The End is Near...LOL!

Hiya,

I really thought these last days i would be able to blog a little more. I guess I was sadly mistaken...uggghhh.

Anyway, the BF arrived and we have been having way too much fun. We went to the tennis match, drove 10hrs to New York and back and have had many brunches and dinners. If you haven't driven to NYC, don't do it unless you have a fun companion. We were wonderful company for one another so the drive was easy. I can't imagine doing that ride w/ someone the drove my crazy. Unfortunately, we were not able to enjoy NYC as we were staying in Long Island. Sorry to all my NYC peeps:).

We had a weekend with my family, where he was able to meet my mama (she loved him), eat some good food and relax in the fresh air.



As the end is near, this week has started off with a lot of running around. I am trying to tie up some loose ends before my departure. We have decided that we will not start the packing until Friday as I find its always better to pack a day or two before departure, especially a big departure such as this one. Until next time, hopefully not too long..haha!

~Cheerios~


Here is a pic of us in Long Island!

Countdown!

I have been MIA but you know sometimes when you have so much to do some things have to get put to the side.

Caribana weekend is over in Toronto so I am ready to get down to work. I was able to see many of my friends from New York which was exciting. I did not do too much partying but I was able to go out and catch the action. I haven't been to the Caribana parade in about 4 years so it was nice to see the customs and run into old friends. I figured that I probably would not be back in Toronto during the Caribana festivities for a few years to come so I got all the partying out of my system.

Now the packing starts. I have decided to carry extra luggage and pay for the additional weight as it works out cheaper than shipping boxes. Its hard to pack because you never know what to bring and what to leave behind. I have a collection of text books from University, will I need those hard cover, heavy weight books? probably not. I have toooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many pairs of shoes to count, will I need all of them? YES! And things I have collected over the years are so hard to part with. I was dreading the packing faze because I hate packaging and I don't like to leave things behind.

My contents sale is coming along good. I have sold many of the small things but still trying to sell my sofa, bed and dresser. If I can get these items sold I would be happy as a clam as the extra money could go to good use. I have advertised the items on facebook, kiiji and craiglist. Any other places you guys know of please let me know?

Chicco arrives in 7 days and I am VERY excited. Its been way too long so its pure excitement from here on. Maybe I should leave the packaging for when you gets here...lol. I won't do that to him.

Cheerios

Mini Wheats Commerical!

Never thought I liked mini wheats until this commerical. Every morning when I wake up I hear this commerical on the TV...good marketing job...Enjoy

So embarrassed!

Today I had my last night of Yoga as my instructor will be on vacation for the next two weeks. I go to yoga once a week and refuse to go else where because I really enjoy the teacher I have. I did not know it was going to be my last class before my departure or else I would have brought my camera. Any how, it was all good until…
Well there is this girl that has been in my yoga class since last year. She is quiet, still hasn’t purchased a yoga mat and always smiles when I say hello. Today I said to her “are you pregnant, your belly looks so cute”. I can clearly tell she was blushing under her brown skin. She then turns to me and says “no I am not pregnant, I have gained weight”. I was so embarrassed that she wasn’t pregnant but it looked like she was. She had the 3 month cute belly which I think is so cute on pregnant women. She was not happy with me as she did not say bye nor did she smile. I still believe she is pregnant and just didn’t want to tell me as it really isn't any of my business. Oh well, next time I will keep my mouth shut before I ask if someone if they are pregnant.

BTW, the youtube video I posted yesterday is no longer available. I wonder why B?

Cheers

Poor Beyonce!

Not much more to say here...lol

FACEBOOK aka CRACKBOOK

Well I finally cracked and joined facebook (http://www.facebook.com/). Many of my friends and work colleagues have been on facebook for many months but me, being the private person I am ;) I decided against it until recently. My reasoning, well I figured I am leaving Toronto and it COULD possible be nice way to meet up or connect with people I haven't spoken to in years. I have found old friends from grade school and high school on facebook. I also reconnected with people I met through my travels over the years. I don't know how someone can become addicted but I guess it's possible. There are people I know that are on the damn thing all day being noisy;). If you don't set your FB settings accordingly anyone can access your info and pics. I'm not sure if Crackbook is popular where you are but it sure is in Toronto and N.America. It's a more sophisticated version of myspace, which I never joined as I thought it was too complicated.

Anyway, if any of you join. Don't let the addiction get to you:)

Cheers

The people you meet!

I met this older man today while I was out. I was sitting by my lonesome when he decided to sit next to me. I was out enjoying the sun and he was doing the same. Because I live at the waterfront in Toronto its easy walk out and sit by the lake (one of the ugliest in my opinion). Any he began to talk to me about the recent changes of the years to Toronto's waterfront and he knew a whole lot of history about the waterfront. I found out later that he had lived at the waterfront for 30+yrs. It was nice to speak to him because he was very knowledgeable and educated me about my neighbourhood. Oh I will miss it...sniff...sniff...

What else is new? Well I had my "goodbye Roxy" party. It was so much fun and I enjoyed every moment of it. Here are some pics!
They didn't know how to say "good trip" in Italian so said it in French, close enough...lol.
The other pic is of the host (one of my bestest friends at work) and the Admin. Secretary and Colombian homey I could not do my work with out...














I am in the process of selling some furniture and stuff...I have sold a few items so far but still have the big things to sell. My bed (which I love too much), dresser and my sofa. I have posted my items on http://www.craiglist.org/ as well as internal postings at work and in my condo. Hopefully the remainder of things will see at the listed price.

My BF arrives in 3 weeks and a bit. We are excited as we know that there will be no more good-byes. I am excited about not having to say good-bye for 3 months and do the damn count down each time. Gosh, I hate the countdown.

I am going at the kick boxing classes (http://www.tkmt.ca/) full swing because I paid for the month membership, which allows for unlimited monthly classes. So yesterday I deiced to Rollerblade for 3 hours and deiced today to go to kick boxing for 3 hours. Bad idea Dan! I body is sore from head to toe, literally. I am back at it tomorrow again but hopefully the pain will wear off. I hope I can continue kick boxing in Italy. Its an amazing workout and its a lot of fun.

Peace and hair grease!

Italia, sto arrivando...wooooo hoooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You all know that today was the big day...here is how I did it!

While in Italy in April I visited "corso di lingua Italiana per gli stranieri" and inquired about there Italian lessons. After pondering for a day I went back and asked if I could register for the lessons beginning in October. They photocopied my passport and asked I come back in a few days. Unfortunately, I was leaving the next day so I therefore could not pick it up. A week later my BF picked up the letter and mailed me the original copy. I used a email copy to bring to the consulate just "to see" if what was written in the letter was sufficient for a student visa. I was told sadly that they letter only stated "I presented myself to register" and not that "I paid and registered". The lady at the consulate asked that I call the school and ask them to issue me a new letter stating that I paid for the course. Totally starting freaking out at this point because since its a "corso di lingua Italiana per gli stranieri" I did not have to pay. So I then asked my BF to go to the school and ask that they issue me a new letter. The school flat out said they would not do that for the reason I did not pay for the course. I waited about a month before I returned with the original letter (nothing changed), my flight itinerary (not an official booked ticket), bank statement for 3 months, my passport and one passport size picture. I was really nervous because it was the same lady I dealt with a month earlier who had told me that letter had to be changed. Anyway, I took a deep breath, presented her with my documents. Once she started to examine the letter I said to her "I asked the school to issue me a new letter but they would not" she smiled and said "no problem". She continued to shuffle the papers and said she will issue the visa for the duration of the course (Oct-July) but could not issue the visa beyond that time. I was asked to come back on June 26 to pick up my visa but was later called and asked to come on July 9 (visa's cannot be issued more than 90days of the visa start date).
I went back today and was all smiles when the gentlemen placed the visa in my brand new passport.
So that's my story of how I got my student visa. I paid nothing and got a whole lot in return.

~Cheerios~

Ticket purchased

Howdie folks, how goes things? For me things are slowly coming along. Booked my flight to Italy this week. It cost less than I was originally quoted which was nice and I was able to get an open ticket which is good for one year. Unfortuantely Chicco and I are not flying back together as it cost way too much to be on his flight. So I will be leaving four hours after him, it would have been nice to fly with him but saving money is more importan.
On Monday, I pick up my visa. Am I worried? oh hell yes because I fear that they might change there mind and decide not to grant me a visa. I will be the happiest person on earth once I have that visa in my hand.
My colleagues have decided to have a goodbye party for me. How sweet of my colleagues to do this. It's a pot luck style bbq/patio party at one of my colleagues homes and I know it will be a night to remember.
My BF arrives in 40 days and of course I am excited. It's been a long time coming and the days just seem to be pulling along.

Cheers

This day last year!

I remember this day last year like it was yesterday. You all shall know that this day last year my BF arrived in Toronto for our first stay together since we had met. The days prior to June 29 2006 I was so nervous and anxious awaiting his arrival. I did so much to prepare for his arrival that I smile today when I think about it. We call this day love @ first sight because it really felt like that. Here are some pics from that day last year.... I also got myself a tattoo today. The Chinese characters for the word "courage", that word just fits this entire experience.

















See you later aligator!

The pain & joy!

It's an emotional day for me as I handed in my resignation letter today. Acutally I did not end up giving my managers the letter as the whole ordeal was VERY emotional for all parties. I did tell them that I would be leaving but nothing can move forward until I had in the letter. Move forward I mean that HR cannot start the process until they receive a written letter. Here are the details of the meeting;
So I went into the meeting very nervous, heart beating a mile a minute, thinking that this would be easy and quick. Well the meeting lasted 35 minutes which I had expected it to only last 15minutes. I told my managers that I have decide to leave for personal reasons, I didn't feel like telling them the entire story. I don't think I got past the first word and I started to tear up. I think the reason for the teary eyes is that once I did this; quit my job, the move ahead would be official. From here forward the countdown begins, its not all talk anymore. I also teared up because I honestly can say that I love my job and most importantly I love the team that I work with we all get along so well. And of course the fact that I would be making hugh change in the next few months. After telling my managers I had to announce it to my team, which I thought would be the easier part because many of them knew what was coming. Well once again, I didn't even say a word and the tears started rolling down my face. I finally got it together and my colleagues, they were not surprised but realized that my move was the real deal.
As the day progressed it became a little easier to get my work done.
As soon as I was able to I called my BF to cry because I was sad and happy at the same time. He was so supportive and was successful at making me laugh, which helped a lot.
The joy comes from knowing that there will be many happy times when I am finally with my BF.

Oh and he went to the job interview today on my behalf and met with the family. He sorted out my work hours and my daily tasks and of course worked out the pay. He had a lot of good things to say about the family and the children as he was able to meet all while he was there. After discussing the nitty gritty, the woman asked if he had a picture of me. When he showed her my resume she saw that I was black. My BF asked her if that was okay and she said oh there is no problem, the kids have had an interaction with a black woman recently. Chicco did say she was surprised when she saw my picture. She also asked to speak with me on the phone, so I will update you all once I have that conversation with her. The family would like me to work 12:30-5:30 pm Monday to Friday. Those hours work for me and the salary worked out good as then family has money to spear, if you know what I mean.

See you later alligator

The letter

Well, I got down to it this evening and finally wrote my resignation letter. It's brief, short and sweet. Writing the letter was emotionless and I am happy the writing of it is over. Tomorrow is the day when I meet with my managers so I am have some anxieties about that meeting. I just want this taken off my shoulders, I want to be FREE!

Today was just another working day. It was VERY hot and humid but I got through the day with no problems. Saw my BF earlier in the day and it was a good start to my day. Seeing him is always a good start or a wonderful ending to my day. He will be in Toronto 49 days, we have a lot of plans for when we are together in Toronto. Tomorrow he will go to my job interview w/ the family that wants me to work for them. I don't know how I feel about being a nanny but I am willing to do anything to help out my BF and keep my sanity. I will drive me crazy if I become jobless after working and being independent for the last 5years. It will be a big adjustment making a lot less than what I am making now. When you make less you spend less and this adjustment will be a hard one. I have become used to making and spending my own money and adjusting to the change will be difficult for both myself and my BF. We are strong so I am confident we will work through whatever situation comes up.

See you later alligator.

Resignation Letter

Why am I having a hard time drafting a resignation letter? I don't know what to say, its hard writing this letter because I really love my job. I am also very anxious to meet with my managers on Thursday. I have a couple more days to formulate something so I am going to go ahead an procrastinate some more.
I read again today to my BF, he was very supportive w/ my butchering of his lovely language. Counting down the days until I pick up my visa, I am so nervous that the consulate will change their minds. Can you imagine I showed up there and I was denied after I was told I was approved and given a pick up date. I would be so sad but not for long because nothing will stop me from being w/ Chicco. I am staying positive as that's all I can do. My BF is going to a job interview for me on Thursday for a nanny position. He will meet with the family that wants me as their nanny and he will negotiate my salary and work hours with my input of course.
Still enjoying my new bb even though my right hand is killing me. I seriously need to get myself to the physiotherapist.

See you later alligator!

My new Blackberry!

Today is a good day as I got me a new toy. Like I stated in my previous post, my addiction to the blackberry is something else. The newest blackberry came out today w/ the cell company I am with and I was one of the first to have it. And am I totally lovin' it? oh yes I am.

Take a look...
















Besides the damn heat wave in Toronto nothing new is happening. I decided not to go to kickboxing tonight because I am tired as I did not sleep too well lastnight. I laid down to sleep at 930pm and was still awake at 130am, why you ask? well ANXIETY is the only word.
This week I am meeting w/ my manager to give my resignation letter. I was thinking lastnight what exactly I should say in the letter and tyring to figure out the perfect speech. I am feeling the pain at the moment in my eyes as I am VERY tired. I am trying to stay awake as late as possible so I can get a decent amount of sleep tonight.
My Italian tutor had to cancel today because her mama is sick. So I had my lesson today w/ my BF, which was funny because I am sure he was thinking "this girl reads so slow" and I really do.

See you later alligator!

carpal tunnel syndrome

So do I not honestly believe I am suffering from CTS. Why? well I am addicted to my blackberry. I have had one for many years and have found over time my use has become excessive. Many of my friends have one so that must be the reason. It has allowed me to communicate with them w/out having to speak with them. Sometimes you don't want to talk but sending a quick PIN saying "hello" is all what's needed to keep in touch. I am currently waiting for my new bb which I will bring w/ me to Italy. My phone company is charging 500.00 to terminate my contract so the BF and I decided that taking it w/ me will be the best option. I will be able to use a local SIM card while I am there and send PIN/email messages. So back to the self diagnosis of CTS. I have cancelled 2 appointments with the physiotherapist due to scheduling conflicts. I will eventually make it there but until then I suffer w/ the pain and continue typing away on my crackberry.

Cheers

55 Days

I can't believe he will arrive in 55 days. Things are moving along as planned for the big move in September. My BF found us a lovely apartment which he will sign the contract for this weekend. I am excited to live outside of his mother's home and also not a stone throw away from his mother's home. We will be living in newly developed area w/ many new homes and apartments. I pick up my visa in 10days, a student visa is what I applied and have been approved for. I have to tell all about getting my student visa but I have to officially have it in my hand before I share the secret;). In a matter of 9 days I will officially provide my employer with my termination letter. Gosh what am I going to say in the letter? How will I present it to my team? (shouldn't be hard as the majority of the know). Leaving my job will be the hardest part as I truly love my job and the people I work with minus one person (keep that one the down low, just in case). Everything is coming into place, in just a matter of months I will be LEAVING ON A JET PLANE......can i get a A-Flickin-Men.....Don't know what else to tell you all but I will definitely post more.

Cheers

24

I am totally a hugh 24 fan. I missed a couple of episodes when I was in Italy so I have had to play catch-up. Jack Bauer is amazing he always seems to save the day, how unrealistic eh? There are a few more episodes until the season finally which I am looking forward to. I don't think they are showing 24 in Italy, what will I do? I guess I will have to search online or download episodes on itunes. One think I will miss when I am in Italy is all the unrealistic television series that we get this side of the ocean.

Another think, my Italian conversation tutor that I meet with weekly cancelled on me today because he uncle passed away. Since May 21 is a holiday in Canada, I will not meet with her next week either. Our next conversation will take place on May 28th, in the meantime I have to listen, speak and write in Italian. I will not be doing this on my blog as I don't want people to laugh at me.

Today I also got this weird feeling that people were ignoring me. I made phone calls to important people in my life and not one person had returned my phone call. I was actually quite sad about it as usually these people call or email me throughout the day. My BF told me I was reading into the situation too much. He is the only one, of course, who called/emailed me today...xoxo.


PEACE and hair grease

p.s. why do i keep closing my blogs with that line. We used to say that back in the day...yes i am old.

PAPARAZZI

When I saw these pics, the first thing that came to mind was...oh my gosh the PAPARAZZI. There is just something about them that makes me think that. Maybe I am reading too much of people magazine. Anyway, my BF's friend took these (totally unaware) and he is a photographer in Italy, so I guess that's why they turned out this way.

We were at the marathon in Padova watching the thousands of people who ran from somewhere far. His mamma also did a mini Padova run/walk so we were there to support her and the others. Enjoy!

Good Idea Dan!

My BF and I have adopted the phrase in this commerical. When he comes up with a brillant idea I say "good idea Dan". I didn't know where the phrase came from until he showed me this commerical. When I come up with a brilliant idea he says "good idea Sally". So we are Dan & Sally. Can't have Dan without Sally...lol

"I had the time of my life"

I am back from Italy and can truly say "I had the time of my life". Spending time w/ my BF and of course his mother made me realize how much I need to be with this man. My first days in Italy was all about business ie. job/visa inquires etc. I told my BF that I would not spend any more than 3 business days making those specific inquires. As I did not want my vacation spent in government line-ups. I will try to capture as much as possible about my trip in the next few blogs if I don't get through all of it in this post. First stop;

Immigration office-2days
As the office was only open on Tues/Thurs from 11am-1pm we didn't have much time. When we arrived there were a lot of people ahead of us as we got there at 1030amish. We took a number and didn't realize that many of the people came at 8am to collect their number. So we were basically looking at waiting the entire two hours and our chances of having to come back the next day were very high. Thank God my BF was with me because the lady in the office only spoke Italian. It also appeared that all of the immigrants also spoke Italian, which really surprised me. Anyway, at the end of it all we had no luck at the immigration office. We had a letter of job offer from a company that would provide me with work but were told that letter would not be accepted until the quotas were released. The staff had no idea when that would be. They advised us to apply for a student visa as that was the only way until the new immigration laws were passed. Here is a pics of me at the immigration office.

I realized on this trip that knowing the right people one can get things done. For the last 5 months I have been applying for a job with the American navy at their base in Vicenza. The position has been vacant since January, so you would think that they would at least provide me with an interview. We have a connection on the American base the hiring manager for the position that I have been applying for the last 5 months (what a coincidence). My BF was able to speak to her and she informed us that the only way to get a job on the base is if your Italian or American citizen. So there goes my chances of that job which was directly related to my present work in Toronto. In this case knowing the right person did not work for us. So moving right along. I then told my boyfriend that applying for a student visa would probably be the best bet. He searched on the internet for a reasonable priced non-private language school and found one not to far from his house. We then went to the school to apply and requested the letter of enrollment. The school told us that they had no problems with their students obtaining student visa to study, so we are very hopefully.

Apartment-1/2 day
Another one of those, if you know the right person things COULD work out. Once again we thought we did. Across the street from my BF's house lives this old man, a very wealthy old man. This old man owns all four units in his condo one of which he lives in and the other three he rents out. Before I arrived my BF ran into the old man who informed him that one of the units would be vacant effective May 2007. Wasn't that good news for us, of course it was. It meant we could live across the street from his mother (sniff, sniff..lol), live in a very big two bedroom apartment with two balconies, live 10mins from the centre and pay a lot less for rent. Each day I would look at our future apartment and was happy to know that in months it would be ours. I was also happy that our rent would be affordable and was happier to know that his mother's balcony/windows faced the opposite way, so there would be no peeping mamma thing happening.
Our dream for this apartment has currently been shattered because the wealthy old man has decided to keep the apartment vacant for tax purposes. He told my BF that he preferred to keep it vacant as he didn't want to pay too much taxes at the end of the year. You must understand that my BF has offered to buy this property from the wealthy old man many times but he refused to sell it now he is complaining about paying taxes. My BF believes because of his old age he might change his mind again just at the right time. In the meantime my BF will continue purposefully run into him as one of those run ins might solve our apartment issue.

Although I left without a visa, apartment, job or a hairdresser, I still had the time of my life. More to come on my trip....

A little message for my new friend, Paola. I know you read my blog and just wanted to say "get well soon".

PEACE and hair grease....