Proud To Be Canadian...

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

....so i'm leaving in 10 days....

I was driving around today and started thinking....this is it, in 10 days I am leaving the Country that made me! the place that I proudly called home for almost 35 years....

Funny enough, I never felt that way about Canada until now.

I mean, sure we get made fun of by many overly patriotic Americans, as though we are the ugly duckling sibling that no one plays with....

And so what, if we are wishy washy and don't start our own fights, but when we are beckoned we run lol....and our National animal may not have been our best choice, and may share the name of something else that comes to mind....but gosh golly BEAVERS ARE CUTE!.... and so what that most of us have to drive 46 hours to see coastal land, or that we have more wood than a wood chuck could chuck in a lifetime....WE MADE MAPLE SYRUP!...and the real kind too! our trees ooze with sweetness....

....and yes, our French may speak as though chewing on potatoes at the same time....but who's to say they are not the proper one's and the tongue spoken in France lacks 'potato'....and yes, Quebec may not have invented the French Fry.... but they sure as heck found some great artery clogging substances to drown those buggers in, and POUTINE WAS BORN!!!!

(can you hear our anthem now?)

And who cares if they think we all live in igloo's, and that our mail is delivered by dog sled...and that we harpoon our dinner daily, and that Yukon is not only the truck we drive, BUT THE PLACE WE LIVE!, we are PROUD TO BE CANADIAN!....regardless of the fact that our seasons are numbered 5 days spring, 6 days summer, 10 days fall and 344 days winter...do we complain?, NO! Instead, we pretend to be ok with it and create a sport called luge...which was probably discovered by some drunk fool exiting a Pub...slipped on his @** and slid home in 10.2 secs flat.....sorry got off track....oh, yes....

I love being Canadian! or at least I did....do I always say i'm Canadian? even 10 years from now? or is that bound to get us beat up by the other kids in the playground

Anyways, just thought i'd make a funny, of something that's actually got me a little teary eyed.... I was always a traveller and I have seen much of the world....from a young child, I knew that one day 'i'd blow this pop stand' (I honestly thought it would be for Europe quite honestly...) but now that the day has come... I feel a little sad

I feel a little less Canadian? or a trader? so weird.... Well, I do promise to keep up the 'Eh' cause my fiance thinks it's hilarious and it drives him bonkers.... It's not as if I won't be back, i'll actually visit frequently, every month (for visitation)...but that's the thing right there.... 'visit'

ok, i'm done...

ps. oh, one more thing.... 'Oh Canada...our home and native land....'

B)

[scandal 951]

Aw see, now look whatcha made me do.. got me all misty eyed and such with that Canadian nostalgia trip I've just gotta follow up with a Stompin' Tom Connors rendition of Bud the Spud

It's bud the spud from the bright red mud

Rollin' down the Highway smiling-

The Spuds are big on the back of Bud's rig

And they're from Prince Edward Island they're from Prince Edward Island

Now from Charlottetown or from Summerside

They load him down for the big long ride

He jumps in the cab and he's off with the pride Sobagos

He's gotta catch the boat to make Tormentine & he heads up that old New Brunswick line

Through Montreal he comes just a flyin with another big load a potatoes.

It's bud the spud from the bright red mud

Rollin' down the Highway smiling-

The Spuds are big on the back of Bud's rig

And they're from Prince Edward Island they're from Prince Edward Island

Now the Ontario Provincial Police don't think mucha Bud...

Yeah the cops a been lookin for the son of a gun

That's been rippin the tar off the 401-

They know the name on the truck shines up in the sun-"Green Gables."

But he hits Toronto and it's 7 O'Clock when he backs er up agin the terminal dock.

And the boys gather round just to hear him talk

About another big load a potatoes!

It's bud the spud from the bright red mud

Rollin' down the Highway smiling-

The Spuds are big on the back of Bud's rig

And they're from Prince Edward Island they're from Prince Edward Island

Now I know a lot of people from east to west

That like the spuds from the island best.

Cause they'll stand up to the hardest test-right on the table.

So when ya see that big truck rollin by- wave yer hand or kinda wink yer eye,

Cause that's Bud the Spud from old PEI, with another big load a potatoes!

It's bud the spud from the bright red mud

Rollin' down the Highway smiling-

Slow-because he's got another big load,

Of the best dog gone potatoes that's ever been growed

And they're from Prince Edward Island They're from Prince Edward Island

[minnew 4]

....so i'm leaving in 10 days....

I was driving around today and started thinking....this is it, in 10 days I am leaving the Country that made me! the place that I proudly called home for almost 35 years....

Funny enough, I never felt that way about Canada until now.

I mean, sure we get made fun of by many overly patriotic Americans, as though we are the ugly duckling sibling that no one plays with....

And so what, if we are wishy washy and don't start our own fights, but when we are beckoned we run lol....and our National animal may not have been our best choice, and may share the name of something else that comes to mind....but gosh golly BEAVERS ARE CUTE!.... and so what that most of us have to drive 46 hours to see coastal land, or that we have more wood than a wood chuck could chuck in a lifetime....WE MADE MAPLE SYRUP!...and the real kind too! our trees ooze with sweetness....

....and yes, our French may speak as though chewing on potatoes at the same time....but who's to say they are not the proper one's and the tongue spoken in France lacks 'potato'....and yes, Quebec may not have invented the French Fry.... but they sure as heck found some great artery clogging substances to drown those buggers in, and POUTINE WAS BORN!!!!

(can you hear our anthem now?)

And who cares if they think we all live in igloo's, and that our mail is delivered by dog sled...and that we harpoon our dinner daily, and that Yukon is not only the truck we drive, BUT THE PLACE WE LIVE!, we are PROUD TO BE CANADIAN!....regardless of the fact that our seasons are numbered 5 days spring, 6 days summer, 10 days fall and 344 days winter...do we complain?, NO! Instead, we pretend to be ok with it and create a sport called luge...which was probably discovered by some drunk fool exiting a Pub...slipped on his @** and slid home in 10.2 secs flat.....sorry got off track....oh, yes....

I love being Canadian! or at least I did....do I always say i'm Canadian? even 10 years from now? or is that bound to get us beat up by the other kids in the playground

Anyways, just thought i'd make a funny, of something that's actually got me a little teary eyed.... I was always a traveller and I have seen much of the world....from a young child, I knew that one day 'i'd blow this pop stand' (I honestly thought it would be for Europe quite honestly...) but now that the day has come... I feel a little sad

I feel a little less Canadian? or a trader? so weird.... Well, I do promise to keep up the 'Eh' cause my fiance thinks it's hilarious and it drives him bonkers.... It's not as if I won't be back, i'll actually visit frequently, every month (for visitation)...but that's the thing right there.... 'visit'

ok, i'm done...

ps. oh, one more thing.... 'Oh Canada...our home and native land....'

B)

The first part of your post while I was reading it I started thinking of the Molson Canadian commercials a few years back where the guy is standing up on a pedestal..(yes Canada is this....but......I AM CANADIAN!! ) I kept on humming that music to it...

I haven't thought about it too much lately until now, but now that I will be leaving Canada not just to study I am sure it will hit me like a ton of bricks! I will sure miss Canada and the people! I think I will feel kind of like a traitor, but I know I will always call myself Canadian first and foremost.

Edited May 20, 2009 by minnew

[Ban Hammer 13,336]

[Reba 2]

Born Canadian, Always Canadian. No matter how long you're gone! and even if you get US citizenship in a few years.

I'm going Home for Canada Day. It's been 2 years and waaaaaaaaay too fracken long! I'm gonna have me some proper bacon, and whatever else Canadian delicacies I can muster up during my stay. And maybe a few beers too!

[FormelyCA 0]

GREAT summary poprocks!!

I couldn't have said everything better myself. It is funny, the whole immigration process kinda clouds that aspect of it. We are so concerned with I-129 forms, medicals, vaccinations, RFEs, tax forms, AoS etc etc etc that we forget - Whoa, wait. I am leaving Canada. We can't WAIT for our Packet 3, then 4, and COME On Interview and Where is my visa, HURRY UP POE! But a lot of us forget that as we move closer to our American life, Canada becomes more and more distant but we don't think about that really. And then one day it hits ya like a tonne of bricks in the most random of places. I think it is a bit like parenting. Your always like Cant wait to be pregnant! Cant wait till shes born! Cant wait till she walks! Cant wait till she is talking etc etc. that you don;t really live IN the moment, and then it hits ya "my baby is all grown up!". I don't know. I have no idea as I am not a mom, but it sounds kinda the same.

It hit me in Zerhs It was about a week or 2 before I left, I was walking in Zerhs TOTALLY not thinking about anything, and it hit me - "Soon, I won't have you Zehrs" I kept thinking of saying goodbye to dill pickle chips, President's Choice, and the bulk food section (can you tell I have a slight food addiction). Then, when I got my visa from the fedex man, I was happy for 1 min and then again This time is was the ugly cry I just realized "WHOA, I am moving. This time it is "permanent"" (sidenote....nothing is permanent...but..you know).

The drive down may be hard for you. Though, you will have your mom and son, so maybe a distraction. For me it was TOUGh...cue the ugly cry again! Saying goodbye to mom was VERY tough. Ugh, I wanna go home!!! haha But, I guess it gets better. I am still homesick as I get used to being here. But it does get better.

And yes, you will always be Canadian. Identity is much more than a visa in a passport

[Emancipation 2]

Aw see, now look whatcha made me do.. got me all misty eyed and such with that Canadian nostalgia trip I've just gotta follow up with a Stompin' Tom Connors rendition of Bud the Spud

It's bud the spud from the bright red mud

Rollin' down the Highway smiling-

The Spuds are big on the back of Bud's rig

And they're from Prince Edward Island they're from Prince Edward Island

Now from Charlottetown or from Summerside

They load him down for the big long ride

He jumps in the cab and he's off with the pride Sobagos

He's gotta catch the boat to make Tormentine & he heads up that old New Brunswick line

Through Montreal he comes just a flyin with another big load a potatoes.

It's bud the spud from the bright red mud

Rollin' down the Highway smiling-

The Spuds are big on the back of Bud's rig

And they're from Prince Edward Island they're from Prince Edward Island

Now the Ontario Provincial Police don't think mucha Bud...

Yeah the cops a been lookin for the son of a gun

That's been rippin the tar off the 401-

They know the name on the truck shines up in the sun-"Green Gables."

But he hits Toronto and it's 7 O'Clock when he backs er up agin the terminal dock.

And the boys gather round just to hear him talk

About another big load a potatoes!

It's bud the spud from the bright red mud

Rollin' down the Highway smiling-

The Spuds are big on the back of Bud's rig

And they're from Prince Edward Island they're from Prince Edward Island

Now I know a lot of people from east to west

That like the spuds from the island best.

Cause they'll stand up to the hardest test-right on the table.

So when ya see that big truck rollin by- wave yer hand or kinda wink yer eye,

Cause that's Bud the Spud from old PEI, with another big load a potatoes!

It's bud the spud from the bright red mud

Rollin' down the Highway smiling-

Slow-because he's got another big load,

Of the best dog gone potatoes that's ever been growed

And they're from Prince Edward Island They're from Prince Edward Island

As one of the lone Islanders on this Forum.. I do NOT approve of this message..

Stompin Tom makes me gag.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

GREAT summary poprocks!!

I couldn't have said everything better myself. It is funny, the whole immigration process kinda clouds that aspect of it. We are so concerned with I-129 forms, medicals, vaccinations, RFEs, tax forms, AoS etc etc etc that we forget - Whoa, wait. I am leaving Canada. We can't WAIT for our Packet 3, then 4, and COME On Interview and Where is my visa, HURRY UP POE! But a lot of us forget that as we move closer to our American life, Canada becomes more and more distant but we don't think about that really. And then one day it hits ya like a tonne of bricks in the most random of places. I think it is a bit like parenting. Your always like Cant wait to be pregnant! Cant wait till shes born! Cant wait till she walks! Cant wait till she is talking etc etc. that you don;t really live IN the moment, and then it hits ya "my baby is all grown up!". I don't know. I have no idea as I am not a mom, but it sounds kinda the same.

It hit me in Zerhs It was about a week or 2 before I left, I was walking in Zerhs TOTALLY not thinking about anything, and it hit me - "Soon, I won't have you Zehrs" I kept thinking of saying goodbye to dill pickle chips, President's Choice, and the bulk food section (can you tell I have a slight food addiction). Then, when I got my visa from the fedex man, I was happy for 1 min and then again This time is was the ugly cry I just realized "WHOA, I am moving. This time it is "permanent"" (sidenote....nothing is permanent...but..you know).

The drive down may be hard for you. Though, you will have your mom and son, so maybe a distraction. For me it was TOUGh...cue the ugly cry again! Saying goodbye to mom was VERY tough. Ugh, I wanna go home!!! haha But, I guess it gets better. I am still homesick as I get used to being here. But it does get better.

And yes, you will always be Canadian. Identity is much more than a visa in a passport

No Zehrs and no bulk food sections Hon - can't tell you how I miss those - i miss being able to buy 2 tbsp of a spice I needed for a recipe, or bulk almonds or the weird party mix with the nasty weird sesame sticks (love them). I miss being able to buy peanuts in bulk - enough for a snack later on instead of a massive tin. I think I was so used to the taste of the PC products I've had a hard time 'mainstreaming' Kind of sad really

[thetreble 19]

It's going to hit you when you least expect it, and it's going to be hard. After two years, I often go to do things or ask for things and realize I'm not making any sense in what I'm asking for....it can be very frustrating at time.

Hopefully you are moving to a wonderful state, though. My state just got named the nation's state with the worst drivers. Man I love it here!

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

Haha! Thanks Charles.

Oh also, throw in the fact that we are so proud of Canada Dry pop, but it happens to be made in the US LOL!

And yes, I'm moving to a pretty cool area. The boarder of PA and DE.. OCNJ us an hour away, Philly 30 mins, and even NYC only 2 hours, so it keeps us busy

As for the worst drivers, I thought Montreal was bad, until I had the traumatic experience of driving in Greece! Specifically Athens! Lol'!

We plan on moving somewhere warmer in 10 years, which right now can be LA or even Europe part time....

I will miss my comfort foods...I find a lot of foods in the US are very junky, this is why we shop at Trader Joes a lot. I mean, who's idea was it to combine peanut butter and jelly in a squeeze tube for convenience...EWH!!!!

[Sprailenes 47]

You're not too far away from Jill, Amanda and I. You will have to join us for one of our Canadian girl get togethers sometime.

It is hard, but you get used to it. I always come to this board and see people who have come from overseas and I imagine it's even harder for them. We're lucky we're just a country over. You will miss certain things about Canada but learn to find new loves here. After about two years here its all starting to melt together. I miss what I left behind but I look forward to what is to come.

I love South Jersey in the summer, it was a summer down in OC that made me blurt out to my husband: "Lets move here instead!" And then we did.

[RYCK 0]

I was so anxious to get here i didn't have time to miss Canada ... Maybe some friends and family but hasn't been long enough for that really .. and i must be the only person that thinks Tim Hortons should roll itself up and move on ..... would be ok but i hate being treated with bad service and the coffee isn't good enough to make up for crappy service and people who dont know how to STIR .. i'm getting a take out coffee i don't walk around ( or drive) with a spoon in my pocket. Maybe one day it will hit me but i know one thing ... come winter i will be happy i am here in florida and not canada i had enough of the cold and snow

[trailmix 77]

I was so anxious to get here i didn't have time to miss Canada ... Maybe some friends and family but hasn't been long enough for that really .. and i must be the only person that thinks Tim Hortons should roll itself up and move on ..... would be ok but i hate being treated with bad service and the coffee isn't good enough to make up for crappy service and people who dont know how to STIR .. i'm getting a take out coffee i don't walk around ( or drive) with a spoon in my pocket. Maybe one day it will hit me but i know one thing ... come winter i will be happy i am here in florida and not canada i had enough of the cold and snow

Hey I don't like tim horton's coffee either, but I really like their sandwiches and doughnuts.

Oh and get back to us around September, after you have experienced a Florida summer

[Sprailenes 47]

I was so anxious to get here i didn't have time to miss Canada ...

A year before I even left I had one foot out the door . As soon as my husband moved back to Jersey and began the immigration process, I began to distance myself from everything and everyone.

My first year here was kind of miserable because I felt guilty for leaving the way I did... the way I left was pretty typical of me, but still I didn't like it.

I had quit a good job to go off and just "####### around" and work in a factory, granted there were health reasons for my leaving my previous job but I didn't really seem to care too much about what job I got next as I was leaving. I began to distance myself from everything in my last year there because I had it in my mind that I was going. It was just a really strange time in my life.

When I finally left, it all hit me like a tonne of bricks. I wish I would have dealt with it better while I was there. I guess that's my only big regret.

[JillA 2]

Haha! Thanks Charles.

Oh also, throw in the fact that we are so proud of Canada Dry pop, but it happens to be made in the US LOL!

And yes, I'm moving to a pretty cool area. The boarder of PA and DE.. OCNJ us an hour away, Philly 30 mins, and even NYC only 2 hours, so it keeps us busy

As for the worst drivers, I thought Montreal was bad, until I had the traumatic experience of driving in Greece! Specifically Athens! Lol'!

We plan on moving somewhere warmer in 10 years, which right now can be LA or even Europe part time....

I will miss my comfort foods...I find a lot of foods in the US are very junky, this is why we shop at Trader Joes a lot. I mean, who's idea was it to combine peanut butter and jelly in a squeeze tube for convenience...EWH!!!!

I LOVE TRADER JOES!! The food is healthy, fair priced, and delicious!!

And I have to point out, about the bulk food thing, WEGMANS has a great bulk section! For those of you who have Wegmans around you.

I guess we sometimes take for granted living in such a wondeful country.... and we only realize how lucky we are when we move.... here