Originally Posted by feelbritish

One thing we also did was not to join Brit expat groups here when we first arrived.

Originally Posted by ann m

No - we didn't either - in fact, I think a few people maybe thought we were a bit rude or stand-offish. (sorry! )

I did (do) like my UK music scene though.

And, a few years down the line, the people we socialise with the most are two Brit families, and then a sprinkling of the locals. Hey ho! I'll take people for what they are, not where they are from - and that's just how things have panned out.

Originally Posted by 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 !

Originally Posted by Robin (The Gadget family)

Hi Ann, it's always interesting to read your posts, you put across your experiences and slant on your lives in Canada with the highs and lows that make it real - no brushing over the negatives but also balancing those with the fun times.

I'm just a bystander still but also a long-distance commuter - my time is nearing!

Originally Posted by Robin (The Gadget family)

Hi Ann, it's always interesting to read your posts, you put across your experiences and slant on your lives in Canada with the highs and lows that make it real - no brushing over the negatives but also balancing those with the fun times.

I'm just a bystander still but also a long-distance commuter - my time is nearing!