(no subject)
This semester is like some kind of life interlude. It was strange to leave Ontario -- the stress and fast pace of being in school, surrounded by people all the time -- and drop myself down in B.C., where there's NO stress in my life, and not very many people I know.
I'm mostly cataloguing at work. Not something I want to do every day for the next 30 years, but it's fine for now. I'm learning words like stumpage, elver, and mensuration.
I have all this free time, so I've been (FINALLY) trying to learn how to cook a few more things. My biggest success so far was "Savoury Nut Burgers" (named by the recipe book, not by me).
Things I've learned about Victoria:
1. Everyone is from Ontario originally.
2. You should yell thank-you as you exit the bus. I can't do this yet, because for some reason I'm unable to raise my voice in public (example: when I say "excuse me" no one ever hears me). This makes me look ungrateful. But I'm working on it.
3. Everyone owns boxy cars that look like they're from the 80s or 90s. The average income people own Toyotos and Volkswagons and Mazdas and so on. The rich people drive Audis and Mercedes Benzes -- but boxy ones.
4. There are a lot of rich people.
5. In the downtown core, there is one McDonald's and a food court in the mall. There are no other fast food chains.
6. Also downtown: at least three "Blenz Coffee" places, but no Tim Hortons.
7. Every business has a "We're Hiring" sign in the window. It's competitive. I've seen a KFC offering $10/hour, and signs that say things like, "flexible hours", "It's fun to work here" and "walk-in interviews." I've got my roommate trying to get me to work at the Talbot's she manages, and her friend trying to get me to work at her Kitchenware kiosk. Unfortunately for them, I'm too lazy to have a second job.
8. If you are looking for specialty soy products, wheatless baked goods, or organic bok choy, you won't have to look far.
After rereading that list, it sounds a bit negative. Actually, I like the fact that people always say thank-you to the bus driver, I've always preferred boxy cars to sporty one, I appreciate the non-chainliness of downtown and the diversity of grocery store products. Still, being here has taken B.C. off the pedestal for me. It's liberal and beautiful (so, so beautiful) but it's not home. I don't feel any urge to become another Ontario expatriate in B.C.
I'm mostly cataloguing at work. Not something I want to do every day for the next 30 years, but it's fine for now. I'm learning words like stumpage, elver, and mensuration.
I have all this free time, so I've been (FINALLY) trying to learn how to cook a few more things. My biggest success so far was "Savoury Nut Burgers" (named by the recipe book, not by me).
Things I've learned about Victoria:
1. Everyone is from Ontario originally.
2. You should yell thank-you as you exit the bus. I can't do this yet, because for some reason I'm unable to raise my voice in public (example: when I say "excuse me" no one ever hears me). This makes me look ungrateful. But I'm working on it.
3. Everyone owns boxy cars that look like they're from the 80s or 90s. The average income people own Toyotos and Volkswagons and Mazdas and so on. The rich people drive Audis and Mercedes Benzes -- but boxy ones.
4. There are a lot of rich people.
5. In the downtown core, there is one McDonald's and a food court in the mall. There are no other fast food chains.
6. Also downtown: at least three "Blenz Coffee" places, but no Tim Hortons.
7. Every business has a "We're Hiring" sign in the window. It's competitive. I've seen a KFC offering $10/hour, and signs that say things like, "flexible hours", "It's fun to work here" and "walk-in interviews." I've got my roommate trying to get me to work at the Talbot's she manages, and her friend trying to get me to work at her Kitchenware kiosk. Unfortunately for them, I'm too lazy to have a second job.
8. If you are looking for specialty soy products, wheatless baked goods, or organic bok choy, you won't have to look far.
After rereading that list, it sounds a bit negative. Actually, I like the fact that people always say thank-you to the bus driver, I've always preferred boxy cars to sporty one, I appreciate the non-chainliness of downtown and the diversity of grocery store products. Still, being here has taken B.C. off the pedestal for me. It's liberal and beautiful (so, so beautiful) but it's not home. I don't feel any urge to become another Ontario expatriate in B.C.