Woohoo accounts have left the country

Not a very interesting post but a big moment for us. We (well Jacqueline) have just finished the 2006-2007 accounts and I've posted them back to the UK for our lovely accountant to sort out.

This is a happy time and a removal of much of the stress in our homely home. Just in time for us to enjoy/hate halloween Canadian style.

Snow or Frost you decide (it's snow)

Well I think we've had our first snow over here, Jacqui claims it was a hard frost. I know her to be somewhat mistaken in this regard, she is, after all, a silly.

Basket Case

Well our housewarming went really well and one thing that surprised us was the number of gifts people gave us. We got baskets of goodies, wine, beer, books and lots more. We'll have to do it again some time.

Food, Glorious Food

We held our housewarming party on Friday evening. After a mammouth session of shopping (us), baking (Richard) and chopping (me) we produced this spread for the fine folks of Edmonton.

About twenty people turned up - Ian and Lorn, 4 neighbours, and the rest were from ISL. A good time was had by all, especially when the wii tennis tournament got underway in the basement. The evening ended in sudden death table football at 1am between Ian and Lorn, John and Sonya (our neighbours across the road) and us.

Ian and Lorn stayed over and in the morning we went to Socrates, a nearby diner recommended by Ian, for brunch. As requested by Elaine, here is a picture of four hearty Canadian breakfasts. Note the melon on the plates, artfully added to suggest that the meal is of some nutritional benefit.

Yesterday morning I sat my APEGGA (Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysisists of Alberta for those who are interested) exam. 60 multiple choice and 40 multiple guess questions on APEGGA, law, ethics, health and safety and other non-technical stuff. I should find out in 4-6 weeks if I've passed. I then just have to get another 8 month's north american civil engineering experience and I will be a fully qualified engineer out here. Whoo-hoo.

Exam Time

Jacqui's wandered off to Edmonton today for her APEGGA exams, multi-guess and common sense is what we're hoping, although she has been doing a lot of revising. So fingers crossed for the old bird eh.

Job Ahoy...unless I can do some pretty fast talking

Just a quick post. I went for a chat/interview with a consultancy/agency guy on Thursday, I'm now on their books and it's up to me to find relevant jobs on their website. They seemed okay and the rates seem okay too. This would mean that I'd have to set up a company over here but it should not be too hard.

Thanksgiving British Style

Well thanksgiving is upon us and apparently that's a big thing over here, meh. So in the spirit of the thing I have obtained a Turkey that's taking up half our freezer, lots of wine and beer, and some friends to come over and help us tackle all the above.


One last thing. Yesterday at our class we were chatting to Lisa afterwards about recipes and exercise. She then invited us to Thanksgiving with her family, she was concerned that we would be alone at home for thanksgiving, makes us think we've made the right move.