Amazing what you find, when you look.
Blog title now changed from 'The Waiting Game' to 'Life Across the Pond!'. Seems more appropriate as this is where I'm at!
:)
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Times are a'changing!
I really need to work out how to change the name of my blog as I'm no longer playing the waiting game!
Heading off on a wintry journey to England today for the funeral of a very special lady, my aunt Gladys. I last saw her in summer this year when I was in England. This picture was taken about five years ago.
So, despite school closures and various obstacles, I am leaving today on the airbus. Have booked one that gets me there well in advance so even if we have to take it slow, I won't miss my flight. The flight seems to be running on schedule too.
I arrive in England tomorrow morning, get the tube to Kings Cross and I'm booked on a train direct to York where I pick up my 'hire' car (that always makes Candadians laugh, like it's a 'higher' car), or rental car! Heading out to my folks' place where we'll have good old fish and chips for 'tea', ahhhh.
Staying at Nettie's for a couple of days then, after the cremation/service/'do' afterwards, my lovely 'cousend' Emily and I are catching the train back to Oxford together. I'm staying with Emily I think for the first night, then at Catherine's the second night.
I fly back to Canada on Sunday. Short and sweet, not too long away from my kids before Christmas!
Monday, April 19, 2010
It's been 15 months now, as Residents ...
... and life has changed somewhat!
Last May my marriage broke down and my exhubby opted to stay in England, rather than take up his residency status. It's hard to be a single parent in a new country, but we've been over here many times in the past, summer, Easter, Christmas, just the three of us, that we were already well prepared for life as a single parent family. We're doing really well, all things considered! Have had some hurdles to deal with but I'm lucky that we have a good network of friends and family here, otherwise I'd likely have considered going back to England.
I do think if the marriage had broken down before we got here, I'd never have had the courage to follow it through on my own (with the children), so I'm glad things happened when they did, if that's comprehensible!
I'd say to anyone thinking of coming, stick with it, if it's in your heart, follow it through! It's worth it! Life is too short for regrets!
:)
Last May my marriage broke down and my exhubby opted to stay in England, rather than take up his residency status. It's hard to be a single parent in a new country, but we've been over here many times in the past, summer, Easter, Christmas, just the three of us, that we were already well prepared for life as a single parent family. We're doing really well, all things considered! Have had some hurdles to deal with but I'm lucky that we have a good network of friends and family here, otherwise I'd likely have considered going back to England.
I do think if the marriage had broken down before we got here, I'd never have had the courage to follow it through on my own (with the children), so I'm glad things happened when they did, if that's comprehensible!
I'd say to anyone thinking of coming, stick with it, if it's in your heart, follow it through! It's worth it! Life is too short for regrets!
:)
Friday, January 9, 2009
The Robertsons have landed!!!!
Well, what can I say ? We are now officially Canadian residents!!!!
I am sooooo excited! After two wonderful weeks back in the UK visiting and catching up with lots of wonderful friends (new and old) and family, we flew back into Toronto yesterday. Feeling very apprehensive, we approached the immigration desk with our passports (and explanations) at the ready. We were referred to another immigration officer who then told us to "go and sit on the blue chairs and someone will deal with you". No sooner had we walked through than another immigration officer called us in, went through our forms from the Embassy, asked us our bank balances (which we know specifically!), we signed all four forms (one each) then she had to take yet another photo of us (as the ones accepted by the Embassy, were not "of white background", so she said!!!!!!).
We then had to go through another exit door, to be given various booklets (on obtaining SINs etc) and lots of info leaflets with useful phone numbers and advice on settling in Canada.
We were done!! Free to go!!!
I have to confess I expected banners and bunting and fireworks and champage corks a'popping but it was just like any other arrival!
Here we are, having woken on our first morning (quite jet-lagged) as residents! Life is great!! Feels strange yet very exciting!
:)
I am sooooo excited! After two wonderful weeks back in the UK visiting and catching up with lots of wonderful friends (new and old) and family, we flew back into Toronto yesterday. Feeling very apprehensive, we approached the immigration desk with our passports (and explanations) at the ready. We were referred to another immigration officer who then told us to "go and sit on the blue chairs and someone will deal with you". No sooner had we walked through than another immigration officer called us in, went through our forms from the Embassy, asked us our bank balances (which we know specifically!), we signed all four forms (one each) then she had to take yet another photo of us (as the ones accepted by the Embassy, were not "of white background", so she said!!!!!!).
We then had to go through another exit door, to be given various booklets (on obtaining SINs etc) and lots of info leaflets with useful phone numbers and advice on settling in Canada.
We were done!! Free to go!!!
I have to confess I expected banners and bunting and fireworks and champage corks a'popping but it was just like any other arrival!
Here we are, having woken on our first morning (quite jet-lagged) as residents! Life is great!! Feels strange yet very exciting!
:)
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
'Patience is a virtue' (aka The Shipping Saga .. continued)
The final (I hope) update on the shipment scenario is that, as of last week, I hadn't heard anything further from the shipping company as regards when I could attend the Customs Office in Barrie (2+ hours away), so I called them. I am highly suspicious she'd forgotten to start the process as she put me on hold and when she came back, she suddenly had an availability on Monday (24th). The thing was, it was 8am .. in Barrie .. 2 hours away. Not good. I am here on my own (hubby in the UK) and have two young children who catch the bus at 8am for school. I patiently explained that to my 'Import Co-ordinator' (although I had already told her).
Seems we hit a stalemate as she refused to give me another time as it "will go into overtime for the men if we make it any later" (at that point I should, perhaps have pointed out that if we'd done this in August, during the school holidays, we wouldn't be having this problem now!!) ...
I was losing patience fast, there was simply no way I could be in Barrie at that time. She wouldn't give me a later appointment, not that day, or any day ... she put me on hold (probably to get away from me).
Funnily enough, when she came back she was able to offer me 10.30 am in Barrie!! Perhaps hysterics DO pay off.
The final episode on this incredibly tedious experience, was that I got to Barrie on Monday, to be told by the Customs Officer that, "as a non-landed resident" I have no right to ship goods into the country!!!!! Arghhhhhh. By then hysteria was kicking in and I just smiled politely and said "Oh, okay ..." and waited.
He went away and checked on our file number with the Embassy and something must have satisfied his concerns as he came back and told me that he'd managed to sort it. He'd basically altered my status to 'Resident' although I will still have to go through the formal process when we officially land in January.
Finally, I have our shipment (all 120 boxes, arghhh!) here in my house, waiting to be unpacked.
One thing I would strongly recommend (and this may be obvious) is to think long and hard about each and every thing you pack to be shipped. I am opening boxes and wondering why I brought some of my stuff afterall.
Anyway, enough of this rambling! It's a good outcome, at last, after an incredibly long and frustrating experience!
Seems we hit a stalemate as she refused to give me another time as it "will go into overtime for the men if we make it any later" (at that point I should, perhaps have pointed out that if we'd done this in August, during the school holidays, we wouldn't be having this problem now!!) ...
I was losing patience fast, there was simply no way I could be in Barrie at that time. She wouldn't give me a later appointment, not that day, or any day ... she put me on hold (probably to get away from me).
Funnily enough, when she came back she was able to offer me 10.30 am in Barrie!! Perhaps hysterics DO pay off.
The final episode on this incredibly tedious experience, was that I got to Barrie on Monday, to be told by the Customs Officer that, "as a non-landed resident" I have no right to ship goods into the country!!!!! Arghhhhhh. By then hysteria was kicking in and I just smiled politely and said "Oh, okay ..." and waited.
He went away and checked on our file number with the Embassy and something must have satisfied his concerns as he came back and told me that he'd managed to sort it. He'd basically altered my status to 'Resident' although I will still have to go through the formal process when we officially land in January.
Finally, I have our shipment (all 120 boxes, arghhh!) here in my house, waiting to be unpacked.
One thing I would strongly recommend (and this may be obvious) is to think long and hard about each and every thing you pack to be shipped. I am opening boxes and wondering why I brought some of my stuff afterall.
Anyway, enough of this rambling! It's a good outcome, at last, after an incredibly long and frustrating experience!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Shipping - wrong information caused delay!
Our shipment arrived here in Canada in August. We were told by the receiving shipping company that as we did not have our visas, and therefore were not landed residents of Canada, we would have to pay a 25% tax of the value of the shipment in order to receive it!!! The alternative was to put it in storage until the visas came through.
Well, as posted last week, our visas have now come through and so I'm back on the case again of getting our belongings. However, I found out today, by speaking to the customs office in Barrie (who will deal with the release of our container) that, in fact, all I need to prove is that we have an application in for residency!!! They DON'T need to see our visas, nor do we have had to have 'landed' yet - I simply need to show a letter from the Embassy with our case number on it!
It is putting it mildly to say I am somewhat 'frustrated' by this, albeit good news, we could have had our shipment here a couple of months ago, all unpacked and concluded.
Grrrr. Bloomin 'red tape'
Well, as posted last week, our visas have now come through and so I'm back on the case again of getting our belongings. However, I found out today, by speaking to the customs office in Barrie (who will deal with the release of our container) that, in fact, all I need to prove is that we have an application in for residency!!! They DON'T need to see our visas, nor do we have had to have 'landed' yet - I simply need to show a letter from the Embassy with our case number on it!
It is putting it mildly to say I am somewhat 'frustrated' by this, albeit good news, we could have had our shipment here a couple of months ago, all unpacked and concluded.
Grrrr. Bloomin 'red tape'
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Visaaaaaaaaaaaas!
I am ecstatically happy to report that, as of today, 28th October 2008, we have visas to emigrate to Canada!!! They need to be validated before 9th June 2009 (when my passport expires) but our plan is to 'land' after spending Christmas/New Year in England.
I hadn't realised just how emotional I would feel - I had got a little blase I guess (well it's been soooo long!) and there was always that nagging doubt ("what if they aren't granted?"). And hey, it's only taken 1,074 days (from aor)!!
No more waiting for post and wondering if we'd ever get any reply to an email etc.
Champagne is in order!!!
I hadn't realised just how emotional I would feel - I had got a little blase I guess (well it's been soooo long!) and there was always that nagging doubt ("what if they aren't granted?"). And hey, it's only taken 1,074 days (from aor)!!
No more waiting for post and wondering if we'd ever get any reply to an email etc.
Champagne is in order!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
