Adventures in Africa
Interesting things happen to the unemployed:
- yesterday I got free Baskin Robbin's ice cream and didn't have to wait in line for long because I went when everyone else was in work!
- this morning my closet exploded. Ok, didn't explode but the bar fell out of the wall. The repair man who is in the house renovating the other bedrooms said he would fix it but never came back. I guess I will have to sleep on top of all the clothes and hangers on my bed.
- my pen fell out of my mouth into the depths of the gas oven. Turns out you can access under the elements from going in from the back of the oven. You learn something new every day.
- if you apply for enough jobs you will start to dream about it. One dream had me getting a job I didn't apply for. The other dream had me calling a company to see why they didn't hire me.
- there is a slightly batty woman living next door who sometimes walks up to the window in the backdoor of her garage and stands there yelling at her reflection until her daughter comes out and tells her "That is enough mama!"
- yesterday I got free Baskin Robbin's ice cream and didn't have to wait in line for long because I went when everyone else was in work!
- this morning my closet exploded. Ok, didn't explode but the bar fell out of the wall. The repair man who is in the house renovating the other bedrooms said he would fix it but never came back. I guess I will have to sleep on top of all the clothes and hangers on my bed.
- my pen fell out of my mouth into the depths of the gas oven. Turns out you can access under the elements from going in from the back of the oven. You learn something new every day.
- if you apply for enough jobs you will start to dream about it. One dream had me getting a job I didn't apply for. The other dream had me calling a company to see why they didn't hire me.
- there is a slightly batty woman living next door who sometimes walks up to the window in the backdoor of her garage and stands there yelling at her reflection until her daughter comes out and tells her "That is enough mama!"
This week I moved in to my new place (with the help of my parents). It was relatively quick and painless. The only problem I face now is that much of the apartment is currently under renovation and thus other than my room, it is mass-chaos everywhere else with boxes and furniture from the rooms under renovation in all extra spaces. At this point though I am just worrying about my room and getting myself all settled in. So far so good.
People in Toronto often seem in bad moods. I think I am realizing that my time in Nairobi was more akin to spending time in a small community than a big city (which it was) because within my neighborhood I got to know a lot of people and they sure recognized me quickly. Also, as far as the expat community went, it was pretty easy to pick out people you knew if you were in a crowded marketplace! And people were all just so friendly there. People sneer here more.
Although I have to say that no one has tried to rip me off yet because of my skin colour. But CRAP everything has gotten SO EXPENSIVE! Prices have risen so much in the past 9 months. I will need a job a lot faster than I expected at this point!
I'm still wrestling with whether or not I should continue some type of blog. I want to but I just am having a hard time coming up with things to say other than me complaining about things. I don't want to be so negative.
I like it here, don't get me wrong. It is just this adjustment period that is a bit painful.
People in Toronto often seem in bad moods. I think I am realizing that my time in Nairobi was more akin to spending time in a small community than a big city (which it was) because within my neighborhood I got to know a lot of people and they sure recognized me quickly. Also, as far as the expat community went, it was pretty easy to pick out people you knew if you were in a crowded marketplace! And people were all just so friendly there. People sneer here more.
Although I have to say that no one has tried to rip me off yet because of my skin colour. But CRAP everything has gotten SO EXPENSIVE! Prices have risen so much in the past 9 months. I will need a job a lot faster than I expected at this point!
I'm still wrestling with whether or not I should continue some type of blog. I want to but I just am having a hard time coming up with things to say other than me complaining about things. I don't want to be so negative.
I like it here, don't get me wrong. It is just this adjustment period that is a bit painful.
Snow at Camp, originally uploaded by Kattaka.
I went to Thunder Bay to visit some family. It is in Northern Ontario and is quite cold there. I saw my 90 year old grandma, had some Finnish pancakes, played with my cousin's 3 sons, ate a lot of food and tried not to freeze.
Last night I was back in Sault Ste. Marie and went to my friend's place for a belated birthday dinner and then to a house party. It made me really miss Kenya and my friends there because the parties in Kenya were always so much fun and this one kind of sucked. It is hard not to compare everything to Kenya but really it has only been 3 weeks since I have been there so it is hard not to.
I don't think I am allergic to alcohol. I haven't drank in a few days and have still gotten the allergic reactions. (WHEW!) The investigation continues...
I am trying my best to have the same outlook and excitement about what I do here as I did in Kenya. Today I went to watch my mom curl. You know, like curling, the winter sport? I used to curl when I was in grade 7 and 8. It was what made me so popular back then. :)
Then I found a great pair of Kenneth Cole pants for really cheap at Winners, this store that sells brand-name clothes at affordable prices. Imagine! I envision myself wearing said pants to an interview where I knock them dead and get the job on the spot. Such are the day dreams playing out in my head these days.
While I was in the mall I saw that we have a store in Sault Ste. Marie that is called "SABERS" and it sells... SWORDS AND SHIELDS! (And sabers I am assuming). What is this world coming to? Seriously, is such a store necessary? Slightly frightening that there is enough demand for swords and shields that warrants a store be in the mall providing such goods for 365 days a year.
Tonight I pretended I was a teacher and went to a teacher mingling party with my teacher friends. I got free appetizers and got to watch Rob perform in a kind of retro soul band. They were really good.
But I have some potentially terrible news. I have been having these weird allergic reactions nearly every time I eat since landing in London (it seems) and even more so since I have been in Canada. And tonight I figured out what it is that is making my throat itchy and swollen. It is ALCOHOL! Is that not nuts? I drank so much in Kenya and had NO PROBLEMS and now back in Canada I have a few sips of wine or beer and my throat is totally itchy. I'm not sure what to do about it but I'm trying not to think about it too much. My whole world is changing. How could this happen!?!?!?
Then I found a great pair of Kenneth Cole pants for really cheap at Winners, this store that sells brand-name clothes at affordable prices. Imagine! I envision myself wearing said pants to an interview where I knock them dead and get the job on the spot. Such are the day dreams playing out in my head these days.
While I was in the mall I saw that we have a store in Sault Ste. Marie that is called "SABERS" and it sells... SWORDS AND SHIELDS! (And sabers I am assuming). What is this world coming to? Seriously, is such a store necessary? Slightly frightening that there is enough demand for swords and shields that warrants a store be in the mall providing such goods for 365 days a year.
Tonight I pretended I was a teacher and went to a teacher mingling party with my teacher friends. I got free appetizers and got to watch Rob perform in a kind of retro soul band. They were really good.
But I have some potentially terrible news. I have been having these weird allergic reactions nearly every time I eat since landing in London (it seems) and even more so since I have been in Canada. And tonight I figured out what it is that is making my throat itchy and swollen. It is ALCOHOL! Is that not nuts? I drank so much in Kenya and had NO PROBLEMS and now back in Canada I have a few sips of wine or beer and my throat is totally itchy. I'm not sure what to do about it but I'm trying not to think about it too much. My whole world is changing. How could this happen!?!?!?
Me and the Queen, originally uploaded by Kattaka.
And no, I am not in London - despite the photo posted to confuse you - I just put that up to let you all know that I am finally caught up in uploading my photos. Check them out by clicking on the photo.
I am home in Sault Ste Marie visiting my parents. It is snowing here. They closed the highway for a few hours today the snow was so bad. What a warm welcome!
The reason I haven't posted in a few days is because the most exciting thing I have done is go to the dentist. NO CAVITIES!
Sometimes when I am home visiting my family I find that I get really lazy and it is difficult for me to get anything done. Even thinking about working on my resume or something is akin to running in water. Suddenly I am unable to act at anything more than a snail's pace. Everything distracts me and I am powerless to resist.
I want to have 2 job applications out by tomorrow. Wish me luck.
Ok, I got a place to live. It is in a wicked area (Little Italy) and is cheap enough for me to afford food and maybe a pair of jeans once in a while, at least until steady with a job. 2 roommates to share the top 2 floors of a 3-level house with. Just like my last living situation before I moved to Kenya but this time I don't know the roommates. They seem nice. And there is a 24-hour grocery store just 2-minutes from my doorstep. And it is the BEST neighbourhood in Toronto. Hands down. So that is good.
It has been quite stressful these past few days. I am finding that I am short with people and getting irritated by silly things. I scream a lot more here than I used to but in Kenya screaming at people was necessary to get anything done. I'm not sure yet how it will work here. I don't want to be bitchy but I think the screaming is better than holding things in and simmering with rage in silence. We'll see.
2 more people said I look taller. Ok, that is just messed up.
Sorry to Karen for insulting her driving skills in the last post.
I went for Dim Sum this morning and had pigs feet and they still had HAIR on them. Gross. I only tried them because I was hoping they would taste like bacon. They didn't.
It has been quite stressful these past few days. I am finding that I am short with people and getting irritated by silly things. I scream a lot more here than I used to but in Kenya screaming at people was necessary to get anything done. I'm not sure yet how it will work here. I don't want to be bitchy but I think the screaming is better than holding things in and simmering with rage in silence. We'll see.
2 more people said I look taller. Ok, that is just messed up.
Sorry to Karen for insulting her driving skills in the last post.
I went for Dim Sum this morning and had pigs feet and they still had HAIR on them. Gross. I only tried them because I was hoping they would taste like bacon. They didn't.
1) Find a new blog. Think of a new handle. Deadline: 2 weeks
2) Find an apartment. I have 4 viewings tomorrow. All from craigslist.com or viewit.ca. Wonderful thing this internet. Would be even more wonderful if I am able to find a decent place in one day. Deadline: Sunday
3) Find a job. This is the toughy. I hope to have some interviews and good leads by Easter if not before. Deadline: May 1st?? (cross your fingers!)
4) Sign up for night courses at University. Deadline: Friday
That should keep me busy for a while.
The weather has been so great here. Sunny and warm and I didn't even have to suffer through winter for more than a couple of days. I feel like I have somehow cheated the system.
Today I told Karen that her driving was as bad as a matatu driver. I was exaggerating but was happy that she got the reference. That's why it is nice to have had friends visit me. It saves a bit of the explaining.
Today I was walking back to my uncle and aunt's house and was waiting to cross the street at a stop sign and a woman in a car approached first and waved to let me cross just as I waved to let her go first. This went on for a few seconds before I just gave up and crossed the street. Sometimes people being courteous makes things less efficient. But I guess I am just not used to it being done that way.
By the way, the spell checker for blogger doesn't recognize the word blog. It suggests that I use the word 'bloc' or 'blouse' instead. Silly blogger.
2) Find an apartment. I have 4 viewings tomorrow. All from craigslist.com or viewit.ca. Wonderful thing this internet. Would be even more wonderful if I am able to find a decent place in one day. Deadline: Sunday
3) Find a job. This is the toughy. I hope to have some interviews and good leads by Easter if not before. Deadline: May 1st?? (cross your fingers!)
4) Sign up for night courses at University. Deadline: Friday
That should keep me busy for a while.
The weather has been so great here. Sunny and warm and I didn't even have to suffer through winter for more than a couple of days. I feel like I have somehow cheated the system.
Today I told Karen that her driving was as bad as a matatu driver. I was exaggerating but was happy that she got the reference. That's why it is nice to have had friends visit me. It saves a bit of the explaining.
Today I was walking back to my uncle and aunt's house and was waiting to cross the street at a stop sign and a woman in a car approached first and waved to let me cross just as I waved to let her go first. This went on for a few seconds before I just gave up and crossed the street. Sometimes people being courteous makes things less efficient. But I guess I am just not used to it being done that way.
By the way, the spell checker for blogger doesn't recognize the word blog. It suggests that I use the word 'bloc' or 'blouse' instead. Silly blogger.
I am back. In Canada. Ok, and I take back what I said in the last post, I am excited to be here. I was so happy to see the first glimpses of land and snow and trees... a small tear even came to my eye...
And it is so warm here. 11 degrees. And sunny! Take that LONDON!
Aunt Deb came to pick me up at the airport (with my 10000 tons of luggage) and now am basking in the amazement of high speed internet and cable tv, unlimited refills on drinks at restaurants, a pie made for my return and claims that I look taller. Somehow I grew in Kenya apparently! On the ride back to their place I thought I saw hippos in the frozen pond beside the highway. Jet lag? Craziness? A bit of both?
And it is so warm here. 11 degrees. And sunny! Take that LONDON!
Aunt Deb came to pick me up at the airport (with my 10000 tons of luggage) and now am basking in the amazement of high speed internet and cable tv, unlimited refills on drinks at restaurants, a pie made for my return and claims that I look taller. Somehow I grew in Kenya apparently! On the ride back to their place I thought I saw hippos in the frozen pond beside the highway. Jet lag? Craziness? A bit of both?
In the airport waiting to board the plane back to Canada. Yikes, I am not looking forward to going back. I am VERY excited to see all my family and friends. But I know that what is really waiting for me as I step off the plane is the stress and responsibility of finding a job, finding an apartment, figuring out schools, beginning the process of studying for GMAT, etc, etc...
It is kind of taking away from the excitement of my homecoming!
My last couple of days in London were fun. After Camden Market (and rain) on Saturday, we went to a club that night (and somehow managed to avoid paying cover - I'm not sure how). Sunday we checked out a few of the parks and then went to a "NUN FUN CHURCH SEARCH" that was a fundraiser for Dave's friend who wants to raise money to put on a play for the Fringe Festival. It was basically a tour of churches around London. A bit dry but Dave and I were making wisecracks the whole way through and thus made our own fun.
I have the worst heartburn EVER. I think it is a combination of the indian food, my malaria pill (last one - they always give me heartburn) and the stress of coming home. I think I will have a milkshake. That usually helps. :)
I can't believe it is over.
It is kind of taking away from the excitement of my homecoming!
My last couple of days in London were fun. After Camden Market (and rain) on Saturday, we went to a club that night (and somehow managed to avoid paying cover - I'm not sure how). Sunday we checked out a few of the parks and then went to a "NUN FUN CHURCH SEARCH" that was a fundraiser for Dave's friend who wants to raise money to put on a play for the Fringe Festival. It was basically a tour of churches around London. A bit dry but Dave and I were making wisecracks the whole way through and thus made our own fun.
I have the worst heartburn EVER. I think it is a combination of the indian food, my malaria pill (last one - they always give me heartburn) and the stress of coming home. I think I will have a milkshake. That usually helps. :)
I can't believe it is over.
It never fails, I complain about the weather on the blog and it improves. It has been a little sunny, blue skies and warmer pretty much ever since I posted on Wednesday. Yesterday was gorgeous and I had a great time strolling around Cambridge. It is a lovely city! And a nice University!
The night before we were front row for Who's Afriad of Virginia Woolf? and were being practically spit on by Kathleen Turner and her manly voice. It was good. I went to Harrod's today and then to the National Portait Gallery and will probably see the British Museum after lunch. Tomorrow is Camden Market and the Opera. Keeping busy is good. I am already forgetting that I used to wear flip flops every day.
I am invisible here. No one notices me or yells at me ("mzungu!") or asks me if I want a taxi or to book a safari.
The night before we were front row for Who's Afriad of Virginia Woolf? and were being practically spit on by Kathleen Turner and her manly voice. It was good. I went to Harrod's today and then to the National Portait Gallery and will probably see the British Museum after lunch. Tomorrow is Camden Market and the Opera. Keeping busy is good. I am already forgetting that I used to wear flip flops every day.
I am invisible here. No one notices me or yells at me ("mzungu!") or asks me if I want a taxi or to book a safari.