Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Its been a long time... over two years to be precise! So much has changed. Learned to chug along in Canada... which I now call my home.  So two years

  • Got a job offer finally and two to be precise, at the same time. Picked the right job and it gave me an amazing two and half years of work life in Canada
  • Made some amazing friends (the SuiteGirls at work), Sunshine and Elm drive near home and reconnected with old friends, as well
  • A good number of places visited - Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, Kingston, Ste Sault Marie and Vancouver. Not to forget Niagara a couple of times. Niagara is almost like a pilgrimage to be taken every year
  • Got mom to come over.. her very first trip out of the country.. to Toronto! Now she is a pro!
  • Oh finally got my G2! this was an achievement!!
  • And now am onto my next new job.. .new beginnings!


Sunday, March 1, 2015

One at a time.....

Winter..... brrrrr!!

I have always absolutely hated winter... why... coz I can't handle it! Needed sweaters and socks on all the time. When I moved from Hyderabad to Bangalore... it really really was tough. South Africa.. well that was another story.. no central heating, temperatures drop from a 22c to a 1c by night!! so what did I do? wore sweaters and socks.. and piled on warm blankets.. sat on the carpet surrounded by 2 heaters and still went brrrrrrrrr!

So, from a 40c of Hyderabad to a 35 sweaty c of Chennai and a 30c pleasant of Bangalore... the -20c of Toronto is definitely a nightmare!!!

I was absolutely terrified of the winter before I got to Canada. Scary stories were all over the internet! well.... they were quite true... :) atleast for a cold fearing me!  :) 

I also have to admit... its been an experience:
1. My first snowfall :) it's an amazing sight... all the soft snow ... perched over rooftops, the leafless trees, 
2. Watching little kids all dressed up.. looking more adorable than ever.. but loving the snow :)
3.  Learning to dress in layers and layers... and not minding the humpty dumpty look :) (that's just me... oh people here are so fashionable even in winter clothes) and yes.. wear snow boots :) long warm heavy :) 
4. Getting out in that cold... learning to take small steps, so that we do not fall or slip on "black ice"

It is scary freezing cold...yea the flu also comes by (did learn, take a flu shot!!!).... 

I never ever wanted to be in such a cold place but I believe my destiny brought me here :) to face my fear and deal with it... :) was super tough.. but I think I am dealing with it :) quite decently! 

Hopefully, I will deal with all my other fears too :) One in progress... more to face!

Sunday, August 24, 2014

21st July:

and yes... when we get back home... another surprise awaits in the mail box!! The PR card... is finally here.... yay!!
Ok... back again... been a while...

To India and back.....interesting trip... I get back and yet the PR card remains elusive..anyways does not really matter now :) not that am goin anywhere... or maybe am speaking too soon :) 

so ... explore Kanneda begins.. with awesome weather in sight... a trip to the beautiful Niagra is planned... 20th to 21st July!

20th July: Day 1
The Ride to Niagra: Set off from home at 9am (yea! we actually managed to pull it off at 9am :) ha ha)... and walked to the GO bus station.. purchased a PRESTO card and headed to MiWay... to take a bus to Port Credit. Bus 19... a direct 20 min ride to Port Credit GO Train station..The train took us to Burlington.... and then an hour of a bus ride... got us to Niagra...! 

Exploring: A 15 min walk from the Go Bus stand to the Hotel... Wyndham Garden.. a new and very nice property! Grabbed some lunch at iHop (well breakfast for lunch :)) and took a WeGo bus - "blue line" and took a tour of the route... it covers.. the falls.. table rock.. marineland...helped us plan :)..Back to the hotel.. check-in and then refresh... headed out to the falls... 

Niagraaaa: Walked to table rock and took in the views of the magnificent falls! The American falls, Bridal veil (US side) and Horseshoe falls (Canadian side)

Took the "journey behind the falls.... a walk that takes you almost to the center... behind the falls. It has two views .. and a lot of interesting information about the falls. 
Dinner at a Pakistani restaurant at Clifton hil..very yummy! Walked to the hotel.. freshened up and walked back to the falls for some spectacular fireworks! 


20th July: Day 2
On-board the Hornblower: Took a ride to as close as can be to the beautiful falls.. onboard the hornblower cruise :) 

MarineLand: Just in time for the dolphin show (my favorite thing to do in a marine park)! first time to see the Beluga whales 

Back to the hotel to freshen up and have dinner at this lil Italian place we discovered close to the hotel...:IL SORRISO.. the best pizza ever and had a drink called "Biji Galata: which means Bicycle in Italian.  A drink made with Aperol.. and Italian drink (from champari) refreshing....

21st July: Day 3
A view from the top: A view of the Niagra from the skylon tower is a must to complete the experience.. 
Home sweet home: with amazing memories.. we headed back home..

Niagraa.... One of the most magnificent sights.... ever.....the force.. the gush of the water... feeling the love from the  rivers that unite with a passion... and fall..(like in love) and merge... to find its peace..... 

Friday, May 2, 2014

An interesting learning today... so if you do not have Canadian market experience, you will have to step down from the kind of role and experience that you have and have to almost start afresh... 

So.. if they do not give us "outsiders" and now "insiders" a job... how on earth are going to get the Kannedian experience.. Pray tell!!! 

Monday, April 28, 2014

Today... has been my "Good Food Day!!"

Why so... well I made food that I actually enjoyed eating :) yea sounds funny! when I cook, I am the one complaining about the food... while the others tell me its quite decent :) 

Afternoon: Simple dal with carrot fry - which I thought was too sweet by itself - but with the rice and dal... was a yumm combo!
Dinner: Salmon baked in garlic, dil and butter... with some bought.. Pita bread and Hummus on the side :) 

Finger lickin good.....!

No matter how dark the moment, love and hope are always possible
George Chakiris

Remains to be seen.....!