The Job Hunt is a Job!!
I have now been searching for a job for over a month and man-o-man what a long month it has been. I refuse to let my spirits be dampened but at times it is difficult. After all, I do have another trip to Cuba planned!!
The available jobs on the market right now are few due to the “recession” that the media suggests that we are in. Myself, I think it is a cleansing ….. but that is another topic althogher.
I am also faced with thousands of recent college and university grads pounding the pavement with their fresh degrees hoping for that “perfect” fit. Well welcome to the real world!! Out of interest below is a list of available degrees taken from Canadian Universities. I have to give them credit but if you take the time to search some of these degrees, a lot will be of no use what so ever in the work force. But now it seems that a college degree is the same as what High School used to be. How life changes!
And finally, I am faced with prospective employers not wanting to see me because of my age – heaven forbid they hire a woman who has been on the work force since 1973.
But I do see light at the end of the tunnel …… I have had two interviews with this great company just a short drive from where I live and going for the third tomorrow!! What evere happens tomorrow, I will celebrate. There is a job for me out there and this week has given me hope!!
Stephanie, June 23rd 2009 |
Tags: canadian university degrees, job hunt, job interviews, job search, university degree, work force
Posted in Change, Habits, Stephanie Evers, Stephanie's blog
Some of my visitors have been of late from CubMania and I do apprieciate your visit. But others who visit may not find the forum welcoming because as of late there is a lot of confrontation between members. But then, that is what a forum is all about. All I can say is if you wish to enter this forum, do so with an open mind and ignore the the bickering between members. You can learn a lot, if you have never visited Cuba or have been there on many occasions.
Sometimes the comments are very one sided and you may not agree. Then join Cubamania and voice your opinion.
You may also like this link to a Yahoo group, which is very informative on all issues dealing with Cuba but less interactive. I check both daily and if you are at all interested in Cuba, so should you.
Again two forum links for you CubaMania – very interactive and CubaNews – very informative.
Join both and learn. Because when we stop learning, we stop living.
Stephanie, April 2nd 2009 |
Tags: cuba forums, cuba interest, cubamania, cubanews
Posted in Change, Habits, Stephanie Evers, Stephanie's blog, cuba, politics
The Miniature Earth
I just had to share this with you today. It was sent to me from a very good friend of mine and it really make you think about the world today. How we relate, where we stand, where we are, who we are and good grief – what we are going to do about it!!
You may have seen this before, but none the less, it is worth watching again. After you watch this, if you are not happy with what you have – I have no words.
Stephanie, April 2nd 2009 |
Tags: miniature earth, the minature earth, the world today, where we stand
Posted in Change, Habits, Stephanie Evers, Stephanie's blog, politics
Word from Cayo Coco
I told you my friend was visiting Cayo Coco this week. And yes I am still jealous!!
Luckily, one of my friends in Cuba has a cell phone and he was wildly trying to get hold of me. Oops, I was out walking with my dogs. I was told to call “ahoro miso” (right now) …….. and I did. My friend answered the phone and I had a very quick run down of her week. The weather has been perfect and life is but a dream. Apparently I am missed – well, that is nice to know!! She is off to Play Pilar tomorrow …….. it is one of the most stunning beaches I have ever seen. No hotels, just one small restaurant and miles of beach and beautiful water. An absolute must see if you travel to Cayo Coco or Cayo Guillermo.
Only three more weeks for me ….
Play Pilar
Stephanie, April 2nd 2009 |
Tags: cayo coco, cayo guillermo, playa pilar, travel to cuba, word from cuba
Posted in Change, Habits, Stephanie Evers, Stephanie's blog, cuba
The Countdown Begins
After weeks of checking various websites for a good price on flights to Cuba, I bit the bullet and booked my flight. Now instead of my normal 7 day visit, I will be in the Grande Isle for 17 days – and I think the fare I paid is very good – just under $400 return! A little extreme perhaps, not really knowing where I will be going. Again communication to my friends in Cuba remains sporadic and rather a one way conversation. Managing to confirm with them that my arrival date is good was definitely a challenge! Hopefully I will again be met at the airport, which is an added bonus.
Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo on the northern shore of Cuba has about 15 “resorts” which cater to the all inclusive visitor. This I did not want to do. There must be, I thought a small hotel that would cater to a visitor like myself who only wants a couple of days before venturing further afield. It took some research but I did find two that are part of the Islazul Hotel chain in Cuba. They are both small with only 24 rooms but provide your basic needs – a bed, a bathroom, a restaurant. etc. So I booked a couple of nights at the Motel Islazul Jardin los Cocos at a rate of $13 for bed & breakfast. It is about 5km from the beach – a nice walk to start my day! I bet I get a taxi back at the end of the day though!! I will give you all the details when I return. Some of my friends think I am mad – maybe, but I love an adventure! And Cuba is one of the safest places to do this in the world.
Yesterday my friend left on her vacation to Cayo Coco, staying at the NH Krystal where I have stayed with her. Jealous? You bet. But then I was there in January and returning at the end of April. So I should not complain. Hopefully the weather has changed and the sun will shine for her week away. I say this because my friends in Cuba have had little work this winter due to unusually cool weather that swept through Cuba in late January, February and early March. Now cool to Cubans would be very pleasant for us here in the northern climate of Canada!! I laugh when I talk to them, they have NO idea what cold is! I have been asked to bring gloves for those cool morning rides on a motorcycle!!
So the countdown begins ………
countdown begins ....
Stephanie, March 29th 2009 |
Tags: back to cuba, countdown to cayo coco, countdown to cuba, cuba is safe, islazul cuba, resorts cayo coco, small hotel cayo coco
Posted in Change, Habits, Stephanie Evers, Stephanie's blog, cuba
My Ramblings
Ok, I know it has been awhile but I have been busy ………. well sort of!!
And I just had to watch “24” this evening. My god that show keeps me on the edge of my seat every moment and then leaves me hanging till next week. The producers are good. Very good. That, to me is what entertainment is all about. Keep you waiting for the next move, the next episode. Many may not like “24” but I think it is the best action, suspense on TV for the last 6 years and Kiefer Sutherland is pretty damn good to look at! If something makes you keep coming back – well there has to be a reason.
So upon checking my blog “stats”, it seems they had a HUGE boost about a week ago. I think that may have something to do with my input in into Cubamania. Well thanks everyone for visiting. Yes, my blog is just my ramblings, but is not that what a blog is all about?  No, I do not have something new to offer, some special recipe, a special report, a new finding – just me, just Stephanie. I have my views, my opinions and within time you will find them. Just hang tight, cos sometimes the ride may be rough and not agree with you and yet sometimes it may. Your input means something to me. It means that you do read my ramblings and perhps you would like to contribute. I welcome that.
In the meantime, I have been busy somewhat arranging my next trip to Cuba! Talk about keep coming back!! Counting the weeks – only 6 to go and I will be away from the mayhem of my daily routine and visiting the Grande Isle of Cuba. There will be a lot of people to see, a lot places to visit. Both new and old. Ahhhhh, to go with the wind. Guess I hold true to my sign, Gemini. Take me where the wind blows and I will land at will.
come fly with me
Stephanie, March 16th 2009 |
Tags: 24, best action on tv, blog stats, come fly with me, cubamania, kiefer sutherland, visit cuba
Posted in Change, Habits, Stephanie Evers, Stephanie's blog, cuba
The Dancing Bird
Yes, I have been absent. No excuses. Just absent. I think I have hibernated. Oh, how I wish I could. This winter has apparently in Ontario broken some records. One, we have had the longest string of continually freezing cold days over and over again. Not what I signed up for!! But tomorrow, the weatherman says it will be 16celcius in Toronto!! Albeit, just for a day . This means that spring is definitely around the corner. March can through us some wicked days but I do believe that the worst is over ………
To put a smile on your face today, I have added this link. Certainly made me laugh this evening. The video may take awhile to download – wait, it is worth it!
Stephanie, March 5th 2009 |
Tags: dancing bird, he's got rhythm, ontario freeze, put a smile on your face
Posted in Change, Habits, Stephanie Evers, Stephanie's blog
Contact from Cuba
It can be hard. The majority of people do not have a telephone, let alone a cell phone and the internet, well that is even less. Although most do know some one with a phone, a cell or access to the internet, contact is still difficult to say the least. My friends have access to all three but are dependent on their friends or having enough money to purchase time for a cell phone. Even then, one should only text as each voice contact is charged and to call outside of Cuba – forget it! You can text still even if there is no money left on the card, thank god!
It actually reminds me of when my parents first moved to Canada from England. Our relatives in England did not have a phone and neither did we at first. We did finally get a shared line – can you imagine doing that today?  Cell phones and the internet were science fiction. Immediate contact was not a reality. But it did not stop the contact. Everyone wrote letters. Lots of letters.
Having been back now for a month – how time flies – I sent a text and told them to call me collect. Sometimes, one needs a voice rather than typed words on a cell or email. It will be interesting to see how much a few short phone calls will cost me! But it was worth it. The dates are now set for my next trip to Cuba ……… awesome!! I will be returning the end of April for two weeks and visiting a different part of the country. Friends, family, the beach, the mountains. Making the bond of friendships stronger and making new ones. I cannot wait.
I think though, I will adopt a new way of communicating – a letter. A hand written letter – what a novel idea. Let’s face it we all love to receive them. Makes a nice surprise in your mail box, when it is filled with bills and advertising. I like to receive letters from friends, I am sure my friends in Cuba will too.
Stephanie, February 8th 2009 |
Tags: calling cuba, cell phone in cuba, communicating with a letter, contact from cuba, contacting cuba, hand written letters, writing letters
Posted in Change, Habits, Stephanie Evers, Stephanie's blog, cuba
CAA & Cancellation
I have been a member of CAA for more years than I care to remember. I have nothing against their service and the assistance they can provide for you when needed.
Now for reasons of my own choosing, I have decided to cancel my membership. One, I have only used them once in the past 10 years for help in the winter when I parked to close to the ploughed snow …… silly mistake. So that tow out of the drift cost me $900. Little costly!! Second, I am never too far from home and I have many friends who could help me out if necessary. Third, I am not on travelling on the road for my job. I could go on, but you get the picture.
I called last week and asked for my membership not to be renewed. I was told to send an email stating my membership number and reason for cancellation. Why they have to know this is beyond me. We give away too much information these days as it is! Fine & dandy, I sent an email. But what if I did not have access to email? My guess is that I would have to send a letter. I have received acknowledgment, here’s a copy:
Thank you for contacting CAA South Central Ontario. Your request has been forwarded to our Membership Records department for further review and processing.
For further review!! How dare they. Further review – I don’t think so. All I want to do is cancel my damn membership and keep the $90+ in my pocket. Now it is time to get on the phone and speak to someone. With some luck, my membership will be canceled and the ever so all and mighty CAA will never ever hear from me again.
Just my little peeve for the day!
Stephanie, February 8th 2009 |
Tags: CAA, caa membership, CAA membership cost, cancelling CAA membership
Posted in Change, Habits, Stephanie Evers, Stephanie's blog
What to take to Cuba
The list is below after my short reasoning behind it.
My reason behind this list and post is that while checking my stats, which I know everyone who has a blog does, the phrase, what to take to Cuba, ranks very high. Â So I thought that I would do my best to make a detailed list to help people who are their first adventure to Cuba.
First and formost, go with an open mind and NO attitude. This though should be the case no matter where you are travelling to. Remember, this is not home and things WILL be different. You are a guest in their country.  Customs and rules are different and you should respect that. What may seem just damn outrageous to you is the norm in Cuba. This is a latin country and the art of communication between sexes is most definitely different than our culture. Do not be alarmed, take it in your stride and savour the compliments! Remember too that Cubans work long hours but do not work at the same pace as we do. So do not get frustrated and angry if you are not attended to right away or something is not “fixed” right away. You will be served, it will get fixed. Relax, enjoy your vacation. You got a deal. You are in the warmth away from the gray days of winter. So the list, here we go.
- Couple rolls of toilet paper – it may not always be available to you.
- Mosquito repellent if you are anywhere near lagoons. Yes, the resorts are sprayed, but lagoons are natural breeding grounds.
- Emergency medical supplies – just a small plastic bag, for example: antibiotic cream, q-tips, alcohol wipes, bandages, head ache pills(you just may need them one morning), rehydration salts (gastrolyte) – just in case, and ladies don’t forget sanitary towels.
- Batteries and/or charger – also you may want to get an AC adapter, not all hotels have our outlets although you can get one from the larger resorts
- Suntan oils, lotions and after sun tan lotion – you will need it.
- Extra shampoo and or conditioner – just the little bottles is fine.
- Pack light. You will not need a suitcase full of fancy clothes. Swimsuits, shorts, t-shirts, sarongs, sandals, some kind of sun hat – you get the picture. My suitcase gets lighter each time I visit.
- Baby clothes as gifts. Everyone and everybody knows someone with a baby. These are expensive to buy there and are greatly appreciated.
- Extra cash for tips. Sure you bought an “all inclusive” but TIPS does stand for “to insure prompt service” – and a peso or half a peso means a lot. Make sure you keep 25 pesos to leave Cuba!
- Safe sex. Don’t just have sex with a Cuban – fall in love with a Cuban. Just thought I would add that one for the singles out there reading this.
Go, have fun. Take some trips outside the resort. Introduce yourself, make friends – it will not be hard in Cuba. My list may not be complete but it should give you a pretty good idea of where to start. And try to pick up a little Spanish while you are there …….. hasta luego ……
Sunrise Cayo Coco
Stephanie, February 2nd 2009 |
Tags: cuba customs, cuba list, traveling to cuba, visiting cuba, what to take to cuba
Posted in Change, Habits, Stephanie Evers, Stephanie's blog, cuba
