So one fine morning, not very long ago, I pledged my allegiance to the Queen by raising my right hand to affirm my loyalty to the Crown and became a Canadian Citizen.
I was instructed to bring along a religious book of my choice, but as an agnostic with serious mood swings into atheism and back, I decided my word was good enough for the King and the Country — and the honourable Canadian Justice system agreed.
People were accompanied by friends and family who cheered and took photographs.
A disciple asked his Zen master: “Shall I get married or not?”
“Whatever you choose you will regret it!”, answered the Zen master.
So the answer to our question would be the same.
But I have read something else – that’s the problem of being an avid reader, it’s difficult to come with something original and whatever I think it is original I might have read it somewhere and I forgot that I read it, but I digress so I’ll just start with a new sentence for a better impact.
I have enjoyed reading this blog. I was happy to see that this blogger is indeed rattling his cage. As an immigrant from the third world myself, I have faced similar feelings that CinniKull did and on some days felt a level of frustration that I did not think would ever end.
Perhaps behind my sense of agony about not ”succeeding” in Canada was my viewpoint which was shaped by my experiences thus far. In other words:
It is no secret what respect I have for the TTC – the Toronto Transit Commission. As blogged earlier, the TTC just keeps providing reason after reason for one to admire how persistent, illogical and cruel human obstinacy can really be.
In these tough economic times, the last thing one should have to worry about is getting to work – never mind not having any. Yet, the TTC honchos think the only way they continue their work is by passing the fare buck.
It’s swift, merciless, and packs pure brute force. You gotta respect that.
There’s a thing called the Internet where we can sometimes… surprise, surprise… shop for stuff and then hope to receive it at our homes with as much ease as it is described and promoted on the websites selling the stuff. That much I’ve understood.
Or, let me cut through the chase and get straight to the point (for once on this blog, eh?)
I order stuff on the internet frequently to save time and money tremendously, as compared to what’s available at brick and mortar stores. Nice and easy, and a painless procedure which takes minutes.
Tough economic times mean tightening belts. Governments are scaling back financial commitments and consumers are holding back unnecessary purchases. Even kids are having their allowances cut.
Of course, these are all boilerplate clichés. In real life, human nature compels us not to miss out on a great deal — something the marketing industry will continue to reap rewards with, and the marketing industry will happily tag along (I should know, I used to be in such a business during my pre-Canadian career-gifted life.) But I digress.
By Brooke Wilkinson
Why did you want to leave your home country?
For a better life in a freer country.
Why did you decide to move to Toronto?
Because a family member lived here.
