Friday, June 22, 2012

Important things to ponder as this woman transitions to living a Canadian life...

How do you take pictures in the rain?
What is the strategy for taking pictures on overcast days?
Could I survive a winter of Vancouver Island weather?
Why are Canadians so nice? (and hard-arsed at the same time?)
Are all Canadians happy?
When can I get an official job?
How do you get Prilosec in Canada? (It's over the counter in the U.S.)
Is there enough sunshine in my life?
Which is better? Tim Horton's or McDonald's sausage biscuit?
Which is better? Tim Horton's or McDonald's medium non-fat latte?
Which is better? Save On Foods, Thrifty's, Quality Foods?
Why do grocery stores use pounds instead of liters as a measurement of weight?
What must I do to stop wanting to sleep twelve hours of every twenty-four?
Why does it take so long to move a letter via snail mail from Canada to the U.S. and visa versa?
Are smaller cities inherently a higher quality of living than larger ones?
How long before we get medical coverage in Canada?
Why are there so many taxes on consumer goods? GST, PST, HST?
Why do we have to pay Canadian tax on vehicles that we owned and had paid tax on already in the U.S.?
What makes so many good Canadian comedians and comedy shows?
How are we going to make the money we need to support ourselves through our snowbird lifestyle?
Maybe I need a good tarot card reading. Where can I find one in the Parksville area?
Will I ever remember to say and write the day first, then the month and lastly the year?
Why are there so many black animals and insects on Vancouver Island? There is the black Brant Goose, there are big black slugs, black squirrels, black dragonflies just to name a few things.

I had a lovely encounter with this black dragonfly while walking the railroad tracks the other day.

How glorious it is to have the sun rise at 4:30 a.m. and not get dark again until 10 p.m.?
Why was I in the irresistible mood for a summer solstice party two days ago? Could it have been all that light in the day?
Am I actually falling in love with this place? (Parksville, British Columbia, Canada)

Parksville on the Georgia Strait. From Tom Whitfield's webpage.

My "immigration" thus far has definitely been one of the most challenging transitions in my life to date. What has been your most challenging transition?




13 comments:

  1. Transition! A challenging time filled with more questions than answers. Also an exciting time which jolts us out of our safe little havens that we build around ourselves. The good thing I see in your many questions is that most will resolve on their own. Making a living and health insurance will need attention whether one lives in Canada or USA. And you are not alone trying to figure out a way!

    Your statement concerning a desire for a Summer Solstice Party makes me think that you are well into and accepting your new place under the Flag of The Maple Leaf! Go dance in the sun and I raise my cup of tea to the both of you! Hear!Hear!

    My most challenging transition was probably and maybe still is,'What to do in retirement, and how will I adapt with all this free time'! Well I exercise more than ever, stay busier with many activities, and beginning to wonder how I ever had time to hold down a job! Now I wonder if I can afford this lifestyle? You see, making Mountains out of Mole Hills always has a way of creeping into my mind! Seems there is always something to worry about!

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    1. I so appreciate your thoughtful responses to me and my posts! Thanks Parker!

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  2. I like your list of questions....maybe I'll write a list of my own!
    Let's set up a skype time, or you could just call me...afternoons next week would be fine.
    Love,
    June

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  3. I read your previous post and enjoyed thinking about the trains and how they brought me right back to childhood.

    The biggest transition in my life facing life without Rich. I don't think the transition will ever be complete, as I don't think I'll ever become used to it. Thinking as the other half continues to be a mindset long after things change.

    I would give my right arm to live on Vancouver Island or anywhere in the northwest for that matter (on the side of the cascades where it doesn't snow). I think you'll do just fine, and I don't think there will be any slurs about being American. If there are, take them from their source and pity the ignorant people who pitch them.

    Lots of happiness in your new life. Enjoy every moment. Don't worry about the rain--dance in it. Get good rain gear and explore when crowds aren't around!

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  4. I don't know a single answer, only that I would NEVER get used to day/month/year.

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  5. Having spent 23 yrs working for the USAF, I still write the date day/month/year -- that is the military way and hard to reverse. So many questions, so few answers, but you are definitely on one great adventure. Enjoy, try not to worry and watch it all fall into place...God bless!

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  6. It will all fall into place, the challenges and the victories in overcoming them. You are strong and clever and will feel at "home" in no time.

    But we'll always claim you as one of us "Yanks". ;c)

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  7. I find the calendars that show the month from Monday to Sunday a bit hard to use.

    My most difficult transition was/is becoming the wife of a retired old man. But it's a good full time R V preview. Always together.

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  8. I hope you find some answers! Parksville, well, that's just one of the prettiest places in Canada. I hope the settling-in begins to allow you to feel more at home.
    Funny - I think Americans are about the nicest people in the world.

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  9. that is quite the list of questions!..sure hope you find all the answers!..us Canadians..some you love and some?..well?

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  10. Too bad your transition has to take place in one of the coolest wettest Junes ever. I hope you find some answers to your questions, it's easier to settle when you know what's happening.

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  11. Very interesting questions? Thanks for comments on my pictures from Shutterbugs capturing the world around us.

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I always love to hear your thoughts.