helcat12

My ten month Canniversary is coming at the end of this month.

By then, my husband and I will have just moved into the new house we have bought here in BC - our first in Canada.
(He is ahead of me by quite a bit, having been here almost 2 years.)

I have two jobs, both of which are filling my time nicely.

My teaching certification is well on the way to being completed by the Ministry.

I have learned to ride a motorcycle (and now have my own) and drive a train.

I have made some Canadian friends through music, work and and biking and am re-establishing my hobbies and getting a social life.

All these things are good.

Two nights ago, however, I dreamed I was at one of the Farmer's markets we used to have nearby and I had the most fabulous slice of proper pork pie like I used to buy at the shop in Bakewell; crisp hot water pastry with that lovely gooey white inside where the jelly (not too much of that!)has been next to the pastry, filled with beautifully seasoned pork with no horrid artificial pink colouring added.

The market then turned into one of the French markets which used to visit Derby, Leicester and Nottingham from time to time and I had a big wedge of my favourite French cheese - Morbier, which was divine.

This dream has unsettled me now.
Is this homesickness rearing its ugly head?
Is this cheese and pork pie dream going to scupper my chances of settling in here permanently?

DandNHill

You arrived a few weeks after me.

It happens to me too at the most unexpected moments. From previous experience it does get easier with time but there is always the occasional flashback. I think it's more nostalgia than homesickness after a while...

MillieF

Well done, I remember reading about when you were just leaving to go to Canada, I can't believe that ten months could have passed already! You have achieved so much - the train driving isn't I'm sure on most new settlers checklists. Sounds intriguing.

Food is very much a home comfort, and maybe the dreams are part of you settling in... I had morbier yesterday, I fear there will be many foods I will miss but am hoping there will be lots to try too.

I think the first year must be exhausting, so much to do and so many new experiences. Making friends takes a lot of mental effort. I am just at the cold feet point at the moment, only two weeks left, and I'm wondering if I'm ultimately up to the challenge.

Just think...at least whilst you are 'dreaming' of pork pie, it doesn't have the chance to gather on the hip line!

helcat12

Eat the Morbier while you can, Millie!

For me, new place has meant being very flexible about work and open to new spare time pursuits.
Trying to make the best of whatever comes my way has been my aim.

Also, adding new skills and experiences to my repertoire is my way of assuring myself that I am making a big effort to be successful in settling in here - filling gaps left by what I have left behind with the Canadian version and, if that isn't possible, then filling it with something new entirely.

Nothing has yet presented itself to replace cheese, though, so maybe that explains the dream.

A period of worry just before moving anywhere is expected, so just roll with it, work through it and see what happens when you get here.

I hope everything goes brilliantly for you.

chillingincanada

Happy 10 Months!! I hope things settle down for you. Wow you have achieved so much in 10 months! Way to go!! I think it could just be the cheese your missing Bakewell is lovely thought

MillieF

Helcat...Just think, without the cheese, my bum just has to look better doesn't it?

Many thanks...I'm really happy in most ways, but it will all be better when we get there!

__TJ__

wow 10 months! im pretty sure the pork pie would have had gristle in it but then thats part of the charm :P
i have to say if that is the worst of your problems then its all sounding very positive

helcat12

No gristle in Bakewell pork pies - they are truly dream-worthy (that from a former vegetarian!!)

There have been difficult bits, let downs and disappointments and I am sure there will be future ones (just as there would have been in the UK, probably) but my OH and I spent 17 months apart for this new start and now we are back together we can face everything as a team.

Tomorrow we get the keys to our new home - our first in Canada.

The last thing I wanted was another move so soon after getting here, but we are good at turning a negative into a positive event and the OH and I can see the benefits of buying now, even though it has been somewhat forced upon us.

Tomorrow will be a great day for us and we are going to find it difficult to sleep tonight for excitement.

el_richo

Hopefully you didn't buy out in Abby or mission. Forecasting upwards of 20% drop over the next 3 yrs

nativenewyorker

Surely the first place to take a hit will be the blocks of flats in the city bought by Chinese investors who are suddenly discovering that their economy is not quite as good as they thought.
Good luck in your new place Helcat, may you have much happiness there

chillingincanada

Good luck in your new home!!

el_richo

Sorry to have been the Debbie Downer. May your dreams give you wings and your happiness remain for life

ExKiwilass

nope, it'll be outlying areas first: Abby, Mission, Maple Ridge etc.

helcat12

Nope, we didn't!

el_richo

Oh nice. Are you still in the valley?