Been a while...

Well it has been a while since I last wrote, and it has been a busy last few of weeks. I started a new job as an environmental consultant/biologist 3 weeks ago. I was looking for work for about 3 months, so I was pretty happy when I got an offer. Out of all the job postings I responded to, this one definitely sounded the most appealing, and actually would make use of both of my degrees. The company even does research at Britannia Beach, where I did a research project during my undergrad at UBC (one of the few things I got out of UBC - don't get me started). The interview was, well, interesting. I had a panel interview with 3 people, and then I had to do a "writing assignment". I assumed that this "test" was going to be rather easy, the purpose being to see if I could actually write and spell. Well I was very wrong. I was set up at a laptop, with no handheld 'mouse'. I CANNOT for the life of me operate a laptop without a handheld mouse. Hence I was forced to use the touchpad mouse. I was given an excel spreadsheet of soil chemistry data, and told to analyze it any way I wanted to, compare it to the CSR numerical and matrix standards, and then write a letter to a client, all in 30-40 minutes!!! There was no real direction on how to do the data analysis, as the purpose of this "test" I then realized that the purpose was to test my thought process as well as my writing skills, as well as how I perform under pressure. Needless to say, I started to panic, especially when I was wasting time doing the same calculation for each row of data in excel, because I could not figure out how to drag and apply the calculation to the cells below using the stupid touchpad mouse. I managed to finish, but left feeling worried about how I did. It is strange when you have no real instructions on a test as to how to analyze and interpret data. Anyhow, I was not expecting a call back, but I got one, and I was very excited. I was offered the job eight days after my interview, and started 3 days later. So far it has been alright. There is obviously a learning curve, so my first 2 weeks were a bit stressful, but this week was pretty good. I even got to do some field work!
Last Wednesday night I headed to Vancouver for sushi dinner at the Eatery with Renee, who I haven't seen since June. It was nice to catch up. It took me 50 minutes to get to 16th and Arbutus from Marine and Pemberton in North Van, which was ridiculous. I am glad I live close to work - the commute would be a pain in the ass.
Last Saturday Todd and I went to Dallas (Todd's cousin) and Scott's wedding at the Swan-E-Set golf course in Maple Ridge. It was really nice. They gave candysticks as wedding favors which I thought was a great idea! Who doesn't like candysticks?!! Apparently they got ripped off on their liquor bill though - $6000 for 150 people?! That is insane! It apparently averages out to 7 drinks per person AFTER dinner (before dinner it was pay-bar). So it definitely does not make sense, especially since almost half of the people there drove (it was really far away). So beware...
Last Sunday I hung out with Andrea at Granville Island, which was great since I haven't seen her in 4 months, so it was nice to catch up, and we both love wandering around the shops and market there. There are lots of good Christmas gifts to be found at Granville Island. Then I headed over to my parents for dinner.
On Wednesday night Todd rented the movie Sahara, which I was fun (it is an adventure movie).
This week was pretty good. On thursday I spend my day doing field work. We drove up some logging roads close to Squamish and did some creek water sampling. It was raining all day and it even hailed for a while. At one point I slipped in the creek and my rubber boot filled with cold creek water, but I didn't seem to mind. I was just so incredibly happy to be working outside :)
Todd had bought me some heat packs for my hands and feet which made a huge difference. It is no fun to be working in the cold all day - you just end up being miserable. Being warm and prepared for foul weather makes a huge difference.
Later that night we headed out for Shannon's birthday. We went to Subeez Cafe for dinner (surprisingly good food) and then to the Atlantic Trap and Gill which was I really enjoyed! There was an Irish band playing and it reminded me of the Blarney Stone (my favorite bar). It was nice to catch up with Jessica and Charlie too.
Friday I hung out with my sister Fanie all day. We went shopping at Richmond Centre since the weather was pretty lousy. I bought myself a new sweater and some undies, and part of Todd's birthday present (he turns 32 on Thursday!!! I still don't know what else to buy for him!!!). Friday night I hung out with Reyna and Marina. First we went on a 7-11 run for snacks. I bought gobstoppers which I haven't had in years! It reminded me of when Siobhan and I were little, and her mum used to give us some money and we would walk up to the circle K store and buy candy. Anyhow so we just hung out at Reyna's and chatted and played 2 board games I have never played before - Yahtzee and Boggle. They were both fun.
Saturday night Todd and I rented a movie called Crash, which I enjoyed. Several characters of different racial backgrounds interconnect in a couple of days. It is interesting to see how the different stereotypes society has created for those backgrounds affects their judgment, beliefs and actions. I would recommend it.
Today Todd and I sealed and primered the walls of his office space. We put up a new wall to create 3 spaces instead of 2 a few weeks ago. We are going to paint it this week. I have never painted before so it is fun!
Tonight, I am just vegging out. I am waiting for Todd to finish watching the hockey game so that I can watch Desperate Housewives which was recording in the meantime with the media centre (I am slightly addicted), so I will write more another time.....