It’s Thursday. Which means it’s a great day to answer somebody’s question.

Q [from Alicia]:

I was going to hesitate to ask, but then the end of your post said “Don’t hesitate to ask.” So here’s me not hesitating: For how long will you not be able to work or go to school or whatever in Canada? Also, what are their reasons for not letting you do so? Don’t get me wrong–I think you should do whatever you please with your time, but it would be nice for you to have some options (I’d think).

Also, on a related note, what do you think you will do once you are allowed to work and attend school?

That’s all I got, but I’ll keep thinking of questions for you. :)

A [from me]:

Thank you Alicia, for your question(s). They are valid, and I will answer them.

I can’t work yet in Canada because I am not a Canadian citizen, nor have I completed my paperwork allowing me to work (similar to a Green Card in the United States). When I do get that paperwork finished, I will be considered a resident of Canada. Not a citizen. I will not be able to vote, but I will be allowed to work. And pay taxes. [And, if you are wondering, I am already allowed to be on the Canadian Healthcare plan, simply because I married a Canadian and live here. I think that’s pretty nice of the government, though I haven’t had to tap into it yet. Thankfully. And anyway, I don’t think Alberta Healthcare offers laser treatment for volcanoes in right nostrils, which is what I’d really like.] For more information on how you can marry a Canadian and fill out paperwork, see The Government of Alberta. It’s fun. Really.

I can go to school here, but since I don’t have my paperwork finished, I am technically considered an international student, which means my tuition would be $11,000/year. Which is more than twice what I’ll pay as a resident. Initially my plan was to finish my paperwork by last December and get back into school by January, but the paperwork has taken a lot longer (about 10 months longer, actually) than I expected. It’s still not finished, but I am anxious to finish school sometime in this decade, if at all possible…

…which leads me to announce that I will be starting classes in January.

See? Me and my acceptance letter. Wahoo.

I have applied to the closest University and likely have another 1.5 to two years until I graduate. I never really considered myself a dropout. But I guess I have been, technically speaking. How depressing.

On the bright side, last year when all my high school friends were graduating from college, I had done some brilliant things with my life that others might never have the opportunity to do. As much as I’d like to already have my degree, if it meant that I couldn’t have taken off a year to move to Europe and get married to a certain Poor Canadian, I wouldn’t choose any differently.

And, to further answer your question, Alicia [i.e. “what do you think you will do when you are allowed to work and attend school”], I intend to work and attend school. I have no job prospects, but I will be getting my degree in Museum Studies and Art History, with {maybe} a minor in…French.

That’s right. French. Parlez-vous? It’s just an idea I’ve had kicking around in my brain, and I haven’t told anyone about it yet. Not even Poor Kyle. {Hi, Poor Kyle! [He doesn’t much care for French.]}

Just remember, you heard it first on Archives of Our Lives.

And, as always, I’m open for any more questions you may have. Don’t hesitate. Really.

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