At 43 I was working at the Vancouver Police Department in Vancouver, BC as a civilian employee and was very much enjoying my job. I had good skills and had decided to stay at the department and move up the ladder to a better position.

Some how though, life has a tendency of throwing curve balls into the workings every so often. When this ball hit, it was at a 45 degree angle and moving fast. I was single, had never been married and had decided to keep it that way. God obviously had other plan because in January of 1998, I meet a wonderful American man on line, in of all place, a Christian Family chat room. We met in person at the Peace Arch on the Canadian/US border in April of 1998 and were married August 1999. Our first 18 months of marriage were spent living in separate countries and visiting back and forth while I waited for my Immigration papers to go through. In January of 2001, I finally recieved my green card in the mail and moved down to Longview, WA to live with my husband.

I now have a wonderful husband, a home with 2 cats, a job at an RV park and am very happy. I have family in Ontario which is my home province, and also in Alberta and BC. I don't get home to Canada very often but am hoping to make a visit this year.

Donalda D. Washington State

Donalda D., Longview WA, British Columbia
January 5, 2006
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In November 1996 I moved from Calgary to the States, and in late December that year, I married my American husband. We have lived in several states in the east and midwest, but are now relatively settled in Florida. Last May I became an American citizen, but I'm still very proudly Canadian. I'm looking forward to being able to vote in the next American election, and wish that expats could vote in Canadian elections.

My family from Canada visits us frequently (especially around February, when the cold weather gets to them :-) ), and I get home about every year or two for a visit. The trek from Florida to Alberta is a long one, even by air. I don't get home as often as I would like ...

I work in corporate communications, and am finishing a university degree. In Canada, I last worked for a gas pipeline company.

I'm learning about Americans, their culture, and their history, and am beginning to better understand the differences between "us" and "them" (although I am now one of "them"). There are certain things I miss, like Crunchie bars, and intelligent satirical humour. I also miss 59 day election campaigns and blackouts on political ads. However, I do love the white sands and warm winters.

No matter where I am, Calgary will always be home - although when the temperature drops I am glad to be in Florida. :-)

Janine M., Melbourne FL, Alberta
January 5, 2006
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I came from Winnipeg to attend grad school in New York City in 1994. My real motive was to live in NYC (and I wanted to get an advanced degree) and I thought that grad school would be a good way to do that since I had no friends or family in NYC or anywhere in the U.S. I was thinking it'd be an adventure to live in NYC for a couple of years, then head back to Canada. However, after completely a Master's degree in public policy I was sponsored for a work visa by the City of New York to work in the mayor's office. Almost 10 years later I'm still working for the City, currently as an Assistant Commissioner at the Department for the Aging. I suppose I've put some roots down here and now consider myself a New Yorker. I gave birth to a son in NYC in 2002 and I now have personal connections which will keep me here. I miss Canada and Canadians and visit a few times each year. I fantasize about somehow doing some work in Canada and/or having professional connections there while still living here. I still consider myself to be very much Canadian.

julie f., brooklyn NY, Manitoba
January 5, 2006
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I came to Sacramento, CA four years ago to stay one year.... fun eh??? I am still here and working on my 5th year. I of course met someone and fell in LOVE. I also fell in love with my work and co-workers. I am a Neurophysiology Technologist and perform EEG (Electroencephalographies) and other Specialized Neurological testing. My job is very interesting, exciting and somewhat rare, that is why I am here on a TN Visa. I would be interested in corresponding with other EEG techs or other Canadians in the Sacramento area. Would love to get together and have some fun. Anybody else on a Medical TN Visa in rare categories??

Donna A. K., Sacramento CA, Saskatchewan
December 14, 2005
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Moved to the USA after retiring from the Canadian Forces in 1998. Moved from Petawawa, Ontario. Originally I'm from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. My wife was from the US originally, so we had the immigration experience from both countries. Have two children that are dual citizens. I also have both citizenships. We started out in Florida, then Atlanta, some time in Oregon and now in Nashville, TN. Work for Philips Medical Systems as an Operations Director in the Service business. I love living in the US, the opportunities are endless. Have a summer home on the Bras d'Or Lakes in Northside East Bay. We visit each summer for a couple weeks. Family still lives in New Waterford. Try to get home twice a year usually. Don't miss my snowblower.

Darrell C., Thompson's Station TN, Nova Scotia
December 14, 2005
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My name is Wilfred and I practiced law in BC for 20 years. I am married to Clare, Ph.D., who was born in Pittsburgh, PA but taught in the department of psychology at the University of Victoria for 25 years. She is a naturalized Canadian citizen and is now a professor at Penn State University. She is presently on a one year sabbatical, and is here in Washington, DC as the Visiting Senior Scientist at the American Psychological Association. While in the USA I have done mediation training, as well as teaching commercial law in a business school setting, and am a free-lance conflict resolution consultant. I have two sons in Canada: one is an emergency room physician in Vancouver, BC, and the other is the Governor-General's Award winning author of books for young adults, Kenneth Oppel, who lives with his family in Toronto. We recently joined the Canadian Club here in Washington, and enjoy receiving the Connect2Canada information on the internet. We have lived in the USA for 6 years, coming to the USA when Clare accepted an administrative position at Penn State. We get back to Canada several times per year for short visits.

Wilfred O., Washington DC, British Columbia
November 29, 2005
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I met my husband on the Internet in 1996. I moved to Indiana to get married and we now have three kids (all American). I became an American citizen in 2003. I really love Indiana and am very patriotic towards both countries. I love to go back and visit my home province but with three kids and a busy work schedule I only get home once every 2-3 years. I still order Canadian treats from Canadian websites and I really miss Ketchup flavored chips and Vachon treats.

Julie S., Westfield IN, New Brunswick
November 29, 2005
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When I was 22 I moved from the US to go to Canada for Graduate School at Simon Fraser. After finishing school, I worked for Environment Canada for 24 years. In 1999, I got an opportunity to take a university faculty position at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and while the job is wonderful, BOY DO WE MISS CANADA.

I've spent exactly half my life in each country and I guess that should make me balanced about my perspective of each. Born American, Canadian by choice, and likely to retire back home...it may not be Ontario since I'm getting too old to shovel, but it will be Canada.

Raymond H., Columbia MD, Ontario
November 29, 2005
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This is a Personal Invitation to a Super Grey Cup Party in The Denver area sponsored by Canada Colorado Association. We will host an annual Grey Cup Party on Nov. 27 - 4:00 PM at Boston's Gourmet Pizza. Check our our Website: CanadaColorado.com Members & Non-Members Welcome Great Food & Drinks along with Prizes & Giveaways and our Special Pool

Lloyd B., Highlands Ranch CO, Alberta
November 21, 2005
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I had been working with Microsoft Canada and an opportunity came up in the US. We moved to the Seattle area from Burlington, ON in 2001... about 40 days before 9/11, which was an interesting way to get to know my new adopted country.

I am currently running the Security and Compliance Solutions team in Microsoft's Server & Tools business. It's a great job at a great company. Being at Microsoft in Redmond is a surreal experience; in our neighborhood one out of three homes has a current or former Microsoftie. It's definitely immersive.

We get back to the Toronto area at least once a year, and we also get our "Canada fix" by driving up to Vancouver a couple of times a year. Ahhh, Tim Hortons!

My family is mainly in Canada, although I have two cousins who have since moved to the U.S. My wife has siblings all around the world -- Canada, U.S., U.K., even South Africa.

My kids were 3 and 6 when we moved down here. We really workj hard to keep Canada live in their hearts, with flags, and maps, and scrapbooks, and lots of Canadian visits. I'll never forget when my daughter came home from kindergarten all aglow, telling me what she learned that day: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America..." I still feel odd saying that... but they think it's perfectly normal.

We're pretty normal and are trying to integrate down here. I lead a Cub Scout Den and my wife leads a Girl Scout Troop. We're members of the PTSA and are really enjoying the outdoor culture here -- there is great hiking 30 minutes away, and good skiing only 45 minutes away. And no traffic (compared to Toronto).

There are definitely things that I miss. Toronto's restaurants and theater district, and The Path. And a working transit system. Burlington's tiny downtown. Being able to walk to a grocery store. And my friends.

Now that we have our green cards we'll probably be here for a few years. We still plan on returning to Canada after I leave Microsoft. I guess we're here for a good time, not a long time.

Jeff N., Sammamish WA
November 16, 2005
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