Jernie's Hub

With this short period of time that I’ve been here, it’s very interesting to observe the ways of life and the way things are.


What I like in this place is its diverse community which gives that feeling that nobody is a stranger/foreigner. The first time we went to the Eaton Center (a huge shopping mall), I couldn’t stop saying, “I feel like I’m in Dubai”. While walking around I was having the impression that all nationalities must be here and everybody speaks the same language.
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Canada, land of opportunities? That’s what I heard from some people I know here. I think so. If one is not picky, job is always there. I heard that job opportunities in the retail industry and care-giving are not difficult to find. But to be for example in the healthcare industry, business, technical field etc…; one is required to study again and gain working experience here.
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We went to buy myself a pre-paid simm card. For the first time, I havn't encountered a system as complicated as here. I was presented with a brochure of plans for me to choose from. I insisted that I want a pre-paid card. For me, a pre-paid simm card means buying the card and topping-up an amount to make calls. Well the Assistant started to take us through the steps. First I had to choose which phone I’m going to get. But I want to use mine. Second I have to choose the price plans: 1 ct EVENINGS & WEEKENDS PLAN; $1 A DAY UNLIMITED EVENINGS & WEEKENDS PLAN; ALL DAY PLAN; ANYTIME PLAN. Huh! Guess which one I should take. To try to understand each plan, the Assistant needed to explain to us the mechanics… calling timings, minimum top-ups, charges for daily, 5 mins, 30 mins for 60 mins and last but not the least the expiration of the simm card per plan. Third step is to choose add-on facilities/features: voicemail, various types of charging txt messages, etc... And finally step 4, how to manage the account. When I decided what to take, I thought we were through. Then came the registration and payment. A good one hour was not even enough to finish the process. Really interesting huh!

When I got the bill, there was something new again. The plan was costing $100, the simm card costs $25 how come I have to pay $142.50? Then I learned that the VAT is not included in their pricing. Ooopppsss! I realized that I have to reset my calculator. I was told that for everything I’m buying I have to add 14% VAT. So, we went to a shop to see. I picked-up an item for $100, it means I have calculate 14% on top of its price making it $114. Is it a marketing strategy? In Germany, when I pick-up an item for Euro 100, it means I will pay a Euro 100 no more no less. It’s simple, isn’t it?
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Since we are living in downtown, most of the important/touristic sites are not far away, can be reached by foot or by street cars. I got a map and plan to visit these places during week days. On weekends, we normally drive out of town to see more interesting places.

While walking around, I bumped into a signage “Shopping Concourse / Food Court” towards underground. I was curious so I went down. It was a vast shopping complex underground Toronto Downtown. I didn’t know about it. It is a very good place to wander around because it’s warm. After a good hour wandering around, I started to think where should I exit? I didn’t even know where I am. Had to sit down and look at the map. I just hope I will find my way back to the apartment. Hehehehe. But with the structure of the streets here, it is easy to locate places.




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Around the streets, I have seen few homeless people. They sleep on the streets; I can’t imagine how cold it is for them. There are some individuals approaching people soliciting money. I was told that the crime rate here is high, that I have to take extra care when roaming around.

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Christmas spirit is very much in the air. The shopping malls, streets and buildings are showcasing Christmas decorations especially the Eaton Center and the Bay St.







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I had the pleasure to meet a friend and an ex-colleague back in Dubai. It was wonderful to be together again. We enjoyed catching-up on so many things and had a great time reminiscing our time back in Dubai. I was so happy to meet her friend too, who technically shared to us some info on living here. They were so kind enough to introduce me to the subway transit. I had my first ride then.



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Last weekend, we drove to Barrie (a residential area about 1 hour and half from downtown Toronto). On our way, we were enjoying the landscape, the sights - an ocean of white fields, snow everywhere. Beautiful!