In between the midst of it all, starting the job, xmas, new year, settling in, finding my way, getting used to the job i forgot i had this blog.

So here’s a few things iv learnt about Canada and myself in the 5 months iv been here

• Canada likes to charge people for EVERYTHING. e.g. caller display for the mobiles which i found the most weirdest..because in the UK they don’t charge you for that, nor do they charge for incoming calls.

• Canadians say Elavator and not Lift

• Post is reffered to as Mail

• Trams are called Streetcars

• Canadians seem to thrive on overtime. Do people not enjoy them selves here?

• I am surviving the cold weather. Yes even -20 and strong wind chills

• Iv become strangly addicted to Tim Hortons coffee and bagel

• Developed a weakness for handbags and shopping during lunch and break. – The joys of working next to the shopping mall.

• Iv started picking up on the slag. I.e saying ‘For sure’, True, the word ‘ey’ randomly at the end of a question, sentence. lol

• Iv become a lot more independent which is only a good thing.

• Toronto is known for the city in which you can find sex in a minute. (So true)

• Everything is possible here, nothing is abnormal. i.e prime example today, me and the girl i work with were walking through sears and saw two men holding hands. It was kinda cute and its so normal here. Imagin the contro in the UK

The list goes on and on..

I cannot beleive its been 4 months already. Winter experiences are fantastic.  The snow and everything, even when its freezing cold and high wind chill and snow storm warnings  i love it.

I am eagerly looking forward to experiencing  the Canadian summer!

Firstly due to the fact that I was then told start date was the 10th or 11th. Then was told it may be the 17th Novemeber. Still waiting for confirmation and am pretty much pestering the company by asking if everything is ok. Iv been assured its not me and just their organisaton and how they need some times to get training sorted but I really can’t afford to sit around and wait for them to tell me when I need to start.

Been a lot of hassel trying to contact my previous employers , basically no one cares, and if e-mails don’t work HR just say there’s nothing they can do. So what am i meant to do , all the way in Canada, when the UK don’t even want to help me. Loyal employee and what not. Anyway so with some help of parents I got right detials and contactd the company for references. They said it would take max of 10days for them to e-mail the company in Canada. So basicaly it’s just a waiting game.

The agency called me up today and asked if i wanted to do some temp project while i waited for this position i have to start and i said yes, and then the same day they phone me up and say the client changed their mind. Which sucks but i mean, false hope and that. I feel that if this company keep pushing the date back for me to start every week im pretty much on a lost cause. I simply cannot afford to wait for them. I need some sort of income comming in.

Going to give it until Monday, atleast some time for references to go through but if i get another extention on this god damn start date, im just going to have to go get a job somewhere else till they decide when they want me to start. Iv been looking at other jobs too. Be on the safe side. I just thought everything was ok but ideally I can’t be stalled every week. Was thinking of getting something temporary to fill time and get some funds in. Will let this weekend pass and then take some form of action next week.

Just getting impaitent because as much as I like doing nothing, the whole objective of coming here is to work, and not sit around and whilst iv been having alot of fun, i still have this job thing on the back of my mind. I just want to start and get on with it!!

Hopefully , fingers crossed things will be ok. I hope..

Hired the car and picked each other up etc and set off on our journey around 9.30am. Saw alot of nice things on the way there and lots of dull things, weather was dull but it was still fun. We thought we were going the wrong way but we weren’t. We stopped off at Niagara on the lake first for about two hours, walked around and went in some funny shops and found this one shop which was dedicated to cows. They had funky t-shirts with cow pictures. Was quite funny. They also had a UK things shop and we had to go in. It had the good old British jam, walkers crisps, the chocolates, even gravy and also lots of Scottish things. I brought a can of IRN BRU which cost me $1.25 and in the UK its only 39pence. lol Had to buy it just to remember my roots! Brought a t-shirt that said ‘Super girl’ on it! One of those things you just gotta buy. Anyway, after walking up and down we decided to head off to see the falls.

On the car journey there we saw a lake (looked like the sea) and stopped and went to take a closer look and take some pictures. Had a good laugh taking random pictures of us all posing. We set off and saw a house decorated fully for halloween. All the works, so tried to take a few pictures.

When we got to Niagara, Tom and Louise had to pick up their marathon packs so we went there and then we drove around and thats when i first saw Niagara Falls. It was wow. We were like ‘oh my god, wow’ We checked into our hotels and then met up and went to get something to eat. Tom and Lousie had an amazing falls view from their hotel room, expensive room at $300 but it was simply wow. The rest of us stayed in the standard hotel. At night we hit the tacky streets, reminded us of Blackpool in the UK. Me, Heather and Nayla went to this Sports bar and had a drink and played lots of games which was fun. Got some Niagara gifts and then walked down to see what the falls looked at at night.

Words cannot describe how amazing Niagara falls is, the lights they shine on it make it so spectacular. Got lots of pictures and even they do not justify how beautiful and amazing the water and falls look. I just couldnt beleive i was here. At niagara. Just something i didnt think i’d do and there i was walking up and down taking pictures and thinking how lucky i am to be able to come here and do this.  The nxt day we had breakfast and went to see the people run the half marathon. Had lunch and got some more pictures of the falls. Didnt go on the maid of the mist boat which i was a bit gutted about , the other guys didnt want to go.  Im definatley going there again in the summer so ill be doing all that then.

All in all the weekend that passed was great, Niagara Falls is AMAZING!!! It’s one thing looking at pictures and seeing it on the films and a totally different thing being there and seeing it in real life!

Truly amazing!

I now also have a job and start in two weeks. First week of November which im glad about. Im an Anti Money Laundering Analyst. How cool is that. Im looking forward to starting and getting trained up.

Weathers getting cold now, chilled winds, i keep sneezing which isnt a good sign -getting a cold! Also going to Niagara this weekend with the people who i flew from the UK with. Excited about that, even though the weathers going to be rubbish.

Everythings falling into place and Im quite proud of myself for managing to find a place and a job within the month of comming to this country. It has been totally hard, espeically the first few weeks but it has definatley been a learning experience for me. Discovering myself in a way too.

My birthday passed on oct 15th and had a good time, was spolit my my friends and my aunt and it made being here even better.  First month has been up and down and things are only getting better and now that i feel more settled im going to write in this thing as often as i can with all the gossip and updates.

I went to Sabah and Pawan’s place to chill for a bit which was fun. We watched Russel peters lol. As you do, i really want to go see him live, i am in Canada after all so im going to go one day. Whenever he is doing a show. Anyway, i went to see this place and it was so nice, clean, sophisticated, i walked there so got a feel for the area, there was another girl there who was interested in the place too. Huma, the lady showed us around and i liked it alot. Only thing was that there was no bed and stuff but it’s the first place out of the 7 that iv really really liked. She said she would let us all know by Tuesday. So i was hoping for the best.

When i got bk to my aunts i emailed her and said thanks for showing me around and how i was keen in coming to live there etc and said id be willing to pay a lil extra too. (it would have been worth it) and she said she would let me know. On Tuesady i was having these thoughts that I may not get this amazing condo apartment room in an amazing location so i startd looking online for more ads, then later my aunt took me to one of the Indian Festival in Richmond Hill and whilst i was there i got a phone call…

I missed the call but listened to her voice message and she basically said she wanted to me come over to finalise the moving date. YAY. So i called her back and arranged to go meet her the next day to have a look at the place again and sort out the detials etc. My aunt came with me and she loved the place and got talking to Huma, and we found a link in where we are all from, and she is panjabi muslim which is quite cool and we talked bout bollywood stuff and how famous bollywood film actors stay in this hotel opposite our condo. John Abraham is meant to be coming soon, so she was saying we’d have to stand outside and get a sneak peak! lol…

Aunts going to give me some furniture, not sure what’s happening bout the bed but i can always buy it, this location is perfect, its right next to the Eaton Centre , like a 5min walk and theres so many resturants , shops and stuff i can walk too, and it’s a nice area and im so happy its right in the middle of downtown. It would be perfect if i got a job in the Eaton Centre. lol I move in this Sunday, depending on how aunt n uncle can get me across downtown.

All in all, im glad iv found somewhere, just marks the start of an amazing time (i hope) in Toronto..

My next step is a job! Iv had 1 interview and went to a job fair and am constantly applying so im sure this time next month ill have settled in properly and have a job! Woo..then it’s off to this bollywood night club! lol Now i have a few desi friends, our plan is to go in Nov cus it happens on the first friday of each month!

So i wrote down all the directions and hoped Tues would be a good day.

Today is tuesday, the journey was LONG, i left at 10.30am and got downtown at 12.30pm , changed trains twice, got on a bus and a stret car. Got to the swap office and saw some of the crew! Was good. Applied for a job and phoned an agency and then made my way over to look at the flat. Disaster!

1. The girl i was meant to meet this afternoon couldnt be reached on her mobile, i called so many times, so thats flat 1 out

2. The guy i also emailed wanted me to come after  7pm but i cudnt, it takes 2 horus to get bk to where i am.

3. The third flat i was meant to go see, the girl didnt show up. I walked into the building. SHIT HOLE! people smoking and drinkiing outside and it looked so dodgy.

The taxi man ws so helpful and said it was not a nice area, and gave me some areas that were good so im guna look out for that on my search.

Im jus so gutted i didnt get to see this 2 bed condo aprrently for $700. Nxt to the shopping centre.

Todays been such a waste of time really. Even though my CV is done and i applied for 2 things but still, i feel really unhappy because A. Im so secluded here, B. I find it a hassle because i cnt go view places later at night because then its not nice on the relatives if i walk in at 9pm and 3. I just want a place which is nice and worth my money. and maybe a job. Today i didnt even feel like eating anything. I just had a hot chocolate. Even then i didnt feel like it. Managed to eat lil bit of dinner aunt made but I just dont feel like it.

I know im going to be much happier when i find a place to live. Pawan and Sabah called me when i was writting my second post today and it made me so much happy to hear from them. I really want to move back downtown. Had loadsa fun with them and i really hope I find a place soon. Once i have somewhere and a job everythings going to fall into place. I know im guna be much happier downtown. i dont like it here at all. Not cus of aunt and uncle just because its so far out and iv not come here to be in the suburbs or whatever its called. Spoke to my dad about it and he said its true but i shudnt just take the first thing iv seen (like 2 of the ppl who flew over with me) and that staying here is saving me money in the long term. He said that it will fall into place and ill find somewhere. I Knw iv only been here for nearly a week now, but the time spent in downtown was when i was most happiest. I feel bad for not liking it here but i cnt help the way i feel.

I guess tmrw is another day.. Im hoping for the best!

On the Sunday, Yogna and Tamanna, my cousins took me to Markville. A shopping mall, we walked around in some shops. Yogna had to get some passport pics done cus she was going to Tiwan for the year to teach english. We got home and had some tea and that then i helped her pack her clothes and her friend came then at night some family friends of my aunt were over. They were very entertaining., One of them brought some wine and everyone was drinking and laughing and it was so funny. I kind of felt bit bleh because im so far out from downtown in the middle of no where and i totally don’t like it. Aunt and uncle are really nice but i just feel secluded and sad. I want to be in downtown. Spoke to my mum and all the family which was nice and then dad. Was trying not to cry because mum was gettin upset cus she misses me and i felt bit secluded in an unknown place in the middle of no where. Was gettin texts of the crew back downtown which made me want to be there. Felt bit bleh!

We had lots of cake and stuff which was nice. The first weekend was interesting. Not sure if i like it here though, even though aunt is nice i just feel like im in the middle of nowhere. I hope it all changes. Giving it time!

Met the rest of the crew for breakfast in the lobby bit of the hostel and had some pancakes and mapel syrup (as u do) then we walked to the Swap office for our orientation. The guy was highly amusing which made the 2 hours pass by quick. Got lots of information on areas to avoid (although still trying to figure it and) and where to open the bank account and such.

After some of the group went to open their bank account and some of us stayed in the office to check accomodation and jobs on the computers. Then later Me, Heather and Nayla went back to the Eaton centre to get our pay as u go sim cards! There so expensive by the way guys, i paid $62 for mine. Condisering we can get SIM’s for free it was a shock. Plus over here we have to pay for incoming calls too because were using ‘Air -time’ LOL So we got our phones sorted and then went back to the hostel. Before that we went to see a place that was being re-furbished. It was alright but no common living room. So we didnt do anything about it. That night we went for an Italian on King Street West. They had a 3 course meal for $25 which was brilliant. Naturally i took pictures of it!  Then we walked around and went for a drink in a random bar which had a nice patio up on top. It was windy so got bit cold. Didn’t like my Mojito though! Yuck! Iv yet to try a place that do them as nice as Opel Lounge in Edinburgh. Uk ofcourse. We got a taxi back (6 of us) to the hostel and the man charged us exta $2 or so because there was 6 of us. We all laughed and thought he was joking but he wasnt! lol. We went bk and went to sleep and decided to meet the next day later on at the Swap office as some of the guys were moving out to different hotels and hostels.

Day 3

I opened my bank account! Woo, was pretty easy, just walked in and there i had it! Some guy was on the phone whilst i was waiting and he kept talking to me but i thought he was on the phone which was funny. He was slagging off the americans! hehe. Found it quite funny. Paid in some money then walked bk to the swap office and met the rest there.  Browsed around and phoned my mum and phoned my aunt who lives here in Canada  in Markham, she said to come stay with her so i was like erm ok, so was arranging for what time to pick me up on saturday! Later that night I went to see some flats. They were HORRIBLE. It sounded all good on the net and for $600 it was a SHIT HOLE! I went to one in China town, total dodgy, there were these goth style teens drinking and smoking and the place looks shabby. The room was a converted kitchen which had a balcony which was pretty cool but it was DIRTY!! and that was askinf for $650. What a downer. But im glad i went to see more places just to get a feel and decide i dont want to live in that part of town.

For dinner, we had done, Tai, Italian so i suggested an Indian. We went to this place called AROMA, on King st west and it was really nice. Biriyani doesnt match up to Khushi’s in Edinburgh! (U all know how i love my lil pot it comes in) lol but it was good. Had nice Mango Lassi’s which me and Nayla were loving! (Naturally)

I also met up with Zahra’s cousin Sabah and Pawan. Went over to their place, on King st Lovely apartment, really nice. They had a friend of Pawans over who was very funny. He kept going on about british trashy tv like Big Bro (no offence to those who like it) and yeh entertaining. Gave Sabah the biscuits i got and she was like aww. We went to a bar for a drink and she didn’t let me pay which was sweet. They walked me back to the hostel and gave me a hug and said if i needed anything to get in touch. All in al it was a good friday night. Went back to the hostel around 12.30am and tried to get my things together so it was easier in the morning.

Finally made it to Canada. Yay. Met up with the rest of the BUNAC people who i was speaking to on email at Heathrow at 5.45am. Everyone was there. We got our letters from the rep and then checked in and made our way to the gate. Said a quick bye to my mum and uncle. Everyone was going so i didnt want to be left behind.

When we got to the gate we all had a coffee and chatted for an hour, phoned my dad to say bye and my bro and then it was time to board the plane. The journey was normal, slept and watch Sex in the City (as u do) and before i knew it we had landed in Canada in Toronto. We all got out of immigration, (with a lil 3rd degree for our intentions to stay in Canada) and then went to get our luggage and made our way to the bus. BUNAC had put in a ticket so all we had to do was get it exchanged and luckily the coach was already there so we told the guy we were going to Global Village Backpackers and got on. He put my suitcases and everyone elses inside. Bless.

The bus journey to downtown was surreal, i couldn’t believe i was in Toronto, after so long of planning im here and it didnt sink in.  We got a glimps of CN Tower too on our journey. At the hostel we got in and got allocated our rooms, (mine is on the third floor) and they dont even have a lift so i dragged my suitcases down the basement and locked my laptop and coats way and just took out a few tops i wanted to wear. Not exactly what i hoped for but i got around it. The room is alright, sharing with 1 girl who is moving out today and 2 guys which im not too happy about but its ok for short term.

After we got all our stuff in we decided to meet at 2.15pm and go explore, we walked around in a group and went to the infamous Eaton Centre. My gosh, so many shops, we heard that it would take 6 hours. lol we spilt up explored and then decided to meet back at the hostel and 7pm. We explored more and my feet were killing. Later on the hostel was heaving and we were kind of getting slightly worried about where we would live after and phoned around to view some places.

At dinner time, evening, we decided to go for a meal and walked around, felt like a chineese so explored, think we ended up in China town, or atleast near it and found a really nice Thai place. Can’t remember what it is called lol but ill be putting pictures up of the food when i get back on my own laptop. It was nice. We walked back and saw the CN Tower and it looks so nice all lit up at night.

Was feeling bit ‘bleh’ because everyone had doubts of the hostel but the it ended up ok. When i got back to the hostel i saw a note for me saying that Pawan and Sabah had called. ( Zahra’s cousin) I was like ‘aww shal i call them to another girl’ and then i turned around and saw them. Pawan was like, Rina , is that you?’  and thene i went over and gave Sabah a hug and shook Pawans hand and had a lil chat with them. They said i could leave my stuff at theirs if i wanted. I said it would be great, so its an option for safety. Hopefully I’ll get to see them on Friday night to hang out. It totally made my night that they poped in because the first night, although surreal as it was, it was nice that someone cared to come visit me to see if i was ok and i liked it.

I can’t believe im in Toronto!!! I’m finally here!!