yes folks, i have been looking into every option which presents itself. and just before the new year, i was told:
"you will be back in the military in three months, i guarantee it"
i will have to rewind a little bit. i was in the military one time before, in 1995. i remember thinking that it would be a great way to make some money for university. anyway i got into the reserves for the 722 communications squadron, signed some papers, got a kit and boarded a bus for kingston, ontario. this was the first time that i was going to be alone and away from my rents and somehow i know i was going to be in for an experience.
in the summer of 1995 i was 19 years old. this was not old by any stretch of imagination, however in a room of 16 year olds, i may have well been Mrs. Garrett from the Facts of Life. i was the de-facto beer buyer and party girl - though managed to stay fairly innocent in the eyes of the instructors who saw me as a weak and homesick - only child - east coast girl. they made me do push-ups and sits just to earn the right to read my mail because i was just that terrible at the physical aspect of the training. i did alright with the strength training but really sucked it at the running and endurance parts.
i got almost to the end before the homesickness and fatigue really took its toll. and with only one graded exercise left to finish i backed out and left the training, opting for catching a bus back to kingston from the outdoor training phase in borden ontario. (PS the last graded exercise in the course was the 16km forced march - epic fail)
fast forward to now. there really are not many jobs in the economy at the moment and i am stuck sitting on my ass, collecting EI. dont get me wrong it i a good opportunity to get the statistic course done for school, and get everything finished up so i can hopefully get some work in planning. but for right now, what about going back into the training from the military again. i have always regretted not finishing the course the first time around, so this would be an excellent opportunity to do it again. the course is a lot longer now than it was the time that I went in. the basic training in 1995 amounted to roughly 8 weeks (comparatively - it is now 13 weeks. ) - plus there is an additional 8 week course tacked on after that course is finished.
the pay is pretty amazing considering it is the military i always tend to hear the negative - bum rap - side of things.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
early morning baking
i got out of bed at 8:30 this morning and started upstairs to begin making red velvet cake for my friends birhtday dinner this weekend. i asked her what kind of cake she liked and she mentioned chocolate as being her favorite. i have been wanting to try to make a red velvet cake for a long time, and i was inspored to make a cake after my last weekend in perth-andover with my two ESLT friends.
red velvet cakes have always been interesting to me mostly for their awesome color and contrast betweent the cake and the while white frosting. the last time i made a cake i didnt even get to try it (a marble sheet cake for my step-rents mom), so this time i know i am going to be able to try it.
it didnt take too long to prepare the cake, and i did everything from scratch, meaning NO box mixes. the bright red color of the crumb was achieved by adding two tablespoons of red food colouring to the buttermilk. in the olden days of making this cake, the red colour is said to be created from a reaction between the cocoa and the vinegar added to the batter. after about 45 minutes i pulled the fire red cakes from the oven and let them cool for approximately 10 minutes in the pan, i then inverted them on wire cake racks to cool further before splitting each cake in half and refrigerating the four layers. tomorrow i will attempt a cream cheese frosting with coconut and coloured sprinkles.
my friend is pushing 29 - again.
red velvet cakes have always been interesting to me mostly for their awesome color and contrast betweent the cake and the while white frosting. the last time i made a cake i didnt even get to try it (a marble sheet cake for my step-rents mom), so this time i know i am going to be able to try it.
it didnt take too long to prepare the cake, and i did everything from scratch, meaning NO box mixes. the bright red color of the crumb was achieved by adding two tablespoons of red food colouring to the buttermilk. in the olden days of making this cake, the red colour is said to be created from a reaction between the cocoa and the vinegar added to the batter. after about 45 minutes i pulled the fire red cakes from the oven and let them cool for approximately 10 minutes in the pan, i then inverted them on wire cake racks to cool further before splitting each cake in half and refrigerating the four layers. tomorrow i will attempt a cream cheese frosting with coconut and coloured sprinkles.
my friend is pushing 29 - again.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
a weekend birthday
my aunt's birthday is on the 17th of january but we are having her party on the saturday before. its the usual papa john's pizza, garlic fingers, and ice cream cake from dairy queen. funny, it kinda reminded me of the birthday parties that we used to have for our students in korea. where the parents would often order pizza (even though korean kids dont really love it), bring in lots of gifts (toys, school suppplies, and other clutter), and provide one of two cakes; a giant sheet cake from costco (vanilla or chocolate) or some kind of asian fruity creme cake from paris baguette (usually chocolate) that the kids would never usually eat but simply spread around the plate leaving a giant mess for the assistant to clean up.
there was very little in the way of mess after the eating as everything was bought take-out and came in the most useful of throw-away containers. after the evening quieted down a bit, my cousin got us all to play a game that was very similar to cranium, whose name escapes me right now. it started with a "QU" though.
i got a lift home from my aunt and jumped into the hot tub for a quick soak.
there was very little in the way of mess after the eating as everything was bought take-out and came in the most useful of throw-away containers. after the evening quieted down a bit, my cousin got us all to play a game that was very similar to cranium, whose name escapes me right now. it started with a "QU" though.
i got a lift home from my aunt and jumped into the hot tub for a quick soak.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
a beautiful day
it's the first of january of 2011 and another year has begun. i rang in the new year at my friend chris' place uptown but managed to take off some time to check out the fireworks that started at midnight.
Usually, the fireworks are a small affair and the mood uptown is just slightly better than sombre but due to the fantastic weather (+8 degrees)everything was just happening.
after the fireworks, i went back over to sydney street, had another glass of wine and proceeded to hop into the hot tub at around 3:30am. by 5:00am i was dry, dressed, and getting into the cab to take me home.
earlier in the day i hopped on the bike and pedaled over to my grandmothers. on my way over i ran into my friend mike and stopped into his place for a chat and a glass of water. it took me roughly 25 minutes to get to my grandma's place (one-way).
by the time i got home, it was starting to cool down significantly. then i hopped in the car and headed to gramma's place for the new years day special of ham and boiled dinner. sadly there was no cabbage (i've been looking forward to it since i got back here but have yet to try some).
we ended the evening playing bullshit and having a few laughs.
Usually, the fireworks are a small affair and the mood uptown is just slightly better than sombre but due to the fantastic weather (+8 degrees)everything was just happening.
after the fireworks, i went back over to sydney street, had another glass of wine and proceeded to hop into the hot tub at around 3:30am. by 5:00am i was dry, dressed, and getting into the cab to take me home.
earlier in the day i hopped on the bike and pedaled over to my grandmothers. on my way over i ran into my friend mike and stopped into his place for a chat and a glass of water. it took me roughly 25 minutes to get to my grandma's place (one-way).
by the time i got home, it was starting to cool down significantly. then i hopped in the car and headed to gramma's place for the new years day special of ham and boiled dinner. sadly there was no cabbage (i've been looking forward to it since i got back here but have yet to try some).
we ended the evening playing bullshit and having a few laughs.
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