Just booked a trip to Vancouver for June 22-26. The sequel to my original Vancouver visit will feature: more apartment hunts, bus rides, getting my student id, harassing the financial aid office/international student office, more picture taking.
It's a relief to just know that the trip is booked and now I can tailor my internet research towards these specific dates. Hopefully the housing situation will be awesome... or at least not miserable.
27 May 2009
26 May 2009
After Memorial Day
Ok so now I can wear white shoes, right? I never did understand that rule but whatever.
John and I went to Wildwood for the weekend and stayed with his family. It was very nice and we had good weather. Unfortunately, we both got some sunburns so we only ended up on the beach for about 2 hours. Nonetheless, it was fun and the beach was still just a bit cold so I didn't feel like I was cheating myself. We played some wiffle-ball, went to the boardwalk but had to quickly leave because the Wildwood boardwalk is kind of atrocious, sat outside a lot, listened to some Irish music, and had a good time. Summary: it was a lovely weekend.
John is moving this upcoming weekend so a lot of time has been spent on this. Mainly counseling and advising and calming him as he gets all worked up. I'm (mostly) happy to help. Even though I think it's at the expense of the things I need to do. That's probably my fault though because I don't want to deal with everything so I'd rather focus on him. I will get it together somehow though. If I can complete my FAFSA this week, I'll feel much better. I hope.
Apartment hunt is till on. I am trying to participate in an aspirin research study which doesn't take the place of a job but will help the financial situation.
John and I went to Wildwood for the weekend and stayed with his family. It was very nice and we had good weather. Unfortunately, we both got some sunburns so we only ended up on the beach for about 2 hours. Nonetheless, it was fun and the beach was still just a bit cold so I didn't feel like I was cheating myself. We played some wiffle-ball, went to the boardwalk but had to quickly leave because the Wildwood boardwalk is kind of atrocious, sat outside a lot, listened to some Irish music, and had a good time. Summary: it was a lovely weekend.
John is moving this upcoming weekend so a lot of time has been spent on this. Mainly counseling and advising and calming him as he gets all worked up. I'm (mostly) happy to help. Even though I think it's at the expense of the things I need to do. That's probably my fault though because I don't want to deal with everything so I'd rather focus on him. I will get it together somehow though. If I can complete my FAFSA this week, I'll feel much better. I hope.
Apartment hunt is till on. I am trying to participate in an aspirin research study which doesn't take the place of a job but will help the financial situation.
20 May 2009
Post Birthday Post
Not my birthday, Grandpa King's 80th. Quite the bash, as some of you may be able to imagine. He and Carol were here for a few days; we all took in Erin's law school graduation on Sunday and then celebrated the birthday on Monday. The last few days before that were a scramble for me to pull together the genealogy project. I was happy with it though, as always, I thought it could look a bit more professional. But the hardest thing for me was to accept that fact that it can't ever really be done. There's always something to add as the family grows and all the while, one must continue researching all the generations that are long past. I liked it though and will certainly continue with it. Plus Grandpa loved it so that was really, really nice to see. And gratifying.
Updates on Vancouver: I thought I had locked in a deal with a girl to be her roommate and move into the vacancy left be her departing German exchange student friend. She called me and offered the place and we worked out some details. Then an hour later she emailed me and took back the offer because a friend of a friend turned up and wanted the place. That was really disappointing and frustrating. So I have to begin the apartment search all over again and plan another trip out there. I feel like I'm in the same place I was two months ago. No progress has been made at all.
I though I had a job set up at Flynn and O'Hara but that doesn't seem to to be happening either. So now I have to find a job again. Something I realize I could've easily done a year ago and I would be feeling much better now. At least financially. I know I messed up this year and that's terribly frustrating because it's something that can never be fixed. Just saying 'oh well' doesn't make it any better either.
But I guess I should focus on the summer job thing entirely now. Well, that and researching apartments, planning a trip to Vancouver, applying for loans, seeing my friends more, maintaining some sort of stable relationship with John, and enjoying the my last couple months here. Oh and not panicking about school. So that's what I'll be doing this week and probably the rest of the summer.
Updates on Vancouver: I thought I had locked in a deal with a girl to be her roommate and move into the vacancy left be her departing German exchange student friend. She called me and offered the place and we worked out some details. Then an hour later she emailed me and took back the offer because a friend of a friend turned up and wanted the place. That was really disappointing and frustrating. So I have to begin the apartment search all over again and plan another trip out there. I feel like I'm in the same place I was two months ago. No progress has been made at all.
I though I had a job set up at Flynn and O'Hara but that doesn't seem to to be happening either. So now I have to find a job again. Something I realize I could've easily done a year ago and I would be feeling much better now. At least financially. I know I messed up this year and that's terribly frustrating because it's something that can never be fixed. Just saying 'oh well' doesn't make it any better either.
But I guess I should focus on the summer job thing entirely now. Well, that and researching apartments, planning a trip to Vancouver, applying for loans, seeing my friends more, maintaining some sort of stable relationship with John, and enjoying the my last couple months here. Oh and not panicking about school. So that's what I'll be doing this week and probably the rest of the summer.
11 May 2009
More on Vancouver
Let’s turn to how the people of Vancouver comport themselves. They are a courteous, polite and helpful group. I think this is best seen on public transportation, or at least busses because that’s all I rode. Upon boarding the bus, the driver will generally say hello or pleasantly respond to your hello, answer questions, and guide you safely to your destination. Your fellow passengers are also a delight. Those seats reserved for the elderly or disabled really are reserved for the elderly and disabled. Any passenger can and will sit in them but the moment someone steps on the bus who may want or require a seat, a few people will pop up and offer their seats. You’d expect a gentleman to do this but it everyone in Vancouver gets in on the courtesy thing. Schoolboys, college students (both fairly self-centered populations), and basically everyone. It’s nice to see and I can’t wait until I get to be elderly or disabled and get the good seats.
Continuing on the bus, I became familiar with another pleasant phenomenon. Upon disembarking, a great many people will call a quick “thanks” or thank you” to the driver. This is especially true if departing from the rear doors and it seemed markedly popular among young people, high school and college age. Lesson here: always be polite on the bus.
Vancouver, and I suspect other areas of Canada are similar, still retains some British characteristics, as I mentioned in an earlier post. I can’t give a full rundown because I have not been to the U.K., but my viewing of British television and movies assures me that I am correct. Also, Mom told me too. I found the turns-of-phrase to be the easiest British holdovers to identify. Notably, there’s the use of “cheers” to end conversations but particularly emails. Sometimes I could swear I heard a British person talking but really it was a curious Canadian accent. The art of the Canadian accent deserves it’s own extensive analysis, a task I will undertake after I have dwelled among them for a few weeks. I don’t think I can do it justice now.
However, Canada has asserted itself and departed from some British ways. In Vancouver, there are no queues nor are there lines, like one would find in its close neighbor U.S.A. Rather, there are line-ups. People will line up in a line-up. Signs will say, “Line-up forms here” and I heard people ask, “Is this the line-up?” A curious thing at first but not so strange really.
Continuing on the bus, I became familiar with another pleasant phenomenon. Upon disembarking, a great many people will call a quick “thanks” or thank you” to the driver. This is especially true if departing from the rear doors and it seemed markedly popular among young people, high school and college age. Lesson here: always be polite on the bus.
Vancouver, and I suspect other areas of Canada are similar, still retains some British characteristics, as I mentioned in an earlier post. I can’t give a full rundown because I have not been to the U.K., but my viewing of British television and movies assures me that I am correct. Also, Mom told me too. I found the turns-of-phrase to be the easiest British holdovers to identify. Notably, there’s the use of “cheers” to end conversations but particularly emails. Sometimes I could swear I heard a British person talking but really it was a curious Canadian accent. The art of the Canadian accent deserves it’s own extensive analysis, a task I will undertake after I have dwelled among them for a few weeks. I don’t think I can do it justice now.
However, Canada has asserted itself and departed from some British ways. In Vancouver, there are no queues nor are there lines, like one would find in its close neighbor U.S.A. Rather, there are line-ups. People will line up in a line-up. Signs will say, “Line-up forms here” and I heard people ask, “Is this the line-up?” A curious thing at first but not so strange really.
09 May 2009
On People in Vancouver
After 5 days in Vancouver, I’m fairly certain I can summarize the entire city for you. A friendly city of 2 million, Vancouver is sometimes called Van, Vancity, or Terminal City. This last nickname was originally proposed as the city’s official name because it is the terminal for, well, everything, especially railroads if you’re a 19th century settler.
But the historical facts can be found in any travel guide. You’re here because you want my impressions and judgments. So here they are.
Vancouver is kind of like Philadelphia, just replace every African-American with an Asian-Canadian. Yep, lots of Asians. Makes sense and was expected though I never thought about what it would be like to not see other ethnicities. Everywhere there are white people and Asian people, but very few black or Indian or Middle Eastern. Maybe it’s kind of like being back at Iowa but with an extra splash of Asian grad students. There does seem to be a reasonable Hispanic population though and I saw a number of Mexican restaurants which was exciting for me and my Hispanic heritage. Also, trendy Asians.
Now, putting aside ethnicity, Vancouver-ites (maybe? I should look up what they’re actually called) are slim, athletic people. Not many overweight types to be seen. They all seem to love outdoor activities, from skiing to biking to hiking to beaching to Frisbee golf. This means I have to start doing all those things more, a lot more. Sometimes when they’re outside, they partake in less physical activities. I speak now of marijuana. While, contrary to popular belief, it is not legal, marijuana seems prevalent. I passed a number of coffee shops that wafted the scent of weed out onto the street and young people seem to enjoy the recreational drug frequently. I don’t think I’ll pick this activity up again. One summer in the Netherlands was sufficient.
Along with the outdoor enthusiasts, there is a sizable homeless population. Mostly harmless, though there is a small pocket in downtown that has a bad reputation. Like many other cities, Vancouver’s homeless are often mentally disabled or suffering from addictions. The main concern right now is what to do with them during the Olympics. Apparently Montreal shipped its homeless out on busses to other cities. Maybe Vancouver will do the same because how dare the homeless mar this global event’s image!
But the historical facts can be found in any travel guide. You’re here because you want my impressions and judgments. So here they are.
Vancouver is kind of like Philadelphia, just replace every African-American with an Asian-Canadian. Yep, lots of Asians. Makes sense and was expected though I never thought about what it would be like to not see other ethnicities. Everywhere there are white people and Asian people, but very few black or Indian or Middle Eastern. Maybe it’s kind of like being back at Iowa but with an extra splash of Asian grad students. There does seem to be a reasonable Hispanic population though and I saw a number of Mexican restaurants which was exciting for me and my Hispanic heritage. Also, trendy Asians.
Now, putting aside ethnicity, Vancouver-ites (maybe? I should look up what they’re actually called) are slim, athletic people. Not many overweight types to be seen. They all seem to love outdoor activities, from skiing to biking to hiking to beaching to Frisbee golf. This means I have to start doing all those things more, a lot more. Sometimes when they’re outside, they partake in less physical activities. I speak now of marijuana. While, contrary to popular belief, it is not legal, marijuana seems prevalent. I passed a number of coffee shops that wafted the scent of weed out onto the street and young people seem to enjoy the recreational drug frequently. I don’t think I’ll pick this activity up again. One summer in the Netherlands was sufficient.
Along with the outdoor enthusiasts, there is a sizable homeless population. Mostly harmless, though there is a small pocket in downtown that has a bad reputation. Like many other cities, Vancouver’s homeless are often mentally disabled or suffering from addictions. The main concern right now is what to do with them during the Olympics. Apparently Montreal shipped its homeless out on busses to other cities. Maybe Vancouver will do the same because how dare the homeless mar this global event’s image!
07 May 2009
Empire
I think I just saw a Multi-Grain Cheerios commercial that had been dubbed over with British accents. It's exactly the same as the one I'm familiar with from the U.S. but I'm pretty sure that one was in American. Not so here in Canada. It was part of the British Empire so sure, why not dub things with British accents.
06 May 2009
In Vancouver, BC, CA
Yes, I am currently in Canada. I will describe it all soon (my return to travel writing!) but for now I have to go look at some overpriced apartments. Just note that Vancouver is pretty awesome, even when it's raining.
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