Working girl...gets a job Downtown!

So there has been a pretty big gap since my last post... and that's because I'm a working girl now! (no not that kind!!), but the kind that works a 9-5 in a Downtown office and is working for the the Ontario Provincial  Government within Recruitment! yehh! This is a different kind of job for me.. i'm a marketing and events girl.. but this is great exposure in working in Recruitment/HR department and also working public sector for the Canadian Government, now this is what you call the 'Canadian experience' alright!

Funny moment, a friend JK said over a dinner, 'excuse me, how did a immigrant get a job at the Government? I've been trying for yearssssss!!' hahahah we laughed so hard!! I guess it's kismet, or luck, or the power of God (he must be listening to me, I'm feeling this more and more each day)

Who knows but all I know is that the stars and moon aligned in perfect timing for me!

Time to make some new work friends, and explore the experience of working in North American organization!

p.s (Pictures above view form my building looking south.. and front of my building, with a Irish pub located at the front door - perfect!!)

Thanks for reading

MahaRani xxx

The day the snow came!

I've been lucky .....until now... the snow has finally decided to descend in Toronto.. and its been non-stop all day and we have at least  20inches on the ground!  (Not joking!). This is only the start i've been told! eeekkk!!! I need to brace myself ASAP!

So I get the out my winter gear:
[]Puffy puffer jacket with a massive hood (I look like a brown version of the Michelin Man - check
[] leather gloves - that really arn't that warm - check
[] scarf & trendy hat - life saver - check
[] boots - that are a little big - damn size difference from UK to Canada -  check
[] fake uggs - check
[] a hip flask of whisky - check!  ;o) that keeps me really warm ;o)

Am I missing something? I'm not sure, but I'm sure I'll soon remember while a freeze my backside off outside one day!  - heres what it looked like this morning when I left the house!

Partying in the T.dot!

While in Toronto I thought it only right to check out the 'scene' here.  I've been out on the town, or as the Canadians say Downtown few times now... I've explored the bars, karaoke bars, clubs and even checked out a Korean BBQ place. The line ups (or queues as we Brits say) are crazy. People stand in the cold and snow just to get into this swanky clubs. (Yes I was one of these people, it had to be done!). Toronto seems to have a cool and trendy kinda vibe and a great crowd so far it seems. But as we move in the winter and the snow is starting to pile up, i'm just not to sure if I could wear my peep-toe 3/4 inch heels in the snow without falling on my ass and breaking an arm.. This is going to be interesting few months to overcome the weather and still PARTY!! I can't be missing all the fun now.  How do these Torontonian'sdo this? has been crossing my mind recently, but I guess I'm becoming one of them for now.

This weekend I had a great night out with a friend CS, who took me under her wing and introduced me to her great group of friends.. after a fun filled evening ending with a spontaneous Condo party with this great group of people I think I have signed myself up to a volleyball league and maybe even invited myself along to their ski trip,  oppps... but its all good and networking is my key word for now!  

Thanks  for reading

Maharani xxx

The day I ate chicken......

So part of my journey to be a new 'me' was to do the things i'm not used to or are out of the ordinary for me, plain and simple - just out of my comfort zone!

So the first thing I've done as part of my new mantra was to eat chicken! I've been a vegetarian for about 21 years since I was the age of 7.. I've managed to keep to this from a New Years resolution, lord knows that's about the only New Years resolution i've EVER managed to keep! - Until now that is.  It took a little more convincing than I thought to break my 'vegetarianism' (if that's even a word). My friends MK and NT have been trying for years to get me to surrender to the 'meat' or at least some chicken, and ladies its taken me to come half way across the world to do it!

The time eventually comes to take the plunge and have me some CHICKEN!!  It's part of the whole getting fit and healthy regime i'm now on.  My first taste of chicken experience after 21 years wasn't any gourmet chicken from a fancy restaurant...I was simply when out to the store, bought some frozen chicken and put it in the oven. How boring I know.. I have now idea how to cook it or what to do with it, so I season it with some salt and pepper and then i'm set for my chow down!

I look at it and it is kinda of grossing me out and the texture. I  chopped it up in some salad, so that I could mask the chewy substance in my mouth... but I did it!  I had my very first chicken experience.. As ill as I felt eating it, this is an important milestone for me.


Thanks for reading,

MahaRani xxx

Depressing Diwali

I've been here almost and month and Diwali rolls around, my first being away from home.. and oh how I missed it!  Diwali at home has always been family filled one, with lots of food and fireworks! The house would be full of warmth, love and a happy family gathering.  My Dad  would cook for a army and we all visit the Gudwara (temple) as a family to light our diva's and then tend to visits form our extended family. My mum and I  would light lots of diva's around the house and then my brothers and I would have a competition with the neighbors to see who could blow up the street first!  Good times and only in Southall!  The smoke that arose above Southall on Diwali would lead to Heathrow flights being diverted! thats Major!

Spending Diwali over 5000 miles away from home was a little more subdued as Diwali is celebrated in the same way we do at home, just and not what i'm used to I guess. I missed home so much it was unreal. I couldn't help but tear up when speaking with my Mum and Dad over the phone. I know it was hard for them to not having me around, but these are the days when you miss your family the most.

Thank god for skype is what I say... at least I could get a little piece of home!

Thanks for reading.


MahaRani xxx

Halloween.. the Canadian way!

Halloween comes and goes in a blink of a eye back home in England.. However its a HUGE deal here in Canada - Lots of talk on the radio, tv, all the stores are packed with decorations and costume ideas and of course Pumpkins!!

Being a honorary Canadian it was only right to carve my very own pumpkin (thanks to cousin S and her kiddies)  and I even did a spot of 'trick or treating'!   See my handy work above on my very first carving of a jack-o-lantern!

Also I hit the town at a 70's themed Disco party! So I don my maxi dress (which I had form the summer) which doubles as FAB 70's inspired outfit, chuck on a afro,  some hoop earrings, and jazz up the make up & eyeliner the only way I know how and become a 'Disco Rani'... it was a fun night out.. and even funnier seeing myself in a 'fro'. My head looked like a giant balloon!  I'm too embarrassed to post those pics....

Thanks for reading..

MahaRani xxx

Lets get physical!

So one of the reasons to come to Canada was to spend some time on my own terms to look after myself.  I've made a start on the dreaded word the ‘diet’… I really hate that word, it’s been in my vocabulary since I was a little girl, I distinctly remember hearing it from a young age. When I was 8 my Mum signed me up to Jenny Craig!! I’ve always been chubby from the get-go, so it's something I've dealt with all my life. So that memory is very distinct as it was my very first stab at losing weight. Thinking about it now it seems so cruel to take a 8 year old and put them on a adults diet programme. I know only to well my Mum was doing it for me... so I LOVE her for it, despite all the exchange in words we've had over the years. I knows its always meant to be for my own good.  

I’ve been on some kind of ‘diet’ since then, now I’m 28. If I do the math that’s 20 years! God that makes me feel sad just saying that and thinking of all those failed attempts.  ;o(   I've always had something come up, that stops me in my tracks and I get discouraged, and a lack of positive mental attitude,   but not any more!

I know anything worth having takes work. So this is my fully fledged all guns blazing attempt to get down to a manageable and comfortable weight that’s right for me.  By me putting this on the web is another tool i'm using to make this work once and for all.  After which I know this is a life style change and I can’t go back to what I was. I won’t let myself… and my friends and family will won’t let me, I know that for sure.

So I decide to sign up myself up on a programme of Health and Fitness with major goals to achieve before next summer....(including joining the dating game, looking cute for my travels and all the people I will meet along the way!  Ohh and looking extra HOT for my little cousin N's wedding in July!)

So in a bid to short this sh*t out, I've joined LA Fitness gym, which is the California style open concept style gym, which is more than a little overwhelming! but who cares no one knows me here… that's the best bit! But I still can't help but find myself looking over at other people and think to myself  'what are they thinking of me?' Can't shake that habit....  

So far I’m 21 lbs lighter  - watch this space for updates!

Thanks for reading.