Cathay Pacific Responds

It was snowing a lot this morning. But given the temperature, there was virtually no sign of it in the afternoon.

Still studying at work. I'm trying to read Design Patterns by the Gang of Four. I actually had my own copy (not hardcover, significantly smaller print and cheaper paper) but I couldn't stay awake reading it. Now I'm really trying hard while I have the time. It probably would have been an easier read if I started with Head First Design Patterns. I always liked the Head First way of computer books started by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates. In fact I became an SCJP (1.4) due in large part to their pre-Head First book, Sun Certified Programmer & Developer for Java 2 Study Guide.

Got a small surprise today. Someone from Cathay Pacific Customer Relations sent me air mail about my baggage incident. Basically he says that the procedure done by Cathay staff was correct but he was sorry for inconvenience caused and the level of service and poor impression caused by Philippine staff. Now I never said that the Manila staff were at fault. I even blamed myself for not making sure what I did with my baggage was correct. I just stated that it would make sense if both airlines could accommodate this case. Hopefully nobody from Philippine staff is punished or something. But there, I'm really impressed with this personalized response though and I commend Cathay's Customer Relations for it.

1st Wedding Anniversary

Today is Me and Mean's 1st wedding anniversary. Despite most of that year being apart, it's been a really good one especially thanks to these last few months spent together. And today we planned to celebrate with a simple lunch out (you might say "cheap", but I only started working this week :) ). Unfortunately, we're gonna have to postpone this.

The ice may be melting. But there's still a lot left. So it's pretty weird for me to see rain fall at this time. This is also my first rain in Canada. Anyway, I suppose with the still low temperature, this results in slippery roads and sidewalks. Not only that, it started snowing a bit later in the day.

So the weather kinda ruined our plans. But we were still very happy to reach this milestone. We settled with watching Breakfast at Tiffany's with Audrey Hepburn. I actually liked it, but I had to ignore the 60's speaking styles which I used to make fun of.

So there, not the day we expected. But we'll make up for it next weekend I guess. Hoping for several more decades of bliss.

Melting?

The roads are really wet today. There's lot less snow on rooftops. The temperature is also over 0 degrees Celsius. I'm able to go longer without gloves and a toque. Sunset is getting later and later. Looks like spring is getting closer and closer. I'm finally going to see what Winnipeg really looks like.

SIGNED!

So I now officially have a job and will start on Monday. Quite exciting and scary at the same time. I'm gonna get exposed to the Canadian workplace, and I really wish I fit in well. I give a lot of credit to Sarab for helping me out. She really seemed genuinely excited when I talked to her about signing. My wife of course who supported me (emotionally and financially) during my bum period. And Online Business Systems who have given me this opportunity. I hope I don't let them down.

That sounded like an acceptance speech.

Awesome SH...

O2 made the offer. I gave Sarab a call, and she told me to follow up with O2. They told me to come in. And when I did, they made the offer. I took the Contract home but I'm sure I'll take it. Now I have to think of how to inform the other companies that I'm not taking their offer. It should be easy but that's how I am.

Nice Dilemma

I had my 4th interview with Company O2. It was with the VP. It was also more of an information session with him telling me about the company and how it's organized. No offers here, but he told me that HR is probably just waiting for my references to reply before the next step can be taken.

Meanwhile, Company W called. And they've offered me the job. This is good news. However, the fact that I prefer O2 and I've gotten so far in the interview process worries me. I'd probably jump at this if the competition wasn't O2. I give Sarab a call but she isn't in.

Well, at least this is a nice problem to have.

Library DVDs

I knew for a while that you could rent movies from the library for about a dollar each. Now, me and Mean finally took advantage of this. They have a decent collection. Especially really old movies. We borrowed Sideways and My Fair Lady (that's Mean's rental, I swear!)

I would understand why people would think Sideways is boring (like Mean), but I'm more tolerant with these kinds of slowly paced movies. With My Fair Lady, well, I'm not a big musical fan. I still watch though because I'm interested on how things turn out. Some of the songs (Like that "with a little bit of luck" song) are really annoying though and stick to my head for hours.

We're definitely going to take advantage of this library service for a while. It's a good complement to a place like Blockbuster.

Winnipeg Library:
Official site

Final?

A few days back, we lost our wireless connection for a while. I noticed at the time that someone was on the phone. It happened again today and someone was on the phone again. It turns out that since the wireless router and the wireless phone operate in the same frequency (2.4 GHz), simply answering the phone brings down wireless connections. Or something like that. It also turns out that the only guaranteed solution is replacing either device and that costs money. I'm going to be more picky when I get a wireless phone of my own.

Also, Company O2 called again with what they say might be the final interview. She said it would be with the Vice President. As I said before, I'm really liking this company. And we're getting poor thanks to my bum lifestyle. Then again, it's stuff like this that keeps delaying me from getting survival jobs. I hope I'm as close as I hope I am. Did that make sense?