So when did you realized you were "settled" here in the US?

[Emancipation 2]

This past weekend we were cleaning out the garage at our church and throwing all KINDS of things away (old furniture etc. from the old Catholic church our Baptist church bought). Amongst the trash in the garage was an old American Flag - she was pretty faded and not very pretty to look at and someone brought her to the dumpster to be chucked out.

I seriously had issues with it. I couldn't let them just throw it in a landfill. I stopped them and asked them what is the proper way to dispose of the flag (back home I believe the proper thing to do is to take it to the Legions and they will get rid of them). Anyway, we took her home and we will discretely burn the stars and bars at home which is the "proper" thing according to my sources.

I think I realized this weekend how "settled" I am here. Of course I would have had the exact same respect for the CDN flag, but in the sea of USC's I was the one who rescued the flag. Made me think about moments when you realized.. wow.. I have become settled here. Anyone have any more?

Now don't get me wrong I'm not rushing for Naturalization here, just have some respect for the flag of my new home

*####### I mis-spelled the title.. sorry English Teachers

On the other hand I was APPALLED at the lack of Veteran's Day activities. All i could find was "parades".. which is fine and dandy but I am used to solemn services and beautiful tributes to our vetrans. Not even a prayer at church on Sunday mentioning the day.. I REALLY missed home this weekend as a result. I didn't even find a poppy this year.. THAT SUCKED!

Edited November 13, 2007 by Emancipation

[~Nini~ 2]

I haven't had my "AHA!" moment yet. I'm still rather homesick, though I'm getting more and more adjusted every day. It really takes time, I suppose. What I'm really liking right now is this six-day mail service, go USPS

My father-in-law and my hubby had to work on Veteran's Day. Both my MIL and I were like "#######?" I was rather appalled that they don't give a three-day weekend to basically everyone like they do in Canada...

[Cassie 8]

Not sure if I am there either, and it's been three years!

I think the way I know that I am becoming more and more settled in is how things that used to bug me because they were so different, aren't so bad anymore.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

For me it was when I was on a flight back from visiting my family back in Scotland.... after a long and stressful journey, there I was coming into land at Boston Logan and I suddenly felt "Oh God its good to be home" that was a year and a half after I had got here.... now I do feel settled and think of Boston as home....

Kez

[Mephys 2]

Its been 7 months now, and I think I am pretty much settled. Once I get a job I will be homey 100%. All summer was cool to relax and all, but now I find it weird to not go to work in the morning. The weather has this weird toll on me, MUST WORK IN DA WINTAR!!!

I have seen many baseball games this summer of my hubby's kids and before every game they listen to the hymn whil looking at the flag. I was rather feeling uncomfortable in the beginning, but not anymore. There is also a company not too far from here that has this huge american flag outside, and when I drive pass it, it always looks to me like a movie shot of a Flag, lots of wind, flag perfectly moving, etc. I almost feel patriotic when I look at it thinking :"hey..this is my home now".

Haven't gone back to Quebec yet, but I am sure it's gonna be a weird feeling.

My friends would slap me reading this now

[neiks 19]

Had my ah-ha moment actually just today. Heading home from work, going through US customs and when they asked where I was headed I said going home. Then picked up my son from day care and on the drive "home" it kind of hit me that this is now my new routine and a permanent part of my life.

[Krikit 1,165]

On the other hand I was APPALLED at the lack of Veteran's Day activities. All i could find was "parades".. which is fine and dandy but I am used to solemn services and beautiful tributes to our vetrans. Not even a prayer at church on Sunday mentioning the day.. I REALLY missed home this weekend as a result. I didn't even find a poppy this year.. THAT SUCKED!

We were in Ontario on November 11th and went to the service at my old church. They had a full Remembrance Day ceremony complete with veterans, the Canadian flag, and the bugling of the Last Post. It was very heart-stirring. Last November 11th, here in the US, I saw nothing happening. It was very sad.

We flew back home last night. It was so good to be HOME.

[Emancipation 2]

On the other hand I was APPALLED at the lack of Veteran's Day activities. All i could find was "parades".. which is fine and dandy but I am used to solemn services and beautiful tributes to our vetrans. Not even a prayer at church on Sunday mentioning the day.. I REALLY missed home this weekend as a result. I didn't even find a poppy this year.. THAT SUCKED!

We were in Ontario on November 11th and went to the service at my old church. They had a full Remembrance Day ceremony complete with veterans, the Canadian flag, and the bugling of the Last Post. It was very heart-stirring. Last November 11th, here in the US, I saw nothing happening. It was very sad.

We flew back home last night. It was so good to be HOME.

Welcome home Krikit!!!!! Glad your trip was a good one.. and that Remembrance Day was celebrated as it should be.. Next year I'll either go home for the holiday or get more prepared ahead of time!!

[Krikit 1,165]

Welcome home Krikit!!!!! Glad your trip was a good one.. and that Remembrance Day was celebrated as it should be.. Next year I'll either go home for the holiday or get more prepared ahead of time!!

Thanks E! The drive up was glorious. The leaves had just started turning so the mountain scenery in West Virginia was breathtaking. Saw some snow in Erie, PA!!! Fall is coming late to Ontario this year.... for the most part, the leaves were still on the trees! The weather was very mild, so it was a lovely (albeit short) visit.

I'm wondering if there are any Canadian-American or British-American groups who put on Remembrance Day services here. I think I'll do a search next year and see what pops up.

[Jasman0717 9]

I don't think I have seen the poppy since I was a kid and that was a very long time ago

[Carlawarla 1]

The Poppy I don't believe is used at all in the US. Gene didn't know about the Poppy or its significance at all. My understanding when I was growing up, was the November 11th and the Poppy and it's significance was for Commenwealth Countries. It was or is to commemorate the veterens of war but specifically the first World War.

Another thing to note is that our November 11th Remembrance Day is more closely associated with Memorial Day here in the US.

I have been to several wonderful, heartfelt ceremonies here in the US on the 11th. Maybe it's only in specific areas.

On an aside, Saskatoon Saskatchewan has a HUGE ceremony, perhaps the biggest in Canada on November 11th. (I'm sure I read that it had surpassed the Ottawa memorial for more than five years in a row).

Carla

[Melyssa 0]

I haven't had my "AHA!" moment yet. I'm still rather homesick, though I'm getting more and more adjusted every day. It really takes time, I suppose. What I'm really liking right now is this six-day mail service, go USPS

Ohhh, I like the idea of the 6 day mail service too!

My husband had to work on Veteran's Day too...but for him, he could have taken it off but then he'd have to work the Friday after Thanksgiving. So he chose to take the Friday after Thanksgiving off instead so we can have a 4.5 day week-end and since he already just took some time off for our 'honeymoon'.

[Mary&Trev 0]

We use poppy's, it's just not as prevalent as it used to be and I'm not sure why. I've not seen them in stores like I do in Canada. There are usually vets standing at stores asking for donations for the poppy, but the few places I've seen the vets, people seem to be ignoring them and it makes me sad.

Mary

[Reba 2]

Had my ah-ha moment actually just today. Heading home from work, going through US customs and when they asked where I was headed I said going home. Then picked up my son from day care and on the drive "home" it kind of hit me that this is now my new routine and a permanent part of my life.

Last time I was coming through the border, the US border agent asked me "where is Home?" and I answered, "that's a loaded question isn't it?"

I've been there 3 years, haven't had the "ah ha moment".

[Marilyn. 340]

Had my ah-ha moment actually just today. Heading home from work, going through US customs and when they asked where I was headed I said going home. Then picked up my son from day care and on the drive "home" it kind of hit me that this is now my new routine and a permanent part of my life.

Last time I was coming through the border, the US border agent asked me "where is Home?" and I answered, "that's a loaded question isn't it?"

I've been there 3 years, haven't had the "ah ha moment".

about the same as me....

it will be 3 years in April/08 and I still don't really feel at home...

I do plan on joining some type of mommy's and me group so maybe I will make some friends then and feel more at home here...