Hey folks,

It’s been almost 2 weeks in Vancouver (Burnaby). We are starting to settle into a routine…I’m full-time this month with BMO Bank of Montreal, at a branch 10 mins away on Hastings & Willingdon. It’s a small branch with really great people. I surely lucked out, since they were willing to hire me before they even met me, and are also willing to have me part-time during my last SFU semester. So if you need someone to take care of your banking / investment / borrowing needs, think of me!

Kurt is doing fine. He’s been the one unpacking and cleaning house while I’m at work. Still job hunting for a nice, friendly CA-accredited accounting firm. He’s got a lead through his dad’s network of contacts, and when he spoke to her today, she seemed very excited that he’s interested in working for them. This afternoon, a client of mine heard about Kurt’s job hunt and gave me his card. My client is not in accounting but as a consultant, happens to know a few firms in Vancouver that may be hiring. We exchanged cards; hopefully Kurt will gain some more leads from that conversation. Yay networking!

We finally got our furniture last Thursday afternoon. My dresser top is worse for wear, as the tape the movers put on the boards tore off a huge chunk of beech veneer. Our red IKEA chair has a giant black scuff mark and the fabric along the mark is also roughed up a bit. One of our picture frames of Winnipeg scenery is AWOL–they apparently forgot to tag it and now could be anywhere in Western Canada. Ah well…it’s OVER, and our electronics are safe and sound, so I guess we got through the move alright.

We have already started socializing. Hung out at Mountain Shadow and with Jay and Erik in our first week. Then with Ching-Yin and Kevin to Rugby’s the next evening. Went to visit (worship?) IKEA twice! This past weekend was mostly family time. Said hi to half the Clement Clan and shared amusing stories about our childhood. Hung out with my dad on Saturday. On Sunday, watched his Kathara performance on Granville Island. It was pretty neat. They should think about the Folk Fest; Kurt says they’d fit right in. And he thought his dad was a hippie

Also had lunch with Lola. It was really nice to see my grandmother again, and she of course is her usual hyper self. We went to her favourite Vietnamese place on Main and King Edward, where she introduced us to the owners and filled us in on Clement family goings-on. In between conversation she busied herself with piling more food onto Kurt’s plate. He was soooo full after that meal!

Another thing about Lola…she really likes to spoil her grandkids. She took advantage of every opportunity to bestow us with something. When we picked her up, she had a few pairs of shoes and a bag and some blouses ready for me. Kurt received a welcome-to-vancouver card with some money in it. Before we left for lunch, we waited for my aunt to come by with some “ulam” that Lola made for my little brother (who’s renting from my aunt). When the lunch bill came, she insisted on treating us, then gave us each a “tip” to buy “candy” at Granville Island. Finally, as we drove her home, Kurt noticed that she was shuffling around in her wallet…sure enough, she pushed another $20 at us for “ice cream” at Granville Island. She’s so funny.

Tonight, we’ll be hanging out with Nicole from Winnipeg while she’s in town for a family reunion. Probably going back to Rugby’s for dinner. If you’ve never been there, I highly recommend it. That’s it for now!