For those who have been in the U.S. for awhile...

[lgg 2]

The home sickness hit me like a ton of bricks the first week! I guess because the month or two before I left my friends were rallying around me and we just had so much fun. I miss my full on independence the most -- I HATE having to rely on people, even my sweet, generous husband to do things for me. I am NOT used to that. Even seeing people, Wyatt! I have to get them to drive to me right now as have no license or car or... SSN! But I swear, I'll make it up to you all.

Haven't gained weight as I've said as I have tons of time to go out and hike/run/bike or walk during the day and I do. We also don't keep junk at home and I i cook good healthy meals for us. Not like in TO where I'd drink tons of pints with my friends and eat cheeseburgers, sneak off to MCdoughs and you know... eat like ####### because it was so available.

We do have pizza Friday here at home, we get the BEST Pizza ever from Ledo's. Onion, salami and cheese. Oh yeah.

No job yet. Haven't even begun to look but I am starting to get my website ready as I'm going to see if I can drum up any freelance prospects. Thank you EI from Canada for letting be able to breath a bit while I look for work. You know?

anyway... it's different. I wouldn't change it, but it was a way bigger shock to my system than I'd thought.

But then I have a aweseome weekend of hanging out with my guy and doing stuff and laughing and whatever that I'm like, oh yeah -- otherwise on in Toronto on Saturday night I'd have gone for a pint or two after my second job, had a burger for dinner, cycled home to wait to talk to Bruce on the phone or visa MSN. Being here with him? trumps all.

Sorry for the sunday morning blabber...

LGG

[OBX 51]

I am not homesick for Canada per se but there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss my boys. They are both in university and busy with their lives but I find it very difficult. They were very supportive of my move; my oldest's comment was "I would rather have you happy there than miserable here!" I have come to the conclusion that there will never be any easy answer. If I was still in Canada I would be missing my husband, when I'm here I miss my boys. Okay enough of that or there will be lots of

I am not working, had no intention of working when I came. I would have been required to jump through too many hoops to re-certify myself to work here so I am "retired." I don't miss it at all!!

I actually lost weight when we first moved into our new house. I was busy all day and night unpacking, organizing so the weight came off even though my regular exercise routine was off. Then came the lull, all of the eating out (I find everyone loved to eat out in NJ) and I was up 5-8 pounds above my normal weight. That's when I started watching the snacks, carefully reading the food labels in the grocery store, resumed daily workouts and have finally returned to my usual weight.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

It's so interesting reading all of these responses! A major change like that obviously affects everyone in a different way. For me so far...I've only been here for a little over two weeks, but there hasn't even been the slightest twinge of homesickness yet, and I suspect it won't ever arrive. Part of that is because, while I loved Vancouver, there really wasn't anything there for me anymore. I'm reasonably close to my parents, I suppose, but it didn't pain me to leave them at all. As for friends...I still keep in touch via Facebook, and that's enough for me. When you combine all of that with the fact that I now live with my wife in an exciting city, and get a chance to socialize with people who are really more my kind of people (she works for the Opera, meaning that she has more artistic / cultured people in her social circle than I had), it doesn't surprise me that I don't miss Vancouver. This is my home now...and it FEELS like home. I don't think I've made the slip up once saying, "back home..." when referring to Vancouver.

Job prospects are pretty good down here for what I do. I'm letting myself be a bit cavalier with picking and choosing what I apply for rather carefully...but in a few weeks, if I don't get many nibbles or bites, I'll start spreading myself out a bit more and maybe get in touch with a staffing / placement agency.

I have likely gained weight since I've been down here though, with no good excuse other than having time on my hands, cheap junk food / ice cream available and my inability to get into a routine yet. I have NO doubt that I'll start losing weight again once I get into the aforementioned routine...but for the time being, I'm afraid I'm going to be a bit piggy. Meh.

[canadian_wife 1,831]

I agree with OBX - not so much homesick for Canada but for my friends, and family, especailly these days. My neice was born last week and I have to wait to meet her and it's killing me not being home with my family right now. Missing out on those things really makes me sad, as does not seeing my Dad on his birthday, or wishing Happy Anniversary to my grandparents in person.

The economy in Georgia was hit rather hard, especially in education. I found a job but I am doing everything I can to find another teaching job. The prospects aren't that good with the state educational budget cuts coming for next year. I'm lucky I'm employed as a teacher for the moment and happy I only had to wait 9 weeks after arrving.

I gained weight! Everything from snickers bars to pickles are deep fried down here (the snickers bars are actually really good and the pickles aren't half bad either) so of course I gained weight - and got terrible heart burn! I started running so that helped and the climate here makes running outside much easier.

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

In answer to this poll:

As for being homesick...

I wasn't homesick for Canada until several months/a year later...

After I got my green card and then went back to Canada for a visit....

Then I realized I missed such, and ever since then, I visit Canada every so often...

As for a job...

I never did find a paid job here in the USA...

I did some volunteer stuff for awhile though...

I met a lot of people, learned new skills, and had a great time with....

But now my main "job" is taking care of my son (and my husband) at home...

Which is quite a job already! And is the best job ever! I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world..

As for dietary changes...

When I first came to the USA...I lost weight...

Which is probably due to having a healthier lifestyle overall, and a lot of convincing from my husband...

I then gained it back again...

Because of the stress I had to deal with the USCIS ####### (yes...that can make a person gain weight too..)

And I also gained weight when I became pregnant....

So now I have to find a way to lose all that extra weight...uggh....

Nevertheless, overall, yes, being in America is a big change and can be quite stressful.

And yes, one can miss Canada and home too.

And yes, it can take a lot of time to get adjusted too....

Don't worry though...

As it will all get better, with time, and a lot of help and support (especially from here on VJ)...

Good luck everyone here in America! And may you all adjust well too..

Ant

Edited March 28, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[Hugglebuggles 60]

I was really homesick the first night, but after that It got a lot better. It creeps up on me every now and then, usually when I miss my friends or family, but other than that I think It's mostly gone. It surprised me how well and fast I adjusted to being so far away.

I still don't have a job, but I only decided a few weeks ago that I really want one. It's been about 2 and a half weeks since I really started looking hard, and I have an interview later today, so we'll see how long it takes to secure employment. I'm prepared that it may take a few months, and that's ok.

I've also gained like 15 pounds, which is terrible. My husbands eating habits are really poor and I adopted them pretty quick after moving here. We're starting to improve that, so hopefully it helps us both out!

[TimandJoyce 1]

Ugh..homesickness. Hits me hard sometimes...( you know..just feeling blue, and crying for no reason) and other times it's gradual. Course I think the biggie is because my only child is getting married in October, and I'm not there to help him Not that he probably needs it, but hey!! I'm a mother! I also have other family, and many friends I left behind. (oh, and the ocean view in front of me, and the mountains behind!)

I haven't found a job yet, but I've been looking. Although a large enough town, really doesn't seem like a whole lot of opportunity here for people with little skills. I'd like to apply for police dispatcher, but need to do an english/math assessment test first. I may just look into some courses and see what's available as well.

Ummmm how embarrassing.. I've definitely gained weight! I actually started before I moved down, as I was so busy packing and getting ready to sell my house, that I wasn't eating healthy enough. Too many "quick" meals that are full of the "bad" carbs. Silly me..I know better too. I still can't get over the fact that one year ago..I was over 20 lbs LESS than what I am now! And it's sad, but I don't really live in good walking territory, otherwise I'd be out everyday. I just might have to make it good territory anyways. I really need a better routine. Not working sure does change things up a lot.