Friday, October 31, 2003
Friday… Pay day. Wow. I finally have money. Well, temporarily, since I have many things to pay – my credit card, my rent for the month. Sheesh, what is this??
Broomball wasn’t too exciting last night. We lost. I think its cause we have too many people on the team. Not much ice time, so by the time you have to go back on, you’re already cooled down and it takes a lot to get going again. The ref also questioned my helmet and said that it’s not CSA approved, so I had to take it back to the store, so I don’t think I’ll be able to play next week, until I go home and get my own equipment. Oh well, its just one game. I’m so impressed how cheap this sport is! It’s so exciting! $50 for the whole year, from September to April, playing two times a week!
Tonight I’m heading out on the town with Zara. She’s going as a bat woman? Hmm or something like that. I totally forget what she said. It was so late last night. I’m going as a gum ball machine. Thanks Randy for the idea! Very cool!
Eww. The garbage today was super gross. A lot of meat waste and meat packaging. I smell like garbage for sure today. I better shower before I got out!
The plan for this weekend is to go to the world squash tourney tomorrow at the West Edmonton Mall. I also need to buy some broomball gloves. And the rest of the weekend is up in the air. No plans as of yet. I can’t believe how fast this week went by! And next Friday at this time, I’ll be driving to Kingston! I can’t wait!
I think I finally understand what people mean when they say that it’s a dry winter here. My skin is so dry that it’s bleeding. It’s kind of gross actually.
You lucky geeks in TO – sheesh 19C, and I’m freezing my ass off here in the minus 15C. Brrr! I’m so cold! I had to scrape my windows this morning!!
Well, have a great weekend.
The “compost police”
Broomball wasn’t too exciting last night. We lost. I think its cause we have too many people on the team. Not much ice time, so by the time you have to go back on, you’re already cooled down and it takes a lot to get going again. The ref also questioned my helmet and said that it’s not CSA approved, so I had to take it back to the store, so I don’t think I’ll be able to play next week, until I go home and get my own equipment. Oh well, its just one game. I’m so impressed how cheap this sport is! It’s so exciting! $50 for the whole year, from September to April, playing two times a week!
Tonight I’m heading out on the town with Zara. She’s going as a bat woman? Hmm or something like that. I totally forget what she said. It was so late last night. I’m going as a gum ball machine. Thanks Randy for the idea! Very cool!
Eww. The garbage today was super gross. A lot of meat waste and meat packaging. I smell like garbage for sure today. I better shower before I got out!
The plan for this weekend is to go to the world squash tourney tomorrow at the West Edmonton Mall. I also need to buy some broomball gloves. And the rest of the weekend is up in the air. No plans as of yet. I can’t believe how fast this week went by! And next Friday at this time, I’ll be driving to Kingston! I can’t wait!
I think I finally understand what people mean when they say that it’s a dry winter here. My skin is so dry that it’s bleeding. It’s kind of gross actually.
You lucky geeks in TO – sheesh 19C, and I’m freezing my ass off here in the minus 15C. Brrr! I’m so cold! I had to scrape my windows this morning!!
Well, have a great weekend.
The “compost police”
Thursday, October 30, 2003
The day before Halloween and candy is half price at all grocery stores. I’m so tempted, but I’ve been so good. I bought two little bags of candy yesterday for my Halloween costume, so I figure that should be enough.
Last night I went for a jog around the subdivision. It was so cold out and slippery, I just didn’t know what to wear. So I wore my regular jogging outfit plus a fleece on top, gloves and an ear band. The only thing that was cold were my feet. I was so nervous too; every so often I would hit a patch of ice and freak out.
This morning my boss and I went for a drive to the East end. First we went to the transfer station so I could learn how to do a load review – I’ll be doing those all week while my boss is away. I took lots of pictures of that. Then we went to the compost facility here which is run by Earth Tech – national environmental consulting company and met the head engineer there. I’m hoping to go back there one day for a tour of the facility, but apparently I’ll smell really bad, so I should do it at the end of the day.
This afternoon, I have to write my first load review report and continue my audit at the grocery stores.
Last night I called Big Sisters and left a message to volunteer with them. Fun fun.
Okay that’s it. Here’s my official job title: I’m so excited: Waste management consultant and auditor.
A.K.A. The garbage geek
Last night I went for a jog around the subdivision. It was so cold out and slippery, I just didn’t know what to wear. So I wore my regular jogging outfit plus a fleece on top, gloves and an ear band. The only thing that was cold were my feet. I was so nervous too; every so often I would hit a patch of ice and freak out.
This morning my boss and I went for a drive to the East end. First we went to the transfer station so I could learn how to do a load review – I’ll be doing those all week while my boss is away. I took lots of pictures of that. Then we went to the compost facility here which is run by Earth Tech – national environmental consulting company and met the head engineer there. I’m hoping to go back there one day for a tour of the facility, but apparently I’ll smell really bad, so I should do it at the end of the day.
This afternoon, I have to write my first load review report and continue my audit at the grocery stores.
Last night I called Big Sisters and left a message to volunteer with them. Fun fun.
Okay that’s it. Here’s my official job title: I’m so excited: Waste management consultant and auditor.
A.K.A. The garbage geek
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Yahoo it’s Wednesday. Pay Day is in two days. I can’t wait. First real pay cheque!
Today while drinking a yummy mochaccino at Second Cup – I read the Globe and Mail. Wow. I can’t believe how much trans-fats is in our diet. Sheesh! AND – the last page – facts and arguments. The main story is so funny. I was actually laughing out loud at the coffee shop. I suggest reading it!! It’s about this lady who can’t get food into her mouth, rather she gets it on her cheek, because of the pain killers she’s on – kind of reminds me of drinking stories!!
I can’t wait for tomorrow night – Broomball, however my thighs are still killing me from my first game on Monday. One of the girls told me that some nights we don’t have enough players for 2 full lines, so as soon as we get off the ice we have to go back on again – I’m gonna be exhausted! I hope that doesn’t happen anytime soon.
Yesterday, when I got home from work I noticed that I could still smell the garbage that I had been moving all day, so I had a shower, and afterwards, I could still smell it. So gross. I think the smell is permanently in my nose! Yuck! Some of the stuff I had to search through yesterday was so nasty!
Ooh… it snowed a lot last night, so I had to buy an ice scraper and I even got to use it! So fun!! As well, the company bought me steel toed boots! So exciting. We’re going to the landfill tomorrow.
Science formal… 1.5 weeks – I get to go home. Very exciting and dress like a girl again! And see Paul! Woohoo… I miss him!! And my dog!! And and …
Okay… back to work.
Today while drinking a yummy mochaccino at Second Cup – I read the Globe and Mail. Wow. I can’t believe how much trans-fats is in our diet. Sheesh! AND – the last page – facts and arguments. The main story is so funny. I was actually laughing out loud at the coffee shop. I suggest reading it!! It’s about this lady who can’t get food into her mouth, rather she gets it on her cheek, because of the pain killers she’s on – kind of reminds me of drinking stories!!
I can’t wait for tomorrow night – Broomball, however my thighs are still killing me from my first game on Monday. One of the girls told me that some nights we don’t have enough players for 2 full lines, so as soon as we get off the ice we have to go back on again – I’m gonna be exhausted! I hope that doesn’t happen anytime soon.
Yesterday, when I got home from work I noticed that I could still smell the garbage that I had been moving all day, so I had a shower, and afterwards, I could still smell it. So gross. I think the smell is permanently in my nose! Yuck! Some of the stuff I had to search through yesterday was so nasty!
Ooh… it snowed a lot last night, so I had to buy an ice scraper and I even got to use it! So fun!! As well, the company bought me steel toed boots! So exciting. We’re going to the landfill tomorrow.
Science formal… 1.5 weeks – I get to go home. Very exciting and dress like a girl again! And see Paul! Woohoo… I miss him!! And my dog!! And and …
Okay… back to work.
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Yesterday, I started my waste audit at two Safeway stores in Edmonton. I lock the garbage bins and every hour or so, I come back, unlock the bin, sort through the garbage that has piled up and throw it in the bin. Lots of fun! I can’t believe how much garbage each grocery store produces! Wow, we definitely know who is producing the most garbage – municipality vs. commercial, sheesh!
Last night was my first game of broomball. It was fantastic. Full Contact. I’ve never played a full contact sport before. All we wear in terms of equipment is: helmet, gloves, knee pads and elbow pads. The shoes barely slip, but its such a great workout. Kind of reminds me of a cross between field hockey, lacrosse and hockey. So, I’m part of the Edmonton Ryders now. My next game is on Thursday night. I can’t wait! I almost scored my first goal on my first shift. We won the game 2-0. The rink was a 40 minute drive north of where I’m living, and I had to drive through a super sketchy part of town. Oh well, its only once a week at that rink.
Well, back to work.
Last night was my first game of broomball. It was fantastic. Full Contact. I’ve never played a full contact sport before. All we wear in terms of equipment is: helmet, gloves, knee pads and elbow pads. The shoes barely slip, but its such a great workout. Kind of reminds me of a cross between field hockey, lacrosse and hockey. So, I’m part of the Edmonton Ryders now. My next game is on Thursday night. I can’t wait! I almost scored my first goal on my first shift. We won the game 2-0. The rink was a 40 minute drive north of where I’m living, and I had to drive through a super sketchy part of town. Oh well, its only once a week at that rink.
Well, back to work.
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Woah. Friday was quite the night. My roommate Zara took me out on the town. The first bar that we went to was the Black Dog. Pints were cheap, people were super friendly, people dressed super casual, it was very relaxed and reminded me a lot of an Irish Pub. It was fun, but really crowded. Then we went to the Commercial, which is kind of a sketchy bar, like the IronHorse (Kingston) – kind of creepy. It was huge and they had really great live jazz music.
So, after 3 jugs of beer each ($8 pitchers), and meeting lots of random people, and Zara spending most of the night sick in the bathroom, we headed home. It was great, even though I slept all day Saturday and didn’t end up going out. Zara was held up by some random dude that we met, since apparently she doesn’t normally “drink” that much. We don’t remember coming home, but we’re safe. Anyway, it was great!
I really like Edmonton. And – my car is coming tomorrow! I can’t wait. I’m not too keen on this Echo… what a weird car to drive, you feel like you’re going to hit everything that you drive over, but its super good on gas, I haven’t even filled it up once. Actually I’ve only used ¼ of a tank of gas, and have been driving it for over a week.
Well, this week, I’m going to be doing waste audits for 2 Safeway grocery stores. I finally get to do some applied stuff! Sweet!
Garbage is fun!
So, after 3 jugs of beer each ($8 pitchers), and meeting lots of random people, and Zara spending most of the night sick in the bathroom, we headed home. It was great, even though I slept all day Saturday and didn’t end up going out. Zara was held up by some random dude that we met, since apparently she doesn’t normally “drink” that much. We don’t remember coming home, but we’re safe. Anyway, it was great!
I really like Edmonton. And – my car is coming tomorrow! I can’t wait. I’m not too keen on this Echo… what a weird car to drive, you feel like you’re going to hit everything that you drive over, but its super good on gas, I haven’t even filled it up once. Actually I’ve only used ¼ of a tank of gas, and have been driving it for over a week.
Well, this week, I’m going to be doing waste audits for 2 Safeway grocery stores. I finally get to do some applied stuff! Sweet!
Garbage is fun!
Friday, October 24, 2003
TGIF
Ok. I moved into my house last night, at first it wasn’t too bad. I had left over pizza, since I have no food in the house yet. There are 6 girls living in the house including me. The lady that owns it, is really nice. We talked all the way through dinner. The other lady – kind of grumpy – especially when I asked her when she might be showering in the morning, since we both have to leave for work at the same time. One student doesn’t speak a word of English – just smiles, one is super nice, quiet, funny and the last girl, well, um lets just say I better try to stay on her good side. Watching Friends last night was just a waste of time, because everyone came into the family room – wow I complain a lot, but the thing that threw me for a loop is that there are plastic coverings on each of the beds, so when you move when you’re asleep all you hear is swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, and its an uncomfy bed. Also, we're not aloud to have male overnight guests. So, when my boyfriend from 4000 km away comes to visit, he'll sleep on the couch, as she calls it - special arrangements. So, its kind of like living at home again. Isn't that the reason I moved away from home? To get my own space? Hmm… maybe I won’t be living there for too long!Haha, but at least I do have somewhere in case I don’t find anything, which stressed me out last week. And, because of the uncomfy bed, I’m buying a pillow today. At least that way my head will be comfy. Maybe tomorrow, while I’m cleaning up garbage at 6am will be a better day.
The Garbage Woman…
Ok. I moved into my house last night, at first it wasn’t too bad. I had left over pizza, since I have no food in the house yet. There are 6 girls living in the house including me. The lady that owns it, is really nice. We talked all the way through dinner. The other lady – kind of grumpy – especially when I asked her when she might be showering in the morning, since we both have to leave for work at the same time. One student doesn’t speak a word of English – just smiles, one is super nice, quiet, funny and the last girl, well, um lets just say I better try to stay on her good side. Watching Friends last night was just a waste of time, because everyone came into the family room – wow I complain a lot, but the thing that threw me for a loop is that there are plastic coverings on each of the beds, so when you move when you’re asleep all you hear is swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, and its an uncomfy bed. Also, we're not aloud to have male overnight guests. So, when my boyfriend from 4000 km away comes to visit, he'll sleep on the couch, as she calls it - special arrangements. So, its kind of like living at home again. Isn't that the reason I moved away from home? To get my own space? Hmm… maybe I won’t be living there for too long!Haha, but at least I do have somewhere in case I don’t find anything, which stressed me out last week. And, because of the uncomfy bed, I’m buying a pillow today. At least that way my head will be comfy. Maybe tomorrow, while I’m cleaning up garbage at 6am will be a better day.
The Garbage Woman…
Thursday, October 23, 2003
I found out last night, when I got home from work, that my stay in the hotel was over the following morning, so I had to organize my stuff, which you can imagine what my room looked like – it was a disaster! I also decided that I needed to use all the free stuff at the hotel, so I went to the gym, went for a jog, did some weights, then went in the hot tub and then sauna.
Today, on my way to work, the rain was coming down in every direction, and so much too. It was like standing in a shower, going full blast for an hour. Plus I was out in it, so I got soaked! Now its all sunny!
I move into my new place tonight, I’m super excited to finally be able to unpack and stop living out a suitcase. It took me 20 minutes yesterday to find my bathing suit. Grr!
I just got an email back from the broomball club, so I’m going to start playing broomball soon. It’s a pretty cheap sport here, and being a new member, I get a discount of $50 or a pair of shoes to play. I’m thinking of getting the rest of the equipment at Play it again sports. I’m so excited!!
The boss is away on business for 2 days with my report. But, he gave me lots of things to do for the rest of the week. Plus, I have to meet him on Saturday to start our waste audit that I will be monitoring until the following Saturday at two Safeway Food stores. I get to pick up garbage… wow my dream job! Seriously
Well, back to work
Melissa
Today, on my way to work, the rain was coming down in every direction, and so much too. It was like standing in a shower, going full blast for an hour. Plus I was out in it, so I got soaked! Now its all sunny!
I move into my new place tonight, I’m super excited to finally be able to unpack and stop living out a suitcase. It took me 20 minutes yesterday to find my bathing suit. Grr!
I just got an email back from the broomball club, so I’m going to start playing broomball soon. It’s a pretty cheap sport here, and being a new member, I get a discount of $50 or a pair of shoes to play. I’m thinking of getting the rest of the equipment at Play it again sports. I’m so excited!!
The boss is away on business for 2 days with my report. But, he gave me lots of things to do for the rest of the week. Plus, I have to meet him on Saturday to start our waste audit that I will be monitoring until the following Saturday at two Safeway Food stores. I get to pick up garbage… wow my dream job! Seriously
Well, back to work
Melissa
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
I bought new shoes yesterday. They were kind of expensive, but after wearing huge clunky boots for the past few days, I wanted flat shoes, so that I could walk quicker and keep up with my co-workers when we're walking through customer sites. They look kind of like men's work shoes, but a little more feminin. Hard to describe. Its going to be tough to work them in, but maybe they'll become my super comfy shoes!
I thought I was just wearing some basic work clothes today to work, but my co-worker commented on how dressed up I was, but maybe it had more to do with the sweater I'm wearing and it's nice outside - 15C. Apparently a fairly high temperature for this time of year.
I think I finally finished my first report. Tomorrow I'm going for two tours of local grocery stores, that I will be monitoring for the next few weeks. I'm looking forward to taking part in waste audits. It beats sitting in the office and reading about waste audits that have already been published.
I had my first experience of Arby's today. Not sure I really liked it. Meh, oh well.
I move into my new place soon! And my car should be hear (from its trip across Canada) by Friday, or the latest Monday.
I guess I'll go back to the hotel.
Myss
I thought I was just wearing some basic work clothes today to work, but my co-worker commented on how dressed up I was, but maybe it had more to do with the sweater I'm wearing and it's nice outside - 15C. Apparently a fairly high temperature for this time of year.
I think I finally finished my first report. Tomorrow I'm going for two tours of local grocery stores, that I will be monitoring for the next few weeks. I'm looking forward to taking part in waste audits. It beats sitting in the office and reading about waste audits that have already been published.
I had my first experience of Arby's today. Not sure I really liked it. Meh, oh well.
I move into my new place soon! And my car should be hear (from its trip across Canada) by Friday, or the latest Monday.
I guess I'll go back to the hotel.
Myss
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
Its 6pm, and I'm still working on my first report ever due with the new company that I'm working for - Waste Logic Inc. Wow, I can't believe that I finally have a grown up persons job. For example: I'm staying in a hotel full of other people with real jobs for a week, I have to dress up for work, I have a rental car, I get my own laptop in a few weeks, plus my own cell phone, its so much fun and a real pay check!
I also just found an appartment to stay in for the next 6 months, so I'm really excited about moving into that on Friday. Its a house full of girls, which probably isn't my first choice, but its a fairly good price, has all room furnishings, and is about 2 minutes from everything except for work.
Once I get settled, I'll be travelling to Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg and parts of Saskatchewan, for meetings with various companies which should be a lot of fun. And I hope in the next while to get involved in sports etc. You know me :)
Anyway, this is such a fun update. Yay!!
Whats new?
Melissa
AKA... Waste Consultant
I also just found an appartment to stay in for the next 6 months, so I'm really excited about moving into that on Friday. Its a house full of girls, which probably isn't my first choice, but its a fairly good price, has all room furnishings, and is about 2 minutes from everything except for work.
Once I get settled, I'll be travelling to Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg and parts of Saskatchewan, for meetings with various companies which should be a lot of fun. And I hope in the next while to get involved in sports etc. You know me :)
Anyway, this is such a fun update. Yay!!
Whats new?
Melissa
AKA... Waste Consultant
