1. Hobart

We landed in Hobart on a Friday so that we could go to Salamanca Market that happens every Saturday. Things to do in Hobart:

• Saturday Salamanca market
• Day trip to Bruny Island
• Museum of Old and New Art
• Mount Wellington
• Richmond Town

2. Bicheno

Things to do:

• Night penguin tour

3. Launceston

Things to do on your way to Launceston:

• Lavender Farm
• Bay of fire
• Pyengana Falls
• Gin/wine/beer tasting at White Sands resort

Things to do from Launceston:

• Hike at Cradle Mountain

Things to do on the way to Eaglehawk neck:

• Visit a cherry farm and have cherry icecream
• The Mill

4. Eaglehawk Neck

Things to do:

• Spend the evening at the beach
• Visit Port Arthur in the day and do a ghost tour at night

Things to do while driving back to Hobart:

• The Arch

Queensland Australia,  has some of the best beaches in the world. It’s tropical climate makes April until November an ideal time to travel around. To get the most of this beautiful place, three weeks would be ideal.

We started out from Sydney, but I’ll start with our first city once we entered Queensland, aka, Sunshine state

1. Gold Coast

You could either stay here for couple of days or stay in Brisbane and drive to Gold Coast which takes about an hour. Things to do here:

1. Climb up Q1 Tower (booking required)

2. Visit Warner Brother Theme park (check Groupon for deals)

2. Brisbane

A small cosy city with a little bit of everything. Spend a day or two here. Like any city, there are museums and the usual city things. It will probably be the last city you will be at for the rest of the trip, so might be a good idea to spoil yourself with late night dinner and drinks. Things to do here:

1. Walk over Story Bridge https://storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au/

2. Drive up Mount Coot-tha. Do a hike and then spend the evening at the Cafe and watch the moonrise

3. Botanical garden (an evening walk has its own charm)

4. South bank

3. Noosa Head

Things to do here:

• Noosa main beach
• Equathon horse riding adventure

4. Hervey Bay

A quiet town with stunning views of the ocean. We spent couple of days here allowing us to do the Fraiser Island tour one day. There are two sides of the island and if you had to choose just one, then go for the east side where you get to see the wrecked ship and Eli Creek. We have been to Fraser Island twice, so the second time we went, we did the other side and it was also stunning. Here are some things to do when at Hervey Bay:

• Take a walk on the esplanade and jetty
• Fraser Island tour

5. Yeppoon

We stayed here overnight, not much to do but there is always a beach to relax at. We stayed at NRMA holiday park and enjoyed taking a walk at the beach close by and movie under the stars. If you are staying longer than a day then here are things to do:

• Yeppoon Lagoon

6. Cape Hillsborough

A hidden gem! I can’t wait to go back to this place. Highly recommend staying at the Tourist Park. Wake up before sunrise and take a walk at the beach and you are sure to find kangaroos also joining you for a morning walk. An absolute delight! We stayed here for a day. If you rely on google maps, maybe a good idea to download one before you get here.

7. Airlie Beach

With all the relaxing at Cape Hillsborough, it’s time to step it up and get to some water activities. We did a full day tour that took us to the Whitsunday Islands. It’s simply stunning! We snorkelled and hiked all day. We have done a few tours at Airlie, but the most fun we’ve had is with Thundercat. Other tours had their own charm.

8. Townsville

We spent a day here. Took the ferry across to Magnetic Island and what a beautiful little island which so much history.

Things to do:

Visit magnetic island

1. Do the historical hike (you’ll definitely find koalas on the way)

2. Get to the rocks just before sunset to see wallabies

Book your ferry ride to magmetic island in advance, they get sold out pretty quick

8 ³/⁴ Townsville to Cairns

Places we visited before reaching Cairns

• Mission Beach
• Innisfail
• Heales Lookout

9. Cairns

It’s our favourite place in Queensland! You could easily spend a week here, else three days should suffice.

Things to do:

• Snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef
• Look for fig trees
• Go hiking

10. Atherton

Things to do:

• Millaa Millaa falls (MUST DO!)
• Ravenshoe
• Herberton

11. Normanton

Things to do

• The big crocodile Krys
• Mutton Hole wetlands
• Karumba

12. Mount Isa

Things to do:

• Mining tour
• Mount Isa underground hospital

Click below to take a tour around Australia from Sydney to Perth!

I find myself,
exactly where i’m supposed to be, in prison.
Built my own cell, one brick at a time
Thinking, what was, what next
Not living; Just serving time.

When things go wrong
I swear, I question every little thing
Slipping in and out of doubt,
As negativity lurks in

I turn problems to excuses
They steer me away
From things important; Important to me
The problem so comfortable,
It is here to stay

It helps me paint the sky with a hint of grey
Obstacles created
Were they meant to be?
This darkness, this deceit.
I feel astray

The stars begin to fall,
Smiling beams of yellow light
They crumble towers, near and far alike
The new norm of the night
All hell breaks loose
But no, not for me; my yester-me

Drowning in pity, seeded from love
This thing in my head, it’s thumping away,
I embraced the love, spat out the sympathy
Wrestled the Yin, as I wooed in the Yang

Time is no healer. Life, just a shitty dealer.
This thought makes me quiver,
But the truth must be worn
Life ain’t meant to be heavy
To stay true, is the truth alone

Yes, it made me fall
Heck, it makes me yell
But, this stumbling block, I maketh my stepping stone

As I stare at the etchings on the wall,
Echoes of freedom, screech through the hall
I know this voice, I know it so well
The prisoner and gate keeper
Is no one, but me

image source : source

USERS ONLINE

This was the plan we made for our stay at Banff, Canada. We planned to stay in Canmore and then drive down each day to see these places. Unfortunately we had to cancel our trip as mum fell ill, but she’s doing perfectly fine now. You can add these stops to your maps for a smooth drive. Once the map is downloaded (automatically), you won’t even need data

A – Minnewanka Lookout Banff

B – Sulphur mountain

C – Stoney Squaw mountain

D – Moraine Lake car parking

E – Mount Temple

F – Lake Louise

G – Lake Agnes

H – Bow Lake

I – Peyto Lake

My Monday morning just got better when a rainbow magically showed up

SELECT
Calendar_Date,
day_of_week,
day_of_week_name,
day_of_month,
day_of_year,
day_of_calendar,
weekday_of_month,
week_of_month,
week_of_year,
week_of_calendar,
month_of_quarter,
c.month_of_year,
month_of_calendar,
quarter_of_year,
quarter_of_calendar,
c.year_of_calendar,
case
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 11 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 5 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 4 then 'Thanksgiving Day (USA)'
 
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 25 then 'Christmas Day' 
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 26 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then  'Christmas Day (in Leiu)' /*26th December is a Monday then Holiday*/
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 27 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then  'Christmas Day (in Leiu)' /*27th December is Monday then holiday*/
 
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 26 then 'Boxing Day'
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 28 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 3  then  'Boxing Day (in Leiu)' /*28th December is a Tuesday then Holiday*/
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 28 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then  'Boxing Day (in Leiu)' /*28th December is Monday then holiday*/
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 27 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 3  then   'Boxing Day (in Leiu)'  /*27th December is Tuesday then holiday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 7 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 4 then   'Independence Day'

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 1 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 1 then   'New Years Day'
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 1 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 2 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then  'New Years Day' /*1st Jan was Sunday*/
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 1 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 3 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then  'New Years Day' /*1st Jan was Saturday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 5 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 1 then 'Memorial Day' /*Needs fix - Needs to be last Monday of May - Follow lines of Canada's Victoria Day shown in the left join below*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 9 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 1 then 'Labour Day' /*First Monday of September*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 2 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 14 then 'Valentines Day'

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 3 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 17 then 'Saint Patricks Day'

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 1 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 3 and extract(year from Calendar_Date ) >= 1983 then 'Martin Luthor King Jr Day' /*Third Monday of January*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 2 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 3 then 'Presidents Day' /*Third Monday of Feb*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 5 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 1 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 2 then 'Mothers Day' /*Second Sunday of May*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 6 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 1 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 3 then 'Fathers Day' /*Third Sunday of June*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 10 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 31 then 'Halloween'

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 11 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 11 then 'Remembrance Day'
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 11 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then  'Remembrance Day (in Lieu)' /*11th Nov was Sunday*/
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 11 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 13 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then  'Remembrance Day (in Lieu)' /*11th Nov was Saturday*/

/*Easter and Good Friday*/
when Calendar_Date = cast((concat(trim(extract(year from Calendar_Date)), LPAD(TRIM(((3 + ( ((( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 + ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 40) / 44)))),2,'0'), LPAD(TRIM(((((24+ (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19)))  mod 30)  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 + ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 28 - (31 * ((( 3 + (((( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 +   ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 40) / 44)))/4))),2,'0')) )  as dateformat 'yyyymmdd') then 'Easter Sunday'

when Calendar_Date = cast((concat(trim(extract(year from Calendar_Date)), LPAD(TRIM(((3 + ( ((( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 + ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 40) / 44)))),2,'0'), LPAD(TRIM(((((24+ (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19)))  mod 30)  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 + ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 28 - (31 * ((( 3 + (((( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 +   ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 40) / 44)))/4))),2,'0')) )  as dateformat 'yyyymmdd') - 2  then 'Good Friday'

else '' end as Holiday_Name_US,

case

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 11 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 5 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 4 then 'Thanksgiving Day (CANADA)'

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 25 then 'Christmas Day'
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 26 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then  'Christmas Day (in Leiu)' /*26th December is a Monday then Holiday*/
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 27 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then  'Christmas Day (in Leiu)' /*27th December is Monday then holiday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 26 then 'Boxing Day'
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 28 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 3  then  'Boxing Day (in Leiu)' /*28th December is a Tuesday then Holiday*/
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 28 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then  'Boxing Day (in Leiu)' /*28th December is Monday then holiday*/
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 27 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 3  then   'Boxing Day (in Leiu)'  /*27th December is Tuesday then holiday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 1 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 1 then   'New Years Day'
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 1 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 2 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then  'New Years Day' /*1st Jan was Sunday*/
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 1 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 3 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then  'New Years Day' /*1st Jan was Saturday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 9 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 1 then 'Labour Day' /*First Monday of September*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 2 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 14 then   'Valentines Day'

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 3 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 17 then 'Saint Patricks Day'

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 5 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 1 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 2 then 'Mothers Day' /*Second Sunday of May*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 6 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 1 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 3 then 'Fathers Day' /*Third Sunday of June*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 10 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 31 then 'Halloween'

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 11 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 11 then 'Remembrance Day'
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 11 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then  'Remembrance Day (in Lieu)' /*11th Nov was Sunday*/
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 11 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 13 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then  'Remembrance Day (in Lieu)' /*11th Nov was Saturday*/

/*Second Last Monday in May - Victoria day*/
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 5 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = (max_occurance_of_mon - 1) then 'Victoria Day' /*Second Last Monday in May*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 7 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 1 then 'Canada Day'
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 7 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 2 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then  'Canada Day' /*Canada Day was Sunday*/
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 7 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 3 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then  'Canada Day'/*Canada Day was Saturday*/

/*Easter and Good Friday*/

when Calendar_Date = cast((concat(trim(extract(year from Calendar_Date)), LPAD(TRIM(((3 + ( ((( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 + ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 40) / 44)))),2,'0'), LPAD(TRIM(((((24+ (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19)))  mod 30)  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 + ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 28 - (31 * ((( 3 + (((( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 +   ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 40) / 44)))/4))),2,'0')) )  as dateformat 'yyyymmdd') then 'Easter Sunday'

when Calendar_Date = cast((concat(trim(extract(year from Calendar_Date)), LPAD(TRIM(((3 + ( ((( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 + ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 40) / 44)))),2,'0'), LPAD(TRIM(((((24+ (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19)))  mod 30)  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 + ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 28 - (31 * ((( 3 + (((( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 +   ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 40) / 44)))/4))),2,'0')) )  as dateformat 'yyyymmdd') - 2  then 'Good Friday'

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 8 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 1 then 'Civic Holiday' /*First Monday of August*/

else '' end as Holiday_Name_CAN,

case

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 11 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 5 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 4 then 1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 25 then 1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 26 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then  1/*26th December is a Monday then Holiday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 27 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then 1/*27th December is Monday then holiday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 26 then 1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 28 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 3  then  1 /*28th December is a Tuesday then Holiday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 28 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then 1 /*28th December is Monday then holiday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 27 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 3  then 1 /*27th December is Tuesday then holiday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 7 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 4 then  1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 1 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 1 then  1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 1 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 2 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then 1 /*1st Jan was Sunday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 1 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 3 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then 1 /*1st Jan was Saturday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 5 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 1 then 1 /*Needs fix - Needs to be last Monday of May*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 9 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 1 then 1 /*First Monday of September*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 2 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 14 then 1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 3 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 17 then 1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 1 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 3 and extract(year from Calendar_Date ) >= 1983 then 1 /*Third Monday of January*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 2 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 3 then 1 /*Third Monday of Feb*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 5 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 1 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 2 then 1 /*Second Sunday of May*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 6 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 1 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 3 then 1 /*Third Sunday of June*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 10 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 31 then 1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 11 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 11 then 1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 11 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then 1 /*11th Nov was Sunday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 11 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 13 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then 1 /*11th Nov was Saturday*/

/*Easter and Good Friday*/

when Calendar_Date = cast((concat(trim(extract(year from Calendar_Date)), LPAD(TRIM(((3 + ( ((( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 + ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 40) / 44)))),2,'0'), LPAD(TRIM(((((24+ (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19)))  mod 30)  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 + ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 28 - (31 * ((( 3 + (((( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 +   ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 40) / 44)))/4))),2,'0')) )  as dateformat 'yyyymmdd') then 1

when Calendar_Date = cast((concat(trim(extract(year from Calendar_Date)), LPAD(TRIM(((3 + ( ((( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 + ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 40) / 44)))),2,'0'), LPAD(TRIM(((((24+ (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19)))  mod 30)  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 + ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 28 - (31 * ((( 3 + (((( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 +   ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 40) / 44)))/4))),2,'0')) )  as dateformat 'yyyymmdd') - 2  then 1

else 0 end as Holiday_US_Flag,

case

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 11 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 2 then 1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 25 then 1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 26 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then 1 /*26th December is a MOnday then Holiday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 27 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then 1 /*27th December is Monday then holiday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 26 then 1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 28 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 3  then  1 /*28th December is a Tuesday then Holiday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 28 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then 1 /*28th December is Monday then holiday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 27 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 3  then 1 /*27th December is Tuesday then holiday*/
 
when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 1 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 1 then  1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 1 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 2 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then 1 /*1st Jan was Sunday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 1 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 3 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then 1 /*1st Jan was Saturday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 9 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 1 then 1 /*First Monday of September*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 2 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 14 then 1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 3 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 17 then 1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 5 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 1 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 2 then 1 /*Second Sunday of May*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 6 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 1 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 3 then 1 /*Third Sunday of June*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 10 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 31 then 1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 11 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 11 then 1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 11 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 12 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then 1 /*11th Nov was Sunday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 11 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 13 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then 1 /*11th Nov was Saturday*/

/*Second Last Monday in May - Victoria day*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 5 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = (max_occurance_of_mon - 1 ) then 1 /*Second Last Monday in May*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 7 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 1 then 1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 7 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 2 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then  1/*Canada Day was Sunday*/

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 7 and extract(day from Calendar_Date ) = 3 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2  then 1 /*Canada Day was Saturday*/

/*Easter and Good Friday*/

when Calendar_Date = cast((concat(trim(extract(year from Calendar_Date)), LPAD(TRIM(((3 + ( ((( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 + ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 40) / 44)))),2,'0'), LPAD(TRIM(((((24+ (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19)))  mod 30)  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 + ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 28 - (31 * ((( 3 + (((( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 +   ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 40) / 44)))/4))),2,'0')) )  as dateformat 'yyyymmdd') then 1

when Calendar_Date = cast((concat(trim(extract(year from Calendar_Date)), LPAD(TRIM(((3 + ( ((( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 + ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 40) / 44)))),2,'0'), LPAD(TRIM(((((24+ (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19)))  mod 30)  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 + ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 28 - (31 * ((( 3 + (((( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - ((extract(year from Calendar_Date) + extract(year from Calendar_Date) / 4 +   ( ( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 )  - (( (24 + (19 * (extract(year from Calendar_Date) mod 19) ) )  mod 30 ) / 28) ) - 13) mod 7)) + 40) / 44)))/4))),2,'0')) )  as dateformat 'yyyymmdd') - 2  then 1

when extract(month from Calendar_Date ) = 8 and TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2 and TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date) = 1 then 1 /*First Monday of August*/

else 0 end as Holiday_Canada_Flag

FROM    sys_calendar.calendar c

LEFT JOIN

(

/*How many Mondays are there in each month - Required for Victoria Day*/

SELECT Year_of_Calendar, month_of_year, max( TD_WEEKDAY_OF_MONTH(Calendar_Date)) as max_occurance_of_mon

FROM   sys_calendar.calendar

WHERE  TD_DAY_OF_WEEK(Calendar_Date) = 2

GROUP BY

Year_of_Calendar, month_of_year

) MONDAYS_IN_MONTH

ON MONDAYS_IN_MONTH.Year_of_Calendar = c.Year_of_Calendar

AND MONDAYS_IN_MONTH.month_of_year = c.month_of_year

until I saw winter.

I would paint ye stars, had I a painter been

Write ye a poem, had I a poet been

Take ye to paradise, had I a fairy been

But Alas! I am just an ordinary Lass

Want you to know ..

Thou art and shalt be my favourite fere forever

Masked thou art with sparkling stars tricking man’s senses

Cometh thou with freshness and  hope, and numbers that game new days

With merriment and laughter we step into this newness

But Alas! When with glee we smile, the spell works

Bringing this earth to a place that is no good

Where every breath is brewed with horror and fright

Oh darkness, all that is asked of me, to trust in January yet again

I wrote this octave  on the eve of 2013. Here’s a little background. I lost my grandmother in 2011, then grandfather in 2012. I was beginning to believe we were cursed and was scared to welcome the new year 2013 and that’s when I wrote this. In 2013 I lost my other grandmother, 2014 lost my other grandfather and 2015 lost my favourite person who we call BRI. Finally 2016 went well and I am now posting this poem cause I believe the curse is broken

It was exciting at first and wanted to quit my job and jump onboard no sooner I learned of it. But then the budding analyst in me kicked in, and I took a step back and realized that I am going to do my research, so why not do a little research (digging in) to see what people have to say about doing your Phd with plans of getting back into the corporate / industry workforce.

After speaking to a lot of Phd holders, Professors, colleagues, friends, family and a lot googling, I found a few points that helped me make my decision. Read the information below (especially the little excerpts shown in qoutes) before you take this plunge.

HOW MANY PHD’S DO YOU KNOW WHO WORK FOR CORPORATES?

When I spoke to my fellow post doctorate friends, this was the first thing I asked them, “How many Phd’s do you know who are currently working for a corporate?”.

And, for some reason they only responded in Binary digits (0 or 1)!!

“Private sector in Canada hires only 4 per cent PhDs compared to the 42 per cent hired in the United States.” – The Huffington Post. Read full article.

Now this will vary from country to country, city to city and also based on your field of research.

For instance, if you have a Phd in Computer Science / Biology / Applied Mathematics or a combination of them you will get calls by big Healthcare / Analytical corporations.

“In Canada, PhDs unemployment rate is even worse: 50 per cent more than Masters (6 per cent as compared to 4 per cent).” – The Huffington Post. Read full article.

If you are willing to go against those odds, is proof by itself that you are passionate about your research and must go for it without any second thoughts.

Many things remain the same no matter which country you apply to, like this comment here –

“Many HR departments will view the PHD and assume that you wouldn’t be satisfied with the pay levels that are set to attract people with Bachelors or were self-taught. Even if you declare you’re fine with it, there’s the assumption that your job dissatisfaction will be very high after a few months and you will view the work as beneath you.” – by dcousineau. Read full discussion on reddit.

It is advisable to be straight forward and mention your salary expectations in your cover letter so that they know you are willing to work for a reasonable pay.

That being said, you must have a dream role / designation / job title in your mind before you commence your Phd. And work towards it; In that way, you will not be dissatisfied with your role or willl not be doing work that is ‘beneath’ you. This is exactly what is said below, in different words –

“There’s still a lot of prejudice against post-grad degrees in the industry, and listing a PHD on your resume may actively harm your chances at landing a job. The one exception to this rule is if your PHD is extremely focused and you’re looking for a job that perfectly matches your focus.” – by dcousineau. Read full discussion on reddit.

There are also HR departments that view a Phd student as a person who worked for a university with minimum pay for the past 4 or 5 years and try to take advantage of that fact. Be confident, and be bold. You know how much you deserve.

MONEY IN YOUR POCKET

Willingness to accept a minimum pay (funding) for 4 or 5 years while doing your research, while your friends move up the corporate ladders and buy fancy cars, is something you will have to deal with for a very long time until you find your spot in the corporate jungle.

“PhDs, even after five to six more years of schooling, earn only 8 per cent more than Masters. In U.S., they earn 43 per cent more.” – The Huffington Post. Read full article.

This may sound clichéd, but if you are passionate enough, doesn’t matter in which field you’ve obtained your Phd, companies like Wallmart, Google Alphabets will have a spot for you!!; And they pay BIIIGGGGG!!

It is the market leaders that seem to respect, value and strive on Phd holders.

4-YEARS, ARE YOU SURE?

“…looking at studies on PhD completion times at Canadian universities, it is clear that the vast majority of students do not finish in four years: the average post-master’s completion time is about five years, according to a 2003 report by Frank Elgar, Dalhousie University (PDF).” – University Affairs. Read full article.

ENVIRONMENT

Another important factor to consider when selecting your University is the city, campus, department, life style and weather. Otherwise, you will spend 5 long years walking in the corridors of the university shaking your head, trapped by the weather, or because there is nothing fun that the University campus can offer.

ALL HOPE IS NOT LOST

If you’ve come this far you may have realized that there is no universal answer to this as it varies from case to case

“You can very well do a PhD and wind up with much more impressive experience than you would get at your average entry level position. For example, there are students who work with governments and large corporations solving very real issues like traffic congestion and automated threat detection etc. All this depends on your research lab and how much you yourself put into it. If at the end of your PhD all you have is the word PhD on your resume along with some publications on theory, then that’s on you.” – by pamme. Read full discussion on reddit.

But, what is common for all prospective Phd students is that you have to choose a field that you are willing to sleep, eat, dream and think about for the next 4 or 5 years.

Don’t quit your job; Instead create a new one : If you wish to get back into the industry immediately after your Phd, one way to do it is to narrow down and select a field that is relevant to your employer and the University. It must be a topic that will benefit / solve a real world problem for the company. In this way you can establish that bridge between your employer and the University, and do your Phd in a mutually beneficial topic, while working at the company. It’s not only a win-win situation. It is a win(employer)-win(university)-win(you) situation.

“What’s most important is for prospective PhDs is to have a clear understanding not only of the competitive conditions for academic jobs, but also the range of possibilities opened up by doctoral education, which are far more diverse than those generally presented in graduate programmes. Those possibilities must also be developed actively through collaboration between universities, governments, other non-academic organizations and students, so that the promise of advanced education isn’t lost due to lack of mentorship, guidance and opportunity.” –  The Global and Mail. Read full article.

To the future 2% of the world, good luck.. and to the 98%.. good luck as well. : )

Let me know your thoughts. How many Phd’s do you know that work in the private sector?