Here in Edmonton…

Not just for a visit, but to stay…for good! Feels strange to be back in my hometown and be living in a totally different life(style) since when I left it, which was…when I was a poor University student living with my parents up until 2001! I am now living independently from my parents (despite their desire to have me move back home and have a well-paid career. I feel so grown up now!

Tim and I have moved into a nice cozy apartment in the downtown core- a great opportunity to experience REAL city living (living in downtown Regina doesn’t count!). Check out the “virtual tour” of our apartment building here: http://vertica.ca/jasperoneleven/. It feels kind of surreal to be surrounded by tall buildings, cafes, shops, nice restaurants, pubs…and, above all else, YOUNG people! Regina has such a large population of elderly and “mature” folk that being here makes me feel young and hip again. I feel somewhat rejuvenated!

Strangely, I also feel the need to get to know and talk to everyone, like what they do in Regina. That’s one of many things I’m going to miss about Regina- the small community feel and the expectation that you’re bound to run into someone you know EVERYWHERE you go!

So, so far so good. This past week was pretty hectic- the week started with my farewell  luncheon, co-celebrated with a co-worker (& good friend) who is going on maternity leave. To top, I had prepared a farewell presentation, speech and song (see below) for my fellow co-workers. I hadn’t even completed the first few sentences of my speech and I already started choking and tearing up. GAWD- saying good-bye is so HARD to do! Not only was I playing guitar badly, I was singing badly as well (because I was choking up so much)- how embarrassing!! Happily, my co-workers enjoyed it- it’s so hard to say good-bye to people you care about.

(Parody of Neil Young’s Four Strong Winds)…

C Dm

I think I’ll go out to Alberta

G                    C

Weather’s good in winter (or so I’m telling Tim)

C           Dm                           G

I’ve got a job (with Transport) that I can go working for

C                      Dm

Still I wish you’d all could come along

G                C

And maybe move in with my mum

Dm                   F              C

But we’ll just have to make the most of what we’ve got

C           C               Dm

Those four letters we’re trying to rename

G             C

And an E that runs beside

C                 Dm               G         G

All those things that will change come what may

C                  Dm

For Mai times here are all gone

G                C

And I’m bound for moving on

Dm              F             C

But I’ll look for you if I’m ever back this way

C                         Dm

Many coworkers that are friendly

G             C

Seven years with PFRA

C                 Dm               G

All those things will be cherished and reminisced

C                Dm

For Mai  times are all gone

G                C

And I’m bound for moving on

Dm                   F             C

I’ll look for you if I’m ever back this way

C                Dm                 G                  C

If I return in a year or two, and if Serena’s not so pregnant

C            Dm                G

You could meet me at the mall for a coffee break

C                           Dm

But by then most of you would have retired

G                   C

Not too much for me to do

Dm                   F            G

Unless Guataloopay decides to host another bonspiel?

C           C               Dm

Those four letters we’re trying to rename

G             C

And an E that runs beside

C                 Dm               G         G

All those things that will change come what may

C              Dm

For Mai times are all gone

G                C

And I’m bound for moving on

Dm              F             C/G

But I’ll look for you if I’m ever back this way

Before I left, I managed to sneak a little office prank on my coworkers- teeheehee, I’m so devilish! On my last day of work, and after drinking a few beers at Beer Bros. with my and Tim’s coworkers, Tim and I “snuck” into the office half-pissed and started to tape condoms (new, sterile) onto my coworkers’ telephone receivers. Hilarious!

I was also frantic about finishing my french course this past week as well. The french coordinator was adamant that I finish the course before leaving so it was an intensive few weeks of language training and long days of staying after work for evening classes. Luckily the grammar portion was easy to pick up and we were able to breeze through those sections. And being that I was the only student, I was able to “forcibly” speak french for 3 hours a day. My oral comprehension improved dramatically! I successfully passed my french exam (for the OF10-11/official language course levels) with an 88%!!

I’ve been strongly encouraged to continue my french learning here in Edmonton by my teacher (she thinks I’ve got an aptitude for the language). My goal is to get my “A” levels of bilingualism (level required for bilingual administrative-type positions  within the federal service) within a year. I’ve only got ~20 more course levels to qualify for the exam. And considering I completed 2 course levels in a month, c’est vraiment possible! Within 2-3 years, I hope to get my B levels (level required for bilingual scientific/technical/managerial-type positions).

So here I am, waiting for our furniture to arrive. The move was alot of work; even though I had packers and movers to do it for me, there’s the cleaning and organizing that had to be done! Since the movers don’t work on weekends, I’m expecting our furniture and belongings to arrive Monday or Tuesday. Ugh- just a few more days until I can really get settled in! Can’t wait. Until then, we’re off to go shopping at IKEA to pick up some cool stuff for our new apartment