Are you waiting as a visitor in canada for your PR?

[shorttalk]

Hi American Woman
I hear you on all accounts! I am loving cooking, i used to work two jobs (by choice) and mostly had bulk meals i had made at the weekend or fast meals. Now i spend three hours at a time on a meal, chop, experiment, its great! Ive told the hubby not to get too used to it though lol, will be quite the culture shock when I am able to work. You are right though to concentrate on the prize, and its so nice to hear other people having similar experiences, it is a lonely experience sometimes. My husband can try and understand, however, I really miss the socialisation attached to work. Hurray for all of us, i think we are all really courageous to go through this experience you know!

 

[Baloo]

I am normally working all the time, I still do some work remotely over the Internet into the UK.

I would go stir crazy if I sat and did nothing...
So in Canada I am the house husband, presently renovating like crazy, my wonderful wife helps me at the weekend.
But we have to get out sometimes

When I need a break - I cook and bake, and I do not mean instant meals or take away, real food made from ingredients.
We don't usually buy bread, I make it, it tastes better.
I won't claim that I do the vacuuming - I used to, but then I bought an iRobot, it does the vacuuming every day;
It doesn't get bored, it cleans really well - the only downside is the dog and the cat have to stay out of its way

There are a few things (gadgets) that have been well worth the purchase price:

The iRobot,
Kenwood chef food mixer,
Foodsaver bag sealing machine,
A whole pile of tools (I am told they are "man toys") - quite inexpensive in Canada.

The gadgets save me loads of time, the second freezer is now full and the reno' work is well under way.

What's complete after four months of reno' work?
The main living room, two bedrooms, the kitchen, two bathrooms and the home office.
There is still loads to do, but that will be done at a more leisurely pace.

I keep really, really busy, because I don't want to think about "not working".
It seems a bit strange, but there are a lot of Canadian friends who just don't understand.
I gave up trying to explain why I was not allowed to work in Canada, now we just tell people that I am a consultant.
The friends fall into one of two camps, those that think I am a lazy good for nothing husband living off of my wife. And those who have no idea what I do.
The only person who really "gets it" is my wife - thank goodness. (Plenty of folk here understand the problems very well).
It has been like this for over a year, our papers get filled in January 2011 - why has it taken so long, well we had to wait for a previous ten year sponsorship agreement to finish.

What do I miss?
I am used to loads of human interaction, but there is not much of that at present, hence the reason I will be volunteering next year.

I am not sure about "courageous", sometimes it feels like stupidity or insanity - in the end it will be worth it.

 

[shorttalk]

Hi Baloo
I think its great that we can all be so inventive with our time. The friends circles I have found difficult. The beauty for myself was that i had alot of savings, but because I dont lord it around that i pay for myself, some people I am sure believe that I sponge off my husband. It couldnt be further from the truth. I make my own bread too and thankfully i have wooden floors lol!! Go you on the rennovations!!! I dont think we are stupid, i sometimes think there has to be a better way and that the government should maybe consider giving bunac type visas to those over 35.....

 

[QCSunshine]

I have been cooking too! And I particular enjoy making no-knead bread. And have started learning to sew this fall.

 

[Millu]

I have been cooking too! And I particular enjoy making no-knead bread. And have started learning to sew this fall.

i have been learn how to sew as well! and knitting its fun!
and yes, i have been busy in the kitchen specially now, before xmas trying something new