Rolling Stones "Sympathy for the Devil"
A couple months ago, my supervisor asked me if I wanted to head up North for a couple of months to cover for a fellow employee who was going on maternity leave. I've been in training to do a role such as this one since the beginning of my short career at Caterpillar. Now, I could have said no, but after thought of the decision hampering my career, thought that this would be an excellent opportunity to do the job that I've been learning to do up to this point. Plus, what better time to spend in Canada than the bitter cold of winter.
What exactly is it I do? That simple question has a loaded answer, but I'll try my best: I work for Caterpillar Inc., and am a liaison between the manufacturer, and our distributors/business partners, our dealers. Specifically, I deal with service type issues: issues with our machines, really upset customers, and helping Cat dealers with any other service related issues that they can't find solutions to.
So, on January 5th, I was off to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where the average January high temperature is 19F (that's -7C, people). I'll travel to Calgary, Alberta, and to Vancouver, British Columbia, to keep the wheels from falling off for one of Caterpillar's largest dealers in the service arena. Prayers are welcome for both myself, and the people , thanks.
After my flights were rescheduled, the airline went onto to notch another resume builder by losing one of my bags in North Dakota. I'm not exactly sure how something like that happens, but with my luck, that's about par. A couple days later they delivered it in one piece, so I digress. Then I nearly got my requested work permit rejected by a inquisitive customs agent. Thank ISU, I had the "Yes, I am an engineer" in my back pocket to allow me to get what I needed so I don't get deported next week. Then, I failed to catch my schedule cab. But as luck would have it, the Russian cabbie I finally ended up with, lifted my spirits by giving me the rundown on his abridged version of the history of Edmonton making me forget about my traveling troubles. Thanks, cabbie, this post is for you.
My company has put me up in a extended stay hotel, where I have a nice kitchenette complete with dorm-sized fridge. It's interesting "living" in a hotel, and I'm sure I'll have a posting about that soon... (foreshadowing?, hmm...)
I arrived at my hotel much later than desired (3 AM), and just wanted to crash after a long day of travel. Even though the outside temp was way cold, my hotel-artment (the hotel that I live in that I will refer to as my apartment) was blazing. It was as if Lucifer himself was waiting to have a drink with me at my fraudulent bar next to my kitchenette. I found the thermostat, but had to blink a couple of times before I made the stark realization that it was in....CELSIUS! Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all about the metric system. As an engineering major, it makes perfect sense, and is easier to solve complex mathematical formulas, but not adjust hotter than hell apartments for tired, exhausted Americans. Luckily, Steve Jobs was nice enough to allow me to have a conversion program on my iPhone that I used to figure out a comfy sleeping temp of 63 degrees Fahrenheit (that's 17.2C, people).
It's been fun observing the Canadian culture differences (*cough* stereotypes). I will be dedicating the rest of this post to them (sorry, Joe)...
A couple months ago, my supervisor asked me if I wanted to head up North for a couple of months to cover for a fellow employee who was going on maternity leave. I've been in training to do a role such as this one since the beginning of my short career at Caterpillar. Now, I could have said no, but after thought of the decision hampering my career, thought that this would be an excellent opportunity to do the job that I've been learning to do up to this point. Plus, what better time to spend in Canada than the bitter cold of winter.
What exactly is it I do? That simple question has a loaded answer, but I'll try my best: I work for Caterpillar Inc., and am a liaison between the manufacturer, and our distributors/business partners, our dealers. Specifically, I deal with service type issues: issues with our machines, really upset customers, and helping Cat dealers with any other service related issues that they can't find solutions to.
So, on January 5th, I was off to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where the average January high temperature is 19F (that's -7C, people). I'll travel to Calgary, Alberta, and to Vancouver, British Columbia, to keep the wheels from falling off for one of Caterpillar's largest dealers in the service arena. Prayers are welcome for both myself, and the people , thanks.
After my flights were rescheduled, the airline went onto to notch another resume builder by losing one of my bags in North Dakota. I'm not exactly sure how something like that happens, but with my luck, that's about par. A couple days later they delivered it in one piece, so I digress. Then I nearly got my requested work permit rejected by a inquisitive customs agent. Thank ISU, I had the "Yes, I am an engineer" in my back pocket to allow me to get what I needed so I don't get deported next week. Then, I failed to catch my schedule cab. But as luck would have it, the Russian cabbie I finally ended up with, lifted my spirits by giving me the rundown on his abridged version of the history of Edmonton making me forget about my traveling troubles. Thanks, cabbie, this post is for you.My company has put me up in a extended stay hotel, where I have a nice kitchenette complete with dorm-sized fridge. It's interesting "living" in a hotel, and I'm sure I'll have a posting about that soon... (foreshadowing?, hmm...)
I arrived at my hotel much later than desired (3 AM), and just wanted to crash after a long day of travel. Even though the outside temp was way cold, my hotel-artment (the hotel that I live in that I will refer to as my apartment) was blazing. It was as if Lucifer himself was waiting to have a drink with me at my fraudulent bar next to my kitchenette. I found the thermostat, but had to blink a couple of times before I made the stark realization that it was in....CELSIUS! Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all about the metric system. As an engineering major, it makes perfect sense, and is easier to solve complex mathematical formulas, but not adjust hotter than hell apartments for tired, exhausted Americans. Luckily, Steve Jobs was nice enough to allow me to have a conversion program on my iPhone that I used to figure out a comfy sleeping temp of 63 degrees Fahrenheit (that's 17.2C, people).
It's been fun observing the Canadian culture differences (*cough* stereotypes). I will be dedicating the rest of this post to them (sorry, Joe)...
Yes, it is as cold as they say up here. I'm used to the snowy conditions, but not the breathtakingly cold weather when you step outside every day. I thought when day when I woke up, 'Why in God's name would anyone every live up here? It's so cold, I don't think humans were made to live in these climates' Then, I got side tracked as Robin Meade was wearing a dark green knit, and Robin always looks good in green.
Everyone has been more than cordial up here, going out of their way to make sure that I'm comfortable. That goes for people at work, the hotel-artment, and the lady who cut my hair who explained that "runners" are tennis shoes/sneakers. But, it is true that Canadians, some of them, do say "Eh" at times. It's not as noticeable as one would think from films and other stereotypical scenes, but depends on the person, and what they're talking about. It's similar to a northern Minnesota, and or Dakota accent. But, they like to say "Eh" as an affirmation or confirmation when they're telling stories, or asking questions. For example, "I went to the grocery store, eh, and (insert some story which better be good, since I can't see many good stories that start out this way. Maybe you found $20, I dunno...) I've heard the phrase, "Is that right, eh?" numerous times from people you are telling them something. Where I'm from, its equivalent to, "Really?", or "You don't say".
Everyone has been more than cordial up here, going out of their way to make sure that I'm comfortable. That goes for people at work, the hotel-artment, and the lady who cut my hair who explained that "runners" are tennis shoes/sneakers. But, it is true that Canadians, some of them, do say "Eh" at times. It's not as noticeable as one would think from films and other stereotypical scenes, but depends on the person, and what they're talking about. It's similar to a northern Minnesota, and or Dakota accent. But, they like to say "Eh" as an affirmation or confirmation when they're telling stories, or asking questions. For example, "I went to the grocery store, eh, and (insert some story which better be good, since I can't see many good stories that start out this way. Maybe you found $20, I dunno...) I've heard the phrase, "Is that right, eh?" numerous times from people you are telling them something. Where I'm from, its equivalent to, "Really?", or "You don't say".
All in all though, everyone's looking for the same thing here in North America. Life, liberty, and a good ol' fashion Will Smith movie.
Thanks for reading, stay tuned for week 2 coming soon...
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