I was so glad to see this today. I’ve thought of you as I pre-search out apartments (dream-building really as I have a few months of recovery and settling affairs before I can make a move)
I’ve missed your presence in the Tod space and hoped you’ve been doing well ❤️
Wonderful piece. Keeps the process realistic while still sharing hope with those of us still on this side of the process. thank you, and have a lovely holiday
I really appreciate your words and am happy to help with resettlement in any way I can. I’m actually planning a collaboration interview and companion article with another American trained, BC-based physician. I just have to be mindful of how much time I’m spending on different platforms in order to avoid spreading myself too thin.
Welcome to Canada. I moved to Winnipeg for a good job and thought I'd stay for a couple of years before returning to the US. Still here 50 years later.
Happy Holidays! Proud of you lady! You are not just getting older, which we all are, you are also becoming wiser which is the whole purpose in life. Recently read "How to Die with Zero" by Bill Perkins which has given me a different perspective on the next 15 years of my life and has helped me to be grateful for all the experiences lived, good and bad. Be proud of yourself always, you have accomplished so much and will continue to do so and have written the rules to your own live, this is priceless.
I really appreciate your perspective as a long-term if distant friend. I’m hoping to make it back over to Europe this year. I’d love to see you if I’m able to pull that off.
Congratulations on your journey! May the next year be as good or even better than the last. It takes a few seasons for an American to become comfortable in Canada what with changes to butter, flour, winter gloom, summer glory, and trying to understand parliamentary democracy. I've loved it here and can't imagine going back. There is something in the water, air, and soil here that takes you in and plants your soul in a good place. Best wishes.
Funny you should mention flour… I just got a Dutch oven and have been looking at importing some European flour to bake my own bread. At the suggestion of @Gregory Garretson.
Yes, Canadian flour is not like Robin Hood, much more like European. There are lots of European places for flour in the lower mainland as well as the island. Italian places will have the 00 as well as other types too. Also local miller's on the island too.
I wrote a book with the title of Letting Go nearly forty years ago. It was about parents of adult sons and daughters with learning disabilities who had been living at home. They were, not unreasonably, highly protective of their disabled children but had to learn to let go because of the fears of what would happen when they, the parents, died; as one mother said "If you love them, let them go".
I offer that to you to put in context what you are going through – difficult, but not as difficult as what those parents had to go through! I wish you loads of good times in your new country, as someone who also switched countries as an adult (US to England).
Look how far you’ve come and what incredible changes you’ve made! I have no doubt you’ve made an impact in your new position and with your patients who benefit from your expertise. All the best for the New Year - may it be filled with joyful and meaningful experiences.
I’m looking forward to making an impact locally through my clinical work and personal connections. My global impact will be mindfully limited to Substack.
1) I do a lot of work (listening, emotional check-ins, teaching, mind-body practices, functional/lifestyle coaching) that falls outside of what can be covered in a brief GP session. Feel free to DM me if you’d like more information.
2) I had a travel insurance policy until my MSP coverage kicked in. I’m looking into extended benefits coverage which is a form of private/supplemental coverage for services that MSP doesn’t cover.
3) No
4) Yes. There was a question about English and/or French proficiency on the applications for the work permit and for permanent residency.
It’s best to consult an attorney about your specific situation but my visa would require approval for modification if I change, move or add positions (such as teaching medical students) within the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. Any modification to my employment status, such as switching to another health authority within the province, also has to go through an approval process.
Once I have permanent residency status, I can change or add jobs without obtaining approval. Permanent residency, from what I understand, takes anywhere from 18-24 months. I have to be a permanent resident for 3 years in order to apply for citizenship. At least that’s my general understanding.
Well done! Congratulations on your growth and healing. Happy Holidays 🌲🎇
Thank you 🙏🏼
The growth and healing continues. It just feels safer here.
Wishing you a joyful and relaxing holiday season!
Happy Holidays. So beautiful to read. What wonderful pictures you took.
I was so glad to see this today. I’ve thought of you as I pre-search out apartments (dream-building really as I have a few months of recovery and settling affairs before I can make a move)
I’ve missed your presence in the Tod space and hoped you’ve been doing well ❤️
Wonderful piece. Keeps the process realistic while still sharing hope with those of us still on this side of the process. thank you, and have a lovely holiday
I really appreciate your words and am happy to help with resettlement in any way I can. I’m actually planning a collaboration interview and companion article with another American trained, BC-based physician. I just have to be mindful of how much time I’m spending on different platforms in order to avoid spreading myself too thin.
May you have continued peace, growth, and contentment in the new year in Vancouver, Canada.🍁
Thank you 🙏🏼
I’ve crossed the 6 month mark of settling in and am ready to start putting down roots. I’m optimistic about the new year
That really was a very brave post. Good luck and a happy new year
Welcome to Canada. I moved to Winnipeg for a good job and thought I'd stay for a couple of years before returning to the US. Still here 50 years later.
So amazing and shedding is happening in my life. Out with the old in with the new! So many are afraid to take these steps. I am so happy for you.
It’s been a very transformative year. I’m looking forward to 2026
Most people stay stuck.
Happy Holidays! Proud of you lady! You are not just getting older, which we all are, you are also becoming wiser which is the whole purpose in life. Recently read "How to Die with Zero" by Bill Perkins which has given me a different perspective on the next 15 years of my life and has helped me to be grateful for all the experiences lived, good and bad. Be proud of yourself always, you have accomplished so much and will continue to do so and have written the rules to your own live, this is priceless.
I really appreciate your perspective as a long-term if distant friend. I’m hoping to make it back over to Europe this year. I’d love to see you if I’m able to pull that off.
Congratulations on your journey! May the next year be as good or even better than the last. It takes a few seasons for an American to become comfortable in Canada what with changes to butter, flour, winter gloom, summer glory, and trying to understand parliamentary democracy. I've loved it here and can't imagine going back. There is something in the water, air, and soil here that takes you in and plants your soul in a good place. Best wishes.
Funny you should mention flour… I just got a Dutch oven and have been looking at importing some European flour to bake my own bread. At the suggestion of @Gregory Garretson.
Yes, Canadian flour is not like Robin Hood, much more like European. There are lots of European places for flour in the lower mainland as well as the island. Italian places will have the 00 as well as other types too. Also local miller's on the island too.
a beautiful chronicle of your year of living lightly. Carry on good doctor
Thank you 🙏🏼
It was a nice way to spend Christmas Day. Reflecting, connecting with a new local friend, hanging with the dogs and eating bacon and chocolate.
Chocolate covered bacon. Yum!
I wrote a book with the title of Letting Go nearly forty years ago. It was about parents of adult sons and daughters with learning disabilities who had been living at home. They were, not unreasonably, highly protective of their disabled children but had to learn to let go because of the fears of what would happen when they, the parents, died; as one mother said "If you love them, let them go".
I offer that to you to put in context what you are going through – difficult, but not as difficult as what those parents had to go through! I wish you loads of good times in your new country, as someone who also switched countries as an adult (US to England).
Life isn't always easy and is sometimes a walk in the dark or unknown.
Great respect for those who still see possibilities where others see nothing and pull back.
Those are the builders of a better tomorrow.
Wonderful how you kept going. 👏👏👏
It's a motivation for others.
✨🪷✨♥️🤗
Happy to provide the perspective of change. Inertia is a powerful force
Look how far you’ve come and what incredible changes you’ve made! I have no doubt you’ve made an impact in your new position and with your patients who benefit from your expertise. All the best for the New Year - may it be filled with joyful and meaningful experiences.
I’m looking forward to making an impact locally through my clinical work and personal connections. My global impact will be mindfully limited to Substack.
You have made my life better. You have given me courage as we uproot our family to the great white north.
Congratulations on making the decision! That’s a huge first step. It’s not easy but, to me, the effort has been more than worth it.
Questions: ignore if you want.
1- do you take college students with only CN insurance?
2- what did you, as a us citizen, do for insurance until you got your CN insurance?
3- also, did you work with an attorney or some such to get your work/living permit?
4- did you really have to take an English proficiency test?!
If you need a green card or work visa for the us im your font of knowledge. But this CN stuff is very confusing.
1) I do a lot of work (listening, emotional check-ins, teaching, mind-body practices, functional/lifestyle coaching) that falls outside of what can be covered in a brief GP session. Feel free to DM me if you’d like more information.
2) I had a travel insurance policy until my MSP coverage kicked in. I’m looking into extended benefits coverage which is a form of private/supplemental coverage for services that MSP doesn’t cover.
3) No
4) Yes. There was a question about English and/or French proficiency on the applications for the work permit and for permanent residency.
When you go to Canada on a work visa, can you ever change jobs ? Thanks
It’s best to consult an attorney about your specific situation but my visa would require approval for modification if I change, move or add positions (such as teaching medical students) within the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. Any modification to my employment status, such as switching to another health authority within the province, also has to go through an approval process.
Once I have permanent residency status, I can change or add jobs without obtaining approval. Permanent residency, from what I understand, takes anywhere from 18-24 months. I have to be a permanent resident for 3 years in order to apply for citizenship. At least that’s my general understanding.