of course you want to know more about my adventures

[jhameia]

Sunday evening I had dinner with my parents at Overseas Restaurant, because I had a hankering for whole deep fried fish. Unfortunately, the chef must be new or modern or something, because INSTEAD OF WHOLE FISH I GOT FISH CUTLETS. WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK? I can make that shit for myself ANYTIME!

Monday I... packed? And then my flight was at 9.45 so I had to be at the airport. For the first time, my mom and I didn't have a fight beforehand!

I flew down to Singapore, and slept a few hours before heading over to the Transfer counter. At 4am. For a 6am flight. Sigh. I didn't even get to visit the Butterfly Room, since I was so tired. The rest of this trip will not have me telling you what day it is because ... frankly, fuck if I know.

The flight to Hong Kong was uneventful, because I spent most of it sleeping. Layover for a bit, then off to Chicago. I spent most of this reading my Steampunk anthology, and some of it taking pictures of the view from my window. It is INCREDIBLE. We were flying over China most of the way, but I also have pictures of fields of ICE. AMAZING.

At Chicago, I disembarked at 2.30pm, for a flight at 4.05, to Washington. From Washington, I would catch a plane to Toronto, at 8pm. I say, would, because GUESS WHO WAS STUCK AT IMMIGRATION ALL THE WAY UNTIL 4.30???

However, I was given a flight straight to Toronto, so I guess it was okay. The black lady at the re-booking counter was all puzzled at my route, but she saw there was a flight right to Toronto, where I would reach it by 11.30 the same time as my previous flight.

Anyways, flight came, went, I had a buttercrust pizza, which should have been delicious, but I seriously had ZERO appetite. SO, I flew into Toronto airport, and went through immigration, got my study permit no problem, and went down to Ground Transportation counter. At 12am.

My bus was booked for 7am. I piddled on the internet on and off. And I tried sleeping. This was not easy. I normally sleep easily, but I slept so much already.

And guys, I never realized how much it sucks to have no place to go to until then. Normally, flying into Halifax, I just grab a shuttle straight into my apartment, unless it's late and I don't wanna pay for a taxi, so I sleep at the airport instead. The last time I had nowhere to go, I had castusalbuscor waiting for me (well, I do know very awesome people you know!). So this time, I had nowhere to go, and I had to wait until a decent hour before I could go anywhere, and called my landlady asking if it was okay for me to come much earlier than I said I would (I said 9 - 11, I arrived at 8) and she was fine with it.

So, I had keys! What then?! I had to call movers to help me move stuff from storage on Hess St downtown. But they were free only at noon! I had three hours to kill! What then?!

First, unpacked. A bit. Um. I forgot to put the suntan lotion in a plastic bag and guess what decided to jizz all over my clothes? Sigh.

I decided to take a walk out to the closest grocery store and Shoppers and bank. Which I did. I discovered that instead of taking the main road which has no pedestrian walkway, there was an actual walking trail which I hitherto had not seen! And it took me straight to the grocery store! Which is technically in Dundas, not Hamilton. I actually went to the Futon Shop closer by first, but it was closed. So.

I shopped a bit at Home Hardware and the dollar store, then went to the bank, and after that went to Shoppers to buy bus tickets, and had an extended conversation with one of the employees there who told me how to get around downtown. She was really awesome. I took her advice, headed downtown to Hess St, got a bit lost (walked the wrong way) and along the way, realized, if I stay on in Hamilton for the long term, I'd like to live on Hess St. It's a beautiful street.

I got to the storage and waited for the movers. Had a bit of issue with my PIN number which wasnt working because I was supposed to have taken my stuff out by the 9th and I was two days late. But anyways. The two movers were super nice and gave me a ride back to my apartment in their truck. They're from Zimbabwe, and we had a good time discussing what moving to Canada is like.

Now, after this, I went out for lunch and went to the Futon Shop to get a new bed. And I was like PLEASE SEND IT ASAP AND BY ASAP I MEAN TODAY but couldn't! ;_; But the lady there said, next morning, and I was like, fine. I went back to my apartment to nap. Spread out my sleeping bag and comforter, and was fully prepared to head back out in an hour to get a new phone number.

I closed my eyes at 2pm. When I opened them again, it was 9pm. Sigh. I pottered around the apartment keeping stuff until around 4am, and went to sleep again, waking up at 9am to receive my new bed. But I couldn't enjoy it yet!! Because that would have whacked up my sleeping more. So I went out, firstly to the major bus station for a bus map, because I need a map to navigate, and apparently full bus maps are only available at the bus station or at Mohawk College. Which I think is weird.

Then, to Jackson Square Mall to get myself set up with a new phone number! Signed up for internet and TV too! I also tried getting a provincial ID, but Ontario doesn't have a provincial ID like Nova Scotia does. Which greatly confused me. I just wanted a library card, you know? And while I know a bill with my address on it works just as well, what if I didn't have a bill on me that day? Anyways, I got myself a library card, and bused back. Anyways. I went home for a lackluster dinner and still had zero appetite. My landlady popped by to hook me up with a TV she had lying around. Which is awful nice of her!

AND I SLEPT IN MY NEW FUTON BED FOR THE FIRST TIME. You guys, SO satisfying.

The next day was spent going back and forth between Home Hardware and buying new Allan keys because the one I need for my shelf was missing. Then off to Staples in Ancaster for a new shelf. Didn't get one. But I did get a new chair, and folding table, and utility shelf. I got home by way of taxi with the new stuff because the next delivery run was on Monday and I can't wait that long. The taxi driver was really nice; he's from Iraq and we talked about settling down in Canada. He offered me his phone number in case I need a taxi again sometime soon.

Oh, did I mention, my landlady's husband came over with a LaZboy couch. YES. They just happened to have this couch left behind by a previous tenant. I wasn't planning on getting a couch and just sitting on the floor for TV watching, but omg.

I set up the stuff, but eh, the utility shelf isn't very good. It's decent, but you can tell it's made from cheap wood. Also, it has a cam lock system! I hate those things. I don't know, I just can't trust it. I had to deal with so many when building my table. It's not something I feel can be taken apart easily.

I went back and forth the local Fortinos, which is kinda like a Superstore. I bought myself a new organizer, a nice big one, which holds most of my small things. I also bought hangers for my clothes, and a new wall mirror, AND a new pillow.

Now, I was told that the TV and Internet ppls would be by between 12 to 6, so I went up to the Rail Trail and just kept walking. And walking. And walking. I have no idea how far I walked, but around 9.30, I got a call from the TV guy, so I hustled back. Still, I managed to send my dad the following text:

Seen: one squirrel, one chipmunk, one red robin, one rabbit

To which my dad replied:

Wow! You have a zoo!

There is an off-trail from the main rail trail, which I'm keen on exploring further. With a map.

Anyways, TV and internet guys came, fixed up my TV and internet, and here I am! I think tonight I'll vege out on the couch with the TV.

Most of my boxes are all cleared by now! And by most, I mean, just about all, except for the books, which need a shelf. Or two.

Pics to follow soon.

Comments

[eiko82.livejournal.com]

ZOMG, your flight from Malaysia to Canada would kill me. So much flying and transfers O____o

But I'm glad that you've settled in well in your new place.

[fantasyecho.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's a rough flight. Good thing I only do it like once a year, twice at most.

[dmp.livejournal.com]

Glad to see you've settled in with a (relatively) adjusted bio clock