My Name is Al, born in Ontario, educated,lived and worked in Nova Scotia most of my a life. Retired VP/ business owner in the Retail Computer Industry.

After returning to Canada I was fortunate enough to meet a wonderful lady (online) from Maine. The relationship developed into a marriage after 2 years of visiting.

We intended to move to Nova Scotia but the purchase of a business in NS fell through so we decided that South Paris Maine (Bonnie home) was the ideal place to settle. Half way between my daughter in NS and my 2 sons in Ontario and my extended new family in the US.

Because of economic conditions (probably age.:)), I guess you could say I was forced into retirement. (Still looking after 4 years)

We purchased a house and enjoy the people and the area. There is very little difference in the life style, an East Coaster, is an East Coaster, whether Canadian or American. Besides the majority of have relatives on both sides of the border.

I hope that you all enjoying your life, no matter where you are living. Life is what you want to make it, Life is too short to so otherwise.

All the Best.

Al A., South Paris ME, Nova Scotia
March 9, 2006
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I'm not Canadian, although I was raised in a small town in Northern NY, a mere 11 miles south of the NY State/Quebec border. I travelled to and visited Canada frequently as a child and adolescent making many trips to Montreal and to Ottawa. I grew up listening to Canadian radio stations (the only American radio stations I could pick up in the Adirondacks were AM or only ever played country music) and watching about a 50/50 mixture of Canadian and United Stated television stations.

I remember going to my Grandmother's camp on the St. Lawrence at Frazier's Point in Quebec several times throughout my youth. And every year over the US Memorial Day weekend my parents & I would get together with several other families and go to Ottawa to go bicycling on the beautiful bike trails there. As a result Ottawa came to be much like a 2nd home to me. Today I really miss those trips.

I do make it to Canada somewhat frequently on business as I am a software/computer products buyer for the US's largest college bookstore chain. My territory includes our 20+ Canadian stores (most of which are in Ontario) and because 2 of the 3 nearest airports to my parents' home in Northern NY are in Canada (Ottawa and Montreal) I often fly into Canada when flying home to visit my family.

There's always been a part of me that wished I had dual citizenship. For, as much as I love the United States I also love Canada. I find myself often quick to correct misconceptions my fellow Americans have about Canada.

And even though, I'm not truly a Canadian, I would love to get together with Canadians here in the US to help quell the popular misconceptions and misunderstandings my fellow Americans have of our neighbours to the North.

Darrin M., Woodridge IL
March 9, 2006
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Originally from Ottawa, I moved with my family to the Tampa area 3 years ago to work for an organization that teaches people about a software program called Photoshop. The National Association of Photoshop Professionals publishes a magazine and also does a TV show called Photoshop TV. Each week on that show I proudly wear a Canada shirt of some kind, to show that while I am happily living in Florida, I am and will always be a proud Canadian.

Each year on July 1, I make my co-workers wear red & white and I make a big batch of Poutine!

Dave C., Odessa FL, Ontario
March 6, 2006
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Born and raised in PEI (both my wife and I), we spent six years in New Brunswick prior to McCain Foods transferring us to the U.S. in 2004. We get home to PEI twice a year and now bring our little American baby home to see his grand parents - currently working on his Canadian citizenship though. As others have said in their stories, we too are enjoying our experience here in the U.S. - Midwesterners are great. But, Canada & PEI is still and will always be home even if we have a baby born here.

Mark M., Plainfield IL, Prince Edward Island
March 6, 2006
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I moved to New York City in 2003 from Ottawa, to work as a historic preservation architect for an international architectural firm. I was pleasantly surprised to meet other Canadians at our office: one architect is from La Tuque, QC, and another one is from Toronto.

Originally from Trois-Rivières, Québec, I went to school in both Canada and the U.S. (I have a Bachelor of Architecture from McGill University and a Masters of Science from the University of Pennsylvania).

I am a member of the Canadian Association of New York (www.canadianclubny.org). Through social events, I have met many other Canadians living in the city. We share stories of travels and Visas, and we get together to watch hockey games.

I truly enjoy Connect2Canada; it's a great way to keep informed of the news in Canada. Thanks for keeping us connected!

Rosanne D., New York NY, Quebec
March 6, 2006
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Time flies...I've been in Maine since 1983. I return to Quebec quite often as my family still resides there. Because both my children are still at school, they hold a dual citizenship. My son is actually studying at UQAM (which is the same university system as the one I graduated in). He loves Montreal. It's nice that he's back to my roots.

Johanne S., Scarborough ME, Quebec
March 6, 2006
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I moved to the US in 1994 for work and lived in New England for 6 years. Beautiful scenery, for sure, but I missed my hometown of Montreal so much and would drive through the white and greem mountains of northern New England very often to return to Montreal to visit family and friends.

Since 2000, I have been living in Chicago, a city that reminds me often of Montreal: Vibrant, restaurants galore, and a huge variety of people from all over the world.

I still miss Montreal, but now have my own family and plan on staying for quite some time. I work at University of Illinois at Chicago and love my current position as Family Doctor.

Samuel G., Chicago IL, Quebec
March 6, 2006
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About 9 years ago I found myself graduated from university with my nursing degree and looking for opportunities. One of those was in Mississippi and I thought it would be interesting to try for a few months. Nine years and several moves around the state have kept me here and with a wedding coming up this fall to a very southern American I think I will be here for a long time.

I do miss the snow and winter of Lake Huron and Port Elgin, Ontario but I do manage to enjoy it every year for a few days along with all my favourite food joints. Life here in Mississippi would be great if there was a Tim Horton's on the corner, Swiss Chalet down the street and Coffee Crisp amongst the chocolate choices.

Jennifer W., Tupelo MS, Ontario
March 6, 2006
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My husband and I and our oldest son moved to Wisconsin in 1998 from Ontario. At that time we thought it would be for about 3 years with my husband's job, but as you can see three years has flown by and become almost 8 now. We have had 3 more children with another on the way since living in the states - all of which are duelies.

We are very patriotic, and miss Canada very much. Every Canadian Thanksgiving we host dinner for our neighbours, and enjoy the opportunity to enrich our chosen families lives with the the knowlege of Canadian culture and history. It was amazing to us how few of our friends knew that Canada celebrated Thanksgiving at a different time.

We do plan on returning to Canada some day soon, but until then we are loving living in Wisconsin.

Robin B., Cedarburg WI, Ontario
March 6, 2006
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I moved to the United States at the end of 1998. I have lived in West Virginia the entire time and it has been a pretty good experience. However, there is no place like home, which is Munster, Ontario. I miss being around other Canadians, as well as the easy going nature of Canadians. My husband is from WV and we met online. We have a daughter who is 3. She was born in WV but does have her Canadian citizenship as well. I am a permanent resident and will never give up my Canadian citizenship. I hope to move back there one day but I am enjoying all that the USA has to offer. I completed my B.A. in Family and Consumer Sciences at Marshall University in Huntington, WV. That is a great school! I would love to get in touch with other Canadians, please feel free to e-mail! God bless America and Canada!

Rhiain S., Milton WV, Ontario
March 6, 2006
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