Day 33: I'm a SIN-ner and a Loser

Aha:

I'm official! I just got my social insurance number (SIN) which allows me to work in Canada! It felt like this day would never come and now, in just a few short days, it's all said and done!

I've already had one interview with a potential job offer, once my references are checked, and I've got another one set up for tomorrow. Perhaps before the week is over I'll have a job and will once again be able to contribute to society! Yay!

Haha:

I called one of my references to give her a heads-up that some potential employers might be calling. What I didn't realize is that the number I have in my phone for her is her home number. 

Now, why is that a problem? Because she and I lovingly call each other Dummy (her nickname) and Loser (my nickname).

Why's that a problem? Because this loser called Dummy's mother "Dummy" when she answered the phone instead of the real Dummy.

Poor Dummy's mom (who's in her 70s), had no idea what was going on and hung up before I could explain. Whoops!

Day 31: The Alien's Landed...in Saliva

Aha:
In case you missed it earlier on FaceBook...say hello to Canada's newest permanent resident!

After eight months of waiting and a three-hour drive down to the border, I am officially landed as a permanent resident of Canada! I can't believe this day has finally arrived! I would be remiss to not thank God for all of the divine help and guidance we have received through this whole process.
Clinton and I were commenting during the drive home how perfect much of the timing has been--
1. Cheap/free rent that just happened to end near the time I was able to work.
2. That whole debacle with my visitor record and the many miracles surrounding its timely approval
3. My first friend I made in Calgary is also going through this same process and has been a great sounding board and buddy through it all.
4. There were two officers at the border today and we got the nice one. She was really nice and even let us ahead in line and so we got through very fast!
5. We found out last week that Clinton will be doing a rural rotation in Cardston, Alberta next winter. What town did we drive through today to get to the border? You guessed it! So, we stopped for a photo opp at the Cardston LDS Temple.

Very pretty, and very OLD temple (ca. 1920)

The drive was pretty boring and stinky in parts. Here's a pic of Clinton and I breathing through our mouths in a desperate attempt to avoid smelling the nearby livestock farms.

The day was great all around. What a great day to become a permanent resident! :)

Haha:

Clinton and I went to supper at Extreme Pita. While we were eating, Clinton looked up and past my shoulder and started laughing. I asked what was so funny and he said, pointing to an advertisement behind me, "Doesn't that slogan seem like a bad idea?"

He: Just take the "t-i-o-n" off the first word and you've got a pretty gross confession.

Me: (laughing)

Day 26: Just as Good, if not Better, than the First Time Around

Aha:
While I was up in Grande Prairie, Clinton told me that my application status for my permanent residency had changed from "In Progress" to "Decision Made" and that a letter with further details would be mailed to us. Unfortunately nothing is disclosed on the website and lots of forums were saying it can take up to two months to hear from Immigration. I had decided not to worry about it and to just let the Lord handle it.
On our way out to supper I had Clinton stop at our post office box and lo and behold, what did I find?...my Confirmation of Permanent Residence letter from immigration! This is great news! It means that my next step is to cross the border back into the states, re-enter Canada, present my documents to Immigration and if all goes well, they'll grant me my permanent resident status!! Yay!!!
Prayers for this last step are still appreciated, but I'm sure everything will go fine. :)
10 years ago, almost to the day, Clinton was granted his visa to come to the states. And now, 10 years later, I've been granted confirmation that I'm welcome to come to Canada. It was a great birthday present then and it's a great birthday present today!!

Haha:
First thing I said when I woke up this morning:
"Well, it's official, Dani, you're 30."
I can't believe it.
Clinton sent me a text from work later in the morning that said:
"Happy 29th birthday (take 2)!!!"
This made me feel so much better.
Happy 29th birthday (take 2), to me!

Day 2: Tried to Make Today Count

Aha:

Today would have been my niece's 16th birthday. I've been thinking about her a lot this week and especially today. Thinking of Hayley also makes me think of her mom, my sister-in-law, Shelley. So, I texted Shelley to tell her I loved her and was thinking of her. 

She wrote me back and said that they were doing a special balloon release at 7:45pm tonight to honor the time when Hayley came into the world 16 years earlier. Knowing we couldn't be there, but wanting to be a part of this special celebration, I tried to think of what we could do all the way from Calgary. I looked at the emoticons in my phone and saw a balloon icon, as well as a snowflake icon (Hayley's special symbol is a snowflake) and decided to send the following message at 745pm to Shelley, my other sisters-in-law, my mother-in-law and Hayley's sister.

So thankful for technology that let's me participate in this special balloon release even when I live far away!

Love you, Hayley! Happy Sweet 16!

Haha:

So, while I'm waiting for permanent residency I'm unable to work. This means my days are full of time. Time to do anything and nothing at the same time. I've watched several tv series in their entirety, seen plenty of movies and read quite a bit. I volunteer as often as possible but nothing quite fills up your day like an actual job. For now, my days tend to be very long.

Lately I've been staying up quite late and sleeping in. This is not something I'm used to doing and I've been feeling pretty lazy. So last night I made a point of going to bed "early" and actually woke up kinda "early" today.

When Clinton came home from work I told him the day was really long and I was glad he was home. He asked why it was so long and I told him it was cause I woke up earlier than usual. 

He: Oh yah? What time did you wake up?

Me: 9!

He: Wow, 9? You realize that's not early, right?

Me: Hey, when you have nothing to do all day every day, you'd think 9am was early too!

According to Clinton, I'm "living the life" right now. But I call it, "having too much time on my hands". :)