So back to Calgary. Got here yesterday, actually I had company for the drive again. I drove here with the son of someone mom knows. A 7 year old boy. I don't know if you have ever ridden with a 7 year old boy before, but it definitely makes for some rather entertaining moments.
Got into town, checked in to the hotel, dropped off my suitcases(I can already tell you that I wouldn't last long with this roommate. But thats ok, because tomorrow I get my own room), and off to work. I was scheduled 2-10, offered to stay until 12 so to get my 10 hours, and ended up clocked in till 2. After that I sat around there till about 3 30 or so and ended up at work for a rather long time.
Shift went ok though. I got to serve for a bit, got offered a spot on the staff again, numerous times, I found a few more huggers which is awesome in my world, and I think befriended a few of the staff. Like not just as, hey I am here for a week and need to pass some time by talking to people, I actually feel like perhaps there could be a chance that I could transfer to Calgary. Its not so bad (don't worry. I am anti-flames until the day I die, despite the best efforts of staff and customers here).
My problem right now? My cell phone. That stupid little thing that I live by. It is my watch, my alarm, and my only connection out of this place as I don't know any phone numbers without it! Yesterday, I was returning a phone call, heard him answer the phone and that was it. It froze and cut me off. So I take out the battery, return it to its spot, and try turning it on. Well the stupid machine that runs my life with such glee didn't even get past the first screen. It just sat there frozen, staring and me and daring me to fix it. Well I have tried to fix it, and I got nothing! I can not, turn on, my phone. This means no texts. No phone calls. No alarm clock. No watch. No pictures. NOTHING!
So I get up early and go to the Telus Store in South Center mall. (Early isn't saying much, early for me since I got home after 330). They imform me that they can't help me but maybe the other Telus Store in the mall can, so I go there. Well they told me that while they can send it away, it would cost a significant amount of money and could take up to a month to get it fixed. And, because I bought it at Radio Shack(No, not The Source, Radio Shack. Yes, I realize the Source bought out Radio Shack last year, but when I was buying my phone, Radio Shack was attempting to make a comeback. Since then, they have folded and from what I understand will not be returning.) because I bought it at Radio Shack, it would cost even more money to send it away. Off I go to find Radio Shack, ended up at The Source(which is where I discovered that the attempted comeback failed). Now the Source is no help to me because it doesn't deal with Telus, but, the third time is a charm and at least this guy got me a phone number to call Telus and try get help.
Call Telus from the hotel room. Go through the Channels and eventually get someone on the other line. She was friendly. That I admit freely, but beyond that, it was useless. She imformed me that I have to send it out for repairs via a cell store, listed a couple addressed and then I reimformed her I was in Calgary for the week which is my first problem. So she starts listing phone stores. I get a couple numbers of ones I think I can find, call them and discover that, go figure, as they are Calgary based stores, they can't get the phone back to Edmonton when it is fixed. Well, I don't know about you, but the thought of driving all the way here just to pick up my phone when it is fixed seems like a terrible idea!
So I now sit here, without a cell phone, for the first time in two years! For this week I need it, I live by text messaging while I am here, and now I don't even have that...
So my last 24 hours has been entertaining. I hate cell phones. And it is going to be the longest week of my life!
But how are you doing?
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Calgary part 3(sort of)
It is sort of because I am in Edmonton right now, but I still label it as such because I am not yet finished in Calgary.
Yes. I am home! It is an amazing but strange feeling to be sitting at my computer with a keyboard that actually works. We got into town at like 830 this morning and it was pretty sweet that I still had the whole day ahead of me. Its nice driving as the sun rises.
Met with my Aunt and Uncle, went over to their house for juice and cake. It was really good to see them again to. It has been a while and it was a lovely visit. The last couple of shifts have been uneventful to say the least. I helped cook last night! I made burgers, on my own, and I helped the cook make some breakfasts. I didn't know what was going on but there was not a single complaint so we did something right!
Just got home from a night of dancing at Ezzies with Cheryl and some guy friends. I really do love going dancing, and it looks as if the rest of my three day visit to home is pretty full already too. Name that Tune on Thursday and a few ideas for Wednesday. Gonna be a good trip!
Had my last ballroom dancing class tonight. The last class is actually next week but since I will be out of town I will miss it and that makes tonight it. I absolutely loved the class, you should all check out the U of A Dance Club, it is so much fun!(Right Kev? Marty? Cheryl?)
And finally I printed off a bunch of prices for Hati. Going to meet mom tomorrow for lunch and discuss when I am going and how it is going to be paid for. Between that, visiting work, and getting tax stuff in order, my day looks to be full already. I can't wait for Hati. Have I mentioned that?
Hope all is well with you all. Take care and stay out of trouble!
Yes. I am home! It is an amazing but strange feeling to be sitting at my computer with a keyboard that actually works. We got into town at like 830 this morning and it was pretty sweet that I still had the whole day ahead of me. Its nice driving as the sun rises.
Met with my Aunt and Uncle, went over to their house for juice and cake. It was really good to see them again to. It has been a while and it was a lovely visit. The last couple of shifts have been uneventful to say the least. I helped cook last night! I made burgers, on my own, and I helped the cook make some breakfasts. I didn't know what was going on but there was not a single complaint so we did something right!
Just got home from a night of dancing at Ezzies with Cheryl and some guy friends. I really do love going dancing, and it looks as if the rest of my three day visit to home is pretty full already too. Name that Tune on Thursday and a few ideas for Wednesday. Gonna be a good trip!
Had my last ballroom dancing class tonight. The last class is actually next week but since I will be out of town I will miss it and that makes tonight it. I absolutely loved the class, you should all check out the U of A Dance Club, it is so much fun!(Right Kev? Marty? Cheryl?)
And finally I printed off a bunch of prices for Hati. Going to meet mom tomorrow for lunch and discuss when I am going and how it is going to be paid for. Between that, visiting work, and getting tax stuff in order, my day looks to be full already. I can't wait for Hati. Have I mentioned that?
Hope all is well with you all. Take care and stay out of trouble!
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Calgary part 2
Ok. So I only have a moment. It it 6 30 in the morning and I am just waiting for my laundry to finish and figured why not take a moment to update.
Things here are going pretty well. I just finished a week of more than 70 hours. Maybe a small number to some of you but for me that is alot. I have been working every day since last week monday(Which made the shift I just finished day 13) and if you take out my day of drive time on that Sunday, I worked the sat before and 4 other shifts that week. So in the last 3 weeks I am at 18/20 days of work. Good times.
I am settling in as a server trainer, it is still strange that I don't get to serve tables, but I kind of like that I have time to do more PR work. And when it gets busy they do give me a section. Makes for a good mix of things. The staff here is awesome, Its only been a couple of weeks but I am definitely going to miss alot of them and part of me almost wants to just stay here in Calgary, make my mark and all of that, but then I think to myself, "do I really want to be a Calgarian?" and the answer is obvious.
Tonight was one of my most nerve racking nights ever! Our graveyard manager(which is the shift I have sort of been working-6pm-4am) needed the night off, so it fell upon me to watch the floor, to manage the floor. I wore the vest and had the managers card and did so many comps, reversals, and walkouts that I am pretty sure they will never let me manage again. But at the same time, I calmed some angry guests and almost everyone left relatively happy, so it could have been alot worse.
Actually did some socializing this week. Nice change. Not alot, but hung out with a buddy(Hi Wiggles), saw my cousin, switched rooms into a KING SIZE BED in a suite with a 19 year old(rather than 45 in a double room), went shopping, and tomorrow(today) is lunch/breakfast with my aunt and uncle. Yay fun!
Going home for a few days this week and I can't wait! But I think I am looking forward to my return too. Weird. . .
Things here are going pretty well. I just finished a week of more than 70 hours. Maybe a small number to some of you but for me that is alot. I have been working every day since last week monday(Which made the shift I just finished day 13) and if you take out my day of drive time on that Sunday, I worked the sat before and 4 other shifts that week. So in the last 3 weeks I am at 18/20 days of work. Good times.
I am settling in as a server trainer, it is still strange that I don't get to serve tables, but I kind of like that I have time to do more PR work. And when it gets busy they do give me a section. Makes for a good mix of things. The staff here is awesome, Its only been a couple of weeks but I am definitely going to miss alot of them and part of me almost wants to just stay here in Calgary, make my mark and all of that, but then I think to myself, "do I really want to be a Calgarian?" and the answer is obvious.
Tonight was one of my most nerve racking nights ever! Our graveyard manager(which is the shift I have sort of been working-6pm-4am) needed the night off, so it fell upon me to watch the floor, to manage the floor. I wore the vest and had the managers card and did so many comps, reversals, and walkouts that I am pretty sure they will never let me manage again. But at the same time, I calmed some angry guests and almost everyone left relatively happy, so it could have been alot worse.
Actually did some socializing this week. Nice change. Not alot, but hung out with a buddy(Hi Wiggles), saw my cousin, switched rooms into a KING SIZE BED in a suite with a 19 year old(rather than 45 in a double room), went shopping, and tomorrow(today) is lunch/breakfast with my aunt and uncle. Yay fun!
Going home for a few days this week and I can't wait! But I think I am looking forward to my return too. Weird. . .
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Calgary Part One
So. I am living in Calgary... sounds like a bad joke huh? He he...
Seriously though. I am in Calgary. My new home for at least the next couple weeks. I say at least because my DGM(District General Manager) has already mentioned the possibility of having me stay for a week or two beyond the original plan. But nothing there is finalized yet so we will see how it goes.
Thus far things have been nothing what I expected but everythin I have expected. I am the youngest of the trainers and this is made blatently obvious when they all begin to talk about their children, many of whom are older than me(the children) and grandchildren. It is times like those that I get quiet and sit back, because really what can I add to a conversation about my kids. Well, they are trouble makers and they are noisy, but they understand when its quiet time... doesn't work when I havn't got any! Quite frustrating at times. I've really got nothing in common with many of them. But we are getting along just fine.
As for at work. I am not postive as to why I am here yet. I am the gopher. If something small and random needs to be done, I do it. Mostly because I walk around asking for small random things to do. I am here technically as a buffet runner traininer, but since the restaurant hasn't even opened yet, we only need one trainer and the other lady is good. She knows all this stuff and I can't even pretend to know it, and both of us can only take so much of me shadowing her(within 3 feet so I can watch and learn).I can't jump in with the servers because they are so on SPEC (the corporate, 'proper' way of doing things) that I am embarrased. I don't know my spec so well, compared to the server trainers I don't know it at all. And do my jobs have been laminatior, name tag maker, finder of the label maker, price putter upper... you get the point.
Tomorrow I get to work with a waitress. She is brand new, missed alot of the training and is struggling with the training style of the other ladies so they asked me to try tomorrow, see if my style and personality make a difference in helping. I am just excited that I get to do something that I mostly know how to do! Sweet!
Tomorrow night is my uncles memorial. I spent Sunday night at the house and it was strange to not have him there. I have only been there once before(new place for them) but still it was odd to have their family without him. But it is for the better, now he can rest in peace, and the family can begin to move on and heal from his battle.
So I suppose I finish with what little hope I have left to not be bored out of my mind tomorrow at work
and
I leave with the memories that I have with the husband on my mothers best friend, my 'uncle' paul. I Would not be where I am right now without him and his understanding and listening, and helping me to realize that the year off right after Grad was right for me. I'll remember the time he actually stood there and counted out 300 chocolate chips for my cookies because I jokingly told him the number made a difference. I'll look back and laugh at the image of him and my aunt, along with my parents, drinking their wine, killing themselves laughing, and setting the fire alarm off time after time as they tried to cook lobster. I'll sit and treasure my last visit with him, not only the oppertunity to say goodbye in person, but the night where I stood in front of him singing as he used the strength he had to help my pick an audition song. Thank you Uncle Paul, for everything. I love you, and I will see you again someday. Rest in Peace.
Seriously though. I am in Calgary. My new home for at least the next couple weeks. I say at least because my DGM(District General Manager) has already mentioned the possibility of having me stay for a week or two beyond the original plan. But nothing there is finalized yet so we will see how it goes.
Thus far things have been nothing what I expected but everythin I have expected. I am the youngest of the trainers and this is made blatently obvious when they all begin to talk about their children, many of whom are older than me(the children) and grandchildren. It is times like those that I get quiet and sit back, because really what can I add to a conversation about my kids. Well, they are trouble makers and they are noisy, but they understand when its quiet time... doesn't work when I havn't got any! Quite frustrating at times. I've really got nothing in common with many of them. But we are getting along just fine.
As for at work. I am not postive as to why I am here yet. I am the gopher. If something small and random needs to be done, I do it. Mostly because I walk around asking for small random things to do. I am here technically as a buffet runner traininer, but since the restaurant hasn't even opened yet, we only need one trainer and the other lady is good. She knows all this stuff and I can't even pretend to know it, and both of us can only take so much of me shadowing her(within 3 feet so I can watch and learn).I can't jump in with the servers because they are so on SPEC (the corporate, 'proper' way of doing things) that I am embarrased. I don't know my spec so well, compared to the server trainers I don't know it at all. And do my jobs have been laminatior, name tag maker, finder of the label maker, price putter upper... you get the point.
Tomorrow I get to work with a waitress. She is brand new, missed alot of the training and is struggling with the training style of the other ladies so they asked me to try tomorrow, see if my style and personality make a difference in helping. I am just excited that I get to do something that I mostly know how to do! Sweet!
Tomorrow night is my uncles memorial. I spent Sunday night at the house and it was strange to not have him there. I have only been there once before(new place for them) but still it was odd to have their family without him. But it is for the better, now he can rest in peace, and the family can begin to move on and heal from his battle.
So I suppose I finish with what little hope I have left to not be bored out of my mind tomorrow at work
and
I leave with the memories that I have with the husband on my mothers best friend, my 'uncle' paul. I Would not be where I am right now without him and his understanding and listening, and helping me to realize that the year off right after Grad was right for me. I'll remember the time he actually stood there and counted out 300 chocolate chips for my cookies because I jokingly told him the number made a difference. I'll look back and laugh at the image of him and my aunt, along with my parents, drinking their wine, killing themselves laughing, and setting the fire alarm off time after time as they tried to cook lobster. I'll sit and treasure my last visit with him, not only the oppertunity to say goodbye in person, but the night where I stood in front of him singing as he used the strength he had to help my pick an audition song. Thank you Uncle Paul, for everything. I love you, and I will see you again someday. Rest in Peace.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Life as we know it
warning: long post
Apparently my curiousity over whether I posted out of habit or as a procrastination methos has been proven. I don't post near as often and have therefore decided that last semester, my obsession with blogging was simply a means of putting of homework. Just thought I would share that...
I mentioned that I had become a certified trainer at work. I mentioned that means that I will be going to Calgary this month to help open. Did I mention that I am going on Sunday. In 2 days! Less! I still can't believe it! And apparently I am not training servers like I orignially thought, but buffet runners(those people who keep the food filled on the buffet). This is cool no problem except I had never even been trained on it, so I have spent the better part of this week being trained in basic buffet cooking and running. No problem, its actually kind of neat, after a year and eight months to learn some of the behind the scences stuff, except for that means I have spent a large portion of the week standing at a stainless steel counter, cutting stuff, putting it in pans, covering it with syran wrap, and putting on the rack. Then I would break something up, put it into pans, cover it with syran wrap, and put it on the rack. Then I would rinse something, put it into pans, cover it with syran wrap, and put it on the rack. Then I would... I think you get the point. The kitchen staff is nice enough, but they are also significantly older than me in most cases, and there is no music in the back. So I stand there, prepping, panning, covering, and placing, alone, in near quiet, with no people... For a day or two, no problem! For three? BORDEM! I am serving tomorrow and can't wait to see people. "Lonely" will no longer be my theme song.
Anyways, so Calgary will be pretty intense. 10 hour shifts, 14 days straight. I am nervous because I am going to be at least half the age of all of the other trainers, and that means I will walk in facing challenges that some of them wont face, but for the most part I am simply excited. I think this will help me to find out if I want to stick with this job for a while yet or not.
In other news, I am starting to figure things out with my life. Surprised? Cause you should be. I am shocked thats for sure. On the 1st I actually went online to apply for UBC Okanogan, but unfortunately I discovered their application dead line was Feb 28. Go figure right? But, there is always next year. What I have applied for is to volunteer. I sent in my application on Saturday(the 3rd) and got my response on Tuesday(the 6th). I have been approved to spend 6 weeks volunteering at an Orphanage in Hati. No joke. I will be assigned 8 babies, and my job is to spend an hour a day/5days a week, with each one of them. That is my job! I am super stoked and really can't wait! I can't even explain how excited I am, so to try and compare it, think about something that you have always really, really, really, wanted to do, but never believed it would actually happen. Find a company that offers it completely unexpectedly, apply within less than a week of finding this company, and get accepted within 10 days of discovering it exists. And so now, maybe you understand my excitement.
Unfortunately I now have some sad news. I have posted before about my Uncle who has been fighting brain cancer for the last two years. To recap, he was diagnosed a couple of years ago, went through treatments and came out of it fairly well. He went to check ups each month and was cleared for a while until finally they told him he was good to go for six months. Well in November, he started acting funny(this is around the time of Nov 20 post, When it rains, it Pours) and went in for a scan. They found 6 actively growing tumors and could do nothing to help him. It was a long 4 months of slowly failing health, until a couple weeks ago he had a really serious stroke and the doctors said he wouldn't make it through the weekend. Well he did, and a couple weeks longer, but he passed away yesterday evening. He went really peacefully and didn't have alot of pain considering, and the family is focusing on celebrating his life, rather than mourning this unavoidable event. They had two years to fill with memories and get in their goodbyes and he is in a better place now. That sounds so trivial.
I guess I post this just to remind everyone to enjoy the time they have and to really apperciate the ones they love. Make time for those that matter because someday, a day will come when you might regret not doing so. So cliche I know but I mean it.
Just to end on a happy note, I met 4 different friends, whom I havn't seen in a while, for coffee this week and truly enjoyed each visit. I love meeting up with old friends and catching up. Really need to do it more often. So thanks, Jessica, Lori, Lindsey, and Amy, for making the time to meet up with me. It was fun.
Off to Calgary I go!
Apparently my curiousity over whether I posted out of habit or as a procrastination methos has been proven. I don't post near as often and have therefore decided that last semester, my obsession with blogging was simply a means of putting of homework. Just thought I would share that...
I mentioned that I had become a certified trainer at work. I mentioned that means that I will be going to Calgary this month to help open. Did I mention that I am going on Sunday. In 2 days! Less! I still can't believe it! And apparently I am not training servers like I orignially thought, but buffet runners(those people who keep the food filled on the buffet). This is cool no problem except I had never even been trained on it, so I have spent the better part of this week being trained in basic buffet cooking and running. No problem, its actually kind of neat, after a year and eight months to learn some of the behind the scences stuff, except for that means I have spent a large portion of the week standing at a stainless steel counter, cutting stuff, putting it in pans, covering it with syran wrap, and putting on the rack. Then I would break something up, put it into pans, cover it with syran wrap, and put it on the rack. Then I would rinse something, put it into pans, cover it with syran wrap, and put it on the rack. Then I would... I think you get the point. The kitchen staff is nice enough, but they are also significantly older than me in most cases, and there is no music in the back. So I stand there, prepping, panning, covering, and placing, alone, in near quiet, with no people... For a day or two, no problem! For three? BORDEM! I am serving tomorrow and can't wait to see people. "Lonely" will no longer be my theme song.
Anyways, so Calgary will be pretty intense. 10 hour shifts, 14 days straight. I am nervous because I am going to be at least half the age of all of the other trainers, and that means I will walk in facing challenges that some of them wont face, but for the most part I am simply excited. I think this will help me to find out if I want to stick with this job for a while yet or not.
In other news, I am starting to figure things out with my life. Surprised? Cause you should be. I am shocked thats for sure. On the 1st I actually went online to apply for UBC Okanogan, but unfortunately I discovered their application dead line was Feb 28. Go figure right? But, there is always next year. What I have applied for is to volunteer. I sent in my application on Saturday(the 3rd) and got my response on Tuesday(the 6th). I have been approved to spend 6 weeks volunteering at an Orphanage in Hati. No joke. I will be assigned 8 babies, and my job is to spend an hour a day/5days a week, with each one of them. That is my job! I am super stoked and really can't wait! I can't even explain how excited I am, so to try and compare it, think about something that you have always really, really, really, wanted to do, but never believed it would actually happen. Find a company that offers it completely unexpectedly, apply within less than a week of finding this company, and get accepted within 10 days of discovering it exists. And so now, maybe you understand my excitement.
Unfortunately I now have some sad news. I have posted before about my Uncle who has been fighting brain cancer for the last two years. To recap, he was diagnosed a couple of years ago, went through treatments and came out of it fairly well. He went to check ups each month and was cleared for a while until finally they told him he was good to go for six months. Well in November, he started acting funny(this is around the time of Nov 20 post, When it rains, it Pours) and went in for a scan. They found 6 actively growing tumors and could do nothing to help him. It was a long 4 months of slowly failing health, until a couple weeks ago he had a really serious stroke and the doctors said he wouldn't make it through the weekend. Well he did, and a couple weeks longer, but he passed away yesterday evening. He went really peacefully and didn't have alot of pain considering, and the family is focusing on celebrating his life, rather than mourning this unavoidable event. They had two years to fill with memories and get in their goodbyes and he is in a better place now. That sounds so trivial.
I guess I post this just to remind everyone to enjoy the time they have and to really apperciate the ones they love. Make time for those that matter because someday, a day will come when you might regret not doing so. So cliche I know but I mean it.
Just to end on a happy note, I met 4 different friends, whom I havn't seen in a while, for coffee this week and truly enjoyed each visit. I love meeting up with old friends and catching up. Really need to do it more often. So thanks, Jessica, Lori, Lindsey, and Amy, for making the time to meet up with me. It was fun.
Off to Calgary I go!
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