Let's Take A Trip Down Memory Lane

Since I have nothing to do and I have completed my readings for today, let's take a (photo) trip down the memory lane. It will consist of photos from my past summers, since they've been pretty good. Let's see how far I can remember back....

2000: I think I spent the summer trying to land a job, but couldn't. So I just bummed around at home. Then I got an opportunity to volunteer for Tennis Canada and took it. That was fun times because I got to run on the tennis courts and fill up the water coolers with ice and drinks. Also got to go to places where only my team could go and the accredited people (e.g. Media Tent, Sky boxes, Player's Lounge/Restaurant). Tough work though because I would come home in pain from all the heavy lifting and stuff.

2001: Took Grade 11 English in the summer! Boy was it ever stupid of me. I was a hermit because there was so much to do. But I ended up with a really good mark, which was really good. Spent another 9 days with Tennis Canada. Same position. This time, I got to hand ice to Martina Navrotilova (sp?). cool. She even thanked me.

2002:
Spent 6 weeks in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec (more specifically, Chicoutimi) working for a theatre company, creating props and set designs. Weekends were spent doing various activities, including kayaking on the Saguenay River (above); whitewater rafting; camping; whale watching; bowling; movie nights; and so much more! Oh the memories. How I miss the life in that city. It was so serine and quiet.

Then spent another 2 weeks with my family on the East Coast, driving around and visiting touristy places. Very picturesque. I want to go back.

2003:
Worked for Ontario Place during the months of July and August. Had an awesome time working there. Developed some really good interpersonal skills and also a lovely farmer's tan from working outside. Oh yeah...and I can't forget the lovely (and stupid) guest stories..haha -- "Can I park here so I could go for a swim in Lake Ontario?" (Gives guest a weird look) "Um. You really don't want to swim in that water".

Oh yeah...can't forget the wonderful Blackout! I was at work for CNE training in the staff lounge. When I came out, the scene was so hectic that they needed extra help from whoever can. I couldn't help out because I didn't have any OP gear on me so I wasn't able to help. But it was fun looking at all those guests trying to scramble for wristbands in order to exchange for another pass if they were to return to the park and the traffic on Lakeshore Blvd.

2004:
Was contemplating really hard on returning to Ontario Place or not. Then decided to forego that idea and took a job as a coordinator with the Summer Work Student Exchange program. It was a really good experience and something I enjoyed, but it was a little stressful and not as much fun when you're working from home. Aside from all the admin work and paperwork, the best part was hanging out with the students during the weekends and doing activities with them. Pretty sweet deal because I got paid to "play" -- Wonderland, Hairspray Musical, Rock climbing....the stress came from trying to get them to listen (I felt like a camp counsellor at times...I guess that's why I would never want to be a camp counsellor). At least I got to travel to Montreal on first class VIA Rail for free! hehehe.

2005:
First CO-OP work term was spent working for a Member of Parliament at the constituency office in Toronto. Somewhat stressful because of all the stupid phone calls I would get and people who kept insisting that I find them information on their case, even though I could not, for the life of me because it was still processing! Meh. It was a good learning experience. Definitely taught me to never work in a MPs office again, even if you paid me a million bucks. Since they couldn't fund my position until the end of August, I was out of a job for the month of August. So loe and behold, contacted OP and got my job back, even though I didn't return in 2004! It was really nice of them. Formed a new friendship with one of my training partners in Rita. Instead of solely being a parking attendant, like I was in 2003, I was Admissions Cashier. So I got to sell tickets and passes to people. Much more scarier than parking because in parking, it was only one price (or whatever price the time of day was, depending on the event) and only accepted cash. But as Admissions Cashier, I had to deal with a lot more prices, a lot more people, and a lot more buttons! AHHHH. Oh well, it was fun. The 3 weeks (plus 1 week of training) went by really really fast. I still miss OP and I will always miss the environment. And I will be remembered for being the "swapping machine" since I swapped about 450 pre-paid or complimentary passes for wristbands in a span of 4 hours (and it was my last shift ever at OP).

2006:
So far, it's been spent slaving away at school while my friends are enjoying the weather. I have been getting a chance to enjoy the weather through roller/foot hockey. Other than school....I don't see much happening this summer. I will be returning to Toronto for 3 weeks in August, which I intend on making a visit to OP and making fun of Rita while she gets pecked in the head by birds and taking in the CNE, before I return to Ottawa to my brand spanking new (ok, more like renovated, but everything inside is brand new!) apartment and resume my job at the Department of National Defence.

In the mean time...I will continue to make "memories". More like school memories, which I will throw away once it's over and done with. I think this summer has been the dullest since 2002. I don't know what I would do without the people from OCAC. They've been my only source of interaction at the moment, other than my roommate (I have two roommates, but one doesn't talk to either one of us and shuts herself in her room. So I talk to the other one.That's why I have it as singular) and I'm always happy whenever I can spend time with them because they're so cool and nice.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the trip down memory lane, as much as I have by writing it.