So, it has been a year of challenges and changes....
- Searching for a job to start a job after a specific deadline
- Starting a new job in a new school in a new country
- Arriving at said job three weeks after all other new employees
- Learning to work with twice as many students as in the past
- Living on my own for extended periods of time
- Learning about sad circumstances (several times) from home
- Joining an all women's club and beginning a new fitness program
- Obtaining residency in this country
- Recovering from pneumonia
- Going through the adoption and death of a small kitten
- Learning to bank online
- Applying for a travel document to go back home
What? You may wonder what the heck?
Yes. My biggest challenge of this year is a series of fortunate and some not-so-fortunate events that has put me in limbo for this summer. That and bureaucrasy.
As a permanent resident in Canada for the past 40 plus years, I have had to renew a P.R. Card every five years for the past decade or so. When the job here came up, I knew that my card was going to expire, but it was too early too renew it last summer. The alternative was to come here and then, after the card expired in early May, apply for a travel document (visa) to return home, and then apply for a new card this summer. Sounds easy?
As it turns out, although I applied as soon as possible after my card expired, and went through the process and expense of application, I was told there was no guarantee of completing the process in time for my flight home in late June- booked for June 19. I went ahead with the application, as there was no other legal way for me to return to my adopted country.
Now it is June 5th and still no word on the approval of my application. Last week, I started to panic, causing stress both at home and at work. Friends are positive. It is going to work itself out. People have offered prayers and encouragement and I have learned some new techniques to deal with the anxiety created by the situation.
So now I wait. I am trying not to obsess and have come to the realization that I might have to change my home time plans. It is what it is. Acceptance has come slowly, but it has come. The situation has developed because of a lack of action on my part over the course of the past 40 years or so when I could have applied for citizenship, but for various reasons, did not. I have no one to blame but myself!
As I wait, I am grateful for a number of positive outcomes this situation has created:
- I am learning to take responsibility for the challenges in my life
- I may be spending part of Ramadan in the Middle East
- I may find out what it is like to spend time in a country where temperatures soar to 60 degrees Celsius
- I may have more time to go to the pool and swim
- I have a new kitty cat to look after (I have adopted a colleague's cat and she is awesome)
- I will have time to read and work on the course I am taking this summer
- I will continue to communicate with home via the technologies available
- I am learning to be more positive and hopeful
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
Until next time,
Bee Rich
