Feeling A Bit Numb

[Emancipation 2]

Well a week from today I'll be crossing the boarder and activating my K-1. This weekend I moved out of my apartment. Did anyone else have that very surreal experience of sitting in their apartment, starting at the blank walls, looking around you and realizing this is all really happening, and feeling an out of body experience? I am 100% about our decision, looking forward to the change, and of course being reuinited with the man of my dreams, but to leave one's country, it's altogether overwhelming at times. I just think about learning new towns, new stores, new "brands".. making new friends, and social scene. I know it will all sort itself out, that time is the one thing that will help the situation. I'm not down, don't get me wrong, but I am curious to hear anyone else's "packing" stories

[Flames9_RN 358]

Ya, I found it hard to belive myjourney was pretty much over when I looked around the empty apartment, was weird,but exciting. I found it most weird, when I stopped at the Tim hortons where I went pretty much every morning for the last time!! lol

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

My surreal experience came at the interview, it was so...not how I pictured it. I couldn't imagine that this was it, and we actually had the visa in our hands.

Cass (bebop the great)

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I remember sitting in my apartment surrounded by all of the boxes - I had been packing for months and living with boxed up belongings for so long that I was using the boxes like furniture. Joe had driven the rental minivan in the night before and the United Way had picked up the bed and the vacuum and the rest of the items needed to the last minute a few minutes earlier. The moving van would be in a few days later to pick everything up and a friend would meet it. So, this was it - the actual moment when the cats and I would leave behind everything we had ever known - family, friends, home, job, country - because of one man. I didn't have too many moments to reflect because we had to load up the van, put the cats in their carriers and safely strap them in, then put in everything else that we were transporting down ourselves and be on our way in half an hour. Still, as I looked around the apartment, I remembered when I had moved into it 7 years before and a wave of nostalgia washed over me. Like you, I had no regrets and was 100% sure that this was what I wanted to do, still, it is a moment of truth to stare your decision straight in the face like that and willingly leave the past behind to walk into your future.

Good luck on your travels south and the rest of your visa journey. It is the first day of the rest of your life.

Edited January 29, 2007 by Kathryn41

[CutienPurg 0]

My children ( 3 of them) and I moved to Canada to live with my then fiance for a year. When you mentioned learning new brands it made me chuckle ,remembering trying to shop and having no clue which were good brands and which were crummy store brands. I never shopped alone............and if I wanted to purchase cold meats..........ummm lunch meat, since I didn't know how to do the conversion at first, I'd just hold my finger and thumb apart and say " I'd like that much please"...........it always cracked the girls up. Then once I learned the conversion , it took me even longer to shop as I'd convert the weight then the money to figure if it was a good deal or not. It was such an adventure..........all of it.

I guess if I could give any words to make it easier they would be..........just make it an adventure. Don't consume yourself with what you're leaving behind, but fill your thoughts with the excitement of what's yet to come. In time you'll come to realize how little that apartment meant, the friends you have that are worth keeping will always be your friends and your family, well for frig sake you cant shake those people even if ya wanna. Maybe it's my nomadic instincts, maybe its having buried a husband, or the countless other times Ive started my life over but Ive learned that it all works out in the end. Everything turns out as it should and you'll be better having had the experience.

Anyway ,all the best to you both. Have an awesome move............and get a calculator

[Kipster 0]

Well a week from today I'll be crossing the boarder and activating my K-1. This weekend I moved out of my apartment. Did anyone else have that very surreal experience of sitting in their apartment, starting at the blank walls, looking around you and realizing this is all really happening, and feeling an out of body experience? I am 100% about our decision, looking forward to the change, and of course being reuinited with the man of my dreams, but to leave one's country, it's altogether overwhelming at times. I just think about learning new towns, new stores, new "brands".. making new friends, and social scene. I know it will all sort itself out, that time is the one thing that will help the situation. I'm not down, don't get me wrong, but I am curious to hear anyone else's "packing" stories

My Love,

You truly have made waiting for you so worth all the heartache of our separation. To see what you have had to go through and put up with as this process has ground on so seemingly slowly at times humbles me and reminds me that I am the most blessed man around.

I can't wait to see that bridge again knowing it will be the last time I have to cross it alone. Before, happiness was seeing New Brunswick in the rear view mirror as I crossed it. Next Monday happiness will be seeing PEI in the rear view mirror, with you in the passenger seat, holding your hand as we drive across together.

I know this transition will be difficult at times for you, but I am right there for you my love. I don't want to be on any other journey except the one that leads closer to you and your heart.

I am so thankful I get to love you for the rest of my life

[CutienPurg 0]

GOD DANG IT KIP!!!!!

<passes the tissues>

....you ALWAYS make me blubber. That is the sweetest freakin' thing EVER!

what a fortunate woman you are emanc..........now if that man isnt worth walking and not looking back , I cant imagine what would be!!!

A world of love to you both!!!!!!

[together2love 0]

Well a week from today I'll be crossing the boarder and activating my K-1. This weekend I moved out of my apartment. Did anyone else have that very surreal experience of sitting in their apartment, starting at the blank walls, looking around you and realizing this is all really happening, and feeling an out of body experience? I am 100% about our decision, looking forward to the change, and of course being reuinited with the man of my dreams, but to leave one's country, it's altogether overwhelming at times. I just think about learning new towns, new stores, new "brands".. making new friends, and social scene. I know it will all sort itself out, that time is the one thing that will help the situation. I'm not down, don't get me wrong, but I am curious to hear anyone else's "packing" stories

My Love,

You truly have made waiting for you so worth all the heartache of our separation. To see what you have had to go through and put up with as this process has ground on so seemingly slowly at times humbles me and reminds me that I am the most blessed man around.

I can't wait to see that bridge again knowing it will be the last time I have to cross it alone. Before, happiness was seeing New Brunswick in the rear view mirror as I crossed it. Next Monday happiness will be seeing PEI in the rear view mirror, with you in the passenger seat, holding your hand as we drive across together.

I know this transition will be difficult at times for you, but I am right there for you my love. I don't want to be on any other journey except the one that leads closer to you and your heart.

I am so thankful I get to love you for the rest of my life

That was real. It says everything about your relationship and your bitter-sweet move. It says that there is nothing to worry about, it's just another wonderful step in your life together. Enjoy it - though I know you both will.

[misa 2]

I haven't even started packing my stuff yet, but I should soon. Provided I get my packet 3 and interview date soon, I won't be here for that much longer... *crosses fingers*

I imagine it will be totally surreal for me too, to finally be able to move to be together permanently!

Edited January 29, 2007 by misa

[AngelD 0]

Well a week from today I'll be crossing the boarder and activating my K-1. This weekend I moved out of my apartment. Did anyone else have that very surreal experience of sitting in their apartment, starting at the blank walls, looking around you and realizing this is all really happening, and feeling an out of body experience? I am 100% about our decision, looking forward to the change, and of course being reuinited with the man of my dreams, but to leave one's country, it's altogether overwhelming at times. I just think about learning new towns, new stores, new "brands".. making new friends, and social scene. I know it will all sort itself out, that time is the one thing that will help the situation. I'm not down, don't get me wrong, but I am curious to hear anyone else's "packing" stories

My Love,

You truly have made waiting for you so worth all the heartache of our separation. To see what you have had to go through and put up with as this process has ground on so seemingly slowly at times humbles me and reminds me that I am the most blessed man around.

I can't wait to see that bridge again knowing it will be the last time I have to cross it alone. Before, happiness was seeing New Brunswick in the rear view mirror as I crossed it. Next Monday happiness will be seeing PEI in the rear view mirror, with you in the passenger seat, holding your hand as we drive across together.

I know this transition will be difficult at times for you, but I am right there for you my love. I don't want to be on any other journey except the one that leads closer to you and your heart.

I am so thankful I get to love you for the rest of my life

WOW

That was beautiful. But now all the other SO's on here will have something to work towards!! I can only hope that my fiance has that depth of understanding when this process is over. After a year of research-he finally looked at a handfull of websites (including this one) that I have been on. (And yes-he is the US counterpart that should be filing everything-he just can't multi-task worth a darn). He has a glimmer of what the process entails and is starting to understand that is not just filling out 2 forms and crossing your fingers.

We thought we would have this done a year ago. So I started the heinous act of "downsizing". Not easy with 2 teenagers and a life time of memories. The idea of leaving my country scares the bejeezes out of me. Disprupting my children's lives etc. But in the end, I love him, they love him, he loves us (all of us) and now we share a beautiful little girl together too. Sometimes, people have to selfish. Look out for what will make them happy in the end. Thank goodness my kids love him and understand that mommy is doing everything for them in the end. Makes all this "process" ####### seems like nothing and the "move" even less.

Best of luck and you've got yourself a great guy!

Angel

[Amanda-Lise 0]

We're getting there ourselves. For the last few months, each time my fiance has come up to visit, he took a good chunk of our things back with him (I hadnt thought that would be allowed, but the border guards just popped the trunk and sent him on his way, and last time asked him when they'd be seeing us go back with him not just our stuff) Since approval, gotten rid of many things. Walls are bare. As each day passes, more and more is getting tucked away or given away. All we really have left is the big furniture, our bathroom supplies, clothing and towels. I, along with the girls are 100% on this move. But after so many months of just waiting, its become very real. And I've started to get a bit melancholy, thinking about what I'm leaving behind.

And Kipster, that has to be the sweetest thing I've ever read!

[Emancipation 2]

*Sigh.. That's my love!! Thanks baby for that vote of confidence, and loyalty.. I know that view will be sweet for me. I hate the goodbyes and I hate the "countdowns" till we see each other again. I have no regrets, and no backward glances.. and I know you know that

I am blessed as well with a man who understands in so many ways what I'm leaving behind, and how daunting this process is. He "gets it" and I'm so glad that he does. I know that will make the transition so much easier (that and a bag full of Coffee Crisps) - sorry baby.. i ate all the Toffee Crisps, so you'll just have to take me to the UK so you can try them yourself! hee hee..

[Emancipation 2]

And yes.. i am the most blessed girl on VJ hee hee

[Mephys 2]

That is sweet of him

Just to tell you my fiance found a coffee crisp ( yeah the real one! ) in the CHicago suburbs the other day...its translated in english and spanish! Maybe they are finally seeing the good stuff and has started to import it from Canada!

[Carlawarla 1]

I sit here with tears streaming down my face...oh my word!

Was just a week ago that I was going through the same thing. It seems surreal. It still does.

I was confused, and somewhat embarrassed to have the feelings I did, knowing how lucky I was, how truly blessed I was to have found my kindred spirit. At the same time, I cried so many tears for what I was leaving behind.

I did post about my feelings, and had such a wonderful empathetic response from other Canadian's here, that I know that's what got me through.

I think Kathyrn41 said it best when she described (not to quote) feelings of leaving, or giving up her Canadian identity. That hit me strongest.

Bring what you can to remind you of Canada and your life here before the new turn in your path in the USA. You can take the body out of Canada, but you can't take the Canada from your heart.

You've wanted this a long time...it's finally happening...embrace your new "home" and best wishes on this part of your journey.

Carla