Its 10am on Saturday, Matt has gone to work and Ruca is sleeping in her basket so I thought I'd take some time to write to you with our latest.
I can't believe we haven't hit the 2 month mark yet...it feels as though we've been here so much longer than this! Matt is loving his job- the company is very good to him and they are very busy so he has a lot of projects on the go. He has been working on an indoor lap pool for a successful retired couple. Apparently they were both professors and both published authors. According to Matt he is about 5 foot nothing and rounder than a pumpkin (I can't help but picture Danny Devito whenever he mentions him!) the pool is supposed to be for him to get some exercise but not too strenuous as his weight is teetering on dangerous! From the pictures I've seen it looks beautiful, its inside a glass domed room and has 2 lanes and a hot tub connected to the side. Although Matt is happy with this company he still has plans to start his own company...when the timing is right.
As for me in the work department...I guess I have fallen away from pursuing any of the event work further- as my very assertive efforts were not rewarded. In all honesty, I'm ok with that as it has become very clear to me that my path is headed in another direction. I made a conscious decision that with this move- I would attempt to take my photography out of hobby status and into something more. I just started telling people that I'm a photographer and jumped in! It seems to be working- as I am currently mid way through my 3rd paying job. I was hired to shoot a birthday party for a lady who turned 100 years old! I worked as an assistant to a photographer I admire (who I cold called) on a magazine shoot for "Dogs of Canada" magazine.
Most recently I was hired to take some PR photos of "The Six Mile Pub" which is at the bottom of our hill and is the oldest pub in BC. I actually had been stalking the owner for a month to hire me as a server part time when we first got here- he liked me but had no room for me but I kept bugging him! He had a food runner position open up at one point and being so broke- I jumped on it...keep in mind- this is a province where the minimum wage is $8/hour (the lowest in the country) and food runner = slave to servers..for no tips and is also a job I did when I was 14! But you know...desperate times. I went in for 1 shift- ran my ass off and walked out realizing I had just made $32. So I nicely told the owner I couldn't do it- but to please keep me in mind for something else should he have an opening. He then told me he liked my photography and asked if he could hire me to shoot the pub!
In any case- those are just one off jobs but I have just received my business cards for "Wendhi Gale Photography" and plan to continue to build that as my business. In the meantime- I have been hired by a company out of Vancouver called "Just Arrived". They are a baby photography company with contracts in hospitals across the country. It's owned and operated by brothers- 37 year old identical twins...(to get an idea of what they look like please refer to my description of Matt's retired client above...minus 30 years) They are super guys and have been very good to me thus far. They have just actually signed a brand new contract with Victoria General Hospital and have hired me as area manager to head it up for them. Its a really good source of revenue for a hospital as the commission rate is a whopping 30%...but Just Arrived only signs with hospitals who have a birth rate of 3000 a year- the company is growing rapidly and in fact just signed on 4 hospitals in Toronto including Mt Sinai.
So Matt and I were taken to dinner by the company and I have been on a few business lunches- been given cards and a blackberry and have 3 part time girls working for me here in Victoria. No nights and no weekends...so its great. It all fits in with our plan to work our butts off during the week and play hard on weekends.
We haven't managed to do too much yet here - but as we get on our financial feet that will change. We have had some good excursions though- mostly to fulfill Matt's surfing needs- but it works for me too...to camp beside the ocean- sleep with waves crashing outside the tent...anytime! Still thank you Mum so much for finalllllly giving in and letting me have the Coleman stove and gear!!! Also slowly teaching Matt how to play cribbage...I let him know that he won't survive the cottage without that skill!
We have been downtown a few more times and each time find something new to enjoy- haven't been able to go out for a drink or meals yet- but when we are ready...we'll know where! I miss money!!!
Aside from that Ruca is happy and healthy- she hasn't been having any late night carpet mishaps anymore- we walk her late and put her out right before bed and also put her water dish up at night. So we're learning- but she loves to get out with us to the beach and still stands at the shore and barks at every single person clad in a black wet suit coming out of the water- as she waits for Matt to return. Its cute- but annoying too!
Matt's little guy Kieran turns 4! next week...so we had fun filling up a box for him which we sent off a few days ago. Hoping we'll see him soon too!! (hint hint;)
We'd love to hear your news too so if you have a chance- oh and if you could please send mailing addresses?!??! I can't seem to find my address book yet! I'll have to start a new one.
Kimmy- hope that your move goes well- send me your addie!
John and Karen- Happy Anniversary!!! xoxox
Jen and Jer- Hows life with Jayden?? Email and let us know what he's up to these days!
Much love,
Matt, Wendhi and Ruca
xoxo
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