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Me and my soap box
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| Life is going a lot smoother lately. Getting back to normalcy. In times such as this you learn who you can trust and who really has you back. This is nothing new but it can be both revitalizing and sad. I have grown closer to some and others I have to distance myself. I have come to terms with that and feel very lucky that people thought I was worth reaching out to. :) Both jobs have their bumps and obstacles but I really do enjoy them. I have learned A LOT in my Health job and I know I am going to learn a ton more. It will always be stupid busy but that's fine by me! The Comic Book Shoppe is also going great! So great that Rob has invited me to stay on a shift or two a week (most likely just one shift). I love being on my feet and interacting with people in person instead of just getting yelled at over the phone. :) Who would have thought I would miss customer service? :S I surprise myself sometimes. My grandmother is still in the hospital and won't be out for a few months. It is "just" a broken leg but at 90 years old... :( Today is also my puppy's one year checkup. :) I still can't believe I have a dog! Best thing ever. A few weeks ago we took him to see Santa (a charity event supporting a local shelter). Look how happy and relaxed he is:
http://blackdogphoto.zenfolio.com/bark_santa_2011/h287aca3c#h287aca3c
Have a great holiday everyone!
Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone. | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment   |
| Comic Book Shoppe Co-Worker: "So, what is your other job?"
Me: "I review Natural Health Product submissions."
CBS CW: "You need to know a lot of science?"
Me: "Yeah, a decent amount."
CBS CW: "Nerd!"
Me: "Funny, that is what my Health Canada co-workers said about *this* job."
At NHPD we are having a cubicle decorating contest with three prizes: nicest, tackiest and Charlie Brown (saddest). On Friday my podmates and I did the cubicle up in "Hawaiian Christmas." While it was 99% my ideas, the podmates are very appreciative of the wondrous Christmas oasis our pod has become. Pictures will come. :) | | comments: 4 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Tags: | life | | Security: | | | Time: | 09:57 pm |
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| Finished my first shift at the Comic Book Shoppe (Bank St. location). Figured since everyone else I know has worked there that I should too. :) It was a lot of fun. Gah.
...the contrast between my two jobs is uncanny. I don't think wearing pink furry kitten mittens would fly at the Natural Health Products Directorate (I don't know if I explained that I review Natural Health Product submissions. I read a lot of science paper and do other things). :P
So...the owner of CBS, Rob, needed help during the Christmas season he contacted me yesterday saying he would take any hours I could give him. So I will be working two weeknights and Sundays at the Shoppe (plus a few extra shifts here and there). :) I will have worked in my two favorite Ottawa stores (Ms. Tiggywinkles and CBS). I still have Saturdays off.
Thinking about...so far this year I have had 6 different jobs* and finished a degree...jeebus. Feels like a lot. I feel very lucky to have gotten all these wonderful opportunities. I am very, very, very thankful.
Oh - going to see Demetri Martin in January! :)
*Environment Canada FSWEP, Pita Pit, Environment Canada Contract (different job entirely), Office of Controlled Substances, Natural Health Products Directorate and Comic Book Shoppe. | | comments: 7 comments or Leave a comment |
| It seems I have a second job...again. I start tomorrow. It is just until mid January. Where? I guess I can say...could still get fired though. Let's see how the first shift goes. I don't want to get ahead of myself. Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone. | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Tags: | funny | | Security: | | | Time: | 05:00 pm |
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| Went into Lululemon for the first time this week. I still can't get over the "Who is John Galt?" Lululemon bags. That bag goes REALLY well with their other bag which says "Friends are more important than money." D:
The only thing that made it worse was when I asked the store's employee, "Really? John Galt?" she replied "Not the guy from Guelph." Thanks...
I feel like the owner of Lululemon is laughing at his customers. | | comments: 1 comment or Leave a comment |
| One last photo of the TOTALLY finished dog house:
(I finally finished the super soft custom pillows (crapily sewn by moi) and the hand painted sign)
EDIT: As M-A pointed out, yes he is wearing a matching kerchief I also made. :S
Today is Morty's last click-a-trick class. I love doing these classes even if the homework does take up a lot of time. So what did he learn? Well...of course I put together a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc7-AGRMlHQ
Morty ability to passively learn new things has really surprised me. His vocabulary is surprisingly large and definitely more than I would have expected from a "dumb breed". He has picked up the basics "walk", "park", "outside", "cookie", "treat", "Greenie", "food", "are you hungry?", "up", "Go get your toy", etc, etc but the funniest thing he has learned is "I [Andrea] have to go pee." When I say it, it cues him to get off my lap. :S As a side note: he is also capable of jumping and catching soft toys in mid-air. Take that Chi haters!
Life has been rough the past few weeks so it is easier to talk about doggie sort of things... | | comments: 7 comments or Leave a comment |
| Finished building the dog house. I learned a few things but my dad insisted on doing a lot of the harder cutting. It was a good experience but I would love to get better with tools.
I still have plans to make a "MORTY" sign. :)
For some progress shots go here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kochachan/sets/72157628093702312/
Also - decided to pull out of the CBS art show. Just too much going on right now. I need a break. | | comments: 6 comments or Leave a comment |
| I just realized that I haven't mentioned the VERY awesome movie "The Troll Hunter"! You have to see this movie! It is a Norwegian mocumentary (a-là shaky-cam but not nearly enough to make you feel dizzy) about a bureaucrat "troll hunter." The movie IS NOT scary, is not gory and is actually quite hilarious. Plus the troll designs are just stunning! Think of "Fraggle Rock" for grownups. :D :D Seriously go watch this movie. It is so much fun.
So instead of keep saying “I am busy, I am busy, I am busy” I will illuminate a few of the projects I have going.
With the longer travel time I find my free time drastically reduced and that I have to be in bed by 10 pm.
Work:
Work, other than the commute, is great. We are Busy with a capital “B” which is awesome. I am still learning lots and I sit with some pretty great people (we no longer have single cubicles. Where I sit we have adopted the new “pod” set-up. It is hard to explain but we have no privacy…which doesn’t bother me because I have good pod-mates.) so I am pretty happy. :)
By the way: I highly recommend that you only buy Natural Health Products (including sunscreens, supplements and traditional medicines) with a NPN (Natural Product Number) or a DIN (Drug Identification Number - left over from the days when NHPs were classified as drugs) on it. Otherwise the efficacy and safety are not necessarily supported. If you want more information: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodnatur/about-apropos/index-eng.php Just a heads up. :)
Job applications:
You have to keep the ball rolling. I am still looking for that magical indeterminate position so I am applying to everything I might have a chance at getting. Lots of cover letter writing. It surprisingly sucks away the hours.
Halloween Costumes:
Phil and I went as the “kid” Knight and “kid” Spaceman from Costume Quest (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Costume-quest-cover.jpg ) and it isn’t like Phil is going to make the costumes. We did wear them out Friday night but I got so wrecked that I couldn’t move until Sunday. :S So I missed all the parties Saturday evening. :( I know I am lame. I just couldn’t move (I don’t drink very often and I think the three beers I had went right to my head). I don't think we got photos of the costumes. :(
Pumpkin Carving:
They had a thing at work for pumpkin carving. So I spent a few days practicing and making a final “day of the dead” pumpkin. I might post photos…probably not. I am sort of embarrassed because it didn’t turn out as nice as I would have liked. I have never done carving and I am hoping that I will do better on my next pumpkin. I also have some better ideas for next year.
Indoor Dog House:
This was supposed to be done by November but like everything, it is taking longer than expected. I am hoping to have the wood part built by the end of this weekend but I still have to make some custom-fit pillows. Currently, this is taking up about 2-3 nights a week (mostly because you have to wait 24 hours between coats of paint).
Visiting Grandma in the Hospital:
My dad’s mother broke her leg about a month and a half ago and she has been staying in a long term care facility because at 89 years of age, bones take a long time to heal. So, about one evening a week I go and visit her.
Comic Book Shoppe Art Show:
This is fast approaching and is to be held near the end of November. I will confirm the date and let everyone know when you can come see some (other artists) fabulous works. Sadly, I won’t have many new pieces this year because I just don’t have the time. :S
Clothing Shopping:
I went out a few times but this is still ongoing. I am trying to build up a decent stock of work/professional clothing. I hate clothing shopping. :S
Morty:
On Sundays we are still going to doggy classes. So far this session Morty has learned: “High Five”, “BANG!/Play dead”, “Shy Dog”, “Bow”, “Back-up” and “crawl.” He has gotten a little shy over the past few months so we have been making efforts to socialize him so he doesn’t become so terrified that he gets aggressive. To ensure he is getting enough social time we have also been taking him to a few “dog meet-ups” too.
Some neat stuff:
My dad and I got to go to a wood carving trade show (equipment, demos, etc) and an art show. I ended up buying a painting by local-ish artist Simon Koo (very old blogspot with some of his work (scroll down): http://simonkoo.blogspot.com/ I will share a photo of the painting I got once I hang it).
I did get a chance to see a few people. I find my days are very limited when I only have about 4 hours of free-time in the evening. I am trying to get life to slow down but every time it does something new pops up. :P Better than being bored.
I also picked up a gaming keyboard (the lowest end Logitech Gaming keyboard) because I have wanted a back-lit keyboard for years! It is seriously awesome. Very worth it. | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
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Me and my soap box
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