When I wrote and thanked Connect2Canada for my July 1st package, I was still classified as an "illegal alien spouse"...since then I have completed all the paper work, had my interview with homeland Security and now - at age 72 - am the proud possessor of my "green card". For others - believe me, it is worth the wait.It also helped that I had a wonderful lawyer who was supportive during the long wait - 24 months! I enjoy Connect2Canada enormously and look forward to reading it each week.

Angela S., Ocala FL
August 1, 2006
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Well, it has been fun reading all the stories from other Canadians living here in the US. I came to the US via England. I went to teachers college in Maine and thought once I'd finish I'd get a job in the US. When that didn't happen I answered an ad in the Globe & Mail for teachers in England. One phone interview later I was sending off documents, getting a visa and going to England.

I lived and taught there for four years and it is really a unique place. However,I got the wander lust again and was recruited to Charlotte, North Carolina. I stayed a year but didn't enjoy where I was working. Again as if by fate I applied for a job in Virginia, Williamsburg to be exact. Didn't know where it was at the time and didn't care, needed employment and money. After settling here discovered that life here is not so bad. Still adjusting to number of people who believe there are no black Canadians. Come on! Yes - I do enjoy educating my students on the wonders of Canada.

Still miss Tim Horton's and Hockey Night in Canada but I go back usually twice a year since I have discovered the smaller interstates take you straight to Canada with less hassles than the I95.

Have mellowed over the past four years in the US. We are different people but on many things we can find some common ground.

Patricia S., Williamsburg VA, Ontario
August 1, 2006
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I left Nova Scotia in the 1980's to start my career. After a few years in the Ottawa area, my wife and I relocated to the NH seacoast area where we have lived for the last 20 years. This is a great place to work and raise a family. I have since started my own data processing firm and have been self employed for the last 10 years.

I do get back to NS a few times a year. I do miss the family and Harveys hamburgers!

Rob M., Dover NH, Nova Scotia
July 25, 2006
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I was born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario. I loved it. Then at the age of 17, I moved with my family to Eastern Ontario, then I moved again for college for a few years. That's when I started communicating with my now hubby online. Things could not be better, loving hubby, and a 1 yr old son. We went through all the legal paperwork turmoil and fees to get me to the states legally, and felt like it took forever. I miss ALL my family (not including in-laws), that live up in Canada. I also miss the pure Ontario maple syrup :)

There are a few other things I miss, and I try not to think about it. But I truly love my husband and he loves me. It just happens he lived here in the states.

Amanda L., Bedford OH, Ontario
July 24, 2006
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I grew up in Orillia, Ontario but moved to Toronto in 1998 to attend U of T and later Teacher's College at OISE/UT. I moved here in 2003 with my then boyfriend and now husband (who was born and bred in Toronto) when he accepted a residency training position in pathology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA. Although I was fully certified as an elementary teacher when I moved here, it took me a year to get my state certification and even longer to finally get my own classroom. In the mean time I worked as both an assistant and preschool teacher. I will happily be teaching my own 3rd grade class this fall in Wellesley, MA.

Like many others sharing their stories, we miss Smarties, Canadian Kit Kats (larger and better tasting), Swiss Chalet (especially the holiday meal), Harvey's hamburgers, President's Choice foods (although we have grown to love Trader Joe's), VQA wines, use of the spellings "colour" and "neighbour" and the pronunciation of the letter "z".

Alexandria C., , Ontario
July 21, 2006
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Hello and thank you for Connect2Canada. My wife and I met over the internet. She moved to Toronto and she became a Canadian citizen. I worked for Rogers for years and now I am working for a firm in Pittsburgh, Pa. We decided to move closer to the children and family. This past year we moved here to Pennsylvania. I will work on getting my dual when it is time. I found something out about living on this side of the Lake - you get more snow! We lived in Ajax Ontario, right beside Lake Ontario and the snow wasn't this bad, LOL. My wife and I love it down here but we do miss a lot in Canada (Canadian Idol), we still say "Eh" and that's a dead give away. Well enough, we have to do a Canada run soon for Smarties and Timmy's.

Richard and Darlene J., Butler PA, Ontario
July 21, 2006
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I moved to Massachussetts to work at Harvard University a year ago from New Brunswick. The people here have been wonderfully friendly to me and have never hesitated to make me feel welcome. I miss home a lot and now appreciate the differences between both cultures (Who knew I used 'eh' so much when I spoke!). I get back a couple times a year but am lucky to have friends and family that travel to see me so there's always a piece of home not far away. This site keeps me connected with home, thanks!

Jennifer G., , New Brunswick
July 21, 2006
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Hello fellow Canadians. My name is Cheryl and I was raised in Liverpool, Nova Scotia. I left NS back in 1993 because of a phone call. My ex-roommate was home on vacation when she had to call her brother-in-law about a ride from the airport in Florida. He wasn't in so she left a message to call her back at my place. When I answered the phone and heard that Southern accent, I told her that I was going to marry him. She laughed. We spent a few weeks talking on the phone, I came to visit and the rest is history. We are celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary in October. Some things I miss about Canada,Coffee Crisps, Crunchie bars, Tim Hortons coffee, Smarties and outdoor ice skating. We go home every two years. My husband even wants to retire in Nova Scotia.

Cheryl K., Jacksonville FL, Nova Scotia
July 20, 2006
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I came to the U.S. six years ago after I graduated from ITI (Information Technology Institute) in Ottawa, Ontario. I began my working career with IBM and was based out of Columbus, OH. Working for IBM gave me an excellent opportunity to travel all over the U.S. and as a result, I met many good people and had some wonderful experiences. After a year, I moved to Chicago, IL and began working for Allstate. Chicago was such a great city, many memorable moments and good friends there, but most importantly, that is where I met my wife. Three years later, we moved to Atlanta, GA, where we currently live and are getting settled here. We bought our first home and love visiting northern Georgia as it is the beginning (or end) of the Appalachian trail and very beautiful.

John C., Snellville GA, Newfoundland and Labrador
July 20, 2006
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I have lived in Houston for 20 years after falling in love with a Texan. I am the owner and artistic director of a theatre company in the special events industry. I love Houston - it's been very, very good to me, but I often long for my home and native land. I missed Canada Day at the Maple Leaf Pub. Next year you can be sure I'll be there. I love entertaining Canadians when they come to Houston for a convention or conference. If you're ever travelling down to the Lone Star State and need some entertainment for your company let me know.

Judy F., Houston TX, Ontario
July 20, 2006
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