Here to stay

It's been a flurry of activity lately which has been a refreshing change.

Firstly, Millwood Road welcomed Miss Ada, fresh from London. She momentarily forgot her dislike for cold weather when she saw the snow we had, very much a contrast to my lack of enthusiasm. It was so excited to have her here that I even got out of bed in the a.m. not the usual p.m.!

When Teoh arrived a few days later, we took a road trip up to Mont Tremblant for some skiing and boarding action. This is where Ada was reminded of her dislike for cold weather, a blast of -38 degree weather is a good trigger.

I didn't mind the weather, but "displeasure" would be an understatement if asked to describe my sentiments on snow boarding. My bindings broke on the first run... so I walked (stormed) down three quarters of Mont Tremblant. Poor Gord took the brunt of my anger as I stomped down the mountain - anyone who attempted to help or speak to me was susceptible to a snow board being swung at them. My second run was slightly better, my bindings were intact, but my butt was bruised so much it was like a built in heating system. The many flat parts of the run tired me out so much from having to traverse across, that there was no third run.. an unspoken relief for Gord.

Having said that, Tremblant is just as gorgeous in winter than in summer, and my bad luck on the slopes thankfully did not ruin the whole trip.



In other news, Ada and Teoh must have been my good luck charms, the week they were in town, saw my work visa approved and a job offer made - all on the same day! So I'm a working woman now - no more sleep ins. It's a similar project to my last project in Sydney... so I'm looking forward to tackling another large scale business transformation.

For those planning to look for work... I cannot stress enough how great uploading your resume to job sites are... I uploaded mine to the Canadian www.workopolis.com and recruiters really do search them. I didn't even have to apply for the position, recruiters are much more proactive than 4 years ago!!

Here's some photos where I dragged the crew across the U.S. boarder to get my visa stamped in my passport. We literally drove through U.S. customs, drove down the highway, did a U-ey and came back through Canadian customs. My passengers got treated to a Wendy's lunch to celebrate!

You pay for what you get

I'm quite conservative when it comes to spending money on my hair. I know the hairstyle is important, and I by no means scout for the cheapest and worst hairdresser... but sacrificing a gorgeous top, or a chic pair of shoes for a relatively intangible hair-cut (after-all, it grows out after a month or so!) is not something I practice. You either have it all, or you pick the shoes!

G on the other hand will walk down to the road to the boutique filled Bayview strip to get his hair trimmed (so little change that it doesn't even count as a haircut) at the "Spa Salon". He pays top dollar and a decent tip for a Senior Stylist every 6 weeks. Not sure whether it is convenience, or whether it has anything to do with the hot petite Asian stylist who he used to go to religiously - or the Parisian chick who has now replaced her. Or even the fact that all the hot stylists wear white from top to toe... yep, go the white pants!

Sorry, back to the point. I needed a haircut. I was considering splurging on the "Spa Salon", even if it was to check out this Parisian... the price G pays is not cheap but affordable... but ofcourse when I check the prices, it costs way more for women than it does men. I guess it's normal, but suddenly it is not so affordable for an unemployed bum, with a huge Amex bill (the NYC shopping spree has finally caught up to me!), and who doesn't really care for women cladded in white.

So, I went the adventurous route and went to the Hair Academy where young and newly graduated Hair Stylists finish their training and "build confidence" before they are farmed out to the "Spa Salons". It was the first time I had a Goth cut my hair - no I didn't come out looking like her... but I did have to give her a few pointers before I was willing to walk out of the place. It wasn't free, probably more expensive than my very experienced hairdresser back in Sydney, but oh well. I even left a $5 tip. Call it encouragement from the goodness of my heart, or just social pressures from North American tipping standards - ah well!

The first thing I did was go home and rake out the awful mushroom she blow dried my hair into. Why do they do that?? People package things to entice consumers, giving me the mushroom that added 10 years to my age, did not entice me to go back. Luckily a wash and usual finger comb-through did the trick. The only styling implement I own is a comb - if you can even call it that. And it only comes out on important days. None of this curling wand, hair dryer business.

So the cut didn't cut it (ok, that was corny) but I've at least ticked off a
"must-try-once-in-your-life" experience though - and I'll leave it that way. Next time, they will have to pay me, to get a student anywhere near my hair.

Heat wave hits town

Thats right, a balmy 10 degrees as I post this blog, with a high of 12 degrees expected. Who says winter in T.O. was tough??? The weather god must have heard my pleas and delivered enough temperature to melt the ugly mounds of snow built up on the sidewalk. No longer fluffy and white, but more like miniature coal mines obstructing the pedestrian crossing.

The last couple weeks has been nothing but a never-ending meal. We spent Christmas at Gord's relatives house, washing the yummo food down with creamy white eggnog and trying to beat the kids at darts, pool table, air hockey, pinball machines, you name it. You know you're old when Monopoly cash is replaced by an electronic swipe and players hold debit cards (cash is so passé). Boots and hats are also unfashionable around the game board, anyone who is someone will have to be a cell phone or at least a segway.

My memories of NYE was nothing by lychee martinis, long island ice teas and singing "...it's too late to apologize" at the top of our lungs in a basement. Oh, and the very long treacherous car ride home that kept me from my porcelain bowl. Oh dear.

Now with the holiday season calming down, it's time for the gym. Gord has dragged me out of sauna mode and I'm actually making use of the equipment! My goal for 2008? Being able to do one push-up... and for a stretch, a chin-up would be nice.

Sorry for my lack of diligence for emails and cards. Hope it's not too late to wish everyone a happy, exciting and safe 2008. Love you.