I had The Best dream last night.
In it, I was dating 50 cent!!
By dating I mean I was his girlfriend (although secret from the press) and he was madly in love with me and SO SO sweet!
Don’t think I called him ‘50 Cent’ either. I called him Fitty, of course.
Upon waking, I still think we make an excellent pair! *sigh*
Categories: Love
As a student, I supported myself by working as a Research Assistant. While the work is not glamourous, there are many benefits to doing the academic grunt work for Profs. Landing a strong grad school reference is one major attraction, but RA jobs are also relatively high paid, and flexible with studying and exams. Sometimes you may even gain some published work under your belt!
Research jobs are competitive, because there is a large pool of student talent to draw from. The process is different for every school, but I’ll pass over some ‘tips’ that I found very helpful in landing myself a few research jobs.
Step 1: Go to Class! Being in class is good for so many reasons. You can learn the coursework, but can also get to know the Prof and make yourself seen. Ask questions or make relevant comments, either through class participation or after class. Sometimes Profs will announce that they are looking to hire. This happened in one of my classes. My Professor informed us that she would be hiring students for research work, and that if we were interested to talk to her about it after class. I didn’t have time after class that day, so I emailed her about it later. Since she already knew me (because I went to class!), she encouraged me to apply and when I did, she hired me immediately! The application process was for administrative purposes only.
Step 2: Know when RA postings come out. My school has a separate job posting section for students looking specifically for research work. It is sort of hard to find. Go to the career centre or student union or search your school’s website to find out where and when these postings come out. Then apply on time.
Step 3: Take a Research Methods class. I had to take 3 research classes in total for my program, and although I grumbled about it, I got a job out of it in the end! Research methods are separated into quantitative and qualitative; Quantitative research is used for investigating a large sample of data with the heavy use of a statistics, while qualitative research investigates smaller groups and can include interviewing and field observations. It is good to know what type of research you prefer, so that you can specialize in either one and apply for a research job that mirrors these skills. 
I chose to do my senior research project on a subject that involved quantitative research methods, so I became very familiar with using a statistical database program (SPSS). When the RA job postings came out, there was one project in particular that caught my eye – they needed someone who knew how to use SPSS. I emailed the Prof a short coverletter where I described my use of SPSS in relation to my own research project, and also attached my resume. It doesn’t have to be a long description of your research project, just the relevant parts. I ended up getting the job, even though it was in a different department.
Step 4: Speak to Professors. Asking a Professor directly about research job openings (or TA job openings) can be difficult but it doesn’t hurt to ask because the worst they can say is No. It is MUCH easier to ask your Professor about job openings if you’ve established a positive rapport with them. You don’t have to ask them explicitly for a job, but you can ask if they know of any job openings in [whatever topic] and let it be known that you are interested and looking.
Step 5: Don’t Limit Yourself! Just because you don’t study a certain program, doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get hired for it. Skills such as being analytical or able to communicate are all transferable, no matter what you do in life.
Good luck finding the RA job of your dreams!! 
Categories: Job
Yesterday I landed myself two jobs!
Nothing fancy, but it will help me relieve some financial stress.
I’ll be working the Christmas rush at a busy store, and helping out the Professor I RA’d for on a new but similar research project.
I’m pretty excited, because this will give my life some structure and I won’t feel so strapped for cash. 
I’ve always said I wouldn’t do retail again, but apparently I am back. I chose it because it’s relatively easy to get and it happens so FAST. It’s a good in-between job if you’re not interested in doing it full time. Here are my tips:
How to Get a Seasonal Retail Job
There are TONS of temporary jobs that come up around Christmastime, particularly in retail work. It doesn’t pay the best, but if you’re looking for a few extra bucks and have some spare time and the desire to work, then why not! It’s also nice when you choose a store that you like/think you will be buying lots of gifts in, so you can utilize the discount (mine is 40%!).
Step 1: Calling the Store. Last week I phoned and asked to speak to the manager. I told him I was interested in applying for a seasonal position and said I would come in to drop off my resume when he was in. He gave me his hours for the next day, and I came in and quoted the wrong name! lol. It’s better to get the right name.
Step 2: Apply in Person. It is SOOO important to speak directly to the manager, as the manager is the one who is interviewing and hiring. Leaving a resume or application form with just-anyone will result in it getting lost. When I handed in my resume and application form (you fill out the form while you are there, or sometimes you can download it from the store’s website), I was automatically invited in for an interview the next week. There was small talk and some smiling too. It helps!
Step 3: Getting Interviewed. If you get to the interview stage, you’re probably already in. Especially when you’re at a mall where there is big competition for your services. Retail jobs tend to have high turnover rates, with more jobs than people willing to work. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put in effort as a sign of respect to your interviewer and for yourself. An interview, any interview, is an opportunity to answer snap questions and to express yourself professionally. Questions that retailers usually ask are 1) Why do you want to work for our company? and 2) When in the past have you experienced conflict in your workplace and how did you deal with it? Having thought out the answers to these questions beforehand will help to calm the nerves and produce more naturally sounding responses.
Step 4: Working. Good Luck. Can’t help you on that one. 
It just occurred to me. I should actually write an article about How to get a Research Job. We’ll see, maybe later.
I remember I wrote about my biggest expense being my return plane tickets.
And true; tickets are quite expensive, but I’ve changed my mind.
I now think my biggest expense is my social life!
I’m trying to see and spend time with everyone as much as possible, since I don’t intend to be around for a while. This takes it’s toll on my efforts to save money, and I get stressed because of it.
I have mixed feelings about this because on the one hand, I want to go out and have fun with my friends. But on the other hand, I know how important it is to save as much as I can for my upcoming move.
Also because it’s the wintertime, it’s COLD outside. I can’t just go for bike rides or walks in the park or head to the beach with my friends. This weather makes us all want to stay indoors, but in places like lounges, bars, and restaurants – where money is spent.
I try to cut down on the costs by going out for coffee or tea instead of lunch or dinner. And if I’m heading a certain way to run an errand, I plan some dates and meet up with people so I can see them on the same trip! I also make sure to catch my last bus, because otherwise I’ll need to pay for a cab ride home.
I know, it’s annoying. But you gotta do what you gotta do.
This is me at my gf’s place drinking tea before heading out. 
I’m on the hunt for an apartment, which is a lot harder than I thought.
So far I’ve been surfing rental sites to get an idea of pricing and locations. I want to do this so I can mentally prepare for what I’m getting myself into and to imagine my standard of living, just to settle my mind!
But I’m finding it really really difficult to find much info, probably because I don’t know German and am looking for a place in Germany! All the English sites seem to be much more expensive than what I *think* rent goes for in this region…
If this is really how much it costs to live in the city, I’m pretty nervous. Even though I’m used to living like a poor-student, it doesn’t mean I want to continue with it!
I’m lucky that I don’t need to find a place ASAP and that I have time to plan and prepare. The cute boy is going to help me! I’m going to stay with him when I first get to Germany, and on the weekend he’s going to take me into the city and we’ll hopefully find something suitable for me in my price range. *fingers crossed*
I would love to live with the cute boy, really I would. He lives in a nice apartment and rent is good. But he also lives too far from where I’ll be working. 
I priced it out; if I took the train into the city from the town cute boy lives in, it would cost me $60 CAD per day! I’d rather use that money to have my own place. Plus I feel happier in big cities in general, it’s what I’m used to.
Maybe I could also find some authentic Asian food in the big city! Which I’m not too hopeful about but at least there’s some hope. I miss Asian food SO much when I’m in Europe. Just thinking about it makes me miss it already!
You know, I still can’t believe I’ll be moving to Germany soon. I have no idea how long I’ll stay but I’m committing my mind to 1 year. It could be shorter, it could be longer. But either way, the whole idea of moving out of my fair city is kind of WHOA to me.
I’ve never lived so far away from home before, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I’m really looking forward to it! Eeeee!
Thomas Beatie is a transgendered man who is legally a man but was born a woman. When his wife could not get pregnant, he decided to undertake the task of pregnancy himself (what a fantastic husband!). Still having the biological parts of a woman, he could physically do this. Hence, the notion of a pregnant man.
I’ve seen random articles about this floating around the internet, and was thrilled to see an interview with Thomas and his wife on 20/20. Yay, I could hear about their journey through pregnancy and child rearing!
But when I watched the interview, I wasn’t too impressed. Barbara Walters did what I considered to be a terrible job.
First of all, she had this whole air of awkwardness and disapproval about her that irritated the crap out of me. She said things that I thought were irrelevant and inappropriate, such as “Aren’t you trying to have the best of both worlds?”,“So do you have your period right now?” and “Yeah, of course [going through labour] hurts”. (in a condescending tone that a woman who has gone through labour would counter to a man, but in this case, Barbara is a woman who has never gone through labour, and Thomas is a man who has. Irony!)
Like come ON.
I would have liked to hear more about the couple’s decision to make their lives public, with a larger focus on how it has affected their lives – without Barbara’s bias’ in the way.
Despite this, the couple still shined. And their new born baby girl is SOOO cute! Thomas also let the bomb drop that he is preggars yet again! 
To me, this story line isn’t an issue and shouldn’t be. People are people, transgendered or not. But it is an issue and that’s why this topic gets so much attention, particularly negative attention.
It disgusted me to hear how Thomas and his family now regularly receive death threats. I think they are brave to make themselves an example, although I wouldn’t choose to if I were them.
Apparently the transgendered community is also against their public pregnancy due to the potential for a backlash against the community. I can understand that too. Although Thomas and his wife are strong, there is a ripple effect to their actions that can affect people negatively.
This story segment also showed other couples consisting of one transgendered partner.
The most striking story was of a man and a woman who lived a ‘normal heterosexual life’. They got married and sometime after that, he decided to become a woman. His partner, a woman, was okay with it. They stayed married and had children!
I like this story because the gender constructs didn’t matter. They loved each other, and that was what was important. That’s what kept them bound.
It made me think about love and relationships, and what I would do if this happened to me. I’d like to say I would stay with my partner if he decided to become a woman too.
BUT, it’s not as easy as that. I mean, to go from a heterosexual relationship to a lesbian relationship with that same partner that you fell in love with under a heterosexual context? That is reeeaaalllly reeaallly tough!
You have to have an extremely sophisticated grasp of the fluidity of gender and be able to live it in your own personal life.
I hope I never have to deal with this issue, and if I did, I’m not sure I could stay with that partner IN a partnership. But I find hearing the stories of these very accepting people to be exceptionally touching.
Categories: News
While I was in Hong Kong, I *heard* about the suffering economy world wide, but didn’t pay much attention to it because hey, I was in Hong Kong!!
On my way back to Canada, I picked up a Wall St Journal and read it on the plane. In it, there was the tiniest of paragraphs that ran me up to speed. Apparently Germany is taking one of the biggest hits during this recession based on the decline of certain economic indicators (GDP, etc…), and that it is projected to get worse – as bad as post World War II even, and will last just as long!
Aiyiyi, I thought. I had already been planning to go to Germany to look for work. In the financial sector too!
Well, I didn’t get a finance job – but that’s okay.
For me personally, a recession right now is actually a good thing.
I’ve spent all of my young adult years in an economic boom (or in the aftermath of an economic boom: think Y2K), so my experiential learning about the economy and how things work financially are a little bit warped, or at least not well-rounded.
I see my portfolio then and I see my portfolio now, and let’s just say there is a BIG difference. It’s just how the market has panned out, and I’ve experienced that and am taking note.
I am very grateful that the current recession is not affecting me as badly as it is other people. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not thrilled that there’s a recession at all…The timing sucks since I just graduated and am itching to find work. But, I’m looking at it from a positivist perspective, and I know there is much to be learned.
This period right now will have a very transformative effect on my future, I can feel it. It electrifies me as much as it stresses me out. But at the core of it, I know I am lucky to even have the option of planning for the future.
Categories: Future
Kiva is an organization that lets us loan money out to specific entrepreneurs in a developing country.
There are lists of entrepreneurs and their profiles, with information on where they are from, what kind of business they run, what they need the loan for, and how long they intend to take to pay it back. There are also updates on the progress of the business.
I think this is a great idea and I’m pretty excited!!
Before I leave, I’m going to choose a female entrepreneur and donate $25 USD towards her business. If I get the loan repaid, I’ll lend that to another female entrepreneur. If I don’t get it back, that’s okay too. I’ll keep you updated on this!
Categories: Charity
So I’ve been reading up a lot on English teaching in general, and English teaching in Germany.
Apparently the best place to teach ESL is in Korea in terms of wages and benefits. You can make money teaching English in Korea. And the worst place, is probably in Germany.
lol!
Cost of living in Germany is high and German taxes are high, while teaching wages are low with no benefits or vacation pay. People have said that they can earn more on social assistance or working in McDonalds. 
Many English teachers in Germany also need to travel to their clients, which costs extra as well.
And I’m not sure of the particulars yet, but it sounds like freelance teachers need to pay at least 50% of their income to taxes alone!
None of this sounds too good to me.
But, I’m also prepared to work hard and am to be in the red for the first few months. Although I would prefer to break even, at the very least.
I guess I’ll have to see how it all goes while I’m there.
I’ll be a freelance teacher, which means I’m in the highest tax bracket, and I’ll have to travel to my clients too. But my school has told me they will pay for my transportation to the clients. My hourly wage is also on the low end, according to the numbers thrown around in random articles and forum posts. AND, we are in a worldwide economic slowdown.
But, with all this ‘against me’, I am still hopeful and positive. I think there is much to be learned and am interested to see what happens.
It definitely helps that I know a cute boy there who can absorb my costs of living if I move in with him (we’ve already talked about it!). He’s very very sweet, and is also worried about me not making enough or having to work too hard.
While I would like to support myself and live independently in a foreign country, it’s also nice to have an out or cushion to fall on. This likely will make me try even harder though, because I’ll have the security which is mentally very soothing. It will relieve me of that fight or fight desperation, which I do not find helpful.
This shall be interesting!
Categories: Love · Teaching English
Yesterday I booked my return plane tickets through Air Canada and medical insurance through Travelguard!
This means I can cross off the first 2 goals from my Goals list!
It was a lot better for me to take the time to think things through before I went ahead to spend all this money. I called Travelguard 3 times in total before I finally booked with them. I chose them because it was cheaper than all the other insurance companies I looked at, and they cover me for $10 million.
My flights are with Air Canada because they have $150 date-change fee (cheapest I’ve seen for economy class), I’ll get Aeroplan points, there is currently an international seat-sale (!), and I trust that Air Canada won’t go bankrupt while I’m away (I couldn’t get insured for trip cancellation so far in the future).
I’m comfortable with my choices, but it’s all so expensive and it’s stressing me out a little.
Going away will have some costs to it, and I’m prepared to pay because this opportunity is meaningful to me. But I also went from being super employed (1-4 jobs at a time!) to being unemployed for the last 5 months. I’m a little freaked out by this, and craving some structure.
I’ve also been traveling, which is fantastic but it also makes me nervous since I’m spending so much but not bringing anything in. Mentally, not having an income is hard for me to take. Especially when I’m no longer in school.
I was reading an article about worst financial secrets, and many people confessed that they went away to live in Europe and spent all their money while also being in student debt!
This kinda made me chuckle, because in many ways it could work out this way for me too, especially if I can’t make enough money.
Oddly enough, this doesn’t make me not want to go. Maybe it’s because of this urge I have to live in Europe and do something exciting before I ’settle down’. I want to learn something, and be somewhere, and not just graduate school to work and buy a condo.
If I really don’t think I can make it and/or I deem it financially not worth it, I’ll just cut it short and come home. I can do that because my air ticket is flexible.
Another option I have is to move in with that cute boy I mentioned! Financially, it would be a lot easier to live with him and split the costs. But, he lives a little far from the city I’ll work in and lifestyle-wise, I’m more into big cities over small towns.
It might also be good for our relationship to not just jump in and live with each other right away, even though it is our inclination to do so. If we did that, we’d be moving from a long distance relationship to a cohabitating relationship. It’s almost like we missed a step!
Having my own place will give me a chance to carve out a life for myself in Germany, to make my own networks, and to live independently. I’d like to see how I fare, if not for my own self satisfaction.
It’ll also be nice being in a non-long distance relationship where the boy and I can meet up with each other and go on dates regularly!! We’ll still be long distance, but instead of a 9 hour plane ride over the Atlantic, we’ll only be a one hour’s drive apart.
Ooooh I’m excited! Reeeaaally excited!!!
And he’s so sweet!
