You know what frustrates me? Taxes. And parents. Try combining them. Oi.

Observations: Rez Life

Observation #1: Seen in a residence window as the 4 downtown passed through Carleton - "I GAVE YOU CRABS" written on tacky brown paper in big block letters. Hmmm. I used to wonder if I missed out on some element of "university life" by not living in residence when I did my undergrad at UPEI because I lived at home. For free. With access to a car. A full refrigerator. Unlimited phone usage. Somebody looking out for me. And no idiotic statements like that taped to my window.

Sure there were things I didn't like about living at home, specifically as related to my privacy and my social life. "Where are you going? Are you going to be late? Will you be drinking? You don't be drinking if you're taking the car." I love my parents, but it was hard to be at home sometimes and often I yearned to have my own apartment or live in residence so I wouldn't have to deal with the constant attention. Then I moved into my first apartment and it was nice to go back home to visit, play with my dog, chat with my parents, have a good home cooked meal and do my laundry in a non-stinky laundry dungeon. Now that I'm even further away, I miss all those things that much more. But more than a few days at home and yes, my nerves to get stretched a bit, but I remember that it's only for a short time, and I don't actually live there anymore, and soon enough I'll be back in Ottawa wishing I was home on PEI.

I've heard people tell stories about living in "rez" and the shenanigans that accompanied it and I must admit, it all sounds like a lot of fun. Communal living is not really my cup of tea; perhaps if I had lived in residence at least for my first year, I would be a bit better with that. But I also did really well in university, and was able to work a part-time job with relatively low stress compared to people I know who lived in residence (mostly in other provinces), had to work, and keep their grades up so as to not lose their scholarships. How did our experiences differ? They probably had more late nights, more experimenting with drugs, alcohol and lots more sex. But they also had their share of cat fights, gross bathrooms, roommate issues (um, sometimes that doesn't change), no privacy, no peace and quiet, and a strong yen to get the hell out of there after first year. It's a personal thing I guess. I'd be interested in hearing other people's thoughts on residence life and if it's worth it, or if I can ever really know if I "missed out" on anything. I don't feel that I had a bad uni experience. Most of my friends lived at home too, and we had many many nights of partying with all kinds of stuff that we still (or won't) talk about. Everyone's experience is different, and I'm sure rez life added another dimension to university life. I don't think it was for me, but that's just me. Maybe in another life I'll try it out. Probably not. I'm more likely to come back as a snail or something. But that's another observation for another time.

I hate being jealous of friends

But holy cow I know some pretty frickin' creative people. I've long thought that Lana's photos were beautiful and that she has an amazing eye, especially considering most of her photos are random shots. After seeing her new photo portfolio I'm convinced she has the makings of a very talented professional photographer. Kudos to her on her article in the Citizen (which I cannot access because I forgot my canada.com password and they are updating the site. Blech). Fed. gov worker by day, photographer, blogger, cool chick all the rest of the time.

How many people in Ottawa feel the same way as Matt B? 

So I've made it the whole day without napping: NOT ONCE, and it has been a really productive day. For the most part. Well, my kitchen is all cleany (except for the floors) and I'm about to wade through all my clean but not folded clothing on the floor of my bedroom to get to bed. I volunteer all day tomorrow at the ICCS - it's like a new job! where i don't get paid! - and then I'm cooking supper for P and I. I'm super excited/nervous about it. He's the cook, not me, but I love trying out new recipes and I'm getting better. Tonight I made myself steak, potatoes, and grilled veggies. George Foreman grill, you're a carnivorous girl's best friend. Tomorrow I'm tackling roasted potatoes a la herbes de provence, and brie and prosciutto-stuffed chicken breasts. Mmmm boy. Chatelaine is such a great magazine - where else would I get the idea to made this kind of food and actually think I can do it? I'll let y'all know how it turns out.

Oh my gosh, I almost forgot to mention about meeting Amy for coffee (haven't seen her in ages) and then a walk into the Market and feeling so cosmopolitan for shopping for groceries in the Market (brie at one of the cheese stores, prosciutto at La Bottega) and a funky cool belt and some sexy new lingerie and a pretty pink lingerie bag to wash them in. Fun! I'm so girly as of late. It's kinda scaring me!

Early morning

I'm up early and it's my day off! That's the story when you have to get a ride with someone who has to fight his way into the corporate jungle, poor lad. However, I realized that provided I've had enough sleep the night before, getting up early in the morning is a lovely way of enjoying life, and some good alone time. When you have roommates it's nice to be up earlier than they are so you can enjoy your space and the quiet time. I've never been (and perhaps never will be) what I'd call a morning person; however, when I do, on rare occasion, get up early, I feel good about how much time I have left in my day to spend potentially being productive. Let's hope today is one of those days.

Sometimes all you really need is the surprise knock on the door which tells you more than any words can that it's going to be okay. That it is okay.

Things are gonna get brighter

I looked at my blog today and checked out the comments. It's nice to know that people are reading this, and that some of you feel the same way I do sometimes. I'm not alone in my neuroses!!!**

Tuesday and yesterday left me feeling mostly spazzed out again, prompting me to change my MSN name to Stressbomb. Today isn't as bad, but my neck is so incredibly stiff I feel as if something fell on it. nb. Stress manifests itself in my body in many ways, but most often it is in stiff muscles, particularly my neck. Sometimes when I get super-stressed my shoulders creep up and up and up until I've had friends tell me that they're up around my ears and they have to force them down for me! Breathe girl!!! I KNOW I should do yoga, but as my previous blogs would indicate - who's got the time?

Briefly, on Tuesday I had my interview at Justice Canada and it went very poorly. I had no idea how to prepare and so had no idea they would be asking me legal questions and/or questions that I figure I don't need to know unless they give me the job. i.e. What is in the Canada Gazette and how is it organized? (Um, new laws and stuff? I have no idea how it's organized! I don't care!) What are the three ways a law comes into force after it is enacted? Um....... What happens to a bill after it passes through Parliament? Uh...... Yeah, I felt really stupid. The rest of the interview was situational and I think I did okay with that. I covered my ass by saying that although I realize I didn't do well on the legal-type questions I applied for the job based on my editing experience and I was very capable of learning if given the opportunity. *sigh*

Yesterday I met with the woman at ICCS and I went in today to start volunteering. It's mostly doing general office stuff that they don't have enough staff to work on. People seem really nice. And it's related to my degree, subject-wise, so that' s good. I think I'm really going to like it and it's going to be awesome on my resume. I just hope that work doesn't interfere with it - sounds silly, I know, but it's better experience than some of the jobs I'll get with the temp agencies, no doubt. Speaking of that, I went to ExcelHR yesterday. They are much busier and far more professional than Randstad, although that doesn't necessarily make them better. Got my security clearance started, and I hope that gets me government contracts becauses the money is good and so are the opportunities. But yesterday really wore me down. The one good thing is that I ran into my sister at lunch and she took me out to Subway. I like that we get to see each other like that sometimes, sort of randomnly during the week. It's nice to have some family here.

That's enough from me today. I'm going to relax for a bit then get ready to head back out into the rain to see my boy at his house. We've rented Pirates of the Carribbean (for his Keith Richards a la Johnny Depp fix) and because it's a fun movie and probably have supper and do some staring deep into each other's eyes, etc. etc. Haha. Yup, we're still gross, although we're past the "don't let him see the side of you that is bitchy, tired, short-tempered" and I sort of let it all hang out. And although it's caused some problems, so far he's still here. Amazingly. Oh my gosh he's just so good to me I hope this continues to work. Have a good day all. Although it's rainy and gross, mintyfresh is right and the days are getting longer and the sun will shine and the birds will sing, and there are always kittens. :P



**An aside to one of you who reads my blog: Harold, where are you??????? I miss you!! I got your email about your move, but I need you to post what has been going on in your life!!!! I hope everything is okay. It sounds as though it is, but very busy. Hang in there kid.

"I wanna be a supermodel"

"'Cause I'm young and so fit. I wanna be a supermodel." Can't remember who sings that song, but it's catchy and gets in your head.

Did you ever google your name to see what comes up? I did it a few years ago, and I think it's funny. I'm apparently a supermodel. Here's my profile: 5'10", 34B, waist 24, hips 35, dress 4/6, shoe 8, eyes green, hair blonde and if I can figure out how to post pictures I will.

In other links, I'm also apparently Harvard-trained and specialize in Jamaican patois. Cool mon.

When it rains

I've been busy as of late with job stuff. Last week I got a call from Justice Canada that I made it into the second round of interviewing and would have an interview, then I got a call from the International Council of Canadian Studies asking if I'd come in and do some volunteering from them, and, oh yeah, they don't have a Communications person (sweet!) and maybe we could work something out if I'm not working full-time. Okay, the problem is, I am not quite working full-time at the store because I'm trying to look for better employment. So I went to some temp agencies and dropped off resumes, receiving an interview on Thursday at one temp agency and a call back for another on Tuesday. And I've already receiving calls about temping for the first place, but I have been at work at the store a LOT lately (or so it seems) so I can't take them. Argh!!!

I know it's all a good thing, but it's somewhat stressful...

...the cool thing is I'm starting my security clearance through one of the temp agencies, and I got tested on Excel and Word and typing and French and did really well on everything (the French isn't corrected yet). Cross your fingers for me!