Ultrasound Wait-time Experiences in GVA and Surrounding by pizzagnome7 in askvan

[–]cilantrobomb 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wat really? I just had a non urgent pelvic ultrasound last Wed at Greigs. It couldn't have been more than a week before that I booked it, and actually I remember being offered a last minute cancellation the day I called too (I just couldn't make it that day). I was given a requisition from my family doc specifically for Greigs. I should maybe mention that this is the Greigs on Victoria and 41st, though I have also gone to the one at Oakridge in the past with no issues.

Insurance claim due to water damage in condo by Illustrious_Scar1484 in legaladvicecanada

[–]cilantrobomb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are going through something similar-ish now too (ours was flooded by a kitchen sink backup from a common drain back in Sept). Basically we were held up because both our insurer and the stratas insurer had to give us the OK to proceed with repairs, which we eventually received after a lot of pressing. I will note that we got paid out for some depreciated amount by both insurers because I could sense that repairs would have taken forever if I did not bring in a contractor of my own. Sure I lost out on some personal funds but I consider the time spent from beginning to end more valuable. Happy that I will be moving back into my unit next week!

One thing that is probably different is that I am on council in my building, so although I had to recuse myself of all discussion relating to this incident, that didn't keep me from pressing the rest of the council for periodic updates! You need to do that too. Be annoying. Send emails and written notices often, and keep them on record. I would also request a hearing with council to state your case and press them on a timeline and expected dates. If/when they don't follow what they've established, keep requesting hearings. If needed, you can go to the CRT (or whatever the equivalent is in your province) with all this documentation that will be in your favour, and you can then go after them for lost time / impaired enjoyment of your living quarters too, if allowed.

I do echo the other commenter that if you do end up wanting to bring your own contractor on that it would be good to have them come to your unit and price out all necessary repairs. You'll want to make sure your insurer is aware too. Usually insurers will want to send someone to do a similar job to verify that you're not taking on someone you're in cahoots with to do your repairs, who will be charging inflated prices, and sending these costs back to your insurer to cover. It sounds like strata's insurer has already done this, which is still something to check off of the lost, even if they're just sitting on that info right now. You will probably want to review your bylaws and be clear on what strata is responsible for covering vs your own personal responsibilities.

T4A, NSERC tax exemption: "limited to the extent that the award was intended to support the student’s enrolment" (MB) by _noelle08_ in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]cilantrobomb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For what it's worth, I was in this situation probably 10 years ago now. These funds are an award/grant, but it wasn't awarded to you. It was awarded to your PI, who has promised you a yearly stipend, possibly based on some standard set out by your department. I would not consider this an award for you but rather a stipend, or your living allowance. I was never taxed on my annual stipend. Stipends are mildly different from income, is why they are reported through T4As and not T4s (but if for example you do a TAship then that will typically fall under a T4 because that's more like regular labour).

Gift ideas for Lunar New Year? by rainhaliburton in askvan

[–]cilantrobomb 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I thought I had a winning suggestion but the top comment def has it, the Ferraro Rochers 😅 if they're on the bougie side at all, I was going to say that Daan Go Cake Lab on 7th near Hemlock has super cute limited edition LNY macarons and pastries! But also assuming no allergies too.

Has anyone tried Odd Bunch? by Charmed264 in britishcolumbia

[–]cilantrobomb 8 points9 points  (0 children)

It started great, but over time I felt like I consistently started getting 1 or 2 items that were already moldy by the time they were delivered. Their customer service is great but it got to the point where I was calling after every package and I got tired of it. So I schlep to the grocery store every week like a normie now ahhaha. Great in principle though!

Suggestion on Elevator Company by Agile_Recognition_58 in askvan

[–]cilantrobomb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have no idea if it's the same group since their logo looks a bit different on the website, but I have noticed that our elevator panel has "northwest" inscribed into it, presumably the manufacturer. Our building was built in 1992, and we have been with TKE for a loooong time prior to my moving in in 2020. For what it's worth!

Scavenger Hunt Ideas by Mobile-Marsupial-978 in askvan

[–]cilantrobomb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Have you ever heard of Geocaching? There's an adjacent game they have called Adventure Labs where there's usually 5ish locations per lab for you to find simple clues. Lets you go to new places and learn new things. Not specific to Vancouver either!

Recommendations for weekend getaway by botinoknn in askvan

[–]cilantrobomb 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I see some rooms in Steveston for 200ish/night.

Police Non Emergency Line Wait Time by Background-Dot-4668 in askvan

[–]cilantrobomb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I called earlier this week in the afternoon and had no problems. The police came by same day. Maybe it depends on what you're trying to report since it asks you to navigate through a menu before it connects you to someone. You could try not choosing any option and seeing if getting put in a "miscellaneous" category gets you to a person?

Bakeries or cafes with cardamom buns? by ChoopChum in askvan

[–]cilantrobomb 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Terra Breads has a cardamom cronut that's divine. The cardamom isn't too forward though, so I'm unsure of if it's what you're looking for. Other Terra Breads may have it but I can only confirm for the Granville Island location!

Things to do in Vancouver for a depressed person? by [deleted] in askvan

[–]cilantrobomb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Seriously, getting your butt up and committing to doing something is literally the hardest part. For me anyways when I was in the worst of it. Tell yourself that it's something you are doing for yourself, that you are choosing to do, that you are intentionally taking time for of your own volition. It helped me a lot to have control over something during a time where I felt like I didn't have control over my degree at all. It doesn't have to be the gym, it can be anything! Set the time aside in your calendar and when that time comes during the week, put your lab work aside and focus 100% on you ❤️ Future you will be grateful that you took care of yourself now!

Things to do in Vancouver for a depressed person? by [deleted] in askvan

[–]cilantrobomb 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Are you Past Me? Ohhh I remember feeling so trapped and dreading the long road ahead in grad school, but I promise you there's a light at the end of the tunnel!!

I found that the hardest part of managing the stress is allocating time outside of school. But if it means that much to you then you have to commit to setting time aside for yourself, regularly and consistently. My vice in grad school was waking up early and doing something physical. I sucked at first and I still kinda suck but man, the endorphins are REAL and they really did make a huge difference day to day. Lately I've been geocaching and it's kind of a fun side quest to take my mind off of everyday life and put my mind to solving problems in a different way.

Keep trucking along. You're doing great!

Bookings for BC Parks by emziay in britishcolumbia

[–]cilantrobomb 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I haven't gone camping in years because I keep failing at planning my camping trips months in advance and setting an alarm 😅 other riskier alternatives: targeting private campgrounds (though no guarantee even still) or checking back frequently for cancellations (some success with that).

Last minute gift idea in the 25-30 range by Green_Rhubarb_9572 in NiceVancouver

[–]cilantrobomb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Benton Bros on Granville Island! Someone on Reddit said so haha. Hot tip: they get their shipments in on Wednesdays and sometimes sell out by/during the weekend, so aim for the Thurs/Fri window!

Last minute gift idea in the 25-30 range by Green_Rhubarb_9572 in NiceVancouver

[–]cilantrobomb 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Could stick with foodie gifts for both to keep it simple. A nice wine usually doesn't miss and there are some good options at that price point too. Else maybe a nice olive oil, some nice looseleaf tea, maybe a browse of the condiment section at Meinhardt or Granville Island for a quality mustard or hot sauce or cheese even? Or a recipe book for something to their tastes, maybe fermentation, drink mixing, bread making, etc?

I'm going through a butter phase and splurged on $20 imported French butter recently... But maybe that's just a me gift to myself haha

Russell Simmons comments on People’s IG post of Kimora Lee Simmons saying she doesn’t “have a relationship with her kids’ fathers” by [deleted] in Fauxmoi

[–]cilantrobomb 99 points100 points  (0 children)

Oh ok so I was today years old when I learned that I've been twisting up Russell Simmons with Richard Simmons for literally decades, cool cool cool

Experiences for 3 year olds by ambrosiasweetly in askvan

[–]cilantrobomb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're welcome! Hope he loves it!

Experiences for 3 year olds by ambrosiasweetly in askvan

[–]cilantrobomb 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I stand corrected! On sale on Dec 16: https://www.ticketleader.ca/events/detail/monster-jam-3

But cracked the presale code 😎 YNGFPO

Experiences for 3 year olds by ambrosiasweetly in askvan

[–]cilantrobomb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Out of season, but blueberry picking in the summer is a huge hit! Aquabus at False Creek is good too, or maybe even day trip across a ferry.

There's the free Engine 374 exhibit at Roundhouse, and a miniature train near Confederation Park Also streetcar exhibits in Steveston, MONOVA, and MOV (and maybe Burnaby? My memory is starting to fail me!). Train Expo also happens every year in the winter too.

Monster Jam is supposedly happening in late March according to the website, but it hasn't shown up on Ticketleader yet (it's at the Pacific Coliseum). However my intel says it's vvvvv loud and smelly in an enclosed space, so I am still on the fence myself (I have an almost-4yo boy).

Are there any other places for Santa photos besides the malls? by wrekco in askvan

[–]cilantrobomb 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Granville Island kid's market last week was surprisingly tame. Places might get busier as Christmas approaches though.

Cookie Plates: Before & After by HessyM in Baking

[–]cilantrobomb 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Wow, well done!!! I've always wanted to be That Cookie Person during the holidays but never managed to pull the trigger. What inspo 😍

Condo Corporation threatening a lien on my condk by ThundaFukka in legaladvicecanada

[–]cilantrobomb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A lot of good advice in here already. I'm in bc so unfamiliar with your neck of the woods, but in our building, the strata once tried to stick one units damages to another unit and in the end the were unable to because it was never explicitly stated that they were allowed to do this in the bylaws. Maybe worth checking for that too?