On Mar 2, 2010, at 10:35 AM, Steve Williams wrote:
Family,
Yesterday, I received birthday greetings from several in the family who asked me to let them know how I was enjoying Canada. I had been thinking of sending an e-mail to the family so the notes reminded me to do so.
Turning 50
wasn’t the happiest moment in my life. Generally I feel young at heart but 50
doesn’t sit well with me. It causes me to think that there’s only a short time left and not much time to get the “chores done”.
My experience in Calgary thus far has been positive. When I’m not at work or church I am as lonely as I can be, but when I’m around people things are good. The people at work and the wards I’
ve attended have been remarkably friendly. They are Texas friendly in the sense that they are outgoing and very, very kind. My pattern on Sundays has been to go to my own ward (near downtown) and then to attend one or two other wards elsewhere. The relief society sisters of Calgary have been well taught on how to welcome strangers. In every ward where I’
ve stayed for Sunday School I’
ve received a dinner invitation. I take them up on the invitation because it gives me a chance to make new friends and ask questions about the area.
Work has been a slow start. My role will be to take-over a senior partner’s client base and then together to assist him in growing our practice. The practice serves Canadian companies doing business in the U.S. It is a talented group of individuals from the U.S., China, India, and other parts of Asia. I have not yet transitioned onto the client assignments so several days have been slow. I look forward to being a bit busier at work. However, already in the first month I was instrumental in selling a new and very large client. In a professional services firm you are “scored” by how much revenue you bring to the business. I needed this win because I
hadn’t generated any work from billable services. There will be an adjustment going from being self-employed to working for a large company but I’m finding there’s a lot I need to learn. The people at
PWC Calgary are literally from all over the world. It is remarkable. There is so much to learn from them. Plus, the business and tax world has advanced and become much, much more quite than when I left PW 17 years ago.
Calgary is expensive – incredibly expensive! I knew the price of homes was much more than Dallas but I had no idea how much more. The prices are staggering! $300 - $350 a square foot is about the going rate. Our home in Texas would sell for $1.3 - $1.5 million here. I don’t yet know how we’re going to buy a home – or if we’re going to buy a home. We may rent. There is no tax deduction in Canada for mortgage interest or real estate taxes so renting is a possibility. I currently live in an apartment about 10 blocks from the office in the heart of the city centre. The apartment is very comfortable – but lonely.
Weather
hasn’t been bad during the last month. It
isn’t warm enough to melt all the snow on the ground but it’s getting there. People tell me that the temperatures have been unusually mild. They said December was horrible though. I was told that temperatures in December got down to negative 40 degrees Celsius. This last week the days seem to be lengthening and it feels like spring is not far away. I enjoy being surrounded by the mountains again. I love seeing the wildlife. On Sunday I went to church not far from my home and two large deer were feeding in the yard of a home near the church. It’s not uncommon to see deer in town. On Saturday I watched a herd of several hundred elk. The outdoors is close.
On Saturday I drove 2 ½ hours south to go to the temple in
Cardston.
Cardston is a very small town – almost deserted – but the temple is beautiful. This was my second visit there. Stacey and I went together right after we entered Canada about a month ago. This temple is one of the originals. The craftsmanship is amazing. People here rumor that President
Hinckley said
Cardston was the prettiest temple in the church. I don’t know if that’s an accurate statement but it is beautiful. Inside the temple many of the colors are bright. There is obviously native American influence in the architecture and design. The temple is well attended even though it is 2 ½ hours away from Calgary. Both times I’
ve been the sessions have been full. I like it there.
Since I’
ve been here I also took a drive to
Waterton National Park. I’m told that
Waterton National Park in Canada and Glacier National Park in the U.S. are essentially the same. Many people tell me they prefer vacationing in
Waterton over
Banff. Their view is that
Waterton / Glacier is more beautiful and less crowded.
Now a comment directed to the younger generation. I’
ve been pulled into meetings at
PWC and another very large firm where discussions took place about outsourcing work to India, Brazil, Philippines, etc. I think it would be to our kids advantage to know that this is really happening and is not just an unsettling story on the news. There’s no reason to fight the movement of jobs oversees because it’s happening and will continue to happen. That
doesn’t mean we have to lose in the U.S. though – we just have to adapt. There’s positive that can come from migration of certain jobs. Firstly, it has to cause people of all nations to learn to work together and thus learn about one another. Second, when people learn to work together there is opportunity for spreading the gospel. I want my kids to know that this is happening and prepare to adjust their plans accordingly. If they grow-up willing to travel and perhaps live abroad they will likely be kept busy and have good experiences.
That’s it. Hope to hear from you when you have time to write.
Love,
Steve / Dad / Uncle Stephen
William heading to the basket.
On the way to Grant's last game today he said, " Our coach is going to be really mad if we loose this game." I said, "No he won't. This is just for fun and you are learning." He said, "Mom we have already learned!" :)
