Into the Fire

Well, in typical Stacey fashion I have chosen a job where I am thrown into the fire right from the start. And in a sick way, I sort of like it that way.

Today was DAY FOUR of my new job.
In the morning I attended a meeting for a cross-government committee that I will be sitting on. We were asked to summarize the issues that our ministry is facing - but of course I am still just learning about all that, so didn't have much to contribute.

Then in the afternoon I facilitated a afternoon long session with the administrative group of one of our branches. I am doing a work review on their area, and was working them through a formalized process which would help identify what their job entailed. I was really nervous about holding the session because I've done all this type of work in an educational setting, but this would be my first go at it in the real world, with people that weren't familiar with it. It had its hurdles, but it certainly went a lot smoother than I was expecting!! YAHOOO!!!

I'm soooo looking forward to this weekend. It's a long weekend (Canada Day), and I'll be able to sleep in, and unpack some more. Hopefully I'll be able to get most of my boxes unpacked so that I can feel a little bit more settled. Mind you, my place seems really... umm... sparce. And I don't think that will go away anytime soon.

First Two Days in Victoria

Well, here I am amongst my boxes in my lovely apartment at the end of day three of my new life in Victoria. Here's the low down on the last couple of days:

The Move
The movers arrived at 9am, and had everything loaded up to my apartment by 11am. This was fantastic because it allowed me the rest of the day to start to unpack and go and grab some groceries. Plus, Cory & Deb came over in the afternoon to help me unpack a little and put together some of my furniture. Their help was really appreciated!

Mind you, I haven't unpacked much else since. I was soooo tired by the end of the day sunday, and last night (after my first day of work) all I felt like doing was having a nice dinner and watching a little telly.

My apartment is fabulous! The views are sooo stunning, and I keep wondering exactly how I ended up with such a great place. I've put some photos on at the end of this post to show y'all!

Work
My first day was a typical first day, I was shown around and met way more people than I could remember the names of. I was given a whole slew of business plans etc to read, and got my pass to the building, and that's pretty much it. Quite boring really.

Today was really my first day of work, in that I started to actually have to use my brain. In the morning I attended my first meeting of a committee that I will be sitting on that is focusing on a montorship program. It should be really interesting. Then in the afternoon, I had a meeting the Exec. Director of one of the branches. Over the next couple of week I am going to be doing a review of their administrative functions within their group, and making recommendations for changes. Its a great first project, and will help me get to know that group really well. However, it will also be my first opportunity to put all that learning to practice, so I'm a little nervous.

Victoria Life
On the way home from work today I decided to walk out to Ogden Point and then home (for those of you who don't know Victoria, its basically walking 2-3 times the distance, for those that do know the city... my office is on Blanshard & Herald, and I live in James Bay). It was a really nice walk, and I am thinking that tomorrow I will walk out through Beacon Hill Park, along the ocean and then home.

The weather has been gorgeous, I mean GORGEOUS!! so its really easy to feel the need to be outside all the time. Perhaps I may even make use of our pool at some point this week!

Other Exciting News
When I got home today, I arrived to a letter from the Canadian Council of Human Resouces Associations. The exciting news?!!? I passed the CHPR Knowledge Exam!!!! Yahooo!! This means that I am now officially a CHRP Candidate!

Anyhow, here's a few pictures of the views from my apartment. Enjoy!

1/2 way there

It's the morning of my move-in to my new place, my new life, here in Victoria.

The packing and emptying of my "Beach House" went smoothly, and I said my final goodbyes late on saturday afternoon. Then it was a very rushed trip out to Tswassen to catch the 7pm ferry.

Do you believe in Omens? I do...

I strongly believe that if you make a decision and many obsticals stand in your way, they are there to make you question that decision. They are screaming out to you to "think twice".

On the other hand, if everything seems to fall into place smoothly, and the path to your destination seems to open wide before you - then the world is telling you that you are doing the right thing. "Go this way and everything will be fine".

Well, everything has fallen into place so easily, that there is very little doubt in my mind that I am doing the right thing.

However, sitting on the ferry last night - having just left my home of 6 years, and all my friends and family - I admit I was questioning my decision. Ok, I admit that maybe, just maybe, there was a tear or two running down my cheek. And maybe, just maybe, there was a little voice inside me saying "Go Back!"

And just as the ferry was pulling out of the dock, and turning around to go on our way, we stopped. Was this a sign? Was I supposed to jump and swim back to the mainland? No - we had stopped to let a pod of Orcas pass by. They took a few leisurely circles of the ferry, spouted a little, then went on their way to find some dinner.

Yes, it was definately a sign. But I believe it was a sign saying that all was well. That I even have killer whales guiding my path. That I will be fine over here in Victoria. That it will be hard in the beginning, but that I will prosper.

So here I am, on my move-in day. Wide awake early in the morning, just waiting for it to become a respectable hour so that I can call my new landlords and head into town to take possession of my new apartment.

1 box, 2 box, 3 box, 4...

Well, the saga of my move over to Victoria continues.

I've been working all weekend on packing, and am close to being finished .... although my mom keeps saying I have a long way to go?!?! My mom has been a super star the last couple of days in helping me pack (and putting up with me!) - Saskia also came by to help pack. It's just sooo appreciated!!!

Things are still a little in the air regarding my actual move date. I have to be there to start work on the 26th, but my stuff might have to follow. Its a little stressful not knowing, and being so unsettled. I'll feel much better in about a month once I am over there, more settled, and have a bit of regular daily pattern going on. Right now I am doing my best not to stress out too much, 'cause I don't want my tummy to go haywire!

I ended up renting a really nice apartment right in James Bay. It's a 2 bedroom on the 14th Floor with views of the Inner Harbour and Beacon Hill park . Hardwood floors, really clean, lots of storage space. And about a 15 min walk to work. My nerves are keeping my excitement a little at bay... but every so often it percolates up. =)

Once I get set up in my new place I will make sure to post some photos!

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Other exciting news... in the last week, two friends have welcomed new little girls into their lives!!!!!!

Congratulations Adrienne & Adrian, and Mallora & Mike on the arrivals of:

Eliane Iolanthe Matte, born June 11th
and
Maia Kathleen Rayner, born June 16th

From One Adventure to the Next

Well, as I write this I am sitting in my friend's apartment just north of LA.

This is adventure number two (number one, of course, was being at BCIT!!) But for the last week, this adventure has been disrupted by decisions to make about the next adventure that looms. What is this you ask?!? Well, I was offered two great positions. One in Vancouver, close to friends and family, and the other in Victoria, which was a project based position.

It was a really really really hard decision to make. Ideally I would have liked to have the Victoria position be in Vancouver, but that wasn't the case. But I still ended up going with it because:

• when i first saw the job description, I thought "this is my dream job"
• it had a better salary and benefits
• I've lived in Victoria before, and know I could be quite happy there

But it means that I am leaving my friends and family behind. This scares me. At least they are close, right?!?

Now I have a bunch of things that need to get done, including finding a place to live, packing up my computer and moving!!! WOW.

I also want to make sure that I start taking some classes or something in Victoria as a way to meet people but also to keep me entertained. I've already been doing a little research (this is me we are talking about afterall) ... and I've found a belly dancing place! yipeeeeeee

So... here we go, off on another adventure I go!

I'll post details of my Cali trip once I'm home and have downloaded my pictures.