Sunday 19th November, 2000

Wow - I'm actually writing here for the second week in a row. I haven't done that in months!!

The whole reasoning is that this week has had some events. Jay & I finally got word from the Australian consulate and they have granted his visa! So that is such a huge weight lifted. But he may be coming down a bit later in January than me - either way we can escape the winter here.

So I then told my work that I'm leaving in just a few weeks. I don't see anyway I could've worked through December having to catch transit etc in this cold. At the moment it is almost unbearable. It was (with windchill) -8c or -9c every morning this past week. Today is a flat -2c, I'm not sure if there is any windchill there, I haven't been outside yet!

Today there is a Christmas Parade through Downtown that has been happening for the last 95 years! So we're going to brave the crowds as I am intrigued and really want to see what it is all about.

Anyway I think that's about my lot

Until next time

Saturday 11th Novemeber, 2000

Remembrance Day. I hope you all had your minute of silence. It's funny how this used to be a Public Holiday in Canada, then some years ago they conducted a poll on how many Canadian's knew the reason for this day. It was something like less than 40% - so they scrapped the holiday. Sounds pretty bad I know - but I think the main reason for dismal number is the number of immigrants here for which the day has never meant anything. Staying on the subject, they sell Poppies here in remembrance (we have Rosemary at home, but anyhow..) and a disabled lady was mugged by six 14 year old boys for her Poppy Collection Tin. And the amount of tins stolen from shops etc has basically quadrippled in the last year. Very very sad.

The American Election. Fun fun fun. The newly elected Senator Hillary Clinton is calling for them to get rid of the system they use, which is not that bad of a thing, if you want to listen to a woman whos claim to fame is from an adulterous husband. (Quite an accomplishment to be elected through sympathy though don't you think??) And then ofcourse there is the claims from both the Gore & Bush side of "Let's sue! sue! sue!" But whoever the presidency is given to, I hope the yanks have learnt an important lesson. YOUR VOTE DOES COUNT. They wanted to get the vote levels up from their current 20-something % of the population - this just may do it.

The Canadian Election. What a farce. The current PM doesn't need to speak English, hell he doesn't even need any policies because he has no competition! Nothing like a man that calls an election at a time when there is no other party even in contention and therefore ensuring his political life for another 5 years. Go on killing this country Jean - no one is going to stop you.

Christmas. The xmas saturation has begun ladies & gentlemen. And as with every year everyone is saying "already???". Yes, already. There is like 6 weeks to go. Hard to believe this year has gone so fast. And oh my god how much things can change in a year!! My sister has moved out of home, my mum has changed jobs & careers, I have come to the other side of the world and fallen in love, my best friend's marriage came falling down. Just to mention a few bigger happenings of a personal matter within the last 12 months.

As for me at the moment I am increasingly fustrated. I love the company I work for, but really hate the job and 3hrs of daily bus travel. I love Canada, but hate Toronto. I'm getting used to the cold, but still hate it. I absolutely despise where we live. It becomes bearable, and then the fire alarms go off 3 times in one week (always in the middle of the night) and on one occassion 3 times in one night. (All false alarms) The people are rude and have no consideration for anyone else. Can't wait to move. Above all I'm becoming bored. I'm bored at work and it is too damn cold to go anywhere at night etc. My friend's here are too far away to visit and the ones in Australia are waaaaay to far to visit! 16hrs time difference makes it hard to call too. I need change and thankfully it is on it's way. The other fustration is the Australian government and the fact we haven't gotten an answer yet about whether Jay is allowed to come 'down under'.

I know it all sounds negative - it's really not, just I need to know where my future is and I'm helpless to do anything......but wait....

Lastly, Ben Folds Five has broken up. And Mr 'Ben' has gone to live in...Australia! (of all places) Pity that. So I will leave you with some of the more memorable lines from the band.

"Sometimes I get the feeling that I won't be on this planet for very long. I really like it here, I'm quite attached to it, I hope I'm wrong"

"Well I thought about the army, Dad said 'Son you're f***ing high' "

"I loved you before I met you, and I met you just in time, 'cause there was nothing left"

"You broke my heart. Why did you? You hurt me real bad....So you wanted to take a break, Slow it down some and have some space. Well F*** you too! Give me my money back! Give me my money back, You Bitch!"

Sunday 15th October, 2000

I've been looking at flight prices of late to go back home and it's brought me to feeling quite sad really to leave. Of course I still don't know yet if I will be leaving permanently or not, but it seems like a good chance. And as much as I miss home, I think this will always be my 'second' home. After the initial teething problems when I arrived with working all this new stuff out, it's actually all quite normal now. Even down to the Canadian accents. There is nothing like recording a message for your voice mail and listening at it and actually recognising the fact you have an accent. It is quite mind boggling really. So I beleive after initially laughing at everyone at home for the way they talk, it will become normal again. Somehow my time here has just gone so so so fast. I can't believe it's almost the end of the year. I read a quote in the paper "You never really love something until it's gone". And I suppose that could just be true.

Anyhow, off to Prince Edward Island next week and I have booked a flight to Vancouver in December. Then I will be home quite peniless I believe! But it has all been worth it. An experience I shall never forget.

So winter is closing in, but the last few days have been quite warm really, I miss wearing my hat...lol But I think it will be back to the normal cold this week, so the boots and hat etc shall be daily attire once again. I can't imagine what next winter at home will be like for me. I have to say I don't think I shall ever feel the cold quite so badly again!

Sunday 1st October, 2000

Wow! It's October! Can you believe that? This year has gone so damn fast and thankfully last night so did the Olympics. With the closing ceremony over and done with we can all get back to normalicy ( i think that's a word?) I will miss it though, it gave me little pics of home which I wouldn't get otherwise. But ofcourse that has a bad side too - everything stereotypical is reported in the media like shark attacks or "beware of snake" signs in the equestrian park thingy. So then ofcourse I get questioned of these occurances by people here like I know the reason for it or caused it or something.

I am reading Bill Bryson's "In a sunburnt country" (you know on the #10 bestsellers list and has the pic of the kanga on the front) It is absolutely hilarious. I love it. I'm reading it at a frantic pace as it is just so funny you can't help but yearn for more. Anyways - go and buy it or get it from a friend or a library or something. It's great.

Had my first slightly cold day the other day (I use that term not by how I feel it but how people here react) it was 1c ...... -5c with windchill. And I had to walk in it. For like 10 mins to work at some ungodly hour of the morning. Every orafice in my face was expelling something. It's amazing, your face is so frozen your nose runs, eyes water etc and you can hardly feel it (because all feeling has already gone) Ever since then I am really happy to see it at 10c in the morning. That's warm damn it! Even 3c isn't too bad if there is no wind. During the day it is ok, still very sunny and in the low 20's.

So I'm going to go walkies in the sun and get some butter (yes mum, butter! mmmm) to make some cookies and add to the pounds I have gained already :-)

Sunday, 17th September, 2000

So it has been a month, but who is counting?

Main news in this time is that we went to Detroit to see a baseball game. Which was really cool. The American's get much more into the baseball than the Canucks do. Just it was extremely LOUD. The people, the pa, music...EVEYTHING.

I understand where Detroit gets it's reputation. Not the nicest place to walk around. In fact all around the stadium is a right slum.

Two weeks ago flew off to New York city which was awesome. Would love to have an endless supply of money and a few months to just to absorb everything. Central Park is a spot I could easily roam around for a few days. (Just not at night you understand)

Unfortunately, had to leave and get back into the work thing. This weekend was spent in London (Ontario) where didn't do a hell of a lot, but catch up with a friend and her family.

Next weekend is off to Niagara Falls. Then October is Prince Edward Island. Sounds like I am doing alot of travelling...doesn't feel like it though! Reality hits and you need money..so back to work *sigh.

As much as I don't like Toronto as a place to live, when I walk around downtown or go through on the bus, it really is a beautiful place. As they say...."A great place to visit....."

I still go through bouts of homesickness. Particularly when I listen to my music. I love Australian 'alternative' bands and I miss not being able to see them live or hear any of the new music around. Music is very important to me.

I spoke to the first Aussie ever the other day. I was screening her for a job at my work. It was sooooo bizzare to hear the accent and recognise it as being an accent and not 'normal'. She's here with her Canadian boyfriend as looking at staying here permanently. She seemed to think I was a bit daft for missing home. I think she's niave. For so many reasons I couldn't possibly list them all. I spose comments like "oh, winter won't be that bad" EXCUSE ME??? Its inhuman!

Wish I could read her thoughts when she walks outside in the middle of February....

So not much more to report for the moment....Until next time...

Hasta Luego