Powell River in Technicolour

Powell River was everything we hoped for - good food, family, and lots of peace and quiet! As my boss seems to be the only one that read my last post, and he specifically asked for photos, here they are after the jump.

In Powell River for Thanksgiving

Just settling down in Powell River for the Thanksgiving weekend. It's so calm and relaxing here, in a small town right on the ocean. Sunsets over the Georgia Straight are beautiful and the weather is perfect.

Apologies

Apologies to all who are unimpressed with my last post, after weeks of waiting. Isn't old news still good news? After returning from Kelowna, we've had visitors again - thanks to Laura H and Katrina for good times!

Also, through a former coworker and recent SFU grad friend Joel (he took our official wedding pics!), I was invited to a fundraiser for the Niapele project, a local charity for kids in Liberia, and then a meet and greet for BCCIC, a local coalition of agencies. It's been fun meeting up with like-minded individuals, and I even met a former SP staffer.

Laura and I are spending Thanksgiving in Powell River, along the Sunshine Coast, with her recently married cousin Annabelle, so I'm sure there will be beautiful pictures to come!

Happy Thanksgiving to all, and may God bless you from His bounty and riches.

Okanagan Ode

Okanagan, farewell to thee,
O happy, fruit-filled warm valley -
A weekend getaway,
Kelowna's where we stayed.

A lakeside suite was really grand,
And sunset views were on demand
Hors d'oeuvres and big buffets
Workshops to fill the day.

When work was done, we took a drive.
On Knox Mountain some trees survived
Despite the firestorm.
It wasn't very warm.

On Saturday, southward we headed
All afternoon, for we intended
To drive along the shore
In search of beast of lore.


Alas he showed not his maned head.
We pitched a tent and made our bed
In a Provincial Park.
Our campfire lit the dark.

The ranger in his pickup truck
Collected our twentyfour bucks,
Shortly after the dawn
While coffee was still on.

Peachland, a town that's rather fey,
Did welcome us on market day.
Coffee at Rocky Top
To sip and window shop.

That afternoon, the best of times -
A sampling of BC wines!
The first stop was Deep Creek,
Presentation was weak.

Our final stop was Mission Hill.
Tranquility, e'en though a chill
Of autumn bit the air.
The wines beyond compare.

Then, down "the Coque" we swiftly rode
Onward towards our own abode.
Through lofty mountain passes,
Swiftly the grandeur passes.

Merrit - Canadian country's home,
Where gas is cheap and cattle roam.
For hot springs detoured some,
To check out Harrison.


And so the trip came to a close,
In our own bed we did repose
And happ'ly dreamed of thee,
Okanagan Valley.

Labour Day Longings

Oh, Labour Day, when we celebrate the fact that any chance we had for a summer holiday is gone, and now it's back to working through the winter! Winter certainly sent it's message-bearing envoys to Vancouver this weekend, with temperatures dipping to 15 C highs, cloudy with rain. Actually, Alaska had better weather. Alaska.

Despite the gloom, we had a relaxing and full weekend of typical bad weather things to do: watching movies, the library, hours in a comfy cafe, the beach. Um, yeah, so we did go to the beach at Buntzen Lake for a quiet retreat yesterday, and the sun did peep out for 20 minutes as we read in our camp chairs on the desert strand. Then the clouds advanced, and we retreated. It was amusing, however, to think that the weather was still better than a typical June or August day at Wasaga or Sauble beaches in Ontario.

Weekend highlights:
1. Learning parking in Vancouver lots has a variable rate based on how much they think you can be milked for. Hence our advertised Sunday rate in an empty lot was not reflected at the pay station, because a hockey game (really, on Labour Day?) was taking place nearby. A gracious parking attendant explained that the lot on W Pender has the best rates in town.

2. We love shopping for fresh veg at the grocers on Commercial Drive. Going there first saves us money from the supermarket, and we can get a rainy stroll and a fresh coffee at the same time. Right now we prefer Norman's.

3. We got camping gear at a steal! Tent for $15 and cooler for $10, during RC Superstore's no tax clearance weekend. Now for some camping weather...

4. Fresh mussels at 1/2 price, so we whipped up a curry bouilleabaisse with porutguese buns Saturday night, and caught the CBC presentation of WTC (Nick Cage). Interesting for what it included, and for what it left out.

5. Thanks again to Anthony and Marlise for their thoughtful gift of Gary Smalley's books, which were an enjoyable shared read this weekend!

It's the weekend???

Although I finished work 4.5 hours ago, I'm still at the office, waiting for the IT guys to install a new server. On a Friday afternoon! LM and I were invited out to dinner tonight, and I know that the Arsenal-Man. United match tomorrow is a must see, but that's all the plans for this weekend. Any suggestions?

We saw the Time Traveller's Wife this week - a good movie for those who will never read the book, and a good role by Eric Bana. I also had a chance to jam with a friend last night, my first time at a drum set in many years, and I'm really rusty! Hopefully, this will be the first of many jam sessions.

It's been one week...

Well, almost! Now, where where we? Ah, yes. Sunday last, and the imminent rock concert. We decided to visit Coastal Church, but were to late for the music, at the 12:30 service. Very interactive sermon, including live swordfighting and video clips. Listen to the podcast for more details. The rest of the afternoon was a bit of a wash, as we conserved energy, then it was off to http://www.chambar.com/ in Crosstown for a light supper.

The moules frites was fantastic, especially the Moules Congolais, although nothing like the mussels in the Congo! With our reservation, we were able to get in an out in time for the short walk to GM place. Although the lines at the door where not long, there was an air of eager excitement. We're not talking "Jonas Brothers delayed crossing the border" frenzy, but a rising hum, none the less.

The Whigs were already on stage when we arrived, and as enthusiastic as they were, I think they would be better seen at a smaller venue, such as the media club, where they are headlining on November 13.

So, lulled by the underwhelming opening band, we were not prepared for the knockout punch that is Kings of Leon on tour. They have clearly stepped into their arena-playing days with a sagacity unexpected of hard-living garage-band rockers. The playlist order controlled the audience well, the sound filled the arena, and the video/light show added to, rather than detracting from, the stage presence of Caleb Followill. LM thought he was unattractive (which pleased me greatly), and we were all-in-all impressed with our first rock concert together.

Could a weekend be better?

So, by Friday afternoon, we were pretty excited for the Kings of Leon concert - we had tickets for Sunday - and wanted to rush through the weekend. Little did we know all the activity that could be packed into a single weekend in Vancouver...

Friday after work we popped into Solly's after work, for a little snack. Try the knishes for a traditional Jewish savoury snack, and of course ethical bean coffee. The rugoleh, although IMO not as good as Siegel's, was still quite tasty, flaky, and fresh!

A craving for baked brie, and a sale on ripe mango and papaya led to an improvised mezze meal at home, with olives, dolmades, homemade bruschetta, guacamole, baked brie with pepper jelly and a pitcher of tropical sangria! Candlelight dinner with a view of the city from our dining room made the evening complete, and we wrapped it up with an exciting thriller, "Obsessed", better than you would think from Beyonce and Ali Larter. And that was just Friday night!

Saturday started early, because it was the opening day of the English Premier League (EPL), and there is NO BETTER WAY to celebrate football in Vancouver, than at Abruzzo Cappuccino Bar on Commercial Drive. It's nitty-gritty, white linoleum floor and old laminate tables don't seem to fit in with the 7 pm Drive scene we're used to, but at 8- noon on Saturday and Sunday mornings, the crowd of old and young gather from all corners of the world for one purpose - footie. I enjoyed a fabulous espresso (or four? from a machine older than myself, and my better half was shocked to discover what cappuccino vero can be - a mound of stiff milk foam so smooth you can spread it. We left with me exhilarated by Arsenal's 6-1 win and completely hopped on doppio espressos. Saturday was supposed to be a day to get away from the urban crowding, but with the threat of rain all day, we dawdled down the Drive, ordered lunch from the Grotto again (see previous post), checked out the Van East Fermer's Market (disappointing), but scored some great eggplants and peppers at Norman's Grocery, which, with a handful of fresh basil, prepped us for a light linguine recipe and the rest of the sangria. Then, it was off to the mall for a first weekend viewing of District 9. To describe how good it was, we were still relating life events to that film, right after the rock concert last night. Sorry KoL, you were upstaged by prawns!!! (LM thinks they're cute ;)

After such a full weekend, it was hard to believe we hadn't even got to the main event! More on that in the next post...

Late nights in Europe - RT @gridskipper

Reading this blog post by Gridskipper reminded me of Berlin and Berne. Traveling alone across Europeby train in 2006, with only a garment bag in hand. Went looking for a "hip hangout" as described by Lonely Planet, but sorely disappointed, so I squeezed into a random jampacked club where there was live Latin music. It turned out the band, from Bolivia I think, had an avid German following. The air conditioning was maxed out, so I found a table top by the men's room door. Every time the door opened, a waft of cold air blew up into the air, and we four strangers dancing salsa on the tabletop shouted for joy. I wish I could remember the name, I think it was near the end of Oranienburger Straße. I left the club sometime after 4, with the band still playing, to catch my train to Vienna.

I never meant to get to Berne, but I missed the train to Marseilles, it was raining in Zurich, and I hoped to get free of the rain. It was raining in Berne also, a light mist that didn't dampen the moods of the crowds enjoying free jazz on the streets during their international jazz festival. I arrived after dark, and when it got too chilly I hunkered down in a coffeehouse crowded with steaming damp wool coats. Striking up conversations with the Swiss is pretty easy, and a group of us carried on a conversation in English, French, German and Italian (with translations back and forth) until we were kicked out, at which time, we found a Cuban club serving up mojitos until 6 am.

Friday Fun?

It's Friday, and I should be all excited for the weekend. But, at the end of a week of holidays, one day just blends into the next, in a steady procession of relaxing, guilt-tripping myself into chores, more relaxing, and taking a break from relaxing.

This morning dawned as one of those days when you don't want to get out of bed, but wish your chicken noodle soup could be delivered. Ah, the Vancouver summer I had heard so much about is finally upon us. After weeks of Torontonian heat wave and bright sun, with the accompanying short fuses and miserable people, the tranquility of coastal grey has returned. A day when you don't want to go to work at all, but write blogs about the weather instead.

So, after sending the missus off to work (someone has to put food on the table), I'm keeping warm with a cuppa and thinking about what to add to my soup order, so that the Vietnamese restaurant across the street will deliver for lunch.

There is some thrill in the arrival of Friday night, as with two days off, the missus has promised to cook dinner for me! In addition,having her at home means I may actually leave the house tomorrow. And Sunday, our pastor is gone, so there should be some variation at church...I guess I sympathize with hard working stay-at-home folks. They can't really go to the office for a weekend getaway, now, can they? It's like those who live in vacation destinations and have their summers ruined.

I certainly appreciate my working life more now, as it's just so much simpler to TGIF and slack off for the afternoon when you're in the office!

Long Weekend that never ends?

Added on to the Civic Holiday long weekend, my office is closed for the week so I have an extended home stay. Which means that, after a day of lounging in front of the TV yesterday, I got hopped up on caffeine today, got my British Columbia driver's license (I'm now an offical resident), read the weekend's news (sorry to Twitter followers and FB friends for the status updates), and decided to start a new blog for a hobby, and maybe write a book. In addition to cleaning the kitchen, doing somelaundry and vaccuuming, I suppose.

This weekend was the end of my first month of marriage, and as Laura put it, still 800-odd left to go! Actually, when I reflect on the fact that I have only lived 364 months it seemd rather short and brief. Who measures time in months anyways? Which reminds me, congrats to my sister and brother-in-law, who are celebrating their 4th anniversary, and planning for Child #2.

Now that I've got my "virtual life" kickstarted, if you have a blog or are on twitter, and think I'd like to hear what's going on (and aren't afraid of me plagarizing your brilliance in the form of a re-tweet), send me an email...

And, because the list of people I need to email is getting longer by the minute, I'm off.

Save the Children see Success in reducing child prostitution

The article below is centered around the town of Caia, where I was posted for three months in Mozambique in 2007. Save the Children had an excellent awareness program, showing a very proactive approach to child protection.
Despite their best efforts "prosti-tots" still frequented all the bars in town, and sexual relations with bridge workers was still a continual issue. However, kudos to the work of SC, not only in increasing awareness and gaining local support, but in preparing a valuable "Lessons learned" for the government of Mozambique and other developing economies.

IRIN Africa | Southern Africa | Mozambique | MOZAMBIQUE: Building much more than the Zambezi Bridge | Children Economy Education Gender Issues | News Item

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The Miniature Earth

Watch this video: http://www.miniature-earth.com/me_english.htm

Lindeman Lake Hiking Adventure

Laura and I went on an adventure today, driving to Lindeman Lake, in the Chilliwack region. It was a vigorous hike, with a rewarding finish - a peaceful, crystal clear lake pressed in by peaks on all sides. An oasis of British Columbia tranquility, an escape from the daily commute, the urban crush, and the constant hum of the city. We packed a lunch from La Grotta del Fromaggio, a famous Italian deli on Commercial Drive, and rounded off our day with burgers at Central City, followed by a stroll through the Surrey Fusion Festival, a multicultural festival which rewarded us with loukoumades, Laura's favourite dessert (of the moment).

All in all, a full, and fulfilling, day - for pictures check out Flickr!

Latest activities

So, I've started playing wallyball on Wednesday nights with some guys from church. This is abrutal abuse of my muscles and joints, highly agressive and competetive, and a great escape from work. Wallyball is volleyball, in a raquetball court, and you can play off a wall. Check out the American Wallyball Association. Also, I may be returning to the drums with a couple of guys looking to rebuild their band. 

Just to consume my free time, I'm working from home for World Relief, to finalize a project in Congo for them, based on the work I did with Food for the Hungry last year. 

Laura is on her office social committee, and has organized monthly team outings, including kayaking, hiking, and others, which should be fun. Thursday night we went to Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, which is a local secret (free) alternative to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, and it's high priced tourism.  No pictures, as we forgot the camera!

Also, I have an interview for a possible job as Emergency Planning Officer for the District of North Vancovuer on Tuesday, which I never thought I would get!

Easter Weekend and work

Laura and I had a really good, but busy, Easter weekend. With my new job (more details to follow), I worked Saturday and Monday of the weekend, but Good Friday was a relaxing day, with another long walk, and Easter Sunday was baptism Sunday for the little church we visited last week, so we shared in the special day. For all you Catholics out there, this was an adult baptism, where we watched people get fully dunked under water on stage. The church followed with a dinner for everyone, with ham (and a really yummy cranberry curry sauce), and warm home baked pies!

I'm adapting to the commuting life, and it's not too stressful, as I commute out of the big city, rather than in to it, so there's never a lot of people on the bus/train. I can read both of the free dailies they hand out at the train station, or when I start school I can get some studying done. My work environment is really good, it's a small optometry practice, with a lab on-site, so my day is filled (once again), with booking patients and selling glasses. Conveniently, I started work in time to get paid 7 days later!

Weekend Workout

Guest written by Laura:

Thursday: Chris had one of his best interviews in Vancouver yet. The owner of this restaurant on Commercial Street was impressed with his humour and skills. Unfortunately, with his luck, they weren't even hiring for the position he interviewed for. Afterwards, Chris met up with his lovely little Laura and took a romantic stroll down Commercial (1 hr worth's). We stopped in for a bite at Red Burrito - best burrito to be eaten in Canada! We headed home and watched a library rented movie, titled "Tsotsi". Inspirational and a must see! Rent with your mate today!

Friday: Walking, reading, walking, and more walking!
As Chris was reading in the nearby Vancouer Public Library (directly below the condo), a cute girl approached him. It was Laura who had left work early to come and take Chris to her craving - those huge dosas we had last weekend. I then convinced my partner in crime to take a leisurely walk (3 hours of steep hills, mostly going upwards) and head south to unknown territory. The unknown territory consisted of rows of residential streets and miles and miles of cemetery parallel to us. Barely making it back home from tired, sore feet, we called it a night and swore we wouldn't take a long hike like this during the weekend to come.

Saturday: 4.5 hours of walking.
Taro and red bean bun for breakfast! That's what you eat when you live in an Asian replica area. My day started with an inventive and original activity - walking! ...all around downtown. The first coffee shop we stopped into led us to see an elderly woman sitting and having coffee with 2 little dolls sitting at the table facing her as she stared at them adoringly. This may have traumatized me from coming back to this area. I hopped into a few stores to window shop and saw some authentic Chinese items mixed with Yaletown designs. Cultural, yet modern at the same time. Next stop - Vancouver central library. Photos on flicker for you to view. Beautiful cylindrical building design. Chris borrowed 1 book, Laura borrowed 5. Number of books that will be read this week: 5 by Chris, 1 by Laura. The outdoor temperature felt like +15, and so we walked along Yaletown and the seawall. I felt underdressed for Yaletown (see the chihuahua in the photos). Tandem bicycles are so darn cute! I plan on getting one to ride together. Exhausted from our lengthy hike, we sneak into a sushi joint for the freshest sushi ever eaten with "rice-washed" green tea. I'm tired of writing, so Chris will take over now.

Saturday, cont'd. - We hiked another mile to find a bus to take us across Granville Bridge, and then went to the island market. For those naysayers out there, Granville Island Market is NOT just a tourist trap. Organic strawberries at $2 per pound! We indulged in potstickers (Laura says they're better than Feng's dumplings), Eccles cake, and cappucino squares, and of course more coffee. We took the bus to Commercial Drive, because our bus transfer expired (too many wheelchairs being loaded and unloaded), and found some other groceries, then walked home again. Walked, walked, walked!

Sunday - Chris started with a jog in the morning and workout, to increase the pain. (Moron) Then, we walked to church at 19th Avenue Community Church, a very welcoming congregation. After church, a quick walk to Shopper's for a Sunday only sale, and a leisurely stroll home through some parks, a stop at a Japarribean (yes, really) cafe, and now it's time for a nap.

Don't forget to look at the photos!

Musings and Mutterings

I haven't blogged for a few days, I've been too frustrated with not finding a job, despite the number of interviews I've had. Laura and I went to Granville Market on the weekend, and took pictures of huge strawberries and massive meringue pies, which can be seen here. Sunday for lunch we ate dim sum at a famous (for dim sum in East Vancouver) restaurant, total cost for two, $14.45. Incredible. Then we walked to Commercial Drive, one of my favourite spots in Vancouver. FYI, for anyone that knows the Drive, Cafe Deux Soleils closed this week, no notes as to why, but their website is down as well.

I found a soccer league to play in, but no one wants to sign me, they're all full (old boys league). So, maybe rugby? They have open practices nearby. Laura and I found a church we want to check out, walking distance away. We'll see what it's like on Sunday.

Last night Laura and I went to the local library branch, and I got a library card. We plan to go to the main branch on Saturday, it's legendary. Anyways, the library is really convenient,so i may be spending a bit of time there. Oh yeah, Monday night Laura and I went to a Vietnamese place,and our total bill was $10.50. Ironically, we spentmore on coffee the next day. Vancovuer isn't more expensive, it's just "alternatively priced", so you have to watch what you're buying and where.

Today I'm sitting in a cafe on Commercial Drive, with a movie shooting outside on the sidewalk,a nd the same extras walking past over and over. Also, the usual Drive regulars - a guy in a skirt, runners in Lulu Lemon, old Italians, girl with fuschia hair and a burlap dress, cowboy with then gallon hat and huge buckle, squeegee kid and skaters. Never a dull moment.

A plug: I'm reading Wikinomics right now, it's already outdated, but it has changed the way outdated industries are thinking about economics for the next generation. Definitely an easy and intersting read.

That's it for now, except to say that I've switched from Picasa to Flickr, so photos will be available at my Flickr site. Feel free to comment!

Photos!

As noted in my last post, Laura and I met after work at a cafe called Death by Chocolate, and decided to walk for a while before eating. We walked from here down W est Broadway, past Laura's office, and just looking for something to pique our interest. Not too cold, and not too breezy, with a clear sky to catch glimpses down each street of the lights downtow

Image by Proggie via Flickr

n and the mountains beyond. We found this tranquil oasis behind Boston Pizza, and kept walking until we need a pitstop. That made us go into The Mongolie Grill, at Cambie. Tasty, and just what we wanted, but definitely overpriced. Unlike Mongolian Grill in Hespeler, ON, this place charged by weight, so my bowl came to $12.00, and then I went back for a second. I've since read a review that says there are better options for grill in town, for next time. Being full, we decided to walk more, all the way back to Laura's apartment! Lots of walking!! Speaking of Laura's condo, here's some pictures.

Image by roland via Flickr

Yesterday (Wednesday) was my "wait for callbacks" day. I waited, and I didn't get any. So, I unpacked clothes, washed laundry, made supper, did dishes, unpacked clothes, took out the trash, went grocery shopping, unpacked some more. A wasted day, of frantic busyness. I hate waiting.

Laura explored a shopping mall on her way home, which has a cheap grocery store (Food Basics-ish), and a drugstore and banks. She also discovered that to get insurance for her car, she has to show them her full insurance history, and it has to come from the insurance company direct. That's right - ten years of tracking through whatever insurance companies, calling them, and asking for a record to be sent. And she has 30 days, and needs a BC license. What a hassle! It looks like the car might be parked for a while. Good thing she has secure underground parking and door to door bus service!

Last night, Laura and I took a walk again (this time shorter, as it was cold), and went west, as opposed to east. We discovered a cute little cafe, that's attached to a pub and off-sales liquor store. That's right, Ontarians, a restaurant where you can buy take out alcohol. Anyways, the cafe makes everything in house (breads, pastries, yummy cream cheese cinnamon buns), and has free wi-fi. We also found another 425 (approximately) Asian restaurants in the next four blocks. Perhaps tonight we'll head south, or north?

Today, I had an interview with an optometrist, looking for an office manager. Interesting - she has a mobile practice, so no patients come to the office. The hours are part time and flexible - just put 20 hours in during working hours each week. I find out if I get the job next week, and it's not starting until April 20th, so the hunt continues.

I'm blogging from a cafe called Death by Chocolate, at the corner of W Broadway & Fir, with a great view of the mountains and the North Shore...what a great city.

Fun in Vancouver

A funny thing happened yesterday. After several rapidfire first interviews (don't call us, we'll call you), I decided to head to Gastown and find the Irish pub where an old Guelph friend now works. It was a balmy 15 Celsius Vancouver afternoon, and I strolled through downtown somewhat haphazardly, smiling and nodding at the increasing number of winos and druggies as I head towards Hastings Street.

Arriving in Gastown, I discovered the address I had for the pub was wrong, and the coins in my pocket (bus fare) were drawing some undue attention on my stroll through Blood Alley Way. It started to rain for the first time of the day, and I discoverd I had left my umbrella at the last interview. That being the last straw, I gave up, and headed for home. Then again, I wasn't really sure where home was, so I just caught a bus, rode to a Skytrain station, and rode the Skytrain to another station that felt close to home.

To my surprise, upon exiting the train station, there was a queue for free pizzas! That's right, Toscana was giving away frozen pizzas off the back of a truck as a promotion. With pizza under arm, I strolled down Nanaimo Street in search of a way home. I got there five minutes before Laura did, just in time to grab garbage bags at the dollar store.

After our free pizza dinner, Laura and I decided to take a stroll. Coffee in hand, we set out at 8:00 to discover the neighbourhood in our sweatshirts and running shoes. We found a great little grocery store (1/2 bulk barn, 1/2 corner grocer, all organic) with prices comparable to Ontario - $1.79/lb. for lean ground beef! We walked up to the Nanaimo train station, so that I could time how long it actually took.

On our way back, we found a little green space under the train tracks, and Laura stopped to admire a pretty bush. I pointed out a sign to her, the green space was called "Filipino Plaza" !?! There wasn't very much about it that was Filipino or a plaza... Almost home, walking through a quiet unlit neighbourhood, we were arguing the finer points of various run down older houses, when a drug dealer with a knife jumped out from behind a tree, scaring both of us.

Actually, it was someone's garbage out for pickup that fell over, and we made it home safely just after 9:00 for a cup of tea.

Vancouver restaurant hiring - a guide

I feel like I've been here before...print resumes at the coffee shop, canvass all the restaurants on the street start with the best and work down, meeting managers, smiling off rejections, filling out repetitive application forms with inane questions. Oh yeah, this is the same circle as Toronto '97, Guelph '99, Huntsville '00 and Guelph '06. After 12 years waiting tables, I should have seen it all...

I have, however, learned of a few things that are different in Vancouver:

1. All restaurant managers have a 3:00 Monday meeting. Do NOT disturb. Who cares who they're meeting?
2. All of the chains have their applications available online. Fill it out, no matter how inane the questions, and carry it with you. that's what separates you from the masses.
3. Most restaurants have open interviews between 9 and 11 am, even when they're not hiring. Like that's a good use of time.
4. Eating out in Vancouver is more upscale, across the board - even at Tim Horton's. But the tips aren't any better.
5. It's easier to get a job in a restaurant if you speak Chinese, Japanese or Korean, even for an Italian restaurant.
6.Even if you get a job, you need to spend $1000 on your wardrobe before you can start (unless everything you own is short, tight, black and from Mexx, Guess, Costa Blanca, Urban Behaviour, etc)
7. British Columbians are not afraid to make fun of Ontario, and brag about the mountains, even when interviewing you. Just smile and nod.
8. You can go broke on free wireless at Van cafes, buying $5.00 lattes while you wait for the next interview.
9.The transit system actually gets you where you want to go! And, if you make a mistake, you have two hours to backtrack on a transfer.
10. Knowing the GMs name before you walk in, and wearing a tie and jacket still gets you an interview, no matter how much you fail on all of the above. Thank you Google!

The hunt - Day 2

So, today is job hunt day. I am at a little cafe near Laura's office (20 minutes bus, including one transfer from home), and the resume update (email me if you need my new number), and job bank searching begins. I have a few possibilities to lock down as well, we'll see how it goes!

Vancouver High Life

Yesterday was one of the most full I've ever had, and fulfilling! In the morning, we departed Guelph for the airport on time (ish). Thanks to my parents for their support, including the shuttle run. Apologies to Laura's brother who couldn't fit in the trip to the airport, and missed out.

Checkin revealed Laura's bag was 7 pounds overweight, and mine was (sad to say) 13 pounds over. I have no excuses for having the bigger bag, excpet that my second bag was smalller!! So, some quick adjustments brought the bags under, our carryons WAY over without being weighed, the loss of my tent, and I wore/carried three coats on the plane.

The flight was uneventful, except for a bit of turbulence that set poor Mr. Jingles off. He rolled around in his carrier and pushed against the walls, looking at us with pathetic, doleful eyes. Interestingly, there was another cat across the aisle, that had flown from Halifax, and the exact seat Laura was in had been occupied by a person with a dog on the Halifax-Toronto leg. The flight crew, which still had another leg to Kamloops, must have wondered what they had signed on for!

All our abgs came through not too badly damaged, and we took a taxi to Laura's new condo, which we had not yet seen excpet for photos on the internet! The landlords met us at the dooor, and handed over keys and signed papers. In less than an hour, Laura was the new tenant in her new home. The condo was exactly as the photos described, except a bit smaller, and the view was so much better!! It was clear yesterday, and the peaks just went on for ever against the horizon!! The condo is 7 months old, and absolutely beautiful. The building is very secure (you can't get up the elevator without your key, and it only works for your floor) and still smells new. There is a small workout room, and the main floor is commercial units, with a public library, bank and grocery store already in place.

Before finishing with the landlords, the moving truck had arrived, and unloaded all of our things, mostly in exactly the same condition as shipped. So, less than 5 hours after landing, the dining table, my futon and Laura's bed were set up, and it looked more like a home. We decided to take a walk, find out what was around, get some Tylenol for Laura's headache, and maybe something to eat.

Not two doors down from the building, I stoipped Laura to point out a Chinese restaurant. This place, The ROC Restaurant, serves the best dimsum in Vancouver, really well priced. I had been introduced this summer by friends Joel and Mary (from Nanaimo), but didn't remember the name or location. Here it was the nearest restaurant to Laura's apartment! As I was explaining and staring, a lady popped her head out the door and asked if we were coming in to eat! We explained that we were taking a walk, we'd be back, and Laura asked where to find a drugstore, to buy Tylenol.

Connie,for that was the lovely lady's name, said. "Come inside, I have for you. Come, sit, I bring for you." Yes, Laura was in Vancouver less than 6 hours and already secured her own drug dealer... So, for $25, we got spicy deep-fried tofu, baby bok choy in oyster sauce, a huge bowl of chicken and mushroom congee (half of which I ate for breakfast), a large plate of Singapore noodles (most of which Laura took for lunch), all the green tea we could drink, two complimentary bowls of tapioca, and a brown paper packet of pills. And they say Vancouver living is expensive.

One last thing - the view from the 11th floor is even better by night, with the city lights twinking, and the blackness of the mountains on the horizon, and then, floating in midair, the ski runs lit for night skiing, a hovering mirage in the darkness. This is the high (rise) life!

Westward bound

In ten hours Laura and I board a plane for a new life on the West Coast, without family, absent of friends, and with no security on accommodation either. Our goods have been shipped by an untested moving agent, along with Laura's car, and may be available when we arrive at the other end. No landlords have been meant, although cheques have been sent. If all goes well, by this time tomorrow, we will have secured shelter, food, our personal possessions, and a job interview for me!

BTW, we are now opening the bidding on floor space for the Olympics at $0.99/sq. ft.

The next big move!

So, for those not yet aware, I am moving to Vancouver on Sunday, March 22. There are several reasons for this, as follows:
1. I can not afford to stay a full time student, and need to switch to distance education.
2. Distance ed. is offered at Royal Roads University in Victoria for my program.
3. My girlfriend, Laura Manuel, is taking a job transfer to Vancouver.
4. The Vancouver job market is wide open, because of the Olympics next year.

I think that's all the reasons.

So, email me for my new address and cell number, coming soon, and come see me in Vancouver!

I do not have a job yet, so I will continue to blog about my adventures in job-hunting, and any new updates for friends and family...

No news...is good news?

Just a brief update on Congo, no news received from our donors yet. Optimistic me says they're still bureacrating the proposal, but fatalistic pessimist me says we didn't get the funding. Prayer would be good now.

In other news, I hope everyone had as great a holiday as I did. Now if only I had a job to go back too...School's still on strike, so I'm thinking about getting caught up on my class work now. That's it!