A Quitter

Yep, a quitter I am.

I'm quitting my day job. As if telemarketing isn't bad enough, they monitor my tone of voice and make me read word for word off a script... no... not "Can I please speak to...", it's "I need to speak to...".. beats me, really!!??

Anyways, I have to speak as though these poor customers have used the service before, than convince them to give me $379 for it!

Makes me feel shit. But I feel good today, coz I've decided not to go back tomorrow!
Ah well, back to good old job hunting!

Two Weddings and a Funeral

Yep, like all great journeys through life, there will be weddings and funerals. And this short one year jounery was no exception.

After two cousins getting married during my travels, there has been an unfortunate turning in celebrations and Bills' grandfather passed away during Easter. Bill has been holding up very well though, and hs been spending a lot of time with family. I attended the funeral on Saturday, a gloomy and grey day (literally), and full of chinese customs and services... it all seemed rather complicated for my first funeral.

On a brighter note, I did make up for the gloom the rest of the weekend. Despite the unpredictable weather, a friend offered to drive me out of Toronto to some small towns where we visited a few antique fairs, and walked around one of the nature parks and gorges out there. It's a nice change from being couped up indoors for 6 months because of the cold winter. Temperatures are slowly rising up 15 - 18 degrees... yah!

Been partying this week a bit as well (and the week is still young).. clubbed on the weekend, worked 14 hours yesterday and then went to a bar last night. I'm meant to be clubbing tonight as well, but I will be working 14 hours for the next few days, so not sure whether I will be able to handle it.

Loads of people coming next month and I want to take some time out to spend with them... so trying to burn myself out these two weeks so I can. Started a second job in the morning this week, and I absolutely dread it. It will be difficult dragging myself out of bed tomorrow I can tell you. Been living off soup I cooked on the weekend for the past few days... lunch and dinner! I don't have time to cook otherwise!! =(

Anyways, no time... between shifts atm, so just quick update.

Be Goood Peoples! =)

A Little Encouragement

I tell everyone here that I have great friends. People who keep me constantly in the know of things back home, always offering encouraging words of wisdom.

This is a cut and paste of email extracts:

Him:
"Yes, what you've done is a terribly brave thing! and you are a stronger person having done it. I'm sure you'll come home like a new version of software! still got a few bugs but definitely more improved :P"

Me:
"you are such a dag!! =P 'a new version of software'??? work must have affected your brains!! but it is true, only thing is that there was no bugs to begin with!!! hehe"

Him:
":) yes i know i'm a dag and yes work has affected my brain :P no bugs??? thats what the developers (you) of the software always say... its the users (your friends) who find the bugs :P"

*humph* I have to meet more friends who aren't IT geeks I tell you! =P

One year ago today...

I never was much of a gambler - I valued my money too much to think I would be forgoing a new piece of clothing of a swish dinner was enough to restrain me. Plus I was scarred when I lost $1 at the slot machine in first year uni. But as I stood amongst the gawdy flashes of light and the sound of coins being cashed at the machines, I thought about it - I think I have risked bigger things in life. Hey, I did leave a stable job, family and friends to move to a foreign country, live with strangers and have no money. So I shrugged and decided to take the plunge... I gambled $5.

Alright, so that was spare change, but hey, I'm only a telemarketer! I profited $15 though, so I'm a lot less bitter about that $1 I lost 7 years ago. My friend was a lucky boy though, he walked away with his pockets $300 heavier. Poor thing, he didn't even get to shout us dessert since everything was closed at 3am!

So my Good Friday was spent at the Casino. It was one of those impulsive roadtrips decided late at night after some bored deliberation to drive an hour away to Niagra Falls for gamble. Almost (but not quite) as impulsive as driving to Penrith for donuts or The Entrance for Fish & Chips. I also got to see the Falls at night, pity the lights weren't on else it would have made a pretty picture. But from what I could make out in the dark, it wasn't as spectacular as what I last remembered.

On the weekend I also did a very Canadian thing... I sat in a pub, with chicken wings (which are very popular here), a Canadian Beer and watched a hockey game. In good tradition, the guys watched the game and I lost interest and just disrupted them by yapping away.

We also had the most amazing weather over the weekend, it was possible to go out without a jacket. A friend drove me to a park and we took advantage of the sun with a long walk, the only bad thing was the trees were still very stark, should pretty when the leaves come out though.

So that was my Easter. Hard to image this very same weekend one year ago, I was sitting in the Vatican City, attending Mass held by The Pope. One year later, I am gambling and drinking... hmmm... The Pope should be so proud.

My First Asian Dance Party...

in Toronto, was like most dance parties back at home (continuing my stroll down memory lane).

Firstly, it reminded me of the Melbourne roadtrip where our big night out ended up in an asian dance club where the population looked 15 (legal age is 19 in TO). If there was ever a height restriction like for rollercoaster rides, the asian dance party scene would be non-existent. My friend dared me to pick up a guy that night, I said I would go through with it on one condition - if I succeed, she will need to continue the challenge by picking up someone shorter than my lucky guy (which really wasn't a challenge at all)... depending on how bored we were, we could have kept ourselves amused for some, but she had second thoughts.

Secondly, the club really reminded me of this real classy joint we used to hang out at all the time in first year... UTS Bar (ofcourse, none of us were from UTS). Yep, the disposable cups added a touch of elegance in the decor.

And lastly, it reminded me of all those RnB clubs I went to in Sydney where I would dance for about 5 songs, and sit out for the rest. I didn't mind it this time though... the heels, courtesy of the Exotic Dancer were killing me... and I expected the night to be like this anyways. Despite the bad and blarey music, I managed to find myself in a quiet haven in the corner of the club - just amusing myself with people watching.

It must be a universal thing with asian dance parties and RnB clubs - not just the average height, but the attitude of the music and the attitude of the people. From the line outside to the dance floor and the bar, you get a feeling that everyone is out to impress. To impress their friends, or perhaps that good-looking stranger across the room. And along with that, you're there to judge - you condemn the girl who istoo scantily dressed, you dismiss the guy who is trying too hard to impress, and you roll your eyes at the dude with the weird moves.

I must admit, I was guilty of being too judgemental.. yeah the height thing, but also when I was sitting in my corner, I resisted the urge to tap a guy on the shoulder and tell him that his tight black lycra tank top with his oversized-unbuttoned-white-shirt and similarly oversized-baggy-white-pants although suited his grease-slicked-hair, it didn't really do much for the girls he was trying to impress.

I guess I shouldn't be complaining about the attitudes at clubs, the fact that I couldn't find anything that impressed me makes me just as bad as the girl next to me who is out to impress.

Trip Down Memory Lane

I know this isn't my usual Monday-post-weekend entry, but I was really bored coz there was no work on the job boards, so I visited another friend's blog (go dayangsta!). Anyways, thought I'd check out what he had under the "Pictures" link and was greeted with all these group photos... so here I am laughing like an idiot in the library, or smiling at the screen of fond memories. Damn, just when I have been telling people I'm not ready to come home yet!

Just in time for long weekend as well, bet you guys back at home have plenty of eating and driving plans. I heard there is a dinner partee without me! =(

I'm getting jipped of my Easter Monday, apparently it's not a holiday here.. but I it's a good thing coz I don't get holiday pay anyways! Paintball was cancelled for Saturday, so not sure what I will get up to this weekend. I do know I am going to an asian dance party tonight, my friends here hate asian dance parties (and rightly so) but think I should at least experience one whilst I am here. I've been given prior warning that I will be standing out like a sore thumb above every heads though... *rolls eyes* I guess no action here tonight then!

Unless ofcourse I do a repeat of Melbourne and decide to start a fight by pushing someone...
*evil grin*

A New Discovery

How good am I?... Three entries in one day!

Anyways, just to let you all know, I think I can now text Australia now! Woohoo!
Well, I can text Vodafone, but apparently having problems with 3 Phones (dodgey they are!)

Anyways, you can hit me on +1 416 704 1206

Sometimes Normal is Best

Just when you think that winter is coming to a close, it comes back with a very forceful wind that made walking down the road feel more like drifting. But one thing that cheered me up was the daylight saving adjustments... a sign that summer is really just around the corner.

For those who have been following my ups and downs lately, this week has definately been an up for me. And it wasn't because of a very adventurous Saturday night. Although the job situation is sometimes frustrating, I figured I am really here to have fun, and fun I will have. Being overseas, it's like everytime I go out, it's to a club, or a lounge, or something touristy, coz thats what you do when you're overseas... which is all good, but sometimes, you just want to be able to walk around the shops with a friend, chat over coffee or kid around over dinner. Sunday was a bit like that. I went shoe shopping with a friend and afterwards we met up with some other people for dinner. Usually back in Sydney I would get really annoyed when everyone is indecisive about dinner, and phone calls are going left, right and centre with no hope of settling on a place. But for once, I felt comforted because it reminded me of the group dynamics back home.

And dinner was just like that too, we had people kidding and paying each other out, we had serious conversations, slack conversations, in jokes, mentions of stupid things people have done in the past etc etc... just like home. I brought Bill to dinner, and he even said that meeting all these people and having a typical friendly dinner made him miss home a lot.

I've met a lot of people on this trip, and some of them very interesting. But a lot of the times, it's a strain to meet people. It's exhausting trying to make conversation, and find some common ground. It is so much more difficult with different ages, social backgrounds and interests. I know I craved for all these differences back at home when I was bored of meeting just like minded industry professionals (aka, yuppies), but since I am out of my comfort zone of home, this I guess is the closest thing I have.

The Exotic Dancer

You know how I mentioned in my last entry that I met an exotic dancer, but wasn't sure how exotic she was? Well, for the benefit of my readers (naturally), I decided to investigate this. Yep, we went to her "place of work" and yep, it's confirmed she is very exotic *nods*.

Let's just say I was with three very bored girls who wanted to chill out, plus they wanted to see what the big deal was with guys going to places like these. So we're walking briskly past all these other bars (one thing about Toronto is that if you walk through the clubbing district, there are line-ups left right and centre going into all these clubs which you never even noticed in the day)... so anyways, we walk past all these bouncers who tell us we have overshot the place and to come back because their lounge is better... but we keep walking. And curious as to where this group of girls were going, we felt their gaze follow us to the end door, the one where there was no line-up, where we were greeted by a very confused bouncer.

My first visit to such an establishment was done with style... we went to the very best one in Toronto, mainly because we also wanted to see our friend, who I must say was the hottest in the house. Apparently the night before, Vin Diesel had come into the place and was chatting to her. He had also been texting her all day offering to take her shopping. She wasn't phased at all.

The place wasn't anywhere as sleazy as I had imagined. There was no yelling, jeering or touching, the clientele were pretty well mannered, and basically there to chill out. We didn't really feel out of place, being the only four fully clad girls at one table, and we ended up chilling there for two hours. It was a surprisingly good night, definately a little more interesting than the usual clubbing or lounging. Not that it is our new thing to do, I guess it was more of the attitude that "guys do it, why can't we?", so we did.

On my to do list, thats a tick in the rough hand-drawn check box added last minute.

Oh and for those who have been concerned with my financial status, don't worry, it wasn't an interview.

Meeting the Parents

This week saw the end of Irene's visit... but before she left, we did some more tacky tourist sites (must dos!), ate and we went to a Lounge on the 51st floor of a building, and as you guessed, a breathtaking sight. Irene was a good break-up of my very routine week days, a very good excuse for not surfing the net for non-existant jobs!

My weekend was quite good also... Bill's parents were visiting Toronto, so I had dinner with them so they could meet this wild child they were so worried about (who me?). Ofcourse, I managed to charm them like his relos. My friend Mel often jokes about them being my in-laws, and the parents themselves are probably thinking that also.. little do they know that thier son has a hidden girlfriend and I happen to be a good disguise for this!! When we went shopping, his father inststed on getting me this top as a "first meeting present". I got a bit worried and ran off to pay for it myself. This confusion is difficult at times, but amusing nevertheless. Btw, for dinner, we went to this place famous for lobsters... sooo cheap... we had a huge plate for the price of pound back home!

I went to a lounge with some girls on Saturday night which was quite fun. I am glad they opt for lounges rather than clubbing these days. I basically sat at the bar and people watched all night... quite enjoyable but we all agreed that the quality of people at a place is directly related to the cover charge. We paid $5 to get in, need I say more.

Sunday was a lazy day where we took a stroll down Danfourth, commonly known as Greek Town, and where "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" ws filmed. It has a lot of cute shops, and in mind I am already mapping out where to take all my friends when they come visit!!

In the tradition of telling stories about people we meet whilst travelling, last night I went with a friend to pick up some clothes from one of her girl friends. This girl sheds her wardrobe every few months. She's an exotic dancer (I still haven't worked out how exotic, but I'd imagine very) and a total shopaholic. Half the items in the two large bags were designer items which she hasn't even worn before. She just came back from a shopping spree in Vancouver where one of her clients paid for her shopping (what a life!). I guess that justifies the LV and Prada flip-flops (they cringe when I say thongs), and the hundreds of other expensive items which I would never be able to afford over 5 years (and thats with a real job). She also had her breasts enlarged which was another reason why there was so many goodies to give away! Despite hearing about about how large her breast were every few minutes, I have to say she was pretty cool person, and definately interesting enough to be worthy of my blog.. and thats not because I walked away with 3 pairs of shoes!!!

Friday is the Eventful Day.. and not because of drinks!

It's funny how things work out. Last Friday I was a dissapointed at missing a job opportunity.. and exactly one week later, I reject another job.

It would have been good if I had wanted to own my own business, because you start with really shitty work at entry level i.e. door-to-door sales, but then you go through all these developmental stages until you are ready to part-own and manage one of their offices for them in a chosen city in Canada, US or Europe. So basically they are training you to be an entrepreneur for them... something a little too heavy for my working holiday!

Anyways, things are picking up since I do get phone calls and emails now and then... they are sort of like teasers to keep me going. I won't bog you down with my job hunting woes.. but I'm thinking, if I still don't have luck soon, I'm switching to husband-hunting!! I hear that may be a lot easier!!! =P

This week has seen my first visitor to Toronto. Irene, a high school friend bounced in last week and she is a parcel of laughs and optimism. I spent a day sight-seeing with her, it's like the two of us are trying to out-chat each other... her guy friend was amazed at the speed and amount of information we could get out!!

The funny thing is that we never really kept in close contact back in Sydney, but when you're in another country, anyone you meet from home seems like your best friend. Perhaps it's all circumstantial, but whatever it is, I have been able to renew or develop friendships with people from home a number of times since I've been in Vancouver and Toronto. Meeting new people is enivitable, but developing old friendships is an added beauty of travel which I never factored in.

Anyways, sorry I don't have much stories to tell lately since I have been keeping low-profile till I get some decent cash to party with!

The Burst of a Bubble

I was really hoping to have some good news to share, but unfortunately, I have just recovered from a week of highs and ofcourse the expected lows that come with it.

Earlier last week, a call from a friend motivated me to attack companies with phone calls. I tried it on a Consulting company that I really wanted a job with, and believe it or not... literally two hours after making the doubtful phone call, I was in an interview with the Recruitment Manager. He was organising interviews for the Programme Manager and I called just when someone bailed. There were issues with my status in Canada and my qualifications in the Canadian financial system, but I managed to convince him and went onto the next round of interviews. The hope that lifted my spirits a little brought it crashing back down again. I only came second in the running for the position, but was promised in a months time, they will be ramping up the team again and I will be considered. But I want a job NOW!

So that was the start of a very shitty Friday. Stupid me decided to take on an extra Telemarketing shift that night, and it was the worst shift ever. I'm still not pushy enough to make the sales, and I can't believe I could feel pressured from a stupid job like that. As if getting off work at 11pm is not enough, the bottle shop was closed on the way home (yep, my day was shitty enough to warrant a bottle of red), and then I one more unhappy phone call tipped me over the edge. Poor Bill had to deal with a very sulky room-mate. Lucky for him, I only sulk for a few hours before I feel totally re-energised, and before he knew it, I was back to my usual chatty self. If there was any doubt I hadn't recovered from sulking, it was wiped away by a huge Yum-Cha (oops sorry, they call is Dim Sum here) outing the next morning, the first decent one I've had since Sydney!! Nothing like comfort food!

On a higher note, the last two weekends we have been travelling outside of Toronto to smaller towns. Last weekend we went to see Bill's relos who I hadn't thanked for all the furniture and help with the apartment before I arrived. My job was to charm them since they were skeptical about me... they think I am a bit of a wild child, coming to a foreign country not knowing anyone and sharing an apartment with someone I barely knew. I think I did a pretty ok job, now I have a 6 year old kid who adores me so much she won't leave me alone... and everyone knows my thoughts on kids! *rolls eyes*

This weekend, we went stay with Bill's cousins who live in a University town even further away than his relos. She had invited us to her university ball... my very first university ball ever (4 years after graduating uni)... and it was a very interesting experience. There was a different room on each level... a music request floor, a celtic floor, a swing dance floor, a jazz bar and a karaoke room. It wasn't really my version of a ball, but it was definately an eye opener to the university life in a small town.

I spent the rest of the weekend in the gym, and sitting in the sauna downstairs, thanks to my adoring sister who wrote me these exact words: "Take some time to do exercise, don't you dare come back fat or anything!!!". Hmm.. nice to know I am loved!!

Now that it is Monday, I am back to the usual grind I am so desperately trying to get out of - library, then internet cafe, then run home to cook so that I can bring dinner to work and not have to eat at 11pm when I come home. But I guess I expected all that, so I shouldn't complain. I have a high school friend dropping by at the end of the week, so that should be good!

Don't worry peoples, my next entry will definately be a lot more upbeat!

Still on the Hunt

I don't have much of an update really. I am quite domestic these days, although we went out to a club last week, my weekdays are mostly cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, internet surfing and reading. Sometimes when I am feeling generous, I lounge around a coffee shop with a book or my journal. I'm quite happy at the moment, only coz I know I have a lot of time to explore the place... in a few months time when my time is running out and the weather gets warmer, I think I will be going crazy!

Anyways, on the job front... my potential career as an air hostess never took off. I'm not a Canadian citizen or a landed immigrant. The funny thing was, when I was standing in line for an interview.. I asked the pretty asian chick next to me for a pen, and she recognised me as a customer she served a few weeks ago. It must have been the good old accent!!

So we were talking and she asked whether I was interested in retail. She works in Danier Leather, a canadian chain leather store that has some good stuff. I'm still eyeing the leather jacket I tried on the last time I met her, so when she mentioned they were hiring, I jumped at the chance. How funny is that, I missed out on being a flight attendant but ran into another job opportunity at the interview. My advice to umployed bums out there... if you are desperate for a job, don't apply to firms and recruitment agencies, they don't reply.. just go shop... shop your heart out and work that accent if u have one!!

So much for coming across a job... the next day I visited the girl at Danier and after what I thought was a pretty comprehensive interview for a retail position, she sat me down for a written test. I was there for an hour, answer problems, sorting out patterns etc. I was so not expecting it, and entirely exhausted when she told me I had another video test to go through!! I couldn't do it the same day... I already knew I failed the previous test, they asked such obscure questions and the multiple choice answers were all so similar. But I returned the next day and sat through another test. I have to say, all the testing for a job selling jackets was all a bit of a turn-off... I think I had a better time applying for graduate positions in Big 5 firms!

Meanwhile, I have started working at this other telemarketig place. This is so much better than the other place I was at... but still, it's against my nature to be pushy, and I was told last night to be more bold. In the 25 hours I have worked though, I managed to sell 3 subscriptions. Wow! Not. I sold one of them purely because the doctor on the other end liked my accent, even though he thought the paper was to right-wing orientated. As I said, if you have an accent, work it!

The people here are a lot less odd here, most of them are students though. One of the guys I sit with always has a funny story or two to share. He seems to get all the interesting calls... one woman thought he was her dead husand.... "Jonathan, is that really you?? My dea, it's you, it's you!!". Hmm.. I haven't come across any calls like that yet... although I did get an answering machine that belonged to some cult, and the machine message was a bitof a preach. I'm glad it was only a machine.

So thats the joys of job hunting and telemarketing.

Out of sling... at last!!

Today is a happy day. I finally made the six week mark and my physio has allowed me out of the sling, yah!

Anyways, I'm here hanging out at the library again. I tend to do that for a few hours each day, unemployed bums like me like to make use of free facilities. After my library session, I usually go to the internet cafe to do some word processing and submit my resume. Not that it works, no one has called me back yet... it seems like all my effort is going into a big black hole sometimes.

This week's hit list is all the major banks. Seems like there is some work there, not sure if any of it is for me though. Yesterday, I thought I'd amuse myself by applying for an air hostess role. I was so proud of the wonderful piece of creative writing that twists my short-lived customer service experience, and non-relevant consulting experience in what I thought was a quite convincing submission. How hilarious would it be if I got it. Then I really do get to travel around Canada for free! But in reality, I think I need to be a Canadian Citizen to get it.. ah well, the thought was good for amusement value anyways.

After two shifts, I decided to quit the telemarketing job I was at last week. It was a dodgey environment, and I was selling a tabloid.. which most of the peopel I rung thought was a bit of a joke. I have moved up in the world though, this weekend I am starting with The Globe & Mail... a much more respected newspaper. I actually went to two interviews and had to read a script to get this job. The other one put me on the phone without even giving me an interview!

I am still waiting for a call from Roots (cool Canadian clothing brand). I went shopping there last weekend and got chatted up by one of the sales girls (Matt W - Sorry, I went against your advice and spoke to strangers. But if it makes you feel better, I did what you asked for and mentioned you in my blogg =P ). Turns out she is from Sydney too... well Mount Druitt anyways... I told her to stop telling people she is from Sydney. She convinced me to hand in an application there, and we also went out with drinks the other night. We went from a really nice chillout loungy place to an underground bikie joint. Wasn't really out scene... plus the people we met there was weird... they kept pissing themselves over the concept of Working Holidays. What's so funny about that?? *confused*

On the way home, we found a quaint little doorway that had a dim alleyway behind it which nice fairlights and funky decor at the end. Having nothing to lose, we went in.. through the drapes and invited ourselves into really chic bar. A bit too chic actually... seemed very designer, and too immaculate to even touch... but we christened the place with our street clothes and had a glass of port each. Looks like a celebrity-type place.. they even had soft drapes around each individual dining table! It must have been really exclusive, coz we couldn't even find a sign or a name to the place. It was only when I was flipping through a design magazine that I found the name by chance - The Ultra Supper Club. Hmm.. don't think I will be going anytime soon.

Anyways, since there is nothing on the job boards, methinks I will go back to my apartment and sit next to the huge window with my book. I was there for an hour or two this morning, and since the window pane made the sun so strong, I was enjoying a nice sun tan in my shorts this morning. I miss the Sydney summer, but the weather here is looking promising though... we're slowly moving out of the negative degrees!

Getting Used to Rejections...

Why do people get annoyed when you give them a nice friendly call. Perhaps offer them a deal of a lifetime? I know everytime my phone rings, my first exclamation is "I feel loved!". Unfortunately, angry mothers who have had their kids woken up, pissey men who like to exert their power over the little disconnect lever on the phone, and little old women who enjoys making conversation with strangers who call to sell newspapers (the type that needs telemarketing coz no-one will buy it from the shelf) are the pleasant people that I have to deal with.

Job hunting as you can see is going slow... but then again, I have only been here for two weeks, so I guess I should be patient. So meanwhile, instead of twiddling my fingers, I am in the internet cafe by day looking for proper work, and at a call centre by night.. just for something to do and to pay off a fraction of my rent. Telemarketing really sucks, the boss is the big fat slobish type who barks at everyone and does nothing himself. His friend is just as unsightly as he is with the added greasy smile... he smiled at me from the office the other night. When I went into the ladies, someone had vomited in the sink... I guess I wasn't the only one he smiled at! Since I just found out that retail is better paid than what I'm getting in telemarketing (plus I have to travel to the suburbs... which is devastating for a central downtown chick... gone are the days of one hour drives from the hills to the city.. woohoo!)... so I am thinking of applying for that instead and working evenings and job hunt during the day. The places I am thinking of applying for seem like really cool places, so I am actually looking forward to it!

Speaking of retail.. my god, shopping here is so good... which is not so good for someone who is virtually unemployed! They're having their big sale here atm, and I must say this is a pretty trendy city! Everyone is very well dressed, and I have my eye on so many items already!!!

Toronto has worked out to be much better than I thought. My only incentive for coming here was the ease of finding work in a big city... but it's more then just that... it's arty, cultured, trendy and very happening. I really hoping I can find good work here because I want to be able to make the most of it all. I have been fortunate to know one or two people here and they have been great. The roll of Friday night drinks has started for me again, I didn't realise how much I had missed it!! Last Friday I went outwith Bill's collegues... they seem pretty similar to the type of people I call friends back home (you know I love you all!) so that was cool. I went to meet them at a bar called Biermarket... from how it is pronounced (beermarket) I was expecting some old pub with slabs of wood, not much class but a comfy atmosphere. I rocked up and it turned out to be a pretty classey establishment... infact, all the places I've been to here have a atmosphere and decor like the Establishment, or Arthouse in Sydney. Just the past Friday, I had a girls night out with a friend and 5 of her very wild friends... let's just say I was in awe and amazement... for the boys back home... I heard about your new years resolution... so good luck... but I must say, these chicks def have more balls!!! But I will def revisit this statement at the end of the year. So needless to say, I was taken on a rollercoaster ride of fun on Friday.

We went to this place called Schmooze which had a line-up from 5pm onwards. Not surprisingly so since all the drinks were $1.50 from 4pm - 9pm!!! Like before, this $1.50 sounds like a dingey back alley pub.. but after dealing with contacts and guestlists to get in, we were opened up to a swish bar where scenes from "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" was shot. Fancy that! Thats not my point though... the point is, this place won my most quirky toilet award. The washbasins were unsex... weird? Not really. But when you hit the ladies cubicles, you realise that all the teeth picking, vanity stroking and self-loving gazes that people have in the mirror during their hand washing moments is actually into a two way mirror, and some poor woman on the other side has to put up with it whilst she does her thing. Well actually, they are probably giggling like the girls in the next cubicles, making faces and rude gestures... or if they are lucky, staring into the eyes of some unsuspecting, but very good looking guy. Then when they are done with the procrastinating, they are faced with the challenge of doing their thing without feeling concious that someone is looking at your bare backside. So it works out that a visit to the toilet is just as entertaining as hanging out at the bar... and it adds to the bar conversation after!

I've also been to a few clubs since hitting Toronto, and they have been surprisingly fun! After a big night Friday, we went and hung out at a Jazz bar instead with Bill's cousin and a few of her friends which was fine by me... I had a good time just chilling.

Anyways, thats the update from Toronto for now

New photos posted - finally!
- Few albulms for Lake Louise (East)
- Trip to Panama (West), not much of the country though since it was more a wedding trip

The New Town Toronto

With the warm weather behind me, I brave the cold of Toronto, which isn't really that bad... except for the wind chills... they are brutal, but other than that, it isn't as wet as Vancouver, and although it isn't as white as Lake Louise... it does have these big flurries that float down.

My apartment was my main concern... after being cooped up in my room in Lake Louise so long, I was happy to see that the apartment was pretty well located (well a 20 min walk to different areas of the city), it was clean (phew!) and it had really good facilities which I am really excited about. I think I have put on some weight from be inactive for so long, so I'm definately looking forward to putting the gym, pool and sauna to good use!

The last few days have been busy buying food and equipping the apartment. My flatmate Bill got a bit excited about moving out and the first dinner we had was hand-made dumplings although I was quite happy with the frozen kind... at least this meant I got to eat my heart out! Did you know, that Torontonians buy their milk in bags?? Weird concept, but they have these pitcher things which they put the bags in to serve. The joys of grocery shopping!

Anyways, been busy with job applications etc I haven't really seen any of the city. I have only walked down the few main streets for internet, groceries and mall.... I figured finding work in my main priority and I will have plenty of time to explore later on. Last night I had a call from a friend I met at a wedding though.. it's good to know a party girl to show me the sites of the city. So last night we went for drinks in this pub that sits in a huge house in what looks like a residential area. We met a few of her Candian friends (finallly, not Aussies) and I tried a few Canadian beers.... (I'm trying to acquire a taste for beer.... it's getting there...)... all in all, it was a good first night out. A cruise of the city holds many promises for great places to go, so def looking forward to it!

Anyways, will post photos soon, I promise!!

Quick Panamanian Trip

Panama hadn't changed much since I was last there 14 years ago. Walking through the streets of Colon gave me an uneasy feeling... there were people asking you for money or "car minding fees" on the streets, and thats not the scary thing. It's when they tag you less than 2 metres away, follow you to the car and stare into your window while you sit there late at night waiting for the others that you get a little uneasy. Another time, I walked with my aunt down the road, literally 1 minute away and I was warned not to bring anything with me. With the image of my dad getting mugged 14 years ago on the same streets in broad daylight was enough for me to take heed on the advice.

There are parts of Panama that have developed into quite nice areas though. My Uncle took me to a place called the Causeway, near where the Miss Universe pagaent was held, and it was an endless pier, extending into the water with palm trees, cafes and people riding bikes. It definately had potential to make a very good tourist or upmarket dining desination.

But all in all, I was only in Panama for one thing - my cousin Wilson's wedding. It was a full day affair, with church service in the morning, a buffet reception until late afternoon, a tradional tea ceremony back at the house and then the good old chinese banquet at night. It was the best of both worlds in terms of western and chinese receptions... I'm not sure whether it was a good or a bad thing for my stomach though!!

Being the second wedding in the family, it was good to see all my cousins and relos again, especially since I didn't plan on seeing them so soon! But unfortunately, like all good things, it all passed so quickly that it was all over too soon... and we were at the airport again.

Because of all the sudden tight security in the States, transiting in Miami was a pain in the butt. We had to collect our luggage and check them in again and because our transit time was so tight, my cousin nearly missed her flight to LA. Amongst all the mess though, I got to go out of the gate and buy this cuban coffee that my couisn had me addicted to. Cafe Concha Leche (? or something to that effect).. it is yummo! And to go with that I found a place that made really good cuban sandwhiches also... I would give anything to have another one! Seems like a tradition, everytime I cut it really close to the board gate, it's always because of food! But hey, it was all worth it!

Never Say Never

Most people thought I was crazy to bus it back to Vancouver rather than fly... but hey, I got a free ride and it was the most scenic drive. Every corner we turned, there was another mountain looming ahead. Sometimes, we drive into a think dull mist where we can barely see 3 metres ahead of us, only to pop out the other end to see a blue sky and the sun shining so bright that the reflection off the snow was blinding. It made me miss driving alot! I have always enjoyed car rides, which was lucky, coz it definately made my 11 hour journey a lot more enjoyable. I also had a very wacky bus driver who was young, cool and always had a lot of information. it must be hard being on the road all the time, coz every town we passed, he would point out the best strip club there!

The long bus ride was def worth it when I met Ben and Rachel at the end. Although I arrived at 7pm and left at 4am the next morning, we had a good catch-up in their little studio and I was very well fed! Pity I couldn't stick around Vancouver longer, it would have been nice to chill out with friends in a faniliar surrounding.

The next night saw me hit the city of Miami - again! I swore never to return (being my 4th time here!), but I've learnt never to say never. I love this city, I love the sight of water and this place has plenty of it. I love catching up with my cousin and my new cousin law, but I've been here so many times and it is so far from everything! It was however my first taste of hot weather for a while and I thoroughly enjoyed flashing some skin after hiding under 5 layers of clothing for so long. Once again I arrived late and left early the next morning - just enough time for a good catch-up and a huge feed. Unlike the last time I flew out of Miami, I managed to make my flight!!

The Last of Lake Louise

The last week in Lake Louise seemed to have dragged on. It also happened to be the best riding conditions all season with 70cm of snowfall in one week! That meant I was constantly hearing flushed faced colleagues and customers rave on about how great a day they had and how it was the best conditions they've ever seen! *sigh* It was an appripriate way to end my stay in Lake Louise but annoying coz I couldn't take advantage of it.

Anyhow, I created my own excitement by deciding on impulse to go to Panama (central America, next to Costa Rica) for my cousin's wedding which was only a week away. It was all the more exciting coz it was such an impulsive decision, which is what I love about this trip.. the fact that there are no set plans and I have all the freedom in the world (within monetary constraints) to do or go wherever I want. And because I had so much to look forward to, my week didn't pass any faster.

Australia Day was good though. Back at home, I wouldn't have given it a second thought. We would have driven up the coast, bummed, ate and drank. But here we had a big bash... people dressed in the Aussie flag, necklaces made out of empty Vegemite bottles and VB served all round. We even had a Canadian vs Australian races, and a poor imitation of meat pie for lunch. Here in Lake Louise Canada, in the middle of winter with -30 degrees temperature, I had the biggest Australia Day ever!

Coz I had so little time left, I was determined to make the most out of my days off... so I traded sitting at home sulking, to going on a trek up Tunnel Mountain, a Mountain in Banff that gave an awesome view of the surrounding areas. The way up wasn't so bad, except that my fitness level was shocking. At the top was the expected 360 degree view. I had the town of Banff at my feet, and a section of the Rocky Mountain Range only a turn of a head away. The walk down was less enjoyable though, I focused on staying on my feet where most of it was slippery, and managed to shuffle down like an old lady.

My last day in Lake Louise was fuul of good-byes, photos and drinks. When asked whether I was sad to go, I had to lie a little. I am disappointed I didn't get to snowboard as much as planned, and I didn't get to do a lot of things like drive the Icefields Parkway up to Jasper (a very famous scenic drive), see the lakes when they were thawed, snowmobile, dog sled etc etc, but I wasn't sorry to leave work, or the people behind. Sure enough I had met some very different people and made a few really good friends, but at the end of the day, it reminded me too much of high school... and I really didn't feel it was me.

Having said that, I did have a lot of fun, and I'm really glad I came. There was a few less memorable moments, but hey, they made for good blog entries and a laugh after. As expected, my last night here was a rather drunken affair. The norm here is to get smashed on cheap grog before heading to the pub on the hills where you spend a good portion of your fresh paycheck. It was nothing like the Opera Bar.. I didn't have the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House in view... nor did I have 3 glasses of Champagne in my hand (a luxury here!)... but I did have a Kokanee (cheap Canadian beer) and was in a "I love everyone" mode, which was a nice end to my Rocky Mountain Adventure. I will definately come back to snowboard, and to see it in summer... but next time, I am going to come an live in the Chateau in luxury!