SIMPLY ELABORATE blog

Archive for the ‘just quickly’ Category

It’s been a weird feeling, these last few days of being in Boston. I’m getting the rest of the week ready as I have about a billion errands to do the second I get up tomorrow morning, resetting my phone up to work in Canada after basically having to erase every money-inducing feature of it while roaming in the States and fixing up a little to-do list for the next phase in my life.

I’ve also realized that my fixed expenses for every month has taken a turn for the worse and it looks like I’m going to be returning to “three-job-emilia” to keep up as a part of me is a bit apprehensive over what the heck I’m going to do, especially with the Christmas season coming. The other part of me wants to go …. Relax, like usual, it’ll all work out because it always does.

Perhaps I just begin to feel like this because I tend to listen to nostalgic and depressing music while I wait to board my plane. Habit. But what are you gonna do?

The thing I know is, I can’t believe how much I learned while on this trip. Not only about being a sales person, or an event coordinator, or even a planner. I learned so much about the United States, and if anybody knows me, they’ll know me as a 100% Canadian supporter and very skeptical of anything US related (whoops, did I say that?). The thing is, after being here for five weeks, not touring one specific city but actually experiencing the workforce here, albeit a tiny glimpse, I have a bit of a changed view. The amount of people I spoke to, the information I received on how their own people view others in the same country proved to be half-patriot and half-separatist. I found it extremely interesting.

I also found it amazing the vast amount of metropolis cities and realizing that, coming from a country that basically has three or four major cities that people can immigrate to and actually make a decent living, my view on the US was a bit biased. Okay, I already knew that, but my mind was opened a tiny bit. You really can go anywhere you want and start from scratch and make it. You have about a billion choices. Fifty choices, actually, because every state has a major city with a “headquarters” of some sort, a division and it’s probably roughly a two to three hour drive from the neighbouring state, and cheap to fly to.

It surprised me. I even have a new view on the health care system. Don’t get me wrong, it still is ridiculous that more than 11 million people don’t have health care but, boy was it interesting to see the difference in opinion depending on what state I was in.

I learned a lot of things from a lot of people on this trip. I didn’t learn all of them on day one, or day …. thirty three? I learned them from those close to me, far, ones I’d just met – everyone.

And that was pretty exciting and scary. And really, extremely … humbling.

I was home, not settled, for about 72 hours and during that 72 hours my car got beaten up while quietly parked and minding its own business on a residential street, I was thrown a surprise birthday, graduation, welcome come and congratulations on the new job party and fought with my mom only five times. Now I’m sitting here, in seat 12F flying above the clouds and patiently waiting to arrive in Dallas, Texas.

Realizing I forgot my camera charger, I’m praying my camera lasts the full four weeks I’ll be gone because I don’t really want to rely on my phone which has been renamed “the money pit” during my five weeks of being gone. I’m also hoping that I’ll somehow find the time to do all the things I intend to do – one being actually read at least three of the seven books I brought with me; three of which are already started (I have ADD when it comes to books).

Also on the goal list: find somewhere/something interesting to see in each city; visit the hotel gym multiple times during the week (I’m hoping I’ll get bored enough to just go!); get through my “learn Italian version 3.0” self-taught exams I brought; swim in these fabulous hotel pools; bit & bite something everywhere.

Sometimes I think I put too much on my place or ask myself to do more than I’ll be able to accomplish during the time – but on the other hand – I love a busy life!!

Wish me luck ….

I had a wonderful dinner with my neighbour from across the hall last night, all the while wondering why on earth couldn’t we have bonded earlier! But I guess, such is the case when you’re moving and start to befriend everyone in your building in an effort to sell your things.

It was funny, speaking with someone who so clearly, vividly has gone through similar things and is living proof that you can make it out alive – and be having a great time as well. It made me feel a bit more confident with the big risk I’m about to take. And really excited, too.

Ontario’s Bill 118, an amendment to the Highway Traffic Act is now in effect and bans drivers from using handheld devices with display screens while operating a vehicle on the road.Here is a summary of the new rules:

· Holding or using a wireless communication device (a cell phone) or a portable electronic entertainment device (iPod) while driving is prohibited.

· Commercial GPS units along with similar dashboard-mounted devices that provide gauges and displays relating to logistical or navigation uses are permitted.

· Using a cell phone or wireless communication device in hands-free mode, as long as you’re not holding it during use, is permitted.

· Using any device while pulled-over or parked in a way that you are not disrupting traffic, is permitted.

· The systems used by Ambulances, Fire Departments, and Law Enforcement are exempt.

The ban is in effect as of September 1, 2009 and will carry a fine of $500.Demerit points will not be included but depending upon the violation, police will have the option to also use existing careless driving laws for additional penalties.

This bill has been passed for the safety and protection of all drivers on the road.

I’ve almost been scared to write. There have been so many changes to my life this last month. Changes that have been prompted by myself, not realizing the intention and result that would occur.

Now the next month is arriving soon and I’ll be embarking on yet another chapter of my life – another scary, mysterious beginning that seems to be too good to be true. But here’s the thing – it isn’t.

simply elaborate is getting bigger, things are getting busier and it’s more exciting every day. With excitement comes fear.

But there was one thing I learned a long time ago – on the other side of fear is freedom.