..I realize that as an "International Applicant" I'm subjected to a whole whack of supplementary forms
but an "English Proficiency Test"?
Really?
I'm Canadian. You know, that big ol' land North of you guys? About 90% of us...speak ENGLISH.
That is all.
Sincerely,
Ella
Friday, March 12, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
70's & 80's Music Love
Blog Status: Ella is spending time in the 70's & 80's on her iPod
Flikr Good Morning! I think I’ve finally figured out the secret to keeping up-to-date on my blogging. Banking posts while I’m at work for the day. I’ve started a pattern of e-mailing my blog posts to my personal e-mail address from my work address and then copying them into blogger when I get home. A little on the corrupt side? Maybe. But I figure since I’m not a smoker, there’s about 30 minutes in a day that I have to work when they’re all out in “smoke breaks”, so I’m taking short “blogging breaks”.
The topic of this post is all about music. My new iPod is 16G so needless to say it holds a LOT more music than my old 4G one did. Because of this I’ve been able to rediscover a lot of old music. I think I’ve fallen in love with the music of the 70’s and 80’s. I used to wave it off as being disco music that wasn’t worth listening to, but now I’m so in love.
I think one of my favourite songs of all time is Pat Benatar’s “We belong” or Belinda Carlisle’s “Heaven is a Place on Earth”. I just love the fast disco beat of these songs and the messages just make me think of by-gone times of leg warmers and athletic gear. It doesn’t even feel retro to me because I came of age in the 90’s Era (I’ll save that for a different music post).
I’ve also recently discovered the rock and roll side of the 70’s and 80’s with bands like Guns N’ Roses (“Welcome to the Jungle”) and Boston (“More than a feeling”). I think the older I get the more my music tastes are broadening from the pop music I loved for so many years.
So now fellow bloggers, I’m opening up my iPod to all of you, what 70’s and 80’s music do YOU suggest?
The topic of this post is all about music. My new iPod is 16G so needless to say it holds a LOT more music than my old 4G one did. Because of this I’ve been able to rediscover a lot of old music. I think I’ve fallen in love with the music of the 70’s and 80’s. I used to wave it off as being disco music that wasn’t worth listening to, but now I’m so in love.
I think one of my favourite songs of all time is Pat Benatar’s “We belong” or Belinda Carlisle’s “Heaven is a Place on Earth”. I just love the fast disco beat of these songs and the messages just make me think of by-gone times of leg warmers and athletic gear. It doesn’t even feel retro to me because I came of age in the 90’s Era (I’ll save that for a different music post).
I’ve also recently discovered the rock and roll side of the 70’s and 80’s with bands like Guns N’ Roses (“Welcome to the Jungle”) and Boston (“More than a feeling”). I think the older I get the more my music tastes are broadening from the pop music I loved for so many years.
So now fellow bloggers, I’m opening up my iPod to all of you, what 70’s and 80’s music do YOU suggest?
Friday, March 5, 2010
20+10 in 2010 Update – The Quest for Tea
Blog Status: Ella is having a very hard time concentrating on her work today
Photo Credit FlickrI’ve started my quest to like Tea. My co-workers ALL drink Tea so today they gave me a sort of Tea-tutorial. I’m now sitting at my desk with a mug of Harris Orange Pekoe” tea with cream and sugar. Some said cream was good, others said milk would have been better. One swears by sweet and condensed milk (but that’s just too sweet for me). Some said 2 sugars was way too much, others said 1 sugar wasn’t enough.
To me it tastes just like every other cup of tea that I’ve ever tried. I’d probably give this a 5/10. It’s a little bitter for my taste ( I went with one sugar and 2 creams) so maybe milk and 2 sugars would have been better.
What I’ve noticed so far is that there are A LOT of different opinions when it comes to tea. Even if it’s the same flavor, then the brand is important.
I’m of the “hot-chocolate” variety, and it’s so much simpler. The only real discussion there is whether to add milk or water.
I’m still working on finding a flavor and combination that I like
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Splish Splash Spring.. Splurge?
Blog Status: Ella is loving the fact that the days are getting longer - Spring is coming!
Even though it’s still pretty cold and yucky looking around here, I’m actually very excited for Spring to finally arrive. We’ve been pretty lucky this winter and (so far) have not had many major snow storms. The little snow that we do have coupled with mild temperatures means that there is slush and mud everywhere. I practically ruined my Uggs last week wearing them in during a snow storm. With a little love and care they now only bear a few battle scars. All this got me thinking of something.
I’ve been wanting rain boots f-o-r-e-v-e-r. I just love all the pretty colours and designs they always come in. Rain boots would be SO practical this time of year as they wouldn’t get dirty as easily and any mud could simply be wiped off. I know what you’re all thinking – “okay Ella so go buy Rain Boots”
WELL my problem is this. I’m in L-O- V-E with a specific pair of boots. I’ve been quietly lusting over these boots for a few years now, and this is probably the reason why I haven’t bought another pair yet either.
I totally completely heart Burberry Rain Boots. The Real thing. The $213 thing. Even typing out that ridiculous amount is a little painful so I can only imagine how much it would hurt to actually spend that. I’ll admit that I have a thing for labels, but to this date I’ve never spent that much on any one item. I tend to buy most of my designer clothes/accessories in outlets or on sales so I get away with spending a LOT less.
I have thiscompletely idiotic wonderful vision in my head of being able to splash through puddles to my heart’s content wearing Burberry Rain Boots.
The sensible side of my brain is telling me that no vision is worth over $200 for rubber boots.
But Aren't they pretty?
Even though it’s still pretty cold and yucky looking around here, I’m actually very excited for Spring to finally arrive. We’ve been pretty lucky this winter and (so far) have not had many major snow storms. The little snow that we do have coupled with mild temperatures means that there is slush and mud everywhere. I practically ruined my Uggs last week wearing them in during a snow storm. With a little love and care they now only bear a few battle scars. All this got me thinking of something.
I’ve been wanting rain boots f-o-r-e-v-e-r. I just love all the pretty colours and designs they always come in. Rain boots would be SO practical this time of year as they wouldn’t get dirty as easily and any mud could simply be wiped off. I know what you’re all thinking – “okay Ella so go buy Rain Boots”
WELL my problem is this. I’m in L-O- V-E with a specific pair of boots. I’ve been quietly lusting over these boots for a few years now, and this is probably the reason why I haven’t bought another pair yet either.
I totally completely heart Burberry Rain Boots. The Real thing. The $213 thing. Even typing out that ridiculous amount is a little painful so I can only imagine how much it would hurt to actually spend that. I’ll admit that I have a thing for labels, but to this date I’ve never spent that much on any one item. I tend to buy most of my designer clothes/accessories in outlets or on sales so I get away with spending a LOT less.
I have this
The sensible side of my brain is telling me that no vision is worth over $200 for rubber boots.
But Aren't they pretty?Do I splurge or do I stay sensible? What would you do?
Monday, March 1, 2010
20 + 10 in 2010
Blog Status: Ella is thankful for all your words of encouragement and is feeling more determined then ever to achieve her goals
I've seen similar lists on some of my favourite Blogs and I think it's a great idea. This is a compiled list of 20 +10 (in other words 30) things I would like to accomplish in 2010. My original idea was 210 things in 2010 - but I had enough problems coming up with 30. Every now and then I'll do an update to this list and broadcast how the mission is going. I encourage all of you to make a list like this, even if you don't intend to follow through on a single one. Simply the experience of listing all of these was very inspiring
This list is in no particular order.
1. Learn to like Tea
2. Read a classic novel from cover to cover (suggestions are welcome!)
3.See a new place ** Completed on Feb 5 - Detroit, Michigan
4. Read a book in French (even if it's a children's book)
5. Meet a new friend
6. Eat Vegetarian for a whole week
7. Eat Vegan for a day
8 Get 100 Bloggy Followers
9.See Cirque du Soleil ** Completed on Feb 6
10. Finish a scrapbook
11. Re-kindle a friendship with an old friend
12.Cook a meal from scratch ** Completed Jan 23
13. Bake a pie
14. Bake something new
15. Go strawberry picking
16. Go on a roadtrip ** Completed Feb 5-7 (Detroit, Michigan)
17. Colour my hair
18. Learn to feel comfortable in heels
19.Clean out my closet ** Completed Jan 30
20. Write a letter (not E-mail)
21. Visit a museum
22. Learn to drive standard
23. Learn more about cars
24. Dip my toes in an Ocean
25. Paint a painting
26. Learn how to do the "smokey eye" look (without looking like a raccoon)
27.Build a piece of furniture ** Completed Feb 28
28. Go ice skating
29. Get back into dancing, maybe take a class somewhere
30. Learn to properly use my digital camera (all those funky settings) and take good quality photographs
I've seen similar lists on some of my favourite Blogs and I think it's a great idea. This is a compiled list of 20 +10 (in other words 30) things I would like to accomplish in 2010. My original idea was 210 things in 2010 - but I had enough problems coming up with 30. Every now and then I'll do an update to this list and broadcast how the mission is going. I encourage all of you to make a list like this, even if you don't intend to follow through on a single one. Simply the experience of listing all of these was very inspiring
This list is in no particular order.
1. Learn to like Tea
2. Read a classic novel from cover to cover (suggestions are welcome!)
3.
4. Read a book in French (even if it's a children's book)
5. Meet a new friend
6. Eat Vegetarian for a whole week
7. Eat Vegan for a day
8 Get 100 Bloggy Followers
9.
10. Finish a scrapbook
11. Re-kindle a friendship with an old friend
12.
13. Bake a pie
14. Bake something new
15. Go strawberry picking
16. Go on a roadtrip ** Completed Feb 5-7 (Detroit, Michigan)
17. Colour my hair
18. Learn to feel comfortable in heels
19.
20. Write a letter (not E-mail)
21. Visit a museum
22. Learn to drive standard
23. Learn more about cars
24. Dip my toes in an Ocean
25. Paint a painting
26. Learn how to do the "smokey eye" look (without looking like a raccoon)
27.
28. Go ice skating
29. Get back into dancing, maybe take a class somewhere
30. Learn to properly use my digital camera (all those funky settings) and take good quality photographs
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