So many people were helpful and we sorted out all our business that we needed to take care of.
We spent the evening with James' billets who I think will be really good for him. He has to learn to adapt to a new home culture.
Tomorrow we travel to Grand Lake and then onto Moncton.
The hotel is really the only big hotel in grand falls and is very nice- much nicer than I expected. Yesterday it was full, full, full. Kids everywhere. But tonight the parking lot is mostly empty, there is no noise. One of the ladies working here commented on how quiet it is, so it must be nice for them as well.
I went searching for the Grand Falls and was not disappointed! The trail beside it was unmarked but they have ziplining over the falls. I couldn't even go on the viewing platforms that were too far out, ziplining would be a no from me!
Also I saw this restaurant and wondered which of the cuisines the palm trees belonged with
Last night got to meet James' billet family who are super nice and outgoing and really good for him. He even decorated a Christmas tree (which I never have the energy or drive to do). They have caught onto his quirks quickly noting that they no longer cook anything with "flavor" otherwise he won't eat it. James- blanding families one family at a time.
The hotel is really very nice and spacious but is very full. Lots of children- maybe a hockey tournament? Who knows? Their pool and workout areas are open (not that I would partake in that, just a covid note)
One of the players on Miramishi tested positive for covid. James' team played them on Wed so their game today was up in the air but the team managed to get some rapid tests and the team was all tested this morning and given the all clear for the game. I walked down to the arena and took the pictures above before the bus left.
Then I went to the Toyota where the old car was. It really doesn't look too bad except for the front bumper. If I had been here I would have had better questions to ask the collision guy but as James was handling it, he didn't know the right questions to ask.
While James is playing the game today I am planning to walk to try to find the Grand Falls!
Today I did an in person day at work. 7 hours in person and then 5 hours at home trying to catch up. It was vaguely normal and vaguely weird.
When I got home the furnace was not working. Then the toaster died. 2021 when the machines abandon us.
is it getting better?
Well, covid is creeping closer. A friend diagnosed with cancer. A baby with a difficult diagnosis. Lots of challenges. The week has been challenging.
But I won my appeal at work, so that was good.
My birthday itself was good getting to see my parents and the feast that Kim and Zully put on and getting to see Joanne. So that was good.
Monday was not good as the car was messed up.
I am working hard on Winter term now, launching project ranking and working on hiring, trying to get all the pieces in place.
Yesterday I made a turkey rice bowl that we have had before. Today made Mumbai style potatoes which was a new recipe for us- it was good.
Had my e-group in the evening.
Tomorrow evening I have a presentation to do on the projects.
We joke and call our board meetings bored meetings. We are heading into a transition time on the board as well as a transition time as we work toward in person meetings again.
At work we are talking about the return to in person and the thought that things will go back to as they were. I was encouraging that we should think about what was learned and what is better to do remotely.
As our Fall term course is wrapping up I am starting to work on Winter ones.
I need to change my password at work which happens every 4 months and causes chaos every time as that password is linked to so many different things. I try to do this at night so that everything has time to synch before morning. But morning will be a challenge.
Typically our chefs plate box arrives around lunchtime but occasionally arrives later. Yesterday while it was the typical white van delivering, it was not the typical driver. The last few months had been a lady driver and she carefully reads the instructions of where to put the box. Yesterday is was a tall young man maybe just a bit older than James. The sound of the van was very loud as he was playing music I guess. He pulled up the van across the street, went round to get a box and then sprinted to the house across the road who apparently also gets a box. Then he sprinted back to the van and picked up my box, sprinted across the road in front of a UPS truck, sprinted to the steps and then tossed the box on the porch upside down. Luckily they pack those boxes well and no hard was done but the lad was clearly in a hurry!
Today had an indian halloumi dish and yesterday was a thai beef bowl. Both were repeats from the past. The next 2 meals are turkey enchiladas (a repeat) and a new one -mediterranean rainbow veggie bowl with goat cheese. Sounds interesting.
It was a busy week this week with lots of activities to get done for the students like returning projects. Mon and Tues I was up until 2am!
Today was a more fun day as my parents came to visit and we did lunch and some walking. James called in the evening expecting them still to be there.
His billets left him alone in the house and he had to make chicken fingers and juice by himself. Growth.
