Fitting the Pieces of the Puzzle

After a really great night of spontaneous drinking and dancing (went to locals night at Longhorn's again), it feels like I'm finding my place in this chaotic village. I've found out just how easy it is to get lost in the shuffle. There are so many people constantly coming and going that you really need to maintain some independance within the turnover.

My roomie Tiffany had lost her cellphone lastnight. I called it and some guy called my phone back from her phone and told us we could meet him at Longhorn's to come and get it. This is a perfect example of even though in a place where there could be a lack of community and kindness. This simple story of a guy going out of his way to be true to a moment of honesty and help out a perfect stranger, is what I like about here. We are all alone. Each of us is here for a reason whether it is to fuck around, to work, or to just enjoy a different pace. From our vast backgrounds and reasons to be here comes a common bond. Friends are easily made and you don't really need to explain yourself much (this is a good and bad thing). People are very accepting here of what you have to offer to the mix. Staff Housing is like residence without the fake IDs, and its fun to be back in that state (well first year uni mindset...we all know I didn't live in res).

It is the little moments I've had on my journey that I wish my mind was a camera and I could just upload all my memories. For instance, after closing time at 1 am, where else can you find some guy turning up with a guitar and random people crowding around to listen to an acoustic version of some Tom Petty song (atleast I think it was Tom Petty...) and then look next to you to see a guy rolling a joint right in the village? Pretty classic.

I'm getting much better at my job which is a really good feeling. I hated being incompetent...I guess I can't really expect much after only 2 shifts of training...but I feel like I could get a routine going and hopefully pick up some speed too! On a side note, my hands are sooo chapped and red. I don't know whether it is from the weather or just the constant washing of my hands. It shouldn't be the chemicals because I'm always using gloves... that is one balls thing about this job though.

Another upsetting thing about work is that I've been told that after next week's schedule, there is a good chance I'll be getting only 2-3 shifts for a couple of weeks... Its just that time of the year where there isn't much tourism going on at all. American Thanksgiving will begin the season with a bang so I only have to wait a little while until I'll be working back at full steam. I'm going to be joining The Core gym here with my leisure money so atleast I'll have a lot of time to get started on my six pack before I start cracking open the six packs LOL

Fewf...hows that for a novel? More to come later!
Thanks for reading!
Lots of Love, Hails

How I'm Livin'

Thank you MTV for the tagline!

Things have been pretty hectic. I'm slowly but surely finding my way through being an RA (Room Attendant). I'm a little slow but have only had one day so far of "real training" so I'm not going to be so hard on myself! I am amazed by the Fairmont company, their policies, and their eagerness to help new and old employees. You really can't beat getting a free breakfast and only paying minimal amounts for lunches!

I've been spending a lot of time grocery shopping (you can take the girl out of Marilus but you can't take the Marilus out of the girl!) and figuring out where things are in the village. I'm really excited to try different restaurants around here but am trying to watch my money for when all the parties start (around mid-end November). Things are pretty slow around here because it is inbetween seasons so either people are doing A LOT of overtime or not getting many hours ...which translated into no money for booze! I, on the other hand have a large reserve of Malibu, Stoli and Guinness just waiting in my closet...


At the bottom of the HILL of DEATH looking on to the Village.



A creek that flows down around the edge of the village.


Base One behind the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. This is one of the many lifts going up the mountain.


Behind my place of employment. This castle-like place is the beautiful Fairmont Chateau Whistler. It was a pretty foggy/dreary day so you can't really see it's beauty!

More posts to come when I can see the snow. Hopefully I'll have some funny stories to tell...well actually a couple of days ago at Starbucks I accidentally took someone elses coffee and started to drink it when they called mine out ...and needless to say I was pretty mortified... LOL

Lots of Love, Hails

BLACK BEAR!

I feel like an official B.C. resident now. I have seen a black bear! On my way down the hill going to my first day of orientation, I'm walking along on this crisp morning, listening to my tunes, and minding my own business when.... I see a drooly (LOVEABLE!) black bear. Scared shitless for my life I back away and have to go the alternate longer route. I am not a seasonned vet quite yet! I am no Kung Fu Panda!...but I will be!

Orientation was actually really informative. The muffins were great and I met some cool people. A super embarassing thing that happened was when we had to take pictures for our ID cards (being the intense flash induced blinker that I am) our leader literally had to take 25 pictures of me - some sneak attack shots, some with me looking far off in the room....I was thinking "Great, now they think I'm a retard... I'm so fired." Luckily that didn't come out of my mouth but "I swear I have other skills" did. She thought it was hilarious! WOO brownie points!

I get fitted for my uniform tomorrow and find out when my shifts are for this week and next! I'll even get my snazzy ID card (retarded photo included!). I plan on taking some more pictures soon to post. I was going to on my way to work this morning but I got a little sidetracked by trying not to pee my pants! I've met a bunch of really quality people and everyone has been super nice so far. More news to come in the next few days! Perhaps even a snazzy pic in my House Keeping (insert foreign voice here) outfit!

Thanks for reading! Love, Hails

Home Sweet Home!

I've arrived!

After a long day (getting up at 3 am) of travelling - plane, bus, and taxi, I've finally settled into my place. It feels really strange to be setting up my own life, planning what I want to do, which groceries to buy and being on my own to make friends.

I was really lucky to have a fairly seamless transition into my new apartment! After a few shortfalls (...I may have almost left my laptop and all my electronics in my charter bus...) I was dropped off by a Whistler Taxi on the doorstep of my new digs. I was going to have to wait for awhile as it was 2:30 and check in wasn't supposed to be until 4:30 so I set my MEGA LOAD of luggage down outside the office, and was surprised to be greeted by the housing guys (one of which who is from Oshawa!) who got me my keys and helped me settle in. I was going to have to wait a friggin' long time, so I really lucked out!

My apartment has a kitchen, bathroom, living room and two bedrooms (each containing a bunk bed). I share with one of my roomies...although I'm not sure which one yet LOL I have two roommates (Tiffany and Meghan) and they left me a welcome message on our postboard by the front door saying that they both wouldn't be home for the night... So basically I really have no idea anything about them other than their names and the fact that they work for Fairmont. Fairmont rents two buildings from the big Whistler Blackcomb mountain company who have probably five other buildings to house their staff and there are about 200 of us (in Fairmont Housing). One of the housing guys told me that they're expecting 40 new Australians and 40 Philipinos within the next couple of weeks, so I won't be the only newby around for long!

I haven't really met too many people because even though I've gone for walks around the Village and such I don't want to go to bars all by myself...that would just be stupid. I make a point of saying HIIIIII to everyone around here though so I don't think it'll be too long. I think my roommates will be able to introduce me to people, and when I start work on Tuesday that'll help sooo much.

I've been making a point of trying to get lost, because thats when you find yourself either really fucked or see something you might not have known. I've found out theres a library so once I get my employee card/local card (to say that I'm not a tourist) I'm going to get a library card! Staff Housing is at the top of this GIGANTIC hill and I pretty much almost die everytime I go down it...so going up is absolutely brutal... took me 20 minutes last time and I was heaving so hard! I've found the grocery store (after getting lost!), the TD bank, post office and most of the important stores like the Liquor Store! Carrying my groceries (I only got 1/2 the stuff I needed b/c I could hardly carry it) up that hill was brutal, so this morning I took a cab back up it (cost about $7.50). I'm going to check on the internet and see where the Staff Housing bus goes b/c it is only .50 but it only runs at certain times and like every half hour.

The bane of my existence!

Thanks Mom and Noor for taking my incessant calls! I'm really glad that I have the internet as it is making finding places and things I need a lot easier. More pictures and news to come in the next few days! Please start making signs for my campaign as Mayor of Whistler HAHAHA

Hails

Going Away Party!

Like every monumental occasion (birthdays, anniversaries etc) there must be a party that contains drinking to either open up the floodgates of emotion, or to close them. My party kept them closed and thats the way I liked it! I just wanted to remember having fun with some close friends, eat too much food, and perhaps drink a bit too much. Its not like I'm going away forever, but the fact of the matter is things will never be the same when I do come home.

I have been really restrained this past week with my emotions. I love my friends and family, but am SO excited for this new life I'm going to make for myself, even if just for seven months! I'm just going out there to make myself proud, but also to make them proud too. There are so many people who have helped create who I am (for better or worse LOL) and I feel like there are so many still out there who have to teach me a few lessons also. There were a bunch of people I didn't get to say goodbye to but that now gives them a better reason to come visit me!

Lastnight was three hours of ambiance (loads of tealights) and just a chilled atmosphere. Of course we squeezed in the tradition of "Jager Wednesdays" since it was Wednesday and did Jager Bombs to end the night.

(L-R Lisa, Devin, Melissa, ME!, and Noor)



2 more days until I'm on the plane....

Love, Hails

Getting Ready!

I thought it would be appropriate to start one of those "getting to know you" posts. I'm about 99.9% sure all of my readers are friends, family or curious travellers but I think it is important to know a little bit about me.

First off, my name is Hailey. Good start! I'm 22 and have just graduated from McMaster University with a B.A in English. Being incredibly interested in the world and what I have to contribute to it, I began looking for my next adventure. I had seriously considered going to South Korea, and am still keen on applying to Teachers College in Scotland (once I've got enough cash saved up). It came down to finding some way to see the world outside my own box all while being able to travel and save money.

A few considerations came into mind: Is it a hassle to get a visa? Will I be able to leave my family for such a long time (especially since this is my first move away from home)? And just how ambitious do I really want to be?

Somehow I stumbled upon Whistler. I thought "Great!" - Closer to home? Check! Able to make some good money? Check! Ability to travel while saving money? Check! I started applying to jobs and landed a dream position with the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. I had heard MANY good things about the Fairmont corporation, and they seem like exactly where I'd like to be at this point in my life; an entry level position with MUCH opportunity to climb the company ladder.

With the Olympics coming in February 2010 - I think this is really the chance that I was looking for to add to my life's resume! The point of this blog is to let everyone back home know what I am up to in B.C, post some pictures and tips for other travellers who might be considering doing the same thing. I am expecting a harsh awakening to living on my own, but I have never been so excited or prepared for such independence as I am now. There will be tears, laughs and nastalgic feelings the next four days but I'm ready to do this :D

I leave for Vancouver at 7 am from Toronto on Saturday morning so I don't expect to have much to post before then....but then be ready!

Good night!
Hail