I hurled my stoned-heavy Samsonite bag over my shoulders, my backpack at my back, my oversized trench coat in one hand and my travel documents and my plane ticket on the other. I checked in the counter and got myself a boarding pass. I remembered being the first one in line. Because of that, I had the privilege to choose any seat I want. So I requested for an aisle seat as what everyone suggested.
I remembered it was an hour before my departure for Hong Kong. I was way too early. I never really liked flying. I just don’t feel comfortable even if it’s just a short flight. But we are talking about a long flight here! I calculated the total number of flight hours. Almost 24 hours! And ALONE! Again, I have never been away from my family for a long time. And there I was … about to embark into a new dimension. Yes, I had apprehensions up to the last minute. Is this what I really want? I kept on asking myself. Is this the kind of life that I want? I can stay if I want to. But my mind has been set. Another road has been opened for me. I failed finding that missing piece in my own country. So I had to leave. It wasn’t an easy choice. But it wasn’t a difficult one either. I had to make a change. I had to instigate it.
So the plane took off. Landed in Hong Kong. Took off again and landed in Anchorage for refueling. Then took off again until finally we landed in Toronto, my home for the years to come. After the Immigration stamped my landing papers, I am officially a Permanent resident of Canada! I am off to start my new life. I was greeted by my ‘family’ here. I owe them a lot for their generous hospitality. They supported me all the way. Even up to this very point.
A year had passed. I made friends. Went to places. Then a bewildering event has happened. Fate has brought two souls together destined to become one. The man that I want to spend the rest of my life with.. finally came into the picture. It was a remarkable year for me. I went back home and spend time with my family. It was a sweet homecoming. I felt like I have never left. Nothing had changed. From the people I left behind and the places I have been. Everything was still intact. I took the jeepney rides. I was astonished to find the fare to be way more than I expected. I even squeezed myself in the LRT with the crowd. I once again experience that floods and the traffic. Pollution not to mention, the hot hot hot weather. Could you imagine that?
Finally, I came back on my 3rd year as a permanent resident with hubby. Looked for a job then settled on with our lives. The job hunting was really like a survival of the fittest. We had to find income to make both ends meet. I was again lucky to find a job that opened a path for me to walk towards a career.
On my 4th year, I applied for the much awaited event of this whole process… become a Canadian Citizen. It took me one month to wait before I got an acknowledgement letter from the Immigration office. After 11 long months, I finally got my exam schedule. A month later, I was asked to appear for the oath-taking. I can’t wait for the day to come when I will face the judge, shake his hand and receive my citizenship card. I will surely beam with joy. I will pledge allegiance to the Queen and to the country of Canada. I will sing O Canada by heart both in English and in French. From that day on, I will fulfill my duties as a Canadian Citizen.
