So Canadians - tell us about yourselves

[~Nini~ 2]

I KNEW someone would say they met on World of Warcraft!

[jynxNdragnfly 0]

I'm so sure I typed the whole thing out and hit the wrong button and lost it all!!!!!!

I'm jynx, the Canadian. See above sentence LOL Husband is the USC, has used dragnfly as his screen name for forever and never ever posts or reads here. I do all the paperwork. We met on lava life. I just wanted a few dates or to make new friends. He was at the end of his rope looking for 'ms right'. He was my first and only date from lava life. I was his last date after lots of bad dates. I made him come to Canada to meet me since I don't trust Americans and we've been together every weekend since March 2006.

He proposed in October 2006 and we married on 7-7-7. We chose to do the CR1 visa for several reasons. It's cheaper, I can keep working here and I'm not 'trapped in the USA', we live about a half hour from each other so we can still visit, etc. The hardest part about the whole thing is being married and not really feeling like it since we only have the weekends.

And now I will hit the correct button and this will post nicely. Just like it was supposed to the last time.....

[L_n_O 3]

yay for baby!!!

[C&C 0]

Longwinded response telling you our story, with extended ode to America and Canada

Vnoe, that was hilarious about NDakota and Saskatshewan love choices… Farm life sounds great.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that so many here met on line… I’ve only met in person a few other people who have, but it makes sense that in a population of crossborder love relationships you’d have a lot higher incidence of internet starts.

Anyways I was in Nebraska he in Canada, we met online about 8 years ago, I think we fell in love online partly, but definitely at our first meeting. It was professionally easier for me to move at the time, I got a job offer then HRDC employment authorization/waiver, we married, I got Canadian resident status then citizenship so at least we could be assured of not having to live apart (we thought) but we always both wanted to go south. We picked Texas, started the paperwork for permanent immigration for him, then I had to move to Texas during the last phase of paper submission since I had to reestablish domicile clearly – didn’t want to get to the interview without having at least a job in the US. But it has taken longer than I expected as the rest of the CR1/IR1s know for the interview. I know I’m luckier than most all of you in that I didn’t actually have to move here most of the way into the paperwork. I moved here in May, started a new job which is stressful, and have been crossing my fingers he’ll be here by Christmas. He’s looking forward to quitting his job and I’d love for him to have a nice vacation here over Xmas for a few weeks while he gets settled and starts looking for something in Texas. The unemployment rate here is so incredibly low I don’t think he’ll have a problem but career wise it will be an important jump so after this immigration thing is over, that will be the next stressful/exciting thing for us. One sad thing is that his family is crushed we are moving which was unexpected to me – Canadians aren’t as used as Americans I guess to families living all over.

Screen name is just our first name initials. We have too extraordinarily happy, well adjusted “sucks” as they say in Canada, for cats. Canada vs. US discussions are terribly fun so why not a few observations there… Tim Horton’s coffee is good for American coffee, timbits are no better than muchkins, hockey is still dumb and stupidly violent even though I know a little more about it now, I prefer and missed dumb my gladiator better than yours college football, CBC TV is great but US public radio is better, and there are various other things I prefer, like or don’t like so much in both countries. Living in Canada makes you constantly compare -- the Canadians are constantly doing it themselves which is so friggin tiresome. Americans are like, Canada? what?)

Which brings me to some US expat in Canada observations that I rarely share because people usually don’t know what I’m talking about but some of you might. I was raised to be skeptical of any kind of flag waving or stereotyping of others, groups, countries etc. I was excited to move to Canada which I thought would be more progressive and sophisticated than the deep south and conservative plains of America where I’d spent most of my adult life. Turns out Canada IS authentically more progressive in terms of public opinion – the average is more tolerant than the US (reflected in things as diverse as recent provincial laws allowing gay marriage or at least civil union equality, strong mat leave rights, public health insurance (which is great although it’s not a perfect system either), or the concept that you can be a red Tory. But it’s hardly a socialist country, just a little more progressive a democratic republic than the US is all. But I have been so disappointed at the provincialism found in Canada – I guess, like anywhere else – most people are not very informed about other places, and there is we are better ism because people seem to need that to feel validated for some reason. Unfortunately though for the American in Canada, you encounter this stereotypical anti-Americanism, even from otherwise educated, self-aware Canadians who actually vacation in America. I was always educated about US history and its role in the world and certainly aware of America’s strengths and what it has given and does give the world, as well as its not so nice qualities. I found after a few years that living in Canada made me reactionarily proud to be an American in ways I never expected and never felt in visiting other countries where they don’t have a national self-esteem problem like they do in Canada. I just got sick of hearing ridiculous negative generalizations about “America” and “Americans” that weren’t true of me or my family or any of my friends that I grew up with or my co-workers or congregations, etc., against ridiculously rosy contrasting generalizations of how great Canada is, and I’m glad to be home back in the US and the south where despite the American nationalism I grew up in, and “conservatism” in terms of who people vote for, I believe it is an ideal place to find modest, individualistic, live and let live people and communities and culture you can choose to be a part of. People who didn’t grow up in a southern city don’t know how great it is (despite things we do need to still do to make better). I think my Canadian husband who is very individualistic and live and let live will be very comfortable as a southern American.

In conclusion, Weird Al Yankovic pretty much hit it on the head with the “Canadian Idiot” track. If anything I said resonates for you and you haven’t heard it – download it for your player – it’s hilarious.

What I will miss about Canada – more specifically living in the Toronto area:

• Long Algonquin park canoe trips where you can get naked in the wilderness and fish for your dinner and stuff with no ticks or snakes (skeeters no big deal)

• Subways and trolleys

• Working and socializing in diverse ethnic social groups where my blond hair is unusual and there are all shades and kinks of hair and skin tones and facial shapes, and no one is in a majority or minority we are all just a lovely diverse mix

• Working in organizations where women are equal to men or even dominate in high positions

• Long summer evenings

• Making about $15 K more than I do now – esp. now with the exchange rate -- why didn’t we wait another month before changing the money from the house sale??? This move has cost us probably $25 K if you add it all up, but we still believe it’s worth it.

C&C

[sly_wolf 199]

Hi. Although I am not new in this forum I am new to the journey. I live in Montreal and my Fiancé lives in upper NY State. I have been visiting her every weekend and during my vacations since we met early in 2003. Of course she comes down to Montreal once in a while as well.

We have made our plans … finally. Wedding is set for Feb 14th.

We would have done it sooner but due to other personal issues we had to delay things constantly. My fiancé has been my angel through some difficult times. I was separated when we met and my divorce was a divorce from hell. My experience has unfortunately etched one thing in my mind ….. do not trust the legal system … especially the family law system. I saw so much unethical and incompetent behaviour by lawyers and judges … something you would not expect to find in a modern country like ours …. Anyways enuf said about that.

At least I now finally have my true soulmate. I think the amount of time we spent talking over the past few years (and we did a lot over the internet as well) has given us that strong bond .

I know we have another long road ahead of us but I can’t wait to finally say I can come home.

I have read many posts in here and the people have been great in answering my questions. I was unsure about our best route at first and but we decided K3/CR1. I know I will be asking more from you very soon.

Regards

Steve

[kimmbo 0]

So much fun learing about everyone... Congrats Autumnchik!

My screenname is pretty boring, just a nick-name and my age when I joined VJ..

I am the USC, my husband Barry the Canadian, he never posts, only reads what I send him...LOL.. We met online in May 2000 in a chatroom on AOL...I didnt even have a computer..after months of begging I finally broke down and let my sister show me what the Internet was all about..I had zero interest in computers and only agreed because she told me of this shopping websight called EBAY...My intension was just to shop!..LOL...literally 2 weeks after my first time on the internet I wound up in a chatroom and got an IM... He said "Boo", I said "Who the hell are you?!" and our lives changed forvever...LOL When he told me he was from Canada I said "Do you like Burton Cummings?" (I have had a crush on Burton since I was about 8 years old)..he said that he loved him and had seen him in concert solo and with the Guess Who.. 2 weeks later (May 26, 2000 to be exact) I went out and bought a computer...and weve talked everyday since then.. when we met I was 27 and he was 43...I never cared about the age gap but it was hard for him in the beginning.. His main concern was that he thought one day I would want children and he had already been ...ummm... snipped.. once I assured him that having kids wasnt something I had ever planned to do, we were able to move on.. (although I will add that I am the very proud parent of two furbabies, my cats Toby Lynn 16, and Tippin Aaron 12 (her son)

The first time we said "I love you" was just a month after we started talking...hard to explain, but we just knew.. We met face to face in Oct 2000 when I flew to Toronto to meet him..It was everything we had hoped it would be and more.. We dated long distance for 2 years, every goodbye harder than the last... I moved to Canada in Jan 2002, and we were married that year also..Weve been through the Canadian Immigration process...was 8 months from start to finish.. It was an easier decision for me to come to Canada..Barry's youngest son was still in high school and his oldest son and girlfriend (now his wife,as of Sept 22,07) were expecting a baby..We now have a wonderful grandaughter named Ally, she was 5 in March..

Moving to the US was always our plan...originally we had wanted to do it last year..until we found out that his oldest son Chris would be going to Afghanistan for 6 months.. we waited until we got him home safely before we started any paperwork..So now we wait...when we started the process in Feb 2007 we thought that being in the US by Christmas 2007 was not out of the question..now if we get there by Christmas 2008, well be happy!!...

In the meantime my Canadian PR expires in Jan 2008...so lucky me I get to deal with both USCIS and CIC paperwork at the same time..woo hoo!..LOL...

I work in a craft store, and consider myself to be pretty crafty ...LOL (just made a wedding cake out of towels for my stepsons wedding..will have to post a pic), for anyone that has a bridal shower or wedding coming up it really is a fun thing to make... my dream is to one day open up a scrapbook store with 2 friends from back home..

Good luck to everyone still waiting, (especially those of us waiting for Montreal!!!)

(heres a websight with the instructions for the towel cake)

http://www.thinkwedding.com/Art-Wedding_Towel_Cake.htm

Edited October 5, 2007 by kimmbo

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Longwinded response telling you our story, with extended ode to America and Canada

Vnoe, that was hilarious about NDakota and Saskatshewan love choices… Farm life sounds great.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that so many here met on line… I’ve only met in person a few other people who have, but it makes sense that in a population of crossborder love relationships you’d have a lot higher incidence of internet starts.

Anyways I was in Nebraska he in Canada, we met online about 8 years ago, I think we fell in love online partly, but definitely at our first meeting. It was professionally easier for me to move at the time, I got a job offer then HRDC employment authorization/waiver, we married, I got Canadian resident status then citizenship so at least we could be assured of not having to live apart (we thought) but we always both wanted to go south. We picked Texas, started the paperwork for permanent immigration for him, then I had to move to Texas during the last phase of paper submission since I had to reestablish domicile clearly – didn’t want to get to the interview without having at least a job in the US. But it has taken longer than I expected as the rest of the CR1/IR1s know for the interview. I know I’m luckier than most all of you in that I didn’t actually have to move here most of the way into the paperwork. I moved here in May, started a new job which is stressful, and have been crossing my fingers he’ll be here by Christmas. He’s looking forward to quitting his job and I’d love for him to have a nice vacation here over Xmas for a few weeks while he gets settled and starts looking for something in Texas. The unemployment rate here is so incredibly low I don’t think he’ll have a problem but career wise it will be an important jump so after this immigration thing is over, that will be the next stressful/exciting thing for us. One sad thing is that his family is crushed we are moving which was unexpected to me – Canadians aren’t as used as Americans I guess to families living all over.

Screen name is just our first name initials. We have too extraordinarily happy, well adjusted “sucks” as they say in Canada, for cats. Canada vs. US discussions are terribly fun so why not a few observations there… Tim Horton’s coffee is good for American coffee, timbits are no better than muchkins, hockey is still dumb and stupidly violent even though I know a little more about it now, I prefer and missed dumb my gladiator better than yours college football, CBC TV is great but US public radio is better, and there are various other things I prefer, like or don’t like so much in both countries. Living in Canada makes you constantly compare -- the Canadians are constantly doing it themselves which is so friggin tiresome. Americans are like, Canada? what?)

Which brings me to some US expat in Canada observations that I rarely share because people usually don’t know what I’m talking about but some of you might. I was raised to be skeptical of any kind of flag waving or stereotyping of others, groups, countries etc. I was excited to move to Canada which I thought would be more progressive and sophisticated than the deep south and conservative plains of America where I’d spent most of my adult life. Turns out Canada IS authentically more progressive in terms of public opinion – the average is more tolerant than the US (reflected in things as diverse as recent provincial laws allowing gay marriage or at least civil union equality, strong mat leave rights, public health insurance (which is great although it’s not a perfect system either), or the concept that you can be a red Tory. But it’s hardly a socialist country, just a little more progressive a democratic republic than the US is all. But I have been so disappointed at the provincialism found in Canada – I guess, like anywhere else – most people are not very informed about other places, and there is we are better ism because people seem to need that to feel validated for some reason. Unfortunately though for the American in Canada, you encounter this stereotypical anti-Americanism, even from otherwise educated, self-aware Canadians who actually vacation in America. I was always educated about US history and its role in the world and certainly aware of America’s strengths and what it has given and does give the world, as well as its not so nice qualities. I found after a few years that living in Canada made me reactionarily proud to be an American in ways I never expected and never felt in visiting other countries where they don’t have a national self-esteem problem like they do in Canada. I just got sick of hearing ridiculous negative generalizations about “America” and “Americans” that weren’t true of me or my family or any of my friends that I grew up with or my co-workers or congregations, etc., against ridiculously rosy contrasting generalizations of how great Canada is, and I’m glad to be home back in the US and the south where despite the American nationalism I grew up in, and “conservatism” in terms of who people vote for, I believe it is an ideal place to find modest, individualistic, live and let live people and communities and culture you can choose to be a part of. People who didn’t grow up in a southern city don’t know how great it is (despite things we do need to still do to make better). I think my Canadian husband who is very individualistic and live and let live will be very comfortable as a southern American.

In conclusion, Weird Al Yankovic pretty much hit it on the head with the “Canadian Idiot” track. If anything I said resonates for you and you haven’t heard it – download it for your player – it’s hilarious.

What I will miss about Canada – more specifically living in the Toronto area:

• Long Algonquin park canoe trips where you can get naked in the wilderness and fish for your dinner and stuff with no ticks or snakes (skeeters no big deal)

• Subways and trolleys

• Working and socializing in diverse ethnic social groups where my blond hair is unusual and there are all shades and kinks of hair and skin tones and facial shapes, and no one is in a majority or minority we are all just a lovely diverse mix

• Working in organizations where women are equal to men or even dominate in high positions

• Long summer evenings

• Making about $15 K more than I do now – esp. now with the exchange rate -- why didn’t we wait another month before changing the money from the house sale??? This move has cost us probably $25 K if you add it all up, but we still believe it’s worth it.

C&C

Is Ogalalla anything like Toronto?

[thetreble 19]

C and C- I'm sorry you felt that way about Canada and Canadians. Understand, though, that I think it's a feeling shared on both sides by many people. I find Canada and America have a very love-hate relationship. I am not sure how much you have traveled to other places in the world, but for a certain portion of my life I lived with my grandmother in England and the feeling of anti-americanism was even stronger. Many countries in Europe would have probably treated you worse, unfortunately. The world got on the anti-american band wagon long ago and will ride it for a long time.

I do agree that we suffer from an identity crisis. Through studying Canadian literature at university extensively I had many good discussions about defining ourselves. It is very hard because Canada is an extremely diverse population. The US is too, of course. But in Canada you really have whole populations of people who feel they have distinctly different attitudes and values than someone a province over from them. I think Americans have a strong sense of who they are and what their values are, but Canadians don't necessarily have that shared sense of view because it is never "I'm Canadian therefore I value..this and this...". Many Canadians put where they are from first. (ie. I'm albertan, I'm a Maritimer, I'm francophone) I just feel there is a difference in the US. If someone says "I am from the north east" or "I am from the south" it doesn't really make a difference to me in how the person conducts themselves or what they believe(and I'm not really thinking politics here). But In Canada, I believe that there are truly whole populations of people who could be looked at as totally separate groups from Canada as a whole.

Also, historically, we are a baby compared to most other countries in the world including the US. With less than 200 years of even being a country, there is a lot we are still learning about ourselves. That doesn't mean we feel we don't have a history at all because we do; a strong history at that. think of where the US was 200 years after it was founded and think of where we are now in terms of national identity. Those things take time.

Unfortunately you are going to find people everywhere and lots of people in Canada who just don't agree with the way things work in the US or the way Americans act. Lots of it is bullshit. A lot of my friends at home thought I was joking when I said I was going to move to the US. Why would I leave Canada for "that"? And I have defended America on lots of issues, many a time while back home. However, it has been no spring picnic for me here and I often grossly detect the attitudes of people in the area of America I live in. Often times I have cried after being rudely spoken to for no reason, yelled at, cursed at for no reason, driven off the road on more than one occasion while minding my own driving business, etc. This is when I'm not getting a billion jokes about how I don't live in igloos or even from my own in-laws here...how "cold it must be up there" in August. It really works both ways and I'm sorry that some of us have had to be the brunt of these attitudes on both sides.

I have never grown up or lived in a Southern city so I can't make any judgments on it. I only know that personally, I would really be living in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal than living in the suburbs of New Jersey if I had the choice right now. And that is not because I find people here to be of different values than me or less progressive, but because socially, again, I find some people (not all but enough to make a difference for me) to be much more cold hearted, complaining, less patient, less easy going, will have a heart attack over the most small things. But I do think a lot of people would also like to be closer to their own families of course so that is probably my biggest reason underneath.

I dont know what the point of my post was It is 4 in the morning and I can't sleep so I thought I'd add my two sense. I guess I just wanted to say that what you feel C & C is also shared by Canadians in the reverse. I wish the world were free of ignorance but never going to happen

[DeadPoolX 9]

Hmmm... good post. I agree with most of it. Except for the part where you say that Canadians identify themselves more than Americans by where they are from first. I've often found that to be the case here in the U.S. far more than other countries. Ask the average American where they're from, they won't say "the United States" or "America." At least not if when they're within the country. Most of the time they'll answer by saying what state (or even sometimes what city) they're from and I'm guilty of doing this too.

If someone asks me "where are you from," I'll automatically answer back "Texas." I even do this when I'm visiting Canada, but that's mostly because I tend to enjoy the wild responses I get from Canadians, most of whom seem to think Texas is all "Cowboys and Indians." It's really quite humorous to see how disappointed they get when I tell them that the cities in Texas are very similar to cities anywhere else. Urban sprawls like Houston or Dallas (and even to a lesser extent, San Antonio or Austin) have much more in common with major cities like Toronto and Vancouver than places such as the "O.K. Corral."

Anyway... yeah, I've heard that there's a lot of anti-Americanism in the world. I suppose that's what we get for being the lone Superpower, with the capability to level the entire planet several times over. I suppose that would make some people dislike us (or at the very least, become wary of our intentions).

Then, of course, there's the problem that the U.S. tends to get involved in a lot of international operations, many of which upset other nations. I don't believe this is really our fault though. We don't go in with the intention to "piss everyone off." In fact, we feel that we're helping others. Usually, the plan we have is a good idea -- in theory, anyway. However, like most ideas that are "good in theory," when it's put into practice, it doesn't work so well. So it's really a case of "good intentions and poor execution."

Unfortunately, as we all know, good intentions will only get you so far. You have to be able to carry through with your plans or they don't mean a whole lot. To be fair, the U.S. is in a strange predicament. If we assist other countries, we get yelled and screamed at; if we don't assist other countries, we get yelled and screamed at too. So what do we do? Either way, some group hates us. It's a "damned if you do, damned if don't" situation.

Honestly, I think the U.S. should just pack it all in and close up shop when it comes to aiding other nations. Why bother? We get cursed at (sometimes shot at too) for our efforts and since people are going to hate us no matter what we do, why should we waste our time, manpower, and money on it when we could spend all of that energy at home?

Oh well. No one will listen to me. My fiancee has told me so. She said this, not to be mean, but because I "actually make sense" and therefore, I couldn't be a politician and so the public wouldn't listen to me. That's okay with me. I wouldn't want to be a politician. There's no privacy. Who really wants the media reporting on what your morning bowel movement was like?

[Emancipation 2]

Oh yeah, and we just found out I am pregnant!!!!!

WAHOOO!!! Congrads!!!! So wonderful!

[Carlawarla 1]

Congratulations autumnchick on your news!! Thanks for sharing with us!

I met Gene on-line in a AT&T chat room in 2001. He was a newbie to a computer and chat room. The first time we chatted in the room, I thought he was a "goof". He rembembered my screen name though, and says he was always looking for me. We met up again to chat for awhile in the chat room in Feb 2002, and chatted for hours. We then put each other on yahoo messenger, and so began our "exclusive" chat relationship. We fell in love before we met in person. Hard to describe unless you've been there.

We first talked on the phone in March 2002, we met in person October 2003 when I flew to St. Louis for 10 days. So began our LD relationship for 4 years. We both had 6 vacation weeks per year, and had saved up some accumulated time, so we were able to meet up about every 2-3 months for the next 4 years.

We had a few bumps along the road to immigration, one being my ex husband and our financial split. While we were divorced, we hadn't settled our property division. Namely our fully paid for home, and my pension. I basically couldn't take it anymore, was worn down, and agreed to his demands. When I agreed to the division of property, I knew I couldn't look back with regrets, and I don't now...but it was hard to do. He got the house, land, and $70,000.00 of my pension.

Gene works in top secret work, and we had a heck of a time getting permission for us to proceed with the relationship after they found out I was NOT a US citizen. It took 2 years of security reviews and references etc. to complete this task. This was BEFORE we were allowed to start the immigration process.

I have two adult children who I left back in Canada. One is 24, one is 21. My 21 year old son and his girlfriend are coming to visit on Oct. 25th for a week and I am THRILLED!!!

Fast forward to 2006 when we submitted our I-129F. It's now October 2007 (where did time go???) and I'm really getting used to living here now. I think what I miss most are those really close girlfriends. I have a few girlfriends here, and I know it will take time, but there is no g/f that I can REALLY share with.

I worked 26 years for the Gov't. in Canada, so I took an early retirement. I don't know if or when I'll work here. I'm doing volunteer work right now, as an ESL tutor for 3 Albanian students at a charter school.

Gene found VJ first, and since he's a cartographer by trade, made up this name. Except for a few early postings, I've basically taken this over for the last year, and was just too lazy to change the screen name.

Carla

P.S. When I was 40, as a birthday present to myself, I got two tattoos. One is a ladybug on my right breast, the other a maple leaf on my upper inner thigh! haha

[Emancipation 2]

P.S. When I was 40, as a birthday present to myself, I got two tattoos. One is a ladybug on my right breast, the other a maple leaf on my upper inner thigh! haha

Girl you don't mess around!! Those have to be 2 of the most sensitive areas I can think of (and private)... LOAD of guts there!! Kudos to you!

[Sprailenes 47]

My name is Nevada, yes like the state. I was born and raised in Toronto, and have lived in North Bay and Midland.

I have one child from a previous relationship, my son Ethan, he's almost 9 *wow*.

I met my fiance almost 5 years ago on a message board of a band we both liked at the time. It was Zwan and for those of you who don't know who zwan is, its Billy Corgan's old band....Billy is the lead singer/guitarist from the Smashing Pumpkins.

We were just friends and decided to meet up and so he flew up in November of 2003. We hit it off great and started going out. We made trips back and forth from Philadelphia to Midland.

Then he decided to come up and live with me. He had no Visa, he had NOTHING. But we weren't thinking, we thought it would work.

So he came up to Canada and lived for almost 2 years!

I supported him and my son while working as a manager/assistant events planner at a hotel. So I really wasn't making much.

We took a vacation down to the shore in the summer of 2005 and we both agreed while sitting in front of the ocean that we weren't going to get anywhere. We knew we wanted to get married though. It was something we both knew but didn't know how to say.

So he moved back down to New Jersey (saddest day everr) and we started the fiance visa process.

16 months later I got an interview and in September I finally moved down and now I am here.

We plan on having a civil ceremony in a couple of weeks just to get the whole '90 days or else' marriage over with. We plan on having a formal wedding on May 24th.

[KiminON 0]

well, my screen name is boring - my name and (former ) province. it's the only screen name i use really.

i met my hubby indirectly through the internet. i'd met a group of folks through a triathlon forum when we were all training for the first IM Wisconsin. after the race, when we met everyone in person (i'd met a few earlier at various other races) we kept in touch via a private chat room. since then, we try to meet up every year at a race and a few years ago we picked Memphis in May. one of the guys brought his friend along with him. that was our first meeting. it was a fun weekend even though i couldn't race due to injury (and took a ton of convincing to even bother to go!) with much time spent on Beal St.

next meeting was in Wisconsin when he came out to watch me race and that was a great week. heck, anyone that can put up with me wigging out the week before Ironman has to be a keeper! all the while we kept in touch via email, chat and many phone calls. when he asked me to go to Maui to watch him race i got freaked out, but at the prodding of my good friend i decided to go (hey - it's Hawaii! she said) we count that week as our first date.

we have been together since then and he proposed after a race we the following July. poor guy had to wait and wait to do it too! not only did we have to wait through the awards (i have fast friends), then signup for another race, but after that we went to dinner with a birthday boy!

our journey took about 1yr and i've been down here in the land of mosquitos and no recycling since August 2006. he came up and he, my two hounds and i drove down in my scoobydoo fully loaded. sadly, those furkids passed this past year, but we have since adopted a boxer through rescue. but we have gotten into a not so great situation there (i've had a bad doggy year)

i was ever so glad to find this site to help us through - thank you google!

k

Edited October 5, 2007 by KiminON

[warlord 73]

My turn I guess. I had been working in Colorado Springs on a TN status for about 6 years already so I was already here. I used to drive up to Denver every weekend and hang out with friends and such. One weekend there was this arts fest at 2 of the clubs we used to go to. So it was an all night thing. Anyways the friends I was staying with wanted to leave early and said if I wanted to stay here's the key and just come over when you want. So they left and I had several friends saying they'd drive me back at the end of the festival. One of my friends was working there and said I could just stay with her and her husband since she had to stay to the end.

She had to go over to the other club and do some festival photos of one of the bands playing so I went over with her and sat down with my beer. The girl I sat down next to looked at me and I looked at her and we both just smiled. Started talking and I then asked her to hold my beer for a min (not sure why). She said yes. I went to the bar portion and ran into an old friend and we talked for about an hour (totally forgetting I was in the other room with this girl). I returned to find the girl still there with my beer. So we talked the rest of the night until the bar closed and that was that. She got my number and email that I wrote down wrong. Didn't think much of it and didn't think I'd hear from her. She called and we talked here and there and then went up to Denver to a club she said she was going to. First time she was with a guy (who I found out was her boyfriend) so then didn't think anything other then friendship would come out. Eventually we would talk more on the phone and she would ask me advice on relationships and what she should do with this one she was in and wanted out of (I used to do this in high school). Eventually she dumped him and we started hanging out more and eventually went camping then to a friends wedding. Eventually we started dating and then got married a year later.

My name is from the fact I wanted to have a new name for myself rather then my old band name I had. I figured I was living 1000's of miles from all my old friends and decided I changed everything by my nickname. I figured it was time to get something a little more recent. I used to spend my time driving and travelling all over the country, so figured Warlord was perfect as I would roam and conquer every state (only one missing is Alaska). So that's how. Also forgot by one of my favorite movies is The Warriors and they call the lead head of the The Warriors Warlord. So might have subconsciously had that inbedded in my brain as well...