discussion with coworker...

Had some interesting talks with my officemate. She's been with the company for 15 years...as such, she's seen a lot...and b/c of that...she is a little bit of a guide to me, as I try to adapt. Over the few weeks I have been here, we have had some interesting discussions...

-this company looks good on the outside, but depending where one looks, it can be quite ugly
-politics are everywhere...even those who are good and don't play can become victims
-it is better to be selective in choosing who to talk to...in a competitive environment, there is always the possibility of one's intentions not being the same as another's perception...(see above point:P)
-ppl in TO lead a charmed life...top 10% in good stats, bottom 10% in bad ones...can't complain about that, I suppose
-there is no good, authentic Chinese food for many, many miles around:( ...I want my BBQ pork!
-everything is far apart
-recycling seems to be a foreign concept (in fact, environmental issues seem to be less impt...maybe I'm the only one who notices the huge blanket of haze that covers LA
-in the US, one is truly a number...SSN anyone?
-seems like too many ppl are really materialistic (ok, I like my toys, but it's a different league here)...seems many live beyond their means...I suppose that's where the 15 credit cards come in...

And the funniest thing...
-ppl look at me funny for wearing shorts...in California of all places...since when was 55 F cold?

Until next time... :P

am still frustrated...

Sigh...more than 3 weeks after flying down to TO...still cannot get a SSN. Called the office today...apparently the 4 - 6 weeks I was initially told was an optimistic estimate...instead it could be as long as two months:( In the meantime, due to my not having a SSN, I cannot do the following:
-do the written/road test to obtain a California DL
-register my car (so have to see if I can get my rental extended)
-buy insurance for my car b/c it can't be registered
-get a credit card
-exist in any system that pertains to health/dental coverage, stock purchase plans, timesheets, access to internal payroll db's
-breathe!!!

I jest with my last point...but to be honest, am getting very frustrated with the whole process. Oh well, I suppose that this is just part of relocating to a new country...but considering the supposedly good relationship between Canada and the US, this is a bit surprising...

interesting week...

Well, the holidays are over...am back at work now...can rest now:P Where are my manners?...Happy New Year! All the best to you and yours!

Flew back from Vancouver last Tuesday, with ma fan girl close behind...drove to SF the following day...the first 50 miles were pretty nice, but the last 310 miles were terrible...boring, boring hills!!! Stayed at a friend's place (thanks Ms T!)...extraordinarily gracious to offer us her place. Got a chance to go to "Sushi on the Run"...the place run by whom we affectionately refer to as the sushi nazi (after the soup nazi from Seinfeld:P). Went to bubble drink with some other friends...the ma fan girl got sick during the night...and boy, was she ever...was a nurse for the next day...she finally had her fever decrease at 5 pm on Thursday night...I collapsed from exhaustion...hope that never happens again.

We spent the next day running around SF like tourists...but ma fan girl had little energy after not eating most of the previous day. Decided to drive back to TO in the evening...left Mountain View at 10:30 pm and got home at 3:30 am...sigh, that was an adventure. Met some strange ppl on the highway in the wee hours...but what can I expect in the good ol' US of A?:)

Saturday and Sunday were filled with 9 hours at the outlet mall (funny how shopping energizes Y)...and in traffic in LA:( Watched the "Pursuit of Happyness" on Sunday night and then Y was back to Vancouver early on Monday morning:(

Found something out over the past week with her...

1. I am pretty stupid when it comes to relationships - I tend to make too much out of little.
2. She is smarter than me in many things - but that's probably why she is special to me - but only God knows why I'm special...haha:P
3. Long drives help ppl know each other better - there's nothing to do but keep each other company!

No matter what...we made it through...we had a few moments...but the memories of this week will make us stronger...and that is a great thing:)

PS. I got my first paycheque...I feel like a kid in a candy store:P