Yukon Jay - 小祥

Finally... a job!!

I went to the Environment Canada interview, and as expected, it was quite tough. They even had 3 people interview me, but ended up only 2 becuase the third guy couldn't be found. So yeah, it was tough... I met my supervisor and she seems really cool... young too! I won't know the results till next week because 2 UBC students are being interviewed next Tuesday.

It doesn't matter what happens with Environment Canada. After 18 cover letters, 6 interviews and 2 job offers (potentially 3 by next week), I have finally accepted a job!!! As of September 6th, I will be working full time assisting 2 geologists from the BC Geological Survey department at the Mineral Development Office of Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.

It was offered to me this Tuesday, but wasn't officially approved till today. I had to wait for approval from the provincial government in Victoria and the head geologist there .

I'm really choked... didn't expect this at al. At the end of the interview, I had a really bad vibe coming from Jamie, the geologist that interviewed me. I was frustrated with him too... but I won't get into that. Apparently, according to my co-op advisor, he's quite anxious to have me working with him.

So its really good news on the job search front. If only other things going on now would work out in my favour... >.<

Environment Canada - Round 3

Got one more interview with Environment Canada on Wednesday. This is the 3rd interview with them... this time for a position with the Environmental Emergency Program, completely different from the previous 2 for climate change.

This is it... it's all or nothing and I'm gonna nail it. I'm more confident now becuase after my interviews last Friday and Monday with Ministry of Energy and Mines I've noticed I don't get nervous anymore. Just need to make sure I do my homework and prepare well... which is what I'm doing now.

I've learned that Environment Canada's interviews are the hardest one, so I'm just grateful I had two practices and tomorrow I will blow them away. If I dont get it, then I'm giving on up and going back to school.

Co-op Firing All Cylinders

Been pretty busy writing cover letters and arranging interviews all this week. But first, let me take time to follow up on Jon's blog entry about me, the fact that I like to travel. I'm really trying to go into retirement and not travel for a while... a while as in 2 years. My first priority is to graduate ASAP and then perhaps travel for 12 months before doing my masters degree. However, it's a bit hard not to think about travelling when this week 1) Kristi invited me to go to Costa Rica with her in December, 2) my boss asked me if I'm getting the travel bug, and 3) David proposed we tackle China summer of 2006.

People really need to freaking leave me alone... Fortunately, it looks like if I decide to travel next summer it would not delay my graduation date... so I am taking David's proposal seriously. I need to sit down and discuss my graduation with advisor first though. I'm not even going to get into Kristi's idea of Costa Rica... it'd be awesome if I could go with her. :(

So back to what I originally wanted to post... co-op. Its been a busy week. Actually... screw it, I've written enough and dont feel like writing more (you can blame Jon). In short, I had another interview with Fisheries and Oceans today cuz another position opened up there. Erin, the PhD student that first interviewed me, and Geoff recommended me to Susie, they called me and invited me to go talk to them. Overall I think it went well. On Monday I have another interview with Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources... this is the job I really want. I shall know the results middle of next week. Hopefully my job search will end here.

I am at work now and I think I will watch Star Trek Generations movie on the laptop.

Farewell Smokey Smith

Yesterday I had the opportunity to take part in an historic event... a rather unfortunate event.

A few weeks ago Smokey Smith past away... Since most of you are Americans, in WWII he was the last Canadian to receive the Victoria Cross from King George VI in London, the highest honour given in the Commonwealth (it is the equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honour). His act of bravery was recognized after he single handedly defeated German tanks and dozens of troops while protecting his wounded comrads during a rainy battle in Italy.

It was decided that a military parade would be held to pay tribute to him for his dedication to his country. Because he was from Vancouver and died here, the parade would start from the Seaforth Armoury and down to Burrard Street in downtown Vancouver.

This was the biggest military parade in Canada since the end of WWII...

Smokey Smith served in the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada... and coincidentally, my buddy Jason is in that regiment. As a result, he and the entire regiment was ask to participate in the parade. Jason is in the 4th row on the far left... I didn't even know he was in the picture until just now.

This is a vintage gun tractor that was used during the war... it carried Smokey Smith's coffin...

And here he is. Not only did he served his country well, but I think on this day he made everyone at the parade proud of being Canadians and our accomplishments during the war. (Should also note we were in the war from the very beginning when the motherland, Britain, was attacked)

Here are some war veterans...

And lastly, here are some Mounties...

Frustration

So I have declined Elmhirst Diagnostics & Research's job offer and I ranked 2nd out of 4 for the Fisheries and Oceans job... this leaves me with nothing and back to step one... more cover letter writing.

In June when I first informed my advisor I like to work in September... I was open to the idea of going to class if nothing worked out. However, now I will be very disappointed if that happens... main reason is becuase I've put a lot of effort into this job search process.

I've applied to a Env Canada job... haven't heard from them yet... probably because I didn't put too much effort into the letter. I'm sick of talking to those guys for nothing. Arts/Social Science Coop have posted some amazing jobs related to international affairs/development... so I think I will apply to them even though I'm in Science Co-op (Geography/Environment students are in Sciences even if we are gettings arts degree). This would be more along the lines of what I was doing in Thailand. I suppose if I want to do my Masters in intl development, this would be a good start. Now I have to compete with history, sociology and political science students... move aside people.

Tenants Continued

Just as a follow up to the previous post, they had another party last night and woke me up at 3am and I had to work this morning. My mom was woken up too and went downstairs to tell them to shut it.

I'm gonna see how long they are leasing the basement in the contract... I'm looking for ways to evict them. Next time I catch them smoking weed again I'm calling the RCMP (they're the police and no they dont wear red suits).

I want them out of my house.

Tenants and Their Pot Smoking Friends

Ok I'm furious and gonna rant... it's about our new tenants and their friends.

Dustin and William moved in the basement in June and since day one I never liked them... mostly because they are friends of the previous tenants, whom I was never happy with. Now they always have their loud music on, late night parties and friends over during the day in their absences.

And today I caught one of their loser friends over smoking pot. As usual Dustin and William wasn't around... so why are their friends here? Nikki can't even go out because she spends her time barking at them.

I'm so tempted to kick them out, but my mom has been more than willing to defend them... that is until today when I caught the friends smoking pot. My question is why are they here all day everday.... don't they have a freaking job?

As usual, I will probably have to 'talk' to them because my mom will use the excuse "my English is not good enough," which is not true. And when I do talk to them, I'm laying down some rules... if they dont like it, then move the 0ut... which would make me extremely happy.

Well, Nikki is barking again.... gotta go.

*Deep Sigh*

I had my interview this morning at Fisheries and Oceans with Erin. I think it went alright... she gave me a tour and overview of my duties, the main task being feeding fish... how boring. However, the opportunity for future positions and in downtown office is very good... so I will take it simply for networking.

Then in the afternoon I had a frank discussion with Paul, my coordinator, about Elmhirst job... it's been bothering me. The economics of it is not in my favour. Also, Paul warned that it is not as stimulating as I thought... its only an entry-level job.

Now we're waiting on Fisheries... so I might come out with nothing if I turn down Elmhirst. Just when you think you got it figured out. Now Paul wants me to apply to this other job with Environment Canada. I hate those guys...

I'm open to suggestions... should I accept the Elmhirst Diagnostics and Research job out in Abbotsford? It's about a 90min drive (1hr if no traffic)... I'll have to buy a car for this 4 month job, pay $1/litre for gas ($3.80/gallon)... the job pays $10, I make that at my current job, which is sad.

Umm, I got the job...

Man, what the heck just happened... so I had my interview today with Dr. Elmhirst and compared to the 2 previous interviews with the government, this one was like going to the bar and discuss who's gonna win the Stanley Cup next year. It wasn't even an interview... we just talked about the research trials/projects, my future goal working with UNEP and UNDP, and her ambitious plan to expand her company to do some international work in Africa.

So now I just got news that I've been offered the job. I'm not even sure why... she needs a biology/toxicologist student to do the work. She went over some research methods and lab work and I didn't even know what she was talking about. She explained it all of course and said "boy, you will learn lots this semester."

I'm not even sure I want to accept this job because it is in Abbotsford, 60km outside of Vancouver, at least 1hr drive on highway. I will have to buy a car, can't keep burrowing my mom's car... and gas is now $1/litre. Job's pay is only $10... that's horrible. But its great experience.... Then there's the Thursday's interview with Fisheries and Oceans... the one I want.

Here's what the job is:
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