So I've been here in Alberta 8 months now, I've liked it and had some fun times but I'm just not loving it, my work Visa runs out in February and to be honest it couldn't come quick enough...I'm just so depressed here these days.

I've realised everything I wanted was back home, but it took coming here to realise that so I'm not gonna regret what I did as it's been quite an experience and learning curve and I would have regretted not doing it.

Maybe I'll think differently when I actually get home but for me the positives about going back outweigh the positives of staying, I'm just wondering how I'm gonna get my few months in now when the past week has felt like a year.

Sorry for the depressive post but I really need to get all this off my chest and this would be the best place to do that and hopefully some of you guys can cheer me up!

Hey Kristine
Sorry to hear you're feeling a little down at the minute. I don't have much advise but just thought I'd reply especially as you're a Co. Antrim girl

I moved back last year after over 8 years in Canada and don't have any regrets this really isn't such a bad wee place, I never thought I'd say that about Larne.

I hope you can make the most out of the few months you have left in Canada at least there is an end in sight though I know some days it can't come quick enough.

Once you know you're going back it helps cheer you up as you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Did you buy a house in Alberta or rent; how about the house in England- did you hang on to it?

We've been in Canada for six years- three in Alberta (Okotoks) and three in BC and are moving back to the UK in December. I know what you mean about the days/weeks going by slowly but you'll be surprised how getting ready for the return keeps your mind occupied and makes time go by quickly.

Sorry to hear you've had some really bad days Kirstine. But you know - if it's not for you, it's not for you - move on and, like you say, just use that experience for the better.

As you now only have a few months left, is there a way to just make the most of it to make the time pass quicker? Do you like that cold, white, slippy stuff? Would you have the time or money to head out to the mountains every few weekends and hurl yourself down the slopes? (And it would get you away from that annoying neighbour ).

What do you think you will do for the Xmas period? Do you have any friends you can meet up with and just do something completely different to what you would normally do? It might be the only chance you get to try this - or head out to Banff or Jasper or further afield - help out at a soup kitchen - I don't know - just something completely different.

February suddenly doesn't seem that far away - can you busy yourselves with plotting and planning your escape and your next venture?

Wishing you all the best - glad you've had some fun days mixed in too - just need to drag out a couple more of those, and you'll be fine

Hey guys, thanks for the replies!

Just renting an apartment here and when I was at home I lived with my parents as I was only 21 when I came here! We didn't ship anything over either, just came with our suitcases full of clothes and essentials!

I am on the Bunac programme and my visa runs out on February 19, came with my other half who is on a two year permit, too much hassle to get me put on his work permit now plus I probably wouldn't be able to work if I was put on it. I originally had no intentions to go home, amazing how things change! So I'm gonna go back home and he's gonna stay on here and continue working the duration of his permit, then we'll see what happens, maybe I won't be so keen on Northern Ireland after being back a while but at the minute I just need to get home! I'll see him in July again anyway for a few weeks!

The only real thing I need to sort out when I go back home is a job.

I dunno there's just sooo much I love about home that I didn't realise until I came here! The waiting is just sooo annoying now as I can't wait to see my friends and family again and get back into a routine I enjoy.

You tried it and it wasn't for you....Well done for being brave and 'going for it'...I would try Anne's suggestions. Try and see your last few months as a chance to travel a bit. Canada is beautiful - even in the winter! Then you can go home and chill out for a while....Maybe in time you might even feel like going somewhere else again!!!

Good luck
Lisa

Yeah that's the plan, go home and enjoy what I have there and see basically what I wanna do with my life! It's not that I hate Canada, I just think I'm not fussed on where we live...Eastern Canada always appealed to me more but the job opportunites were in Alberta! Although Alberta is pretty and the mountains are amazing but at the minute that isn't enough to keep me here.

But yeah it feels like a second chance with Northern Ireland, I can go back and start afresh and appreciate my family, friends and everything else I have there as I don't feel I did before. I have learned and realised alot from coming here and that should be a benefit to me!

Hi Kirstine - sorry to hear that you are going through a down period - you say your work visa expires in February next year but do you really have to stay until then? Are you contracted at work until February? If not, then there's really nothing stopping you going back right now is there? apart from being with your OH of course

J

I'm waiting it out until February because it took alot of effort and money to get the work ********* I wanna be with my other half as long as possible, if it wasn't for those reasons I'd happily be away home by now! lol

I dunno what I said that resulted in it being starred out in the last post....pretty sure I didn't swear! :S

Anyway I feel no better this week, feeling worse to be honest and just thinking about home constantly...my original flight date home is December 2nd and you dunno how tempted I am to just go home then, if it wasn't for my other half I'd be away but I don't wanna upset him or leave him to spend Christmas on his own! I'm also having work woes, I have a job that isn't the worst but I'm expected to be 100 % perfect all the time and it's really starting to grate on me too, everytime I get a phonecall, email or text from my boss that's me on edge and that's really not helping the case for me.

Honestly the end of January can't come quick enough!

i know how you feel as i am feeling the same. every day feels like a month! we are going back to england in mid february now after much mind changing and i just wish it was tomorrow!

also, we don't have a lot of spare cash and everything we have is going into our return home fund (rent, deposit etc) as we dont have jobs to go back to. so we can't do much or go anywhere that costs money. and i am so over going to the park or the beach. to be fair, where we live is quite pretty but i just don't give a stuff about it anymore and have lost all interest. we've seen everywhere we want to (except places we cant afford to go to).

so i am thinking rather than sitting around and getting depressed, i am going to get into keeping fit and maybe start training for a half marathon or something. just to give me something to focus on rather than counting the days. the only thing is the damn flies in the summer really restrict when you can get out and about and i dont want to pay for the gym. anyone got any other suggestoins??

So just to put the icing on the cake...I just got laid off!

Oh bless, but everything happens for a reason.
Is there no way your oh can come home with you in December for Crimbo ?
x

Sorry to hear that, hopefully you can find something to keep you busy over the next few months.

you wont regret it believe me