Hey everyone! So here we are in Cowtown, and suddenly it's Maria's first actual meeting at work! She figured out her salary and is going in for the first day on Thursday.. I'm so proud of her and glad that she could get work so quickly. I'm sure they're going to love her outright, and I'm very excited for her..

Me on the other hand is a different story. Seemingly, people here in Calgary require certain credentials in the IT field.. all of which I do no yet possess. But never fear! I've discovered that I need to get my A+ Certification, along with my MSCE (Microsoft Certified Service Engineer), and so I've gone and gotten a whole bunch of study guides and plan on taking the test within a couple weeks. Once I get my certification, I have a feeling that I'll have way more opportunity for positions here, and better yet, I'll make a good deal more money than I initially expected.. so for right now, I have to just get something to bring in a couple paycheques, and spend the rest of my time studying. Either that, or I live off of Mia's Sugar Cheques :D

So the house here is awesome.. we have gone to Walmart several times now and have purchased stuff to spice up the house. It actually snowed here today for the first time since I've been here.. so far the weather has been totally awesome and sunny every day. I can see though how potentially cold it can get here.. with the windchill, you gotta be careful.
Anywho, the house is great, and all its really lacking is Sportsnet Pacific so I can watch the Canucks.. oh well, at least there is always game radio.
I told my Mom today that I would post up some pictures of the place, and so here you have it..


So here we have Maria on a bright snowy morning, checking our blog to see how few people have commented.. tisk tisk. The beemer across the street is our car of choice so far, however, I have my eye on a really nice blue 300zx that is sitting in wait for me in the OK Tire parking lot.

Yours truly making that essential first cuppa joe. Thank GOD Maria packed up here stellar coffee machine and grinder.. cuz having fresh ground java each morning has definitely got a hold on meh!

So here is our lovely living room nicely equipped with sofas, coffee table, laptop, and satellite TV BABY! Definitely a nice thing to have on the cold snowy nights.

In all honesty though, this house is in great shape, in a great location only 5 minutes (I timed it) outside of city center, and very cozy all around. Couldn't be happier :)

Here is a shot of our kitchen and what not.. as you can see, nothin too special, but definitely all that we need. Even a small basketball hoop in the back.. gonna have to figure out how to utilize it sooner or later ;)

and last but certainly not least, our KICKASS pumpkins that we carved last night.. not too shabby if I do say so myself. I'm pretty proud of my Grim Reaper.. took us both long enough to do them that's for sure.

So there you have it! Hope everyone is doing well, and not missing us toooo much ;)

Take care to you all and those in my fam at least, will see me at Chrissy Time!

XOXO

Vlad

P.S.
Has anyone seen/ experienced Method?
www.peopleagainstdirty.com

Its interesting for all of those closet tree-huggers out there. Just consider it...

Hi everyone!! Youre probably not all used to reading this and expecting us to be somewhere exotic, but hey, Calgary could be considered exotic in exactly the opposite, not-even-close way?! So we've settled into the fully furnished house and gave it a few mia and vlad touches. Its wierd being here. Like it doesnt really feel like were here and we will just go back home.
Most would say, "Well Maria, Calgary is your home;"but it is not. I feel like Van is my home. But its all for a good cause! Our future! The weather has been really pleasant since we've been here. Sunny every day. Thats one thing i dont think i will miss for the year. Constant crappy weather. Plus, it will be pretty cool for Vlad to experience his first White Christmas~ (even though he wont be here for Christmas)

The house we are at (which is my Uncles) has tons of natural light that floods the house in the morning so thats nice. Even when its cold outside, its nice and cozy inside. We already miss everyone back home basically because we didnt get to see everyone for very long before we went away again!!! But oh well.

Im thinking of taking some night classes at the University or Mount Royal College to get a bit of a head start on my bachelors degree. Maybe get some of the hard math or other science courses out of the way. That would be ideal.

I will be working next week at an office doing reception and secretarial work. Im pretty excited to start working again.. (doesnt that sound wierd!?) But it will be nice to make money instead of just spending it again!! Although spending money in far off exotic places sure is nice!!!
Whenever im feeling like i need to be somewhere im not, i just transport myself back to one of my favourite places abroad.. or ill just look over at Vlad and say, "hey, do you remember when we went...(insert wicked place here)" Wow, thats nice.

So thats all thats going on on this end for now. I really want to keep up the blog because there are so many people that we need to keep in touch with in Van but its just too hard to phone.
So people.. keep your comments coming!! (especially you kath!!!)

Tonight, we have plans to go to a pub with some people including my cousin and her boyfriend. It will be nice to go out and see/meet people.
Ok, take care everyone. Much love...
Mia