i have been in canada for 24 years but it feels like i've been here all of my life.
when i started working, everyone it seemed had this goal of going to america and live there to become prosperous. while i dreamed of travelling to a lot of places, i never had dreams of living in another country, and certainly not in the states. no offence to my american friends here but while my whole clan were/are all agog over our american relatives and anything 'stateside', i wasn't. i campaigned for people to patronize our own products, our own language (this from the person who preferred to speak english, especially in school). i joined protests against the american domination and meddling in our national affairs (although i would like to clarify that i never joined nor condoned flag burning).
and then i suppose i grew up.
i never had plans of moving to canada either. but shit happens in life and sometimes there are some choices to be made. i'm glad i moved here. here i can pursue my dreams even with the small wages i make. here, we have so many chances to make life comfortable for our family. the most important thing is here, i can be me - i don't have to follow some conventions that i don't believe in or do things according to other people's expectations. let me put it this way: in the old country, i would've been expected to marry and have children, acquiesce to my husband's wishes (eff that!). in the old country, a single woman is worthless unless she comes from a rich family and therefore has a lot of money. i'd be expected to work not for me but for the family and if i wasn't working, i'd be raising my siblings' children, or be their personal, unpaid and thankless maid (no, i don't think so!). and if i refuse, i'd be a pariah. if i choose to live with a man without the benefit of marriage, pariah. then i might as well change my name to 'pariah carey'.
Love your pic and your story. Funny how life has a way of changing your mind... the States haven't been so bad.. I would figure pretty much the same as Canada.... glad you didn't end up a pariah... you are much too cool of a lady..
Love how you've processed this. It is very interesting hearing about the different traditions from around the world. Glad you were able to break away and choose your own destiny!
'pariah carey' --- Hahahaha!!! Glad you didn't have to do that. ;-)
I've entertained the idea of moving to Canada but never more than that. I also agree, we tend to impart our ways on everyone, thinking they are the right way. This country has changed a lot in it's thinking due to the mass amount of people coming from all over the world. I guess we have no choice but to make it work somehow. Maybe it's not just 'Americans' who want to 'enlighten others' but really everyone who comes here expecting us to change our way to fit them in here.
You have a good reason to be thankful if you are where you want to be. :-)
Great picture. Love your story and your dedication to Canada. I love Canada. We travel there most every year. Where is the "old" country you are from? Great selective coloring.
love your story! Canada suits you! You would make a good Pariah Carey (HAHAHAHAHA) because you do everything you do so well -- but your current life is much more perfect for you!!
November 29th, 2012
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I've entertained the idea of moving to Canada but never more than that. I also agree, we tend to impart our ways on everyone, thinking they are the right way. This country has changed a lot in it's thinking due to the mass amount of people coming from all over the world. I guess we have no choice but to make it work somehow. Maybe it's not just 'Americans' who want to 'enlighten others' but really everyone who comes here expecting us to change our way to fit them in here.
You have a good reason to be thankful if you are where you want to be. :-)