more about the soonger |
april 2003 |
And the clock starts again...Friday, April 4Well, not only do the clocks shoot ahead this w/e ... it is also another milestone for me. I just hit the big 2-8 -- definitely in the upper-20s. I'm even getting less comments on my 'youthful' appearance. Wow -- that means I'm starting to look closer to my age now. Oh well, that's life. ;) What have I been doing thus far? I've been working like mad ... trying to get all these things done and helping people out. Have some bills to pay! It's tax time and I'm going to pay bigtime ... I was informed that the hospital was only keeping back 20% of my pay ... and how much I'm making ... I am guestimating that I'll be in the 42%+ bracket ... you do the math! |
Earlier in the week ... the weather was brilliant. I contemplated to do the complete debadging of the rear parts of the car but opted not to. I did enjoy having temps in the mid-60s (15-22C). Also did some driving around and had my eye on the Nissan dealership. They have an Infiniti g35 coupe on the lot -- 6-speed manual, premium package, black. It is beautiful. They're asking C$50k (a little over sticker price). I even started thinking about trading my Acura in for this car ... but how much of a depreciation hit would I take on it? I'm guessing I would have to fork out and extra C$20k for the trade up to the g35 ... that's A LOT of money ... What else? I was totally surprised at how many people remembered it's my b'day today. I am actually terrible at remembering other people's b'days (thus I have the Palm Pilot to guide me) -- feel glad that I am remembered by so many friends. :) Guess it comes with the territory of age -- the older I am, the more people I'm bound to know, right? |
Tuesday, April 8Quite a good w/e... worked Saturday 10-2. Entertained family at my house in the afternoon -- they wanted to wish my parents well before the cruise. Went out for dinner that night (2 nights in a row) -- it was GOOOODDD... Talked to some of my friends that evening ... planning the weekend ahead... |
Sunday was the big day ... taking my folks to the airport. Had dim sum beforehand ... had to make sure my folks had one good meal before they had to deal with airplane food for the long journey to Thailand. The drive there was pretty painfree. Got over in good time, airport traffic was light (it's Sunday) and driving back went without a hitch. Monday was quite an interesting morning -- SNOW! I also forgot that I was working 9-5 (instead of my usual 1-9 shift). Good thing my bro woke my sorry @ss up! Woke up at 8:52 -- cleaned up and was at the pharmacy for 9:02. Not bad, eh?! |
Monday, April 21What the heck? Over 2 weeks without an update? What is going on here? Not much going on here ... I'm surviving living on my own sans parents, contrary to popular belief. There have been quite a few nights eating out, but I have managed to use up some of the groceries in the house. Done some grocery shopping, too! Did go on a road trip to Toronto a couple w/e ago. Against medical advice (ie my brother), I went up for a pharmacy conference held at the Hotel Inter- Continental. I love that place ... it's SO NICE! The talk was really good. I also had an opportunity to meet up with friends. Checked out a friend's store out in 'ssauga. Beautiful brand, spanking few pharmacy inside a grocery store. A lot of other places can learn from the layout. Also went out on the town to talk at coffee houses. Nice change of pace compared to what Windsor has to offer. |
But what can a trip to Toronto be like without a car meet? I didn't meet up with my Acura TL buddies but instead, I commuted to Kitchener to meet up with a good ol' pharmacy classmate down from his store up in Midland, ON. (About 2 hr north of Toronto!). He was at home to celebrate his new year's. I also got a chance to wash my car (it was so wet and dirty in TO) before travelling down to London to meet up with friends. Took a few photos (will post them another time) -- have to say his 6-speed CL-S in aegean blue pearl looks HOT. (I like my car better but wish it came in that colour -- not that eternal blue pearl isn't nice but it's an option on a measley $16000 Civic!) Since the trip to Toronto, I've been working like a dog. Got word from my accountant and I will be paying up the wazoo in taxes this year. What I learned: max out your RSP contributions! I would have saved a bundle had I put more in. (My excuse: I didn't know how much the hospital would contribute so I will wait until this year to put in funds) Hope me being 'self-employed' will be more lucrative than last year. Can't complain though -- the freedom I have being freelance is a good thing. Do you hear me complaining anymore about work??? |