Working girl

So I'm sure you've all been wondering how the new job is going?!
The first day was quite busy production-wise so we had lots of samples to analyze. I'm working in the quality-control (QC) department so as soon as a production batch is completed downstairs, the operator brings us a sample which we have to test and approve as quickly as possible so the goods can then go for packaging.
I've been mixing up batches of soups and sauces and tasting them and looking at colour, viscosity and a few other things.
The president's son, Robert, is eventually going to take over the business so he's been spending time in every department learning the ropes. Last week he was in QC, so he & I were training together. Which was good as I didn't feel all eyes were just on me. I think it made my co-workers a little more patient too and Robert & I could help each other out if we couldn't exactly remember what procedure came next.
I've only learnt one side of things so far - finished products. Once I get this down pat (and my co-worker Suzanne comes back from vacation), they are going to show me how to do the testing on raw materials received.
But I must be doing okay because they trust me enough to leave me alone for the last half hour and close up the lab by myself.
I've been starting at 7:30 (my regular hours will be 8 to 4) which means I have to leave the house at 6:10 to catch the bus which means I have to get up at 5:10 (!)
Actaully, it hasn't been too bad, as long as I get to bed at a reasonable hour.
I won't mention the fact that I dozed off a couple of times last night while watching Prison Break!
My co-workers are quite pleasant and good teachers so all is pretty good so far.
Things will be even better on Thursday when I get paid!

This, that and the other

So I got a telephone call yesterday...actually, first I got an e-mail from Olga, the woman Tim curls with that got me the interview at E.D. Foods telling me her boss tried to get in touch with me but we didn't seem to have an answering machine (???) Anyhow, turns out they fired the girl that they had hired instead of me and Satu (the boss) now wants to hire me. She even wanted me to start today. Woah. And she sounded a bit taken aback when I told her I could only start on Monday. (I need to ease into the thought of not having all this free time!) So, yes, I will be back to reality as of the 23rd, 8 am. Or more like 5:30 as that's when I figure I will have to get up from now on.
I'm a bit wary of taking this job as I wasn't hired in the first place because I am apparently overqualified for the position but at this point, I just want to work!

Last night I also applied for a job in the Biochemistry department at McGill. That would be much sweeter. I think. Anyhow, I'll see how things go at ED and keep my fingers crossed for at least an interview at Mcgill.


I figure camping is over for the season but not without 2 last outings in the past 2 weekends. I spent the weekend of Sept. 30th down in Knowlton at Kay's parents' place. I shared a tent with Ysabel as Tim only came down for the afternoon on Saturday as he was curling at Longue Pointe.
I experienced my first ATV ride, courtesy of Eric and then Tim took me for a spin also. I won't say who the better driver is :)

Here's a shot of the pond by which we camped, with the dock Ys & I brought in by pedalo, once we figured out where the rope for the anchor was. We were quite entertaining to all as the pedalo had a broken steering-thingy!



And Thanksgiving weekend was just awesome! We went canoe-camping at Saranac Lake in the Adirondack region of New York State. I'll just send you to Tim's site to view the photos...Canoe Camping 2006
but here's a teaser...

Shot of the Germans pre-tipping over, oops!

We could not have asked for more beautiful weather. Friday night was very cold, as in frost and full moon but we were in the warmth of my parents' cottage so all was good.
I wasn't even too miserable despite having a cold. Unfortunately I also passed it on to Tim but he only got sick on Tuesday. So after getting home from curling at 1, he went in to work that morning and then came home a couple of hours later when his co-worker arrived.

And nothing bad happened on Friday the 13th! In fact, we had a really nice evening at Joe & Leona's. They hosted a pot-luck for the last night of Sukkot.
It was a little too chilly to eat outside though.
And, of course, Tim took off yet again to go curl! He is more or less playing in a bonspiel every second weekend these days.

He didn't curl on Sunday because they lost on Saturday evening but that didn't stop me from taking off for the day with Catherine & Eric to go to Ottawa. We did a bit of shopping, had lunch at the Elephant & Castle Pub then we went to visit Uncle John & famille. (That would be Tim & Eric's half-uncle.) They have 2 cutey-pies, Noah who just turned 2 and Ethan who was born in July.

And that brings me back full-circle to tonight! And guess what?! Tim is curling! Regular league tonight. The cool thing is now with the new web cam he bought for the curling club, I can watch him play live from the comfort of our living room. Everyone has access to the Curlcam on the Glenmore site but I, privileged and knowledgeable computer-user that I am, can actually watch the live feed and even turn the camera if I so wish! So I can spy on the after-game shenanigans at the bar! (Which are so rowdy now that Tim has taken up drinking tea!)

Mystery meal

I forgot to post this when I took the photo a few weeks ago. Can you guess what he's eating?