Thursday, September 30, 2004

3:20pm  This Time Next Week

This time next week I'll be running around the house throwing last minute items (shoes) *cough* into my luggage before our flight to sunny California.  The forecast is calling for hot daytime temperatures with plenty of sunshine.  Yay! 

This has been quite the eventful week and the most exciting piece of news is that we went firm on our conditional offer on a new home purchase yesterday.  After much deliberation, lots of prayer, discussions with our bank and a trip to our lawyer's office with the contract, we signed our life away on a house in the new MacLeod's Landing development going up in Richmond Hill (suburb north of Toronto).  The house doesn't close escrow until December 5, 2005, but the builder has the right to postpone that date up to a maximum of 120 days.  I'm hoping they won't need to postpone, but that would be wishful thinking on my part. 

It's a little overwhelming and exciting all at the same time.  Now we'll be in debt for the next 25 years or so.  For crying out loud, this is a really bad time for the Canadian dollar to be the strongest its been in 11 years.  The US-CDN dollar exchange is killing us.  We're hoping that the rate will flip back in our favor after the US elections are over.   And to think that the Canadian government doesn't allow us to write-off interest payments on our mortgage. 

Anyway, I'm already decorating in my head and thinking about finishes, stains, and paint colors - I really like the whole Pottery Barn vibe.  I've already got most of our furniture placed according to the floor plan.  Jay has staked his claim on the room that opens out to a balcony for his home office (which cancels out Jessica's call for dibs on it for a ballet room)  and the broom closet near the garage has been labeled as the official new home of his fishing gear / sports equipment.  

We met one of our next-door neighbors at the sales centre a few weekends ago when we stopped in to look at the site plan again and to sign some paperwork.  The nice young couple with two sons introduced themselves to us with a 'Hi, we're Lot 203 right next door to you!" when they overheard us talking to the sales rep about our lot. 

In other tidbits, Jessica started drama classes at the local community centre on Tuesday afternoon.  She has her first AquaQuest Level 3 swim lesson this afternoon. 

Nothing like getting pleasantly surprised in the middle of a post.  As I was typing out this entry, I heard the front door downstairs open, but didn't really think much of it and assumed that it was my Dad.  I turned around to find Jay standing behind me.  Whoa!  He cut out of the office very early this morning after he and his team pulled an all-nighter.  He went straight to the apartment to grab his laptop and luggage, managed to switch his flight to an earlier one and arrived into Toronto long before afternoon rush hour.  So I'm out to spend the afternoon with the husband and daughter. 

Sunday, September 26, 2004

10:50pm  Hey Shorty, its Your Birthday!

Its been a busy weekend of birthday celebrations beginning with Jon's surprise 30th birthday party thrown by Christine at their home on Friday night.   Jay had to work late so we missed the surprise part and the accompanying look of shock on Jon's face  when he returned home to find an entire group of friends and Gamez cousins in his house.  Happy 30th Birthday Jon!

 Before the evening was over, Jon proudly displayed his prowess behind a DVD recorder in his completely unedited footage of their Mexican honeymoon.  His totally unscripted narration and behind-the-scenes look of their honeymoon suite was really quite entertaining.  I think a few of us were desperately wishing that we had popped a Gravol or two to combat the shaky-hand-effect induced nausea.  Jon is very thorough, to say the least, in his coverage and its proven that he can entertain himself for a good 30 minutes with that new gadget even as his new wife slumbered.  Who knew!  Hee!   

Chris celebrated her birthday yesterday with dinner and the old school crew at Rocky Mountain High Restaurant & Bar in Richmond Hill.  I haven't eaten there in years and had a brief moment of deja vu when we got there.  We haven't been around to celebrate a birthday with Chris in over 4 years so it was nice to be here for a change.   Ced, Sunny and Linnea, their brand new little princess, were able to make it to town to join us.  She is a little darling who's obviously got her Daddy wrapped around her tiny, tiny finger.  And there's definitely nothing more beautiful than watching a parent beam in pride over their child.

Today we slept in and then got up to tackle re-organizing our stuff to start making room for Jay's home office.  His Atlanta area code business line should be up and running by the end of the week - Vonage baby Vonage!  I'm excited that I can use that same extension to call anyone in North America any time of day without having to worry about what our long distance bill is going to look like.  Bonus! 

I'm so happy that Jane and I finally got to connect on the phone...oh for the past hour and a half or so.  Our last conversation was way back in August when she and her family came to visit us in Atlanta - so definitely long overdue!  Hugs! 

Oh and welcome to Roxanne, my Cardona cousin in sunny California.  Thanks for stopping by and we look forward to seeing you very soon! 

Goodnight my fine-feathered readers!  It's time for some major shut-eye.  I've got one heck of a week ahead of me. 

Friday, September 24, 2004

10:53am  A Blog's Birthday

Happy Birthday Blog!  Randomscribble.com is one year-old today!  Now if this blog were Filipina, there would be a huge 1st birthday party that could rival any wedding reception with at least 200 guests,  pancit, shanghai lumpia,  an off-the-hook buko pandan cake (made by Tito Boy no doubt) and a vast selection of Goldilocks desserts.   You're laughing right now because you know I'm so right! 

In other news, I'm slowly beginning to find a new routine and life is slowly returning to some semblance of normalcy - well, at least normal as it gets for me, but abnormal for most.   Jessica is settled in her new school.  She starts drama and swimming classes next week to keep her occupied in the afternoons. 

Jessica is really quite excited about the "Good Luck at Your New School" present she received from her Auntie Cindy and Uncle Norman.  The new outfits will be perfect for the cooler weather that we'll soon be getting. 

I was looking forward to attending a Small Business Information Seminar conducted by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, but due to impending job actions all courses have been cancelled till further notice.  Ah well guess I'll be left to my own devices till they figure things out. 

Finally getting around to reconnecting with the Toronto friends and had a chance to visit Blythe and her little princess.  The little cutie has grown so much since I last saw her in July.  Visited with Chris over a bubble tea on her day off.   Its her birthday tomorrow so the old school group is getting together for dinner. 

And speaking of friends, I'm still playing telephone tag with my dear friend Jane.  I think if I had just gotten in my car and headed her Jersey way, we would've connected by now.  *wink*  Hey DanRochman.com is alive and well...again!  But he's new and improved with the sweet new iPAQ and the stylish frames.  I swear I get dizzy when I read his blog - those two kids are always on the run.  Great to see you back!  I freak out when you're gone a long time. 

Jay got in last night and he had some funny stories to share with me about his week in Atlanta.  He was on the MARTA (Atlanta's version of the BART) and one particularly feminine guy lost his balance as the train moved away from the platform.  He bumped into Jay, batted his pretty eyelashes (perfect eye makeup application and all) and apologized profusely to which Jay replied "It's cool man!".  Jay just couldn't get past the fact that  while most people would instinctively grab onto the nearest pole for support when they're falling - this guy did not, he just seemed to sashay down the length of the train like he was on some Chanel catwalk.  When this beautiful guy got off at his station, he waved and winked at Jay until the train was out of sight.  Needless to say, Jay was the object of some quality entertainment to the other passengers.   I keep ribbing Jay that the Power 90 is definitely working and that he's obviously got one hot bod!  Oops gotta run, he's going to kill me for blogging about this.  Hee!

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

9:05am  YYZ-ONT

I'm finally booked for a highly anticipated vacation!  Jessica and I are California bound, October 7-19.  It'll be great times with the family and our friends in the Golden State.  The main purpose of the trip is to attend Joyce's baby shower and Norm's parents 35th wedding anniversary celebration at The Bellagio in Vegas.  Jay will meet us out there on the two weekends of our stay. 

My sister and I already have the trip planned out.  We're going to roast marshmallows and make s'mores in Norman's brand new fire pit in their professionally landscaped yard and patio.  Hee!  I'm also looking forward to hanging out with our cousin Ed - who, by the way, has finally graced my guest book an entire year after this site went live.  He's so on the ball! 

This past Sunday night was spent playing catch-up with a few people including our Jersey friends, Margie (we have that ski date down),  Jane (or rather Jane's voicemail) *wink* and my cousin Ed.  I sure miss my cell and being able to call anyone in North America for free.  Jay has my phone in Atlanta with him because we're in the process of switching our plans.  I feel like I've lost an arm. 

I'm still doing mad paperwork and making all kinds of follow-up calls.  Geez, its almost like transitioning back to the place where I was born and raised is more difficult than our move away. 

Well, summer is over and the last bits of warm weather are managing to hang on.  The nights are getting chilly and it'll be time to retire the flip-flops very soon!  We're bracing for our first Canadian winter in a long time - it should be starting, oh in two weeks.  Just kidding!  But that should bring new meaning to the term inclement weather. 

Thursday, September 16, 2004

9:00am  Excuses Excuses!

Can you call the teacher and tell her I'm too tired to go to school today?  Jessica tops the list with that honest excuse today after playing a few too many UNO games with her Dad last night. 

12:04am  Hold Please!

I'm up to my neck in life transition detail.  Its a good thing Jay decided to telecommute from Toronto this week because of the reports that Hurricane Ivan was supposed to bring heavy rain storms and strong winds into the Atlanta area sometime tonight and tomorrow.  We have a handful of huge decisions to make and its just easier to do that when we're in the same city. 

With Jessica back in school, I am afforded the luxury of having several hours to take care of details that we've left hanging.  I finally got a few solid hours of alone time to sit and translate my ideas into some form of  a business plan for the home-based business I would love to get going on very soon.  I have a few new ideas for a company name and still brainstorming  corporate identity designs.  All my original ideas got the strikethrough because the domain names are already in use.  Argh!

I also need to work out the logistics and details for our California / Las Vegas vacation in October.  We're really excited that we'll get to spend time with my sister and brother-in-law as well as finally see their beautiful home in all its decorated glory.  We're also hoping to see our San Francisco friends while we're out west. 

Oh wait - the 26 Things Photography Project July 2004 was due in July wasn't it!  Its September and I still have a few more shots to take. 

Paperwork, more paperwork, signatures, phone calls, being on hold, emails, faxes and waiting for answers.  That's the story of my life! 

Saturday, September 11, 2004

11:07pm  On Being the Heroine

This must be what it feels like to be the heroine of a story.  It was a beautiful day and Jay decided that he wanted to take us for a drive out to his favorite fishing spot along the Credit River in Mississauga.  My first fishing experience with Jay happened years before we got married and I vowed that it would be my last.  It was that horrible!   Anyway, because he wasn't toting any of his fishing gear and because he promised that it would only be a nice walk, I agreed to go along with it.

The river was busy with many anglers because the salmon are running around this time of year.  We stopped to watch one man who seemed to be fighting quite the catch.  Finally he brought the salmon in.  He held it by the tail and walked across the river to the side we were standing on.  He was muttering something about his wife having the video camera and where the heck was she to document this fine specimen on tape and how no one was going to believe him when he tells them about it.  A crowd was beginning to gather and you could see the agitation growing on his face.  Like where the heck was the wife with the camera anyway! 

Because I'm married to a psychotic fisherman myself, I know how pretty ticked off he would be if he reeled in a catch like that and I wasn't around to take a picture of it before he released it.  Heaven forbid!  I spun around on went the cool Wonder Woman outfit and I valiantly saved the day!  Um ok, so it didn't really quite happen that way.  More like, I pulled out my trusty compact digital camera out of my messenger bag and said "Hey if you have an email address, I have a digital camera!"  The dude was so happy that its almost like I'll perhaps be invited to some awards ceremony banquet sponsored by the Credit River Anglers Association. 

10:32pm  Reflections

I still remember this day three years ago.  It was still early on the west coast and Jay's office called to account for his whereabouts and to confirm whether or not he would be going in that day.  We turned on the news just in time to see the reports and the pictures of Tower 1 World Trade Center covered in flames and billowing smoke.  I sat glued to the TV for the rest of the day as I tried in vain to reach my family in Manhattan for several hours.  Finally my cousin was able to send me an IM on Yahoo Messenger to let us know that they were safe. 

We had the opportunity to visit Ground Zero a little more than a year later.  I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sadness as I read the names of those who lost their lives that day.  A church across the street, which coincidentally remained unscathed, served as a memorial and a refuge to those who valiantly volunteered their time in the recovery effort.  It was difficult not to get emotional as I browsed the photos, the cards and messages, the recovered items, and the scuffs on the pews left by the firemen's belts as they rested their exhausted bodies.  It was certainly a humbling experience.  Today I remember. 

I picked up today's issue of The Sun (not exactly reading to challenge the mind, but reading nonetheless) and I couldn't help but notice the blatant ignorance.  Random people on the street were asked how 9/11 has affected them and one guy's published answer (along with his full name, photo and what part of Toronto he is from) was that it didn't affect him at all, but he would certainly think twice about traveling to the US.   Um dude - get a clue!    9/11 affects us all and does not exempt even those who live under a rock!   

Wednesday, September 8, 2004

6:21pm  School is Too Cool!

After struggling to get Jessica into bed early last night, as in 8:30pm early, she woke up around 11pm with the fear that she wouldn't be able to make new friends at school.  This anxiety is very much unlike the Type A , cool and confident personality that I know and that many of you can attest to.  This is notably the first time that Jessica has been intimidated by new environment.         

We were met at the main doors by the vice-principal who warmly welcomed Jessica to her first day of Kindergarten at Rosedale Heights Public School.  All of Jessica's fears were laid to rest as soon as she seemed to automatically bond with her new little friend Nicole.  Perhaps they made some secret pact to stick the bunch. 

I had to smile when I saw the puzzled look on her face during the playing of the national anthem, O Canada.  She's gotten so accustomed to reciting The Pledge of Allegiance that I think she was a little confused. 

The parents were invited to stay with their kids in class today so we got an opportunity to observe the daily curriculum, ask questions, get important information and fill out more paperwork.  I'm quite pleased with what I see so far. 

I spoke with some of the other mothers there and when one asked me if I live in the neighborhood, it suddenly dawned on me that this community has been home to me since 1984, long before the empty field became the school grounds. 

My little boo did great today and I'm so happy that she loves her new school.  I'm just hoping that she'll still feel that way...at least until after university! 

Tuesday, September 7, 2004

8:42pm  Too Cool for School

The 2004/05 school year is back in full swing.  Tomorrow is Jessica's first day at Kindergarten at her new school, Rosedale Heights Public School.  The school has a staggered entry system for the little ones which means that Jessica only has to be in school on Wednesday and Friday morning of this week.  I get to go to class with her tomorrow and then she's on her own for the rest of the year.  Kindergarten is a half-day program here in Ontario unlike in New Jersey where it is a full day.  The afternoon session was full by the time I registered Jessica in late June so she has to be at school by 8:20am and is out by 11:00am. 

Today she expressed that she was a little worried that she won't be able to make new friends. She told me that she misses her old school - Lake Nelson.   I assured her that she would certainly make plenty of friends without a doubt.  She has her little school bag all ready and has even planned out her outfit - her new pink Puma skirt with matching short-sleeved hoodie and her beige and pink Diesel shoes.  Now I'm just hoping that it won't be a struggle to get the little miss out of bed in the morning! 

Monday, September 6, 2003

12:13am  Labor Day

I suppose that I really should start spelling like I'm back in Canada, as in Happy Labour Day everyone!  Who greets anyone a Happy Labour Day anyway!  Its been a pretty busy weekend with loads of sleeping in.  Jay, Jessica and I went to the west end to visit his parents Saturday afternoon.  Jay and I popped in on Jonathan and Gi and went out for a quick bite.  When we got back to my parents home, Chris and Marilyn paid us a surprise visit.  The girls were up for some late night calories at our favorite dessert spot, Cafe Demetre's in Richmond Hill.  Jay decided to turn in instead so he could get up in time for his 4am meeting time on the lake for  fishing with the boys.  Surprisingly he got up and made it out there in time, but was back in bed by 8am so apparently they got skunked.  The guys know when to recognize that its a bad fishing day and when to pack it in. 

We hit the pavement hard most of yesterday afternoon for some serious house-hunting in Richmond Hill.  The real estate market in the Greater Toronto Area has really boomed since we left Canada four years ago.  After looking at several new developments and re-visiting a few we'd seen previously, we now have it narrowed down to two communities.  We're a little disappointed to see that the open concept floor plans that are hot in the California markets, haven't really quite caught on here yet.  Too many bloody walls!  And that stipple ceiling is just hideous!  But we are pretty excited that one builder we saw today offers hardwood flooring and stucco and stone exterior facings in their standard packages.

Anyway, plenty of decisions to make...very soon.  We're afraid that if we let it drag any longer we'll get priced right out of Richmond Hill, which is ideally where we would like to live.   Apparently, Jay and I have some more legwork to do in the morning before he heads back to Atlanta. 

Friday, September 3, 2004

11:49pm  Sweet Spots

I'm posting this entry from bed via my brand spankin' new wireless internet connection.  Sweet!  My inner geek thinks she died and went to heaven.  Thanks to my dear husband who patiently sat on the phone with tech support (he has a sneaking suspicion that call centre is located in the Philippines) we finally got our new router up and running.  Now my Mom can check her email, Jay can do work-related stuff and I can surf, blog...make airline reservations simultaneously.  Gotta love wireless!

So Jay made it home late last night and in keeping with tradition we had to sit down to a slice of birthday cake and coffee.  It was well after midnight and we were awake eating a slice of strawberry chocolate mousse cake with freshly brewed French Vanilla Godiva coffee.  Eating that many calories that late at night goes against everything Power 90, but Jay indulged his wife and daughter anyway.  To this day Jay maintains that he never ate dessert or drank coffee until he met me.  But whatevah!  I don't believe him for a second.  Glad you're home hon - have another slice of cake, we can do Power 90 later. 

Thursday, September 2, 2004

8:33pm  Birthday Hugs

Happy Birthday Hon!  My husband is on his way home.  The good news is that his flight should be pulling away from the terminal right at this very moment.  The bad news is that it was supposed to do that an hour and a half ago.  So while my poor hubby is composing hate mail to the airline's customer service department in his head, I want to say thanks for putting up with the mess, that is otherwise known as business travel, for your family.  I could always alleviate the cancelled and delayed flight problem by just staying out there with you.  Now how's that for troubleshooting!  To many more exciting adventures, endless journeys...and a whole lotta frequent flier miles.  Cheers - I love you!

Wednesday, September 1, 2004

10:00pm  O Canada!

I'm blogging from my home and native land.  I'm finally getting a quiet moment to blog and download all 101 pictures I've taken since last my last entry.  Our flight back from Atlanta took a lot longer than anticipated after our connector in Washington DC was  delayed an hour last Thursday evening.  Washington Dulles International Airport has got to be the most uninteresting airport I've ever been in.  Needless to say we arrived into Toronto after midnight. 

My brother-in-law and new sister-in-law, Jon and Christine, got married last Saturday.  They've been together longer than most people stay married these days!  The wedding was wonderful and the happy couple looked beautiful.  I didn't know my brother-in-law was such a romantic and perfectly natural in front of a camera.  "Christine is always smiling and laughing and I just wanted to be a part of it" is my favorite Jon line from their awesome multimedia presentation.  Christine's "You soooo wanted to kiss me!" is definitely a classic.  And I know Jon wanted to kiss her!  Fess up man! 

Jessica was a pretty flower girl and my dashing husband looked quite spiffy in his mandarin-collared tux.  It was great to see the New York relatives at the wedding too.  Unfortunately, we never got a chance to see them before we moved from New Jersey.  We had plenty to catch up on. 

The entertainment was great with a lively rendition of "She Bangs" and Chynna, Christine's baby sister, rocked the mike in a duet with her Josh Groban-esque vocal coach.  And the party went on till the wee morning hours complete with some drunken Rick Astley flashbacks.  Ha!

Oh and Track 15 on the A Day to Remember Christine and Jon wedding soundtrack - um hello, where has Christine been hiding that killer voice?  Awesome!  Congratulations to Jon and Christine again! 

As all the last remaining embers of wedding excitement died down, Jay returned to Atlanta last Monday morning after his original Sunday night flight and then a second one got cancelled.  Ah yes, the joys of business travel!   Jessica and I are in Toronto enjoying the last week of summer vacation before she begins Kindergarten next Tuesday. 

It's a little weird to be back (in a good way I suppose).  I have to keep reminding myself not to blink and do a double-take whenever I see the Canadian flag out of the corner of my eye, that the posted speed limits are in kilometres and the larger numbers on my speedometer are in miles.  I have to get back into doing the CAN-USD conversions in my head and try not to choke when I see the 15% sales tax on my receipt or cry when I've been charged up the ying-yang and my gas gauge has barely moved beyond a quarter tank.  Welcome home dear! 

I have a million and one transition kind of details to deal with.  Hopefully Jay and I will have time to do some serious home-hunting while's he's here for the long weekend.  I've got a few new developments bookmarked already.  I am so ready - bring me paint and carpet swatches!