Write@Home
Winter 2015

Settlement

puzzle with the national flag of canada and philippines

On June 2009 I arrived in Canada with my son Kurt. He was 11 months old at the time. I was so excited at that time because I really wanted to see the place where my husband is working and also to meet and experience the Canadian culture. I was surprised that time because we have to travel for 3 hours from airport going to the small town of Lintlaw were my husband lives. It's quite boring for me to do the long drive because all I can see is a never ending farm in the highway. I'm so nervous that time because there's some wild animals like deer crossing in the highway.

When we arrived at the town I was really shocked because it's like a ghost town. It's so I don't exactly remember how many people lived there but I think it's not more than 500. I was disappointed that time and sad because I'm missing my family and friends back home. I was crying for almost a week because there's no place to go except for the post office and a small grocery store. I started to look for jobs but there's no opportunity for me because I can't drive plus the fact that I'm living in a small town. The initial shock disappeared two weeks later as I witnessed how friendly the people in the town were. They were giving directions. They helped the elderly and the disabled. The road signs the buses, and the train were so organized.

It's like wonderland compared to the Philippines. I have made friends from different backgrounds. I've learned a lot. Now my life is getting better and better.