ann m

Wasn't really sure what to write!

Life is good and things are going well. We are blessed to be fit and healthy, live in a lovely place and be financially OK-ish. Here's a quick re-cap.

For the first two and a half years, I muddled by on part-time jobs which suited the stage we were at with young children. I then took the step into a full-time admin job, and next month I will move up into another post which will bump the resume experience well. I'd like to earn more, but who wouldn't? (and I'd only spend it!), but right now, I'm not prepared to travel into the Calgary downtown core, and my colleagues and place of work is just a great set up with an easy commute. In spite of some phenomenal bureaucracy, my workplace is mostly full of people dedicated to their teaching, and adding some kind of value to their city. That sounds sickly, but people are enthusiastic about their jobs. It's just nice!

Some may recall hubby has had more than second or third thoughts on his employment and, for the first couple of years, the move here felt to him like career suicide. In my own mind I knew he just had to "do time" with his employer before he could push on. Five years in, he's actually really enjoying himself which is wonderful and such a bloody relief to see. But it's taken those five years to (be allowed to) utilise many of the skills he brought with him.

My children are gorgeous, annoying, healthy, busy, grumpy, funny - and spend an inordinate amount of time (and our money) at a dance studio. Daughter Number One should just get a bunk bed out the back. I will not be at all surprised to see her head into this world (or some arty drama/music something-or-other). There is no way we could have afforded the fees in our previous life, so this is an expensive, sparkly and noisy hobby that brings lots of pleasure, lipstick, fitness and confidence to our girls. School and friends are also good. We're still learning as we go along, as to how this whole education system works, but they are happy.

It has been wobbly and bumpy at times, with some downright low moments. Things came to a head last summer, just past the four year point, and hubby went back to the UK "to try on" his old job again, but for a variety of reasons, we decided to stay put in Canada.

This fifth year has settled well. Finally! We got our citizenship in January which was kinda settling too.

Some things held us back - we were reserved about some elements of jumping into our life here. We were both able to take career breaks from the UK "just in case" - and that worked both for and against our mindsets. With hindsight, I am glad we had that fall-back - but it slowed our progress too.

Now this next bit really does sound silly, but I look upon it quite philosophically now - three days after the decision to stay in Canada last August, BBC Radio 1 was deleted from the Sirius playlist in my car. I was somewhat annoyed, but my daily link to the UK news and music scene was also holding me back. With that option gone I had to listen to the mild (and repetitive) options on my local radio - interspersed with downloaded podcasts here and there. I still love Radio 4's Friday Night Comedy stuff, and I'll never embrace rock or country music - but I am no longer linked on a daily basis to all the good and bad in the UK. This is a positive thing.

Also, believe it or not, I have spent less time on here (BE), less time blogging, and more energy on social stuff here - helping out with work fun-stuff committees, singing, kid's school stuff - and maybe I just should have done all this three years ago. I have been reticent in a few areas, whereas others just throw themselves in wholeheartedly.

But again, I am philosophical - it is what it is. We've learnt lots, we maybe didn't fully embrace Canada, but gave it lots of little hugs! The slowly-slowly approach has worked for us, but it wasn't easy and maybe we didn't help ourselves make it easy either. But then, who said it had to be easy?

If you come here and love it all straight-away, well good for you - that is really great and I'm just a little green with how easy you made it!
If you come here and you hate it all, then move on, or make plans to move on - don't be miserable - nothing has to be forever.
If you come here and you are like us - you like it, then dislike it, then love it, then have apathetic days, then love it again - then don't make any hasty decisions. Just take faith in our little story. Or not.

Fundamentally, employment is the crucial element to making emigration successful. Do not underestimate the power (and limitations) of networking in Canada. Fulfilling work and satisfactory pay make everything else possible. IMHO.

For now, my life is here and that is absolutely good. I will still enjoy visits to the UK and Europe. I will still miss a few key friends accompanied by wine and easy laughter, and I will still buy M&S knickers! We will embrace a couple of "local" holidays this summer and are plotting other overseas trips - we aim to carry on working and living here for the foreseeable future, and that no longer seems a scary or undecided prospect.

Peace Man !

Almost Canadian

Great post, and great to hear things are finally falling into place.

Don't dismiss working downtown. I don't know if you drive to your work or park up and use the C-Train. If it is the latter, it is only a few more stops to most parts of downtown and, for some strange reason, salaries increase disproportionately simply because one is downtown. If you drive, then I accept going into downtown will be a pain in the wotsit.

Here's to many more of these updates

iaink

Bliimey, 5 years!

Doesnt time fly. Congratulations!

"Fulfilling work and satisfactory pay make everything else possible" Bingo.

HPJOS

Great post Ann, glad things are settling well at the moment!

We just got back from a 2 1/2 week trip to the UK, had a great visit, was looking round thinking "this would be nice to live here again" and quickly realised I was doing the reverse of what many people do when they come to Canada on holiday - don't think about the every day side of life and changed my mind - Canada is currently the place to be for us.

Here's to a (hopefully) great Alberta summer Enjoy!

Helen

Piff Poff

Ann, I'm so glad you have have peace at the moment. It's a funny old business this emigrating and settling lark isn't it. I hope things continue on the ups

Novocastrian

Good for you. BTW I almost always like your posts. You can decide for yourself if that's a good thing.

MillieF

May your wobbly, bumpy moments go on in happiness - cos it makes bloody good reading!

A woman united by M&S!

ann m

Thank you Helen - and yes, I need a good summer!

Thank you Mrs PP!

Almost always? .... hrumpphh.

Thank you sir ... and likewise.

Thanks Millie.

Maplease

Congratulations and an interesting post for us that are yet to arrive. I hope your next 5 years are settled and happy. It sounds like your girls will be and as long as your washing machine can continue to get that lipstick out of their costumes, so may you.

Cookie

Great post Ann. Glad you have found your piece of peace

I would also like to say to newcomers, that purposely seeking out loads of British friends in Canada is not the way to go either and can hold you back. Enjoy all Canada has to offer, including Canadians and it's multicultural society

Howefamily

I love reading your blog, nice to hear your 5 years is feeling settled.

Skimom

Great post. Interesting to hear about the highs and lows of the past 5 years. All the best for the next 5!

TheThornes

Thanks for the great post Ann. Hope you'll be happy in the years to come too. On beautiful days like today, its a great place to be!

el_richo

Great post. May your world be full of your most favourite Revels

feelbritish

One thing we also did was not to join Brit expat groups here when we first arrived. We flew the Canadian flag and we tried everything to assimilate into Canadian lifestyle and certainly got to know our neighbourhood well. Bought a boat and chainsaw within the first 6 months! ha ha
We made some nice friends to socialise with. I joined the Newcomers and the gym and an art group. Funny thing is that you do gravitate towards the Brits though! lol Canada is what both my OH and I have in common! It was new to both of us.