Sky Rockets in Flight

The only relation the title has to the actual post is the flight part because...I booked my flight!! Yes, I know, I only have two weeks. I think I was just waiting for a sweet deal that never showed up. Finally I succumbed to Air Canada that is actually 30 bucks more than my first one-way through AC. And I signed up for Air Canada's mileage program, Aeroplan, and yet when I booked the flight, it still said I didn't have any miles. I think the "earning miles" idea never really benefits you unless you buy two flights, five nights at a hotel, and a seven-day cruise at the end of it. I initially signed up for Expedia's mileage program, aptly named the "Thank You Network." The brilliant idea behind this program is that it only works if you book something extra with your flight, or go shopping around on the Expedia site for things you don't need. So just a regular flight (no matter if it costs $5,000 and flies around the world twice) does not count towards earning points. And if you earn 10,000 points, you get a $200 flight! So, the only way you could really benefit from these programs is if you have to travel a lot for business. Like my brother Trevor, who flies to Los Angeles a lot for business, and after so many roundtrips per year, gets a complimentary one by Southwest. That is a pretty sweet deal. But not everyone can be a rocket scientist...and by that I mean a mechanical engineer.

In other news, I have finally found a place to stay in Toronto!! Such a big weight lifted off my shoulders. Unfortunately it will not be with the German chemist named Engelbert, but come to find out, there were some restrictions on that place that I might not be able to handle for 4-5 months. The older woman told my friend Vanessa "no elaborate meals in the kitchen"...what constitutes an elaborate meal? Thanksgiving dinner or dressed up mac & cheese? Also, me coming in late at night would "disrupt her schedule..but once a week is ok," and lastly, Vanessa said she's a bit too motherly. Never fear though, I found another place. AND, this seems waaaaay more suited for me than living with middle-aged people. It's a four bedroom house, so I have three roommates MY AGE..with a washer/dryer and everything. A sun room, a front room with....a record player!! And a piano, but I'm more excited about the record player because that means my dad can send me some of my records. The house also has a back deck and BBQ, and a garden. This has the potential to be a great summer!!

Looking at the title of this post makes me want to watch Anchorman...Afternoon Delight!

Til next time, dedicated followers!

Roommates?

I have lived with a good assortment of people. Some crazy, some young, some messy, some fun! BUT, I've never lived with an "older" person..and by older I mean my parents age. On the search for a summer sublet in Toronto, I enlisted my wonderful friend Vanessa to help by looking at places for me. You know you have a good friend when they're willing to look at a place and meet your potential roomies for you.

Vanessa went today to look at a place, in a great area called The Annex, which she said is so central I would've have to take cabs back from the bars. Not sure which bars exactly, but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough. Now, it's a three story house, and I would be sharing the bathroom and kitchen with an older woman named Micky. She seems nice, and Vanessa said she sounded super cute on the phone. The third floor is rented out by a German post-doc, a chemist who spends most of his time in the lab studying co2 emissions. His name is......wait for it......Engelbert!! Hahaha...I get a good chuckle every time I say it. I wouldn't see him since he has his own apartment basically. I haven't heard back from Vanessa but am keeping fingers crossed. It would be brilliant if this place worked out ahead of time and I didn't have to worry. But, would it work to live with a mom-like figure when I want to have a friend stay? We shall see.....

Also, I have an interview for an internship with Planet in Focus when I get there. PIF is an environmental organization that puts on the International Environmental Film & Video Festival. Perfect for someone who has been looking at jobs with Discovery Channel and the National Geographic Channel these past couple of months.

Many more exciting things taking place..stay tuned!!

Searching and searching...

When doing research to move temporarily to another city, one must find a place to stay and may like to find out what this new city has to offer. It's a bit different when going to another COUNTRY. I'm searching on Craigslist Toronto..yes, there are craigslists for many countries...for sublets in the summer because I will probably live with a friend come August. Most of them request a female, or a young student or professional because most people looking to rent out rooms seem to be under those categories. The last one I looked at however, had a reasonable price and location, then said, "share a non-smoking apartment with"...wait for it...a "47 year old Canadian man." I'm sorry, I don't care how cute and tame Canadians are, this young female professional is not living with a random middle-aged man..no matter what nationality.

I would also like to share a couple of sentiments I found on websites for immigrants coming to Canada. One website..a non-governmental one I might add...said something along the lines of, "if you think you can just easily move to a new country and start a new life, think again." That one made me laugh because it was plain unbelievable. But another one also said, "congrats on having the strength and courage to move to a new country and start your life." That sounds more like the Canadians I know and love!! Either way, this will be an interesting and exciting journey..thank god for blogs so you all have a way to live vicariously through me.

New Developments!!

Hello all you gracious followers! It has been almost a month, but seems longer since I left the land of Loonies. You are probably wondering what this post could be about, considering that the idea of the blog was for my trip to Canada. And, I originally thought as I wrote the entry below that it would probably be my last, and my last visit to Canada for some time. BUT, as I laid around at my parents house, searching the world wide web for any signs of a job, I ended up applying to a few in Toronto! As time went on and I spoke to my lovely friends in Canada about my prospects (or lack thereof) I realized..I might as well consider Toronto as a viable option for a relocation. Just to make you aware as your jaw is open from that last statement, I was planning on moving somewhere around the East Coast, as the companies I want to work for are located there. And I'm choosing Toronto because it has more opportunities in Film/TV..but (for the record) I loved Ottawa and will visit you Helena, when I can!

So, to make a short story longer...I have decided to move to Toronto. Take a moment to mull that over (as my great friend Jaz recently told me). Yes, it's happening. I plan on leaving either the 13th or 14th of April, just after my birthday. I have done copious amounts of research on what it takes to live and work there, and I am happy to say, I am prepared. My family supports it, with my Mom telling me to "go for it!" and my g-ma staying silent as she doesn't like it when I leave the country. I have applied to jobs and will keep applying, but if I do not have something by the time I want to leave...I'm just going to go anyway. I figure if I can hack a year in England, I can handle Canada.

I recently told a new Canadian/British friend of mine that Canadians are like a cuter, tamer version of Americans. He put some effort into a chuckle, but told me Canadians probably will not respond nicely if I say it there. It was not meant to be an insult, FYI. I guess I'll just have to get all that out now, eh? Alright, I forced that "eh." To sum up what took me three paragraphs, I am going to start writing posts again with a twist on the original subject: moving to Canada. I'm an immigrant! That and I got an overwhelming response to keep this blog going. Ok, so it was basically from two of my aunts.

But I know you silent ones are out there...and are LOVING this.