Tag Archive: Canada


Better Late Than Never

I know it seems like forever since my last posting, so it’s always better to follow me on Twitter because I don’t always have the time to update my blog, and it’s not going to get any easier for me to post anytime soon.   Since my last post, Christmas, my 27th birthday, and, now, Easter has come and gone.   Also, I got TWO jobs since Christmas, and am almost done with training in my most recent job, which I’m oh so excited about!

The first job was working for a kitchenware company that tries to get people to attend, or host in their home, an event where they can sell their cookware and stuff.  My job was calling (a lot of times cold calling) people and “pitching” the event to them.  The problem was the pitch seemed all too good to be true.  And this is how they and all their competitors did things too (which I never would’ve thought there’d be that many companies doing the same type of thing).  And, of course, we are giving them a 3 day/2 night all inclusive accommodation package, of which we tell them there are no strings really, but, if I were called, I’d hang up on me too!  Nothing is for free anymore, and, really, we wanted you to spend the big bucks on their UBER expensive stuff.  For instance, I happened to see a 2007 price chart, and a cookie sheet was $85!!!!!  Who knows what it is now, but that better be gold-plated…and self-cleaning!  The hardest part of the job, for me, was trying to pitch to people, and getting shot down constantly.  I’ve never been much of a sales person, so I’m not good and overcoming objections.  I needed to make the appointments, AND for the people to show up to receive a bonus (which wasn’t all that much to begin with, on top of my minimum wage base pay), so I was quite often discouraged, which I’m sure didn’t help the situation.  I had to drive 30 miles each way to Smyrna, so the drive was just another reason I hated the job.  I originally took the job because I was told most agents make 4 appointments an hour, and about half of them show up, so it could be quite profitable.  I was also told the people we’d be calling had already shown interest in the company, but I quickly learned that’s not the case, either!  A lot of people we called just attended a bridal show, and had signed up for something at the door, and we bought the list.  I made some appointments this way, but I wonder, on average, how many of the people off the lists we buy actually show up to the events…not many, I’m guessing.  I met some cool girls that I worked with, but other than that, it just wasn’t the job for me.

Then, I went and interviewed for a company as a Reservationist, and I was offered the job on the spot!  I was ecstatic!  The only cons of the job are that it’s all the way in Hendersonville, and it’s not the pay range I’d like, but they do offer overtime quite a bit, so I definitely plan on taking advantage of it when I can.  This job is definitely more up my alley, I love hotels and resorts, and people, so I’m excited for training to finish up and hit the floor taking calls.  this company appears to have low turnover, which is a great sign of a good company culture.  The break room is really nice as well, and it’s the nicest call center I’ve been in.  They give incentives for punctuality, which means I’ll be on time EVERY day!

My birthday was a lot of fun, we went to a Thai restaurant, the food was WONDERFUL!  Love me some Thai food!  Some of my bunco babes came, as well as some chicas from small group, and another friend.  Everyone, I think, had a great time.  We were going to go see “Dear John”, but we would’ve been too rushed.  Instead, we just went and hung out at Starbucks for a little while, and had great conversation.  It was a great birthday, but man, 27 sure seems a whole heck of a lot closer to 30 than 26!

In other great news, my dad has moved back to this side of the Atlantic, which means I will hopefully get to see him more often.  He’s living in Canada, not far from Niagara, and I’m happy he’s closer to home.

My mind has gone blank being so late at night, but I’ll try to write again soon!

You may remember a post where I had said I’d live in Australia, if I could live anywhere, well I came across a website that compiled all the idiotic things foreigners have asked about Australia, they’re quite amusing!

Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia? I’ve never seen it rain on TV. How do your plants grow? (UK)
A: We import all of our plants fully grown and then sit around watching them die.

Q: My wife and I enjoy walking tours. How long will it take us to get from Perth to Sydney on foot? (Canada)
A: How long did it take you to do your last 4,000 kilometre walk? Bring a bottle of water.

Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia? If so, can you send me a list of all of them in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and Hervey Bay? (UK)
A: What did your last slave die of?

Q: What is the weather like in Vienna in May? (USA)
A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y.

Q: Are there supermarkets in Sydney, and is milk available year-round? (Germany)
A: No, we are a peaceful nation of vegan hunters and gatherers. Milk is illegal.

Q: Are the rattlesnakes in Melbourne deadly? Do you sell anti-venom at the grocery store? (USA)
A: Rattlesnakes live in A-mer-i-ca, which is where you come from. Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make great pets.

Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia? If so, when? (France)
A: Occasionally, and if so than during our Christmas annual leave.

Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go in Australia? (USA)

A: Yes, but you will have to learn it first.

Some guy then added what he’d been asked about Canada:

I live in Canada and I’ve been asked questions like:
Q: “Do you live in an igloo?”
A: Only in winter. In summer we build houses from the trees.

Q: “Are there any cars where you come from?”
A: Cars were sooooo 1989. We have gliders. You know… like The Jetsons did.

Q: “Does maple syrup really come from trees?”
A: “Yes. Once a year, every Candian picks one maple tree and squeeze it very hard while talking nicely to it. We do this for about an hour until you have convinced the tree to give up it’s bodily fluids.”

Q: “Does the sun ever shine over there?”
A: “Only if we dance around naked circling a pack of beavers singing: eh? eh? eh? eh?, over and over again. We don’t get much sun.

And many more… I don’t think the Americans know that southern Canda is just a little to the north of New York and Washington. Oh well…

Now, I remember when I moved to Egypt for the first time (at age 11, mind you) , thinking we would be living in pyramids and riding camels everywhere, however, I then realized my dad worked for a car company, I guess it’s a little more evolved than people walking like Egyptians!!!!

July is Dedicated to Baked Beans, Ice Cream, Hitchhiking, Almanac Reading, Anti-Boredom, and Tennis!!! Here is what each day’s “holiday” is:

July 1 is . . . . . Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day and Build A Scarecrow Day

July 2 is . . . . . Visitation Of The Virgin Mary Day

July 3 is . . . . . Stay Out Of The Sun Day and Compliment Your Mirror Day

July 4 is . . . . . National Country Music Day and Tom Sawyer Fence-Painting Day

July 5 is . . . . . Workaholics Day

July 6 is . . . . . National Fried Chicken Day

July 7 is . . . . . National Strawberry Sundae Day

July 8 is . . . . . Video Games Day

July 9 is . . . . . National Sugar Cookie Day

July 10 is . . . . Clerihew Day – A clerihew is a type of poem, usually about a well-known person

July 11 is . . . . National Cheer Up The Lonely Day

July 12 is . . . . National Pecan Pie Day

July 13 is . . . . Fool’s Paradise Day

July 14 is . . . . National Nude Day

July 15 is . . . . National Tapioca Pudding Day and Respect Canada Day

July 16 is . . . . International Juggling Day

July 17 is . . . . National Peach Ice Cream Day

July 18 is . . . . National Ice Cream Day and National Caviar Day

July 19 is . . . . Flitch Day – An old custom brought to America by the early settlers became the holiday we now call Flitch Day. Once a year, a slab of bacon was given to any married couple who could prove they had lived in harmony and fidelity for the past twelve months. Very few ever “took home the bacon”.

July 20 is . . . . Ugly Truck Contest Day

July 21 is . . . . National Tug-Of-War Tournament Day

July 22 is . . . . Ratcatcher’s Day

July 23 is . . . . National Vanilla Ice Cream Day

July 24 is . . . . Amelia Earhart Day

July 25 is . . . . Threading The Needle Day

July 26 is . . . . All Or Nothing Day

July 27 is . . . . Take Your Pants For A Walk Day

July 28 is . . . . National Milk Chocolate Day

July 29 is . . . . Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day

July 30 is . . . . National Cheesecake Day

July 31 is . . . . Parent’s Day