A notion on my mind in recent months has been the feeling of that moment when your entire universe changes, particularly those occasions when it happens with no warning. I also can't stop thinking about the hours and days right before that moment...the time when you had no idea what was about to happen to you. Unfortunately, many of those moments involve something terrifying or otherwise negative, but sometimes they are also created by events that are wildly positive. Maybe you find out something shocking about someone you love, or maybe a beloved pet is harmed unexpectedly. Maybe marriage was proposed when you did not expect it. Perhaps there is bad news about your health, or you are victimized by one of the many severe weather events that seem to come more frequently now. Maybe, just maybe, your baby arrives a month early, but still completely healthy. Suddenly, your entire point of view has been altered, and other problems which loomed prior to said event become minor; correctly repositioned in the grand scheme of things.
Showing posts with label Calgary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Calgary. Show all posts
August 02, 2013
October 24, 2011
September 28, 2011
Home
During a recent phone conversation with my sister, when I mentioned my hope that hopefully my husband and I will have some part of our lives rooted at 'home' within the next few years, my sister interrupted me, asking me where I think 'home' is. "You've moved so many times, I just can't imagine where you feel like home is." I was startled by the question; it's clear to me that I consider Minnesota home. It made me wonder if what is in my head is not accurately conveyed to the outside world.
I wondered how she would define home, and it got me thinking about my own definition. I felt a list forming in my head of specific descriptors and conditions, none of which are necessarily: "Home is where you live right now."
I wondered how she would define home, and it got me thinking about my own definition. I felt a list forming in my head of specific descriptors and conditions, none of which are necessarily: "Home is where you live right now."
September 24, 2011
August 31, 2011
Work: Getting It, Cont'd
I think I got exactly what I wanted, and surprisingly, it doesn't offer a long-term conclusion. During this time, I have to continue to follow my gut.
Working under a temporary contract has been a surprisingly good experience. I have appreciated the (mostly) flexible scheduling and the opportunity to get paid while I learn. I have appreciated the chance to work in multiple departments of the same company.
What surprised me was that when there was talk of putting me on salary and hooking up my email to the outside world, I felt panicked and a little queasy. There have been some red flags. After my managers indicated to me verbally (in a rushed, last-twenty-minutes-of-the-work-week-closed-door conversation) that they were hoping to make me a full-time I offer, I had questions about the position, the expectations, the compensation package, and the company. They wanted me to write them down, so they could respond with more time and thought. Then they never responded.
Working under a temporary contract has been a surprisingly good experience. I have appreciated the (mostly) flexible scheduling and the opportunity to get paid while I learn. I have appreciated the chance to work in multiple departments of the same company.
What surprised me was that when there was talk of putting me on salary and hooking up my email to the outside world, I felt panicked and a little queasy. There have been some red flags. After my managers indicated to me verbally (in a rushed, last-twenty-minutes-of-the-work-week-closed-door conversation) that they were hoping to make me a full-time I offer, I had questions about the position, the expectations, the compensation package, and the company. They wanted me to write them down, so they could respond with more time and thought. Then they never responded.
July 10, 2011
Stalking the Royals
So we've been in Canada for over a year now, which is shocking. It was our second Canada day, and then now we've just begun our second Stampede.
I can't lie, I have a natural aversion to large, can't-miss events. I did not care for Mardi Gras in New Orleans, I have never been to WeFest in Detroit Lakes, I have never been to a state fair in Minnesota, and I have so far successfully avoided experiencing the Stampede. I think chuck wagon races sound suspect, and yesterday they had to shoot a horse because he broke his leg during a race; I'm definitely glad I did not see that.
I can't lie, I have a natural aversion to large, can't-miss events. I did not care for Mardi Gras in New Orleans, I have never been to WeFest in Detroit Lakes, I have never been to a state fair in Minnesota, and I have so far successfully avoided experiencing the Stampede. I think chuck wagon races sound suspect, and yesterday they had to shoot a horse because he broke his leg during a race; I'm definitely glad I did not see that.
July 09, 2011
The Nanny Diaries
February 1, 2011
I went out to breakfast by myself the other day on my day off. I sat next to two women, having a girl-brunch; one a new mom on maternity leave, the other a working mom, away from the office. They were seated only a couple feet away from me, so I couldn’t help buy overhear. They discussed, at length, some standard Calgarian hot topics: a blow-out trip to Las Vegas, maternity leave, and finding a good nanny.
I went out to breakfast by myself the other day on my day off. I sat next to two women, having a girl-brunch; one a new mom on maternity leave, the other a working mom, away from the office. They were seated only a couple feet away from me, so I couldn’t help buy overhear. They discussed, at length, some standard Calgarian hot topics: a blow-out trip to Las Vegas, maternity leave, and finding a good nanny.
Mountain People
January 2, 2011
Last night we went to dinner at the house of one of my husband's co-workers. We have gotten together with them only a few times, and they are very nice, but gatherings like these definitely highlight an aspect of life in Canada that freaks me out.
Last night we went to dinner at the house of one of my husband's co-workers. We have gotten together with them only a few times, and they are very nice, but gatherings like these definitely highlight an aspect of life in Canada that freaks me out.
Work: Retail
December 6, 2010
Late for work, feel nervous. Hate that I feel so trapped by my schedule. Chip is in the air over Saskatchewan, we will pass each other in the air. I am in MSP and want to stay here desperately. I am supposed to be in YYC already, getting ready for work, but my plans were foiled by fog in Salt Lake City.
Don’t feel like writing, but Mom and her friend that I trust told me that I had to, even if it feels like I have nothing to say.
Late for work, feel nervous. Hate that I feel so trapped by my schedule. Chip is in the air over Saskatchewan, we will pass each other in the air. I am in MSP and want to stay here desperately. I am supposed to be in YYC already, getting ready for work, but my plans were foiled by fog in Salt Lake City.
Witness Protection
June 29, 2010
I am in a situation which in my mind is similar to a witness protection program. In Canada I have no documented history. No credit. No driving record. No network, and apparently, no work references. It’s like I’m 18 again, except with less potential this time.
I am one phone call away from being employed again, and the only thing stopping me is that someone who offered to be a reference for me a year ago today referred the caller to human resources instead. That’s it; with that one small decision, my fate next week and indeed for the foreseeable while, hangs in the balance.
It occurs to me that there is an expiration date on good work. If you did it for a little while, but not recently enough, it will not be enough.
I feel sick to my stomach.
I am in a situation which in my mind is similar to a witness protection program. In Canada I have no documented history. No credit. No driving record. No network, and apparently, no work references. It’s like I’m 18 again, except with less potential this time.
I am one phone call away from being employed again, and the only thing stopping me is that someone who offered to be a reference for me a year ago today referred the caller to human resources instead. That’s it; with that one small decision, my fate next week and indeed for the foreseeable while, hangs in the balance.
It occurs to me that there is an expiration date on good work. If you did it for a little while, but not recently enough, it will not be enough.
I feel sick to my stomach.
Canadians
June 24, 2010
Canadians are wildly polite. Strangers will share their email address to make sure that you find what you are looking for (that happened to me in a store), and cars on highways will come to a halt if your body language even hints that you may consider crossing the street at some point in the following few minutes. I’ve been here for one month. Sometimes it feels like the best possible fit and other times I’m sure that I would give up much of our future material comfort in order to just move to a place of our choosing and live there for a long time. Probably Minneapolis, maybe Austin. In the meantime, I plan to cook and sew, a lot. Apparently feminism has gone all the way around the block and arrived right near where it started. What was a chore and burden forty years ago is now a privilege.
Canadians are wildly polite. Strangers will share their email address to make sure that you find what you are looking for (that happened to me in a store), and cars on highways will come to a halt if your body language even hints that you may consider crossing the street at some point in the following few minutes. I’ve been here for one month. Sometimes it feels like the best possible fit and other times I’m sure that I would give up much of our future material comfort in order to just move to a place of our choosing and live there for a long time. Probably Minneapolis, maybe Austin. In the meantime, I plan to cook and sew, a lot. Apparently feminism has gone all the way around the block and arrived right near where it started. What was a chore and burden forty years ago is now a privilege.
Canadian Traffic Jam
June 16, 2010
I was on driving around on a wild-goose chase looking for sewing machine oil when I heard on the radio that there was a traffic jam in some part of the metro area (presumably in the outer metro…) due to a herd of moose blocking traffic. No joke. Thankfully the radio guys had the good sense to point how hilariously and typically Canadian that sounded, so I don’t think it is a daily event (?!?!).
Even funnier is that the guy who sold me the machine oil doesn’t actually have a storefront or a retail business, and doesn’t spend much time at his place of business, which is a warehouse, so he left a few liters hanging in a bag on the back door of his warehouse and trusted me to leave a check. I did, of course (leave the check), after I finally found his place. I found his trust so charming.
I was on driving around on a wild-goose chase looking for sewing machine oil when I heard on the radio that there was a traffic jam in some part of the metro area (presumably in the outer metro…) due to a herd of moose blocking traffic. No joke. Thankfully the radio guys had the good sense to point how hilariously and typically Canadian that sounded, so I don’t think it is a daily event (?!?!).
Even funnier is that the guy who sold me the machine oil doesn’t actually have a storefront or a retail business, and doesn’t spend much time at his place of business, which is a warehouse, so he left a few liters hanging in a bag on the back door of his warehouse and trusted me to leave a check. I did, of course (leave the check), after I finally found his place. I found his trust so charming.
Moving Sadness
June 6, 2010
Our stuff arrived, complete with unpackers, yesterday. It weighed 8,700 pounds. Another 3,600 pounds is due to arrive in the next week or so, in the form of our car. Sleeping in our bed was an enormous relief after going through the nightly re-inflation of the air mattress. Our belongings fit better in the living room and master bedroom than I expected, and worse in the kitchen. There is work to be done.
Our stuff arrived, complete with unpackers, yesterday. It weighed 8,700 pounds. Another 3,600 pounds is due to arrive in the next week or so, in the form of our car. Sleeping in our bed was an enormous relief after going through the nightly re-inflation of the air mattress. Our belongings fit better in the living room and master bedroom than I expected, and worse in the kitchen. There is work to be done.
June 3, 2010
Email to Mom:
Long week, finally yesterday it was sunny enough to make wearing the summer clothes that I brought with me seem comfortable. Groceries two miles away so went on long walk for things that can be cooked in two pans with one spoon and no sharp knife. Accidentally bought a cute shirt and some shorts and then discovered cute neighborhood cafe, so that cheered me up.
Email to Mom:
Long week, finally yesterday it was sunny enough to make wearing the summer clothes that I brought with me seem comfortable. Groceries two miles away so went on long walk for things that can be cooked in two pans with one spoon and no sharp knife. Accidentally bought a cute shirt and some shorts and then discovered cute neighborhood cafe, so that cheered me up.
I’m Like a Cat
June 1, 2010
We moved to Canada. I’ve been frowning a lot. Our belongings are in a moving van somewhere between here and Minneapolis, and while I knew this would be annoying, I thought that knowing that fact would make it more tolerable. We have kept temporary moving waste (plastic forks, disposable furniture) to a serious minimum, losing money only in the mobile phone circus.
We moved to Canada. I’ve been frowning a lot. Our belongings are in a moving van somewhere between here and Minneapolis, and while I knew this would be annoying, I thought that knowing that fact would make it more tolerable. We have kept temporary moving waste (plastic forks, disposable furniture) to a serious minimum, losing money only in the mobile phone circus.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)