送 2007 迎 2008！！！

過年了！還有幾個小時，加拿大的2007年就要過去了。讓我來回顧總結一下吧！





上半年在香港渡過，跟以前沒有很大分別。教學工作挺忙，原因是肩負了校園的英語課外活動。幸運的是，一群很熱心的同事一起搭配合作。總算順利過渡。





下半年來了多倫多，生活平淡，但是充滿了新鮮的經歷。不如意的事不是沒有，但是我都學習把它們給忘掉。感謝的項目極多，如：

• 考車考了一次便過了


• 申請教師執照，12月中旬給發下來了。（我是今年3月開始郵寄文件給安大略教育局。一些個案是2到3年不等，最終或許被建議重修某些師范訓練課程）


• 不用很費勁去找，卻透過團契的朋友，給新房東找到我。1月末將搬到交通更便利的公寓去。聽說房東是一個很整潔的男孩，很會照顧別人。讓我向他好好學習吧。


• 擁有健康的身體。傳譯工作讓我接觸到十幾個在多倫多遇到車禍或工傷的華人。他們的悲慘遭遇提醒我：健康平安非偶然。在病患中，往往讓人有生不如死的煎熬。所以，我會很珍惜自己的健康。現在一個人過日子，病了就沒人照顧了。上帝會保守的！


• 很多熱心的朋友為我介紹工作、開車送我去買菜、買搬家用的日用品、放學后的接送、陪我去看二手車.......


• 3份兼職中，兩份是透過教會朋友介紹才開始的


• 1月初到2月中有機會修讀移民局資助和策劃移民教師培訓班


• 從10月開始有機會到一小學當志愿者，觀摩并了解本地小學的教學風格
• 兼職當市場研究公司的支持人，有機會出差到溫哥華
• ..........

2008年的計劃和愿望：

• 月底搞定買車。平安駕駛。
• 找到明年9月開始的教學工作。
• 工作穩定的話，考慮在多倫多買房。
• 香港的每位家人都平安，安居樂業！

明天會更好！

圣誕晚會2007

12月22日星期六，教會租借了士嘉堡宣道會英語堂的禮堂和地庫作為每年一度的圣誕晚會。晚餐是pot luck形式。就是每個團契或小組為單位，準備不同的菜肴。由于教會的弟兄姊妹來自中國不同省份，甚至臺灣、東南亞，各地美食薈萃，熱鬧非常。

晚餐后是節目匯演。或許因為我比較成熟老成，被邀請在一舞蹈音樂劇演出‘上帝’和‘耶穌’兩個角色。其他角色有亞當、夏娃、蛇（魔鬼）、誘惑亞當犯罪以及把耶穌釘十字架的黨羽兩人、把夏娃推進‘虛榮’陷阱的壞女人兩。導演就是演魔鬼的弟兄。他邀請我的時候解釋，因為我個子不高，容易在臺上被舉起。后來考慮了安全問題，改成耶穌被釘后，后仰倒下。

節目順利完成。彩排時我們都沒有信心，總覺得還需要大大改善。但是演出時大家都忘我演出，加上燈光氣氛的配合，據說‘好評不絕’。其他項目都是唱歌獨白，所以我們小組的音樂劇在映襯底下，反應不俗。

晚會結束后，一眾演員、導演和友好到萬錦市一茶坊慶功去了。我們是中港臺的組合，席間談了不少三地兩岸語言文化的風俗異同。快要散席時，導演要求每一位提一句七言詩句。（導演是來自蘭州，留學約克大學的博士生。）我想：‘瘋了！難以想象2007年這種新時代里，還有這種吟詩寄意的玩意？’

圣誕音樂劇慶功宴上的集體詩記錄如下：

茶缘小聚
聖誕夜普天同慶，共聚天仁品茶樂。
十人為 坐品茶樂，大杯小杯共舉杯。
笑聲歌聲頌 主聲，帥哥美女侃大山。
十架在上闔家歡， 天仁幽國粹清香。

‘天仁’是茶坊名字。第六句是小弟的貢獻。末句暗喻洗手間的精致典雅！詩句有點拼湊，也不押韻，但是記錄我們的喜悅和興奮。

（照片還沒有收到，容后補上。）

2008 - 新的一頁！

還有幾天就是2008了。今年是我生命經歷巨變的一年。回頭看，自己也驚訝是如何走過來的。不過對比爸爸媽媽60年代初偷渡來香港所經歷的，不能比擬。

剛過去的周四是英語教學班的第一學期的最后一節，我們不上課，舉行聚餐。每人帶一道菜赴會。我本想做醉雞，但是后來沒時間，就隨便弄了醬油炒雞翅。醉雞是學會了。聚餐的一個禮拜前按照網上翻來的菜譜弄了一次，味道還算不錯。就是很花時間去鹵雞翅和材料，最后作罷。當天剛好是我生日。就是這群不知情的同學陪伴我度過我的第一個多倫多的生日。

聚餐時有機會和同學們侃大山。照片是派對當夜拍的。右側是來自伊朗的同學，左側是加拿大土生小妹妹。或許是猶太人吧？右側的男同學以前也是一名英語老師。他和我一樣向教育局申請認證，結果等了1年半，還在等候。我等候了大概10個月就拿到認證，算很幸運的了。所以當天晚上，我告訴他我的喜訊，他沒有祝賀我，反而問了我幾個關于學歷和教學經驗的問題。最后對教育局抱怨了幾句。我有點感覺不是味道。但是我能明白他的感受。換了是我，心灰意冷之余，哪來心情去祝賀別人呢？我的網志是用中文寫的，不怕同學看到后心里更酸。

還有10天左右，那個六周的專門給新移民教師熟悉和融入本地教育環境的課程會啟動。殷切期待中！

多元文化在多倫多

兩個禮拜前我個人進修的一節課的內容，是關于第二語言英語教學和多倫多的多元文化的關系。老師讓我們每人設計一幅海報，選取最少三項東西來代表你認同的文化。右側的海報是我自己弄的。第一：長城； 第二：俄羅斯木偶； 第三：中國帆船

長城是全球最偉大的建筑之一，代表了中國人的驕傲；俄羅斯木偶的特色是，把蓋子打開，你會發現另一個小一點的木偶。繼續把蓋子翻開，是一個比一個小的木偶。這象征了中國文化對集體主義和宗族觀念的褒揚和重視。最后選了的帆船，因為世界上每一個角落都有中國人。華人為了尋找美好的生活，飄揚過海，不畏艱辛。（我就是07年夏天出發的新移民。典型例子。哈哈）

和我合寫一份功課的同學聽了我的簡報，注意到俄羅斯木偶的解釋。一個禮拜后送了我一個雪人木偶。結果了........不是一個！ 是五個！最核心的，最小的是小企鵝。

這小小禮物，帶給我許多快樂！

看二手車

周五第一次看二手車。因為自己真的不懂，所以邀請一位廣東話學生跟我一起試車。到了我自己坐上司機座時，緊張的不得了。幾乎把學車三個月所積累的技術給倒空了，丟臉得很。

看完以后的感覺不是很好。03年的美國車，但是車底和車頭蓋以下有不少銹跡。方向盤比較硬。以前是長期租出去的車，所以保養不好。而且美國車的聲譽不太好，都說5年以上的美國車浮現很多問題。

我向賣車的經紀說，只想買日本二手車。價錢抬高一點也無所謂。 新的預算就在7 到8千之間也行。剛好教會有一位弟兄一月底回臺灣，想把他的01年Honda Civic賣掉。下禮拜天午飯后看車，據說保養還挺好的。他是教會的執事，應該比隨便從廣告上找來的人可信吧。資料如下：

Honda Civic, LX

四門

1.7k cc

2001

CD 收音機

空調

將近跑了107，000km

安全氣袋

ABS

自動導航（高速上不用踏油門）

power windows

defrost windows

加元11,000 （我會調查一下，看看是否有減價的可能）

年年今日 12月20日

今天是第三次在外地過生日。第一次是89年冬天隨港大國事學會團友去臺灣交流。第二次是98年在英國Bristol的Host 家庭過的。今天是加拿大的多倫多。其實不算外地了，因為加拿大已經是第2個家。8月中上‘求職學習班’時，導師就提醒我們面試時避免老是把“老家，祖國”之類的掛在嘴邊。如果要提到香港或中國的話，應該說“前生活國家”（i.e. in my former country ...; don't say: my home country）

說起第二個家，我相信生活會越來越好的。周五約好了車行的人看車。順利的話，3到10天就能把車開回住處。晚上房東太太來了，沒有什么停車的新方案。但是不能讓這停車問題延誤買車行動。否則冬天在街上等公車會很難受。而且一月開始，周一周三晚上需要觀課，加上平常周二周四晚上課，周五教廣東話。沒車的晚上太可怕了。

周六參加老板家的圣誕晚餐，抽到大獎50塊加幣。周一參加市場研究公司的圣誕午餐，交換禮物，收到一份精美的2008年日記本(year planner)。 昨天晚上上課，一起寫模擬教案的搭檔送我圣誕禮物。很有心思的禮物。是一個套住另一個較小的木偶雪人，一共五個。像俄羅斯木偶娃娃那種。為什么她會選這份禮物？因為我上周上課時分享到中國傳統思維是集體主義。個人利益往往排在家庭利益之后。每一個人都代表了自己的家族。我當中有父親，祖父，兒子，孫子等等。所以這種木偶娃娃剛好象征了這個概念。

生日前已經陸陸續續收到不少禮物，當中有三份是從香港寄來的。挺感動的。不在香港了，朋友還是愿意把禮物寄來。更不用說電郵，msn，facebook 的留言祝賀等等。

暴雪

加拿大環境部已向包括多倫多、約克區、皮爾區、杜蘭區、咸美頓、尼亞加拉等在內的南安省大部分地區發出了冬季雪暴預警。其中，大多倫多地區的降雪量預期在10厘米至15厘米之間，市民們最好把握時間在白天完成外出採購的工作，並從今晚起留在家中，避免不必要的外出。
根據加拿大環境部在昨天下午發出的冬季雪暴預警，一場大規模的雪暴正在美國得州形成，預期將在今天下午北上橫掃安省的西南地區。大規模的降雪將從今晚持續至明天上午，可能給南安省的大部分地區在24小時之內帶來多達25厘米的積雪。而在受上述雪暴影響的地區中，咸美頓地區的降雪量可能最大。路面能見度低 駕車小心。


【明報多倫多12月15日】


===============================================================



以上節錄自多倫多的【明報】。這樣的天氣，真不想出門去教堂禮拜。如果有車的話，也不敢開。沒車的話，走在堆滿積雪的街道也挺難受的。原來白色的冬天不是浪漫。香港人喜歡白色冬天，因為那里沒有讓你很困惑的雪。

曾祖父的荔枝園

以下是剛完成的模擬教案功課的一篇文章。內容絕對95%真實。至于哪些內容和真實不符，姓鄭的一定知道。假如英文是你的障礙，你很想知道它的內容，以后能問我或我弟弟。


In the year 1908, that great grandfather was born, the last emperor of the Ching Dynasty Puyi ascended to the throne in China. Grandfather grew up in a small village in Guangdong province in the south of China close to Shantou. Because of his diligence and wisdom, he and his family were able to purchase acres and acres of land.

At the time when my grandfather, the youngest child of the family was born, great grandfather was growing many different crops and had nearly 3,000 lychee trees. One summer afternoon, a thief who was also a neighbour and had been without food for days came to the lychee orchid. He hid himself in the branches of the tree and hungrily gobbled some of the red fruit. When great grandfather was entering the orchard to make an estimate on the quantity of lychees ready for sale, he saw seeds being spat to the ground from the trembling branches. Great grandfather immediately realised that there was a thief up in one of his lychee trees. Realising that many of the villagers were starving because of a prolonged famine in the province, great grandfather coughed near the tree and turned away from it. The startled thief understood that it was a signal to allow him to leave the orchard quietly without being caught.

The same kind of incident happened many times. Great grandfather became known throughout the village for his kindness and forgiving nature. I used to hear this story of great grandfather every summer when lychees were available on the market.

The orchards have been gone for decades, so has the wealth of the family. My grandfather lost all of the family wealth to gambling, drinks and opium. He used to say that, ‘It is a blessing in disguise that the entire wealth of the family dwindled away to nothing.’ If the family had remained wealthy, every family member would have suffered from repression and severe torture in a series of political upheavals in the 1950s and 60s.

買車的難處。。。

為什么到現在還沒有車呢？原因之一是自己不夠積極。其次是不想在大冷天為了買車而到處跑。本來以為從專賣二手車的車行開始最恰當，可駕駛師傅介紹的修車技師從周一起就失去蹤影，打了很多遍電話都沒法接通。不曉得他會不會不想做這宗交易。看來得另找車行。凡事該親力親為。我從來沒賣過房，買車算是消費最高的一次了。今年的第一次真多。

最近樓上一個住客的車報銷了，外面偶爾只停了一輛車。沒經驗的司機如我該能輕松地把車停得穩當。

我總有很多借口不去看車或探訪車行。最近剛好有兩份英語教師課程的功課要交，4天后一定把它們完成。之后全力買車去。如果我自己看廣告找車，也得聯系一家車行驗車。溫度往下掉的天氣是不會等人的。

冬天進補！

為了不讓家人擔心，昨天抽空到唐人街的篸茸店買了高麗篸、桂圓和燉湯盅。因為匆忙的關系，我來不及在店里等他們把人篸切片，所以買了預先切好的，較便宜的人篸。聊勝于無吧。記不起是哪年開始，母親總會在冬至前讓我喝高麗篸。98年去了倫敦讀書，那一年的冬天就沒喝到高麗篸。其實有沒有進補，也能撐過去的。我的身體不算很差，不比我認識的朋友差就是了。現在隱約能聽見廚房蒸鍋蓋子被蒸汽沖擊而起的聲音。

2月搬家

昨天晚上接到教會小組一個弟兄來的電話。原來他正在找租客。他是8月買了公寓，但是不會在一年內結婚。所以考慮把小房間出租。我下午去他的新房看過，條件很好。交通便利，暖氣足夠。地庫有停車場出租。租金也不算貴，只比現在的貴一點點。他說租給認識的熟人比較放心。情愿租金便宜一點也不要冒險租給陌生人。而且他很干凈整潔。家居房間都保養得很好。

因為前兩天房東來收租的時候，我沒有堅持搬走。結果還是給了她支票作12月的租金，再加上以前給她的上期，2月份才可以搬家。教會的弟兄愿意等。買了車后，我可以學習鏟雪一段時間，嘗嘗加拿大人鏟雪的生活習慣。

寒風刺骨！

【明報專訊】加拿大環境部周五預測﹐冬大人今年的來勢兇猛﹐加拿大人要面對15年來最寒冷的12月﹐嚴冬持續到明年2月。就是梅龍尼(Brian Mulroney)總理時代的慘淡日子﹐也未見過如此悽冷的冬天。
環境部預測﹐加拿大廣泛地區今冬降雪量正常﹐多倫多﹑卡加利和利載拿等城市會有更多雪。
這是加拿大環境部今年的第一個冬季預報﹐它說加拿大各地確將會有15年來最冷的冬天﹐安省南部小部分地區是僅有的例外。

以上節錄自今天的多倫多<明報>。怕冷的我，正好趕上了15年以來最寒冷的冬天。現在很后悔為什么沒有早點行動，把二手車買下。估計1月份會異常寒冷。零下七八度坐巴士去看車，但周末的巴士卻很少。為此今晚打電話給教車師傅介紹的車房，詢問買車的情況。剛好他跟師傅一起吃飯，于是把電話交給師傅。師傅回應說，會向幾個賣二手車的朋友打聽。就這樣辦好了，是師傅介紹的，不會胡來的吧。

晚上跟一位朋友喝珍珠奶茶去。我問他，現在和最冷的時刻比。假若最冷的一刻是100分，現在的冷食幾分？答案是，今晚的冷是70分。最冷的時候是80多到100分的狀態，前后大概是3到4個月的時間。天啊！現在我已應覺得超冷的了，但只是70分冷而已。

買車計畫的點點滴滴

考到駕照已經半個月。第一個禮拜忙出差溫哥華，只是做了簡單的網路研究。第二個禮拜純粹是懶惰，只考慮了租車代步。但是遇上美國感恩節，租車計劃泡湯。後來才知道，租車應該在起碼三四天前預訂，才有指望。

因為交了一個月上期，本想大概在12月底買到二手車，然後一月一號前搬家。今天剛好房東來訪，一位新租客週末搬進來3樓。他是開車來取鑰匙的，所以我順道跟房東談了車位的問題。她答應全力幫忙，已經占據了停車位置的鄰居也答應襄助。并且，房東跟新租客說，他是后來者，所以沒有位置給他停車在門前的停車道。新租客是土生加拿大人，他看看環境后對房東說，他的車能停在對面的馬路上。既然他的車子能這樣停放，如果我遇到不便停車的時候，也可以把我的車停在靠近門前的馬路上。

我會全力看車，看資料，打電話。急劇降溫前買到我的第一輛車。

終于等到你說：“愿意！”

來加拿大以前就計劃在這里繼續當一名教師，所以今年3月開始就開始跟安省的教師工會聯系。7月末到達多倫多馬上遞上良民證申請書，8月中呈上警察局寄來的無犯罪記錄。想不到9月中聽到的結果是，還須補交師范訓練的“教學實習證明”。10月初他們收到了港大教育學院寄來的證明函件，11月初他們才重新評估我的申請。今天下午打電話去問，電腦記錄顯示他們昨天已發出電郵通知我評估的結果。我的申請終于被接納了。（按道理）我可以馬上辦理2007年的網上注冊手續，付104元加幣。但是08年一月一號，必須再交104元的會員費。好過分！！！搶錢啊！他們說我可以等到一月一號才登記，反正12月21號后就是這里的寒假了。

不過我馬上查看電郵的收件箱和垃圾郵件箱，都沒有看見他們寄給我的電郵通知書。再次說明他們辦事效率極慢。然人驚嘆！如果我今天沒有打電話去查詢，不知還要等到那一天。或許上個禮拜就應該打那個電話了。

這個申請獲接納的消息意義重大！有了他們發給我的臨時注冊編號，我可以到多倫多，密西沙加和約克區教育局登記，有機會到不同學校代課。代課不單可以賺錢，更重要的是可以積累經驗和開闊人際網絡。由于競爭激烈，認識更多同行和校長，有助以后尋覓教職。此外，修讀任何教師專業發展課程（例如小學教育資歷證書），以求豐富各人競爭力，這個合格教師注冊編號都是必須的。明天和下個月3號就是1月份多大和約克大學教師專業發展課程的截止日期。我還能趕上。

明天雖然愈來愈冷，但是我的前景是光明的。

已經4個月了

匆匆4個月過去了，讓我來回顧一下這段的日子的得失。。。。

先說正面的【得】。因為凡事該往好處想嘛。
1 考到駕照
2 英語溝通能力加強了
3 教會和團契生活比以前穩定
4 遇到不少很照顧我，給我幫助的新朋友。
5 做著3份兼職。雖不至于收支平衡，但不用‘坐吃山崩’。
6 教廣東話的經歷，豐富了我在語言教學上的發展。同時讓我遇到能成為好朋友的學生。
（一對夫婦正為我介紹工作。另一個學生每次下課后，都開車送我去參加團契小組。這禮拜五課堂取消，但是我們約好了一起吃中餐，實習用廣東話點菜。）
7 明年一月到二月中旬將修讀一個政府津貼的教師培訓班 （STIC： http://www.skillsforchange.org/teachinontario/index.html ) 幸運的話，能建立更廣的教育工作網絡。
8 從十月開始在一小學當志愿者，在教室里觀摩了解教學和學習的真實一面。
9 到了十二月二十號，完成了一個學期的成人英語教師培訓班。（明年夏天順利完成整個課程后，可以得到證書申請 移民英語教師職位。）
10 從十月開始，每兩周見一位在大專教書的導師一次。得到很多尋覓大專教書工作的輔導和建議。（雖然這條路一點也不容易走）
11 從事市場研究工作，還有機會出差到溫哥華主持研究小組。眼界大開。
12 健康生活。每周都做運動最少一次，鍛煉身體。

負面和困難：
1 很冷很冷
2 不會做飯，味道很一般。為了省時間，周末做6到7頓飯，于是天天吃一式一樣的微波爐菜。
3 鄉愁

還好，負面的項目不是很多。當然也會有等候更美好，更安穩生活的失落和壓力。這里是65歲退休，我還有20多年打拼的日子。 我不會輕易認輸的！因為我很優秀！

大約7月上旬，我將回香港探親3個禮拜。大家好好保重！

溫哥華的工作完成了

匆忙的24小時過去了，我的任務也完成。雖然疲倦，但心情還是很興奮。出發早上差一點點就誤了航班。因為等候巴士等了差不多半個小時，加上下雨天，所有汽車都走得很慢。起飛前30分鐘停止辦理登機手續，我剛剛在最后的一分鐘時間里趕到的柜臺。匆匆拿了登機牌，便奔跑往安檢和登機閘口。看到同事和上司焦急地等候著，我連忙道歉。同事也道歉了，因為她沒告訴我出差的同事可以打的來往機場，所有開銷可以報銷。

溫哥華的兩個小組分為少年組（普通話） 和中年組（廣東話）。少年組讓我大開眼界，遲到20分鐘，態度不認真。不停在筆記本上涂鴉，不專心聽別人分享。有時候很隨意的回答，說了笨答案自己在傻笑。怎么年輕的加拿大華人就這副樣子？都21，23 歲了！還是生活的磨練，讓男人變成醇酒。另外一組平均40的小組就很不一樣。從他們口中，聽了很多有用的資料。

久違的溫哥華跟以前一樣。海港很漂亮，少了夏天熙來攘往的游人。很舒服很安詳的地方，跟多倫多的擁擠是兩個世界。飯店就在最熱鬧的Robson 街上，可惜沒時間逛。下一次一定多停留幾天或度周末，探訪朋友。缺一次周四的課又何妨？

下周一晚多倫多這邊有普通話的小組，是把工作介紹給我的那位教會的姊妹主持的，我被邀請回去幫忙招待說國語的被訪者。看來我和市場研究公司的來往合作會延續下去的。感謝神！

今天下午回家的時候正遇上多倫多入冬以來最大的雪，從出租車往外看，都是白雪紛飛的景象。車子在高速公路上都開得很慢，只有40公里的速度而已。居住的小區都鋪滿了皚皚白雪，一些鄰居還在鏟雪。如果以后有了自己的車，沒有搬進公寓，那么我也難逃鏟雪的命運。天氣預報說，今晚負4度，但因為刮風，感覺是負十幾度。為了學習，還得出門。這些就是學習成為加拿大人的代價。

回到家們發現郵局留下的包裹領取函件，看來姐夫寄來的小包裹已經到了。取了包裹，以后開車遇上猛烈的太陽也不怕了。去教會崇拜可以用自己的中英圣經了。躺在床上可以抱以前就習慣了的“宜家”抱枕了。

下禮拜的市場研究

還有4天我便去溫哥華出差了。工作至今，除了第2份工作，去過大陸出差以外。十幾年不曾有這樣的經驗了。人生如一盒巧克力，這話很真實。（阿甘/Forrest Gump媽媽說的）不過行程很匆忙，停留時間只有一天。而且工作到夜晚10點多，即等于工作到多倫多時間凌晨1點多。第二天早上坐7點的飛機回多倫多，因為夜晚需要上學。如果逃學的話，就能待在溫哥華幾天了。以后還會有很多機會出差的，只要市場還需要這樣的研究小組。

周三晚工作后，上司說很滿意我的表現。周四下午還問我找教書工作的進度怎樣，或許擔心我重執教鞭后再沒有時間為他們工作。還早吧，教師工會的工作效率很低。這個周末，我會繼續查看資料，多了解喝啤酒的文化和主持研究小組的技巧。

12月15號老板會在家招呼我們吃圣誕晚餐。我們須準備圣誕禮物作抽獎之用。加入他們只是1個半月，也算成為了他們的一分子。這讓我一個孤身在海外的新移民，少了幾分漂泊的孤單感。考車過了，加上這份兼職的順利發展。我的心情變好了。記得小時候常看日劇“前程錦繡”，主人翁常常跑到海邊對大海喊：“努力！奮斗！”

請繼續為我打氣！

考過了！

下車后需要自己到運輸處申請臨時車本（driving license)， 師傅邊笑邊罵：“賴皮鬼！是我的話，一定把你評為不及格，功夫真差勁！”我知道他是半開玩笑，半認真的。短短的15分鐘內，大大小小的錯誤不少。最離譜的3項是：

1）臨到達路口時沒有及時減慢車速，明明看到右側的行人紅手掌閃過不停，我方的交通燈快要變黃，最后竟然來不及在黃燈時把車停在行人白線前。前車把行人道的70%堵住了。我馬上看后鏡，可惜有后車跟著，不能后退。幸運的是，沒有行人須繞過我的車子過馬路。其實考官說了【前邊路口右拐】，我應該在差不多到路口的時候把車速減慢，準備右拐。看到閃動的紅手掌更有充分理由減速。我卻在猶豫中錯過了果斷的準備措施。失誤可算嚴重。以前師傅在我犯了這種錯誤時說過，這種錯誤的結果是‘不及格’。

2）回到市場時，考官說停在前頭的7 號停車位。我以為是用后尾入，駛過了7號才看到到考官皺眉。他說是以車頭入，不是以后尾入。于是他吩咐我以車頭駛進左上方的14號停車位。

3）我心里有點慌，結果轉駕駛盤的時間慢了。右側不夠位置近去。我猶豫了兩三秒，打后燈，看清楚沒人沒車，后退大概1米，再以前進檔進去。車子挺進了一點點，但是完全跟先前一樣，我方才醒悟剛才只是后退，沒有推駕駛盤糾正進去的角度。看鏡子，確定沒行人沒車。于是再次換后檔，同時推駕駛盤調整。最后才第3次以前進檔把車停好。其他在停車位置附近的師傅，考生都很合作。看到我的窘態，都停止他們的動作。不下車，不在我的車子前后走動。（或許嚇壞了）

心里想，一定不及格了。考官在黃紙上記錄一陣子，對我說：“你及格了。”我幾乎不能相信我的耳朵。我馬上回應：“謝謝！” 他只是微笑。

感謝上帝！ 謝謝你們的禱告！

師傅說的對，以后開車了，繼續下功夫，小心駕駛！

星期四考車

今天見了師傅，知道了考車日期。本周四的10點左右。晚上看天氣預報，周四周五都會降雪。完蛋了！一直說要避開下雪天考車，運氣偏偏那么好？希望預報不準，期待當天下午或晚一點才下吧。不過只要不緊張，應該能考過的。

晚上看了4個小時老板主持的研究小組。眼睛很困！我的第一正式小組是周三的8點。釋力以赴！

天氣轉涼

媽媽說不能像從前那樣為我熬高麗參湯，擔心我會冷壞。
我為了避免在寒冷的冬天等巴士，決定必須在考過路試后買車。
來自東北的朋友說，零下20幾度不算冷，勸我不用過分擔憂。
從沈陽來的小妹妹說，多倫多的冬天不算什么。
來自蘭州的朋友問，怎么6度的天氣就已經把厚厚的大衣穿上。等到零下10幾度的時候，可就每有更厚的大衣穿了。
曾經住在滿地可的大姐說，這里的冬天沒有什么可怕的。

調整一下心理，冬天也不是那么可怕！

戰爭紀念日- 11月11日 “Rememberance Day”

上禮拜二晚上課的時候問了同學，紀念活動為何以罌粟花為徽號。她告訴是因為一首很著名的以戰爭為題的詩篇。詩人是加拿大軍醫。禮拜六上課時，同學居然遞給我那篇傳頌為軍人為國犧牲的詩篇。現轉載如下：

In Flanders Fields by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep,though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

再說研究小組

晚上觀摩了同事的研究小組。被邀的受訪者都是南亞裔和華裔加女。目的是探視她們如何看男朋友或丈夫喝啤酒的習慣。下禮拜一將會觀摩男同事支持英語小組，而我的第一次客戶贊助的研究小組是下禮拜三晚上。以普通話進行。最后兩次小組移師溫哥華，廣東話和普通話各一組。

第一場雪

昨天下午看見了多倫多的第一場雪。但是由于地面溫度還不算低，雪花差不多降落地面的時候幾乎化掉了。所以一降到地面就變成水。他們說這是‘雪雨’。由于濕度提升了，格外的冷。駕駛者都小心翼翼地拖著剎車檔慢駛。于是紅色的剎車訊號燈從汽車和濕滑的馬路折射。希望我下個禮拜的考試，不會遇上這樣的壞天氣。

冬天隨想

還有兩個禮拜，我將有機會到溫哥華公干，在那主持兩個研究小組。因為周二和周四晚得上學，只能周三早上出發，周四的一大早飛回多倫多。將會乘坐加航的飛機。坐飛機的時候，一定要問空服員拿耳塞。因為睡房的供暖系統有點噪音。現在習慣了，多半能睡到天亮。一對耳塞一定管用。

學開車已經3個多月了。師傅終于讓我考試了。考期大概是下周。我本來就有香港的駕照，還是學那么長時間才讓考，真夠丟臉的。不過安全至上。只有以后能安全駕駛，多付出點時間和金錢還是值得的。除了自己進步了，另一個原因是，下雪的日子快到了。如果碰巧在考試當天降雪，及格率會大幅下降。不過我挺有信心及格的。只要不緊張，不犯大錯。或許買車開車的日子不遠了。如果在零下20幾度的戶外等候巴士，會更深切體會加拿大之苦。還是不要太苦好了。不然我等不到再次成為教師那天，便嚷著會香港去了。

捐誠（朗讀作品第21號）

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我在加拿大学习期间遇到过两次募捐，那情景至今使我难以忘怀...............匆匆过往的行人纷纷止步，把钱投进这些老人身旁的白色木箱内，然后向他们微微鞠躬，从他们手中接过一朵花。我看了一会儿，有人投一两元，有人投几百元，还有人掏出支票填好后投进木箱。那些老军人毫不注意人们捐多少钱，一直不停地向人们低声道谢。同行的朋友告诉我，这是为纪念二次大战中参战的勇士，募捐救济残废军人和烈士遗孀，每年一次；认捐的人可谓踊跃，而且秩序井然，气氛庄严。有些地方，人们还耐心地排着队。我想，这是因为他们都知道：正是这些老人们的流血牺牲换来了包括他们信仰自由在内的许许多多。
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以上是我參加普通話水平測試60篇作品中的一篇。這兩年聆聽和誦讀了千百遍的文章。今天早上終于親眼目睹了這一幕。地跌站里的行人很匆忙，并不如朗讀作品所描述般莊嚴。但是陸陸續續地，總有三兩位乘客愿意停步排隊去認捐。老軍總是很細心地，把大紅襟花系在每一位捐款者的衣領上。最后還面帶微笑，禮貌地說“謝謝” 和祝福的語句。這不單是募捐那么簡單，還是一項國民教育，宣揚‘和平’和‘感激’信息的一課。

冬令時間開始了

從今天11月4號開始，多倫多的時間往后撥慢一個小時。以后你們想到要打電話給我，記得是13個小時的差別。直到明年4月初，時間才會重新變成夏令時間。

網通 - 你看見我 我也看見你

來加拿大前，大概3月4月開始，陸陸續續教父親用msn，今天早上，在弟弟和哥哥的協助下，終于看到他在電腦的另一端了。謝謝msn! 雖然被電話鈴聲吵醒，但是沒有關系。除了爸爸和媽媽，還看到幾個外甥，外甥女，幾個侄子，哥哥，姐姐，姐夫，弟弟，弟媳婦。媽媽的吩咐還是和以前一樣親切：“多穿衣服，吃得飽”之類的。 快人到中年了，媽媽依舊說那些30多年沒變的吩咐。這就是傳統。 這，就是家的感覺！

這里越來越冷了，深夜是0度，早上只有2度。天氣冷人心不冷！

找房子的事慢慢來。我會跟房東商量，看看有沒有解決方法。而且，買了車后，找房就不用坐巴士了。有了車代步，搬到很遠的地方也不怕了。

當支持人 和 看房

昨天晚上從5：30一直當主持人到10：00。兩個小組中間有半個小時的休息。但是那4個小時都必須很留心聽參加者的發言，又必須很用心發掘有用的問題，了解他們的消費心理。到了最后的半個小時，大腦開始麻痹。偶爾什么也聽不進去，只好裝作聽懂了，不斷點頭。離開辦公室時已經是10：45。同事說對了，經歷了2次研究小組后，一般都不容易入睡。躺下超過半個小時才能入夢。

因為前幾天都很集中的準備研究小組，今天放假一天。不上班也就沒有薪金，不過他們建議了，也不好勉強。 為了工作，昨天晚上錯過了夜校，是第一次缺課，有點可惜。

黃昏看了一個房間，但不是很喜歡。因為廚房，廁所，睡房都不如現在住的地方。樓下住了房東一家3口，樓上的和一個大陸來的學生共用廁所。因為是公寓，窗戶都不常打開，所以一進屋的時候，進能聞到一種發霉的味道。價錢是便宜了，還是看看別的房間再作打算。為了買車，繼續尋覓！冬天零下20幾度，在戶外等公車會冷死的。

考車本（駕駛執照）和搬家

最近兩個星期一直在考慮搬家的事情。因為快要考路試了。如果順利的話，應該會買一輛二手車代步。現在住的地方也挺不錯的，什么家居必需的電器都有。鄰居也很友善隨和。讓我考慮搬出去的主要原因是沒有停車的地方。如果老是停在街上，遇上鏟雪車就麻煩了。街道是政府的，車輛只能免費停3個小時。雖然我看到不少違法停泊的車輛，但是偶爾收到罰款單也不好。

過兩天就是11月了，必須和房東說一下，好讓她找新的租客。今早發現另一個搬家的原因。我住的地庫，旁邊就是洗衣房和發熱器的所在地。馬達沒差10多分鐘就會啟動，噪音不算很高，但是間歇性的響聲，十分騷擾。如果很累的話，還可以睡到天亮。但是過去的幾個夜晚，常常聽到馬達聲音。醒了，再睡，醒了，再睡。。。。。。

搬家后或許房租會上調，不過生活會過得更好！我會選擇士嘉堡，華人集中的地方，買菜方便，東西會更便宜。就是華人太多不好，因為華人都很計較，太聰明，有時候有點自私。不能太刻薄了，我也是華人。

關于搬家，考車，若有什么消息，馬上告訴你們。

研究小組的支持人

今天晚上是第一次當主持人。心情既興奮，也帶點緊張。還好，只是剛開始的5分鐘比較忙亂，以后的都算順利。我還是很鎮定從容地完成任務。
畢竟這是一次為了培訓而召開的研究小組。玻璃房間內是一群同事，不是要求很高的客戶。明天晚上的第2次，第3次，我會做的越來越好的。
我負責的小組是全男的，都是說廣東話的。有兩位來自大陸，其余都是從香港移民過來的。他們都很樂意分享。當然了，他們只是付出2個小時，就可以把支票放進口袋。不發言的話，說不過去。
報道到此，明晚再見！

傷風了

今天早上醒來，喉嚨有點痛。馬上察覺自己病了。沒錯，真的害傷風了。來加拿大後，還是的第一次，也算幸運吧？早就說過，今年在這裏會經歷很多很多的第一次。
這裏看病雖然免費，但是藥費自己得掏腰包。藥費加上藥劑師的服務費，不會比香港看一次私家醫生便宜很多。我就不會看病去了，睡覺加上喝水，自己調理應該會好起來的。

這裏的急診室跟香港一樣，也是採取分流措施。等上個20小時也不算很離譜的事。希望我永遠也不用到急診室去。

星期一和星期二晚上得工作，希望傷風明天就好起來。

廣東話學校的Mei【書記】說：

8月初的時候從親戚家裏看到星島日報的廣告，知道某某中文學校招生。我馬上打電話給他們，向他們毛遂自薦。接電話的人是M。從開學到現在，一直沒有碰到M。上禮拜五，安排文書工作的R放假了。M跑到我們教室發通告，我跟她閒聊幾句，問起她的名字才知道是當初為我穿針引線的她。

M的話透露了一個校長當初不找我教普通話的原因。校長的洋名是S。

S：他看來好像學歷太高了，恐怕以後適應了這裏後會跑。
M：我很支持新移民。如果所有人都說他們沒有加拿大經驗而不給他們機會，那麼他們只會原地踏步。

結果了，S給了我面試的機會。委婉的拒絕了我的申請，沒讓我當普通話老師。差不多開學的前幾天，他們接到幾個成人廣東話會話班的查詢電話。不被看好的這種班開動了，而我成了他們的老師。這當中夠奇妙的了。這裏的華人也很現實，不會普通話的竹笙也會優先考慮學普通話而非廣東話。沒有6 7 個查詢電話，這個班也不能開。可惜現在可能只餘下4個學生，不過已經開了，應該不會中斷。

感謝一直為我禱告的家人朋友！每個禮拜五夜晚都是我很期待的時刻，因為我會站在教壇前教授廣東話，我的母語。我還是一位語文老師。

再說市場研究工作

前两天跟介绍我近这公司的L闲聊，我才知道一个故事。

把这份工所介绍给我的L，当初心理想到的人选时另有其人。只是那个团契小组成员，不算很稳定，所以L想不起那个人的名字。当L 问小组组长拿某君的电话号码，小组组长立即想到我。因为L说，他们公司要的人是一位能说流利英语，广东话和普通话的人。L说，面试那一天看到我很惊讶，怎么不是原来那位来自广州的弟兄？L总结说，其实我比那位来自广州的弟兄更适合这个职位。因为我有爽硕士学位，曾经教过书。而那位来自广州的弟兄只是高中毕业，正准备在这考大学。

为此我要感谢上帝，安排我认识这一群很支持爱护我的团旗弟兄姊妹。机缘巧合的让我闯进市场研究公所的范畴。谢谢L的‘错误’推荐和小组组长的慧眼提拔。

下礼拜一和礼拜二晚上，我会开始我的首3个研究访问小组支持工作。它们都是为了达到训练目的而准备的。与会期间不会有商家在监控室里观察。所以，国泰航空没有把我招聘进去也是好事，没得我左右为难。观察，提问，分析答案，讨论广告策略和消费动机，总结市场推广方案，都是很新鲜很有趣的事情。而且学会了当主持人，以后再有什么访问加国华人的项目，我还可以继续参与。

明天会越走越光明的！

我所認識的多倫多小學

3個多星期了。對於這裏的小學認識不多，因為我只在一家小學當自願者。就談談我在這學校的所見所聞吧。

這裏的老師不用呆在教員室，因為每人都有自己的王國。教室是屬於老師的，學生拿著文具書本到授課老師的地方去。當然他們還是有自己的班主任，還是有一個基本落腳的地方。我常常去的Julie 老師就是4年級和5年級的班主任。每天早上的語文課都是複式教學，四五年級的學生一起上。

每個教室都有一幅很大的地毯。地毯的角落有一張安樂椅，很多時候老師會把學生叫喚到地毯上聽課。如此，老師和學生的距離會很近。有什麼頑皮地動作，很快會被老師抓住。做堂課的時候，學生可以自由地伏在地毯上寫作業。每一節課假如有空余時間，老師會跟學生做遊戲。基本上每天都有很多很多遊戲的時間。大部分的學生都很愛校園生活，因為基本上都沒有什麼學習壓力。如果學生想去廁所，他們會自行把“上廁所了”的字條留在自己的桌上，就可以自由來往廁所與教室。Julie老師說，老師囑咐學生某某到哪里去，他們不敢跑到什麼地方撒野。

據說入籍加拿大的儀式之一是唱國歌。這裏的學校，不論是中學小學，每天開始的時候都是唱國歌的時間。唱的時候，全體師生在教室裏起立。聽了十幾遍後，現在我幾乎能背誦它了。

至於我的工作，大部分時候是看著學習進度較為緩慢的學生做功課或堂課。解答他們的疑問。對於我這個自願者，他們漸漸跟我混熟了，現在常常和我聊天。其中一個女孩聽說我來自中國，馬上問我，中國人是不是很喜歡吃狗。中國的老師和父母是不是常常體罰小孩。

這是義務工作。雖然看上去是我在幫忙小孩學習。我同時得到了一種學習的經歷，觀看了4位老師的教學風格，加深了加拿大教學的認識。希望我能成為合格教師的一天早些到來。

下班后去游泳了

加入了YMCA (一家运动会所)将近3个月，今天下班后第一次去游泳，感觉很畅快。运动的确能让人心情变轻松。

11月4號淩晨- 冬令時間

偶爾會打電話給我的，請留意！11月4號的淩晨，多倫多的時間往前跳1個小時，以免冬天的太陽太晚才升起來。 也就是說，香港跟多倫多的時差從那一刻起，是11 個小時。

冬天快到了。聽說這將會是一個暖冬。但是對於一個來自沒有冬天的香港的我，多倫多的冬天一定會很精彩。下第一場雪的時候，我會用我的照相機把它留住，然後把它傳到這裏與你們分享。

快三個月了！

還有2天就是10月24號，也就是說我來多倫多快三個月了。如果我明年7月回香港探親，我還有9個月的時間在這裏奮鬥。人生能有多少個1年？半年？3個月？人生的歲月如果是80歲，我快走到一半了，現在卻在這陌生的地方重新開始。怪不得很多朋友在我離開香港的前後說：“你真是一個很‘勇敢’的人。”勇敢不勇敢，現在多想也沒用。最重要是找到工作，重新展開新生活。

每當我想到我的母親，我都覺得自己有點自私。她還能有多少個1年？不能常常伺候在她身旁，是我現在最大的遺憾。自從大學畢業後，除了在倫敦留學的一年，或是在外旅遊的時候，我都會在週末回家和父母吃飯，順道看看我侄子的功課。如今這些點點滴滴的片段，只能在腦海裏重溫。看著片片枯黃的樹葉在風中飛舞，然後紛紛落在地上，分外讓我感歎時光的流逝。

現在離香港的家遠了 。只要好好生活，讓自己幸福起來，我相信，母親最後還是會明白並且贊同我移民的決定。能在這裏有自己的家，那麼冬天就不會太陰冷了。可是現在才剛剛開始，成家只是一個奢侈的願望。很執著的要找一份教書的工作，其中的一個原因，是期盼能每年回香港看望家人。

為了自己，也為了你們，我會繼續努力的！！！

第一個半天工作 [ 市場研究 ]

下午一點準時到達市場研究公司。聽過簡單的工作介紹後，安靜的閱讀焦點小組Focus Group 支持人的說明書。最後花了一個半小時看了一段主持人工作的錄影。這樣對於工作多了幾分瞭解。到加拿大後的每一份兼職都和兩文三語有關。成人廣東話班，自顧傳譯員，市場研究的主持人。如果加拿大的華人移民不多，就不會有這樣的工作機會了。結論是，不論我到了什麼地方，我還是一個中國人。只是添加了一個新的身份而已。

市場研究调查

下午1 点到公司报道，开始接受培训。往后的6个星期，每周大概上班15到20个小时。最后会主持两个小组的观察研究，待遇会很不错。我会加油的！拿到材料会用心研读。

不再當家教

下午學生家長來電話，告訴我已經在社區裏找到一位女大學生當她侄女的家教老師。說實話，我很滿意這個安排。因為我不用在3點半下課後，呆在學校等那位小女孩完成學校的課後輔導。學校3點半下課，小女孩必須3：55分才能回家。上個禮拜，我都是下午4點到5點才能到她家進行家教的。

從此，我可以更靈活地接傳譯的活。學校的校長和老師都明白，我要是有特別要事，事先跟他們說一聲就好了。但是如果必須課後家教的話，我卻不好意思向家長請假。因為是受薪嘛。

好了！不用擔心自己不會數學，物理，生物或化學之類的課題了。大一和大二的時候曾經當過家教，一份家教差事曾經無疾而終。這一趟經歷，又一次說明了，文科生當中學家教沒有市場的。

找到一份临时工

人際網路真的十分重要。前幾天教會的一位姊妹來電話告訴我，她的上司正在物色一位通曉粵語，普通話和英語的人當市場研究訪問員/主持人 (Focus Group Moderator)。他覺得我很合適，讓我傳給她我的簡歷。

今天早上我如約到那家市場研究公司面試。結果呢，聊沒多久他們就跟我談培訓的安排方案了。因為是內部員工介紹，沒有競爭者。就這樣我獲聘了。不過！這只是一份短期兼職。待大概一個月的研究項目完成了，我跟他們的關係也隨之結束。當起真正主持人之前，必須接受20多小時的培訓。培訓時間含工資。培訓後工資會調整。

項目是這樣的：調查華人移民的喝啤酒習慣。一般在晚上6點到10點進行小組訪問。主持人引導他們討論分享種種和喝啤酒有關的因素。最後把觀察所得總結匯報。大部分的訪問在多倫多進行，一個小組在溫哥華進行。想不到我會在11月前往溫哥華出差。意外！意外！

希望這份活不影響我參與國泰的培訓。我會儘快跟國泰聯繫，看看他們能否透露多少聘請培訓的消息。市場研究的工作也很難的。如果做得好的話，以後還可以接很多這種類似的活。大學時候接觸過顧客心理學，想不到10多年後，會參與市場研究項目。

課後補習

小學校長安排我每週二和週四到一位有學習困難的學生家裏當家教。昨天是第二天。當我翻閱她的科學和數學課本，不斷在冒汗。天啊！Grade 7 （中二）的生物和數學可以這麼難的？我念這兩門科目是20年前的事了。而且，當時我的學習成績很爛，理科都是及格與不及格之間徘徊。

把我嚇壞的兩道題目是這樣的：
1) 時速100km，走完了160km。現在把速度減慢為時速90km。問格外多花多少時間才能走完160km。是否多花10% 的時間就好了?
2) 植物和動物的細胞有什麼異同？


臨走前我自動投案，告訴家長我不太勝任。她有點錯愕，但是她還是邀請我下禮拜二再來。到時候再告訴我是否有別的安排。

“書到用時方恨少！ ” 這話對極了。

秋色

剛過去的週末，我參加了教會一個朋友組織的活動，去了多倫多北邊的一個郊野公園賞楓葉。多年的賞楓葉心願終於達成。每年的秋天都是學校最忙的時候，沒有機會到楓樹比較多的地方旅遊。現在到了楓葉國，絕對不能錯過踏進滿地金黃的楓樹森林的機會。


很不錯吧？羡慕我嗎？

Volunteering at The Elementary School

上禮拜四當了半天的自願者。我服務的對像是小學四五年級學生。科目是語文（英語），數學，科學和法語。這裏教室的安排是學生到不同的老師的房間上課。也就是說每一位老師都有自己的王國。我被安排在語文比較弱的小組中輔導他們完成課堂作業，即時解釋他們不明白的地方。主要接觸3位四五年級的老師，進她們的教師當助教。

小孩們都很天真爛漫。對我這個陌生人都很好奇，還對我講了很多很多他們的事情。

雖然是一項無償的活，卻是一份很有意義的差事。它讓我學到這裏的教學風格，並且接觸到這裏的老師，開闊人際網路。

First Paycheck I've Received

Hey! I want to have more cheques!

Interpreting Jobs

昨天下午, 我第三次赴傳譯中介安排的傳譯任務。結果還是跟前兩次一樣，病人爽約沒來。對我來說，絲毫沒有損失。因為我還能得到最低工資，兩個小時的時薪。

今天早上終於當成了傳譯員。成功替一個精神科大夫開診。我準備了一本從香港政府網站尋來的醫學詞庫，總算能發揮作用。大夫剛好提到了一種精神病，我從詞庫看見過它的中文翻譯。

同一地點的傳譯任務還有3次。我正式當上了自由傳譯員了。

[朋友覺得奇怪，我最近寫的部落格都是中文。原因是家父剛學會用電腦看我的網誌。為了讓他看得懂我的經歷，所以費時一點，還是值得的。]

The 2nd Interview

第二轮面试很顺利。我没有很紧张，几乎所有问题都是预计当中的，我都能按照预先想过的答案回答。看来他们对于我的两文三语，以至日语，还有潮州话的 语言技能很感兴趣。唯一他们会舍弃我的原因，或许是担心我不会留在这个岗位很久。因为他们问我是否考虑申请教授成人英语的工作。我的回答是，这路不好走。似乎还有很多重关卡等候我去跨越。

面试结束的时候，主面试员说，等候着很快和我见面。不晓得这是客气的话，还是暗示他一定会聘请我。因为他快要回香港大概十天，所以我大概两个星期后才会跟他们再度联系。

除了教书以外，我只做过两份工作。而且都是10多年前的事了。走着瞧吧！

An Interview At TRT Pearson Airport

這個下午，我坐公車到機場面試。一份我挺想獲聘的職位。國泰航空的多倫多機場的地勤服務員。不錯，我的確是遠遠超越了他們的學歷要求。但是作為一位新移民，能夠在一家世界著名的航空公司當一位小職員，總比在咖啡廳賣咖啡，或在超市打工強吧？而且他們正好需要的是兼職員工，每週大概上班20個小時，其他的時間我可以安排我的代課，志願者工作和進修。

第一關的是小組面試。十個應徵者分為2組，討論一道關於乘客不合理要求的處理方案。國泰員工4人在旁邊觀察，挑選合適者參加第2輪面試。

謝謝有心的家人朋友為我禱告。感謝上帝的關愛，面試結束後大概兩個小時，我接到了電話通知，週三下午可以再次到機場參加第2輪面試。一位多倫多的朋友星期天給了我很寶貴的建議，他說我應該臉上長期掛著笑容。今天我在會議室裏，幾乎是沒有停止過微笑的。進去面試地點時跟每一位員工點頭微笑，聆聽著其他應徵者說話的時候微笑，告別每一位面試員的時候，邊點頭邊微笑。這個微笑也幫助我減掉幾份緊張。

我會好好準備後天的面試。請你們繼續為我禱告！

Pls Don't Send Any Registered Mail To Me

最倒楣的一天

星期四我坐巴士到Aunt工作的地方取信件，因為差不多整整一個月沒有到她那裏拿信件了。而且她星期三晚上告訴我，有一封掛號信寄給我，我必須到郵局去一趟。因為Aunt住的地方在Markham，不在多倫多範圍之內，所以跨區坐巴士需要另外補票。為了拿掛號信，也沒有辦法。每天晚上都要上課，所以不能請朋友下班後開車送我。多花時間就多花時間，實在沒有辦法。

我先到Aunt的辦公地點取了幾封信，再趕往郵局取信。補買的車票，在兩個小時內有效。如果能在兩個小時之內啟程回去，可以省一半的路費。可是地方不好找，晚了一個站下車，結果多花了半個小時走路才能找到郵局。

郵局是一家華人開的便利店兼營的。我把領取掛號信的單子給一個看來像老闆的老男人看，告訴他我要取掛號信，他的回復覆是，“看看吧，不曉得你是否找對地方。”意思好像是，不是你說要取掛號信，就是把信遞給你那麼簡單的一回事。原來他一點也沒有錯，我最終沒有從他的郵局拿到我要的掛號信。他的defense mechanism 和經驗，說明他真的有未卜先知的能力。或許他積累了不少拒發信件的經驗和心得。

因為我來多倫多並不住在Aunt 家裏，所以我並沒有更換我的駕駛執照和Health Card，更新我的位址。夏天結束前搬到自己的地方。考到駕駛執教的時候馬上拿一張含新地址的證件。這樣就不用在兩三個月之內多次更改地址。三年前我land的時候領取的證件，位址都是Aunt搬家前的Richmond Hill 。按照郵局的規定，我沒有合法的證件領取掛號信。不管我是否能出示楓葉卡或許護照證明我就是某某某。我告訴他我從遠處坐巴士過來，也給他看了我手中幾封信件。他就是不願意把屬於我的掛號信給我。他的理由是，不能出示含照片和正確位址的證件，掛號信不能發。如果真正的某人第二天拿著合法的證件來取信，他不能交待。護照能證明我是某某，但並不能證明我就是住在那個地址上的同名的某某人。他的這個理由完全沒有可信性。多倫多的華人雖然多，但是同名同姓的，並且能找到一個跟他同名同姓的人家裏去偷取領取掛號信的條子，這樣的機會率，絕對是很低很低的。他的堅持只表示，他是一個絕對自私的人。錯誤地拒絕了一個遠道而來的我，勝於冒險把掛號信交給一個不能“完全信任”的某某人。總而言之，它自己不能犯錯，管你拿得到拿不到你想要掛號信。他固執地拒絕運用清醒的頭腦和智慧去判斷，我是否可能就是信上寫的某某人。我跟他爭辯，它的態度越發的蠻橫無禮。我很憤怒，也絕對的遺憾。想不到這個城市，竟然會培養出這種頭腦的蠢東西。

這個固執的蠢東西說，唯一可能讓他把掛號信交出的條件是，我的Aunt跟我一起再來郵局一趟當我的保證人。並且親戚必須出示含她的正確地址的帶照片的證件，它才會相信我是合法的取信人。Aunt 一個人下班以後過來領取也不行。我從家裏出發的時候是12點，我到達郵局的時候已經是3點半了。親戚5點半才下班，能開車到達郵局的時候應該是6點過後了。

本來想在這個昏暗的郵局商店裏等候親戚下班過來，錯過了黃昏6點在mid town上課也無所謂。畢竟是掛號信，一定是頗為重要的，發信人才會以掛號方式寄出。但是我心裏真的難以平復。為什麼我為了一個蠢貨，白白地浪費了自己寶貴的時間？當我在店裏拆閱剛才從aunt拿到的其他信件，得到了一些線索。或許那封給蠢東西扣留的掛號信，就是銀行，電訊公司或香港的稅務局發給我的函件。晚一點才弄清楚到底我欠了什麼費用沒有付，也不會賠上很大的代價。我最後忍耐著沒有繼續跟蠢牛爭吵，安靜的離開那個讓我倒楣透的地方。

回程的路上，我的心情糟糕極了。我花了大半天的時間和車費，卻沒有拿到掛號信，反而為此受了一肚子氣，真的很委屈。讓我失望的，第一個在多倫多讓我心情跌入低谷的人，是一個加拿大 華 人。相信老華僑當中，一定有不少正常的。郵局老闆，只是一個例外。上帝說：“不可含怒到日落！”我辦不到。

Interpreting Assignment Being Cancelled Again

I went to the client's office 15 min before the scheduled time and were waiting there for 45 min. The patient who is a Chinese didn't come but no prior call to inform the clinic that he couldn't come. That's very bad as he is a Chinese Canadian. But I will be paid for the minimum 2 hour wage anyway. In two days, I've earned 4 hour wage for interpreting assignments without actually doing the interpreting job.

That's no good for accumulating experience. But I'm sure there are many many Mandarin / Cantonese interpreting assignments to come and I will learn a lot from doing the assignments.

Mid-Autumn Festival night in Toronto

I thought it was Wednesday night so I missed the chance to call my family on Mid-Autumn night. And it was exactly 2 months since I left Hong Kong.

Two month is a very short time but I have been through a lots of things. Now I feel more settled and peaceful. What made a difference is that I've got some part-time jobs to do. Teaching Cantoneses, Interpreting and private tutoring a primary kid.

Although the first interpreting assignment was cancelled in the last minute, the agent called me and arranged 2 more assignments to me this afternoon. One is tomorrow afternoon and the next will be on 4 Oct. It seems that there is a huge demand in Cantonese and Mandarin interpreting jobs in this city.

Regarding teaching Cantonese, I am making progress. Below is an extract from an email message I received today,
"I really enjoyed my first class. I was wondering ifthere is class scheduled for Oct. 5 (Thanksgivingweekend)? I am assuming that there is but I justwanted to double check. You have a very relaxed and positive approach and that is very helpful when one is trying to learn a language."
So glad that they like my teaching style and one of them expressed it explicitly.

This Friday I will go to the elementary school again to meet 3 teachers whose classrooms I will enter to be a volunteer. Basically I will station there wholeday twice per week. After class I will be doing individual tutoring to help a slow learner who lives just steps away from the school. The parent talked to the principal and then I was recommended to help. It's a paid job.

I won't be earning a lot but having some petty money to lead a decent life will not a problem.

The First Interpreting Job Was Canceled

I arrived at the client office 15 min before the scheduled time and was told that the issue ended yesterday. Someone forgot to inform the Interpreting agent. So I have not started my first interpreting job but I will be paid for the minimum charge which is a 2 hour wage. That's not bad.


Two agents may provide interpreting job to me. I need to call them again and send my resume through. Will celebrate when I first receive a pay check in Toronto.

First Interpreting Job

The Interpreting and Translation Agent called me minutes ago and I was assigned my first job to be an interpreter tomorrow! Great! As I will be there for 7 hours and they are going to pay me good $.

When I received the call, I have just sent fax to the Intrepreting agent. A few minutes ago, I asked a clerk here to be my witness to complete a document to be sent. She knew that I was hired as a freelance interpreter. Then she gave me some info about interpreting opportunity. I will phone the organisation and find out what I can do. Maybe I will be busy interpreting. haha

The Great Wall of China (in Toronto)

There is only 1 China! But I am far away from it now.

The Sky is so Blue Here!

I have a date with Autumn

I was standing beneath the shelter of a bus stop when taking this picture.

Some more pictures of my castle

我愛電冰箱, 但電冰箱愛我嗎? (門後就是俄羅斯鄰居的房間)

wash, dry and iron .......

人活着不是單靠食物,乃是......

another corner of the kitchen

a door to my bedroom

Tomorrow will be better

Have not updated my blog for a week. Let me report to you what going on recently.

Job Interview on Monday (17 Sep 2007)

It went well but I couldn't give most of the well-planned answers to impress the interviewers. Three days before the interview, I called the program office and asked for the name of the interviewers. Therefore when a lady approached the door, I asked her if she was so and so. She was impressed and asked me how I got her name. I told her I phoned the program office to learn the information a few days ago.

In the interview, there were only 4 questions printed on 4 pages. When I answered those questions, the interviewers were busy jotting down something on a form. No eye contact at all. I found it bored and could not give a long answer. It's strange that they didn't ask me any questions nor any facial expression to indicate if they were interested or not. At the end I asked for their business cards. Surprisingly they didn't give me. So I couldn't email 'thank you' notes to them after the interview. I can't practise what the job search counsellor taught me.

Before I entered the interview room, I was asked to draft two lesson plans, one in Traditional Chinese and the other in Simplified Chinese. Then I needed to transcribe a short text into 'han-yu-pin-yin'. Doing the tasks is just a piece of cake to me.

The most disappointing thing is to learn that they wouldn't be calling me to be a supply Mandarin Instructor in a few days though all classes will start on 24 Sept. It would be at least a month later when I can enter the classroom. Besides when I asked them if I could volunteer to help them to receive new students on the first day of the program. They said no.

I could not smile when I left the program office after the interview. What I have learnt is the same message, 'You have to wait and wait and wait.'

Volunteering at a school

Again and again, I was told that people who want to become a teacher usually start from voluntary work at schools to build up network. For me as a new comer, I should be doing so to familarise myself with a Canadian classroom. So I planned to practise 'cold-call' to some schools near where I live.

On the night before the interview, I studied the International Languages website and learnt that there was a link to a 'Teachers and Students' Feedback document. One of the comment is written by an elementary (primary) school principal whom I met 3 years ago when I landed in Toronto. She was my neighbour and emigrated to Canada when I was 3 or 4 years old. Some people from her family know my parents, uncle and grand aunt.

I sent her email on Monday night before I went to bed and she called me at 9am the next morning. She invited me to see her at her office this morning so that we can discuss how and when I can start voluntary work at her school. I regret I didn't contact her earlier. She told me some useful advice about where to get teaching experience and what courses to take to upgrade myself.

According to what she suggested this morning, I may be volunteering there for 2 days every week and I will mainly station at their Grade 4 classrooms helping the French, Math and Science teachers.

The school is a bit far from where I live, but it's within 1 hour 15 min if I take buses. If I have a driving license and a car later, it will be like 20 min ride from home when the traffic is alright. As the school is located in Scarborough where most Chinese Canadian are around, I saw many Asian kids this morning. It's going to be a good start for me to become a licensed teacher here.

Interpreting Job

A fellowship leader told me a phone no. of an Interpreting and Translation company in early Aug and I called and sent my resume and application form to them a month ago. Finally they called yesterday. In the evening I received an 'Orientation' package and was asked to study it in the weekend. At 6pm on Monday, they will phone me to conduct a simple 20 min phone training, telling me what I should do and what I should not do as their freelance interpreter. The wage is good. $25 per hour and they guarantee 2 hours as a minimum wage each time they call me for a community interpreting job.

As I speak both Cantonese and Mandarin, I will be a 'hot' interpreter to them.

Mentor-Mentee Program

Last Thursday I met an employment counsellor and she told me a mentor who is teaching English Communication courses at a college is looking for a mentee as her mentee gave up joining the program. Then I was invited to be a mentee and that means I will meet my mentor for about 24 hours in the coming 4 months. She will tell me a lot of advice regarding how to become a teacher in Toronto. Most important at all, it is a precious chance to broaden my network and to learn more things about teaching here.

The Cantonese Class

Tonight is the 2nd week and 4 students stay and one new student came to the class. With the prior experience I have had in teaching Cantonese to adults, I did much better tonight. Not feeling nervous at all and I knew exactly when to say what and when to arrange class activities.

The most fantastic thing is that the learners seems to be very positive to my teaching approach. During the break they told me their experience with other Chinese schools. It seems that they were treated or taught badly and they were quite happy with the current class and the teacher.

All in all, I am so lucky to have met so many nice people and have been offered many chances to build up network here. Thank you for all your prayers and support. Tomorrow will be brighter and sunny.

Ontario College of Teachers says ....

"We require more information regarding your application. To satisfy the practice teaching requirement the College will require:

1. A statement, sent directly from an official at the University of Hong Kong, which verifies that your completed the equivalent of 40 days (eight weeks) of practice teaching in your program.

or

2. Evidence of at least one year experience as a teacher in an elementary or secondary school in a jurisdiction in which you are certified to teach. This experience must have beeen completed subsequent to your program of teacher traininig, and be verified by an appropriate supervisory official in Hong Kong. The documentation should be sent directly to the College from the school.

"

Why do they tell me that late? When I manage to send both or either of the above to OCT to allow them to re-evalute my application, I will have to wait until Dec or Jan to start supply teaching. Besides, it depends if they will accept my teaching at a post-secondary institute (HKIVE) equvialent to teaching at a secondary school or not.

This letter has really pissed me off!

My Neighbour and the white ...

My neighbour is a Russian landy about my age. She keeps everything clean and tidy. Because of this, I always wipe the washbasin and bathtub whenever I finish using them.

I'm quite happy with my newly rented place. Actually, without my neighbour saying, 'no, I don't mind if you rent the room to a guy', to the landlady, I won't be staying here.

Guys, in your home, do you usually lift the 'toilet ring' up after you finish the 'water job'? I always did as I've been living alone, in a guys dormitary floor and a family with more men than women. Since I moved here, I learnt to lift, 'water' and leave it on the toilet again when I finish.

[Why writing this and my neighbour? A friend asked me what happened to me and my female Russian neighbour in an email message. Hope I can write more about Russian culture when I know her and my landlady better.]

First Lesson - Cantonese Conversation Class

Last night I spent my first 2 hours teaching Cantonese Conversation to 7 adults. One is a 'gui-lo' and the others are Asian who speak some, very little or no Cantonese. As the Chinese school is not a profit-making institute and most (maybe all) administrative staff are volunteers, they were not ready to give me help with the printing job as promised by the Principal. It really made me embarrased when I had to teach without handouts to the learners for the first hour. But it went much better in the 2nd hour.




I taught them 'greetings and responses', 'introducing self and others' and then 'numbers'! A lot? Yeah it is too much for 2 of them who know very little Chinese. But for the Canada Born Chinese, maybe the pace is alright. Luckily it's a small class.




As most of them don't like writing and all prefer improving mainly speaking and listening skills, teaching them Romanlised alphabets and tones is inevitable. It's tough. Luckily I was taught 'jyutping' （粤拼）when I did my MA in Linguistics at HKU with Dr KK Luke who is one of the key persons developing the system. Now I understand better why I should do the MA in 2001 without the sponsorship from my former employer.




Hope most of them will stay in the class so that it won't be dismissed prematurely.

My First Job In Toronto

Tonight when I was in the classroom attending an English lesson for Internationally Trained Teacher, I received a call. The Principal of Yat Sun School invited me to teach an adult Conversation class this Friday night. Without hesitation I said, 'yes!'

They pay me well though we have not discussed it.
It's a teaching job.
I'm a native Cantonese speaker who have had lots of trining in language teaching.
It's a 'foot in the door' opening to me. If I teach well, the Principal may offer me more jobs.
Adults usually have higher motivation to learn. They are better learners than kids.

Thanks God that I will have my first job this Friday. Pray for me so that I will be a competent Cantonese teacher.

TESL Training [by Toronto District School Board]

Finally I decided to take the course. It is because I can't stand the tedious procedures of preparing a portfolio to convince the regulatory body that the MAs and PCEd trainings are sufficient. The unreasonable requests from them are that

1) I need to submit a half-page statement to summarie /ourline each module I took and
2) to supplement the course outline with a reference list, an assignment list and
3) to state what assessments the module required

Besides, there are lots of other documents I need to prepare. It may take 20 hours for me to produce a portfolio whereas doing the TESL training again will involve much longer hours

"Why can't they trust another TESOL training institute by reviewing their program details? "
"If the information is right on hand with me, what jobs are they supposed to do? "

I'd rather spend the money, attend further lessons to refresh what I leant about TESOL, know more colleauges who teach ESL classes. Why should I comply with a silly regulatory body?

TESL Certificate Program by Toronto District School Board

http://www.tdsb.on.ca/wwwdocuments/programs/continuing_education/docs/Tesl_brochure.pdf

I am offered a place to enrol in the captioned course because I have had very strong background and they expect me to contribute to the class by sharing my experience.

But do I really need it?

I have an MA in TESOL and another in Linguistics + more than 10 years experience in teaching English as a foreign language in Hong Kong.

The TESL Ontario is evaluating my profile and they may tell me the result in 2 months. That means I may get a license to teach ESL to adults in two months. [ TESL Ontario is different from Ontario College of Teachers as the latter will decide if I have had enough qualifications to teach in the secondary schools here]

The course continues until May 2008 with 265 hours in-class instruction + 50 hours practicum

However the cost fee is $3,700 which is quite a lot to me

The advantages are :
1) local context / qualification
2) broadening network, knowing more ESL teachers in this city
3) reviewing all the pedogical and theoretical stuff about ESL
4) improving my English communication skills when participating
5) organised by Toronto District School Board which hosts the majority ESL classes in Toronto

English course for Int'l Trained Teachers

The schedule is Mon and Wed from 6:00pm to 9:30pm.
The foucuses of the course are idioms, slangs and conversational English that a teacher in Canada should know.
Fee: $40
Duration: 14 weeks

I will know some friends there and learn some pratical things to improve my English.

Another Chance to Teach Mandarin

Yesterday I received a call from Toronto School Board inviting me to attend an interview on Sept 27, 2007 at 8:30am. They look for teachers to teach Mandarin (Traditional and Simplified) to Elementary kids. As there are about a hundred of classes every week from Mon to Fri afternoons and Saturaday morning, I guess I have had a good chance to get an offer. Although it is just a supply teaching post, it's good enough for me if I am allowed to step on the teaching podium in Toronto.
Pray for me so that I will answer questions wisely in the interview!

加拿大的色魔s

一些移民來加拿大的人被稱為‘色魔’，原因是因為他們靠'"息" "mall" 度日。
息=銀行存款的利息
魔= shopping malls

這照片攝於多倫多城西的Etobicoke 一個西人商場。可千萬別說我長胖了。

Home Sweet Home!

A TV provided by the Russian landlady. I will watch TV to improve my English. The duvet cover is from IKEA. Isn't it nice?

The mat on the sofa is a gift from a friend who will move back to Shenzhen soon.

The Answer is NO!

Finally I received an email message from the Chinese school, Yat Sun. The Principal said he could only put me to their supply teachers list. If I 've had more experience in teaching Putonghua, or .... [so many 'if's ]

I've been here for a month and a week. Some people get stuck for years before they can teach here. So I will look for a part-time job first. Then I won't be spending too much of my savings.

At the same time, I'll do more cold calls to explore an opportunity to be supply teacher or volunteer teacher. For survival, for bread ........

Being Tough!!!

Recently more than a person told me that it was really hard to get a teaching position in Toronto. Graduates from Teachers College usually start teaching as a supply teacher. Some may even choose another career when they have spent years being trained to be a teacher.

I asked comments from a Job Search Counsellor who coordinates bridging courses for internationally trained teachers. She replied,

"I can tell you it's true. But it's true to all professions here, because the competition is keen. Every day there are people coming here to start their new lives. The chance of success depends on who you are. If you are shy, if you only spend time on doing job search in front of a computer, you read newspaper and reply to the ads, you are reluctant to build up network, you are not willing to approach employers, you send out a resume and keep waiting to be called .... you may stay away from the job you want for a long time. When you take action only when you see an ads, so do thousand of others. There are many ways to reach your goal. ..........."

It is always difficult to start from zero. Leaving my comfort zone to move here is a big challenge to me. This phrase has been on mind again and again when I start worrying about my job hunting mission. "When things get tough, the tough get going."

Job Interview on Wed (Aug 29, 2007)

Tonight a Simon Tse phoned me and invited me to attend a job interview. It was almost a month ago that I learnt from SingDao Daily that they were going to offer Mandarin classes. So I called the enrolment hotline and told them I'd like to teach Mandarin. Then a lady told me to send my resume to her and she would forward it to the Principal. Time flies and then I received the call tonight. When I talked to Simon Tse, I didn't know that he was the Principal. I thought maybe he was a co-ordinator. Funny that he told me I was going to his home to attend the interview. I asked him how come it was not to take place at the school. Simon said they were doing voluntary work. I really respect him and look forward to the interview.

Please pray for me that they will give me a chance to teach at 'Yat-sun'.

It's been ONE month since I moved here

Things I 've done or dong since 24 July 2007:

1) Have found a room to rent and will move there on 1/9/2007

2) Learning how to drive both in car and in a classroom (so as to pay lower insurance when I buy a car)

3) Visiting some churches and fellowships

4) Remembering many names of streets and places; being able to take public transport to many places without any help

5) Have got a part-time job and have declined in the last minute

6) Have received my cheque books and credit card from HSBC-Canada

7) Have sent out my resumes and cover letters to several employers like school board and private companies

=========================

What I've learnt or realised:

a) It's hard to find a job that I like and I have to be patient to wait until I get one

b) This is a right decison to come here though I 've given up a lot of things. This is life as you will always gain somethings when other things have been taken away from you

c) My family members are so important to me and they will always reside in my heart because they will always be my parents, brothers and sisters .... no matter where I am or how useless I've become to them. They are precious to me. My heart aches when I know that they are suffering and they feel likewise.

d) When somebody has given you great help, you may not be able to return him/her a favour in a short time or you will never have the chance to do so, but you can always offer hands to somebody in need. Then you are passing on 'light' and 'warmth' to people in need.

******** So many new things to learn and experience. I'm happy to be a learner as the role makes me feel rejuvenated.

Job Search Workshop

Last night was the final session of the workshop. The trainer, Srna, is a very nice person and she taught us a lot of useful strategies to search for our first job here. [She is the lady in red jacket]When I compared her materials to mine which I used at the institue in my former country, I realised that there could be a lot of topics to cover.

The workshop participants are multi-cultural. They are from India, Pakistan, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, the Philippines, Iran, Russia, Greece ...... What scared me about their profiles is that some have been here for several years.

I'm the only one who is looking for a teaching job. One month later, I will meet Srna again to evaluate my job search strategies and process. Hope I will be working as a supply teacher at such time.

New home to move into on Sept 1, 2007

This is the entrance of the house where I will move into on the 1st of September. Some said basement of a house is usually damp and cold. So that's why a room at the basement is always leased with lower rent. Hong Kong is notoriusly humid most of the time. Therefore I will be fine with the moist.
The landlady is a Russian. I met her once when I asked to look at the room. She seems to be very nice. On the phone she said, 'good good good, Chinese people here are highly respected'.
I will share the kitchen, bath room and laundry with a Russian girl. Hope we can be good neighbour to each other.

Thanks BUT NO!!! - Didn't go to work for T & T Supermarket

Finally I made up mind not to do the part time job at T & T Supermarket. It is because..........

1) A pair of 'iron head' shoes have to be bought and the $ can be refunded in 3 months when I am still an employee [not sure if I will stay that long with them]

2) Chinese employers are always more demanding here, so I better work for a company which is owned by a White Canadian [I'm not discriminating employers of my own ethnicity but looking for an easier life] besides, when most colleagues are local white people, the job experience will be counted as more 'local' as some people may think that you don't speak English well so that you only stay with people who speak your first language.

3) There are some other part time job opportunities which offer better pay for people who speak English, Mandarin and Cantonese fluently.

There is always HOPE!

In the weekend, two friends phoned me to tell me that there was such an opportunity. Definitely I will give it a try. All brothers and sisters, keep your fingers crossed for me please!

每日一字: 雜碎

第一代海外華人除了修建鐵路外，就是廚房餐館。一些比較粗糙的，不講究廚藝的，騙老外的，迎合他們口味的中式小吃，叫作“雜碎” 。

staff card and handbook

I made a mistake. It should be this morning that I was invited to sign a contract at the HQs of the supermarket. I learnt that I missed the important 'Orientation for New Staff' when I phoned to ask a question. Then I rushed there at 2:50pm and left in 40 minutes. Without the orientation, I could only join them next Monday. I was supposed to start working at an old store as a trainee since tomorrow if I didn't miss the orientation.

Anyway, it has to be a temp job and it can't block my way to get a teaching job.

老地方(音樂)

Felix CHENG

多倫多的"老地方"

“老地方”，一個很熟悉的名字。家裏幾乎每一個人都會知道，這是大埔墟一家小店。雖然我們不是常客，但這絕對是一個很親切的地方。想不到在多倫多也能看到跟它同名的餐廳。每一次經過，都勾起我一浪又一浪的思念。
“月是故鄉園”“人離鄉賤”“每逢佳節倍思親”。。。。。。來到多倫多後，讓我更深切體會這幾句俗語。每當一個人看著身後長長的影子夜歸的時候，孤單的感覺特別濃烈。
想念你們每一個，每一天。

1st Job in Toronto

On Wednesday morning, 15 Aug 2007, I'll go to the HR of Da Tong Hua Supermarket. Most likely I will join the training program for new staff on Thursday. The department I'll work at is 'Grocery'. Was told that it's a labour job and conveying goods and putting them on shelves are parts of the job. I tell myself it has to be tentative and I will work for them as a part-time staff, so that I can spare sometime to look for my long term job or another part-time but with better pay.

Taking up the job definitely make me feel younger, because it was more than decades that I did my last labour job as a secondary student.

Picking Blueberries in Newcastle [Ontario]

This morning 2 friends from Scarborough C&MA Church took me to a farm to pick blueberries. They will charge you according to the weight of the fruit. So I ate a lot when I picked them. The big ones went to the bucket and the smaller ones got swallowed by me. I enjoyed the process though I had to kneel down and the back ached sometimes. The job reminded me of picking lychees at home in Sha Ling. If dad was here, he would be very happy. When my host family saw the blueberries I took to them, they were greatly astonished.

Gym Gym Gym!!!

The building with red walls is YMCA at North York. I do weight training there at least 3 times a week.

It is even bigger than the California Fitness I used to go in TST, but with far fewer users. However, the monthly fee is higher. For good health and fitness, it's worthy.

I did walk back from there to home after a workout and it took 35 minutes. Good sweat and energy burning.

Doing Exercise is so Good!

I like jogging. On the right, you can see the venue I do jogging recently. There are 2 secondary schools near the place I stay now. They allow outsiders using the tracks. It takes only 1 minute from my room to the track.

Hopefully I will join Toronto [half] Marathon in October.