2 Months In...

Well, more than 2 months I've been here now actually... which means, 4 more months to go! Seems like a really long time to me.

I've had more and more mini-revelations since I've been here... just things that are either new to me, or things that confirm things I have previously wondered about, concerning myself.

Anyway, over the past 2 days I've worked 10 hour days... 5 hours in the morning downtown at Quiksilver, and then 5 hours in the evening at the hotel. The past 2 evenings, I hostessed at the Fairmont Pub called the Waldhaus Pub, which is maybe a quarter of the size of the Bow Valley Grill, the restaurant I usually work in (the Waldhaus is located apart from the hotel, behind it, right before the golfcourse, right on the river). The Waldhaus just recently opened, for it IS a seasonal pub. Their hostess hasn't started working yet, so they needed some help. I took to it quickly, and it was a nice change of scenery. Wonderful little Bavarian styled, old looking pub house, with quite the view, and lots of elk just wandering around the hills/golf course surrounding it.

I'm really enjoying my new roommate, she's a super nice and bubbly girl who is really excited about everything haha. I really have realized, that as social as I am, and as much as I love people and love working with them, there isn't a lot of girls who are a lot like me. Just in terms of likes and dislikes even... add morals and beliefs in there too. I think I like that though, I'm glad to be one of a kind. Hopefully someone special thinks that about me already and thinks I'm worth holding on to... sigh.

Anyway, a LOT of new staff are arriving, because a lot of university students (a heck of a lot of them are coming from the UofG, surprise surprise) are obviously done for the summer, and will be on 4 month contracts out here. That being said, it's a major reason why more so in the summer, Banff is a KNOWN "party town". Yet another reason I've found, why I'm not sure I will fit in here 100% this summer... I'm not a university party girl. Lots of people already have had completely surprised looks on their faces when I tell them I go out and 'party' only once or twice a month... As if that is even POSSIBLE??!?! Of course I love to have a good time, however, while I'm out here, if im going to spend my money on something, I want it to be on exploring this place as much as possible, and enjoying my surroundings. If i want to have drinks and dance, I can do that anywhere in the world. I have yet to find many people who ACTUALLY share that mentality with me... ah well.

I'm sure I could go on... maybe I am just a little bitter this evening...

Till next time...

Love alison

harrooo

(that is 'Hello' in the japanese accent)

Sooo I just thought I would update again...

I forgot to mention in my last blog, some recognition that I've been getting at my Fairmont job.

There is this thing called a "Bravogram", which is a written letter of recognition given to you by a supervisor or fellow employee, who believes you've done a good job. So far this week I have received TWO of those, for doing a great job on Expo (my new position) and for always smiling and having a great attitude. Then LAST night, I received a "Service Plus" award, which is worth $5 to the in-hotel 'convenience' store. I was given that for going over and above and helping out, doing something that wasn't necessarily my job.

Yesterday I picked up some new headphones for my ipod. I haven't had working headphones for aWHILE now, so I haven't been able to listen to loud music, with good quality audio, which has been bugging me SO much! There is not much I love more than good quality audio, especially when its a good song :)

So then I took it upon myself, after work last night, to sit myself at the most inconspicuous piano in the hotel, where no one could really hear me, and teach myself some songs I have been wanting to be able to play for awhile now. I successfully learned "A Song to Sing" by Hanson... which none of you will know is a BEAUTIFUL piano only song. I was happy about that.

This weekend we FINALLY have some warmer weather, I have to work later this evening, but I think today I will play some more piano (it's located in a room called the 'conservatory', which is kind of a sun room'ish place, overlooking the side/back of the hotel property... quite beautiful if you ask me!), and then perhaps watch "Sharkwater", a documentary on sharks that I just downloaded.

Anyway, until next time!

Love Alison

Little promotion :)

Update tiiiiime!

Alright so, I'm completely aware that it's +20 degrees over in Ontario and surrounding area these days, however, Banff on the other hand has had about 50 cm of snow in the past 3 days... and its negative 12'ish today!! I'm actually not too stoked, because, if I had a little more spending money, it would be nice to be able to go snowboarding with all of this snow... case is, I DON'T have the extra money, and I'm working too much anyhow!

This past week I worked around 30 hours at Quiksilver (store downtown), because they needed some extra help, so I pitched in extra hours here and there! I haven't had a day off for 2 weeks now, because any day that I DO have off, from the Fairmont, I will be working downtown. This past friday and saturday I worked doubles.. totalling 10-11 hours each day. I'm not too stressed about it though! I've enjoyed working a little more, and I KNOW I will enjoy my paychecks as well (but not too much dad... haha).

So, I was kind of promoted at the Fairmont! And when I say 'kind of', it's a definite kind of haha. Meaning, 'mini'. I'm still working at the Bow Valley Grill, but instead of hostessing in the mornings, I am expo'ing in the evenings! Which means, I start at 4:30 and usually work until 10:30. We're open for dinner from 6 until 9, its by reservation only, and instead of a buffet like breakfast, its all 'A La Carte' or, for those who don't speak french, 'Off the menu' hahaha. SOooooo, this position requires me to communicate with the chef's and the servers, and serve the entree's to their appropriate tables. I REEEEALLY enjoy it, because its pretty much the next step to serving, and I get to look at the dishes! And holy moly, I feel like I'm IN the food network when I see the prepared dishes. I didn't really realize until i started this position, how much of a fine dining restaurant I'm working in. Made me pretty excited! I almost want to take pictures of the dishes, haha so that I can show you guys.

On another note, I have ANOTHER new roommate, because the one I had before got a bigger room that she was on a waiting list for. This new girl is from Mississauga, she is my age, and her name is Elyssa! She is also working in the Bow Valley Grill, like me, and is hostessing. I was worried at first, before i was promoted to expo, that it could be weird living AND working with the same person, but, thats obviously not the case now since I will be on nights, and she will be on mornings! However, we've clicked right away, and I think our relationship over the summer looks promising :) She goes to Western in London, so she will be leaving here around the same time as myself!

Anyway, i have some stuff to take care of before work, I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things, but I will try to update sooner than later!

Love and miss everyone

Alison :)

Spring is a comin!

Hi again.

So this past weekend, as I already told a few of you, it was a high of 16-18 degrees C. It felt pretty awesome to walk down the street in flipflops, but still have the opportunity to go snowboarding if i wanted to! It helped me to really enjoy this place, and kind of gave me a view of what this summer could be like... I'm pretty excited. I've decided that I'm going to pick up a longboard and use it as much as possible!

So, being Banff, after the beautiful weekend, it absolutely PUKED snow all day Monday. However, it was incredibly beautiful. The only camera i have is the one on my phone, as soon as I was finished work, i took a walk out back and got some little pictures. (click on the pictures to make them bigger/see more detail)

It was gorgeous because the clouds were so low, you couldn't see any of the mountains, but just their shadows... Everything was black and white!
It wasn't cold, it was about +5.

Out back behind the hotel, there is a hotel pub called the Waldhaus, and the golf course, and the Bow Falls. I'd never been back there to see any of it, so i thought yesterday would be a nice day to do so.

This week I am just working lots, and thats about it!

Speaking of work, I should get going.

Take care
love alison

finally an update

hi hi.

I suppose I've been a bit distracted over the past week or so, starting my second job and settling into my new room, and David was also here for the past 6 days--which were all wonderful. I was very sad to see him go today.

On Saturday he arrived in the morning with his mom and sister, and we took a little trip to Norquay to go riding for a few hours, which was awesome because it wasn't too busy, and it was great to see some of his family again. We went out for dinner afterwards, and then Rebecca and his mom drove back to Calgary.

On Sunday I had to work early until about 12noon, so David went back to Norquay to spend some time in the park while I was at work. We met up later on, got some groceries (chicken specifically!) and had some dinner.

On Monday we got up early and took the 45 minute bus ride to Lake Louise, to go riding for the day (since I had 2 free lift tickets, and I'd never been there before). It was SO beautiful there, and there are so many options as to where to ride... since there are like 3 mountains to choose from. Here are some quick pics.

I think the day at Louise took a lot out of me, because I wasn't feeling so hot on Tuesday after working early in the morning. That day I hooked David up with my friend Scotty, who had asked me a few weeks ago if David could do some filming of his riding, and perhaps throw together a little video for him to send off to some potential sponsors. I was glad it worked out, since I had to work most of Tuesday and wanted to make sure David was busy doing something while I worked. They hiked backcountry at Sunshine, and ended up having a nice time.

Wednesday I felt sick still and was a little bummed about it, but I only ended up working just over an hour.

Today is Thursday, and David flew to Whistler to visit some friends and enter the 72 Hour film festival that is going on there, with a friend. I was more sad that usual to see him go.

Oh and mom, I have a picture for you... This guy was just taking a leisurely walk on the sidewalk in front of the hotel... this is a normal sight...

Well tomorrow I have to work at 6:15am, so I'm going to get to bed now.

I'll try to update more often, hope there are still some people reading!

Miss everyone a lot.

Love Alison.

new celly, new numba!

I'm definitely feeling a little more 'at home' now.

I went to Telus, and set up a brand new plan, thats actually under my name! I was worried that I would have to put a large credit deposit down, because of my past history with Rogers, and would therefore have to use my fathers credit card then pay him back (thanks for being there in case dad!), but THANKFULLY, Telus just put a spending cap on my monthly bill! Which actually works out really well for me, because it will force me to keep an eye on my bill.

I decided to go with an LG Shine, a newer phone that is getting really great reviews, and SHOULD outlast my 3 year contract. I also bought a 3 year full warranty for it, so that it's 100% covered free of charge, if anything at all happens to it.

Soooo, if anyone feels like sending me a text, send it to 403 763 8449!

There's also a pretty decent camera on this phone... for example...

This is a picture of Spray Ave, my building is to the right, on the other side of the trees (you can't see it) and a part of the Fairmont is on the left.

David is coming again this Saturday, with his mom and sister, who will be here visiting for a day... I'm pretty excited about that!! I think the plan is to do some snowboarding, and then dinner at my restaurant in the fairmont... we'll see.

Well bedtime for me... work early tomorrow morning

I'm still here

Yikes... lots of stress this week.

I'm phoneless, but trying to set up a landline... Turns out I got impatient and ordered a line, but we only have one phone jack, which the internet is already set up to. All i need is one of those double jack thingy's... my old roommate had one.

Thursday when i get paid, I'll be getting a new cell phone. So hopefully I'll be able to contact anyyyyone!!

I had my first shift at quiksilver tonight, and that was definitely nothing special, since I worked at west49 for so long... should be some good extra money for a few months. I'll probably only work there until June.

I really miss everyone... I know im just being a big baby but, i do miss everyone

oh by the way, here are some phone shots of some mountain goats just hanging out on the side of the road on the drive to Sunshine the other day...