Something to be excited about

My in-laws gave me some money to purchase a new monitor. I figured I might as well save the tax and hit the sales, so I ran out at lunch today and picked up this snazzy looking monitor.

I asked the super-computer-geek boys last night while raiding what I should get, and I got a resounding - Get Widescreen! On top of that, I was told to get a low millisecond response time and a high contrast ratio. I think I found a good one.

I can't wait to set it up. I think it will be the first thing I do when I get home.

Quick Christmas

My holidays are almost over. I head back to Edmonton tomorrow for a couple of days of work and then it is back again for New Years. I am already dreading the driving. Part of me just wants to stay put.

Christmas was good all around. I got to visit the family and spend time with my niece and nephew. Jeff & I spent most of our time playing Runebound and D&D Basic Game with our nephew Kevin. He had a great time, but was disappointed that he could spend more time with us, considering we are moving away and all.

Santa was good to me this year. I got the Season 1 and 2.5 of Battlestar Galatica and some money to buy a new monitor, on top of the standard socks, pjs, lotions, body wash, etc. I am looking forward to watching the series again.

I think a peaceful night in my old home is in store before I return to my new home.

I Made It

I made it back to Saskatoon safe and sound. It was a long and tiring drive, but I managed to keep myself awake with loud music and a head full of thoughts. I find myself thinking of all sorts of things when I drive from what menu items will be listed at the restaurant I dream of owning one day to how past events would have changed my life if I had only made different decisions. Whatever it is I think about, it keeps me awake, which is the important point. I tend to get drowsy in the car, so I tend to let my mind wander as much as possible.

So far, it has been busy back in Saskatoon. Jeff & I have spent most of the day doing the last little bit of shopping we needed to get done, and wrapping gifts. This afternoon we plan on relaxing with a movie and then hopefully nothing but lazing around this evening. With so much travelling over the holidays, I really just wanted to stay in for the night.

Tomorrow we are off to Biggar for a couple of days and then back to Saskatoon for my last day of holidays. As for Wednesday, I get to spend it driving back to Edmonton for work on Thursday and Friday. I am definitely going to need a holiday from my holiday.

It will be nice to get back to Edmonton. Although I have only been there for 2 weeks I am definitely starting to settle in and Saskatoon almost feels awkward in some way.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Finally, a productive day

Well that isn't exactly true. However, it was the first day since I started that I actually felt like I was working on something and was getting somewhere. Even though I wasn't exactly sure of what I was doing.

Sine I have started I have been fairly busy meeting people, attending meetings, becoming oriented to the organization and getting my office (see below) organized.





But today, with my schedule being fairly clear and free, I was able to sit down and take a look at some of the orientation packages that are put together for new hires. I managed to muddle my way through one; fine tuning the details, even though I am still learning about the organization. And it felt pretty good to have something accomplished by the end of Day 7.

The rest of the week should go fairly quickly, and then I am back home. Unfortunately I have to return to work between Christmas and New Years. That sucks, but I really can't expect time off already. Plus, that'll leave more holidays for later.

On a completely unrelated note, did anyone catch the hockey game tonight? It was intense. Just when I thought Edmonton was going to win, Colorado stoll the show. When it comes to hockey I have always been a fan, however have neglected the game for many years. Now that I will be residing in a city with a NHL team, I am sure it will have a greater presence.

Thanks Jeff

What an awesome song. Check it out the video and lyrics.

A turning tide
Lovers at a great divide
why d'you laugh
When I know that you hurt inside?

And why'd you say
It's just another day, nothing in my way
I don't wanna go, I don't wanna stay
So there's nothing left to say?
And why'd you lie
When you wanna die, when you hurt inside
Don't know what you lie for anyway
Now there's nothing left to say

A tell tale sign
You don't know where to draw the line

And why'd you say
It's just another day, nothing in my way
I don't wanna go, I don't wanna stay
So there's nothing left to say
And why'd you lie
When you wanna die, when you hurt inside
Don't know what you lie for anyway
Now there's nothing left to say

Well for a lonely soul, you're having such a nice time
For a lonely soul, you're having such a nice time
For a lonely soul, it seems to me that you're having such a nice time
You're having such a nice time

For a lonely soul, you're having such a nice time
For a lonely soul, you're having such a nice time
For a lonely soul, it seems to me that you're having such a nice time
You're having such a nice time

via

This will always make me feel better

One week down

Ym frst week went off without a hitch. As the dsys go by I am getting more and more comfortable around the office and my new collegues. Everyone is so welcoming and exciting. That makes it even better.

As for my job, it is starting to fill out a little for me each day. As I spend more time talking with different directors, managers and team leads I have started to get a better understanding of what my organization does and how my role fits in. I think it will be an exciting time. Definitely when it comes to moulding and shaping my job. I now have the feeling that the individual who was in my previous role just wasn't doing the things that she was suppose in regards to the Learning and Development Strategy and Business Plan. I am confident that I can bring some insight and creativity to the position.

On another note, I sadly did not get to see Randy last night. Bne and I weren't at the airport promptly at 6, but due to some poor/lack of communication we hadn't heard that Randy was still in San Francisco and that his plane had been cancelled. After talking some to the Edmonton crew, we found out that he would be arriving at 1:00am. So, we hung out for the evening at Cori and Dave's and I got to meet the rest of the Edmonton crew.

I had planned on going to the airport later to see Randy, however his plane was to be delayed another hours. So, I am super excited to see Randy today. I can't wait.

Again, very, very tired and bummed out today. Perhaps I will feel better when I go home for Christmas and I am around people who love me.

Today Sucks

Don't worry, it's not about work. Work is great. I am finally getting into things a little more. Although I am still fairly overwhelmed.

I am pretty much in a crappy mood today, and being tired really doesn't help. Damn, I wish I would've slept last night. I can't wait to leave work so I can get 'home', go to my room, close my door, and be alone.

My First Day

My first day was awesome!

I have an amazing corner office with 6 windows and an nice cherry wood executive office suite. It is fairly snazzy. I was impressed.

Most of the day was getting oriented around the office, meeting people, filling out forms, learning about my computer and telephone, and getting signed up with all the regular 'new employee' stuff. My boss and divisional coworkers took me out for lunch, and I was able to meet everyone in the organizational by the way of the 'Santa Anonymous' event.

This Christmas event involves a secret santa present exchange of childrens gifts. The idea is to buy your *person* a gift that they would've liked as a child or something that is descriptive of their personality. The entire office has a gift opening day, today, and then gives all the kids toys to Santa's Anonymous. I thought it was a great idea for celebrating the spirit of Christmas.

The rest of the afternoon was spent organizing my office, and checking out the various policy binders, and drawers for additional information regarding my job.

All in all it was a fantastic day. Everyone was warm, friendly, and welcoming. They definitely made me feel like part of the team right away. You know how you can feel unsettled and sometimes uncomfortable the first couple days in a new job? Well I didn't feel like that at all. I felt like I fit in right away, and it doesn't feel like I haven't been working for 15 months. I certaintly hope this feeling continues. I feel extremely good and excited about this job and its possibility.

The rest of the week is pretty much full of orientation stuff, so it really won't be all that exciting to report. But I will definitely try to update regularily, as I know that you guys are missing me.

Goodbye Saskatoon

Today is the day...

I spent this morning packing my things and organizing all the stuff I plan on taking with me. It is a lot more than I thought - 2 suitcases full of clothes, shoes, and various tolietries and other miscellaneous items; my computer; and my laptop; plus 2 garmet bags full of dress clothes.

The house has been listed and we have had a few agents show the house since Thursday. Today we are having a open house, so we have to make ourselves scarce once again. However, I don't plan on leaving until after the open house. Here's hoping someone likes it enough to buy it.

I start work tomorrow and I am quite excited. I know it is going to be a great job!

Although I will be home for Christmas in a couple of weeks it is going to be a long couple of months living in limbo. Jeff will have to get used to me being gone again. He did fine this past summer while I was in Oxford, so I am sure it won't be a problem. No word on when he will be getting a transfer/promotion to Edmonton, so it might be few months until he joins me in Edmonton.

The Coffee Break is Almost Over

In light of my circumstances, I thought it was fitting to change my template. The 'Coffee Break' template was interesting, and a big pain in the ass to format, but it was only temporary. I can't expect my life to be a perpetual coffee break. I fully expected to get a job *eventually*. And I did.

I have not quite sure if I like this template, but I have been unable to find anything else. I have converted to beta blogger and have no complaints thus far.

Just Moving; Not Dead

So...

Apparently my last post didn't impress too many of my friends. They figured it was a little stale and unfeeling and that I should re-post concerning my new news.

Well, on Friday I received a job offer from an insurance company serving educators in Alberta. I have verbally accepted the position and I am extremely excited about starting work with an amazing group of people. Well, at least the three people that were involved in the interviews. I am sure the rest of the employees are great too. From the observations and conclusions I have drawn, it appears that they look for warm, friendly, outgoing, happy individuals - like me - to fill their organization. I think I am in good hands.

I start work on December 11th - only one week from today. I am excited, nervous, and apprehensive all in one. I haven't worked for 15 months, so it will be good to get back to the grind and start learning and challenging myself once again. However, any new job is a little scary at the beginning because you do want to make a good impression and solidify in their minds that they made a good choice in hiring you. Plus, this whole temporary move thing puts me outta my comfort zone a bit. I was saying to Jeff this morning, 'I really do like change in life because it challenges me and helps me grow as a person, however there is just something about being surrounded by the comforts of your own home and things that makes this feel a little bit better.' I guess I will have to make do with with the comforts of my friends home for awhile. I should be fine, just feeling a little out of place.

As for moving, everthing is still up in the air about when and how. I will contacting our mortgage company and bank today to find out if they will approve us for another mortgage, as we really want to buy a house in Edmonton. That is exciting because we really didn't think we would be able to afford a whole house, especially if we moved somewhere like Calgary or Vancouver. But the housing market in Edmonton isn't too outta whack for us to purchase a home. Although it will be a heck of a lot more expensive than here, it is doable. So once I find out from the bank, our real estate agent will get moving on listing our house. How fast it sells will determine how fast we can get ourselves settled in Edmonton. I am hoping for a quick turn around, but you never know. It is December and Christmas time - not real great time to be looking to sell. However, our real estate agent seems optimistic, so I will keep my hopes up.

It looks like I will be able to get a good solid 2 weeks in at work before I am home again for Christmas. This will be a good way for me to get settled in the new job and start learning about the organization and the people that work there. Come January, I should be able to dive right into things. I think it will be a good way to start out in this job. I am still not certain how long I will be home for at Christmas, but I get 3 days off for sure (not including weekends). One extra stat at Christmas time for me - Sweet!

As for moving away, I am sadden that I will be leaving a group of close friends behind. This is hard because I really do love all my friends and thrive being around them. But it isn't all bad. First of all, we are only moving to Edmonton. It is a fairly short distance, and trips by friends are made quite often. So I hope to see everyone often, just not as often as I am used to. Secondly, one of my close girlfriends from high school lives in Edmonton. It will be great to spend more time with her and her husband. Thirdly, my other 3 close girlfriends from high school (Biggar) are scattered through Alberta and have lived there for many years. I have been the lonely Saskatchewanite for awhile, so it will be nice to be able to see them more often than I am used to. Fourthly, Bne - 'nough said.

Overall, Jeff & I are very, very excited about the new opportunities that have been presented for us. I knew I wouldn't stay in Saskatchewan for ever, and I think the move is quite timely. I really don't think I could take anymore people moving away.

I hope this post satisfies the unsatisfied.

I have a job!

I got the job in Edmonton.

I start on December 11th.

We will eventually be selling our house and Jeff will be joining me in Edmonton.

Make sure you call or come see me before I leave.

I will miss you all.