Thank you so much for the gift!

Awe, thank you for the lovely tea book :) I love tea and years ago when I was training to be a teacher I was part of a club that paired elementary school kids with a university student, a mentor program. The first year I had a girl and she talked about Neopets. I joined to understand what she was talking about. She didn't stay long... but I did. I chose a name that was kid-appropriate but also reflected my personality. I eventually tired of Neo; however, the name stuck and I'm much happier here.

I'm medium allergic to cats. I get a stuffy nose and if I hold one too long little red bumps. Sphynx cats are not hypoallergic; however, I'm not allergic to them. I knew a woman that was severely allergic to cats & other animals. She babysat Gismo for a few hours and when I got back, she had developed a huge rash on her leg where he had licked her. Without fur, there's no fur going everywhere. They have great temperaments too... love to follow people around, talkative, loves being tucked in blankets, etc. Gismo even fetched when he was younger and can do a few tricks like sit and give the paw :) He'll be 14 in Dec.

Good luck for the job! If you don't get it, then it wasn't meant to be. Sometimes we don't get what we'd like but afterward, we realize we were better off without it. If you do get it, then it'll not only help with university costs, it might be a foot into the door for a better job opportunity in the future ;)

Computer technicians are always in high demand... more complex jobs can take a hit but nowadays with technology, there will always be the jobs of fixing other people's headaches when technology crashes. If you can't find your dream job, you'll still have something to fall back on. My health is problematic, so no matter where I live it wouldn't make a difference for a job. I'm happy where I ended up being though. I have a wonderful hairless cat that keeps me company, the best apartment I've ever lived in, and a community garden about 15 min away from where I have my own plot of land 10x20 feet. There are groceries in several directions about 15 min walk away from me. I used to teach high school students... loved teaching but didn't like the challenges with the administration. I was told in the past how no one looks at the grades when they hire you... they just look to see if you got the diploma. You'll do fine with the IT sector. Plus, as odd as it may sound, it's actually good if Covid measures last longer... more people working from home means more people requiring technology so you'll have a better chance at finding something. ;)

Glad you enjoyed the present :) Even some events that originally seem unrelated are starting to be linked back to stress due to Covid... including teeth problems dentists are observing! Some have tried avoiding going to the dentist with problems thinking it'll get better but winding up getting worse. Regular cleanings are not done (only urgent cases) so more will have problems down the line... people going out less so some are cleaning their teeth less because they are staying indoors, etc. The initial impact has hit the world... but the repercussions will be felt for years to come. Even finding a job will be tougher.

Something to think about... I was doing a Master of Library & Information Studies to become a reference librarian, archivist, etc. A recession hit 1 year before I was going to graduate. When I graduated, I tried finding a job. I had a lot of desirable qualities (experience, bilingualism, etc.); however, I discovered people that had been in part-time or full-time jobs for years had been let go because organizations had to cut back due to the recession. I wasn't competing against new graduates... people with years of professional experience were trying to get the same jobs as me! With Covid, it's going to be much harder for everyone to find good jobs.

If I would have known what I know now, I'm not sure I would have done my masters. I don't regret learning new skills that I can still use today in different contexts; however, I'm not working in the field I studied in... I'm not even working (but that's another story). I was lucky in being able to graduate debt-free; however, it's rare for people to do so. I had stopped school a few years to put money aside while living at my parents' rent-free. They weren't able to pay for university; however, the provided an opportunity to save money. I managed to pay for my Bac & Masters... even though I had saved up a lot, I also worked during school and was on a very tight budget.

I don't know what I would have done if Covid would have hit when I was a student. If I would have known how things turned out for me, I would have questioned if it was worth staying in school. There's a societal myth that higher education guarantees a better paying job... not necessarily. As yourself this: What are the realistic prospects of getting a job in your field of study now and a few years from now? Some companies are becoming bankrupt. Others will have to reduce staff. Those that lost jobs will try to get reemployed so there will be more qualified candidates competing with the "new" graduates. Then ask yourself: what will a diploma help you gain? Is it the experience you'll be able to use anywhere in life or is it in hopes of getting a job you're interested in. If it's more for the hopes of a job, you might be disappointed in the end. I don't regret getting my masters as it helped lead me down the path I am today whereby I better understand myself and I am more at peace with myself. I hope you won't be disappointed with your experience and will be able to see the benefits you've gained with learning new things. Hugs

US actually has the opposite reputation, where people aren't welcome, and how Americans can be rude. Obviously, it's a stereotype that isn't applicable to all. In Canada, we have a reputation for being friendly and welcoming... but not everyone is. With Covid everywhere, it's causing tensions in the entire world. Wear masks, don't, conspiracy theories, etc. Deaths are one thing, people getting severely ill and having side effects even after they recover is more challenging. Some go about their business like there is no risk whereas others have to be extra vigilant. In Canada, Quebec has the highest toll and the city that's the worst affected is Montreal, and in Montreal there are regions... I'm in one of the 3 highest regions that are affected in the entire country. We've had the economy shut down where many lost their work and never got it back. We were in confinement for a few months. Many of the in-person services have been removed. Eventually, the country and although it took longer for Montreal, my city started to reopen. Some are scared, others are mad, others are depressed, etc. People's lives are in the balance and some don't care. It creates great tensions everywhere so anything and everything can make a person get into an argument these days. It's not just in Canada or the US... it's everywhere in the world like this.