Aloha Turns 10! (Summer 2013)

The Hawaiian conglomerate has reached it's decennial and is going strong. Our team of meticulous detailers, led by Zenon Budzey, continues to offer unparalleled service at unbeatable prices to our loyal patrons. We have established ourselves in the GTA like Al Capone took over Chicago (but without the violence). Thanks for helping us make it happen!

One Year Wiser (June 29, 2010)

Emerging from my first year teaching physically unscathed but emotionally exasperated and ideologically inside-out, I can't wait for more. There's nothing like teaching in an inner-city classroom to demonstrate in heartbreaking detail the fractures of our society. I am blessed to have been born into a family that fostered the motivation to achieve and the inspiration to shape my future. I am home for the month of July, but taking a background role to allow some young blood to reinvigorate the Hawaiian juggernaut. They will be carrying on without me as I head back to Montréal for a break during the month of August. My sincerest thanks to all who have supported and continue to support Aloha through patronage, commitment and encouragement.

 

Bienvenue à Montréal (Aug 25, 2009)

Another summer is in the books, and Aloha remains the preeminent - *cough* and only - mobile detailing service in the Markham Area. Hong Kong was a hot and humid dream from which I was rudely awakened when I debarked the plane the night before (and 450km away from) orientation at the University of Ottawa. One year later with certification in hand, I have taken up residence in Montréal to begin my teaching career, thanks in large part to the wonderful francophone woman I wooed while working abroad.

September brings some important changes to Aloha: this will be the first winter through which Aloha operates. Mitch Rabovsky of M.R. Car Care will be fielding and fulfilling detailing requests. The history of M.R. Car Care and Aloha have many parallels and Mitch has helped me immesureably over the years with advice, equipment and occasional shelter. He started his enterprise as a mobile operation as well, but has since migrated to a pick-up and drop-off service. I know from the kind of clientele that are loyal to his services that Aloha will be in good hands.

 

China Beckons (July 7, 2008)

As the Beijing Olympics draw near, three friends and I have been
employed by the Flying Canucks to perform trampoline stunt shows in Hong Kong's Ocean Park. I have been teaching at Skyriders Trampoline Place in Richmond Hill for almost 8 years and have the fortune of rubbing shoulders with some of the best athletes in the world. Three athletes from Skyriders will be competing in Beijing: Karen Cockburn, Jason Burnett and Rosannagh MacLennan. Look out for them on CBC from August 8-24!

I will return to Canada just in time to attend Teacher's College at the University of Ottawa, so management of the company is in the capable hands of Brennan Dynes and Adam Cosman, who have resurrected the commercial division and are poised and ready to take Aloha forward into 2009. Amanda Abergel has also joined the team as our Administrative Assistant and has already proved invaluable to the operation. Her voice will greet you on the Aloha hotline and follow up after every appointment to ensure your complete satisfaction!

At this moment we are somewhere over Mongolia and I'm looking forward to getting on a trampoline to stretch my legs after this 16 hour flight. Have a wonderful summer in Toronto - apperantly I'm in for some unbearably hot weather in Hong Kong!

 

 

Home At Last (Aug 30, 2007)

After 7 incredible months in Zanzibar (photos here), my friend Aaron came to visit and we travelled through Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. A slideshow and full account of the trek can be viewed here. Following his departure to Canada, I took a week to explore Northern Tanzania, including the towns of Moshi (at the base of Kilimanjaro) and Arusha. After a characteristically bumpy ride to Nairobi, flight to Heathrow and a bus to Amsterdam, I spent 10 days with two very good friends in The Netherlands; Adam, who worked with Aloha for several years and Paula, a fellow teacher from Zanzibar.

 

African Adventures (Jan 9, 2007)

I embark today on a trip to Tanzania, Africa to take a position teaching Music at a British International School on the island of Zanzibar. For those who know me, I will post a link here to a blog where photos and stories of my trip can be seen every so often. I will also be working with a small NGO helping build schools for the local children in the predominantly Muslim society. After much consideration, plans to attend Teachers College in New Zealand have been deferred to 2008 in favour of this opportunity. Have a wonderful summer!

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2006 Newsletter