A Short Break

I took a quick glimspe of my most recent entries, and realised it's more like a weekly log of what I have done rather than travel thoughts and interesting incidents. I guess that is the way it is since I have settled down quite nicely here. Maybe once I start on the road again, I'll be able to write more descriptive reflective accounts. Sorry guys!

Speaking of going on the road again, I saw Ben and Rachel leave on Saturday... and it was sad... we've become really good friends because of this common adventure called Canada. When we were all in Vancouver, our stay in Canada seemed like it would be endless. But watching them pack their backpacks, confirm flights and hop on the airport shuttle made me realise how fast the time has gone, and soon I will be the one hopping on the shuttle!

Walking back to the apartment was weird... my living room seemed so empty without a messy array of suitcases and travel clothes. For once, I sat down without any plans for my Saturday night, and without having to worry about what to entertain my guests with. It was good since I felt my body needed a detoxing, drinking every night of the week can't at all be good, not to mentioned all the big and heavy meals weighing on my hips and belly... but bad because I really enjoyed having friends over. Anyways, I only have a few days before the next bunch comes, so the plan is to bum around with local friends and my roomate, eat plenty of veges and to hit the gym big time!!!

I broke my drinking pledge though... after swearing not to drink another drop until my next guests arrived, I ended up drinking a beer at The Distillery... this funky area a bit like The Rocks... the weather has been so good lately, I'm finally able to sit in the sun... my friend even got sunburnt!! I don't think I've had summer for over a year now, and that called for a celebration with a drink!

The Relationship between Wine and Flyscreen Doors

Unit 1509 Updates: Matt (aka Teoh) left for Montreal, Ben and Rachel came from Vancouver just in time to catch Sandhya before she made her way to Montreal also. So we're giving our sofa lounge a bit of a workout these days! Talk about an Aussie invasion of TO!

So the last week has been museums and art galleries, bars and clubs... and lots and lots of eating! Thank god we all share the belief that you haven't visited a place unless you have eaten your way around it. And ofcourse, if you do something, you should do it 100%!

Besides eating out and doing touristy things, we've also managed to bum around and enjoy the more local joys of meeting friends at bars and dinner parties (Ben makes a kick ass roast dinner!).

One night, a friend I met only a few times invited me and my whole gang to her place where we made dumplings galore! It was so much fun since everyone got their hands dirty.. but I must say, not many of us would be able to stand the sight of another dumpling or pork mince for a while. This girl lived in the most amazing apartment in central downtown, with an awesome rooftop patio where we lounged around welcoming the first balmy nights of summer. I left a really good impression with the new friends I made that night... nothing like walking into a flyscreen door for breaking ice I tell you... hmm... not sure whether it had anything to do with all the wine I was drinking...

Finales

Despite having visitors over, I made them all stay home and watch Friends with me. I have not been a faithful follower of the tv show in the last decade, but I've watched enough to have become a fan. I am sure we have all related to the show one way or another... the haircuts, the clothes, the enormous coffee cup craze, the relationship problems, the jokes... it was all part of the important years of growing up. And so it was sad to see it all end, but shocking to realise it's been 10 years since that first episode, which really only seemed like yesterday. It's not one of the best finales I've seen for a sitcom, it could be seen as a happy or not so happy ending, but I won't ruin it for the guys back home if it has not aired there yet. The tribute is pretty funny though, it goes through each of the characters over the decade... sorta motivates me to do the same for the goofy characters I call friends. But we all know that will never happen!

Speaking of finales, the Toronto Maple Leafs lost to the Philadelphia this week, which means the end of the season for us. Just when I was starting to show a bit of interest in it too. The Torontonians were so hyped up about the game... I was really hoping we would win and go on to the next round, only because it means more excuses for pub outings and bonding sessions with wings and beer.

Matt, Bill and I also went to watch a baseball game for.. get this $2! It was a Loonie Tuesday (Loonie meaning our $2 coin)... Matt really splurged on the night and bought a hotdog as well... woah, a whopping $4 for dinner and live game... which justified our leaving only halfway through the game... the guys didn't find it too exciting and I didn't find the players too goodlooking.

Latest addition to my rather cramped apartment is Sandhya, another IBMer who has packed up to venture overseas to try her luck at apartment, friend and job hunting. It's always good seeing friends from home whilst being overseas, and it gives me excuses for going out and partying... errr... showing guests around!!

Making Conversation

Don't you just hate it when you're on the streets and you see someone you know passing by, so you do the friendly thing and call out to them. Whether they are short on hearing, or they are pretending not to hear you (but we all know that could never be the case)... isn't it absolutely frustrating when they don't answer??? So you persist, because now you look stupid to the people around you and you wouldn't want that. So you call again, and then in final desperation, you run after them and hit them on the shoulder. That way, everyone around you doesn't think you're stupid (or so you hope).

And whats with those people who don't pull weight in a conversation? You know, the one word answers that kill the conversation... whether it is in the lack of communication skills or the fact they are hoping if they ignore you long enough, you'll go away. Anyways, Bill and I was bitching about it one sleepless night, and the next day, rather appropriately, we met the most helpful cab driver in the world...

Me: So I hear there are good resturants in Little Italy. Where would you recommend??
Cabbie: ...yeah...
Me: I mean, are there any good resturants there??
Cabbie: ... yeah...
Me: ... errr... so which ones?
Cabbie: ...oh... well... there is... (rarara... mumbles a few resturants.. didn't really understand a word he said)
Me: *rolls my eyes in silent frustration*

Five minutes later, determination hits again...
Me: So we're in Little Italy already. Where's the most happening part?
Cabbie: ... yeah...
Me: Is this the most happening part?
Cabbie: ... yeah...
Me: Is there more down there? *pointing ahead*
Cabbie: ... yeah...
Me: Is it good down there?
Cabbie: ... yeah...

*sigh* I rest my case

Sorta reminds me of this guy who was trying to pick me up at a bar one time. He kept asking me questions which I answered politely (...yeah... nah...), but I didn't make an effort to return questions. In the end the poor guy tapped me on the shoulder and said..
... "You don't really want to make conversation, do you?"
... *shrug* "I'm happy just sitting and chilling"
... *humph* "Well I'm going to find someone who does!"

I guess if you dish it, you gotta hack it!

My weekend was a bit of a blur really... we used Teoh as an excuse for a nice Chinese dinner.. lobsters.. hmm! Although a lot cheaper, I must say, they aren't as nice as Australian lobsters. Seafood here really doesn't compare! Afterwards we met up with some friends for quiet drinks at a bar whilst we watched hockey... hmm... quiet drinks led to club, club meant more drinks, and that meant me getting acquainted with my toilet bowl numerous times during the night. We tried to recall the number of rounds everyone bought... even now it's still a mystery. I was so wasted that I only started to sober up the next afternoon.

Despite our grogginess, we did manage to make our way to Niagra Falls... the falls just doesn't seem as big and as magnificent this time round... but I guess it is a must-see for any tourist. I wasn't so lucky at the casino this time, my $5 went in less than 5 minutes at the slot machines.

Unfortunately, the weather didn't hold up all weekend, and by Sunday, it was cold and pouring with rain. Teoh and I just walked around the lakefront and some funky dowtown hotspots, then lounged around in a coffee shop. We also went to have lunch in this place called Marche... it is a really cool European style Brasserie... now I think about it, it's designed like a market place where you have a card that gets stamped when you get food from the various outlets. Everything is made fresh... you see pasta being churned from the machines, pastries taken straight out of the ovens, and various dishes and cuisines cooked as you wait. It is unlike anything I have ever seen. The decor was really cool as well, very piazza like even though it is all indoors. The waiters are even dressed in little vests and straw hats and water is self-serve from a wall fountain. And course, there was a little European peasant girl in the toilets (sorry.. "washrooms" as the Canadians say) that squeezes soap and hands out paper towels. Unfortunately for her, I didn't have my wallet with me to tip, so all the girl got was a big smile and thanks from me. Teoh and I was roaming around for ages before we could decide what to eat... and somehow my legs always took me back to the dessert section... hmm!

Future visitors - must remind me to take you there!

A Good Week

I've had a really good week this week. I've had 6 different jobs since coming to Canada, and they have been the worse jobs in my life. This job now is definately the best since hitting this country. The hours are strictly 9-5, and the people are so relaxed and nice. The only bad thing is that I am in a small office and there is constantly chocolates, cookies, muffins laying around... and my body isn't thanking me for it. On the other hand, Bill and I have been going to the gym... we're trying to motivate each other, which worked 2 days in a row. We'll see how long we'll keep it up! I'm in search of a social dragon boating team to row with (err... for the exercise, not the guys!), but they all seem to be really hard-core here!

Yesterday I was walking down a major road after work, and I could not walk in a straight line coz the wind was so strong. So here I was struggling like an idiot by myself, and it occurred to me how stupid I would look from a car or across the road. So with this thought in mind, I was also laughing hysterically, whilst trying to keep my balance and my clothes. People must have thought I was a mad woman!

My friend Teoh just arrive last night... a friend from Sydney who also worked on the ski fields near me. He's finished up there season in The Rockies and is touring before hitting home. It was funny to see him still with the goggle tan, and carrying all his ski gear. The snow seemed so long ago to me, when in fact it was only 3 months ago. I left Sydney 6 months ago!!

I'm starting to orgainse my travel plans in Canada and for flights back home. It's sad, because I am really starting to enjoy myself over here. Although I miss everyone in Sydney, I don't think I am ready to come home yet. Maybe coz I've just starting leading a normal work and play life here, I'm starting to make some good friends, and there is so much to see and do still... or maybe I'm just scared that I have to come home and face reality, make plans, job hunt, etc etc. Then I really have to decide what to do with my life... first work out my priorities!

Anyways, it's the weekend.. yah! And I don't have to work.. yah! Prob hang out with Teoh and do some touristy stuff... I am going to take him for a decent chinese meal... the poor guy who has been stuck with Banff food for 6 months!

Meeting Nice Guys

Someone deep... someone thoughtful... someone caring... someone who is always happy... and someone who makes you laugh.

Yep, they are hard to come by, but I met the Dalai Lama yesterday, so there is hope out there... nice guys do exist... pity the only one I come across happens to be a monk! =(

Anyways, we lined up in the rain for quite some time so we can pile into the SkyDome to squint at the little man on the stage. I must admit, his english although really good, wasn't fluent enough to hold my attention for the whole time... but I was still amazed at how witty and approacheable he was, and he promoted equality... like he was just one of us.

Was just thinking... I saw The Pope this time last year, and now the Dalai Lama... how good is that???

Anyways, good news today, after walking out of my last attempt at a day job, I was bumming on Friday, only to receive a call from my Temping Agency... and early this morning I started a new job with an Insurance Company. Not exactly brain draining work, mostly balancing accounts and claims... but hey, anything is better than telemarketing! So yeah, I have a life back... I can have dinner with my roomate now... infact we're planning to go for a run tonight. I have my Saturdays back... and I can party without stressing too much about spending! Yah!

Did heaps on the weekend, met some new people at drinks on Friday, had this scrumptious steak dinner (mouth still watering at the thought) and watched Kill Bill 2. My arms is also very sore from hitting half a bucket of golf balls at the range in the rain!!

Oh yeah... Hockey finals are coming up and the play-offs happened last week... such a close round for Toronto against Ottawa.. anyways, the point is, we won on Tuesday night and the town went absolutely crazy!!! Cars were going up and down Yonge Street (Equivalent to Sydney's George Street) and people were hanging out of cars high fiving every stranger on the street. People were all dressed up.. or dressed down when referring to the chicks hanging out of convertibles in nothing but their bras... and that fat asian dude that was walking up the middle of the road... no-one bothered to tell him that wearing nothing but a blue g-string was not really that becoming. Anyhow, since I just walked out of work at 10:30pm at night, I missed out on the game and the good cheer... but just the short walk down the street back home made me feel all the passion Canadians hold for their hockey teams... I'm hoping the Maple Leafs stay in the comp, just so I can go crazy next time they win!!

And no, I'm not going to hang out of a car in a bra... unless someone buys me a convertable, I'll prob consider it then.

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.