American in Canada . . .

So since it has been a year since my last posting, I thought I would give you a review of the year in the life of Jennifer for 2008.

As you can see in my last post from Nov of 2007, we were packing to move into our new home. Well we moved in and I could not be happier.

So after a year of not updated my blog I thought I would start back again. Why? Because I have so much to say, and without people around to chat with. Maybe I can get my thoughts sorted out here.

:)

I am late in posting updates

on my blog. I am not even sure who even reads this. So if you do, comment, so I know I have readers out there!

John and I bought our first house. We move in December 8th. Which is know is crazy, right before Christmas. But hey at least we will be settled before the holidays, I am just praying for good weather.

Right now, I am organizing, packing, and of course stressing myself out about small details. The move is coming up quick, anyone else want to come to Canada to help us move?

This last weekend was so nice.

John and I started the weekend by visiting a local farm and buying some pumpkins. I decided that we were going to have some fun and carve pumpkins this year.

The farm was great and they had all the animals out, I got to get up close and personal to some cows. But the highlight of the visit was seeing some piglets, the mother was nursing them all and then she decided to sit down and relax. Since their food source was now gone, they were all oinking so loud. I felt bad for the poor little ones, but I feel even worse for the Mom pig trying to feed 8 little piglets!

Yesterday we went to downtown Toronto to see Cats!

  I know that John did not enjoy the play as much as I did. But I loved it and I enjoyed every minute of the singing and dancing. Now of course "Memories" is still going through my head and has been all day long.

After the play we walked down the street to a cafe THE RED TOMATO, it was listed under places to eat in the Programme (how they spell it in Canada) for Cats! John and I decided it looked good, it is Italian with an Asian influence. John and I both decided it was the best dinner we have ever had. We are going back to the same theatre next month to see Sweeney Todd, so we are already counting down the days we can go visit that restaurant again.   

So, I have some good news regarding employment. I have been offered full time employment for the online University that I was working for while I lived in Utah.

A full time position as an Alliance Advisor came open, and I am so excited about the opportunity. I can work with the wonderful people I did while I was in Utah, and I can stay home and maybe start a family sooner than I thought. :)

So for now, I have given up trying to find a job in Canada. I never realized it would be such a trying experience. I assumed everyone in Canada would want to hire me. But honestly, I like the idea of working at home better. So maybe I will never "work" in Canada. :)

I have begun this quest to see every movie that Bette Davis has made. From the wonderful influence of my mom, I have developed a love for classic movies. Bette Davis is my all time favorite.

If you have not seen anything that Bette Davis has been in, I recommend the following movies:
Now, Voyager.
Stolen Life
Catered Affair
All About Eve
Dark Victory
There are so many more, but start with these. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Yesterday John and I went to a concert. We also went with John's friend Robin. It was a 3 band headlining act. Queensryche, Alice Cooper and Black Sabbath.

Queensryche was loud! I actually have one of their albums from when I was in high school and I knew most of the songs and I really enjoyed them. John loves

Alice Cooper when he came on John was beside himself with excitement. Alice played for about an hour and I will admit it was a great show. If you have ever seen one of his concerts, he has drama acting along with the songs. So it is quite a site to see. Plus he is an amazing showmen, I REALLY enjoyed it. John pretty much sang to almost  every song, and it was great to see him so happy about seeing Alice Cooper.

When Black Sabbath, or Heaven and Hell as they are known now came out, it was a different story. The pot came out too. Being in Canada, the laws are a little more relaxed regarding pot smoking. Everyone around us was smoking. Being the good girl that I am, the only time I have ever smelled pot was at concerts, and I HATE the smell. I was trying not to get sick, but it was difficult. The entire ride home I could smell the pot on me and I had to wash everything we wore when we got home.  Despite all that, it was a fun night had by all. 

On Sunday, John's sister Sandy got married. Congratulations!!

Sandy and Harry

had a beautiful wedding. Sandy looked beautiful in her wedding dress.

It was a beautiful church. I did not get any pictures of inside the church since we were trying to video most of the ceremony.

After the wedding we got aboard a boat and toured Rice Lake.

I personally thought I was going to get a little seasick, since I always do when I am on the water. But after I had some ginger ale, I was fine!

This is Andrew and Kristyn, Sandy's children. Notice Kristyn's, Paris Hilton pose! :)

After the boat cruise, the day ended with a lovely dinner at the Victoria Inn. I had the best cheesecake!! It was a lovely day!

Here is John's sister

Cheryl and her husband Frank. Along with their daughter Francesca.

And of course a sunset with my sooo good looking husband!

 

 

For my mom here is a picture of me!

 

Finally after a year of waiting, my immigration process is finally over! I am now a PR which means permanent resident, it is pretty much like a green card in the US.

The court date yesterday was not as bad as I expected. I guess I assumed they would ask lots of questions, but they took our money, asked me if I had committed any crimes, then stamped my passport. It took about an hour total for the entire process. So now I just needs to wait for my PR card.

Celebration!

We arrived back from our fun weekend in Ottawa and Quebec. Below this posting you will find two videos that I thought everyone would enjoy. John and I can be so silly at times! :) Make sure you check them out!

Our trip started with arriving at our hotel. We stayed at the

Fairmont Chateau Laurier. It was built in 1906 and it was amazing! All the furniture was from the time period and we were pampered every step of the way. It was funny that every time the valet parked the car or brought us the car he knew our name as we were coming. It was crazy just how he must have memorized our faces. What service!

During our trip we saw Parliament Hill

, which was actually just a next to our hotel. They have a light show at night on the building, and it was amazing! My favourite parts were all the Gothic like parts to the building. 

That night we took a Haunted Walk through Ottawa. It was a 2 hour walking tour by lantern, telling all the haunted tales of Ottawa it was sooo much fun. But we found out that the floor we were stayed on at the hotel was haunted. So we joked around the entire time about seeing ghosts, of course we never saw a thing. But I did hear some strange noises at night . . . but I think it was the people next door to us. :)

Day Two we drove into Quebec to take the Steam Train.

It was amazing. We were in the first class car and the service was amazing as well as the seats. We wined and dined the entire way.

That night we had an amazing dinner

at the hotel and we took a guided tour via bus and boat around Ottawa. The tour was in french and English, it was amazing that the tour guide could keep up going from one language to the other. 

There is so much that we did I could go on for hours and hours. So to the left you will notice I have created a book of all the pictures from the trip. I hope you enjoy!