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6 MONTH RE-CAP – I’m back in the blogging mood.

So Igor and I backpacked across Australia and had the time of our lives. (As you can see from the above pics...we had fun). Our trip started off in Melbourne, then Sydney, we then flew to Arlie Beach on the coast of Queensland, went sailing around the Whitsunday Islands, moved up the coast to northern Queensland to Cairns to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and visit the Rainforests, then made our way to the Red Centre by flying into Alice Springs and making our way down to Kings Canyon and Uluru (camping out in the dessert/Outback). There is no point writing much about it, because we did enough of that on our Australia blog.

Check it out at: www.wombat2006.blogspot.com


My First Real Job- EllisDon Corp. Marketing Coordinator - June

I started my first day at EllisDon on June 5th. My day began with a brand new laptop and a sweet office. It felt pretty neat, seeing as only the CEO, VP’s and the Director of Marketing/Communications were given offices.


Anyway, I’ve been working there 4 months now and have done numerous design projects. Basically, before I was hired, we used to outsource all of our creative to ad agencies. I was shocked when I found out we were billed $250/hr for just creative work. Last year’s annual report cost us $36,000! That is my big project for the year. I’m excited about this. After they saw some of my work, it was decided that I take over and start re-vamping all of ED’s international marketing materials. So far I’ve had a couple of my print ad’s published in construction mag’s, one ad I designed in the Calgary Herald and a built up a gallery of Proposal Covers. I occasionally help out with Proposals as well, seeing as it is an integral part of our business/marketing. Right now it’s Proposal Crunch time and our company is doing REALLY well. We’re getting tons of jobs, but we’re running short of people.

Last month my boss (Dir.Marcom) ran a photography contest. The photos we had to take had to be of new project sites (interior, exterior, signage and our people shots). Basically this was a great idea to get shots for our annual report. I ended up taking a few shots of the new Roger’s site we are renovating, as well as 180 Queens Street. When I saw some of the submissions I was really impressed. Some of these engineers and PM’s in the Calgary office took some really artistic shots. Anyway, to my surprise I ended up winning 1st place for the signage category and received and honourable mention for Exterior. Woot! $200 @ Blacks baby!

Anyway, things are going ok. After 4 months…I think I’m ready to move onto more bigger and better challenges. Let’s see.


















SAN FRANCISCO - Neha & Gaurav's Engagement









July was kind of hectic. It started off with buying a car. Yes. A car. My Dream car. I was planning on buying the 06’ Civic Coupe, then my dad kept talking me into the Infiniti G35, and then one thing led to another and I worked out a lot of my finances and bought my beloved TT. It’s a beautiful ride, sleek design and boy is it fast. The turbo kicks in with just a tap on the accelerator. Igor ended up going on a Europe trip with his family right after we got back from Australia. I ended up buying my car and kept it a surprise from him for two whole weeks! It was sooo hard. Anyway, I ended up getting to his place before he got home from work one afternoon right after he got back from the trip…and he just looked at me with this, “NO WAY!” expression. It was pretty funny.


Now my VP wants to race me. He’s got the G35 (along with the CEO). Thank goodness I didn’t end up getting that. Now that would have been weird.

New Home – July

Me and my dad couldn’t wait for July 25- the day we moved to Mississauga. The 4 hour commute a day on the 401 was slowly killing us. The place looks really homey now. It’s a perfect home for the three of us. I’m really enjoying the short commute to work, being close to UTM/friends…and especially being 8 minutes away from Igor. I heart Mississauga!

The rest of the month we spent packing/unpacking. I managed to get away one weekend with Igor to Ivan and Diana’s cottage in Collingwood. We spent the weekend beaching and playing this wicked board game called Carcassonne.

This pic of Ivan always makes me laugh...I had to add it in

Night @ Alley Catz with Neha, Gaurav and Kunal

Renos and Unpacking- August

August was just crazy unpacking. We ended up doing some minor renos (changing the carpet, painting the rooms and buying new furniture). My room looks incredible. I ended up getting a small room, with no closet (but because I wanted a big window I chose this room). Anyway, we ended up getting modular furniture custom designed. My dad designed it in such a way, my room actually looks much bigger. You’d be surprised how much fit in my room in the end. Anyway…I love it. I just need to get some photos up for the finishing touch.


September

Other than work, nothing much went on. Just did the usual with the family and Igor. Met friend’s for dinner, went on a weekend trip to Niagara on the lake with Neha, my cousin and Igor and so on…
I also caught up with a lot of old friends for some reason this month. I ended up going to the Taste of Toronto with Jessica and Aana my QMAC buddies. It was great to hang out with them after so long.

October

Ok. This is where we are now. Igor’s Bahka’s (Grandma’s) are visiting from Croatia this month. I’ve been brushing up on my Croatian…and I think I’m getting pretty good at it. I’ve joined the Mazic’s for a couple of family outings the past few weeks and eaten some pretty yummy Croatian foods.

Last weekend was Thanksgiving. We went to Niagara again…this time with the (Mazic and Basic) families. The next day we had a potluck at Neha’s. Igor and I made bruschetta as requested, Neha and my cousin made Biryani and Sanny and Joel brought dessert. Thanksgiving Monday we feasted with the family.

Igor and I also started our Salsa classes last week. It’s a 10 week Salsa, Chacha and Meringue dance course that we signed up for in Mississauga. It was pretty fun and we learned quite a bit in just one class. I can’t wait to hit up the dance floor once we are done.

Halloween’s coming up. Igor and I have been invited to three Halloween parties and we haven’t even discussed costumes. Last year we ended up dressing up as Fire and Ice for Pub night, Cops for Carol’s party and then…ended up switching outfits halfway into the night. I had a mix of devil horns, handcuffs, an afro wig and aviator sunglasses. I have no idea what either of us were by the end of the night. All I know is that it was a fun weekend.

Halloween 2005

This year…no clue what to be.

This weekend…

Was pretty low key. Jay Urbz came over Thurs or Friday night? I can’t remember. It was cool catching up with my homey Jay. Igor and I went out for Indian Chinese with Neha and my cousin to this wicked place by my house and ended off the night watching Russell Peter’s new DVD. Igor and I spent today helping Vlado make his GF an 8 month anniversary gift (a cute t-shirt) and just chillaxing the rest of the night.

There…that’s my 6 month re-cap in a nutshell. Peas.

posted by ninz @ 9:47 PM