How have you changed?

[JoeCanuk 3]

So how have you changed since moving to the United States or becoming a US citizen? Do you have new hobbies, new attitudes, still the same old same old?

I have gone to college and am transferring to Indiana University. I got to go see the President at a town hall thing. I've travelled. I've also developed new attitudes, such as adopting the belief in the right to bear arms to protect yourself because a criminal can kill you before the police get there to help. I've gotten my first fishing license and bought my first fishing rod since I was a little kid. I came from a large city and now live in a small city, and I've realized I like small town living better. I can enjoy the city but I can leave in minutes and be out in the country. I love this...and so I see that I have changed in many ways since coming here. How about you?

[Ontarkie 13,903]

I like this topic.

I have gained weight haha thanks to my husband spoiling me. He takes me out to eat more times in month then I ever eat out in my life in Canada. I had another baby(his first) and I'm hot more then I ever was back home. I discovered I like Arkansas and some of the weird stuff here, but miss the lakes back home. I love fireworks here omg they are the best, most of the stuff we set off is way illegal in Canada. I let the older ones set them off(note they are much much older but still my babies). I am still waiting for my citizenship need to do my oath ceremony I think they are doing a big one here in AR so I don't have to go to TN for it, but its been a ling wait. I completely got used to stores like walmart being open 24h that is not something they have in Sault Ste. Marie. Hmmm Think that is all I can think of so far. I guess I didn't really change a lot but they are pretty big changes for me.

Oh I did get my hunters ed when we moved down here that was fun.

Edited May 28, 2012 by Ontarkie

[Marilyn. 340]

I never really experienced good Mexican food in Canada.. now it is one of my favourite foods!

[JillA 2]

I stopped saying "EH" as much... my friends and family back home point out I rarely say it anymore!

[dukeandduchess 141]

Gained a lot of weight and then decided to go Vegan (was vegetarian) because the food seems so much different here. On the upside - there are a lot more vegan options available in health stores than there are in Canada!

I sometimes say soda.

My mom says my accent is more "American".

That's all for now!

[zenaxe 22]

Too funny, I'm not sure I'm much different at all. I'm doing a Master's degree but would have done that in Canada as I'd been thinking about it for a while. Being down here pushed me to go for it given that the wages are considerably lower than what I was earning and many jobs in my field require a Masters level to compete...

I'm told I still do the eh thing but probably less. I do notice politics is a blood sport and despite it being looney tunes in Canada, it's far less civil here...haha. And ya probably fatten up a some haha !

I love being here; we have a great life in Arizona. I've been here two years.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I did the weight gain thing as well when I first arrived - or at least over the first few years. Cooking for two and having lots of meals out (far more than I ever had before) and not being as physically active did the work. I've since lost most of it and am keeping it off. I'm a lot less frugal than I used to be which does concern me a bit. Because we do have more disposable income than I had on my own, and because my husband has the attitude that if he wants something and can afford it, he buys it, I've sort of picked that up as well. I need to go back to being more financially responsible, especially as he gets closer to retirement. I tend to be more 'safety' aware as well, not because anything has happened but because the news inundates us every day with problems so possible risks are always on the radar. New skills? I became a bird watcher -something I would never have thought about before but not being able to work when I first arrived and having several feeders in the yard naturally led to the hobby - supported by the cats, of course, who enjoy bird watching for totally different reasons. Other than that, I think I am probably the same person as I always was although I don't have the same opportunities to get involved in the community here as I did back in Canada and so I think I seem 'quieter' in some ways and I miss participating in the different clubs and activities that took me out of the house all the time in Canada. They are just not as readily available here (unless you belong to a church and I am not religious) so I spend far more time at home now than ever before.

I do enjoy being here though. I love Georgia and I love the weather and the wildlife. I've been here 8 years now. Wow!

Edited May 29, 2012 by Kathryn41

[SF2007 48]

My mother says I know speak like a cowboy (I moved to NM from Quebec). I miss water and I am more family oriented; I also tend to keep a little more to myself here. I like diversity but I am not from a religious background so sometimes people's comments and vision surprise me. I dislike the fact they can start advertising for the elections so early on. We are now spammed on tv, by phone, by mail, you name it. I am still unsure about owning a firearm. My husband has some more convincing to do, but when I see the crime rate, I have to say it's tempting. I think in general it made me a more open person. Moving to a different country and being surrounded by so many new influences does broaden your views. I do have a new attitude I borrowed from my American friends; Live, let live and mind your own damn business! But I pretty much feel like my same old self (but I've been here a year, let's talk again in 5).

[JoeCanuk 3]

I stopped saying "EH" as much... my friends and family back home point out I rarely say it anymore!

LOL I STILL say it a lot...but my family has noticed I'm picking up an American accent. They make fun of me.

My brother in law used to bug me about "when are you gonna get married and move down there". Now that I did it he's always crackin' jokes about me being a yankee. lol And he's HALF American himself.

[JoeCanuk 3]

Thank you for your replies everyone, they're very interesting.

Yes politics is definitely a blood sport here. I live in northern Indiana and I am in the minority view politically speaking around here. lol I don't like how the people here all think they're driving in Chicago. 9.9 out of 10 drivers are idiots. I hope to get a Masters degree here too. I have totally appreciated the Pell grant system they have here; I don't remember Canada having any such thing. My first year of college was paid for completely by Pell grant...I declined all loan offers. Wish I could do that every year but with rising income comes less Pell grant money.

One other thing I'm not used to is at my job (I'm a security guard) we wear badges. I did security in Canada before I came here and we weren't allowed to wear badges, so that is still strange to me. I actually think it's wrong to do but oh well.

Anyways, I hope to see more responses on here. have a great day all.

[muffin 0]

I've also been told that I've got a bit of an accent now. I now say soda now without even thinking about it. It's funny I remember it sounding so strange to say when I first got here.

I just started school again to become an RN and absolutely loving it! Something that I probably wouldn't have realized if I was still in Toronto.

Definitely gained weight the first few years too! Have lost some but still working on it!

The difference in the grocery stores and stores in general has totally spoiled me. In terms of variety and sales/coupons, I just feel like my money goes much farther. I almost died when I went to a liquor store here and saw how cheap alcohol was! I don't know if it's just around here or everywhere in the US, but I'm still amazed to this day when I go to buy wine or beer! I'm always bringing back "american" sized liquor for my family. It's a bit of a joke with my family. Last time I visited my grandparents I brought them their favorite baileys in the biggest bottle I've ever seen and they were just dumbstruck! They couldn't believe that it actually came in a size that large. My husband and I don't usually keep much in terms of alcohol in the house but when we have guests or I'm bringing wine or something somewhere I find I buy much more than I would have if I were in Canada.

[Peachey 10]

I definitely say "eh" a lot less, and I notice it more when people say it when I go home. My husband now has a Canadian accent apparently.

Other than that, and not making friends very easy (I used to be able to do that really easy back home, I think it has something to do with the culture in the county I live in now) everything is almost the same. I have the same type of job, making the same amount of money (almost do the $).

Oh and I've gained about 20 lbs... that kinds sucks, we're working on taking that off tho.

[Marilyn. 340]

I don't get the Eh thing.. I have never said it nor do I know anyone who did or does..lol

[SapphireDreams 71]

I just saw my cousin the other day while he was in NYC and he told me I have a bit of an accent now. I didn't think I did though! I don't say eh anymore, that's for sure.

I don't really drive anymore now that I live in NYC. I can still drive, but just don't so that's weird.

I am a lot more in shape now - I took up running and love it. Actually I've taken a bit of a hiatus and need to get back into it.

I stopped dyeing my hair blonde! I am now a natural light brown and I love it.

I'm much better with my money now - Living in the US has made me a lot more aware of money and the importance of having a savings/fun/buffer

[Peachey 10]

I don't get the Eh thing.. I have never said it nor do I know anyone who did or does..lol

When I went home at Christmas, we went to Zellers to pick up some Canada stuff for our friends, and our cashier said it at the end of every sentence... I couldn't help noticing.