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February 28, 2006
A Message From Your Friendly Neighborhood Witch
Lately, I haven't been feeling quite right...sensing that something was coming - the way an animal does before an earthquake or other natural event. I just "felt" like something was about to go off-kilter.
After some research I found out I was right, something astrologically is coming, Ladies and Gentlemen beware: Mercury Retrograde is almost upon us. March 3rd - 26th brings us our first Mercury Retrograde of 2006. Mercury turns retrograde more often then any other planet. For about three weeks, three or four times a year, this pesky little retrograded planet means delayed travel, scrambled communications, and unexpected visits. It's time to stay in familiar places and tie up loose ends. Confirm those appointments because they will tend to seem to disappear from your calendar or Palm Pilot. Avoid making a move or starting a new project while Mercury is in Retrograde, for changes will have a lack of stability and permanence. Use care in signing contracts or committing yourself to any long-term investments. Mercury rules transportation, communication and technology. Expect cars to break down, planes to be late, cell phones to fizzle, microwaves to break and lovers to quarrel more often over little misunderstandings.
It's not all negative though, these cycles are a good time to pursue past-life regression, visit an old home or apartment, explore museums or wander through antique shops. Deja vu is also more often reported during Mercury Retrograde cycles. So kids, buckle up, hang on and give your lovers, friends or co-workers a break if they piss you off with something they say....most likely it was just a misunderstanding ;-)
Posted by Nikolas at 08:16 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBackFebruary 26, 2006
2010
Sorry for my long absence from posting. It has been a busy month personally and professionally. I got sick with the flu for over a week and then work kind of caught up with me, but I'm feeling better now and am looking forward to my trip to Toronto this week. I promise to try and catch up on everyone's blogs when I can.
No word from Canada since the transfer to Seattle. Mason and I keep being patient and resist the urge to call or e-mail the consulate to find out the progress of our paperwork. We are hoping *fingers crossed* that we will be able to move by September 1, 2006...we'll see how that pans out.
I've been watching the Olympics with great fervor these past two weeks and I have really enjoyed the games. Canada has done really, really well and I am very proud of my soon to be homeland. Mason and I were talking about how much we would like to go see some of the games in Vancouver in 2010 - presuming we have gotten our next letter from CIC by then ;-) We fell in love with Vancouver but chose Toronto as our home for many reasons - and in the end we fell in love with Toronto too. Really I don't think there is anywhere in Canada I wouldn't be happy...except maybe Stephen Harper's neighborhood.
Mason and I are settling in this evening to watch the Closing Ceremony and to talk about the trip to Toronto. Hopefully by 2010 we will be in our new home in Canada talking about our trip to Vancouver.
February 09, 2006
More on Canada
So curious as to my new found happiness of communication from the motherland I decided to check a couple of immigration websites I search occasionally to find out what's going on (Wow...was that a really bad sentence grammatically or what?) Turns out that I'm not the only one getting a letter. A number of other skilled worker applicants that either applied before or after me reported on these boards that they got similar letters. On guy who lives in Chicago got his application transferred to Detroit, another who lives in Phoenix was transferred to Los Angeles, and we got ours moved to Seattle.
So CIC is moving workloads around, probably to try and process the backload of applications they have ASAP. My hope is we get the letters for the medical exams (second to last step) before our 1-year anniversary on March 21, 2006. We'll see...
Posted by Nikolas at 08:05 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBackThe Consulate General of Canada Comes Calling...
Sorry for my absence the past few days but I've had the Flu and have been hold up in my bedroom hacking up phelm-balls. Today was my first chance to try and get cught up in the blog world...and wouldn't you know it, but we got a letter in the mail :-)
Dear Sir/Madame:
In order to expedite the processing of your application, your file has been sent to:
Canadian Consulate General
Seattle Washington, USA
OK, not exactly the letter we were hoping for, but at least it's A letter and the CIC hasn't forgotten about us. Expedite processing??? Hopefully this means we will hear something soon.
My heart just got a little lighter :-)
Posted by Nikolas at 03:24 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBackFebruary 03, 2006
Why Stay In Canada?
MASON POST (See, I'm getting better at posting!)
On one of the other blog websites there is a community for those making the move to Canada. Someone wrote in it:
Hi everyone. I am filling out the paper work to extend my visitors visa for Canada. When it asks why am I extending I thought about putting "Just wanting to extend my stay in Canada". A friend here who is an immigrated from the states said is best to just be simple and not offer up a lot of info. And dont make it seem like I am looking to stay forever..
So my question is would that in your opinions be a sufficient reason to put?
--------
Of course, being the always helpful and cheery Mason, I gave some suggestions:
"I'm not done exploring this beautiful country."
"Canada has so much to offer, I haven't seen it all."
"My preference is to stay forever, but until then I need more time."
"Leave? Leave?! You're joking, right."
Others added their own suggestions:
"Have you SEEN it down there? I mean come on."
"I want more time to spend in areas where I can learn how to correctly pronounce 'Poutine' "
"I've been diagnosed with a severe Bush allergy."
I'm sure are some other very clever ideas out there! :-)
Posted by Mason at 04:31 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBackFebruary 01, 2006
All Roads Lead to Safeway...
So during the day today I somehow managed to plan a small ritual and whip up a special dinner for Imbolc tonight. I love celebrating the Sabbats and making dishes that are sacred or special to the holiday during that time of the year. Tonight I am making a Bridesmaid Quiche with Potato Soup and served with a side of Fresh Baked Honey Bread. After my stop at Whole Foods for the supplies I went onto the Local Metaphysical Store and picked up some Imbolc Incense and oil along with a red candle for the ritual tonight.
On my way home I called Mason and asked him to look up some addresses for a couple of flower shops in the neighborhood. One of the things I love about Imbolc is that it encourages the sun to make a speedy return (given our mild winter this year I don't think that's going to be a problem) and for the days to lengthen. This is the time of year that you will start to see early bulbs start to poke through the ground. Daffodils and my favorites, Hyacinths. I stopped by the first flower shop and the lady looked at me with severe concern when I asked her if she had any bulbs. Undaunted I made my way to the second shop where I was greeted with a quizzical look and a equally quizzical "bulbs?" Was I on a different planet? On my way to a third shop I gave up when the woman behind the counter spat out quite nastily that her bulb order won't come in till AFTER Easter.
Dismayed, I made my way home and thought about how I could do without the flowers in my ritual, but how much I had looked forward all day towards the fragrant Hyacinths blessing my home. As I passed the Safeway by the house I decided to give it one last shot - if I remembered correctly, this is where I got the bulbs for last year's ritual. As I walked in I beamed - there in the tiny flower section of the store, next to the produce were Tulips, Daffodils and Hyacinths in full bloom....and on sale! There must be a pagan clerk working in the store! I picked out a beautiful lavender Hyacinth and a bunch of pink tulips.
Thank you Universe. Blessed Imbolc to you all (or Happy Groundhog's Day to everyone else)
