tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66608125573551968192024-03-05T14:35:29.835-05:00I married a NomadDidn't find out he was a nomad until recently, although the clues were there.
And now I should be surprised that we are (again) packing up our stuff and moving on?
This will be a way for those of you who so wish, to stay in touch as we move on down the line. Sometimes in English, parfois en français, suivez nos aventures alors que nous partons à l'aventure.
See you round the bend.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-72422436257625866462011-10-18T17:59:00.003-04:002011-10-18T18:02:48.562-04:00I still hate it hereI wanted to go to the gym, can't find my car keys.<br /><br />I still hate it here: I have no social life, no family, no friends. Sure I have a reasonable job. I get along well with my colleagues, I live close to work. But that is it.<br /><br />I miss my famlily, my kids and their kids, my friends, the life I had before the move.<br /><br />I can never find anything I am looking for, as it was probably lost in the move, or put away in some spot where I have no idea to look.<br /><br />I try to look at the bright side, but right now I don't really see any bright side.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-17728182461936590602011-09-25T13:54:00.002-04:002011-09-25T14:09:17.040-04:00love passwords!Of course I keep forgetting them, so I keep having to reset them.<br /><br />mfft! pfft! bleeech!<br /><br />Ottawa is beautiful today, nice, sunny, warm, smell of autmun leaves and bumble bees.<br /><br />So I am here doing laundry, folding clothes, sorting and storing<br /><br />Getting supper organized in the slow-cooker.<br /><br />A bit of sewing too.<br /><br />Such an interesting life I lead.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-11641167212564387712011-09-05T13:31:00.002-04:002011-09-05T13:35:15.633-04:00BabyMy beautiful grand-daughter was born almost a month ago. Of course, if I still lived in Winnipeg, I would have been there to help Sof with the boys, and with the baby. And I would have seen and spent a lot of time with Bella by now. (Another reason I do not like Ottawa).<br /><br />So here I am, missing them all, and not able to go for a while yet, as I have used up all my holiday time last May to go to West Africa. I have to wait until next year. But will plan this better I hope. Try to get in on the long week-ends and spend a few days with them, at least 2 times a year. Still not enough.<br /><br />Mais, on fait ce qu'on peut...OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-46561878472455578372011-09-05T11:39:00.002-04:002011-09-05T12:14:29.560-04:00Lazy Monday MorningOr not.<br /><br />Woke up around 8:45 and first things first, got dressed and went out to check the car. Weird buzzing noises, then nothing. Tried the ignition again, and this time it started. This is not good. We really do not have any cash for car repairs at the moment, and who knows how much it will cost?<br /><br />Can back inside, made coffee and toast, and a couple of cookies...<br /><br />Worked on those tiny little pants for Bella, and took down the living room curtains to shorten them a bit. I thought they were fine, but O. is worried that once we start heating the place, because they fall right in font of the heater, they might melt or worse, catch fire. He is always so worried about everything. Or suspicious, or doubtful. Some might say precautious, but I find him a bit negative. However, just in case, I am shortening the curtains. A lot of work too, as they are are sheer lacy fabric and very soft and do not hold their shape too well.<br /><br />* * * *<br /><br />Well, that 's done. And they don't look too bad either. Only took a total of 2 hours. I think I might add a sheer magenta as an under layer, just to add a bit of colour. We'll see later.<br /><br />Now to get lunch ready. Those toasts really did not do anything for me.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-5125097965149420012011-09-05T09:32:00.003-04:002011-09-05T10:03:37.235-04:00September, woah!Yesterday on facebook, someone said my sister should write a blog of her "new adventures" in the land of icebergs and cod. Well not exactly in those words, but...<br /><br />so I thought I should get back to mine. We've been here a little over a year, with a lot of ups and downs, and moving 4 times. Crazy! At least now, I think we found our spot, and I for one am not willing to move again, for a least three years. We have moved into a cozy 2 bedroom appartment, so close to my work that I can walk everyday, and steps away from the bus stop for O.<br /><br />We now actually have furniture, a comfy little loveseat and 2 chairs, dining room ensemble, maple, very classy looking, so at last the living-dining area looks homey. The kitchen is a small but efficient size,our room is fairy large, and the other room, which for the moment we are using as office, is a decent size. We will probably set up a single bed in there at some point.<br /><br />We have a balcony at least, as we of course do not have a backyard. However, our downstairs neighbours are smokers, and smoke rises... so I don't sit out there as much as I would like to, because of the smell. But there will be a lot of plants growing there next spring time and I will try to have it nice looking. Maybe the neighbours will move...<br /><br />I finally managed to get my serger working again. With help from youtube on how to thread it, and the instructions manual, and my imagination and determination, it took a couple of hours, but I eventually got it running. So, I made some pillow cases, with really nice fabric that I had kicking around for a while. And cute little bottoms for Bella.<br /><br />Today I adjust the curtains, as they are a bit too long, and I am not sure how the heating works in this place. The last thing I need is for the curtains to ignite...OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-13739913107480931772011-03-27T15:35:00.002-04:002011-03-27T15:43:47.160-04:00house issuesLast week end I went to visit the friend who had made us such a generous offer last month, and who had seemed to recant. Sitting sipping coffee, talking about our next move.<br /><br />She explained her "not really sure when it will happen wedding". A mariage of convenience for both parties it seems. As it is not my story, I will keep it at that. But her offer is still valid. I told her we had to be sure that if we do move our stuff and our bodies there, she will not be selling the house before the end of June. Or at least, the possession date should be at the end of June or early July, so we can get organized. That seemd to work for her.<br /><br />In the meantime our landlord has started showing the house, and the couple who came today are very interested. They even left a deposit. So we will probably find out Monday if this goes or not. Still, it means we would be stuck with rent payments until May 1, as the move out date would be May 31. Well, it's better that July 1. So now, it's wait and see.<br /><br />I will be happy when this is all over. The stress is not healthy. I will be happy when Honey's job is confirmed. I will be happy when we finally settled down in our own appartment, with a one year lease, and hopefully a lease that we will renew for the next 3-4 years. I am very tired of moving.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-19443631373726061312011-03-13T14:40:00.000-04:002011-03-13T14:41:36.399-04:00SometimesI feel like I am in a Monty Python sketch, that never ends.<br /><br /><br />Gotta laugh.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-34760315256704600652011-03-13T14:37:00.001-04:002011-03-13T14:40:45.360-04:00Just like in a bad movie, got our income tax done at Joe's Fly by Night Taxes and Dry CleaningWe had an appointment for noon, yesterday, but I had to call to change it to 4pm. The girl on the phone insists that we come in at 3:30, cause they close at 5 and to do a "Couple" it takes over an hour.<br /><br /> So we are there dutifully a bit before 3:30 and wait. We prefer being a bit early, than late. So at 3:45 we are still waiting... <span style="font-style:italic;">Oh sorry, she will be just a few more moments.</span> At 4PM we are still waiting. Both tired and getting grumpy. <span style="font-style:italic;">Oh she won't be much longer now.</span><br /><br />We left.<br /><br />Went next door, ia a rather seedy looking place, I <span style="font-style:italic;">think</span> it was an office, cause there were a couple of desks there and some ratty looking plastic chairs, kinda like a walk-in clinic look... Right next door to the Cash Store on ch. de Montreal, en face du Jean Coutu, for those who know... Nobody in there but us chickens, and the accountant. Ousmane, bless his little heart, asks for a price and negociated down to something affordable (probably their usual price). We hand over all our papers. In the meantime, a few people walk in intermittently, and I am starting to feel claustrophobic, and very aware that we have no privacy. Some of those people are a bit smelly too (cigarette breath and clothes - at least I prefer to think that's all it was).<br /><br />After about 30 minutes, he hands over our papers and says, ok, you will be getting this back, and you will be getting that back. I put the student fees on yours (me) and blablabla. He had gotten everything mixed up, put half of my stuff on Ousmane's return and some of Ousmane's on mine. I looked at it, and said that I didn't think it was right, so he looked at it again, oops, yup, I just need to change this, and this...And redid it 3 times. Ça inspire la confiance. Yeah, I really would trust this guy with my life.<br /><br />Finally he finished. I looked it over, it seemd to make sense, the right expenses with the right person and we are getting a bit back. Paid the guy and left very quickly. I would not even be able to tell you how many people were in there when we left, or describe even one of them. Not a good spy or police witness on this one.<br /><br />I thought that because of the move, the being unemployed, the being a student, the changing of jobs, it would be very complicated, and an accountant would be able to figure it out faster and better than us...<br /><br />Oh, and apparently, we make too much money to claim our renting fees...<br /><br />However, with my tax return, I am investing in a "Calculate your own taxes" program. If this guy could do it, I certainly can do it too. Probably better and faster, And with no stinky people sitting too close to me.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-21994309478619795432011-03-13T14:29:00.002-04:002011-03-13T14:37:19.214-04:00News FlashI had not had much time to write here, and then, a few things have happened in the last few days/weeks, that I have posted on FB, but decided they might fit in better here.<br /><br />Maybe I sound like I am complaining, or depressed... But this is our reality right now.<br /><br />We are going to move again, and yes I am a bit depressed about that. A friend of ours had convinced us that once we give our notice, we could stay with her for a few months. It took a very long time to convince us, we were sure that it would not work out. So we give our notice, and now, for her own reasons, this is not going to work out. So that is the part of plan B that is not happening anymore. Why did she wait for us to give notice, before suddenly having a lifestyle change in her situation. And beleive me this is a kind of change that usually one does not decide overnight. At least, I wouldn't.<br /><br />So here we are, getting ready to pack again.<br /><br />At least, looks like spring is on the way.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-48054675254781014132011-03-13T14:28:00.000-04:002011-03-13T14:29:26.141-04:00Maybe moving againThe owner got us here under false pretenses. We are renting the main floor and second floor, with washer/dryer in basement, along with the 2nd bathroom. We were told that she wanted to keep the "office" in the basement for her own personal use. Then, in Feb. she tells us she will be renting it, or if we want to keep the whole house, the rent will goe up by about $400. So we decided that when the lease was up on June 30, we would leave.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Plan B was, if she gave us even only 2 weeks notice in April we could leave by May 1. Anyway, another part of plan B is no longer applicable, but the 2 weeks notice still is. So until April 15, we won't know for sure if we are moving or not, and where we are moving, or not. And those 2 weeks may end up being very short notice to find a good spot. So now, we are kind of hoping that she does not find anyone until June 30 or later, as the official two months notice is already given for being out of here on July 1. We can't really come back and say, we changed our minds, we now want to stay till June 30. She already thinks I'm crazy because,when I call her, the dryer is not working, but when she comes to fix it, it is working. But now that it has been "fixed" it is still not working. And I am certainly not calling her again.<br /><br /> <br /><br />I am so fed up of moving. We are thinking of selling all our wordly pssessions, except for the cushions, bed, tv and computer (and of course the pots & pans) and moving into a tiny bachelor appartment somewhere and sign a 10 yr lease. Thank God for nephews who have already offered their help. Guys as soon as we know what is happening, we will let you know.<br /><br /> <br /><br />I can't say that I actually like Ottawa.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-38324369229696691932010-11-24T15:10:00.002-05:002010-11-24T15:17:27.859-05:00Look aheadWent for a job interview this morning. It went well, and it is the same work I was doing in Winnipeg, so my insurance background will be helpful. They emailed the agency after our meeting, saying I was great... So, should I be expecting good news soon? The only drawbacks - there are 2 - is no benefits, and no holidays. It is a 12 month contract right now. Although things sometimes change very quickly.<br /><br />I can live with no benefits, for now, and there is nothing to say I can't look for something else later. But no holidays... We are planning to go "back" home in May of June. However I will cross that bridge when I get there. This job is close to home, the pay is acceptable, the work is ok. And I have not had the confirmation yet that I am the chosen one. If it's mine, then it will be. If not, another one is just around the corner.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-2693418803856381062010-11-23T12:18:00.000-05:002010-11-23T12:19:06.464-05:00Ça avanceJ'ai un rendez-vous demain matin à 10h00!OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-58695238499659943512010-11-23T11:47:00.003-05:002010-11-23T12:01:50.123-05:00Qui vivra verraReçu un appel tard hier après-midi de l'agence qui m'avait trouvé l'autre boulot: ils ont quelque chose à me proposer. Ça ressemble beaucoup à ce que je faisais à Winnipeg, c'est beaucoup plus proche de notre maison et ça commence un peu plus tard dans la journée. Hum, c'est très intéressant. L'agence doit envoyer mon cv à la compagnie et celle-ci leur dira si elle veut me rencontrer ou non. Je devrais avoir une réponse à cela d'ici la fin de l'après-midi. Entre-temps je ne suis pas très découragée, en fait pas du tout découragée. Les choses tomberont en place au bon moment. (Et puis, j'aime bien être à la maison comme ça, dommage que je doive retourner au travail.)OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-30831824552995046592010-11-22T12:29:00.002-05:002010-11-22T12:42:03.736-05:00Expect the unexpectedI sure didn't.<br /><br />I thought I had an almost perfect job, been going to work for the last month. Getting up at 6, arriving early, learning as much as I could, as it was very complex, and maybe I am just too much of a perfectionist.<br /><br />Friday morning, they called me in the office, and said...blablabla, thank you very much, good-bye. Oh well, I'd rather find out after one month than 3 or 5 months, while still on probation, but very settled into the job. So here I am, back to job-hunting again. I actually would prefer to not find anything until after Christmas, at this point. And the good thing is I did get a whole new wardrobe out of this experience. And I met interesting people and did something that was completely foreign to my past experiences.<br /><br />So now I go back to the gym too. Yes! Will be going this afternoon. My arm and shoulder are feeling better, too, after not working out for almost 5 months. I guess maybe my body needed that rest to recuperate. (And I'll aks them if they are looking for employees, who knows? I may find myself a part-time job at the gym.)<br /><br />So off I go...OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-64010454936002671342010-10-20T15:17:00.003-04:002010-10-20T15:39:25.715-04:00This and that...I put a whole bunch of stuff in the crockpot, and we should have a yummy supper tonight. My crockpot version of "le bouilli", beef, onions, carrots, potatoes, rutabagas... It seems I have been doing a lot of cooking in the last few days, last night I was complaining that all I have been doing lately is cooking. Oh well, as of next week, I won't be spending much time in the kitchen anymore.<br /><br />I have also been doing a bit of sewing. That also is something I won't have much time for later on. So enjoying my free time for the next few days. I know it won't be easy getting up very early in the morning ad NOT going back to bed, but hoping on a bus to get my b*tt to work. Interesting. I am looking forward to learning new things, meeting new people, and facing new challenges.<br /><br />I saw another house 2 days ago, thought maybe we could move out of here - our tiny little abode, but finally, after re-evaluating our budget, decided that we are better off staying here for another few months,until we know exactly what to expect. Try to save a bit, pay off the debts a bit too. And really it's not that bad here. Cozy. Not much storage. But it's home. For now.<br /><br />Finally figured out how to upload to the ipod. It turns out I had an older version of itunes which didn't recognize the ipod. So I've been uploading a lot of our favorite cds, but whne I'm doing that, of course, I am not doing anything else. So... housework awaits for me in dark corners and leaps up from behind bedroom doors... and makes me wish I had a maid. Haha, that'll be the day!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsQT1tI1-OEEfCxjGkD3LDigK8bw5X3jAz1E2gmowP4mJE6o26Kiokxsl42GdYus8I_xhDA-EUVc1pr9z5d436ErWALAScEyANlWawj8tjaI4C-vqefu-uSMv9zgjEmnmzLiT69xWKF8/s1600/hat.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 151px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsQT1tI1-OEEfCxjGkD3LDigK8bw5X3jAz1E2gmowP4mJE6o26Kiokxsl42GdYus8I_xhDA-EUVc1pr9z5d436ErWALAScEyANlWawj8tjaI4C-vqefu-uSMv9zgjEmnmzLiT69xWKF8/s200/hat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530214834423614978" /></a><br />Daughter got the little surprise I sent her in the mail yesterday. Glad she liked it. The cutest little winter hat, (not quite this colour) I'm sure they have some kind of name for that style, but can't think of it now. You'll get your socks at Christmas, dear, as usual... :)OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-19824345132479419332010-10-18T16:07:00.002-04:002010-10-18T16:28:56.969-04:00The search is over.I found the perfect job! Not exactly customer service, even better: Member Services, for a great organization, close to downtown, beautiful building, great benefits, and the job sounds really interesting. Plus great starting pay too. And normal office hours. Although in order to be there before 8:30, I will probably have to get up around 6 am. Me the totally not early bird. But hey, it's worth it.<br /><br />All went well during the screening, and follow-up interviews and meetings. And a decision was made very quickly, less that 3 days after the first meeting. So I am thrilled about all this. But, it will feel a little bit strange to get back into a work routine, as I have been off since mid-July because of the move. Now I need new clothes, hehe, new shoes, new lots-of-stuff... One paycheck at a time.<br /><br />Reunited with my friend from high-school a couple of weeks ago. I was a little bit leary at first, not having seen her for so many years. But she seems delighted to reconnect, and I am quite happy as well. It's kinda nice to have a friend around here. Husbands are good, but still... a friend is good too. We have been getting together for coffee a couple of times, and went for a long walk last week as it was so beautiful out. She also invited us to a maroccan restaurant where we enjoyed delicious food and good company. This was also the first time she and Ous got together since we arrived here, and everyone got along more than fine.<br /><br />Our routine otherwise is fairly quiet. When week-ends provide us with beautiful weather, we go exploring. Went to Wakefield last Saturday, and really enjoyed the quaint town. Also went for a walk at "La Ferme expérimentale", unfortunately forgot my camera both times. Can't believe the weather is still so nice here, usually by this time of year, we are under a lot of snow in Manitoba. So I am enjoying this a lot.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-14153364068136330872010-10-07T10:44:00.002-04:002010-10-07T11:05:13.319-04:00Job hunting...It has been an interesting experience. One company has so many requirements before I started that even though they gave me a start date of Oct. 4, I ended up not accepting it. They wanted proof of employment going back to 2005! Names and contact numbers of the supervisors, and for the few years where they were unable to reach these people, they asked for my T-4. After enquiry, it seems that they cannot ask for these as they contain personal information, AND I didn't have them anyway. So they said I could contact Revenue Canada... I don't think so! Hey this is a call centre, all I was going to do was answer phones, not make life saving decisions here. So finally I said, thanks but no thanks.<br />Then there was the insurance company. Working there sounded interesting, I even told them at the interview that I reallly would love to work there. Things seemed to go well during the interview, but they told me they would let me know in the next 10 business days. (Which would be today). And before that there was the other insurance company that called me back to say the chose another candidate better suited to the profile they were looking for... which was fine.<br />I considered each of these interviews as practice for the job I would eventually want and get.<br />In the meantime, I went to see the agency recommended by my sister. And they had just received a request that morning for a great sounding job, fantastic pay and wonderful benefits, and was I interested? <span style="font-style:italic;">No thanks</span>... Of course I was interested! Did a prelim phone interview with them, then they asked me to come in for a skills testing, then come in for an interview, and I met again with them yesterday as they wanted to show me the actual work environment and see if I liked it...<br />Late yesterday afternoon, someone from their HR called me with a couple more questions and could I provide a copy of my University Certificate (from 1985). It seemed at this point that they were just deciding, based on very specific criteria, what salary to offer me, and would be contacting me today. Waaahhh... In the meantime I managed to find the certificate in one of our numerous Rubbermaid boxes, still unpacked from the move, and called them to let them know.<br />So at this very moment, it appears that HR is waiting for a final decision regarding what salary to offer, and will contact me today. Hopefully this morning, although it's already 11 am. And I have not yet heard back from the insurance company, so that is good, because I didn't want to have them offer me a job, while I am waiting for the second one to offer me something as well. Especially since the second one is better in all manners.<br />I'll keep you posted.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-53700259905259350592010-09-28T11:09:00.003-04:002010-09-28T11:30:39.082-04:00Quelques jours ailleursJ'avais promis à ma fille que je retournerai m'occuper de ses enfants, lorsqu'elle irait en voyage au mois de septembre dernier. Lorsque je lui avais fait cette promesse, nous n'avions aucune intention de déménager à tant de kilomètres de distance. Cependant, tel que prévu, je me suis rendue chez elle aux dates indiquées l'an dernier. Cela faisait un mois que je n'avais pas vu les enfants,qui m'ont paru avoir changé et grandi en ce court laps de temps. Nous avons passé une semaine mouvementée,nous lever tôt le matin pour aller à la garderie, et bien sûr amener Chiqita avec nous...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EVYou_6zFEU/TKIGjS1OxyI/AAAAAAAAADA/XOlkXufrDUg/s1600/100_0191.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EVYou_6zFEU/TKIGjS1OxyI/AAAAAAAAADA/XOlkXufrDUg/s320/100_0191.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521983296529942306" /></a><br /><br />Pour remplir mes journées, j'avais apporter mes tissus et mes patrons avec moi, et je me suis confectionnés quelques vêtements. Car de retour ici, je suis encore à la recherche de boulot et je me vois mal aller aux entretiens en portant des jeans, si propres soient-ils. Je me suis donc fait un pantalon, une jupe, 2 blouses et 2 hauts -genre T-shirts mais "propre". J'ai encore quelques items que je veux me faire, car à mon retour j'ai eu l'heureuse surprise de voir qu'Ousmane a acheté une table de salle à manger, donc je peux m'installer pour coudre ici aussi. Il a d'ailleurs complètement aménagé l'appartement et c'est très joli. Nous devons quand même finir de ranger les bacs, mais au moins pour le moment, ils sont cachés dans une des chambres.<br /><br />J'ai eu le bonheur de revoir deux de mes bonnes amies pendant ce court séjour. Visites-éclair, mais au moins nous avons pu passer quelque temps ensemble et nous rattraper un peu dans les nouvelles. Peut-être auront-elles un jour la possibilité de venir ici à leur tour et nous pourrons les recevoir chez nous. Je l'espère bien! J'ai aussi pu découvrir 2 restos végétariens, aux menus délicieux, un offrant des mets chinois et l'autre des burgers. Je me suis régalée.<br /><br />Je ne parlerai pas des mes mésaventures à l'aéroport avant de quitter ici. On m'a même fait passer dans la machine rayon x, le scanner, contre mon gré, mais... refuser est mauvais signe: on vous soupçonnera de tous les torts. Je n'étais pas de bonne humeur, mais je suppose que c'était (à peine) plus acceptable que de me faire <span style="font-style:italic;">palper</span>... Au moins au retour, pas de problèmes suaf qu'on me dit que mon tube de lotion pour peau sèche est trop gros! Lorsque j'ai voulu en mettre un peu avant qu'ils me le confisque, ils ont refusé. Bandes de!!@#$! Heureusement que je ne l'avais pas payé cher, mais c'est énervant quand même. Un tube de lotion pour les mains. Rien du tout.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-87265054398572216482010-09-08T17:41:00.002-04:002010-09-08T17:54:20.663-04:00First interviewwas a 10:30 this morning. I arrived at 10 after 10, afraid of being late, so walked around the mall for a bit. At 10:24 I went to the office and waited to meet my HR person. All went well, and we had a good conversation/discussion. <br /><br />She explained about the hours, those hours I do not really want. Hey no one wants to work until 1:30 am, and really, do people actually enjoy getting up at five am to go to work??? Not me that's for sure. So we both talked abot it, and I think I had already made up my mind yesterday, but I thanked her for her time and decided that this job might not be a perfect fit. She did seem genuinely disappointed, and in a way, so was I, but I'm holding off my my dream job.<br /><br />Speaking of which, I go to that interview tomorrow. It is supposed to last over 2 hours. Reminds me of my first interview with CVG... And I did quite well with that one. So keeping my fingers crossed, and reading up on the position and the company. It's still a call center, but the hours are a lot better.<br /><br />And yet another interview on Friday, by phone this time. This is where our friend Abdouba works and if I don't find anything else, would be an acceptable choice, although once again, the hours are pretty crazy. Why are call centres opened so darned late all the time???<br /><br />So things are going well, and fast. One of them is bound to be the good one.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-84141549043645417342010-09-07T23:12:00.002-04:002010-09-07T23:23:45.802-04:00Jobs, jobs, jobsIt's not like I really <span style="font-style:italic;">want</span> to work. It's more like I have to.<br /><br />So I have been poring over job sites on the internet, sending resumes, wondering if I should apply here where I don't really want to work, or wait till something really interesting catches my eye. Hummm I may end up waiting a really long time.<br /><br />I do have an interview tomorrow. It would be interesting, except the hours are brutal. Who wants to work every weekend, and sometimes until 1:30 am? I want to be able to spend some quality time with Ous, more than once a mnth. However going to a job interview is good, it allows me to hone my job interviewee skills. And who knows, maybe I am misinformed about the schedules. The good thing is that most of the jobs I am interested in don't start until October. Which gives me time to get my brain organized.<br /><br />I did sent one resume to a potential employer that I find very interesting. Hours are good, schedule is acceptable, and pay is more than reasonable. I hope they contact me in the next couple of days. They did send me an email with a questionnaire to fill out, and hopefully they will be impressed enough with my answers to want to meet me. It's not to far away, accessible by bus and somewhat related to what I used to do in Winnipeg. We'll see.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-77382774929612688852010-09-07T12:50:00.004-04:002010-09-07T23:12:29.661-04:00Let the dust settleThe first couple of weeks we took care of paperwork: car and house insurance, new drivers licences, new health cards, changing all our addresses, getting the phone, internet and tv hooked up.<br /><br />Unpacking... We still have a lot of plastic rubbermaid crates in the living room, as we have no storage area. Trying to unpack means also trying to find where to put all the stuff. C'est décourageant.On prend notre temps. I'd rather be outside.<br /><br />It's been very hot in August. A nice change from Winnipeg, where it seems our last 3 summers were rain and cold. We found a lake close-by and went a few times. It felt so good to roll up my pant-legs, take off my shoes and walk in the almost warm water. Even went swimming one day last week, when it was sooo hot and school had started so the place was deserted. We thought we would bring a picnic, but as were are still in the middle of Ramadan, unless we have that picnic at night... it ain't gonna happen this summer.<br /><br />Ousmane has discovered garage/yard sales. So now, as we drive around, he is forever on the prowl for"Deals". He is a pretty good negociator, and has managed to find us great "Deals" for our new place. We still need a few items, but as there is no room right now, I am boycotting any type of outdoor sales as we see them. <br /><br />* * * * <br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EVYou_6zFEU/TIZyR0sLnhI/AAAAAAAAAC4/q28-7KakMsQ/s1600/100_0170.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EVYou_6zFEU/TIZyR0sLnhI/AAAAAAAAAC4/q28-7KakMsQ/s320/100_0170.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514220444289048082" /></a><br /><br /><br />We decided last Wednesday to drive out to Montreal. The plan was to see BenGen, Dima and dear old Matante Hélène. The plan did not take into account traveling time within the big city, and the fact that we wanted to be back home before sunset. So unfortunately, we did not get to see my sister. :( <br /><br />Ben was busy in his studio, but Gen sweetly guided us to the bagel place, or should I say THE bagel place, where we bought 3 dozen to take back home with us. Their sweet smell in the car on the way back was mildly distracting, and we were quite happy not to have to wait too long when we got home before sitting down with our coffee and yummy fresh sweet sesame bagel, still warm might I add.<br /><br />Matante Hélène was thrilled to see us. When I called her the night before, she sounded ecstatic to find out she would have visitors the next day: I'll wait for you by the front door at one o'clock. I gently told her that I would call her around 1PM, not knowing quite how our schedule would work out. We were there at 3:20. A smiling aunt sitting in her chair by the window, greeted us very cheerfully. Lots of hugging and kissing. Gee, I hadn't seen her in maybe 10 or maybe 15 years... Along time.<br /><br />She immediately adopted Ousmane, and rumor has it she thinks he's the best thing since sliced bread. At least that's what she implied, when speaking with her younger sister, my mother, for an hour on the phone the next day. Mother called me to relay the story. Cute.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-69711017965335443202010-08-21T13:43:00.002-04:002010-08-21T14:05:11.950-04:00Back in businessNot to sure how to relate the past month.<br /><br />Lots of packing. Lots of driving to and fro (Winnipeg, Ottawa, and back again). Looking for a new place to settled down and grow new roots.<br /><br />Leaving Winnipeg for good on August 6th. Goodbye house on Walnut Street, finally all done up the way we wanted it. Goodbye friends and family, hopefully we'll meet again soon.<br /><br />We saw a lynx on the drive out, late Friday afternoon. It slowly deambulated (?) across highway 17, nose sniffing the air, ears very much lynx ears, and legs stretching out on the dry pavement. I took it as a good luck omen. We had a safe ride, safe trip, arriving in Ottawa on Sunday afternoon around 2.<br /><br />That first week was hectic. Running around in circles to change the plates on the car, oh but you need your Ontario driver's liscence for that (among a load of other documents). Going to transfer the driver's liscence, you need a valid passeport, or sorry your name will not be the way you want it, and the way it should be. My first name is not and has never been <span style="font-style:italic;">Marie</span>, but according to my new Ontario driver's liscence, it is now. Go figure. I was too exhausted by the going around in circles to argue any more. Back to the "Service Ontario" office, who could use tips on appropriate customer service techniques... I took 4 days of bs to get the plates changed and the car insured.<br /><br />We had managed to sell all our funiture before we left. The movers had only to worry about boxes and rubbermaid crates. Oh and my bike. Once here, we went shopping for a few items that could not wait. We bought a bed at Sears before we left, with a delivery date of the Tuesday after our arrival. After sleeping on the floor for over 2 weeks, that bed was very welcome in our new home. We bought a TV, some shelving, 2 desks, one for Ous for his studies, and one for my new computer, going into the corner of what could/should be a dinning area. We set up our dining area in the kitchen using the cart and bar stools Ben had given me a while ago. Yesterday we found a "curio cabinet" that fits perfectly in our tiny kitchen where I can now put the dishes. Someone having a yard sale, and we got it for $10. Ous is now convinced that for any other items we will be needing, we should check yard/garage sales...<br /><br />And so all is well.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-84830416313333182572010-07-22T15:02:00.002-04:002010-07-22T15:08:21.568-04:00Found a houseOur road trip went well. It took 3 days to get here, 3 very tiring days, getting up early and driving till late. Eating cold pizza I had packed for lunches, drinking hot coffee atT*ms... take a pee break each time we could.<br /><br />Staying with friends right now, and very little access to internet. We went to see 2 appartments, very discouraging, a house, and then this one. It is not our dream home, but the price is right (everything is much more expensive here, although I was expecting that), it's very conveniently located, the landlord seems nice and apparently the people upstairs are quiet. It is smaller than what we have now of course, but I think we will organize it quite well.<br /><br />So here we are in Ottawa.<br /><br />Oh yes, the street is named after my son...OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-16410763387971585042010-07-16T23:17:00.003-04:002010-07-16T23:28:55.334-04:00Getting ready for the road trip.I told him I would pack, but I am not too sure what we should bring. I've got the snacks planned, and drinks, and toilettries, and, well that'a bout it. Are we bringing the breakables with us? Are we packing up the computer, DVD player and other various electronics? I am not too sure. I think we might not be going to bed early tonight.<br /><br />I went to see Sof & the boys for supper. I have very mixed feelings about this trip and have tried to focus only on the fun part of the adventure. Saying goodbye was very hard and we are both not talking about what happens after this trip. Pretend it's just a holiday. It's just easier right now to pretend. Yup, we're coming back in 10 days. Don't talk about what happens 5 days after that... As Basil Fawlty would say: <span style="font-style:italic;">Don't mention the War</span>...<br /><br />We had people come in to do estimates for moving our stuff to Ottawa. SOOOO expensive. I knew that , but still, a bit of a surprise. Ous is thinking we should just try to sell or donate everything and go empty handed. Maybe that would work for the furniture, but what about the books, CDs, winter clothes, and little every day items???? What about my shoe chair??? We are still undecided. But I am sure that spending quality time for the next 26 hours together in the car, we will be able to decipher all that.<br /><br />I HATE moving.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6660812557355196819.post-6663373048745995172010-07-15T23:06:00.002-04:002010-07-15T23:51:11.610-04:00Bittersweet goodbyeIt was my last day at work today. I really liked working there and got along really well with everyone, and enjoyed my work. Sure, sometimes I had to deal with people who seemd to have limited common sense or (intelligence) but most of the clients were nice, pleasant and reasonable people to deal with.<br /><br />I actually got some work done in the morning, even though they had planned a potluck for today, and we all know what that means: Huge amounts of delicious food all day, to nibble on and distract one from working. And of course, every once in a while, someone would drop by my desk to say goodbye. Hugs and tears. I gave some of my buddies littles mementos that I had decorated my desk with: a glass sculpture for Mary, a snow globe with tiny little robins inside for Irene, a bamboo wood chime for Martha. Asked Diana to nurse my dying bamboo plant (more like a stick) back to health and gave her a fabulous snow globe with a photo of moi inside... to watch over her. I also gave her my original sandstone bird sculpture that I had gotten as a souvenir during the Pan Am Games in 1999. She felt bad she didn't have anything for me. Hey, don't worry about it. Just tell any future employer I was a great employee! (No this wasn't a bribe.) They all said they will miss me, miss my sense of humour, my silly jokes and pranks, but also my dedication and hard work.<br /><br />I started cleaning my desk (client files and updates) in the afternoon, being interrupted again by well-wishers. Then around 4:30, had to go back on the phones, and had calls till 6PM. After the last caller finished, the other girl left, and there I was, all by myself. Feeling a bit sad, and lonely. Gathering my personnal effects in a couple of bags and after one last look around, going down the stairs, alone, down the long hallway to the back door, alone, even the cleaning lady was nowhere to be seen, and finally leaving the building, making sure the door was locked behind me and getting to my one lonely car in the parking lot and leaving, alone... Bittersweet.<br /><br />Preparing now for our new adventure.OusNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15507044458008245377noreply@blogger.com0