Halloween Horrors

Hi Guys,

Good to hear from you all (???)

Anyway, thought I'd write another blog and tell the tales of Canada.

Let's start at my study, which will soon come to an end. Only 7 more days to go. Then, I'm done collecting data and it's time to analyze all the answers. A daunting task, and even though I'm curious, I'm not really looking forward to processing it all. I fear the maze of statistics, the feeling of being overwhelmed with numbers, alpha's, correlations and the 1000 different buttons that make up the SPSS statistical program. If you don't hear anything from me anymore after this entry, assume I've gone missing in the land of statistical software. Send a rescue crew, if they dare!

Another thing would be the immigration welcoming committee, or should I say the immigration goodbye committee. They sure don't make things easy for anyone wanting to make a living on Canadian grounds. Via a friend, I came in contact with a Dutch woman working in Canada for the Canadian immigration board. So, what's needed to start my own REBT training company here? Well, a mere half million Euro's or a local sponsor willing to provide guaranty for my work here. Two things I don't have. Well, if that's not an option, what could I do? Get myself a year-long work permit and hope to build up contacts while I'm out here. Hmm, Timo and I need time to consider all our options. The training of November 7th is still on and makes for a good experience. But I'm afraid, it will stay at that. At least for now.

I'm still hoping to get a MRI for my lower back soon. As some of you know, I've been having episodes of lower back pain for over 6 years at the least. In recent months, it has become worse rapidly. And now, even though I'm taking a maximum dose of pain killers, the pain still keeps me awake at night and prevents me from skip hopping across campus during the day. I went to see the doctor about that (I mean, what's the point in taking pain killers if they don't work) and he gave me some really nasty stuff now. It works! It really does, but the meds are quite creepy. For one thing, there's the risk of addiction (I can see why, I've been on these things for one day and am feeling sooooo good). But there's another risk the doc specifically warned me about. I CANNOT take any alcohol or over-the-counter-medicine (like aspirin) with this drug. If I do so, I risk having epileptic seizures. Another interesting thing, unrelated to my worries, is the prices of seeing a doc. If you're between 2 and 59 years old, you pay the least for a visit or consult. If you're above 59 you'll pay CAD 10,00 more and the price goes up another ten bucks with each additional decade. Seems a bit unfair to me, since those are the ages you might need to see a doctors the most!

Another funny fact! The clock here is turned back an hour as well. I thought that was an European thing, but, guess not.

Anyway, now that November has come, more and more salmon are making it up the inland rivers to spawn and die in the creeks. In the nearby Gold Stream Park, I spent half a day with some friends and my landlady watching the salmon jumping and struggling their way up river where they cleared the sandy river grounds with their tails to lay their eggs. After that, the male came in and fertilized them. It's funny how some birds have specialized in these events. There´s a little black bird, called a ´dipper´, which is actually capable of walking on the river grounds in the fast flowing waters to pick out the salmon eggs and occasional larvae.

On October 30th the Olympic Torch past by the University of Victoria. I think it's a once-in-a-lifetime-event to see the Olympic flame being carried by runners who pass right by you. I made a video of it, you can check it our here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-H9w2zqrZw. The torch will be carried from Victoria (the West coast) all the way to the east coast, a good 45,000 kilometres across Canada. An interesting fact was that protesters of the Olympics had blocked the road ahead where the runner was supposed to pass. In Holland, these protesters would have probably been arrested and taken away, it would have been a whole drama and a big news event. Well, not here. The route of the runner simply was redirected around the protesters at the last minute. No biggy.

And! I celebrated my first Halloween!!! It's a lot like the Dutch carnival, even though some people might dress up in more horror-like costumes and it only lasts a day. It was great fun though! Most houses are decorated with do-not-cross- ribbons or enter-if-you-dare signs and have huge spiders or skeletons taped to the door. Also, people just join any house party that's going on. Like our group for instance. We visited a friend's house first but soon found ourselves at the neighbours place, people whom we didn't know at all. Ah well, who cares. It was all good fun. I sticked to my pineapple juice the whole night, but that didn't bother me at all. I'm one of those lucky people who doesn't need alcohol to go all crazy
I danced, performed my German beer-girl act as best as I could, talked to a zillion people and had a great time.

Even though I have a constant and relentless pain in my lower back, I'm determined not to let this interfere with my life too much. I hereby vow, to have fun, no matter what!

Love you all and many hugs,

Sandra

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Part of trip: Canada

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