My name is Emily Glover and I am an alien housewife. You may be asking yourself, "what exactly is an alien housewife," and you will be surprised to know there are (probably) thousands of alien housewives and househusbands living in your country.
I met a man from Winnipeg, Manitoba at a Taco Bell in Fargo, North Dakota. A friend introduced us. Eventually, we dated, fell in love, and got married. Pretty standard boy meets girl story. ANYWAY, at some point we had to decide where we would live. We chose Winnipeg. So here I am, with a visitor visa, unable to work or study while my husband and I wait for my immigration paperwork to be finished. I sit at home most days trying to pass the time doing housework, watching bad daytime television, moving back and forth between my various social networking sites, and an assortment of other activities.
Upon first discovering how long it could be before I could work, I thought to myself, "MAN it's going to be nice having a break from the 18 years I just spent in school, nine of which I was also working!" But now, six months into being stuck at home during the week while my husband works to provide for us I feel as though maybe I am wasting my life away. Except, there is very little I can do about it.
You see, I worked hard the past five years of my life to obtain a university degree. I am very proud of this accomplishment in my life and love the field I got my degree in. I have seen several opportunities to apply for jobs I am qualified for come and go. I graduated a year ago and feel like I'm wasting my education.
I understand why I can't work. I assume some people in the past screwed it up for everyone else. I know the Canadian government just wants to make sure that all the people entering the country as immigrants aren't dangerous or trying to get free healthcare for their various ailments and I fully respect and appreciate that. What I don't understand is why Nate and I couldn't have started the immigration process before we were married to ensure I could work legally in Canada by time I got here.
I am able-bodied, young, and healthy. I have no criminal record beyond a few campus parking tickets. I hate being late for anything and always pay my bills on time. I only speak one language but know enough sign language to get by in a simple conversation. I am so anxious to work. Until you look through my paperwork, you won't know any of these things about me. But, why not give me the benefit of the doubt until you find out I'm a lying liar and then keep me from getting any sort of residence status in Canada? If I could work my husband and I could start saving to buy a house, get a second car, start considering having a family, and just generally spend more money. All things which would make me feel like I'm contributing to society, not to mention the Canadian and Manitoban economy.
Sincerely,
Emily Glover
Canadian resident hopeful
Canadian resident hopeful
P.S. I recently found out I am allowed to do volunteer work and will be taking full advantage of it. I'm unsure if anyone of importance will see this e-letter and am considering sending a similar (more professional) letter to as many Canadian government officials as possible in the hopes they will be empathetic to my situation. If it doesn't help me, maybe it will help a future alien housewife/househusband. If you would be so kind, please share this post.. especially to people who know someone who knows someone whom this may concern.
