This is my 100th post. Wooohoooooo. Perfect timing.
Today (June 28th 2015) marks 5 years since I moved to Canada. And its so interesting to look back to see how much life has changed and how much I have changed in those 5 years.
Unlike other people, I had it easy. Since my mom was already settled here years before, I had someone to help me. I have only lived in one house, at one address for the past 5 years. And it amazes me every time I think about it. And I will never take that for granted.
I traveled on a Sunday with Westjet. I still remember that day clearly. It was the first time I traveled by myself and the first time I had been on a plane in 10 years. So to say that I was a bundle of nerves and a mess is an understatement. I remember having the window seat, and having to figure out how to unbuckle the seatbelt. And most importantly, I remember how nauseas I was. Turns out that was travel anxiety.
Since I had no idea where I was going and what I was doing, I was just following people. And when it came time to sign paperwork, I was still minor (aka, still 17 but about to turn 18 in less than a month). So they called my mom to a separate entrance to have her sign the paperwork. And fun fact, since I hadn’t seen my mom in 5 years, they saw her before I did. And I remember border control guy calling me a “kid” (aka, still 17 but about to turn 18 in less than a month).
One of my first thoughts of Canada was “shit, its cold”. When I am writing this, its currently 23 degrees celsius. So imagine me calling 23 cold is an actual joke.
One of my first experiences was getting lost while trying to find Service Canada with my mother. It was my moms fault. I no idea where we were going. I did see a squirrel though.
One of my first big purchases was buying medication for $100. At that time I had no health insurance, but had to visit a doctor in the first 2 weeks because of a fungus/eczema around my mouth.
Looking back, definitely fun times.
I am definitely not a pro at travelling, but I have my routines, and I still deal with travel anxiety. Just not as bad as it was then. Turns out Canadians are nice, and St.Lucian customs officers are terrible. I still fly with Westjet quite frequently and always the window seat. I love plane rides and takeoff. And yes I do know how to buckle and unbuckle.
I definitely do not think 23C is cold. I wear dresses in that weather and I am perfectly fine. Definitely felt colder. I still get lost, its part of who I am. And I am pretty much always at the Doctors office.
I don’t regret moving or the last 5 years. Its made me more confident and comfortable in my own skin. I now have two places to call home and I am always back and forth.
Arristella 
Wow! It’s great to find another Canadian blogger. I’ve lived in Canada all my life and I am still not used to the cold! I just don’t deal with these temperatures, but can’t tolerate super hot temperatures either. Where in Canada do you live? I’m originally from Ontario but have been living in Calgary, Alberta for the past 2 years.
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Its weird, but I kind of like the cold. Fall weather is honestly my favourite time of year. And I do not like humidity or hot weather, though I love wearing dresses. Though I also love wearing thick scarves. Always conflicted.
And I live just outside Toronto.
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Very cool! My in-laws life just outside Toronto as well. I’m from Waterloo, which is 1.5h away from Toronto. If I could afford to live in Ontario I would stay there, but it’s more affordable to live in Alberta. I really like Calgary and hope to stay here for a few more years at least. Dresses are fun to wear in the summer! Scarves are itchy so I hardly wear them. Likewise, I avoid turtlenecks too. 😆
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