I returned from Alberta!!

A picture of the Family and Candice's nacho and popcorn supper! 

My friend Mitchell who passed away beginning of August a month before I moved to B.C.

I survived my trip to Alberta! I left on August 12th the Tuesday in the evening on the ferry to Vancouver where Leia and Justin picked me up. It was a late night when we got to there place and the sisters(Candice, Leia and me) chatted and had our own family forum. We left early for the airport the next morning and arrived in Edmonton at 10:30ish. Don't get me wrong, I love visiting my parents and seeing the few friends I still care about there but the moment we landed I just got this feeling of dread in my stomach. Not nervous because I wasn't forced to see anyone I didn't want to but it wasn't a good feeling. Me, mom, Leia and Lucius stopped in Camrose at East Side Mario's for lunch, then drove home and had burgers for supper that night. 

Thursday, I went to 59th Street Liquor Store and visited with my boss Sheryl and Steve. I surprised them and visited for a short amount of time that day, after that my mom dropped me off at the cemetery to visit Mitchell and another older friend who passed away before I moved as well. I walked home from there and oh....my....goodness....THE MOSQUITOES WERE INSANE!!! I should have taken some photos, but by the time I got home at 11:30 I guaranteed had about 16 bites arms, legs, face. I know Alberta has a ton of mosquitoes but I forgot that if you want to enjoy the outdoors there you have to first soak in a tub of bug spray. Later that evening was Leia and Mrs. McComish's birthday which is tradition to have a meal together so Mom made chinese food (DELISH)!!

Friday, I spent more hours at the liquor store and even helped stock the beer cooler right before I left. It was sad to say goodbye again. 

Saturday, I drove to Ponoka first thing in the morning to spend the day with my friend Braelyn and her two boys. We played Crib all day which is a typical day for us :) I won best out of 3 games and then we played Crib Wars (it is a bigger crib board with a few different obstacles and make the game last a tad longer) but Braelyn won that game...
Sunday, was pool day all day long. I went for a walk with my Dad in the morning while Candice, Leia, Mom, and Lucius were at church.
Monday was again a pool day and I think that was the day that I burnt my stomach so bad. It was also my turn for choice in what Mom made for supper and of course it was Lasagna, garlic toast, caesar salad, and Iced tea!! My friend Evelyn drove from Red Deer (where she recently moved in July) and was there for supper and then we spent the evening together while the rest of the family went to McComish's.
Tuesday was a fun day but short and whenever there is travel time that same day the hours fly by. In the morning I packed my things including a huge mound of clothes that I found that used to fit me back in '09 but didn't when I moved so it was almost like Christmas!! After lunch, the family went swimming and I went quadding!! It was so good because I haven't done that in a few years. When Dad got back, we did Circ du Soleil using the crane in his shop and again haven't done that in years!!! I wasn't even allowed when I worked for Dad still because we always joked about the safety board stopping by.
Mom drove us back to the airport and then the flight back home, which at least we gained an hour and arrived at 7pm. I caught the 9pm ferry back to Victoria, got home at 11:30 or so and only was in bed at 12:30 after chatting about my trip with my friend that picked me up and then had to get up at 6:30am the next morning for work.
I learned a lesson then that one should always book off an extra day after the last day of the trip just to catch up on sleep and unpack.

I was happy I got to visit people in Alberta but I was ecstatic to be back home on the island away from it all...Gizmo was happy to see me and Lindsay (co-worker) took very good care of him. She would send me 10 photos everyday it was very cute. They became good friends I think.

That's all for now and it's almost my lunch break but I will post again after lunch!!! :)
Cya

A full year and no new posts

Wow.........I'm here at work today thinking, no one has replied to my e-mails lately and I love to type especially when I have nothing to do at work. It keeps me busy/looking busy/ and it means I don't have to talk to anyone really. (As far as social conversation) Of course when people linger behind my desk, there is a long pause before I can continue. I lose my train of thought often as well so that doesn't help.

I wasn't going to say anything on here and nothing is for sure, but I got a job offer/opportunity on Monday this week. Megson Fitzpatrick has taken it's toll on me. I did intend on eventually searching if things got worse (as funny as that is to say) It has just been one thing after another since I started. I started in Motorcycle season, the busiest it gets all year, then we had an Insurance company roll over, a new computer program implamented in the new year, multiple employees that I got along with really well left because of this gong show, staff is constantly being moved to different offices which is just a plain dumb idea. Clients get confused and angry because they never know where to call and I don't blame them for that.And throughout this mess, I had to deal with that stupid chick that they hired for 6 months for whatever reason. Thank goodness she is gone. I realize and understand that this is at every job which is why I have suffered through for so long but I just feel done with making excuses for this place. 

Anyway.....the opportunity is with HUB International Insurance and is still in Victoria (although they have locations all over Canada and the great USA). It is located perfectly on Douglas street which will be a direct bus route from my house. This is all hypothetical but how great is it that I will get to wake up in the morning and hop on the bus right outside my front window. This is also perfect because I plan on cancelling my car insurance in August and either walking to work or bussing and walking. I guess it depends where I work come September. Another PRO for this opportunity is because it is International, within a year or more in the company, I could possibly transfer or make connections and get myself hired in America. OBVIOUSLY that is my ultimate goal no matter what it takes. The last Pro will make all of you laugh - as long as I only have to say HUB insurance or just HUB it is one heck of a lot easier than Megson FitzPatrick Insurance. I'm convinced Megson's must hate the receptionist for making me say the full name or even naming your company that. So these are the 3 main draws for me at this moment. I submitted my resume on Monday night and my friend working there(previous MFI employee) gave it to her supervisor yesterday. I should be hearing from them sometime this week, and an interview is near. 

This weekend, Leia and Lucius are coming to visit me on Saturday!! I am very excited to see them. We live so close and to most people it seems like we should be visiting all the time but 1. it's expensive and only going up in price to walk on!! $16-$17 (as if I use up that much of the ferry considering I stand outside in one spot for most of the trip. Stupid BC ferries. 2. me and Justin have the weekends off so this means that the only time they can spend the day together is Saturday or Sunday which is what works best for me to. 3. the ferry ride takes up a good 3 hrs total in a day so visiting is possible but it always seems short and I am one who hates goodbyes regardless of when I see the person next. 

In August, I am going back to Alberta with Leia and Lucius to visit Mom and Dad. I'm excited to see my parents but the feeling of dread is there to enter that town. I'm sure that will worsen the closer I get to it. 
I plan on seeing a few friends when I'm back as well but for the most part I will be in hibernation mode at Mom and Dad's. I plan to drive to Ponoka one day to visit Braelyn and her kids. We will probably play crib all day like usual and it will be good to catch up on life. Sad that the visit is always only a day but when I only have not quite a full week, it's hard to split time between people. My friend Evelyn will also be coming to visit me from Red Deer. She just recently moved there at the beginning of July and it will be so good to see her again! I think it's almost been two years since I haven't been back to Stettler in 2 years and I seen her that Christmas for a few hours. 

I guess that is all my NEW news for now. Life is tough out in B.C. at times but I am still thankful for the move and change I made. 

Adios Amigos!!!

Summer time...

G'day Folks!
Well its been an interesting few weeks at Megson Fitzpatrick lately. I have had my frustrating days, but that happens at every job and some really good days as well. I have felt super busy lately. Work takes up 9 hours of my day, then I go home, go for a walk, do some cleaning and then the next day. I have also been in Cobble Hill for 2 whole weekends too so that takes up all my free time. So I am learning to adjust my schedule because I do enjoy spending time with friends and such but I hate that feeling of not getting something done.
For Summer, in June I have two visitors coming to see me. On June 6th-10th Kyle is coming out to see me which I am very excited for! It has been a long time since I have seen him last so lots to catch up on do in Victoria. Then the next weekend is the time that my Grandma will be coming to see me and we will be together going to Seattle for the weekend. This is June 14-16th. This is what I have been waiting for all year! I am so excited to see my Grandma and enjoy another trip together. We will also be planning our trip next year while on the Clipper ferry for 3 hours.
As far as life in general, its good but I recently quit drinking Red Bull and although it may not be an actual addiction, I feel angry because I am without it and I just am not as bubbly.

I am not sure what else to add here so that will be all for now. But that's my little update for the next month.
P.S. My birthday is coming up soon!!

Life of May

Hi ya'll,

I see it has been a while since I have updated you all again. I can't really say there is too much new in this neck of the woods. I am still enjoying Megson Fitzpatrick, although there are a few quirks but that is at every job. My favorite part is having weekends off and having vacation and sick days. The sick days won't effect me much because I am usually healthy but it is good to know that they are there if I need them. The vacation days on the other hand will be extremely helpful for certain days that I would like off. So far I have booked July 4th and 5th off. Guess why? ha ha I am of course going to America for July 4th and then would like the next day off because then I can possibly stay for the weekend. Who knows...maybe I'll meet an American guy down there on July 4th, get married the 5th, and move on the weekend ha ha JUST KIDDING. but I do hope I meet a future prospect down there.

Ummm....May, well Mother's day is this weekend, but I will post about that on Sunday. May long is next weekend, and my dad and sister, Candice are coming to visit!! I am very excited about this visit. I haven't planned much yet as far as things to do but I want to show them Viking, and where I work now, my new place, and then maybe some outdoor activities. It will be nice to go out for a meal since I don't get to do that often and just spend some quality time with the fam. I really wish my mom was coming with them, but life gets in the way and things don't always work out. I hope she will come to visit in the summer still but if not, maybe I'll make it out the Alberta way late August.

This was kind of a crappy and rather boring blog post but I thought I would send a quick note out letting ya'll know I am still alive and well.

Will think of some exciting things to talk about and then will talk more on Sunday.
Have a good weekend everyone!!!

NEW JOB

Hi there folks, again I have been neglecting my blog. I have recent and good news for those of you who do not know yet!!
I recently got a job through my temp agency at an Insurance company called Megson Fitzpatrick. I started on April 12th, and so have been here for about a week now. I really enjoy it, it is fast paced and my days just zoom by. I am their receptionist working 8:30-5:30 Monday-Thursday, and Fridays are 9-5. I get an hour lunch which is now designated as my e-mail/blogging time when I do not have anything else to do. My main duties are answering the phone and helping walk in clients, as well as sorting mail and courier, and sending out mail and courier. This can take me an hour or more to get done depending on how busy the phone lines are. There is 15 phone lines with over 100 employees at 3 different locations in Victoria. Needless to say, I am one busy receptionist. I really really enjoy this work. I know many people asked me once i received my administrative assistant degree what type of place I would like to work in and I wasn't sure for a long time but did think that an Insurance company or real estate company would be my ideal workplace. I enjoy this place so much more than Viking. I did enjoy Viking for many reasons, but as a receptionist it was quite boring and not as much to fill time with.

So that is my update on my new job. A huge plus to Megson Fitzpatrick is having weekends off again and working Monday-Friday. Summer time will be much more enjoyable this way as well as having any visitors in Victoria. I am also making way more money than I did at Liquor Plus. I am now making $15.00/hr and this will relieve a lot of stress in my life.
A downside to the insurance company would be having to drive to work although it is only about a 10-15 minute drive, and trying to say the name over and over again throughout the day. Good Morning, Megson Fitzpatrick Insurance how may I direct your call? is my opening for all calls. YEAH! Try saying that over 100 times a day.
Well as a wrap up I would just like to say that I LOVE my new job and am so happy to be in the office enviroment once again. I do find that reception is a good fit for me. Still enough customer service but not too much that I go home angry everyday.

Hope ya'll had a good weekend and good week ahead!!

Welcome back Brianne...

It has recently been brought to my attention that I have been neglecting my blog for almost 2 months. Who knew? Without my job at Viking, I just don't think about computers much at all. I check my facebook on my phone but besides that I haven't thought twice about the computer. I talked to my sister Candice and my grandma recently and they pointed out that my last posting was updated on February 1st (Candices Birthday). This made me sad and I actually cried today when I logged in and read the post. February 1st was my last day at Viking Air. Without even knowing it, I wrote the last blog at 11:40 am, later to find out at 3:00 that I was going to be let go and that today was my last day. It was a shock, I won't deny that. Apparently, the Product Support team (my group) found out about it Thursday afternoon. Stacy (my friend) told me a couple weeks ago that she contimplated calling my Thursday night to just let me know. She didn't. Luckily, Chet, a friend from the team, told me at 3:00 when he left that today was my last day. I didn't believe him at first but started to worry. I took my break at 3:30 only to come back to Leona telling me that Edward wanted to talk with me in his office. It was like high school all over again hahahah. Already knowing what was going to happen definetly helped me out in that situation and for that I owe the biggest thanks to Chet. What a blindside. The reasoning for my layoff was "budget cuts" for the 2013 year at Viking and they were filling the reception position internally because it would be cheaper. So my friend Stacy got assigned the position and she doesn't even really enjoy it. My theory on their budget cuts is last year in 2012 they built 13 or 14 aircraft.....this year their goal is 21. So where does the money come from? less employees= more spending money for company. My parents didnt raise no fool. I know whats up plus there was a few employees let go before me and some that quit after me. Natasha says NO ONE is being replaced. Shocker there too.
After I left I found it comical the stories Stacy told me about when people asked about me.
Week 1: thought I was sick
Week 2: did Brianne go on vacation?
Haha I guess they miss me as much as I miss them. :(
After a month without work and the agency being pretty useless, I applied, interviewed, and got the job at Liquor Plus, where I am currently working Full Time. I enjoy it...its good to be back in the industry. I miss my 9-5 Monday-Friday job but I will get back into that. Its just very good to be working again, keeping sane, and making money. I definetly cannot afford any time off of working again.  Well this was my little update of what has been going on in life. I have the next two days off after today so I will be writing more later. Till next time...

HAPPY 27th to my Sista!!

Today is my oldest sister's birthday. It's crazy to think how grown up we all are and how far we have gone in life. Candice is probably going to soon be a world traveler, living in the water permanently. She has come so far in 9 years. Leaving home right after high school to move 16 hours away in a new province, 4 years of University and a year in Bible school. I admire her spirit and motivation to do so many great things. She will always be my oldest sister and I love her lots. I'm wishing her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY on here and hoping she reads it but I did also text her this morning. It sounds like she is going to have a fantastic birthday party in Saskatoon at Grandma's house and visiting with the relatives.

On a different note. I have some recent exciting news since life has been pretty boring lately. A new position became available at work this week. Kristi, who used to be the receptionist about a year ago, is leaving Viking and her position is Payroll and Accounting Assistant. When I arrived on Thursday morning, Leona told me about the position and thought it would be great. She said she knows I'm a hard worker so she thought it would be a good position for me. I am going to leave my resume and cover letter with Gary (recruitment officer) today, and hopefully get the full time position. I am really excited because it will be something new, I'll sit upstairs, and I will more than likely get paid more money. Especially since it would be a full-time position and then benefits as well. One bad thing about it, is that Viking is in the process of moving people/offices around this month and someone that I would want to see more often is finally moving downstairs...but if I get this job I will be upstairs. This just isn't fair!!!! It is also still a drive to work but i am used to it by now, I will make more money so that wouldn't be an issue, and I still stay in Sidney almost everyday after work so I couldn't ever imagine working in Victoria because I would never feel like visiting. I will have to announce if i get the position or not. But I am just excited for something different and apparently there is alot of work to it, so I will always be busy. Can't complain with that. No more blogging or e-mailing though....maybe on a slow day. We will see how things go.

This week has been very good. I have been hanging out with some new friends all week after work. Jason is gone on the weekends and goes hunting so that means I never have plans. Emmy is also busy this weekend, and my landlords are gone all weekend. So my plan is to get laundry and necessary cleaning done tonight or tomorrow morning and then just chillax for the rest of the weekend. i don't know of any Super Bowl parties yet but I feel like I want to go out. Maybe meet some new people or something. We will see how energetic I actually am when the time comes.

Well I just got an assignment dropped off at my desk and I should get that done soon. Mail will be here after that so at least today will go by fast. Ya'll have a great day now!!
Ciao