Walkabout - although after I took a brief hiatus it became enjoyable again!) But the thing was, if I was bored, there was always something new I could do. A new part of town to explore, a new bus to hop on, a new town just a mere train-ride away.
Charlottetown doesn't even have a train.
Of course, who knows if I would be anymore cheery elsewhere. I had moody days in Orlando. I had blue days in Edinburgh. I definitely had foul moods in Ottawa.
And this is why I stay up so late at night. Thinking. (And reading about my new lovely English friend.) Wondering what will happen in the coming weeks. Trying to figure out how to solve my travel itch. Thinking about ways to out-smart Air Canada and West Jet and get a fabulous deal on a flight somewhere. Which is a laugh-and-a-half in Charlottetown! HA HA HA! One of the reasons Edinburgh was fabulous - great day trips or weekend breaks for pretty cheap. Orlando was AMAZING for flight deals. On a good day is costs only half a leg to fly somewhere from Charlottetown instead of the usual whole leg.
I think I'm thirsty.
Buh-bye
Oooh, and I'm also going to start emailing lots of ppl since I pretty much fell off the radar screen for many months. I'm Jen Mac, and it turns out I *didn't* die when away!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
And I'm done. Deported from the United States of America. Sigh! So now I sit in my snuggly housecoat in front of a slow, dial-up (??!!) computer. Tear.
A couple surprising things about being home: 1) That I quite like it, so far; and 2) I'm not as keen to get a job as I thought I would be. I mean, I have applied for jobs, but I haven't been doing it too aggresively. I do feel the job thing is going to be luck.
The worst thing about being home is being uprooted from with whom you spent the last thirteen months of you life. The weather also plays a downer... I keep waiting for the "cold-front" (actually called start of winter) to end and the sun to return. Next week it'll be sunny again. Next week I'll be wearing sunscreen again. Next week I will see a castle illuminated by fireworks.
I don't think I know how to get a job, or what kind of job I could get. I'm not stupid, despite never really working in an "environment with strict deadlines and results-based goals", I'm sure I could do it. I had deadlines in school. I had goals pertaining to my results.
I also wish my French and Spanish were up to snuff. Just looking at a research job with Immigration Canada, being able to conduct interviews in Spanish and being able to read Spanish documents would be an asset. I can read Spanish documents somewhat decently, (especially quando tengo mi dictionario espanol- ingles,) but I have a bad ear for languages. I can read French and write it somewhat decently after brushing up on a few rules, but I have trouble listening to it. This is why I should start watching cartoons and listening to the radio in multiple languages. Except music. As lovely as it is, I can't even make out English lyrics let alone lyrics in another language!
Winter hit me pretty much once I got to Ottawa. My skin is dry and disgusting. My knuckles feel so tight and like the skin over them is going to crack. I hate winter. I haven't been in intense winter in over two years. It'll be nice to go skiing a couple of times. Maybe do a little skating, throw a few snowballs, have a sledding adventure. That'll take about two weekends to do. I may just hibernate through the winter.
WHY DO ALMOST ALL GOVERMENT JOBS (except those in Edmunton) REQUIRE FRENCH?! I know we have two official languages, and I fully support and embrace that, but not everyone need speak French. When I worked in Gatineau some people had terrible English. That was okay, as long as *someone* could communicate with the team. Meeeeeh. I think government jobs make me angry. Mostly because I don't have one and probably won't get one. Woohoo private sector!
Actually, more woohoo for going at it by oneself. I need some ideas to start brewing, although a couple of temporary ones have crossed my mind.
It's cold out, I'm a hermit, and I miss Florida. Although seeing my PEI friends and famil is lovely. That pretty much sums up my life post Nov 1st. Sigh. Donde esta mi sol?
A couple surprising things about being home: 1) That I quite like it, so far; and 2) I'm not as keen to get a job as I thought I would be. I mean, I have applied for jobs, but I haven't been doing it too aggresively. I do feel the job thing is going to be luck.
The worst thing about being home is being uprooted from with whom you spent the last thirteen months of you life. The weather also plays a downer... I keep waiting for the "cold-front" (actually called start of winter) to end and the sun to return. Next week it'll be sunny again. Next week I'll be wearing sunscreen again. Next week I will see a castle illuminated by fireworks.
I don't think I know how to get a job, or what kind of job I could get. I'm not stupid, despite never really working in an "environment with strict deadlines and results-based goals", I'm sure I could do it. I had deadlines in school. I had goals pertaining to my results.
I also wish my French and Spanish were up to snuff. Just looking at a research job with Immigration Canada, being able to conduct interviews in Spanish and being able to read Spanish documents would be an asset. I can read Spanish documents somewhat decently, (especially quando tengo mi dictionario espanol- ingles,) but I have a bad ear for languages. I can read French and write it somewhat decently after brushing up on a few rules, but I have trouble listening to it. This is why I should start watching cartoons and listening to the radio in multiple languages. Except music. As lovely as it is, I can't even make out English lyrics let alone lyrics in another language!
Winter hit me pretty much once I got to Ottawa. My skin is dry and disgusting. My knuckles feel so tight and like the skin over them is going to crack. I hate winter. I haven't been in intense winter in over two years. It'll be nice to go skiing a couple of times. Maybe do a little skating, throw a few snowballs, have a sledding adventure. That'll take about two weekends to do. I may just hibernate through the winter.
WHY DO ALMOST ALL GOVERMENT JOBS (except those in Edmunton) REQUIRE FRENCH?! I know we have two official languages, and I fully support and embrace that, but not everyone need speak French. When I worked in Gatineau some people had terrible English. That was okay, as long as *someone* could communicate with the team. Meeeeeh. I think government jobs make me angry. Mostly because I don't have one and probably won't get one. Woohoo private sector!
Actually, more woohoo for going at it by oneself. I need some ideas to start brewing, although a couple of temporary ones have crossed my mind.
It's cold out, I'm a hermit, and I miss Florida. Although seeing my PEI friends and famil is lovely. That pretty much sums up my life post Nov 1st. Sigh. Donde esta mi sol?
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Oh my God... our a/c isn't working and I'm pretty sure this climatized Canadian is melting. Soon we will just have a puddle of Jen.
Time to sleep on the bath tub and fill it with ice cubes.
Tonight was my last serving shift. I tried during my Oh Canada. On your last dinner shift you stand in on the fireplace in the restaurant. Someone makes a little speach explaining how we are down here for only year and are basically each others family. Then we sing O' Canada together. Brad did my speach, and did a lovely job. And I couldn't sing because I was busy tearing up. When I tried to sing I just had a lump in my throat... =( So very sad... but at the same time, it doesn't seem like it's really happening. Apparently the lady at the table closest to us was crying right along with me!
And I'm done. Wow. I really can't believe this. It's so sad.... if I didn't have such a nice vacation to look forward to I would be a bloody mess. Instead I'm a mess because I'm melting. Icky Jen.
Time to sleep on the bath tub and fill it with ice cubes.
Tonight was my last serving shift. I tried during my Oh Canada. On your last dinner shift you stand in on the fireplace in the restaurant. Someone makes a little speach explaining how we are down here for only year and are basically each others family. Then we sing O' Canada together. Brad did my speach, and did a lovely job. And I couldn't sing because I was busy tearing up. When I tried to sing I just had a lump in my throat... =( So very sad... but at the same time, it doesn't seem like it's really happening. Apparently the lady at the table closest to us was crying right along with me!
And I'm done. Wow. I really can't believe this. It's so sad.... if I didn't have such a nice vacation to look forward to I would be a bloody mess. Instead I'm a mess because I'm melting. Icky Jen.
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