Starring roles:
Shannon - Receptionist at CKVU TV
Gail - work colleague at CKVU TV
Don - CEO of CKVU TV, my boss
Brian Boitana - American figure skater
The Woolstones - family we stayed with on arrival - Carolynn - daughter
Sheila and Patrick - the Irish couple we are renting from
James - my baby brother
Wendy, daughter of Mum & Dad's neighbour who now lives in California, and Mark, her little brother.
Dearest wonderfulist and lots of other things nice, Mum and Dad!
How's that for a beginning? I mean it though! I want to know why I'm now Dearest Joanne in your letters as I used to be Darling Joanne? Haha
Friday 11th May 1990
A very dull and rainy day today.
Work was quiet so went and sat at the switchboard with Shannon to try and learn it. It doesn't look too difficult, but I just watched today. Anyway, I was looking at the television screens and I saw Brian Boitana was being interviewed in our building! I didn't even know he was coming in. Well I didn't get to meet him, but it was quite exciting to know he was there. CKVU are sponsoring an ice-skating event that Brian and his partner were doing. I didn't get free tickets for that though, sadly!
Got the Seabus home. I just fancy a change of scenery sometimes.
Watched Dallas this evening. I like Cally so much and she is really funny in this episode. And JR is behind stupid as he's committed himself to a looney bin to get in touch with Jessica!
Saturday 12th May 1990
Had to go to college for the day to do the first part of a word processing course. Fancy having to do it on a Saturday! At least it wasn't sunny and hot or I would have been very upset! It was a good course though and I learned a lot. We had a nice pasta lunch as they have a French Chef who cooks fresh food there!
Vince is on call this weekend so is going everywhere with a portable phone. Poser! He was walking through a shopping mall when the phone rang and he had to answer it. Haha - I wish I'd seen him. He said he was embarrassed.
Went out for a drink in the evening with Carolynn and two other girls. Vince is always surrounded by girls lately! We went to The Bayside Room in English Bay. It's where Carolynn took us when we were here on holiday. It's nice there with a beautiful view across the Bay AND they have a piano player. And guess what, they have phones at every table for the use of the customers. But of course, Vince had his with him. Luckily it didn't ring! It was a fresh night, a bit chilly, but the sea air is so invigorating. Lovely.
Saturday 13th May 1990
Happy Canadian Mother's Day! Forgot to wish you this on the phone earlier, but was concerned with you not being well. Poor Mummy - I wanted to comfort you, but it sounds as though Dad was taking good care of you. At least Dad got to do more talking today. I really don't know what I'd do without your phone calls and your letters.
I made food for the Woolstones today as we were going to barbecue. I did chicken kebabs (or kebobs as they call them) and rice and salad ad burgers. They were dead impressed. You should have heard them and it was really simple. It wasn't a very nice day for a BBQ so they cooked outside, but we ate inside. It was nice even though I do say so myself. Vince did cook it well, mind you!
My favourite film "Singing In The Rain" was on tonight. Well neat!! Made me think of you, especially the bit at the end with the arms - remember? They have information bits between the movies on Sunday night and apparently Gene Kelly wasn't happy with the choice of Debbie Reynolds as co-star, because she wasn't a professional singer and dancer. So he taught her, how amazing is that?!
Monday 14th May 1990
Had second part of the word processing course today. Was good again, but only had sandwiches for lunch today.
Sheila and Patrick have just come home. They've been away for the weekend. Apparently, they disappeared for Mother's Day because Sheila wasn't likely to get anything from her two sons. It's quite sad - they couldn't have children of their own, so adopted twin boys. I think they're about 19 now, but don't have anything to do with Patrick and Sheila anymore and they don't know why! Perhaps they'll come to see sense one day. I hope so. Also found out today that Patrick's Dad is very ill and only has a few weeks to live, so he's got to fly back to Ireland next Friday. He is hoping he makes it in time. That's sad isn't it?
Rang James, as you know, to wish him an early Happy Birthday. It was so lovely to talk to him - he was telling me all about school. I think he has to be 18 to apply for a Blue Coat at Pontins and does he realise it's a Summer only job? Can't wait to get his letter.
Tuesday 15th May 1990
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES!
Worked all day today, as Gail was away. I had to get up at 6am - yawn! It was quite nice when I was up though - normal working hours are 8.30-5pm. I was quite nervous about it, but in the end enjoyed myself. I felt quite important!
Don, my boss, went out for someone's birthday lunch. I went into his office in the afternoon and was asleep! I wasn't sure whether to wake him or not, so I said "Excuse me, Don?" - well he nearly jumped out of his skin. I said "heavy lunch was it?" and he said "Yep, that's it exactly!". It was funny. He's supposed to be retiring soon - I'm not surprised!
Went to The Sizzler in the evening because we couldn't be bothered to cook. Tut tut! Oh well, who cares, I don't - it was very nice! Haha.
Heather called to say she got your letter. Can't believe you both decided to write to each other at the same time. She does seem to be a little bit psychic about things. Anyway, she said your words were lovely and that you have a way with them. I agree.
Wednesday 16th May 1990
Back to normal at work. It was extremely quiet again today and I was actually very bored. Gail didn't have much to do either. It's not so bad when the boss is away, but when he's around, you have to try and look busy and it's not easy! Felt quite miserable when I got home.
Carolynn came round and we all went for a walk in Lynn Valley Canyon. We walked a different way and came across this deep clear pool among the rocks. It was beautiful, deep, clear and aqua green. It would have been lovely to swim in (if the weather was warmer). But it was fascinating to gaze at.
Carolynn brought your note to Heather with her to show me. You really did write that with feeling. It was lovely. I want to say that Heather and George have been really good and they have looked after us well, but no matter how nice they are, they'll NEVER be you two. But I guess I don't need to tell you that, I just wanted to say it. I'm silly I know!
We had another letter from Double E Removals, which has really annoyed us both. They are almost accusing me of lying about the missing package. Well, they are going to get a piece of our minds tomorrow. I'm going to send them a fax from work. We've also found out that the company this end were supposed to issue us with insurance forms and on calling them this evening, for the third time since delivery, they've found the forms in our files! Amazing!! So we will see what happens now.
Still, some good news too, we've received our credit cards today. Our own bank wouldn't give them to us until we had 9 months financial history here, but another bank gave them to us just like that. They are visas, so I'm off on a shopping spree now! (I wish).
Got your letter today, which apart from being wonderful, softened the blow from the horrible Double E letter. I can understand why you decided to move your bees, it certainly sounds as if the garden was getting a bit hair-raising. I think I would have been quite nervous. You just need to hurry up and get a bigger garden! All my teddies and dolls did arrive safely. The teddies in the wardrobe were sitting almost exactly as I put them. It seems very strange that everything we had in England is now here in Vancouver. It's hard to take in that we actually live her sometimes.
Thursday 17th May 1990
Went out to lunch with a girl from work, Carol. She is really nice. Her ex-husband is English, so I make complete sense to her! Her current boyfriend has a Hi-Fi system like Vince and also prefers records over CD, so our other halves also have a lot in common. They hardly sell any records over here, they are dying out, it's mostly CD's you find.
Went shopping to Save On after work. I didn't know what cereal to buy. I've been having Rice Krispies, but although they are exactly the same as the ones I've always had, they just don't taste the same! I'm very upset!
Friday 18th May 1990
CKVU-TV are putting on a two-day show - The Children's Miracle Network Telethon. It's something like Children In Need, except that this is just for children's hospitals. Anyway, they've been putting up the scenery in the big studio and it looks really good. It's amazing to see how they can transform a studio. Apparently they have a set for another program and it's the inside of a brain. Yuk!
Wendy called this evening, it was nice to speak to her. She's going to England soon for Mark's wedding - I didn't even know he was getting married! Apparently, you're going to the evening do - did you know that?! If you do, please take some photos. How time flies, I can still remember Mark and Dean playing together as little boys.
Sent out for pizza this evening - oh gawd what a hard life this is!
Saturday 19th May 1990
Aerobics morning. Vince did circuit training, then went swimming, had a sauna and used the whirlpool. He starts and finishes half-hour earlier than me. We had a lady instructor today, she was a toughie, but it was a fun workout. Actually, I think Vince should join in for the last half hour don't you?
Went to breakfast at a place called Glady's. Vince had this great big fat ham steak with eggs. It was more like dinner. Greedy piggy poo! I had a lovely omelette. It had cheddar cheese and cream cheese, mushrooms and green pepper. Cor!
Went to a British car exhibition at Vandusen Gardens. I think you would have enjoyed it a lot, Dad. They had some real old classics there, including some Morgans - I would still like one of those! They had TR6's, TR4's, TR3's, M.G.'s, Aston Martins and loads more. We didn't take the camera though, so no photos. These gardens are really lovely, although we didn't have a good look round because we were worn out.
Went to see a film "Pretty Woman" in the evening with Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. It was okay, but nothing special, but Julia Roberts is so beautiful.
Sunday 20th May 1990
Wonderful to speak to all three of you this morning! I got really upset afterwards today though. I've been feeling sad on and off all this weekend, and missing you badly (which I always do, but it's worse today). I think the dull weather doesn't help either!
To answer your question about where we'll put you at Christmas, well as you say there's always Vince's van or a tent. But we do hope to buy a place this year, which will solve everything. But if we do happen to be here still, there's a spare bedroom and a sofa bed, so there's plenty of room and it will be fine with Sheila. But in any case, we both would like our own place by then anyway. Do you think you will definitely be coming or does it depend on Dad's work etc.? I know you want to come and of course we want you to (soooooo much). Anyway, you don't have to tell us yet, we were just wondering ...
Went to a Flea Market in a bit warehouse, but it was a load of old junk - just like a giant boot fair really. Garage sales are a big thing over here, people just sell off all their old stuff from their garages and gardens. We haven't been to any yet, but Sheila and Patrick go to quite a few. I suppose you can get some quite nice things.
Popped into Lonsdale Quay briefly. The rain came down really hard and heavy at one point, it made the water seem very brown and menacing.
Went to the Woolstones' for dinner - again!! They had quite a crowd today. Heather taught us a new card game called Frustration. It was fun, but yes, very frustrating haha. Vince said I'm not a very good wife 'cause cause I beat him. I'm the winner, he's not!! He's just jealous. There was a storm tonight and the thunder boomed so loudly - I've never heard anything like it - Carolynn screamed!! I wonder if the thunder sounds so much louder because we are near the mountains? It sounded like it was right above our heads. I loved it though - you know how I love the sound of thunder. Everyone keeps telling us that usually the weather is lovely this time of year, so we are waiting patiently.
Monday 21st May 1990
Queen Victoria's birthday today, so everyone gets the day off. Spent the day in Stanley Park, which is beautiful. Took some nuts and bread to feed the squirrels and the ducks. Oh it was so wonderful, the squirrels were hungry and were running up our legs and bodies to take the nuts from our hands. We took some photos so will send you some. Saw some lovely rabbits too, one of them was very brave and kept coming up to us, so I called him Flopsy. We didn't have anything to give him, so I offered him some bread and he ate that! We'll take some carrots next time. The park was quite busy today and they had a few side shows: clowns making balloon animals and a Punch & Judy show, which I thought they only had in England. It just goes to show.
Had a cup of tea in the garden with Sheila and Patrick when we got home. Sheila told us to be careful of the squirrels as they carry rabies! Hmmmm! They told us there is supposed to be a whale in the Burrard Inlet, that's where the Seabus crosses. I wish I could have seen it. Apparently, it came in after the fish at a fish factory. He's not trapped though, he can get out again. There is a trip you can do from Vancouver Island where you go out in a boat to see the whales in their natural habitat. That must be well neat!
Tuesday 22nd May 1990
Back to work today. Don gave me some praise - he said it was really nice to have me there and that I was doing good work. He said he hoped I was happy. I thought that was really nice of him and it made me feel good. He is retiring at the end of August and a man named Peter Viner is taking his place. He's supposed to really nice too.
Went shopping after work for Vince's Anniversary present. I won't tell you what it is, as he's going to read this letter! I used my new credit card - I like that way of paying for things! I was in Robson Square, by the Art Gallery, and I saw CKVU filming, I wasn't sure whether our reporter Douglas Miller knew who I was, so I just waved, but he spoke to me anyway. It was sweltering hot this afternoon in Downtown Vancouver, but I looked over at the North Shore and it was black and cloudy. Anyway, I got on the Seabus and it started to rain! It looked so pretty though, because the sea was dark and the sun was shining through the rain and it looked just like crystal drops falling on the water. There's something more lovely to see every day.
Vince has set his Hi-Fi up now, so is happily listening to his records. I think he was having withdrawal symptoms!
Wednesday 23rd May 1990
Went to Heather's Mum's after work with Carolynn and she cooked us dinner. It was really nice. Her Aunty Dorothy popped in too - she's another trendy one!
Carolynn came in to see Vince's Hi-Fi and she ooooh'd and wowed over his record collection. They were whispering about what we're going to do for our Anniversary. Vince was going to take me on the Royal Hudson stream train up to Whistler and then come back on the boat, which would have been wonderful, but the train is under repairs until June.
Thursday 24th May 1990
Haven't done much today. Work is extremely quiet the whole building over. Had a barbecue at lunchtime which was nice, although a bit chilly in the back alley.
Carolynn rang and did more conspiring with Vince. I had to go where I couldn't hear them. Blimey!
Well this letter is getting a bit overdue, so I should end it here.
 |
| Jo's sign off 24.5.1990 |
No comments:
Post a Comment