Friday, December 25, 2009

Life in the northern hemisphere

It has only been a week and a day since I have made my finally acclaimed move to Canada and things have been a little shaky. For starters, applying for jobs here is completely different than what I'm used to. I mean, I have never been prompted to hand my resume "just in case" they are looking for participants to hire. Usually a job application would set me in that category, but not here I guess. Aside from even looking for work, I've been looking for a place to live! I've been lucky enough to have my friends brother house me, and my girlfriend sneak me into her residence, for a place for me to sleep. But I have to find a place for myself. I suppose you can take this as me "declaring my independence" but just my attempt to get away from that wretched state, Florida. And now, I'm out! So for the most part, I got what I wanted. Now the hard part is surviving on my own.

Looking for jobs around here has been such a hassle. Whether it's been looking on craigslist, or taking a walk down Bloor street, it seems like every employer I encounter just seems to turn the other cheek and ignore my presence. And this whole "do you want to drop off your resume" business just seems like an easy way for those part time cashiers to brush you off their shoulders. They probably don't even deliver the resume to the manager, and who says the manager ever bothers reading them most of the time. Besides, why would the employee want another person to be hired? that just means their hours have to be lowered in accordance to the new employees hours, so that all employees have their schedules accommodated to the changes. All thanks to the new employee. So, Yeah. I can see why they wouldn't been too thrilled to know I'm looking for a job. Let alone handing out resumes. I know I wouldn't exactly be happy knowing that. *sigh* I suppose what I REALLY need is some networking around this city. Friends that can help me get into those high places. Hookups. But as for now, that doesn't seem like its possible...

Also, theres this "license" or "certificate" that ALL waiters in Ontario MUST have, called the SmartServe License. Basically it allows the waiter/server to serve alcohol. As far as the rules state, the legal drinking age in Ontario is 19 (which means I can drink :D hehehehehe), but the legal serving of alcohol age in Ontario is 18 (which.... is odd in comparison to the drinking age). But seems like every waiter job I have applied at thus far has seemed to require the possession of this SmartServe license which I don't have, nor do I know how to obtain.

Aside from the job search, I have also gone about doing other things, such as getting a bank account. Apparently, in Canada, seems like just about everything has some sort of fee or tax on it. For example, my bank account is an "Unlimited Chequing Account" (Yeah, still have to get used to the usage of q's instead of ck's or just k's) which basically is a minimum charge of $12.75 Canadian per month. I checked all the plans and they all have monthly fees. It's pretty outrageous but I guess this is how people live here. Also, everything is crazy taxed here! but on the brighter side, Minimum wage is higher.... So I suppose It's a benefit? not too sure yet. As for my future endeavours, I must wait and see where this path takes me. I'll do my best to "stay the course" and not let myself give up.




And if I fail, I guess there's always Boston....

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