Well, it's finally happened. Nate and I are living together. I am actually sitting in our new bed, in our new apartment, in Winnipeg, MB. I spent all of last week packing and organizing and cleaning my apartment in Fargo in preparation for coming here.
Prior to the move, at one of his routine border crossings, Nate had asked the immigration officer what I could and couldn't bring with me as a visitor. We were concerned we would have to leave our shiny new microwave and toaster behind.. He was told small appliances would be fine and a general list of what I had with me would be help as well. She also let him know that he should be there when I requested long-term visitor status and we should have our marriage certificate as well. After deciding to sell my car to my sister (one less expense to worry about) Nate planned on coming to Fargo to pick me up.
We packed the car and headed north. This actually was our first time crossing the border together. We both got nervous as we reached the border, not knowing what to expect. Nate handed the guard our passports and explained to him that I was going to be requesting a long-term stay in Canada. The border guard seemed a bit annoyed at this, for what reason I'm not sure since he only had to ask a few extra questions and then tell us to pull into the corral area and go inside. We parked the car and headed into customs and immigration. We were taken back into a room right away with no wait to be interviewed. At first, the immigration officer seemed like he was going to give us a hard time. He asked, sounding sort of like he was going to send us back into the U.S., "what sort of research have you done regarding immigrating to Canada?" We answered with what we knew and then everything went smooth from there. He explained two different ways in which I could work legally in Canada, filled out some paperwork on the computer, joked with us a bit about a few subjects and then printed my fancy looking visa. That was that. I believe we were there no longer than 45 minutes. He didn't even ask what I was bringing with me into Canada and they didn't search our car.
Officially I have to leave on April 28, 2012 but can request another 6 month stay 30 days before the visa expires. And yes, I can still come into the states to visit. So, we will do that.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Occupy Wall Street: These are the days of our lives.
I'm not going to pretend like I know all the details about the Occupy Wall Street et al. happenings. I'm not going to say that all the people involved know what they are talking about; because, lets face it, some of them are crazy and honestly have no clue what's going on. And quite honestly, as much as we or they or anyone thinks they know.. there is a lot going on that no one has any clue about. But, I care about this movement.
I care because I was told by everyone (yes, everyone) that I should continue with my education after high school and get a college degree. I was told a 4 year degree would give me the world, I would have a job and eventually a house and a life in which I could be at least relatively comfortable and financially stable. I would have an education which would make me a value to the workplace, more likely to find a job because I had worked hard for 4 to 6 years studying and filling my brain with all sorts of information to help me get along in the real world. But now after graduation I have around $30,000 (and climbing) in debt and I work as a waitress. Most of the positions I came across in my search just before graduation and afterward were looking for people with 5-7 years professional experience in the area and there were very few entry level positions available. Granted, I have stopped looking because of the current immigration status I am in, but the few places I sent my resume and letters of interest to never called or even emailed me back. My resume isn't horrible by any means. I had decent grades, especially in my major classes, I interned/volunteered for a non-profit radio station, I was a member of and held an office position in our PRSSA chapter. But this is becoming the norm now. People I went to school with who have much better resumes than I also still haven't found a job within their field. Even people with teaching degrees who were under the impression that their type of work is valued and needed. THERE ARE NO JOBS. If I had known that I would have been more valuable as a construction worker or welder, I would have done that. Starting in a few short weeks I am supposed to start paying this debt back, only 6 months after graduation. It's been this way for years, giving students a bit of time to find a decent job before having to pay back the money they borrowed for the education we were told we had to get in order to become a decent American citizen. So thanks for that, America. I will now be unemployed, living in a different country, stretching my husbands income as far as it goes so I can pay back the loans I took from you to give you the statistics that look good in the books.
I care because people who have been working for the same company for 10, 20, 30 or even sometimes 40 years are getting laid off or forced out of their jobs because the company they work for can't seem to come up with a contract agreement with the union reps or enough money to pay the employees. In the meantime, CEO's and presidents of these companies are getting raises and bonuses and endless stock options so they can continue to live the lavish lifestyles they lead. This isn't just happening in big name corporate companies like Exxon and the like.. It's happening in our own back yard with American Crystal Sugar. The employees have been locked out of their jobs and replaced by temporary workers who know very little of what they are doing because to Crystal Sugar, it doesn't matter who is doing the job as long as it's getting done and they are continuing to make money.
I care because I do not have health insurance (and I'm not even close to the only one.) I just can't afford it, and now that I'm out of college and married I can't be covered by my parent's insurance. If I so much as get an infected in-grown toenail and need a weeks worth of antibiotics it is going to cost me at least $500 for the doctor's visit just to be given a prescription for something I already knew I had. I especially can't afford it now because of those damned student loans I need to pay off so I don't accrue horrible credit deeming me unfit to become a home owner. OBVIOUSLY, I'd rather suffer and possibly die from a small infection than have a bad credit score.
At this point I can not think of a better time to be moving to Canada. It's sort of like I'm doing what everyone says they're going to do each election and running off to Canada to get away from the pit Americacould has become. I am still proud of where I am from and so thankful to have be given the opportunities I have been given and taken... but this is getting ridiculous. We, as the American people, have been settling for far too long and I'm glad people are finally standing up and using their voices. We need to stand in solidarity together to get something done. It is going to be a long time before we see real change, but I still have faith and believe it will come.
I care because I was told by everyone (yes, everyone) that I should continue with my education after high school and get a college degree. I was told a 4 year degree would give me the world, I would have a job and eventually a house and a life in which I could be at least relatively comfortable and financially stable. I would have an education which would make me a value to the workplace, more likely to find a job because I had worked hard for 4 to 6 years studying and filling my brain with all sorts of information to help me get along in the real world. But now after graduation I have around $30,000 (and climbing) in debt and I work as a waitress. Most of the positions I came across in my search just before graduation and afterward were looking for people with 5-7 years professional experience in the area and there were very few entry level positions available. Granted, I have stopped looking because of the current immigration status I am in, but the few places I sent my resume and letters of interest to never called or even emailed me back. My resume isn't horrible by any means. I had decent grades, especially in my major classes, I interned/volunteered for a non-profit radio station, I was a member of and held an office position in our PRSSA chapter. But this is becoming the norm now. People I went to school with who have much better resumes than I also still haven't found a job within their field. Even people with teaching degrees who were under the impression that their type of work is valued and needed. THERE ARE NO JOBS. If I had known that I would have been more valuable as a construction worker or welder, I would have done that. Starting in a few short weeks I am supposed to start paying this debt back, only 6 months after graduation. It's been this way for years, giving students a bit of time to find a decent job before having to pay back the money they borrowed for the education we were told we had to get in order to become a decent American citizen. So thanks for that, America. I will now be unemployed, living in a different country, stretching my husbands income as far as it goes so I can pay back the loans I took from you to give you the statistics that look good in the books.
I care because people who have been working for the same company for 10, 20, 30 or even sometimes 40 years are getting laid off or forced out of their jobs because the company they work for can't seem to come up with a contract agreement with the union reps or enough money to pay the employees. In the meantime, CEO's and presidents of these companies are getting raises and bonuses and endless stock options so they can continue to live the lavish lifestyles they lead. This isn't just happening in big name corporate companies like Exxon and the like.. It's happening in our own back yard with American Crystal Sugar. The employees have been locked out of their jobs and replaced by temporary workers who know very little of what they are doing because to Crystal Sugar, it doesn't matter who is doing the job as long as it's getting done and they are continuing to make money.
I care because I do not have health insurance (and I'm not even close to the only one.) I just can't afford it, and now that I'm out of college and married I can't be covered by my parent's insurance. If I so much as get an infected in-grown toenail and need a weeks worth of antibiotics it is going to cost me at least $500 for the doctor's visit just to be given a prescription for something I already knew I had. I especially can't afford it now because of those damned student loans I need to pay off so I don't accrue horrible credit deeming me unfit to become a home owner. OBVIOUSLY, I'd rather suffer and possibly die from a small infection than have a bad credit score.
At this point I can not think of a better time to be moving to Canada. It's sort of like I'm doing what everyone says they're going to do each election and running off to Canada to get away from the pit America
Monday, October 10, 2011
Official Update #1
After much trial and tribulation, Nate and I have found an apartment. A good one at that. Maybe if you're lucky, you will be invited over for Fajita Friday or Soupy Sunday. We actually just made Soupy Sunday up.. but as of now it sounds like an okay idea. ANYWAY, this means I will be leaving the United States of America for greener (read: colder) pastures at the end of this month.
We can move in to our new place on November 1st, so I am planning on heading north the weekend prior to that.. probably the 28th. At this time I will no longer have a phone and will only be able to be reached via Facebook, Twitter, Nate's cell phone or email.. which I may be changing so as of now there is no link. Also, I (Nate included) will not be able to come back to the States for close to six months so if you do not have a passport and do not plan on getting one in the near future, get your hang outs with both of us in quickly. Of course, if you do have your passport I still want to see you before I go.. but, I hope that you will come up to Winnipeg and hang out with us!
The next step: getting over the border with no issues.
We can move in to our new place on November 1st, so I am planning on heading north the weekend prior to that.. probably the 28th. At this time I will no longer have a phone and will only be able to be reached via Facebook, Twitter, Nate's cell phone or email.. which I may be changing so as of now there is no link. Also, I (Nate included) will not be able to come back to the States for close to six months so if you do not have a passport and do not plan on getting one in the near future, get your hang outs with both of us in quickly. Of course, if you do have your passport I still want to see you before I go.. but, I hope that you will come up to Winnipeg and hang out with us!
The next step: getting over the border with no issues.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Facebook: a place you should obviously be able to store all personal information without it being released.
I am going to try to keep this short and sweet.
For all of you complaining about the changes Facebook makes... you do realize the internet is not a safe haven for your information? It is not a place to hide all your most secret of secrets, a diary to be left unread by no one.. ESPECIALLY SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES.
Who cares if a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend's fake Facebook page for their dog sees that you liked another friends picture or status? Really, if it were such a huge deal that absolutely NO ONE who doesn't know you saw your online activity then you wouldn't have a social networking site, let alone 2 or 3.. sometimes even 4.
Stop pretending like Facebook owes you something and shut up.
For all of you complaining about the changes Facebook makes... you do realize the internet is not a safe haven for your information? It is not a place to hide all your most secret of secrets, a diary to be left unread by no one.. ESPECIALLY SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES.
Who cares if a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend's fake Facebook page for their dog sees that you liked another friends picture or status? Really, if it were such a huge deal that absolutely NO ONE who doesn't know you saw your online activity then you wouldn't have a social networking site, let alone 2 or 3.. sometimes even 4.
Stop pretending like Facebook owes you something and shut up.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Housewivery and the Downfall of Marriage
I may get criticism for this post, but I don't care.
A friend and I were having a text-versation today about how we would like to be housewives someday. Like, 1950's stay at home with the children until they are old enough to go to school and then get pedicures everyday after that. We realize women before fought hard for the rights we have today and of course, are thankful for that. However, we don't understand what's wrong with wanting to raise your children in your own home, volunteer in the community, work part-time, tend to the house, and have a real meal on the table when your husband or partner gets home at the end of the day. As far as I'm concerned, that sounds like a great life if your household income can handle it.
I would like to make it clear at this point that I am absolutely not saying women should not work outside of the home or even be the bread winners of the home.. that's not even the point here. My point is that if a there is a person in the home making more than adequate the income for their family to live comfortably, then why shouldn't the other person be allowed to be a homemaker?
Too much focus has been taken off family. Parents put their children in sports and other activities to keep them busy, social and most of all.. away from those bad kids who are a bad influence on their little lives. And this is great, activities do offer many benefits for a child's growth and development. But in the mess of it all, family time has been compromised. Family dinners have been replaced with fast food and frozen meals. Free-time between activities is filled with homework instead of creative play. Parents have no time to themselves between their jobs, feeding the kids, paying the bills, and driving all over the city to piano lessons, basketball practice, and hip-hop/contemporary movement dance class.
More importantly, in my opinion, what about time for a relationship with your significant other? The divorce rate is up 378% in the past however many years.. and for what reason? Studies have been done, and that's whatever.. This is how I see it: In the olden days, women relied on men to survive. You found a husband and that was your only true life goal. But I want to look a bit beyond that. The men and the women relied on one another.. The man made the money out in the workplace to support his home while the woman cleaned the house, made the meals, and tended to the children (the people to continue the family name.) They NEEDED each other, bottom line.. sorry but that's the way it was.
Now neither needs one another. Men and women work and live on their own for years before they get married. They spend years dating a person before deciding if they are a good fit for their life (another downfall I see, but that's a different blog.) Neither person needs the other to survive so what's the point in keeping them around once a flaw is found? Seriously, think about it. I know what some of you are thinking, "ohhh but love is what is important! Once you find someone who will love you forever none of the other issues will matter!"
Love is all fine and dandy, but the love stories that set up our generation's expectations of love are unrealistic or BASED ON LIFE DURING A TIME OF HOUSEWIVES. You know, freshly baked pies and chivalry.
Men are visual creatures (usually) while women tend to rely more on personality (usually) when it comes to finding a mate. SO, what if the wife stayed at home during the day.. maybe has a part-time job or volunteers or something... but at the end of the day had time to freshen up, put on an outfit she knew her husband would love, and cook him a real meal? What if he had time to rest by having the meal already there for him so neither had to worry about taking the time to make one after a long, most likely stressful day? Would more conversation happen? What if there was an agreement and understanding of the duties each person had rather than arguing over who would do the dishes and who would take the dog for a walk? Maybe there is too much compromise in the world of marriage today.
During this text-versation my friend made a good point: "100% equality doesn't work. Men are better at certain things. Women are better at others. That is not a bad thing." And I agree, equality in decisions for the household I believe is important. However when it comes to chores and money it just becomes an argument.
I'm unsure if I will ever be able to stay at home full-time once Nate gets up and running with everything and I'm not necessarily betting on it. But I'm sure, if given the opportunity to do so, I would stay home at least for a few years to raise the babies properly and then work part-time after that. And I am perfectly okay with that. Hell, he already orders at restaurants on my behalf.
A friend and I were having a text-versation today about how we would like to be housewives someday. Like, 1950's stay at home with the children until they are old enough to go to school and then get pedicures everyday after that. We realize women before fought hard for the rights we have today and of course, are thankful for that. However, we don't understand what's wrong with wanting to raise your children in your own home, volunteer in the community, work part-time, tend to the house, and have a real meal on the table when your husband or partner gets home at the end of the day. As far as I'm concerned, that sounds like a great life if your household income can handle it.
I would like to make it clear at this point that I am absolutely not saying women should not work outside of the home or even be the bread winners of the home.. that's not even the point here. My point is that if a there is a person in the home making more than adequate the income for their family to live comfortably, then why shouldn't the other person be allowed to be a homemaker?
Too much focus has been taken off family. Parents put their children in sports and other activities to keep them busy, social and most of all.. away from those bad kids who are a bad influence on their little lives. And this is great, activities do offer many benefits for a child's growth and development. But in the mess of it all, family time has been compromised. Family dinners have been replaced with fast food and frozen meals. Free-time between activities is filled with homework instead of creative play. Parents have no time to themselves between their jobs, feeding the kids, paying the bills, and driving all over the city to piano lessons, basketball practice, and hip-hop/contemporary movement dance class.
More importantly, in my opinion, what about time for a relationship with your significant other? The divorce rate is up 378% in the past however many years.. and for what reason? Studies have been done, and that's whatever.. This is how I see it: In the olden days, women relied on men to survive. You found a husband and that was your only true life goal. But I want to look a bit beyond that. The men and the women relied on one another.. The man made the money out in the workplace to support his home while the woman cleaned the house, made the meals, and tended to the children (the people to continue the family name.) They NEEDED each other, bottom line.. sorry but that's the way it was.
Now neither needs one another. Men and women work and live on their own for years before they get married. They spend years dating a person before deciding if they are a good fit for their life (another downfall I see, but that's a different blog.) Neither person needs the other to survive so what's the point in keeping them around once a flaw is found? Seriously, think about it. I know what some of you are thinking, "ohhh but love is what is important! Once you find someone who will love you forever none of the other issues will matter!"
Love is all fine and dandy, but the love stories that set up our generation's expectations of love are unrealistic or BASED ON LIFE DURING A TIME OF HOUSEWIVES. You know, freshly baked pies and chivalry.
Men are visual creatures (usually) while women tend to rely more on personality (usually) when it comes to finding a mate. SO, what if the wife stayed at home during the day.. maybe has a part-time job or volunteers or something... but at the end of the day had time to freshen up, put on an outfit she knew her husband would love, and cook him a real meal? What if he had time to rest by having the meal already there for him so neither had to worry about taking the time to make one after a long, most likely stressful day? Would more conversation happen? What if there was an agreement and understanding of the duties each person had rather than arguing over who would do the dishes and who would take the dog for a walk? Maybe there is too much compromise in the world of marriage today.
During this text-versation my friend made a good point: "100% equality doesn't work. Men are better at certain things. Women are better at others. That is not a bad thing." And I agree, equality in decisions for the household I believe is important. However when it comes to chores and money it just becomes an argument.
I'm unsure if I will ever be able to stay at home full-time once Nate gets up and running with everything and I'm not necessarily betting on it. But I'm sure, if given the opportunity to do so, I would stay home at least for a few years to raise the babies properly and then work part-time after that. And I am perfectly okay with that. Hell, he already orders at restaurants on my behalf.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Please, no more questions.
Well, I've finally found a legitimate reason to join the blogging world. Reason enough anyway.. I'm moving to Canada.
Everyone has questions and I only have a few of the answers. Basically, I'm sick of people asking about the immigration process. Yes, it is complicated and scary. Yes, I could be denied. Yes, I'm actually moving further north than I currently live.
So, rather than be asked these (and so many more) questions over and over again I am going to hopefully be able to direct people here for updates. *sorry, if you aren't close friends or family, I will not be making a point to let you how the process is going.
I am also hoping that this blog will serve as help to other couples that may be in a similar situation as my husband and I am. I am going to do my best to provide dates and timelines of the process as well as costs, various paperwork with links to find them online and the like.
Lets begin.
Why Canada and not the U.S.?
Originally, Nate and I were planning on living in the States. There are more places to live here, the cost of living is lower, I have a degree and am more likely to get a job in the States than Canada, it's warmer... So, we started the paperwork. We actually did it all. Every last bit. We even had an interview appointment at the U.S. Consulate in Vancouver, B.C. Then Nate's boss offered him to buy into the company he works for, installing sprinkler systems. After a bit of thinking and discussing and realizing we didn't have much of a plan for once (if) he got into the U.S. we changed our minds. So, that's that.
Now what?
There are 2 options for immigrating to Canada. The first would be applying from outside of Canada. There are two parts to this process, the first being the approval of Nate sponsoring me to move. This involves making sure he isn't a serious criminal and that he can support me so I won't need to go on government assistant if I can't find a job. Currently, the processing of this part takes 60 days. The second part of the process is the assessment of me. Similar things: am I a felon? (no) Do I have any diseases that could harm Canadians and/or abuse their health care system? (no).. those sort of things. The website says that it is taking around 11 months to complete this part. So, it would be over a year before I could legally live in Canada.
Pros: Once in Canada I would be able to work and receive health care and all the benefits of being a Canadian. I could continue to work in the States while waiting for our paperwork to be processed. I can avoid Winnipeg winter.
Cons: Nate and I would have to go another year trading weekends driving to see each other (it's a 3.5 hour drive.) We would both be paying separate rent and cellphone bills.. electricity, internet/cable, groceries, gas.. etc. Nate and I would be married... living in different countries..... and have to drive 3.5 hours to see each other..
The second option for immigration is applying from within Canada. In this option I could visit Canada long term (Americans are allowed 6 months at a time) and start the paperwork there. This process takes about twice as long as option one.. I'm assuming the paperwork gets put on the back burner because we would at least be living together.
Pros: We could finally live together. We would save money on rent and gas, lots of gas.
Cons: The process takes twice as long and I won't be able to work until my application for an open work permit gets accepted, which could be up to a year. I could be denied the 6 month visit (and extentions) however, this isn't very likely.
After seeing the amount of time option one was going to take, we chose option two. Being apart from each other just isn't something we can do anymore. So, I am going to be an alien housewife.. I will spend my days cleaning, crafting, writing, cooking.. anything to keep myself busy. The plan right now is to enter Canada around November 1st. We will find an apartment and Nate will continue to work full-time to support the both of us. And that is all I know for now.. so please, enough with the questions.
Everyone has questions and I only have a few of the answers. Basically, I'm sick of people asking about the immigration process. Yes, it is complicated and scary. Yes, I could be denied. Yes, I'm actually moving further north than I currently live.
So, rather than be asked these (and so many more) questions over and over again I am going to hopefully be able to direct people here for updates. *sorry, if you aren't close friends or family, I will not be making a point to let you how the process is going.
I am also hoping that this blog will serve as help to other couples that may be in a similar situation as my husband and I am. I am going to do my best to provide dates and timelines of the process as well as costs, various paperwork with links to find them online and the like.
Lets begin.
Why Canada and not the U.S.?
Originally, Nate and I were planning on living in the States. There are more places to live here, the cost of living is lower, I have a degree and am more likely to get a job in the States than Canada, it's warmer... So, we started the paperwork. We actually did it all. Every last bit. We even had an interview appointment at the U.S. Consulate in Vancouver, B.C. Then Nate's boss offered him to buy into the company he works for, installing sprinkler systems. After a bit of thinking and discussing and realizing we didn't have much of a plan for once (if) he got into the U.S. we changed our minds. So, that's that.
Now what?
There are 2 options for immigrating to Canada. The first would be applying from outside of Canada. There are two parts to this process, the first being the approval of Nate sponsoring me to move. This involves making sure he isn't a serious criminal and that he can support me so I won't need to go on government assistant if I can't find a job. Currently, the processing of this part takes 60 days. The second part of the process is the assessment of me. Similar things: am I a felon? (no) Do I have any diseases that could harm Canadians and/or abuse their health care system? (no).. those sort of things. The website says that it is taking around 11 months to complete this part. So, it would be over a year before I could legally live in Canada.
Pros: Once in Canada I would be able to work and receive health care and all the benefits of being a Canadian. I could continue to work in the States while waiting for our paperwork to be processed. I can avoid Winnipeg winter.
Cons: Nate and I would have to go another year trading weekends driving to see each other (it's a 3.5 hour drive.) We would both be paying separate rent and cellphone bills.. electricity, internet/cable, groceries, gas.. etc. Nate and I would be married... living in different countries..... and have to drive 3.5 hours to see each other..
The second option for immigration is applying from within Canada. In this option I could visit Canada long term (Americans are allowed 6 months at a time) and start the paperwork there. This process takes about twice as long as option one.. I'm assuming the paperwork gets put on the back burner because we would at least be living together.
Pros: We could finally live together. We would save money on rent and gas, lots of gas.
Cons: The process takes twice as long and I won't be able to work until my application for an open work permit gets accepted, which could be up to a year. I could be denied the 6 month visit (and extentions) however, this isn't very likely.
After seeing the amount of time option one was going to take, we chose option two. Being apart from each other just isn't something we can do anymore. So, I am going to be an alien housewife.. I will spend my days cleaning, crafting, writing, cooking.. anything to keep myself busy. The plan right now is to enter Canada around November 1st. We will find an apartment and Nate will continue to work full-time to support the both of us. And that is all I know for now.. so please, enough with the questions.
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