Yukon Jay - 小祥

Float Plane pictures

I'm at the inkjet job right now and bored... so I thought I post some pictures taken from the float plane ride to Victoria. For those of you that didn't know, for work I flew to Victoria to meet the staff there. It's a government job, so most of the Ministry staff are there, the provincial capital city.

The float plane took off from downtown Vancouver near Waterfront... which is where the seabus is. My flight to Victoria was 7:50... right around sunrise. This is aerial view of downtown Vancouver to the right and to the left where the trees are... that's Stanley Park.

Got fogged in halfway there and had to make a landing near Beaver's Point. Then we just glided our way to Patricia Bay on Vancouver Island, from there we took a taxi to Victoria.

Taken from Victoria... just checked in and waiting for my flight back to Vancouver. This is around 4:20.

On the way back, we flew over Vancouver airport in Richmond.

Preparing to land near downtown.

Got off the plane and walking to Waterfront (10 mins away) to catch the seabus to North Vancouver. Working in downtown Vancouver is awesome... really going to miss that when the job ends in April.

This is construction adjacent to my plane... they're adding on to Canada Place in preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics!!!

Contract Extension

Well my birthday last Friday went alright. I got off work at 4:30 and then drove to Penticton with Kristi and some of her friends. Got there around 10:30ish and went to the bar. Never drank so much in my entire life. I started with a Heineken and followed by 9 rum & coke. So yes, I was drunk... first time. Had fun goofing around after that... I think at one point Kristi and I wrestled and we both fell flat on the floor. Next morning had a hang over, but what bothered me was all the coffee I drank for breakfast. Then Saturday night was the big event... Wine Festiva (Penticton is in Okanagan and is known internationally for its wine and vineyards). So yeah... more drinking... and a few beers after that. Then Sunday was Thanksgiving dinner with Kristi's family... it was nice to spend time with her family again...

Anyways, so the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources has unofficially offered me a 4 month contract extension... which would make this job 2 co-op semesters. It's a pretty good job... I assist the Jamie and Tom, the two geologists, with research projects related to the mining industry. My own project will be on Fist Nations (Indians) consultation and engagement in the mining sector... so definately looking forward to getting out in the field and doing some "consultation" with the Aboriginals. The boring part of my job is to keep the office running and to assist clients like independent explorers or geologists from private companies. Other than that, I can't discuss stuff we're working on, becasue much of the information is classified... there's definately some really interesting stuff going on.

So I got a meeting with Dave, the chief geologist from Victoria, and we'll discuss my extension among other things... like me flying on a float plane to Victoria (provincial capital) next Tuesday to meet the staff and do some work there. :) I will probably accept the extension even though it would mean not going back to school till September of 2006. :( This job is too good to pass up... the pay is great too.

Soon to be 23...

Once again, Vancouver has been ranked in the top 3 for the best place to live in the world. This year, number one.

It’s been a while since I updated. I think I’m going through a phase… on reason is I’m making the transition from school to work (even though I spent the previous 5 months working in Thailand before this job). I can’t say I’m enjoying the job right now… this is partly attributed to me missing school... it has been 10 long months.

I am DYING to get back. I miss the university environment… to sit there and listen to professors lecture on issues I’m interested in. I’m not talking about just going back to school… but doing my Masters. I’m turning 23 this Friday, Oct 7th… and I’m still stuck here working on my BA. Because of that elusive BA, I feel like I haven’t accomplished anything… and I’ve been in post-secondary education since I was 17.

I should be at UBC enrolled in the Masters of Arts in Global Policy program. “Many of this planet’s most pressing problems – (1) the spread of disease, (2) climate change, (3) natural disasters, (4) refugees, (5) resource depletion, (6) environmental degradation, (7) international terrorism, (8) the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, (9) and transnational crime -- are global in nature.”

Essentially, since my transfer to SFU from Cap College, I have built my studies and experiences around this program (even though I just found out about this program this month). My Geography – Environmental Specialty major examines 2,3,5,6, and complimented by my experiences and knowledge in 4 & 7. Like Dave said… this is Jay in a nutshell. Couldn’t have said this any better.

The job hasn’t exactly lived up to my expectations… not quite happy with it. With this job, I've come to realize if you want to be in charge, conduct your own research projects and TRAVEL... further education is required. This has definately reaffirmed my desire to pursue my Masters after I graduate... preferably in the program I mentioned above or UBC's Master of Arts, Asia Pacific Policy Studies.

Can't wait til I go back to SFU... only 3 more months the earliest.