To my loved ones, back in my beloved country, I miss you already! I came accross the border 4 days ago with my new husband, my baby (aka 99 Nissan Altima), and a whole load of stuff in the trunk and back seat. Along for the ride was a beautiful Aruban tan, and a smashed kneecap, from exploring the northern tip of the island. And some fears about what living in Canada will be like. My head, now cleared of wedding plans and honeymoon dreams, is swimming with details of living in the Great White North. Sadly, I feel no fuzzy warm feelings for Canada, so if you have any great Canada jokes, I will laugh along... I am considered a settler to Canada, which makes me want to jump into a covered wagon.
Yesterday I decided to go grocery shopping, and try out some new recipes. I received 5 recipe books as wedding gifts from various people, and I'm anxious to try them out. During the last year of my life, cooking has fallen to the wayside. Pete is glad I'm trying out new recipes, but added a disclaimer: "I might not like all of them." Did I mention he's known for his honesty?
I also found out that in order to re-take my drivers test (yes it's true), I have to get my car inspected and brought up to Canadian standards; but before I can do that I have to wait for some papers to come in the mail. I also might be able to get a job before my citizenship papers come in, which would mean I might not have to wait 9 months after all! I need to study to re-take the RD exam though, and have not yet found study material for the Canadian exam... There is so much to learn and so much paperwork ahead.
I still have thankyou cards to write, which will keep me busy today... I'm trying to stay busy in an effort to avoid the feelings of loneliness, lethargy and guilt that will come if I let myself get lazy. However, I have to space some things out so I don't run out of small tasks that make me feel like I'm not a bum when I do one or two of them (aka laundry, floors, dishes, dusting, tidying). Doing stuff on the computer or phone does not give me the same satisfaction.
As for the honeymoon, it was wonderful! The sun was shining every day, the beach could be seen out our floor-to-ceiling windows, and the water was delicious. Being newly-wed was fun. Pete and I felt comfortable together from the beginning. We learned to wind-surf, rented jet-skis, took a tour of the northern side of the island which is rugged and windy, ate out, walked on the beach, swam in the ocean, dunked each other, fed the iguanas, learned a little Papiamento (local language), did a little shopping, watched movies, talked and rested. But by the end, we were ready to come back and see what real life was going to feel like.
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3 comments:
hey bethy! welcome to the world of paperwork, waiting, more paperwork, more waiting, paying money to get paperwork done, paying money to not get paperwork done, useless government gobbledeygook, etc. etc. yes i think the canadian government wrote the book on How to Make a Very Simple Thing Extremely Complicated Indeed Just For the Fun Of It. subtitled (and to extract a little more money out of the taxpayers) anyway, welcome to our in some ways very maddening country, and in other ways very delightful country (that list is definitely shorter than the first one).
tell me about it. i have to stop thinking of this paperwork as a job that will end, but rather as a lifestyle to be adopted permanently. i can't wait to get to know more of the good side of Canada!
I am so gald that you enjoyed your honeymoon. It sounds like you had a blast. Bethy, your cermony was beautiful and you were a beautiful bride. We loved the kissing game, we have told all the other couples that we know who are getting married about that game. I hate it that you are homesick. I will be sure to bookmark this blogspot and keep in touch.
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