Just got back from my 2 weeks of orientation.
Mind you, it was not the unit orientation in the hospital yet. I still need to do 2 months of hospital orientation starting Tuesday. I’m a bit stressed actually. Nursing here in Canada is very different. But with prayers, I know I’ll get by.
I also have a lot of catching up to do with my reading and review for the CRNE exam on October 7th. It’s only a couple of weeks to go! Oh my! Stress stress stress!
So, how should I start describing my new found life here in Canada? Hmmmm….
Well, I live in a very small community here in Manitoba. I can’t mention the name of the place for purposes of confidentiality of course, but believe me when I say it’s a SMALL community. People know everybody.
The hospital is small as well. Very different from what I was used to back in the Philippines and in Saudi Arabia but it’s a start for me.
I have to be honest that I was depressed the first day I arrived here. All expectations were not met! Haha… A word of advice for those nurses in the Philippines researching in the web for the town they’ll be going to, don’t believe everything you see there! It’s just pictures! 
But in all fairness, the people here are very warmth and friendly. Well, of course, not all of them are friendly, but majority are so in a way, that helps with the adjustment.
What else? Oh, winter will be coming soon! We were lucky that we brought summer with us when we came here, September 1st. Usually, they say, their summer months is around July and August. They did not have a good summer during those months this year. It was cold and there were still some snow. So now that it’s September and summer is still here, they are hoping that the winter months or should I say the snow won’t come until mid-October. That’ll give me enough time to shop for winter clothes!
Fashion, during winter here, is out the window and into the drains! People won’t even care what you look like in the winter months! Their priority is staying warm! Imagine temperature going below 45! Yikees!
I’m thankful though that there’s no shopping mall from where I live. It will take about an hour drive to the nearest shopping destination, but at least it’s a good excuse to save lots and lots, right? Especially for a shopaholic like me! As long as I don’t get hooked up with online shopping, I’ll be A-okay!
Of course, I won’t deprive myself of necessities. I already have my wishlist. Three things that I really want before Christmas:
- Blackberry Tour (I’m hoping to get it next month after payday!)
- SLR camera (Nikon preferred but Canon will do if I don’t get a Nikon)
- Honda CRV (this may come after winter, but we’ll see)
Of all the above wishlist, my main priority is to process my husband’s papers so we can be together soon! I miss him terribly! 
BLACKBERRY TOUR IS A VERY GOOD CHOICE! I LOVE SELLING THAT PHONE! MY PERSONAL FAVE!
I love the tour best but if you’re after wifi, that is not the phone for you. I suggest a blackberry 8900, but you have to check with the providers in canada because the phone is GSM capable not CDMA, i know they use cdma tech in canada but im not sure. Although there’s another phone that i like….HTC touch PRO 2, both cdma and gsm capable, international use, wifi, touch screen and full qwerty keyboard plus windows mobile OS. you may want to look at it…but it’s very, as in super expensive. if you get the HTC be sure to get insurance! HAPPY SHOPPING!
CDMA tech is for US
GSM tech is for other countries like the PHIL
if your phone is both cdma and gsm capable…the better…you can use it anywhere