When I was a little girl, I liked to play hairdresser. My 'Granny' was a frequent client, or victim, as the case may be. I remember getting her circular brush hopelessly stuck in her hair---a traumatic experience, to be sure, that is still embedded in my brain (as deeply embedded as that brush was in Granny's hair) almost 20 years later.
Some of my earliest memories centre around my Grandmother's farm. I remember swinging from a tree, my grandmother having brought the swing out and hung it from the tree in honour of my sister's and my visit. I remember lots and lots of kittens, many of them the result of drive-by 'cattings.' I remember going down to the barn to stare at the cows, always an exciting passtime, to be sure.
Pink Flamingos. In the summer, the front yard of Granny's house was always full of lawn ornaments. Whenever I see a pink flamingo I immediately think of her. I think I may get my occasionally garish and tacky tastes from her.
I definitley came by my pack-rat tendancies honestly! When Granny moved into a seniors home, we auctioned off the contents of her house and barn. My favourite item, I think, was the airplane wings: a remenant of my late uncle's teen-aged passion for flying. He had stolen them off an airfield years before, and my grandmother had kept them stashed in her barn every since.
My Grandmother was an amazing cook. When people talk about visits to her farm, they always remember her food. The secret to her amazing food was sugar---and lots of it---a fact that no doubt contributed to her eventual diabetes. She boiled her corn in water liberally flavoured with sugar. Her sticky-buns were to die for. And she never used measuring cups.
Granny had an amazing green-thumb. Her gardens surrounded the house. Roses creapt up the exterior walls---with the occasional fake, plastic flower tucked in amongst the real ones (those pink flamingo tendancies, again). Inside, the house was overtaken with flowers and huge, towering cacti. Her vegetable garden was even more impressive, and ensured that we were never without fresh potatos, strawberries, corn and carrots during our summer visits. When I think of Granny, I usually picture her in the garden.
In later years, a bouquet of flowers was always a surefire way to my grandmother's heart. Her memory wasn't the greatest. My mother would send her a boquet for mother's day, and recieve a phone call every day for a week thanking her for the flowers, as Granny rediscovered them with pleasure every morning.
Granny lived a long life. A full life, too. She is survived by her two daughters, my mother and my Aunt Helen, as well as whole lotta grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Back in Banff!
Hello, all!
Yes, that's right, I'm back in Banff again, already.
The trip home was great, excepting the flight, and even that wasn't awful---just long. (Although for some reason the flight back seemed to take waaaay longer).
Shannon Edgett and Danielle surprised me at the airport when I got into Moncton. Thanks, guys! It was awesome to see you, and thanks for the crown, too! (They were celebrating Tiara Day)
It seems like during my six days home I did nothing but socialize---and since the socializing seemed to always centre around going out for breakfast, lunch, or supper, I was continuously stuffed!
The Silvery Moon, my Riverview home away from home, was closed. Peter and Kitty (The owners, and my former bosses) were away on their annual month-long sojourn to Hong Kong. I had been craving their food every since I left home, and I didn't get to eat any of it! The horror! The tragedy!
I did however get to eat at Zen Garden and The Taj Mahal. And of course, even better than eating all the food that I had missed, I got to see many of the people that I have missed! Thanks, Kath, Ashley, Missy, Janine, Julie, Yuriko, Shannon, Danielle, Bonnie, Uncle Al and Sherry, and Mom! It was wonderful to spend time with all of you again. To everyone I didn't see on this trip home, I'm really sorry... Come visit me in Banff!
Missy and Janine's reception was a lot of fun. Mom has a photo of me just standing there staring at Missy's bouquet, which had landed at my feet. What can I say, I have extremely slow reflexes. Katherine, who was standing beside me wound up leaning down and 'catching' it.
Banff, to my surprise didn't change at all while I was gone. In fact, from what I can discern, my housemates spent the entire time I was gone sitting on the couch doing nothing. Well, they must have gotten up at SOME point, because Ben is now sporting a beautiful black eye, and Frosty has shaved and now looks like a 12-year-old.
In much sadder news, my grandmother passed away last night.
Yes, that's right, I'm back in Banff again, already.
The trip home was great, excepting the flight, and even that wasn't awful---just long. (Although for some reason the flight back seemed to take waaaay longer).
Shannon Edgett and Danielle surprised me at the airport when I got into Moncton. Thanks, guys! It was awesome to see you, and thanks for the crown, too! (They were celebrating Tiara Day)
It seems like during my six days home I did nothing but socialize---and since the socializing seemed to always centre around going out for breakfast, lunch, or supper, I was continuously stuffed!
The Silvery Moon, my Riverview home away from home, was closed. Peter and Kitty (The owners, and my former bosses) were away on their annual month-long sojourn to Hong Kong. I had been craving their food every since I left home, and I didn't get to eat any of it! The horror! The tragedy!
I did however get to eat at Zen Garden and The Taj Mahal. And of course, even better than eating all the food that I had missed, I got to see many of the people that I have missed! Thanks, Kath, Ashley, Missy, Janine, Julie, Yuriko, Shannon, Danielle, Bonnie, Uncle Al and Sherry, and Mom! It was wonderful to spend time with all of you again. To everyone I didn't see on this trip home, I'm really sorry... Come visit me in Banff!
Missy and Janine's reception was a lot of fun. Mom has a photo of me just standing there staring at Missy's bouquet, which had landed at my feet. What can I say, I have extremely slow reflexes. Katherine, who was standing beside me wound up leaning down and 'catching' it.
Banff, to my surprise didn't change at all while I was gone. In fact, from what I can discern, my housemates spent the entire time I was gone sitting on the couch doing nothing. Well, they must have gotten up at SOME point, because Ben is now sporting a beautiful black eye, and Frosty has shaved and now looks like a 12-year-old.
In much sadder news, my grandmother passed away last night.
Monday, March 12, 2007
flying home tomorrow morning
I'm at Rokaya and Chris's right now, watching man of the year. Laptop computers and wireless internet are amazing things, aren't they?
I fly home tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m.---or at least I'm supposed to. Calgary seems to be engulfed in some sort of freakish snowstorm.
I went by the Holiday on Horseback headquarters today. I have now officially been hired by them for the summer! The interview process in Banff is truly bizarre. I have applied for, and been hired for three jobs since coming to Banff. I mean, for the Holiday on Horseback job, I went in spoke to Ron, the owner of the company... He sent me down to the stable, where I hung out with the stable manager and some cowboys, drank a can of pop and heard some outrageous tall tales. When I went in to the main office today, Jill, Ron's assistant, told me the stable manager had been very impressed by me and had specifically said they should hire me. So that's it, she pulled out my file, and wrote hired across it in block letters. Presto, I'm a trail guide.
Can't wait to see everyone!
I fly home tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m.---or at least I'm supposed to. Calgary seems to be engulfed in some sort of freakish snowstorm.
I went by the Holiday on Horseback headquarters today. I have now officially been hired by them for the summer! The interview process in Banff is truly bizarre. I have applied for, and been hired for three jobs since coming to Banff. I mean, for the Holiday on Horseback job, I went in spoke to Ron, the owner of the company... He sent me down to the stable, where I hung out with the stable manager and some cowboys, drank a can of pop and heard some outrageous tall tales. When I went in to the main office today, Jill, Ron's assistant, told me the stable manager had been very impressed by me and had specifically said they should hire me. So that's it, she pulled out my file, and wrote hired across it in block letters. Presto, I'm a trail guide.
Can't wait to see everyone!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Coming Home!!! (for a visit)
I have a helluva lot of stuff to get done here in Banff before I can leave tomorrow. I'm going home for Missy and Neen's wedding reception! Yay! I can't wait to see everyone!
Unfortunately, I booked my flight home for the 13th and only then found out that my roommate's birthday is the 13th. I'm sorry, Jess! I'm the worst roommate ever! ...But now if you want to bring someone back to the room, you can, right? lol
I'm working at Snowflake tomorrow, and then I'm busing into Calgary. I'm going to stay overnight with Rokaya. I managed to convince my boss to let me out early, so I'll be able to to take the early-ish bus in... which means we will have a chance to catch up! I haven't managed to see Rokaya since I moved to Banff in December. We keep making plans, and then they fall through.
Well, everyone in Moncton, I will see you sooooooon! Now I must go buy Jess something nice to make her forget what a lousy friend I am.
Unfortunately, I booked my flight home for the 13th and only then found out that my roommate's birthday is the 13th. I'm sorry, Jess! I'm the worst roommate ever! ...But now if you want to bring someone back to the room, you can, right? lol
I'm working at Snowflake tomorrow, and then I'm busing into Calgary. I'm going to stay overnight with Rokaya. I managed to convince my boss to let me out early, so I'll be able to to take the early-ish bus in... which means we will have a chance to catch up! I haven't managed to see Rokaya since I moved to Banff in December. We keep making plans, and then they fall through.
Well, everyone in Moncton, I will see you sooooooon! Now I must go buy Jess something nice to make her forget what a lousy friend I am.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
A new job?
Well, I walked down to the Trail Rider's stables today. I had an interview with Ron, the big boss, on Monday, and he told me to go down to the stables, talk to the stable manager, and check it out.
I spent the last three hours on a wagon drawn by draft horses, watching a bunch of cowboys shovel snow. Also hung out with them for a while in the tack room. I've been told to come by anytime, and that I have a job starting in May, if I want it.
Apparently I'd be working five to six days a week. The things I don't know how to do, such as horseshoeing, and wagon driving I would be taught on the job. They rotate the trail riders, so sometimes you're working at the Fairmont Banff Springs, sometimes you're working at the main stables, and sometimes you're backcountry.
I wouldn't be making as much money as I am now, but on the other hand I think it would be a lot of fun, and a great experience!
I spent the last three hours on a wagon drawn by draft horses, watching a bunch of cowboys shovel snow. Also hung out with them for a while in the tack room. I've been told to come by anytime, and that I have a job starting in May, if I want it.
Apparently I'd be working five to six days a week. The things I don't know how to do, such as horseshoeing, and wagon driving I would be taught on the job. They rotate the trail riders, so sometimes you're working at the Fairmont Banff Springs, sometimes you're working at the main stables, and sometimes you're backcountry.
I wouldn't be making as much money as I am now, but on the other hand I think it would be a lot of fun, and a great experience!
Friday, March 2, 2007
I posted this to myspace before....
I'll repost this at blogspot at some later date, but right now I don't have the time to wait for it to come up again... have to be at work in 20 minutes.
Life in Banff is good. I lost a nail today trying to put my shirt on, but whatever.
I'm thinking about switching jobs for the summer. Not that I don't like the places I work, but hey, there are all sorts of experiences to be had in Banff, right?
Holiday on Horseback is hiring. www.horseback.com I think being a trail rider would be a really cool way to spend the summer, so I think I'll send in my resume.
The Big 3 (the ski resorts of Norquay, Lake Louise, and Sunshine) is advertising for someone to run Media Relations. Looking at the qualifications, I think I actually have all of them. Weird, huh?
And the following job is not for me, but maybe one of my friends might be interested:
Hello everyone,
I apologize for the mass email, however, this is a sure fire way I'll be able to get this information out to as many people as I can in the quickest way possible.
I've been living in Thailand for the past year and a half. While here I've been working with a company by the name of Mediakids. They are a placement company for people who want to travel and teach for a minimum of a 4 month stay in Thailand.
It's a great way to travel and make money, and the salary that they offer, although very little when converted to canadian dollars, provides more than enough for a middle class lifestyle. You'll find it hard to spend all of your salary.
This year the company is searching to fill a quota of 120 teachers to teach in Thai government schools for atleast one term (aprox 4 months). Here are the working packages available, however, if you are interested and none of these suite you, please contact me as we could possibly work something out.
Teachers need to posses a university degree and/or a TEFOL/ TESOL/ CELTA certificate. The company can provide connections in Thailand where you can recieve your TEFOL/ TESOL or CELTA certificate while studying in paradise.
OPTION A:
No university degree, No TEFOL (or equivilant)
salary: 20,000 Baht/ month
free accomadation
Mediakids will pay for TEFOL training or airfare (up to 40,000 baht ( aprox. $1,355.60 CAD))
OPTION B:
University degree and/ or TEFOL (or equivilant)
salary: 20,000 Baht/ month
free accomadation
Mediakids will pay for airfare (up to 40,000 baht ( aprox. $1,355.60 CAD))
OPTION C:
University degree and/or TEFOL (or equivilant)
salary: 25,000 Baht/ month
free accomadation
Mediakids will pay for airfare (up to 20,000 baht (aprox. $678.25 CAD))
All teachers need to be in Thailand by April 29, 2007 where they will recieve a one week training course, and in which accomadation will be provided free of charge.
If you are interested or have any questions please feel free to contact me kevinjesuino@gmail.com.
Please forward this email on to everyone you think would be interested (or just mass email it to everyone on your contact list).
Thank you so much for your help.
Sawatdee-Khrap
-- Kevin Jesuino
Project Activity Organizer
Media Kids Co.
Bangkok, Thailand
www.mediakids-edu.com
Phone: +08-7923-5472
Life in Banff is good. I lost a nail today trying to put my shirt on, but whatever.
I'm thinking about switching jobs for the summer. Not that I don't like the places I work, but hey, there are all sorts of experiences to be had in Banff, right?
Holiday on Horseback is hiring. www.horseback.com I think being a trail rider would be a really cool way to spend the summer, so I think I'll send in my resume.
The Big 3 (the ski resorts of Norquay, Lake Louise, and Sunshine) is advertising for someone to run Media Relations. Looking at the qualifications, I think I actually have all of them. Weird, huh?
And the following job is not for me, but maybe one of my friends might be interested:
Hello everyone,
I apologize for the mass email, however, this is a sure fire way I'll be able to get this information out to as many people as I can in the quickest way possible.
I've been living in Thailand for the past year and a half. While here I've been working with a company by the name of Mediakids. They are a placement company for people who want to travel and teach for a minimum of a 4 month stay in Thailand.
It's a great way to travel and make money, and the salary that they offer, although very little when converted to canadian dollars, provides more than enough for a middle class lifestyle. You'll find it hard to spend all of your salary.
This year the company is searching to fill a quota of 120 teachers to teach in Thai government schools for atleast one term (aprox 4 months). Here are the working packages available, however, if you are interested and none of these suite you, please contact me as we could possibly work something out.
Teachers need to posses a university degree and/or a TEFOL/ TESOL/ CELTA certificate. The company can provide connections in Thailand where you can recieve your TEFOL/ TESOL or CELTA certificate while studying in paradise.
OPTION A:
No university degree, No TEFOL (or equivilant)
salary: 20,000 Baht/ month
free accomadation
Mediakids will pay for TEFOL training or airfare (up to 40,000 baht ( aprox. $1,355.60 CAD))
OPTION B:
University degree and/ or TEFOL (or equivilant)
salary: 20,000 Baht/ month
free accomadation
Mediakids will pay for airfare (up to 40,000 baht ( aprox. $1,355.60 CAD))
OPTION C:
University degree and/or TEFOL (or equivilant)
salary: 25,000 Baht/ month
free accomadation
Mediakids will pay for airfare (up to 20,000 baht (aprox. $678.25 CAD))
All teachers need to be in Thailand by April 29, 2007 where they will recieve a one week training course, and in which accomadation will be provided free of charge.
If you are interested or have any questions please feel free to contact me kevinjesuino@gmail.com.
Please forward this email on to everyone you think would be interested (or just mass email it to everyone on your contact list).
Thank you so much for your help.
Sawatdee-Khrap
-- Kevin Jesuino
Project Activity Organizer
Media Kids Co.
Bangkok, Thailand
www.mediakids-edu.com
Phone: +08-7923-5472
I posted this to myspace before....
I'll repost this at blogspot at some later date, but right now I don't have the time to wait for it to come up again... have to be at work in 20 minutes.
Life in Banff is good. I lost a nail today trying to put my shirt on, but whatever.
I'm thinking about switching jobs for the summer. Not that I don't like the places I work, but hey, there are all sorts of experiences to be had in Banff, right?
Holiday on Horseback is hiring. www.horseback.com I think being a trail rider would be a really cool way to spend the summer, so I think I'll send in my resume.
The Big 3 (the ski resorts of Norquay, Lake Louise, and Sunshine) is advertising for someone to run Media Relations. Looking at the qualifications, I think I actually have all of them. Weird, huh?
And the following job is not for me, but maybe one of my friends might be interested:
Hello everyone,
I apologize for the mass email, however, this is a sure fire way I'll be able to get this information out to as many people as I can in the quickest way possible.
I've been living in Thailand for the past year and a half. While here I've been working with a company by the name of Mediakids. They are a placement company for people who want to travel and teach for a minimum of a 4 month stay in Thailand.
It's a great way to travel and make money, and the salary that they offer, although very little when converted to canadian dollars, provides more than enough for a middle class lifestyle. You'll find it hard to spend all of your salary.
This year the company is searching to fill a quota of 120 teachers to teach in Thai government schools for atleast one term (aprox 4 months). Here are the working packages available, however, if you are interested and none of these suite you, please contact me as we could possibly work something out.
Teachers need to posses a university degree and/or a TEFOL/ TESOL/ CELTA certificate. The company can provide connections in Thailand where you can recieve your TEFOL/ TESOL or CELTA certificate while studying in paradise.
OPTION A:
No university degree, No TEFOL (or equivilant)
salary: 20,000 Baht/ month
free accomadation
Mediakids will pay for TEFOL training or airfare (up to 40,000 baht ( aprox. $1,355.60 CAD))
OPTION B:
University degree and/ or TEFOL (or equivilant)
salary: 20,000 Baht/ month
free accomadation
Mediakids will pay for airfare (up to 40,000 baht ( aprox. $1,355.60 CAD))
OPTION C:
University degree and/or TEFOL (or equivilant)
salary: 25,000 Baht/ month
free accomadation
Mediakids will pay for airfare (up to 20,000 baht (aprox. $678.25 CAD))
All teachers need to be in Thailand by April 29, 2007 where they will recieve a one week training course, and in which accomadation will be provided free of charge.
If you are interested or have any questions please feel free to contact me kevinjesuino@gmail.com.
Please forward this email on to everyone you think would be interested (or just mass email it to everyone on your contact list).
Thank you so much for your help.
Sawatdee-Khrap
-- Kevin Jesuino
Project Activity Organizer
Media Kids Co.
Bangkok, Thailand
www.mediakids-edu.com
Phone: +08-7923-5472
Life in Banff is good. I lost a nail today trying to put my shirt on, but whatever.
I'm thinking about switching jobs for the summer. Not that I don't like the places I work, but hey, there are all sorts of experiences to be had in Banff, right?
Holiday on Horseback is hiring. www.horseback.com I think being a trail rider would be a really cool way to spend the summer, so I think I'll send in my resume.
The Big 3 (the ski resorts of Norquay, Lake Louise, and Sunshine) is advertising for someone to run Media Relations. Looking at the qualifications, I think I actually have all of them. Weird, huh?
And the following job is not for me, but maybe one of my friends might be interested:
Hello everyone,
I apologize for the mass email, however, this is a sure fire way I'll be able to get this information out to as many people as I can in the quickest way possible.
I've been living in Thailand for the past year and a half. While here I've been working with a company by the name of Mediakids. They are a placement company for people who want to travel and teach for a minimum of a 4 month stay in Thailand.
It's a great way to travel and make money, and the salary that they offer, although very little when converted to canadian dollars, provides more than enough for a middle class lifestyle. You'll find it hard to spend all of your salary.
This year the company is searching to fill a quota of 120 teachers to teach in Thai government schools for atleast one term (aprox 4 months). Here are the working packages available, however, if you are interested and none of these suite you, please contact me as we could possibly work something out.
Teachers need to posses a university degree and/or a TEFOL/ TESOL/ CELTA certificate. The company can provide connections in Thailand where you can recieve your TEFOL/ TESOL or CELTA certificate while studying in paradise.
OPTION A:
No university degree, No TEFOL (or equivilant)
salary: 20,000 Baht/ month
free accomadation
Mediakids will pay for TEFOL training or airfare (up to 40,000 baht ( aprox. $1,355.60 CAD))
OPTION B:
University degree and/ or TEFOL (or equivilant)
salary: 20,000 Baht/ month
free accomadation
Mediakids will pay for airfare (up to 40,000 baht ( aprox. $1,355.60 CAD))
OPTION C:
University degree and/or TEFOL (or equivilant)
salary: 25,000 Baht/ month
free accomadation
Mediakids will pay for airfare (up to 20,000 baht (aprox. $678.25 CAD))
All teachers need to be in Thailand by April 29, 2007 where they will recieve a one week training course, and in which accomadation will be provided free of charge.
If you are interested or have any questions please feel free to contact me kevinjesuino@gmail.com.
Please forward this email on to everyone you think would be interested (or just mass email it to everyone on your contact list).
Thank you so much for your help.
Sawatdee-Khrap
-- Kevin Jesuino
Project Activity Organizer
Media Kids Co.
Bangkok, Thailand
www.mediakids-edu.com
Phone: +08-7923-5472
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