Tag: Canada

Settling In

Hello admin pros. I hope you’re doing well. In today’s post, I’m going to give an update on my first 8 months in canada as an EA at Amazon.

Work

You may recall I transferred to a new team last February then moved to British columbia, canada in late march. By Mid-october, one of my Directors left Amazon. His team was pushed to another leader temporarily until they decide to backfill his role or shift the team under another leader.

My manager’s team was re-orged and his team nearly tripled, with 2 Directors reporting to him. This makes me a Lead EA and there is one other EA in the org.

We’re in a bit of a holding pattern at work. Everyone is Getting to know each other and focus on 2024 goals while we wait for the Q1 re-org.

The Home Front

the Mister and I are settled into our apartment. We’re getting around New West and finding our favorite shops. We spend a lot more time at Canadian Tire than either of us expected. It has everything and is in the same mall as our favorite grocery store.

Malls. Have I mentioned that Canadians love their malls? Seattle malls are a ghost town, at least they were when we left. There are a lot of malls in British Columbia, from small strip malls to huge, sprawling malls in downtown Vancouver. The Metropolis Mall in Metrotown is a vast network of stores.

The Bulk Barn is amazing. Mostly candy because it appears that Canadians love bulk candy. they also have kitchen stapes: flour, beans, rice, spices, tea.

In place of Starbucks on every corner, we have Tim Horton’s. The baked goods are lovely and the carrot cake muffin is divine. Their coffee is really good – the double double has just the right amount of sugar and half and half. I’m officially addicted to London Fog – That’s an Earl Grey Latte. Delish!

I’ve found a great hair stylist near my home – Kaleigh is not only a Hair whisperer, but she’s also a big Doctor Who fan!

I’ve finally got a primary care physician and am catching up on the various tests and screenings that were on hold until I could get orders and referrals. Still need to find a dentist.

I’ve mastered the art of cramming into the Sky Train with a couple hundred of my new besties for 40 minutes twice a day, three days a week until the new year.

After 6 months, I think i can spell New Westminster rather than New Westiminister. It’s much easier to follow the locals lead and call it New West.

In December, my sister is coming for a visit and we’re going to explore the winter-themed offerings around the region.

downsides

Just two right now. our apartment is next to the building generator. Every couple of months, it goes into what I like to call Bone Shaker mode that can last anywhere from 1 to 24 hours. my noise cancelling headphones blot out the sound but our apartment vibrates, rattling pictures against the walls, monitors and chairs shake.

Canada Post went on strike. Luckily, there are plenty of fedEx and DHL shops around for our shipping needs.

Thanks for spending some time with me today.

Drop a comment and let me know your favorite coffee or tea beverage, your plans for next year, or topics you’d like me to cover.

November 27, 2024
Job Transition and Move Prep
Hello admin pros! I’ve started and revised this post several times over the past couple of weeks. I’ve been with my new team, at the Seattle office, for 5 weeks. This post chronicles my job transfer within the US and preparation for relocation to Canada.

On Feb 6, my work assignment changed to my new teams. These teams don’t overlap, so I have to learn two business units. They are similar in that they internal network resources for Amazonians, but that’s where the similarly ends. I’m enjoying getting to know my new leaders, teams and EA peers.

Both teams are pushing hard on goals due in Q3, so the pace is already fast. Contrasted to my previous team, Q1 and Q2 were generally slower following the fevered pace of peak holiday shopping.

In terms of moving to Canada, I was offered two relocation options:
1. a cash payout where the employee is responsible for everything: applying for and obtaining the work permit, finding housing, managing tax returns, and arranging for the household move.
2. Relocation support, where a team is assigned to manage the move: secure a move company, arrange for temp and permanent housing; tax return support; and legal support to manage the work permit applications.
After talking it over with my husband, I chose the second option; it was going to be hard enough adapting to new leaders. We didn’t need to spend every non-work, waking moment on organizing all aspects of moving to another country.

First lesson: know your limits and ask for help.

On top of moving, we had the Noir City Film Festival, Emerald City Comic Con and scheduling time with family and friends to talk about the move. All the running around resulted in a lot of stress and restaurant eating.

I gave myself grace for a couple of weeks then dusted off my scale for weekly weigh-ins, adjusting my food intake and adding in some low-key movement. Extra stretching, stopping to close my eyes and take deep breaths and eat more mindfully. Purposefully slowing down was a way to take control where possible in a whirlwind of a lot of Things That Are Out Of My Hands.

Second lesson: manage the stress eating.

The movers show up on the day this post publishes; we drive to Canada on Friday. Our home of 22 years goes on sale the following Wednesday. I’ve had to give away houseplants I’ve had for decades because I don’t know their countries of origin.

It’s a lot of a lot and all doable. Everyone has been wonderful and supportive. The Mister and I have treated this like a project, making shared task lists, setting timelines and helping each other through this upheaval.

At the end of the day, we’re moving 3.5 hours north of Seattle. I’ll be back in town regularly to support team events and visit Seattle friends.

The next two months are going to be a whirlwind.

Expect a new post when you see it.
March 21, 2024

Tag: Canada

Settling In

Work

The Home Front

downsides

Job Transition and Move Prep