This is where I live.

Isn’t it pretty?

I took this photo one late summer night while walking back home from the Toronto City Centre Airport as I returned from my trip in Montreal.

Canadians sometimes have trouble understanding us Australians, even though we both speak English.

Me (in an Aussie accent): Howyagoin’?
Canadian: Sorry?
Me (trying to speak louder & clearer): Howyagoin’?
Canadian: How’s IT going????
Me: Uhh, yeah.
Canadian: Good!!!!!!

It reminds me of this YouTube video I found awhile ago, which shows the staff of a restaurant say the typical Aussie greeting. Pretty funny. Makes me realise how nasal we sound.

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
   I moved to Canada. It was scary, exciting and a extremely different lifestyle that I needed to get accustomed to quickly.

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
   Trying to find a job in Canada! A lot of recruiters kept telling me that it would be difficult to find a job as I had no Canadian experience or Canadian credit history. It really dampened my spirits for a long time but I was able to find a job in the end!

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
   Haha isn’t “unexpected joy” usually in reference to a baby??? That is NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN LIKE A BILLION YEARS. Anyway, I suppose it was when I was able to find a job in Canada.

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
   I’m not really sure? I knew establishing a new life in Canada would be hard (finding a job, finding a place to live, finding new friends, familiarising myself with the city).

5. Pick three words to describe 2009.
   Different, cold, exciting.

6. Pick a theme song that describes 2009.
   Not sure about a particular song.. But for sure the Ministry of Sound Annual 2009 CD1!

7. What were the best books you read this year?
   RED DRESS WALKING – This book really made me think about the way relationships work. They definitely take two people, and miscommunication is so easy to let it get in the way of things.

   Marley & Me – such a cute book!

   The Pact is another book that stood out for me but I didn’t quite like the ending but I liked the issues that the author raised.
   

8. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
   My SGI family who really helped me in Toronto. My bf and his family for being there for me and also being my other family.

9. In what way did you grow emotionally?
   I have definitely matured a lot since I’ve left Australia and am now living on my own. I believe I am more independent and appreciative of what I already had. I grew to appreciate my parents, that money doesn’t come by so easily, and is very easy to spend. I finally realised how hard it must’ve been for my parents to move from Malaysia to Australia to start a brand new life. I also learned to be more considerate of others going through the same hardships. So many people had lost their jobs in the financial crisis and trying to live life without an income is extremely difficult.

10. In what way did you grow in your relationships with others?
    Having matured a lot, I learned to be a better daughter, sister, girlfriend, friend to everybody, while realising I still have a long way to go. I am appreciative of everybody’s support for me. It has helped me so much to grow as a person and I am who I am because of all the people around me.

11. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?
    Getting new furniture for my own bedroom was fun! I was Ikea shopping a lot.. Hahahaa.. But the kitchen too! I never knew how to cook before I moved to Canada so I am proud that I can now live quite comfortably with feeding myself. The first time I cooked for myself literally was in the first week I was alone in Canada… Thank you to my mummy for all her tips over Skype. Haha!

12. What was your most challenging area of home management?
    I am a spoilt child because my mother had always cleaned up after us at home. Moving away meant I had to do everything myself. So going from cleaning NOTHING to cleaning EVERYTHING was huge for me but it’s definitely becoming a good habit of mine. While I’m incredibly lazy, I don’t like to be dirty, cleaning hasn’t been too hard….. Except for getting myself to clean the toilet…. So gross!!! Everytime I think it’s time to clean it I definitely ponder whether I want to hire someone to do it for me. Hahahaha. So bad!

13. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
    Annoying people! For sure! People who only think of themselves. I’ve tried my best to not let them get to me. But they’re the biggest waste of my energy! I have a tendency to get easily frustrated with them. Haha.. Must change!
    
    I also realised how much time cooking takes! OMG! Sometimes I come home and I just want to eat RIGHT AWAY. I now know that that can’t happen. Hahaha… I also realised how much effort cleaning takes! OMG! Hahaha…. All my time just passes so quickly. Oh dear.
    
    
14. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
    I’ve caught up on a lot of tv shows! While you might think that’s a waste of time, I’ve been watching 30 Rock which makes me happy because it’s so hilarious and shows like FNL teach me a lot about people. So I don’t think they’re a waste of time at all! Haha!
    
    I also got to do a lot of reading. Books are fantastic.
    
    
15. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2009 for you.
    How about I pick two quotes that meant a lot to me for 2009? I’m not really creative enough to create a statement myself! Haha.

    “Everything depends on what is in our hearts. If we decide to ourselves that something is impossible, then, consistent with our minds in thinking so, even something that is possible for us will become impossible. On the other hand, if we have the confidence that we can definitely do something, then we are already one step closer to achieving it in reality.” – Daisaku Ikeda

    “The place where you are now is vital. Never avoid what you must face. Challenge your circumstances and steadily persevere. The path toward victory opens from where you stand.” – Daisaku Ikeda

    I read theses quotes a lot whenever I felt defeated. I visited http://www.ikedaquotes.org/ a lot for his wisdom which provided me a lot of inspiration and hope. In turn that motivated me to live my life to the fullest. Thank you so much to SGI. <3

For all my friends back at home in Melbourne who are complaining about the winter, I want to show you that you are not alone. It’s supposedly summer here in Toronto, but it’s been raining like this a lot for the past few weeks. It’s horrible and extremely depressing, to the least.

This video was taken from my bedroom window at my new condo at the Harbourfront. Can you see how I get a great view of the CN tower, but it’s hidden by all the clouds? Everytime it rains, the CN Tower disappears into the clouds!

The view is great at night, when the sky is clear and I can see the pretty lights. :)

Down below, you’ll see my condo courtyard. It’s lovely when it’s a nice day!

Lately, I think I’m losing focus of what I came to Canada to do. And that was to ultimately move to America, or more specifically New York City. I figured it was best to write down exactly what I wanted (or as close as I could get to it) to remind myself and make sure not to lose sight of it. I must keep reminding myself that I must not give up and go back home to Melbourne, (or in other words, boredomsville) where I felt like I was going to die of utter monotony.

So this is it, what my dreams and hopes to have in my lifetime (yes, I’ll still be estatic if I was 75 and only just achieved these things):

• Apartment in Manhattan (or more specifically in Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, SoHo, TriBeCa, Gramercy, Tudor City)
• An interesting and financially secure job in Manhattan
• Own a Toy Labrapoodle (my apartment then has to allow pets and be big enough for him/her to run around
• Wed in some pretty park in New York (yes, I know I said I didn’t want to get married but I realised lately that I probably do. Well, a little bit to the least)

Hmm, that’s it for now. And if I never get to achieve these things then at least I will be satisfied enough with myself that I did try. As I live by the rule that failure is only when you give up on your dreams, not that you couldn’t achieve them.

TO THE AMERICAN DREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where I’m living in Toronto, I’m about a ten minute walk to Ikea. Back in Melbourne, Ikea was in Richmond so approximately an hour away by car. So Ikea being a ten minute walk away, is huge!

In the 6 weeks I’ve been here – I’ve been there about 5 times. Haha! Nearly everything I’ve own (household/kitchen-wise) is Ikea. Oh I love Ikea. So cheap and practical. 

Shirley’s husband, Ed, recommended me these plates which were 75 cent each! Haha! 

I’m really glad Ikea is so cheap and closeby. It’s the little things you need which you don’t really account for in your budget when you’re living on your own, especially cooking stuff (measuring cups, colander, grater, etc). Soon I’ll have everything of Ikea. Ha ha ha. 

Also, the restaurant at Ikea is awesome! $1 breakfast! $2 pasta! 50 cent hotdogs! 

Love it.

I haven’t updated in what feels like a gazillion years. The best way to keep updated with me is via my Twitter. I’m on that 24/7 and no I do not have Facebook!

I’ve been in Canada for three weeks now. I haven’t done anything! What a slob. I’ve been mainly trying to find work in Canada which is going alright (I suppose).

Anyway, one guy came back to me and asked me to make my resume into the American style format. Damn. I thought I could get away without having to squish everything into the one page for Canada. But seriously speaking, how am I supposed to do that anyway? It’s ridiculous. ONE PAGE? SERIOUSLY???

Sammy
how do i internationalise my resume
Peter
hahha
i dont know
Sammy
hahaha
howwww
Peter
interests: AMERICA
Sammy
hahahaha
that wont go well with canadians

Which is true. I love America. I miss America much. I have been disheartened when I learnt Canadians aren’t much of a fan of hip-hop, love house & rock, go to pubs and love drinking beer. Sounds much like Australia. Blargh!

Mick: how is america?
Sammy: america is awesome
Mick: it is?
Mick: explain in detail the awesomeness of america
Sammy: its unexplainable
Sammy: its just awesome
Sammy: awesome awesome awesome

I didn’t take many photos this time around – I was too busy showing my mum around. But you can find all my photos on my Flickr.

Anyway the snow here is pretty but it’s by far too cold. With days down to -28C and -10C as the average, today is very suprisingly warm at 15C. Hooray. Never would I have thought I would describe 15C as warm. Actually anything below 20C for me in Melbourne would be chilly. Anything below 15C would be freezing.

I’m going to close with an update of my progress with the Couch to 5K. I completed up to Week 4 and ran 3.5K, except by then I had left for my trip to America and am now being a slob in cold Canada. I saw a couple running around the other day so decided to give it a go by running around the block. I forgot that for the past few months I’ve been running in 25-30C weather and that’s how my body only knows how to run. So it was -19C and my nose quickly clogged up with all the freezing cold air and I couldn’t breathe. I ran home struggling for air and now I am SICK and have been SICK for this whole week. It’s TERRIBLE. What a completely stupid idea.

So my program is officially delayed by 5 weeks so far. Desperately need to start again next week. I found a gym in walkable distance. Yay. Thanks Kevin for the rec. :)

P.S: I can’t say it enough, I love & miss America.

I think I’ve twitted this like a billion times but seriously, where is it, where has summer gone?

Generally our warm weather starts off in November and gets smoking by December. But yesterday it was 13C / 55F for godsake! All year round I wait for glorious summer days. I love waking up in the heat, and going to bed in the heat. My skin is glowy and the sun makes me energised and high.

SO WHERE IS IT? WHERE ARE YOU SUMMER? All I want is the perfect day for the beach so I can enjoy it before I leave for miserable cold weather in Canada. That is all I ask!

Lately I’ve put this strange illogical thought into my head that if I DRESS like summer, it will be summer. So I’ve been wearing the most skimpiest short shorts and tees to bed even though I’m shivering cold. It’s like I figure it should be summer and so I will act like it is!

It’s this stubbornness which I think has led me to catch a cold now. Serves me right.

I repetitive question I get asked when I mention I’m leaving Melbourne soon for Canada is not why am I leaving, but “Why Canada?”

I think Canada is a great country. They’re always on the top liveable cities in the world, keeps out of the media, has good healthcare, not a lot of crime (Toronto is the safest city in North America), very similar to Australian culture, has friendly people, good shopping, etc. I really can go on forever.

But there are three main points I’d like to make known about Canada. And that is Canada brought to you three wonderful things.

1. The Blackberry Now before you say anything: BLACKBERRY BOLD RULES OVER THE IPHONE. BLACKBERRY > IPHONE. I don’t own one, but it is the coolest thing ever and so my opinion still stands.
2. M.A.C Cosmetics Have the prettiest products ever. And their collections are awesome. Love love love. Wish I could collect them all.
3. The Moose The Moose is a funny animal. It looks funny and it sounds funny. Plus, it’s the logo for Abercrombie & Fitch - as you all should know is one of my favourite brands. Mooselove<3 Hmm, funny… As I just typed this paragraph, I got a text from “Max Moose”. Strange.

So yes. Let’s forget about their high taxes and their very cold climate. The above should say it all. Canada is awesome.