Hello from Kingston

Here is where I live.

(looking SW from Fort Henry)

Surprisingly, it was a beautiful day when I took these pictures.

Too bad I can't show you the haze, humidity and overcast which we

have been experiencing lately.

One week down

Finally the first week of full-time work is over. In retrospect it went fairly well. I tried to stay busy, but not too busy. I have now become more chatty with my co-workers, who are very nice but it is still noticeable that they are young and from Ontario. I get along very well with one girl who is older and originally an actual 'newfie'. I am still a little worried that I chew loudly at lunch though. We planned out our excavation units today, so that was fun (looking for old militia barracks). I have been really busy this week, don't worry I'm not dead or anything. ttfn

1st Day of School

Remember when you were in elementary school and after what seemed like a far too short summer it was finally the first day of school, again. That was how I felt (besides the fact that the Kingston Archaeological Centre is located in what used to be a very small elementary school). I could barely sleep last night, waking up every two hours before actually having to get up at 7AM. Upon climbing out of bed and showering, I frantically picked out an outfit (something I had being thinking about all weekend and still hadn't decided on). I couldn't help remembering all the studies I have read about first impressions being the key, and that people begin forming opinions and judgments of someone in a matter of 30 seconds after meeting them. After finally choosing a professional and stylish but grubby/dig-worthy outfit I headed out the door with butterflies in my stomach.

In my nervous state, I missed my turn and almost got lost on the way there. All I could think was, "please don't let me be late". When I arrived I felt like I was lost again because I had no idea of where I was to go or what I would be doing. A very nice girl showed me around again, explained a little more about the camp I would be leading then left me to read about the history and past archaeological work done on the site I will be excavating. After reading all morning, and figuring out many of the quirks of Ontario historic archaeology (for instance, the term 'lot') I had two people inform me that it was lunch time.

Now, the prepared person I am had actually brought a lunch with me but left it in the car and was now considering not stopping to eat since the food was in the car, and the door beeps when you leave, and I didn't want people to think I was taking off, and my lunch was so silly because of my eating restrictions I figured people would think I was weird................. (Denise you know what I mean). Then I began to worry that everyone would think I was a snob if I didn't go eat with them so I went into the lunch room like a lamb to the slaughter. Or perhaps more like an embarrassed dog, tail between my legs, trying not to make any sudden movements as I creep into the room and ask I if could have a cup of coffee. Wow, am I shy.

Smiling and nodding as other people conversed over lunch, I eventually began to wonder how to leave a situation like that (I had no idea how long lunch was supposed to be so I tried to gauge it by leaving when the last person who had invited me to lunch left). After ending that awkward situation I went to watch the really old videos we are supposed to show to the kids during camp. One was all about archives (it was very bizarre), and the other was the CARF excavation of Fort Frontenac. Once that was finished I began to run through the first and last camp days schedule with the other girl I will be working with. She seems friendly, but young (funny thing, she can't eat gluten or lactose either).

Next thing I know it is 4:30, everyone is leaving and apparently my watch is like 23 minutes slow. Relieved that the first day is over, I am now starting to worry that they will make fun of me tonight when they're drunk watching the hockey game together. I know it's silly, they have better things to talk about than me, but you can't help but wonder what's in-store for tomorrow. By the way, we don't actually start digging until the 10th of July.

Job Search

Okay, so i had a job interview today. It seemed to go pretty well. Here is a link to their website, if anyone is interested.
http://www.carf.info/

Do you recognize this man?

Okay, so I have been informed that I am dating a celebrity from

The Amazing Race.

What do you think?

Hey, at least he is a Harvard graduate and he won the million dollars.

I love Emma Thompson...

I recently watched, and therefore must recommend a wonderfully cute movie called Nanny McPhee. It is soooo cute, and it's cast is loaded with some of my favs including Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Kelly Macdonald and a group of super cute kids with accents (note: have you ever noticed how all kids with accents are extremely cute? It doesn't even matter what kind of accent it is.) Anyway, if you haven't seen it yet, you should because it is adorable.

Ontario pets

The house centipede, sometimes known as the Kingston bug (or in Kingston a "ghetto bug"), has (when fully grown) 15 pairs of very long, delicate legs and a rigid body, which enables it to run with surprising speed up walls and along ceilings and floors. In an act of defense, when one of the house centipede's legs is held down, it drops that leg in hopes that the attacker will be distracted by the temporarily twitching appendage. They kill their prey by injecting venom through their fangs and then feasting on the dead prey. House centipedes on average lay 63 eggs and a maximum of around 151 eggs. If one finds an unwanted house centipede in the home and does not wish to kill it, it can be herded into a clean glass container with a lid, taken outside and released, preferably far away so it does not find a way back in.

PS- I have not found any as disgusting as in this picture.
(picture and info. courtesy of Wikipedia)

Another Friend

Baby Chick Pooh got a friend yesterday. His name is Cheetah Pooh.

(Note the nickel for scale this time)

They are my new hobby, collecting Peek-a-Poohs.

Ironstone?

Ok, so I have a bit of a challenge for everyone. What is the pattern on this ironstone plate? And yes, it is from the collection under analysis by Miss Denise.

Just to one up the soup!!

For everyone who also reads Kasia's blog, I can be juvenile too. These are a little something that Brock has now started to collect from the grocery store here in Kingston. I just wish he wouldn't put them on display (see previous picture of kitchen).

PS- read the label at the top very carefully.

IT'S A BOOK!!!!

I proudly announce the arrival of my new baby into this world. After a very long gestation and numerous hours of labour it was introduced to society on Monday, June 5th 2006. It is approximately 81/2 by 11 in. and weighs about 1 lb 7 oz.

Here are some pictures of the newborn.

Look at how much it enjoys its Auntie Denise.

Thank-you everyone!!!

Buzzzzzzzzzz!!!!

This is Brock as a bumble bee.

Ohh, he looks so sad. Poor boy didn't want to be a bumble bee.

He he he, I am so evil!

PS- Happy 25th Birthday Cara!!!

29 Church Street

Here are some pictures of the house where Brock and I live, finally. I couldn't fit the whole house in the picture because people were staring at me so I had to do it quick.
PS-sorry for the sideways-ness, I was in a hurry.


The open door in the above picture leads to this, the bedroom. The other side of the room has a desser, bookshelf and a big window.


Notice the cute green shag rug in the bathroom. I love that rug.
PS- there is also a shower in there which you can't see in this pic.



It is pretty cute and cozy.