Back In Vic

Wow! I'm am back in Victoria finally, and am not sure if I will ever leave again! (well, yes I will, it would be very hard not to considering that I work on a boat) However, after having cancelled flights both ways and a hour delay at the last ferry (that I shouldn't have had to take if my flight wasn't cancelled) I have realized that I either have very bad karma, or someone is out to get me! On the up side my door was just knocked on and it was my bag that I had to abandon in Vancouver so I could catch the ferry (that ended up being an hour late)

Chartwork, Check

Exciting news! I got a call from Transport Canada this morning saying that I had passed my chart work exam. I felt good about the exam when I was finished writing it, but it's always nice to know for sure. That's one down out of 5 that I need to write for my 150 Tonne Masters Ticket (or actually I just learned that it should be referred to as a certificate of competency and it is a major faux pas to call it a "ticket")

It's a love hate relationship

So I love the snow, it makes the city look pretty and makes me feel like Christmas, however, not being able to drive into one's own driveway because you can't shovel it because the city is out of shovels isn't as much fun, good thing I have friendly neighbours. Also when your flights get canceled its kind of a bummer, and even if the snow makes me feel like Christmas, it definitely won't feel like Christmas if I never make it to where Christmas is, which is Calgary. Here's to hoping that the direct flight will prove better luck than the stopover in Vancouver....

Oh the weather outside is Frightful...

1100H

If you're from Victoria.... I however will take this opportunity to say that I did not grow up in this tropical island city and I can drive in the snow and no you should NOT slam on your brakes when you start to slide! and yes there are still two lanes even if you can't see the dotted line anymore...


I even hauled myself out of bed to be at my yoga class at 0730 to find that whoever had the keys to the studio couldn't get here, so the class had been canceled and they would still be running the 0930 class if I could come back, which I did. And still there were only about 10 people.

Now you are probably thinking that snow if Victoria, does not constitute of "real snow." Well you're right, it will probably be gone by the end of the day, which is why I'm not shoveling my driveway or the sidewalk! I passed at least 30 people out busy shoveling their drives on my way home from yoga. But why? I ask. It's gonna melt and you can get your car out already! Here's some props to the true Victoria who I saw on their bicycle at 730 this morning!


In any case, it started snowing last night and this morning I woke up to a beautiful blanket of white crispness, yes the crunchy kind, and I had to brush off my car (with my mitts, cause who owns a ice scraper here anyways?) Reminds me of Christmas. What a perfect day for the SALTS Christmas party! We are even going caroling in a horse drawn wagon!

1321H

Correction: I was just informed that the Christmas party has been postponed until further notice...

One Down and One to Go...

So, today was the final day of my "Simulated Electronic Navigation" course at Camosun. The thing with having a class that is a one week (five days) intensive, all day long class, is that you are taught new information on the last day and then expected to write the final (50% of your mark) the last three hours of class.... well I passed, no problems, and I felt confident during the exams as well which is always a good sign. Although I have to say that I have a beef with Transport Canada courses because there were definitely some people in that room who got their certificate who maybe shouldn't have.... I figure if I'm answering peoples questions on how to plot a LAT/LONG and do a simple 60D=ST time formula, then maybe they shouldn't be certified to do advanced radar plotting....just a thought.
So next week I have one more class and then I'm done formal school for a bit and onto more self study for some other Transport Canada Exams, the first of which is actually this coming Monday! Ack!

Other than being back in the school/reading/study mode I have been getting immense enjoyment out of a Bikram Yoga class that I started trying out. Basically it is yoga in a room heated to 105 degrees with about 50-55% humidity. It brings me right back to offshore when you are lying in your bunk and feel the sweat pooling....Okay I know that sounds gross and who in their right mind would voluntarily put themselves through exercise in a heated room, but I LOVE it!

Bay Street's First Christmas!

Hey Mom, Here you go. I only really decorated the fireplace room because I am working in the other one right now. I haven't got the outside lights up yet, but I hope to this weekend!