I recently arrived in the Boston area after graduating from Queen's University with an MSc in Chemistry. I work at a pharmaceutical company's R&D site in the Boston area as a Research Chemist. I think the idea of connecting Canadians in the US with each other is an excellent idea. My family has lived in the US twice in the past 25 years, both in NJ and Ohio. During their stays they found there to be little contact with fellow Canadians. I have already attended the HMCS Preserver's event in the Port of Boston and found this to be a great idea. I think if there was at least one event per month for Canadians in Boston this would be great for new arrivals. Further, for any Canadians living in the US, CBC.ca provides a streaming video service of the CBC National News with Peter Mansbridge.

Chris J., Arlington MA
January 6, 2006
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I had been looking for work since returning to Vancouver after a year's sabbatical. Among local interviews and offers, I got an email from a headhunter in New York from Monster.com. Within a few weeks, I'd packed up 2 suitcases and moved to a new job in DC without any expectation whatsoever. I'd only been through the US for work, never staying a long period of time and honestly never thought to. However since my move in February, it's all been positive with the job, the people I've met and learning more about Americans and how different yet similar we are. It's a different point of view living in the capital and you realize that reality here is well, interesting.

Though I'm from Vancouver (Campbell River actually), most of my family is now in Calgary (driven away by the housing prices in Vancouver). I'm back for Christmas for the first time since and it feels good. I think I'm more proud than ever to be Canadian and at the same time, more informed about the US.

Patricia L., Washington DC, British Columbia
January 6, 2006
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Hello! I moved here from Toronto in January 2005 to start a post-doctoral position at Children's Hospital in Boston. Came across Connect2Canada and thought it would be a great opportunity to meet other fellow Canadians who are also in Boston!

Elayne C., Boston MA
January 6, 2006
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Hello from the Sunshine State! My name is Alex and have been living in Florida for the past 3 years and a half. I was born in Toronto, but moved to Calgary, Alberta when I was 2 months old ( so I guess I'm a Calgarian). I go to school here at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. I miss my house, my family, my Tim Hortons ofcourse, Aeros, poutine, Oh Henry chocolate bars. I go home just about every vacation that I have, and I plan to move back there when I finish my 2 year study abroad which would be in 2008. (I am affiliated with the University of Calgary and I'm here just to gain experience). I fell in love with a wonderful woman, who then fell in love with Vancouver, so we plan to move there. I guess thats all there is to say. (I'm praying there wont be hurricanes this year).

Alex

Alex B., Port Orange FL, Alberta
January 6, 2006
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I have been coaching minor hockey for the last four years in Southern California and I teach Special Education. I've had the pleasure in sending various players to Canada to play junior hockey and have observed great progress in their development as a person and hockey player. Currently, our team is heading to Ottawa for the Bell Canada Cup Pee-Wee Challenge during X-mas.

Spencer B., Huntington Beach CA, Ontario
January 6, 2006
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Born in Toronto,to US citizens both who were Canadian. Left for Florida @ age 6 then to the Carolinas until 15 and then back to Toronto for high school and college. Returned to the coast of S.C. in the late 70's and have had most family make it this way. Dont get back as much as i would like. Sure miss real Canadian bacon and the imported beer just isn't the same.

Murray W., Myrtle Beach SC
January 6, 2006
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I want to tell the story of the Lacoursiere extended family, one that began in Batiscan, Canada in the mid 1600's, and spred around Canada and the US. Six years ago the Lacoursiere Society was founded to promote the family, and share historical and cultural info via a newsletter, web site (www.lacoursieresociety.com) and annual meetings, held around Canada and the US. The last meeting was 7-05 in Three Rivers/Batiscan. We are a proud international group with Canadian origins. I just happen to be the current president! (As the web site will show.) We are proud to become part of this network, and welcome any new members of this extended family wherever you are living.

Roy L., Topeka, KS
January 6, 2006
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I'm from a small town called Phillipsburg, Que. which borders Vermont. I was born in June 1944 and in JUne 1964 I graduated from High School at St. Anne's Academy in Swanton Vermong. In Aug. 15, 1964 I married Bill Rashaw who lived in Florida.We have been married and living here 41 years, this year will be 42. My husband is an american. I never became a U.S. Citizen and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me if I can claim any Canadian retirement benefits at age 65 which is only 3 years away.

Marie R., Leesburg FL, Quebec
January 6, 2006
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In 2001, my soon to be husband was then working for an oil company out of Edmonton and took a job transfer to Broken Arrow, OK. So, in May 2001, the day after our wedding, we were packed up in a U-Haul and took the 4 day trip to Oklahoma. I cried all the way there. When we had decided to move, it had seemed really exciting, something I had never done, but leaving my son, who had decided to stay behind (he was 20 years old) and also leaving all of my family, I have 5 other siblings (my parents were deceased).

That first summer was awful! It was so hot and humid compared to what I was used to. My husband is originally from Oklahoma so he still has family here, so that helped with the transition. I made several trips back home, one by bus which I would never do again, the trip took 4 days! My legs were so swollen I could hardly walk.

Just shortly a year after we moved, my husband was laid off. However, by that time I had been granted permission to work and had landed a job with State Farm. My husband was ready to go home, but I was not! By this time, he had started going back to night school to pursue nursing. So we stayed, he now has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health CAre Services, is a practicing LPN and is working towards becoming an RN.

We do like it here and have made a lot of friends but our plan is to move back hopefully this year. We make it home at least once a year, my son has come for a visit every year and my husband's daughter has been here a couple of times, as well as some of our family. It has been a life changing experience for me.

Sheila R., Broken ARrow OK, Alberta
January 6, 2006
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I am Greg, a geologist and mining engineering technologist living with my family in Anchorage, Alaska. My wife and I grew up in Ontario; me in Toronto, her in Haileybury. I spent much of my career working for Inco all over Canada from bases in Sudbury, Pasadena (Newfoundland), Vald'Or, Vancouver, but finally in 1995 ended up in Anchorage. Our three children, now young tennagers were all born Newfoundlanders. Once we had spent a few years here in Anchorage, we knew there was no better place for us. It is a modern, cosmopolitan city on the edge of a fantastic wilderness. The kids are getting a great education, and there are lots of activities. Hockey is big here, and our eldest son has become a strong player. We love to ski cross country and downhill, and have been having great fun cruising and fishing with our boat on Prince William Sound. Canadians have a very substantial impact on the Alsaka economy through mining operations and mineral exploration. I help the Bristol Bay Native Corporaiton with mineral, oil and gas developments on their lands.

Gregory B., Anchorage AK
January 5, 2006
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