I will work industriously to ensure my studies in Business Administration, Finance is completed in 2021 and file an application for permanent residency status for myself and husband. Concurrently, I will pursue all avenues to ensure that I am accredited with the Certified Professional Accountants (CPA) designation as this is immeasurably recognized in Canada (CPA Canada , n.d.).

After completing my studies, I am hoping to secure a management position in a reputable company which will enable me to earn a rewarding salary. In this way I will be able to meaningfully support my family and live a comfortable life. In addition, I would also like to register a family business in Financial Planning. This would not only couple with my academic qualifications, but it would give me the pleasure to assist individuals in making sound decisions towards investing in their future. Achieving our own home in Canada would be very high on our agenda. I would seek to purchase a comfortable home in a secure and residential area and buy the vehicle that we so long have been desirous of having “Range Rover”.

Once my home has been acquired and I am financially secured, my next step is to embark on the journey of starting my little family. I am excited to have a family here, since Canada is ranked the number one country in the world for best quality of life (CTV News , 2019). We would be able to live peacefully knowing that we are living in a country where we have access to better healthcare, education and security.

What would you like your future to be in Canada?

References:

CPA Canada . (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cpacanada.ca/en/become-a-cpa/why-become-a-cpa/become-a-cpa-be-a-recognized-leader

CTV News . (2019, Jan 23rd). Retrieved from https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/canada-ranks-no-1-in-global-quality-of-life-list-1.4265201

Picture Link: https://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/content/images/future_ahead__1_1_9837.jpg

Video Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpRf-rgAx4k

As I look back on my life, I know that all that has happened has led me to this moment in time.

I am a true believer in life lessons. I consider myself a perpetual learner.

So for me, the future in this new country is an adventure waiting to happen. The lessons that I have learnt will serve to strengthen me and give me wisdom.

The lessons I am learning will help guide me and there will be lessons to learn as I trek forward.

Challenges will come, of that I am sure. I will not naively say that I am prepared for them all, but I am a woman of faith and therefore I will not face them alone.

Canada was a choice. It was a blessing: an answered prayer.

How do I show gratitude for a blessing? I will not complain, there is always a solution. I work hard at my studies, I will excel. I will reach high and push myself to make the most of the opportunities.

I give my daughters an example of a strong determined woman.

For the first time this year, I started a Gratitude Journal – because when you focus on what you have you will always have more- be thankful.

Yes, I miss Trinidad, more than I ever thought possible. I will not dwell on that feeling though. The blessing is to work, to persevere and to win!

To quote from one of my favorite books The Alchemist “People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of” (Coelho, 1993) .

Starting over at age 40- yeah man! Why not?

Do you believe in the power of Gratitude? Tell me in the comment box below.

References

Coelho, P. (1993). The Alchemist. New York: Harper Torch.

YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saZWjIlwU8c

Pictures: Personal collection

About 8 months ago, my Canadian relatives visited us in Trinidad for vacation, this was during the time when I was still awaiting the approvals to make the move to Canada. My nephew-in-law asked me ‘how does it feel to be starting over’? Meaning that we would be starting from scratch in a new country. I naively responded “We won’t be starting over, we’re continuing, we’ve gained all this experience, knowledge, etc. over the years, those things will help us in our new home’.

Guess what? 6 months into this new life and I am eating those words…IT IS like starting over. Registering kids in school, opening accounts, looking for a place to live, no credit score, looking for jobs, learning to drive, all of it: starting over.

How can I not mention the weather though? I have never been this cold before. The cold sinks into your bones and sits there, refusing to move. It’s as if it too seeks refuge. The thing I miss the most? Sunshine. Hot sun, coating your skin in glorious vitamin D goodness.

I researched on my own, but nothing prepared me for what was to come. I am not alone though, in his article for Readers Digest, Deepak Kashyap outlines what he wish he knew before moving to Canada, describing it as a “culture shock” (Kashyap, 2019).

The biggest surprise for me, was in my own feelings and how intense they were. I had prayed for this, worked toward it, planned and felt incredibly blessed to be getting what I wanted. The feelings of doubt, homesickness, uncertainty and not belonging washed over me in a strong violent wave. I was depressed for weeks.

Through an elective course in my first semester I found out about Seasonal Affective Disorder and I think that this coupled with my homesickness had an emotional toll on me. (Do you think you experience S.A.D in the winter? Share your experience in the comment section below).

To say that it’s humbling is an understatement. It’s more like being planted somewhere, but you’re a seed once more and you have to learn to push toward the sun again, to break through the surface before you can see growth again.

I am trying to stay focused on why we made the move in the first place and the possibilities that lie ahead with the foundation that we’re building. I am remembering to be grateful and enjoy the journey and to appreciate all the moments, as they go by so fast.

I am also comforted by the fact that starting over is not a bad thing and that it’s o.k to fear change, once you remember to be terrified of regret.

References

Kashyap, D. (2019). Readers Digest. Retrieved January 22nd, 2020, from Readers Digest Canada: https://www.readersdigest.ca/travel/canada/moving-to-canada/

System, M. C. (Director). (2018). Seasonal Affective Disorder [Motion Picture].

Personal Pictures

It was a very painstaking task convincing my husband to migrate to Canada but eventually he succumbed and came with me to pursue my dreams. I was too engulfed in my excitement that I didn’t think of any challenge which lies ahead. The temperate condition proved very difficult for me. It made me feel like a prisoner as I am always locked indoors with little activities to do. I felt uncomfortable having to wear several clothing just to keep warm.  Coming from a multi cultured society; ethnicity, color or religion was never an issue for me. Here in Canada, sometimes I feel secluded as persons would classify me as the “brown girl”. The lifestyle and culture of the people here are so dissimilar from what I am accustomed to.

I find the people to be unfriendly and always in a rush. Finding a job and getting an apartment were uphill tasks. Many of the employers indicated that I do not have the required Canadian experience and found me unfavorable for the job. Several landlords were reluctant to rent me their apartments since I could not obtain a credit history. Luckily, I was able to get a part time bookkeeping position. However, it was a little uncomfortable, but I continued working there because of my quest to acquire the necessary experiences and gather finance. What was even more terrifying is I found out that my ACCA qualification is not fully recognized in the accounting arena in Canada.  However, I got a sense of hope when I learnt of the increasing number of international students (CBIE Annual Report, 2019) who left their homes to pursue a life in Canada.

What were your challenges when you first came to Canada? Reply below

References : CBIE Annual Report. (2019). Retrieved from https://cbie.ca/who-we-are/annual-report/C

Video Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97VGv5SvDsA

Picture Link: Personal collection

Known for its lustful forest, radiant sunshine, the majestic Kaieteur falls and a multi-cultured society that has six races (Land of six people, n.d.) living together, is a small country nestled among Venezuela, Brazil, Suriname and the Atlantic Ocean called Guyana. Guyana is known to be home for me. Whether it’s visiting families, picnicking at the many ecotourism resorts or taking a stroll to enjoy the fresh Atlantic Breeze, there is always something fun to do.

I resided in the capital city of Georgetown with my husband. We worked assiduously towards building our home which was equipped with all amenities and a layout customized for our pleasure and comfort. We were both employed in management positions and were earning decent salaries in addition to starting up a small business as an additional source of income.  

I graduated in 2016 with the Association of Chartered, Certified Accountants (ACCA) accreditation. Being a Chartered Accountant, I gained employment in the Oil and Gas Sector.

 My life was very comfortable having the privileges of doing the things I wanted without the worry or burdens of the cost. I lived a very social life with both my family and friends. I was honored to attend and host family functions regularly, which led to a strong bond of love and respect.

With all the joy, love, peace, comfort and all it entails of having a happy life I still had a dream of living in Canada. On September 1^st, 2019, we migrated to Canada and ventured off to fulfill my desire.

Would anyone like to share their experience about visiting Guyana? Reply below

References: Land of six people. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.landofsixpeoples.com/6races.htm

Video Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx3mHjjpdB4

Picture Link : Taken from my personal collection

Moving to a new country is a big decision. This is a decision we made in 2017. On June 11^th 2019, our dream became our reality. The country I called home before my move was Trinidad. Trinidad is part of a twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago .

It is a beautiful, sunny, sticky-hot, loud, care-free country. Trinidad is the business-hub and Tobago is the laid back, tropical paradise.

Life in Trinidad consisted of busy days in a non-traditional 8-4 job, chauffeuring kids, family time and relaxation in my garden. There were occasional “limes” (social gatherings) with friends and family, parties or ‘fetes’ at carnival time and my favorite – beach trips and hikes that ended at waterfalls.

Life was good.

In Trinidad, we were very comfortable. My husband and I had built a good life. We had our home, our careers and were active in social circles. We felt however, that our children did not have much opportunities to look forward to.

We questioned the education system daily. We wondered whether they would find fulfilling jobs with the education they were earning. Other factors such as an out of control crime rate, recession, job cuts in every sector and the lack of jobs and opportunities for university graduates only strengthened our resolve.

I always thought, if I ever left Trinidad, I would choose Canada.

Canada is a country that holds great significance in my life. My husband and I took our first international trip together to Canada in 2004. I became a mother for the first time in Canada in 2005. I have always loved visiting and experiencing what different provinces offered.

Things that were important to us included safety, education and standard of living.

 For the fifth consecutive year, Canada ranks number one overall for providing a good quality of life (usnews.com, 2020). When we thought about the future, Canada seemed like the best decision.

To be wholeheartedly honest, there was also a selfish motivation for making this move.

 For some time, I have felt that my fullest potential was not being realized. I wanted to give myself a chance to attain my ‘best-self’ and I felt as though I could not do that in Trinidad.

At age 40, it seemed a ‘now or never’ situation and so here we are.

What one thing would make you leave your home and migrate to a new country? Leave a reply below.

References

usnews.com. (2020). Retrieved February 2, 2020, from https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/quality-of-life-rankings\

youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaMth3pWRTk&feature=youtu.be

Picture: Personal Collection

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
• What topics do you think you’ll write about?
• Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.