Wow...what a busy past few weeks! Holidays (complete with 3 get togethers of friends!) and now...back to the busy-ness of band, underwater hockey, work, getting the immigration stuff more in order, and....finding a new roommate. :(
Pat has decided to move on. He's moving quite some distance. To another part of Canada. It's been an odd feeling. We've settled into a kind of routine life together here, and to have that be going away...is odd. But at the same time, I think it's probably for the best overall. The new housemate moves in this weekend while Pat moves out. It's another guy, who I think I'll call...Paul. We'll see how things go, but at least the bills can get paid and he likes my dog. :)
On a far, far happier note....UWH! Wow! Each time I get in the pool I feel better about what I'm doing. Two weeks ago we had two new players, both of whom will be back! And one is female! :) We also had local radio and TV crews in and they will be doing short stories about us! Good publicity all around. We're pretty pumped up about it all. Last week...we had 7 people in the pool...played an actual scrimage game! Lots of fun!!!!
I bought a mask and snorkel a couple of weeks ago. :) I feel more and more a part of this sport all the time.
Work continues to go well...I'm heading back to the first house I was in come February. Which starts me back on a rotation thru all the houses (new order and different numbers of months at each house, but still...I'll have been to them all now.)
Went to talk to immigration (the local provincial folks) today. As soon as I get all the paperwork finished and in they think it will take about 2-3 months to process. :) So I maybe a permenant resident by summer.
The weather here...has been snowy! And now it's getting cold. I have to get a cord for my block heater. I got one installed last week so as the weather gets colder, hopefully the car will be happier about starting!
Me...I'm happier than I've been in years. :)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Events of the last few weeks
So I started the month working overnights. And at a house where residents go to bed by 9pm...leaving me alone in the house from 9pm till 7am. Nightly cleaning takes maybe 2 hours...if you go really slowly. Which leaves 8 hrs to sit, watch tv, drink coffee, and stay awake. I was really bored. And starting that again next week. UGH.
Last week and this week...I'm working days. Including Christmas day and Boxing Day (not that that seems like a holiday to me...but it is a paid holiday here in Canada.)
I had a root canal done about 2 weeks ago now. The need for it came on suddenly, just like the other times. :( But thankfully I found a good dentist here, thanks to a co-workers reccomendation. And my dental insurance covered 80%. :) Even better. I did have to pay up front. But got my check back fairly quickly. (would have been quicker if my workplace had told the insurance company I'd moved!) Oh well. I'll have to remind them. Again. :(
My involvement in underwater hockey has been fun. We had more new people out last week, so it was quite fun. Hopefully by this time next month...we'll have enough people for a scrimage at the end of the sessions!
Last week and this week...I'm working days. Including Christmas day and Boxing Day (not that that seems like a holiday to me...but it is a paid holiday here in Canada.)
I had a root canal done about 2 weeks ago now. The need for it came on suddenly, just like the other times. :( But thankfully I found a good dentist here, thanks to a co-workers reccomendation. And my dental insurance covered 80%. :) Even better. I did have to pay up front. But got my check back fairly quickly. (would have been quicker if my workplace had told the insurance company I'd moved!) Oh well. I'll have to remind them. Again. :(
My involvement in underwater hockey has been fun. We had more new people out last week, so it was quite fun. Hopefully by this time next month...we'll have enough people for a scrimage at the end of the sessions!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Less Ugh...More Ahhh
So the Dr visit on Monday was...interesting and helpful. Interesting in that I got to see again the differences in the Canadian vs. US medical systems firsthand. Helpful in that I got a possible resolution to my problem with the assurance of other options of this one doesn't work. :) The interesting part is that routine Gynacology (pap smears, exams, etc) are done by GPs/Family practice/primary care doctors. So with that in mind...my next full physical...will be a full physical. Everything including gynacology. (Although pap tests are suggested at 2 years at my age/lack of family history instead of every year--the comment Dr. K made when I said it had been 14 months and I needed a new test was "American health care...they just want the money!" Which seems to be the common perception here in Canada. But since nothing has really changed for me...other than a fairly normal (for me) increase in pain levels during my period, no test until my next physical. The cramps have always kind of come and gone, gotten better or worse. And now..it's becoming worse. So as I discussed this with Dr. K., he came up with several possibilities to ending my pain. Some seemed better, some worse. We're starting with a stronger NSAID than the advil I've been using. If this isn't better (or the side effects are too much) we'll try something else.
Until then, I have several things (OK...maybe more than several...like several dozen!) to do.
I have a band concert on Sunday. It's our Christmas concert and I think Pat and a couple of other friends will be coming out to watch. :)
UWH (underwater hockey) is really starting to gear up. I'm the primary organizer (which is funny as until this week...I've never been in snorkeling gear for more than 15 or 20 minutes at a time!) And this week...I was in the pool, in full gear and doing drills(!) for more than a hour. Wow...tiring, but satisfying too. Rob (the coach here in my hometown) and James (the organizer in the next town over) were there to give me my first lesson. Two experienced players to one newbie hardly seemed fair, but that's just how it went. Hopefully...the next time we try this it will go better. And have more people!
Better get to my stuff...still have some cleaning to do, as well as decorating a tree, a house and baking...Wow...I've got a busy day ahead!
Until then, I have several things (OK...maybe more than several...like several dozen!) to do.
I have a band concert on Sunday. It's our Christmas concert and I think Pat and a couple of other friends will be coming out to watch. :)
UWH (underwater hockey) is really starting to gear up. I'm the primary organizer (which is funny as until this week...I've never been in snorkeling gear for more than 15 or 20 minutes at a time!) And this week...I was in the pool, in full gear and doing drills(!) for more than a hour. Wow...tiring, but satisfying too. Rob (the coach here in my hometown) and James (the organizer in the next town over) were there to give me my first lesson. Two experienced players to one newbie hardly seemed fair, but that's just how it went. Hopefully...the next time we try this it will go better. And have more people!
Better get to my stuff...still have some cleaning to do, as well as decorating a tree, a house and baking...Wow...I've got a busy day ahead!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
UGH!!!!!!
So a few days ago, I came home from work, tired, feeling a bit under the weather and planning on a nice evening at home, catching up on some email and relaxing, playing a bit on the computer. But the computer had other ideas. :( First, the screen went, well, wonkey. The bottom 1/2 looked like a channel is off pattern from the TV, the top 1/2 looked like TV snow. :(
I turned the computer off, waited a few minutes and turned it back on. Or tried to. It wouldn't start. My computer is (was) a Compaq laptop. It was only 16 months old. I bought it at Best Buy. Took it there. Yeah...$90 +tax to look at it ( with 10% taxes...about $100). Best guess...needs a new motherboard. Cost--$450 for the part and $150 to install (that's on top of the $100 diagnostic charge). Total---$700. Promise this won't happen again in a few months? None. Ugh.
So I looked around, shopped around....and still spent $700! But I have a brand new shiny laptop. With a larger screen. More RAM and ROM. And a 3 year, it's all covered warrenty (including battery, power cord, everything!). So this shouldn't happen to me again anytime soon. Oddly enough...it's from Staples. Much better deal and much better service agreement. Cheaper service agreement too.
Service contract good worldwide, anyplace I can find a Staples store. They'll even keep track of my service agreement for me so if I lose the receipt or it fades...I'm still covered. :)
A few other UGHS! while I'm on a roll....
I have to take my car back to the states sometime in the next few months. It's had 2 recalls on it recently. I don't need to take it all the way back to MN, I can just go down to ND. But still.....UGH!
And UGH! My first negative (but only slightly) with the Canadian Health Care system. Before going to a specialist (of any kind) you have to be referred by a GP or Family practice physician. OK, I get that. I even kind of agree. Keeps the more neurotic among us from wasting time of those who really need the specialists help. But oddly enough...OB/GYNs are considered specialists. So since my cramps have been bugging me lately....I go in to my GP on Monday. Maybe he'll just deal with it. I've been told most GP's in Canada will do pap tests and such (mine had asked how long it had been when I had my physical (about 9 months at that time)...and since it hadn't been a year he just said, "So you don't need one right now" I didn't even consider that he was planning on doing it! Hmmm... interesting. Being able to deal with all your basic health needs at one office. So is this what it's like to be a guy? ;)
On the up side of my life recently....
I'm starting to play an odd game. Underwater Hockey. Yes, it really IS a sport. It's also called Octopush. It's played in quite a few countries. As a matter of fact...the world championships in 2012 are being held in Minnesota! So I've been swimming quite a bit. And losing some weight (or at least some inches...I had to buy a belt to keep several pairs of pants from falling to my hips!)
I got a letter from the IRS. (wait...shouldn't that be in the UGH catagory?) ;) Actually...it wasn't from the IRS...just forwarded by them. It was from a company trying to find me because a previous employer needs to contact me about an old retirement fund. :) Last I knew...I had about $1000 in it. (Doubt I have that much now...I'm pretty sure most of that was invested in the market!) But regardless....at least my funds will be catching up with me.
I turned the computer off, waited a few minutes and turned it back on. Or tried to. It wouldn't start. My computer is (was) a Compaq laptop. It was only 16 months old. I bought it at Best Buy. Took it there. Yeah...$90 +tax to look at it ( with 10% taxes...about $100). Best guess...needs a new motherboard. Cost--$450 for the part and $150 to install (that's on top of the $100 diagnostic charge). Total---$700. Promise this won't happen again in a few months? None. Ugh.
So I looked around, shopped around....and still spent $700! But I have a brand new shiny laptop. With a larger screen. More RAM and ROM. And a 3 year, it's all covered warrenty (including battery, power cord, everything!). So this shouldn't happen to me again anytime soon. Oddly enough...it's from Staples. Much better deal and much better service agreement. Cheaper service agreement too.
Service contract good worldwide, anyplace I can find a Staples store. They'll even keep track of my service agreement for me so if I lose the receipt or it fades...I'm still covered. :)
A few other UGHS! while I'm on a roll....
I have to take my car back to the states sometime in the next few months. It's had 2 recalls on it recently. I don't need to take it all the way back to MN, I can just go down to ND. But still.....UGH!
And UGH! My first negative (but only slightly) with the Canadian Health Care system. Before going to a specialist (of any kind) you have to be referred by a GP or Family practice physician. OK, I get that. I even kind of agree. Keeps the more neurotic among us from wasting time of those who really need the specialists help. But oddly enough...OB/GYNs are considered specialists. So since my cramps have been bugging me lately....I go in to my GP on Monday. Maybe he'll just deal with it. I've been told most GP's in Canada will do pap tests and such (mine had asked how long it had been when I had my physical (about 9 months at that time)...and since it hadn't been a year he just said, "So you don't need one right now" I didn't even consider that he was planning on doing it! Hmmm... interesting. Being able to deal with all your basic health needs at one office. So is this what it's like to be a guy? ;)
On the up side of my life recently....
I'm starting to play an odd game. Underwater Hockey. Yes, it really IS a sport. It's also called Octopush. It's played in quite a few countries. As a matter of fact...the world championships in 2012 are being held in Minnesota! So I've been swimming quite a bit. And losing some weight (or at least some inches...I had to buy a belt to keep several pairs of pants from falling to my hips!)
I got a letter from the IRS. (wait...shouldn't that be in the UGH catagory?) ;) Actually...it wasn't from the IRS...just forwarded by them. It was from a company trying to find me because a previous employer needs to contact me about an old retirement fund. :) Last I knew...I had about $1000 in it. (Doubt I have that much now...I'm pretty sure most of that was invested in the market!) But regardless....at least my funds will be catching up with me.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Fixed it!
I'm becomming quite the handyperson....both at home and work!
At work I've been fixing screen doors, putting doors back on hinges, filling/sanding/painting holes, repairing air vents...all the round the house stuff most people do on a weekly basis that haven't been getting done at the house.
At home...this morning I fixed a toilet. I replaced all the insides with all new insides and installed a new handle as well. Took about an hour (25 minutes or so was just getting the old stuff out...needed the locking wrench to get enough torque. :( And the directions say to just hand tighten...definately not just hand tightened or very, very old--but I'm betting on not just hand tightened!) And now...for the first time since we've moved in...that toilet is working like a toilet should! I'm so proud.
And it's nice to be appreciated when I do such things. Pat was happy it got fixed, the landlord is happy we take care of such things without calling expensive professional help. And work thinks I'm the best thing to come along since sliced bread. :)
At work I've been fixing screen doors, putting doors back on hinges, filling/sanding/painting holes, repairing air vents...all the round the house stuff most people do on a weekly basis that haven't been getting done at the house.
At home...this morning I fixed a toilet. I replaced all the insides with all new insides and installed a new handle as well. Took about an hour (25 minutes or so was just getting the old stuff out...needed the locking wrench to get enough torque. :( And the directions say to just hand tighten...definately not just hand tightened or very, very old--but I'm betting on not just hand tightened!) And now...for the first time since we've moved in...that toilet is working like a toilet should! I'm so proud.
And it's nice to be appreciated when I do such things. Pat was happy it got fixed, the landlord is happy we take care of such things without calling expensive professional help. And work thinks I'm the best thing to come along since sliced bread. :)
Friday, November 13, 2009
Rememberance Day
Wednesday here in Canada was Rememberance Day. Yes, I know the US does have Vetran's Day that day too, but there is more...emphisis on the day here in Canada. I think there was this year in the US, due to what happened at Ft. Hood, but this is an every year occurance in Canada. Businesses, schools, some stores close for the day. Almost every community has a service of some kind. And everywhere, things stop at 11am, for two minutes of silence.
I was with my community band on Rememberance Day. We went to a smaller town to play for their ceremony. We started the program as people came in with marches (felt a bit odd for me--no Sousa here!) and old WWI and WWII favorite pop tunes. During the ceremony we played the National Anthem (O, Canada) and the Royal Anthem (God Save the Queen--Which I tend to think of as My Country tis of thee). I'm glad when I'm playing for these...I'm not sure what proper etiqette is...do I stand? Do I sing? Do I stay quiet? I've heard O, Canada enough now that I know the words. I could sing along. It's really a nice melody and the word are pretty good too. (I'll write them out at the bottom of this post for those who want to see them)
We also played several hymns. That felt a bit different. There is no overwelming sense of....religious fervor here in Canada. But a very great strong silent faith. I mentioned on the bus back after the ceremony how different it felt to have so much..religion in a patriotic holiday at a public ceremony (They are called services up here, with good reason as pastors/priests helped organize and led the time!) There were scripture readings, prayers, hymns. Can you imagine (if you are reading this from the states) your local town doing this?
Later that evening I went to a Rememberance Day concert given by a friend's choir. (not a church choir, but a secular, men's vocal group) Again, quite a bit of religious music, poetry and a talk by a local minister. It's really felt a bit odd to me to be part of that. Oddly...my friend noticed I didn't sing with the Anthems (both were sung that night) I don't know the words to "God Save the Queen" and didn't think the words I knew to the tune would be appreciated so I stayed quiet. He seemed to think it's ok if I sing "O, Canada" if i know the words. I really would like to know before the last football game on Nov. 22. If it's ok, I'll sing along then.
The words to O, Canada
O, Canada. Our home and native land. True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, the true north strong and free. From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. God keep our land, glorious and free. O Canada we stand on guard for thee. O Canada we stand on guard for thee.
I was with my community band on Rememberance Day. We went to a smaller town to play for their ceremony. We started the program as people came in with marches (felt a bit odd for me--no Sousa here!) and old WWI and WWII favorite pop tunes. During the ceremony we played the National Anthem (O, Canada) and the Royal Anthem (God Save the Queen--Which I tend to think of as My Country tis of thee). I'm glad when I'm playing for these...I'm not sure what proper etiqette is...do I stand? Do I sing? Do I stay quiet? I've heard O, Canada enough now that I know the words. I could sing along. It's really a nice melody and the word are pretty good too. (I'll write them out at the bottom of this post for those who want to see them)
We also played several hymns. That felt a bit different. There is no overwelming sense of....religious fervor here in Canada. But a very great strong silent faith. I mentioned on the bus back after the ceremony how different it felt to have so much..religion in a patriotic holiday at a public ceremony (They are called services up here, with good reason as pastors/priests helped organize and led the time!) There were scripture readings, prayers, hymns. Can you imagine (if you are reading this from the states) your local town doing this?
Later that evening I went to a Rememberance Day concert given by a friend's choir. (not a church choir, but a secular, men's vocal group) Again, quite a bit of religious music, poetry and a talk by a local minister. It's really felt a bit odd to me to be part of that. Oddly...my friend noticed I didn't sing with the Anthems (both were sung that night) I don't know the words to "God Save the Queen" and didn't think the words I knew to the tune would be appreciated so I stayed quiet. He seemed to think it's ok if I sing "O, Canada" if i know the words. I really would like to know before the last football game on Nov. 22. If it's ok, I'll sing along then.
The words to O, Canada
O, Canada. Our home and native land. True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, the true north strong and free. From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. God keep our land, glorious and free. O Canada we stand on guard for thee. O Canada we stand on guard for thee.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Differences...or why "I" have a an accent!
So I mentioned that I've been once again noticing differences. I think I'll start with pronounciation, move on into spelling and finish with some new vocab. :)
Again--in the upper midwest US it sounds like a-gen (with a hard g as in garbage)
--in Canada it sounds like a-gane, with a long a in the middle of it.
About--US--a bout
--Canada--a bute
Amen--US--ay men
--Canada--ah men
Against--US--a ginst
--Canada--ay gainst
almost any a is pronounced just differently enough for me to stand out.
Spelling...check vs cheque, color vs. colour, honor vs. honour tomato vs tomatoe (oh wait that's in both countries!--lol)
New words--well, this one isn't new, but i hear it a lot more here--queue.
--touque (a stocking cap)
Oh...and a new sport (at least to me, although I've been told there is a pretty good team in MN) Underwater Hockey. :) Yep...play with a puck and a mini stick and snorkeling equipment. Talk about kind of an odd game. And I may even get a chance to try to play it.
Again--in the upper midwest US it sounds like a-gen (with a hard g as in garbage)
--in Canada it sounds like a-gane, with a long a in the middle of it.
About--US--a bout
--Canada--a bute
Amen--US--ay men
--Canada--ah men
Against--US--a ginst
--Canada--ay gainst
almost any a is pronounced just differently enough for me to stand out.
Spelling...check vs cheque, color vs. colour, honor vs. honour tomato vs tomatoe (oh wait that's in both countries!--lol)
New words--well, this one isn't new, but i hear it a lot more here--queue.
--touque (a stocking cap)
Oh...and a new sport (at least to me, although I've been told there is a pretty good team in MN) Underwater Hockey. :) Yep...play with a puck and a mini stick and snorkeling equipment. Talk about kind of an odd game. And I may even get a chance to try to play it.
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