Citizens!

Citizenship came through and we had a fun day at the ceremony.

We have Permanent Residency!!

Finally, after applying in November 2007 (and that after a year of getting the application in shape), we have received Canadian Permanent Residency!!

Probably not that big a deal to people who aren't in the process but it is a heck of a relief for us. Especially in the current economic climate, decoupling your ability to stay in the country from your current job is a big step. I've no intention of moving (just in case anyone from work reads this and there's a fuss) but we've now got a way more stable base for our future life here in Canada.

Getting our PR involved a trip to Buffalo and seeing as it was March break, we took a trip to Nigara at the same time. Falls are amazing, rest of the town is a bit like Blackpool in England! Kids loved all the lights, shiny stuff, noise and junk food. For me it was definitely a "once in a lifetime" trip but glad I've been.

Good times... :-)

Er.. I've been busy

I haven't posted for a long time and I'm feeling a little "blog guilt". Lots has happened:

• We nearly have our permanent residency (fingers crossed).
• Changed jobs somewhat unexpectedly but managed to land a great new job.
• Had to drive out of the country and back in to get a new work permit (made use of a great Canada immigration scheme for certain IT workers and other in demand professions).
• Got a new work permit at the border and didn't have to sit in limbo between countries with wife and kids! :-)
• Found out I was issued the wrong work permit. Had to apply for Arranged Employment Opinion which I eventually got (whew!).

Lots more. I like brain-dumping like this, I think I'll post more often! :-)

Eh

Spring has sprung!

At last it looks like we've seen the last of the snow and it's a relief. Now the switch has been flipped on spring. Suddenly the dormant garden has sprung to life: manic chipmunks scurrying after one another, squirrels squirrelling, geese everywhere and we were even out in t-shirts at the weekend! Today it's got a bit "British" (grey, rainy) but I know better weather is just around the corner...

Definite seasons, that's what they say about Canada and it's great!

Beautiful nights...

Definitely one of the 'great Canadian things' for me - gorgeous, clear and peaceful starry nights on the porch, wine in hand - even when a blanket is a necessity!

Car culturama

I've always had a vague notion of Canada as a bit of a "greener" country than some others. I've got to say though that my experience is very different. For one thing, car culture is firmly embedded here on a massive scale.

The sheer space available and the fact the place is built around the car means it works (unlike our permanently gridlocked UK city) but it definitely ain't green.

Half the vehicles on the road are "trucks" and a there's a good scattering of Hummers too. For the last few weeks I've been bombarded by the ads for the latest (and apparently greatest) truck - the Toyota Tundra. Sadly the strength, size, power they keep pushing seems to be used by most people just to drive the mile or two to work each day or make it through the challenging terrain of the highway to the drive-through.

The amazing thing is that most people genuinely don't think about it for the most part. While the UK gripes at, moans about and punishes people driving the kind of small 4x4 you mostly see, people here think nothing of snapping up a truck twice the size, it's 5.7 litre engine probably double what most UK SUVs have. I really feel the bigger problems and the place to start is this side of the atlantic.

Reasons to like Canada - Space

No, not the big black thing out there, the stuff all around us. I think everyone likes space and you can get it here; you can have a decently sized house, a decent garden and not necessarily live in your neighbours' pocket, all for an affordable price. I've spent a lot of time looking at property and you easily (just outside Ottawa at least) get twice the house/space for your money compared to the North West of the UK. Nice for us as it got so frustrating seeing prices rocket, having a growing family and the only option being a bigger house in a worse area (or hiking up the family debt). Nice to escape the "boom".