Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

I got hockey skates! I suddenly feel very Canadian.
My favorite gift this year! Pete got this little one from the vet and tied a ribbon around its neck for me this morning. I was totally surprised! He always manages to blow me away!

We had a wonderful day with family, laughing, watching, remembering and teasing. And we get to do it all again in two days with the rest of the family that couldn't be here today!!!! I am so excited! Two Christmases in one! And my cousin found out yesterday that she and her husband can buy their tickets to go pick up their newly adopted daughter! God is good.

I got him a catnip toy which he LOVES... He licks it and rubs his face on it and chases it around. It's very entertaining!

We got lots of snow!!! About one foot. I tried to take a walk. It was more like a snow-march/slog. I love it when it snows!

The gingerbread house my nieces helped me to decorate.

Crabman has discovered the cursor and is on alert as it makes its way across the screen. But a sniff test has conclusively proven that it's not a swattable prey, how boring! That can only mean one thing. Time to investigate the crevices between the couch and the cushions, scattered with intermittent episodes of bathing.

Crabman, we love you!

More about Canada

I've lived here for six months now, so some of the things that were different before are starting to seem more normal. But I still notice some things:
1. No mail service on Saturdays
2. You can't buy alcohol at grocery stores. You have to go to special liquor stores (at least in Ontario) and are expected to return empty wine, beer, whatever bottles for a deposit.
3. On the same note, there are so many micro-breweries around here that they actually have so many different kinds of local beer. Really quite cool.
4. Fruits and vegetables are about the only things that are cheaper in Canada.
5. Canadians have an identity crisis. There are so many immigrants, each identifying with their originating country/culture. Those who have been here for many generations feel bitter towards the US but also know that a large part of their culture and identity come from their neighbor to the south. Other than hockey and drinking beer, I don't really know what makes Canada different. The monarchy maybe? French?
6. Clothing stores in Toronto offer more hip, European-influence clothing than in Chicago or wherever else I've gone clothes shopping in the US.
7. Everyone knows how to ski and does so year round.
That's all I can think of now...

Mis banderas; My flags; Mes drapeaux

My dietitian stuff finally came through! Praise the Lord, I won't have to do any extra continuing education to meet their requirements. And my former employers finally sent in the employment verification forms. So now I'm a member of Dietitians of Canada, and College of Dietitians of Ontario. !!!!!! My last obstacle is to pass the RD exam in May. And find a job.

I had a job interview on Tuesday with a health care provider downtown. It's only my second interview since moving to Canada. I think it went well, but it was only a preliminary interview, and if they are still interested, they'll call me back for another. If I get the job, I would be commuting by car and subway! ;) Once I get off the subway downtown, it's about four blocks to the building. Oh, and there's some pretty swell shopping down there too ;).

On the way home I met a girl who was a painter. She gave me a flier for an art show she had some pieces in. I love going to art shows. Let's see if I get out and see it.


Right now it's time for me to start studying. I have to re-learn all my lab values as they use SI units here vs mg/dL in the US. And I kind of have to pass the RD exam.

This picture was taken way back when Pete came down to visit me the first (or second?) time. We went to Navy Pier and decided to go up in the ferris wheel even though it was really cold!!! This is taken somewhere near the top. There may have been only 4 other people on the wheel with us that day! I think I was scared that he would try to kiss me. ;P