On Monday I had a very promising Interview, 2 actually. First part of the interview process I had to go to Kitsilano, an uptown section of Vancouver City, which takes about 2 hrs to get to from my house in Surrey. I got there, early, found the place and talked to the head office. They made me take an S.A.T. (Reading and Writing section) First thing I noticed was the archaic vocabulary used in the test. They were checking my grammar, but used words that, even after 16 years of teaching English, I had never heard of before. I had to infer the meaning from the context, which is something I have become pretty good at.

I then was asked to go to the local office of the company, for the 2nd half of the interview The local branch of the company is 1 block away from my house. So back I went to Surrey. I talked to the manager there. They want me to start on Monday. The manager mentioned that they would start me off as part time, but if the students liked me that they would supply more classes. And where are the majority of my new students from? China and Korea.

Yesterday I took my children to the School playground, because they had earned some fun time out. On the way to the school play ground we saw a group of teachers sitting outside the school, as they were on strike. My 2 Children decided they wanted to go talk to the teachers, and so we went up and talked to them. They informed me that as of 5am that morning the two sides (BCTF & The Province) had come to an agreement, and would be voting on it on Thursday.

Excellent, My children who have been anxiously awaiting the start of their first year of school in Canada. Their friends in China have been in school for nearly 3 weeks now. They are so excited.

My daughter turns 5 years old tomorrow. Unfortunately all we are doing tomorrow is Pizza Night. However, This Saturday the 20th is the opening of an indoor playground at the Guilford mall. (According to the very nice janitorial staff, my wife talked to ) So we will be there, Contact me to find out when, if you want to join us.

Have a great day.

Last week We moved to Surrey. Nice city so far, very multi-cultural. Nice area. My Wife, Irish organized and reorganized the place. (I’m not allowed to help on these projects and  am generally told to Back off and let her do her thing. So I did.

Then I started working. Ouch. Great place Called Prime Time Promotions. By the name of It I though I was promoting movie stars or something. Really nice owner named Joe (Who just happens to be over a decade younger than me…) But what they do is canvass  for charities like Red Cross and World Vision.

Let me tell you, if you think you are a salesman and want to test yourself, try canvassing. If you know you are not good at sales, don’t torture yourself. You would think Going around and talking to people about helping out each other by putting a buck aside a day would be child’s play, right? right?

Wrong.

Let me tell you, it’s hard to convince people of that. Here’s how bad I am at that very task. Tonight I was out (Ok at this point it was in the afternoon) I failed to convince 2 separate PRIESTS that it was a good idea to help the needy and give kids  swimming and first aid classes.

I mean these were PRIESTS! Don’t they preach “Help thy Neighbour”?

Anyways the company is part of a bigger network, that has be basic rules of no registered donors in your first week, and move along for those who can get them….

So I’m unemployed again.

I must reiterate, Good cause, give generously. Good people doing it, so be nice to them PLEASE!!! They get enough people yelling at them, or being nearly mauled by dogs, or telling them to get real jobs. They don’t need that, they just want to help.

So tomorrow I am hitting the BC Center, and the job listings again.

On the plus side wee have internet at home…. 🙂

Well on Monday (2 days ago). I went to Surrey to Register the kids with their new school. I had planned to also take some printed resumes around at the same time to apply for work in the area (Any work would do).

I got on the bus at 8:30, when My big brother drove up to give me the kid’s Philippine birth certificates. I was surprised as I didn’t think I’d need them as I had their Chinese birth certificates & their Canadian Citizenship papers. But that was cool still.

I took Tonfino Bus to Departure Bay (Nanaimo), transferred to the Ferry to Horseshoe bay. Arrived at Horseshoe bay at 12:45. Transferred to City Bus to Downtown Van then to Skytrain to Surrey.

I got to the new apartment at 2:15, to pick up our Lease agreement, and then made it to the School by 2:30.

I am so glad they were helpful because they had officially stopped receiving registration at 2:00. (every day 10:00~2:00). but when they heard that I’d come all that way just for this, they helped me out. it took about an hour to fill out and photocopy all the kids paperwork (And they preferred the Philippine birth certificate over the Chinese one as it was easier to read. ^_^)

That being Done I realized I would have no time to apply for work as I had about 90minutes to get back to departure bay and it would take about that time to get there. Then the sky train kept stopping mid track to wait for the train ahead of it…. I got on the Bus from downtown late, and I was certain that I was going to miss my ferry and thus miss the last bus back to Port Alberni….

Luck was on my side I arrived at Horseshoe Bay at 5:30 The ferry normally leaves at 5:25, but because it was late they were rushing the sales of the tickets on it so people like me could get one it. YAY!

The rest of the day was alright.

Sammy got this package from the school marked “Welcome to Kindergarten” it has crayons, pencils story books, paper, and other cool goodies.

Irish hid it until we are moved.