O Canada!

On the 23 July 2006, Natasha and I stepped on to Canadian soils as immigrants. This word conjures up many passions amongst people these days, unfortunately, but we have white skin, English names and a UK passport. So I guess in the eyes of those who question the being attached to this label, that made us ok.

My connection with Canada is not particularly long, but I first decided to travel to Canada in the year 1991 where  I applied for a teaching exchange. The following year I departed the shores of England, with my sister Claire, husband Richard and nephew Matthew waving me off from Gatwick airport. During that memorable and action packed year I decided then that one day I would like to live and work in this wonderful open country.

Irony abounds from then on, as in 2006 – as landed immigrants - Natasha and I unintentionally stayed for a wonderful three years in the same town as I lived in as an exchange teacher, then single, with few boundaries to keep me in tow. Port Hardy and its people will forever be a part of me. So on this day of 8^th May 2012, with my nephew Matthew coming to stay next weekend, Natasha and I completed our journey and became Canadian citizens. We jumped through the required political hoops, paid hard earned money and eventually passed the written test, with Natasha scoring her only acceptable score of 100%, me 96%. Quite a day, for sitting here typing reflecting on the 20 years worth of journey surrounding Canada, I am staring at the piece of paper given to us as we first pushed our baggage past the immigration officials back in the summer of 2006. The paper is worth writing about, because without it we would have got nowhere at all. No replacements given, no copies, a complete one off. Yet we needed it at every part of our citizenship journey, and presenting it today to the immigration official was quite a moment. For the paper is old fashioned, carbon copy, largely illegible and cradled like a newborn baby. In today's world of ‘paperless desks’ this was a stark reminder of the importance of the printed form. But I digress.

So, now Natasha and I are fully fledged Canadian citizens. Still fiercely proud English people, but on June 26^th we will, amusingly, have to swear allegiance to the Queen, something that not many of us have ever had to do, despite our nationality. I’m not anti monarch, but pretty non-plussed by the whole favoured few malarkey, but it will indeed be a proud moment for both of us.

It’s been a funny week too, as a buddy of mine, Kevin back in the UK, was part of a world record ultra running event, successfully completed by his mate John who ran a staggering 425 miles in under 7 days (www.championrun.org.uk/). I thought of his plight as I raced locally on Sunday, coming in a quite unplanned second in a 10km trail run. It was a real Kootenay experience, as just prior to the start we were told that the 10km distance was probably nearer 12km, the ‘nice climb’ was actually a pretty brutal 300m+ crawl, and so on. It was, in all reality, an excellent route.

On top of resigning from the vet work, I have been pounding away at the bathroom, ready for our guests this weekend. I finished the tiling today, grouting tomorrow, work Thursday, toilet fitting Friday, hopefully sink Saturday. The bed and breakfast is slow this year, but people are coming which is handy for a meager income. The bees are ok, put back by a cold spring. Will see what golden nectar they produce later in the summer.  My health is under question, following a minor blackout some weeks back. Apparently I have an abnormally low heart beat, but according to Peter nothing to worry about: It's because I’m fit. I'll let the medics be the judge of that one, but reassuring nonetheless.

So on that positive note, I will stop. Life is good, I will now sing ‘O Canada’ with feeling, if not gusto. I will treasure my carbon copy confirmation of permanent residence as a memento of what was. But I do eagerly await our dreadful Prime Minister call an election – for now we can vote. Not as hard earned at the womens suffrage movement, but a journey nonetheless.

Tim

Frogs dawn a new Season

Been on this beautiful, but slowly decaying, planet for 47 years. Not exactly I know, but my last birthday was that number. Let’s forget the first ten, leaving 37 or so years I am able to dip into my memory bank and recall. That’s 36 springs. So how come, when I was running the other lunchtime I was – yet again – surprised and delighted to hear the sounds of frogs, croaking their happy voice in some sort of unison, singing to the tune of spring? Spring is an amazing time of year, with Mother Earth bursting to life. But the frogs bowled me over – I stopped running, when I first heard the cacophony, wondering what it was I was hearing. Locked inside my truck, I would have missed natures call – everyone would have. Running, once again, opens your ears and eyes to your local surrounding. Love it.

I’m running well at the moment, for no apparent reason. I’m not training particularly hard, but each time I go out, I seem to be able to push myself a bit harder. A bit further. Life yet in the old body eh? Natasha and I ran our first running race of 2012 a few weeks back. Granted the field was not a particularly high standard, but it was an open race, sponsored by North Face outdoor gear, and part of a 6 race Grand Prix. I crossed the line in 7^th overall, and Natasha 9^th in the woman’s class. Chuffed to bits we both were. We are wanting to run the whole series, which will be tough, but it’s something to aim for and we will give it our best shot.

‘Timitus’ struck big time two weekends back, when the newly purchased snow mobile packed in on its first outing, some 20km up a logging road. Fantastic skiing, the dogs in snow heaven, but reminded me – and others to their amusement – that I have this special way with all things mechanical that if it will go wrong, then it will when Tim owns it. I duly returned the machine to the dealer, who of course found nothing wrong with it. But the ‘crowing turd in the trifle’ (©Hugh Ellis) was on asking the mechanic to give me a quick idiot’s guide to snowmobile maintenance, he proudly showed me where the oil went, only to discover that was running dry. And they had just serviced it! Oh yeah, right.

My sister turned up trumps the other day. She pulled together a meeting of minds – my mum and her sister. Not seen each other for years, both aging, my Auntie in care home, my mother fiercely independent and proud. Perhaps they met for the last time? Must have been great to witness. Thanks Claire!

I have tried something new this past three months. I was successful in my application to for a reception post at the local veterinary practice. The trouble was that I have had zero training and background and I found it nigh impossible to learn the lingo, the ways and wherefores of veterinariasm (??). Enjoyable experience though, and no regrets for treading this path. But good job I kept my former employer, Colin, on my Christmas card list…..

Things to look forward to? More bees on their way, all four hives having survived our long snowy winter. Matthew, my nephew, comes out to visit in May. Peter and Lynne, long time friends and mentors, visit in July. B&B bookings trickling in.

Life is varied. Life is good. As I said to Peter the other day – don’t reduce. Modify.

A new year?

Are we staring at the onset of spring? The rain has started, the daytime temperatures are above freezing, the snow slowly turning to a granulated ‘slush puppy’. Doubtless the nights might well still be cold, but winter is surely behind us now. For we have had a winter, not as severe as last year, but white and cold nonetheless. People will be heartened, as snow here is the lifeblood of the summer waters. No snowpack equates to no water. Climate change is like a gun to our head, but the Harper Govt continues to deny. Let me not start on a Rick Mercer style rant…..

2012 has been a gold medal to me, hanging large and glitzy round my neck. I have emerged from 2011 fit, healthy and with work. My grievance with Husquavarna and Sears have been resolved (I won), I kept my running fitness, Bonny and Tasky continue to delight, snow has fallen, my bees are alive (all four hives), we have a new truck and I have a job.

For reasons unbeknown to me, I beat the rest at interview for the post of veterinary reception / assistant. I now work 40 hrs a week at Nakusp veterinary clinic for the vets Laurie and Bill, and alongside Caroline, another English lass. A massive learning curve for sure, as I am not in any way medically trained, the language and terminology all alien. As are the systems, layout, clients and patients. So a new dawn beckons with all the trials and tribulations it brings.

Thoughts are turning toward holidays, of which I have precious little. Perhaps Yellowstone Park for summer? We have Peter and Lynne visiting in the summer, which I am so looking forward to. I want to race the local KasloSufferfest in September, but I suspect a half marathon will lure us before then. Projects abound – bathroom renovation, car port, deck railings, new woodstore. Four more bee hives will live alongside my existing four, so hopefully a bountiful nectar flow will occur in August. Bookings are slowly coming in for Smiling Hills B&B, a summer wedding no less! But where do I find the time?

Natasha is trying to find a publisher for her second book ‘An Immigrants Tale’, hoping to continue the success of ‘The Last Field…’.  As of today, her Amazon book ranking is 215 641 - a way to go before a world best-seller. She is stretching her brain and qualifications with her A level equivalent French. Quite beyond me, but its great to see her study again.

So, till the snow melts, we continue with our jobs, dog snow-walks, occasional ski, looking ahead to a great year.