Since starting work at Mink Chocolates, in January of last year, life has been aimed at one goal: permanent residency. I think it's important to have some targets to aim at in life, to challenge yourself, and to keep yourself motivated. This is mine.
Back in 2006, sitting in my dorm in university, I heard that the next African Cup of Nations football tournament was to be held in Ghana, in 2008. At that point I decided I would go, and I did. It was a great experience to go somewhere that at the time I knew precious little about, and I felt I'd achieved something special. Following that trip I needed to find new direction. I'd graduated university almost a year earlier, and so decided it was about time I explored a new part of the world. Enter Canada.
After a few months of temp work, and selling broken pieces of car on the side, I had enough money in the bank to get on a plane and start my new adventure.
My life has been extremely happy since relocating to Canada. I've made many friends, found a new love, spent huge amount of time pursuing leisure, and my ultimate goal of permanent immigration moving closer. It feels like I'm finally nearing the finish line.
I first applied for permanent residency when I became eligible for it, in March 2010, and finally I received word in the mail yesterday that I'm due to take my medical exam - to ensure that I'm fit and healthy, and won't be a long-term burden on the Canadian health system. After this things should be about done. It's the final hurdle.
The whole process, from start to finish, has taken 18 months so far. But to be able to stay in a place I consider awe-inspiring is certainly worth the time invested. As I write I'm sitting in a park, basking in the glorious summer sun. To my left are the skyscrapers of downtown Vancouver, and to my right are the shimmering waters of the Burrard Inlet. In the distance I can see North Vancouver, flanked by the majestic Coast Mountains. In the summer I hike them, and in the winter I snowboard down. What else could I wish for in a city?
Once immigration is complete, it will be time for the long-overdue trip back to England, where I've only been for two days in the past two years. Tissa and I will be getting a flight back for a few weeks around Christmas. Tissa hasn't visited the UK before, aside from a fleeting stopover visit to the airport, so it will be a great opportunity to play tour guide, coupled with seeing family and friends.
Also, we plan on moving in together, and are in the process of securing a house to rent. The one we've found, owned by a friends father, is in a suitably leafy neighbourhood and has ample DIY potential. My dad would love it.
With summer being upon us I've recently been able to experience some of the extraordinary hikes on offer, in the mountains that surround Vancouver. A few weeks ago my friends Berta, Chris and I set off to 'The Chief' with a view to hiking up. We decided that the trail would be far too easy to follow, so made our own way up. There were sheer rock faces, exposed ridges, thick pouches of trees to fight through, and other obstacles, but most of all was the spectacular view at the top. Our hike up left me with aching legs for almost a week. The adventure however was definitely worth the pain.
I've set myself another goal for summer now - cycling from Whistler back home. It's a fair distance through the mountains and down the Sea-to-Sky Highway, but it should be fun, and another good challenge to beat. Hopefully next time I write, it will be as a permenant resident too.
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