Yukon Jay - 小祥

Consulting

I think I am in way over my head with this consulting work. Nothing I have done before compares to what is required of me at this new job... Right now I am writing a proposal response to a Request For Proposal, and Craig is patiently showing me the ropes. Really feel like an idiot. He also asked me to edit some of his work for clients... he's done some amazing stuff, going to be hard performing at that level.

So this week I'm putting quite a bit of hours. This is a sweet job, I have the freedom to work as many hours as I want, as long as the job is done. That's the nice part. I guess we'll see how I perform until I graduate... people usually become consultants after years and years of experience. It's intimidating because I lack experience in the real world... and coop doesn't even come close.

I just want to go to school... which is next week. :)

Car Hunting Part 2

Jon brought up a really good point with hybrids. He's right, for the most part unless you drive a lot... you are not really saving much.

As for the 2006 Accord Hybrid V6... it is asking for $42,409, after $2,000 government tax rebate. Compared to the 2006 Accord Ex V6 for $40,012, a price difference of only $2,397.

According to Honda, if driving 2,000 kms per month on the hybrid - this translates to savings $37 per month if gas is at $1.20 per litre. This equates to total savings over 60 months of hybrid driving to $2,220, almost making up for the price difference of $2,397.

As far as I'm concerned, people buy hybrids for 2 reasons: economics or the environment. While trying not to sound like a "tree hugging hippie"... personally I'm completey OK with spending extra few thousand bucks if it means conserving gas and reducing CO2 emissions.

In Elizabeth Economy's new book called The River Runs Black: The Environmental Challenge to China's Future, she writes "rather than emracing the fuel-efficient, compact cars that populate Europe and Japan, wealthier Chinese follow in the footsteps of Americans, desiring gas-guzzling luxury cars and sport utility vehicles... public transportation becomes a least desired mode of transport"

I think hybrid cars could be the next new middle ground... Now gotta go write this stupid book review for upcoming geography class.

Car Hunting

It has only been 5 months since I bought my MX-3 and I am already car shopping again... bad, bad, BAD!

Today both my mom's Corolla and MX-3 needed maintenance check, so we dropped them off at their respective dealers at the auto mall. I ended up going dealer to dealer looking for my next car. The last 2 months been thinking whether I want to buy a new car when I graduate... I ended up looking at the Camry Hybrid, Highlander Hybrid, Civic Hybrid and Accord Hybrid. I also wanted to check out the Lexus RX 400h Hybrid, but I know those guys would never take me seriously.

Ultimately I want a vehicle that can support kayake for Deep Cove, bikes for Stanley Park and possibly a small canoe for fishing... all within a 20 minute drive. So far the winner is Accord Hybrid... whether I will buy one next year is doubtful cuz I hate financing and plan on returning to school within 2 years... so we'll see.

But right now the MX-3 has been really good, except that it is small.

Laziness

Week 3 of laziness and I don't think I've felt so lazy before... this is bad. Feel like I don't want to do anything except just lay in bed and stare at the ceiling.

Had a pretty good last couple of days out with friends. Last night we went to this All-You-Can-Eat Indian restaurant. Had 3 full plates of mostly tandori chicken, naan and butter chicken... bad idea. Still paying for it today... just want to lie in bed.

I'm Back!

Oooh I am back in so many ways...

First, I'm back from Calgary... only 3 day trip. It was great to see Kanaye, spent 1 day in Calgary and next day in Banff... what a beautiful place. It was my first time being outside of BC in Canada, so that was also exciting. Below are some pictures.

Second, I got a new job... I am back in downtown working for Stratagem Pacific Consulting. This is working for Craig part-time while in school. Should be fun working with Alex too who is joining in Sept... and there's another guy joining soon, he's from Mexico. With the three of them, the firm is fluent in English, French and Spanish... and Chinese soon when I get around to it. Really excited about working in downtown again...

So here's some pictures from Calgary-Banff:

Me and Kanaye in black and white.

Melrose Cafe and Bar... my favourite joint in the world. It doesn't have any particular theme, just have a buddha statue... and the way they decorated their patio with flowers reminded me of bars and pubs in Thailand. Very laid back and easy going...

Downtown Calgary... Calgary was much smaller than I thought. As Robert will tell you, the city is host to all the major oil companies.

View from Calgary Tower...

Banff, Alberta... I need to go back, I need to go back... only spent one day there.

Went horseriding in Banff.

Vacation Time

Arrived home yesterday at 10:30pm... surprised the drive was only 8 hrs (I sped a lot).

Spent the last few hours unpacking and packing again for Calgary... flight in 4 hrs. It'll be good to see Kanaye... she moved there and won't come back because BC too expensive. Lots of site seeing including Banff.

Back in Vancouver Tuesday morning for a meeting at SFU. Will also get my books. On Wednesday having lunch with the old office staff... and getting ready for the consulting & coal project next 3 weeks. Other than that, I will be doing some fly fishing... want to catch salmon again like in Alaska when I was a kid. Trout too...