Really Recent 2nd Sample of Story Layout

7/30/2019 Really Recent 2nd Sample of Story Layout

1/27

An Immigrants Journey to Calgary

A look into the eyes of a newcomer to Calgary


2/27

2

Introduction

Over the course of 6 months, I embarked on a quest to find out why people

came to Calgary and their experiences in Calgary; 20 men and women from a variety of countries shared their

personal stories about their experiences in Calgary. You are about to read a collection of stories, quotes

and anecdotes from those who came for a visit, those who came to study and those who decided to immigrate

to Calgary.

Meeting and listeningto peoples stories was a very humbling and inspiring experience. My contributors

ranged in ages and backgrounds. Everyone had their reasons for coming to Calgary and everyone had unique

experiences. They came for love, for their partners, for school or for work. The purpose of this book is

to create awareness amongst our visitors and immigrants of people who came to Calgary and for native

Calgarians and people coming to Calgary to understand not only the challenges people experience, but also

the funny, touching, pleasant and surprising moments. I hope you enjoy reading this collection of stories.

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."

Marcel Prousthttp://tripsource.com/html/quotes.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcel_Prousthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcel_Prousthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcel_Proust


3/27

3

Table of Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2

Reflections on Calgary ................................................................................................................................................................................ 5

The Social Scene ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Misunderstandings .................................................................................................................................................................................. 8

The Winter Blues ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 9

Battling the cold ................................................................................................................................................................................ 12

Preparing for the cold weather .................................................................................................................................................................. 13

Finding Oneself ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 14

First snow sighting .................................................................................................................................................................................... 15

My interview with Stella, a fitness guru from Colombia was very eye opening and enlightening. Stella had come

with her husband and really had no expectations in Calgary. She was here for Ricardo and that was it.

However, she managed to find a silver lining in her homesickness..................................................................................... 15

Driving to Calgary from Toronto ................................................................ ....................................................................... ....................... 16

Immigration............................................................................................................................................................................................... 16

Getting around the city.............................................................................................................................................................................. 18

Life on the farm ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 19

Touched by a Canadian ............................................................................................................................................................................. 20

Some are just grateful to be living in Calgary and are fortunate enough to be inspired by a local. Touched by

an Speedskater..................................................................................................................................................................................... 20


4/27

4

Finding oneself.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 21

Elizabeth from New York discovered herself in Calgary and was so releaved that she no longer had to hide

that she was an American. I could finally be myself ........................................................................................................... 21

Dressing for the weather ........................................................................................................................................................................... 22

Adapting more to the environment than the culture............................................................................................................. 22

People dress for the weather here. .............................................................................................................................................. 22

A White Christmas .................................................................................................................................................................................... 23

4.25 inches by 6 inches......................................................................................................................................................................... 23

A New Years Eve tour .............................................................................................................................................................................. 24

http://www.postbeeld.com/en/fsc/search&exact-country=ch&category=m6 ............................................Error! Bookmark not defined.free stamps .................................................................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

Calgary Fun Facts ......................................................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

Calgary Scenes ...........................................................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.


5/27

5

Reflections on Calgary

Whether one is moving to a new country or visiting another country, most people often encounter

cultural misunderstandings, language blurbs (but good for them for trying) and can also recall thefirst time they arrived in this new environment. Below are some quotes from the contributors that

stood out. You will see that most are recalling a funny moment, a mistake in pronunciation or the

first time they saw something new.

I like Tim Hortons- I will miss it!

Bai-Beijing, China

I remember our first day. We were walking with our new landlord and she pushed the button to

cross the street and starting crossing. Ricardo (my husband) and just stood there in shock; what isshe doing, she is going to get hit! In Colombia, we dont have these kinds of crosswalks.

If you cross the street and cars are coming, you will get hit.

Stella-Bogota, Colombia

(Fitness Instructor)

Calgary has friendly people and a

very good environment

Stella-Beijing, China

(Human Resources)

The first thing I found out about Calgary

is that it is a cowboy town

BaiBeijing China

My manager at work stated that she did

not know how I managed to juggle work,

school and single parenthood as a new

immigrant and complete the program in

9 months. Most people have been known

to do this in over 3 years!

El-Nigeria, Africa

(Human Resources Manager)


6/27

6

The Social Scene

The social scene here in Calgary is also really enjoyable!

One of my most favourite things about it is probably the

fact that people over here seem more inclined to stay and

have drinks in a bar, rather than tear up the dance floor at

nightclubs!

Sharon,

Communications

Cork, Ireland


7/27

7

Thoughts on Calgary

My first thoughts:

Sun, how are you? , smiles

Beata-Krakow, Poland

(Post Doc-U of C

The mountains are so amazing. They are

beautiful. Wow! They are just huge! Everything

is huge; cars, parking lots, pots, dishes, forks,

knives and you have huge distances. There isnothing between Calgary and Edmonton! In

Europe, there are small towns between places.

Beata, Poland

Post-Doc-U of C

You didnt have to go far to go out in the country. I miss that now,

Reconnected me with my childhood. Being in contact with the earth, the

flowers, etc...)

Elizabeth

Retired Nurse,

New York

Is Calgary a hick town?

We used to go out once a month, and all there was

steak and I used to having more variety so I thought

Calgary was a hick town.

Elizabeth, New York

Retired Nurse

Ie

p

S

E


8/27

8

Misunderstandings

Often when one enters a new country or city, it is not unusual for misunderstandings to crop up with the new language, greetings and

other customs.

Ricardo: I want a boogerWaitress: You want a what?Ricardo: A BOOGERWaitress (looking puzzled): I am sorry, we do not have theseRicardos brother in law: RICARDO! You are saying that wrong,

aBURGER

Ricardo: Can I please have some garlic breathWaitress: Some garlic whatRicardo: Garlic breathWaitress: Do you mean garlic breadRicardo: Thats what I said.

Differences in English words

Sandra (grade 6 Colombian girl who learned English in England)

Can you please pass me the rubber?

Sally: The what?

Sandra: The RUBBER (pointing at the object in Sallys hand)

Sally: oh; this! This is an ERASER!

Beata learns a lesson in greetings inCalgary and how they are different

than in her country; Poland.

I remember one of the first times Igot into an elevator and the lady

next to me said; hello, how are youand I thought, What the heck is

wrong with you?

At the beginning I was quitesuspicious. We talk only with our

friends who are close with us.


9/27

9

El is from Nigeria, Africa (What city).

She moved to Calgary in 2005 to give

her children an opportunity at a better

education. She was a human

resources specialist in Nigeria and

after overcoming a few obstacles, she

is now working in as a human

resources consultant at an oilcompany. Since she arrived in

Calgary, EL has accomplished a lot.

She has bought a house, obtained a

management certificate from the U of

C and graduated with an online MBA

from the University of , all while

raising 2 children on her own. Her

The Winter Blues

While some find the cold weather and snow a welcome change,

others see the cold weather as depressing

and a significant factor to

their loneliness.

However, despite

the cold and thefeelings of

loneliness,

people like

El, do not

let the

weather

affect

their

goals and

dreams.

This next

story

depicts an

African

woman

who never

really grows

to appreciate

the weather, yet

PICTURE OF ICESICLE-LIKE A TEAR DROP

DearSis,

I just thought I would write you to tell you we are settling in here in Calgary. Sorry it hastaken me so long to write, but I have been trying to get used to my new life here. I have alot to tell you, but first I will tell you about the weather because it is one of my biggestchallenges. When the kids started school in September, you could feel the weather starting toget colder.

Well, at the end of October the snow really did come. I quickly discovered that I do not likethe winter. It is very cold and waiting for the bus is horrible, as I never have enough warmclothes. You know, I never took the bus back home as I am used to chauffeurs taking usaround.

Every day, when the kids go off to school, I stand by the window watching the snowfall andburst into tears wondering what possessed me to relocate.

However, as you know, I am here for the children and to give them a better education. Youknow that I am not a quitter!

I have to go pick up the kids from school, but will write more soon,

Love El,(WHAT IS GOODBYE IN NIGERIAN)


10/27

10

does not let the cold and her lonlinliness get in the way of accomplishing her goals and dreams for herself and her children. I can describe this women in one

line; tough as nails.

istockphoto.com

Hi Erica Happy New Year and my apologies this went in to my junk mail and I have only just come across it. Hope you

had a good Christmas.

Im attaching a couple of pictures and you can use either. I prefer the one of me in the chair but I guess it depends on

what room you have. I think the most meaningful place for me in Calgary would be the Tower. That was where Nitch and

I went for dinner the night we talked about me immigrating to Canada so we could be together.

I would simply say Hello to someone, but if I was writing it would be to Dear whoever and if I was writing to a family member or friend I would sign

off, Love from Vicki. I dont very often say goodbye its usually just see you again or Im going now.

What can I say about me? Im an active senior who loves writing and volunteering, especially at the Spruce Meadows equestrian centre. I like

going to the movies and supper with friends and being outdoors as much as I can.

Hope that works for you.

Best wishes from Vicki


11/27

11


12/27

12

Juan is from Bogota, Colombia. He has

been living in Calgary for more than 10

years. Prior to that, he was living in

Montreal. He came to Canada because..

and he moved to Calgary because of the

opportunity. People can change careers,

test ideas, evolve, growing, positive

thinking-this is why I came

He recalls the first time he saw the

mountains in Banff. He took the bus from

Montreal to Banff and when he arrived

was in awe from the beauty of the

mountains. They were breathtaking.If

he were to offer one piece of advice to

new Calgarians, it would be: develop a

support network and try to expand your

network. dont just interact with people

rom your own country.

Battling the cold

If you cant beat em, join them.

Instead ofsnuggling under the covers on a cold winters day like many people would

(newcomers and locals) Juan from Colombia took a different approach and decided to confront the cold head on, making sure he got proof.

Hola!

It is been so long since I have talked to you, I just thought I would send you a

quick note. I ended up moving from Montreal (a province in the East) to

Calgary (the west). I see it as the city of opportunities.

Montreal has winter so I had seen snow before, but Calgary is different. It is so

dry here; I am always using lotion and Chap Stick. If you dont, you are going tohave problems.

I have to tell you what I did the other day.

It was so cold that I think it was -50 WITH WIND CHILL as the locals here say,

but I say, What difference does it make, it is still cold. I was sitting in my

basement in Sunnyside (in a trendy area of the city where I live) looking out the

window at the snow. I could have stayed in all day as I did not have classes, but

decided I wanted to see what the hell that means.

So, I put on my winter jacket, boots, toque (a Canadian word for Spanish word

for hat) and mitts and walked to the bow river (the river that runs through

Calgary). I managed to handle the cold for about 20 minutes, but not without

videotaping it. I can send you the video since I am sure you dont believe me!

Abros,

Juan

Why the hell do you need so much personal space, look at all the

land.

There is no such thing as cold weather, just

unprepared people. QUOTE

It was -50 with wind chill.

I wanted to see,

what the hell that means.

Figure 1 This person lovesto eat and loves food


13/27

13

Andrew is from Queenstown, New

Zealand. He first came to Calgary for

a conference for a computer company

he worked for. He was then offered a

job to relocate to Calgary. He took

the job and moved to Calgary with his

English wife. Since moving to

Calgary 7 years ago, they now have 2

children (a boy and a girl) and

Andrew has opened up his own

software company. We are in direct

competition with the place I used towork, says Andrew. When asked if

his two children

Tools for the cold weather

People

come to Calgary for different reasons and see Calgary for different things, one can assured that he will have to go out in the cold at least once.

Be rest assured, you will have to shovel snow at leastonce.

Gday,

How you going mate? I made it to Calgary for the first time for our conference.

The weather is one thing, which is definitely different here.

On my first day I looked out of my hotel window and it was sunny with blue

skies. I thought to myself. I dont need a jacket; it will be warm outside. I got

about two block before I went back to get a jacket. I learned that even though it

may be sunny, the weather can be cold. I learned to never go without a jacket!

Do you want to know what else happened that was funny? Our new friend,

Pierre gave us a pair of snow shovels for a gift. I looked at him and said, Dude,

why are you giving us snow shovel. Pierre just chuckled, saying nothing. The

next day it snowed and I turned to my wife and said, ahh, now I know why

Pierre gave us these snow shovels!

Andrew

\

Dude, why are you giving us

snow shovels?


14/27

14

Marie Christine grew up as an only child

with her father in Montreal, Canada. Her

mom passed away from cancer when she

was a young child, leaving just Marie and

her father. When she turned 19 years old,

she knew that she needed a change and

decided to take the advice of an instructor

and apply to a government program to

learn English. A couple of months later,

she was accepted into the U of C program

and ventured off on her very first

adventure away from home and from her

dad. This was the best decision of her

life. She liked it so much; she extended

her trip to 4 months. While she would

love to stay in the program forever andlearn more, she knows s that life goes on

and she must follow it.

Finding Oneself

I think it is normal for everybody to feel lost and confused in this life, we just need something to find the right track and for me it was just a moment alone

to think about myself, what I want to do and who I am.

Some, like Marie Christine came to Calgary for nothing more than a simple change of scenery, but left discovering that she was capable of more than she could

have ever imagined. While all other contributors are from countries other than Canada, Marie Christines story was so inspiring that I had to use

it.

e

Bonjour Aunti,

Greetings from Calgary Alberta! It is me again! Sorry, I havent written since I

arrived, but I am finally feeling happy about my decision and with myself! I amsure Papa may have told you this already.

When I first arrived at the airport a couple of weeks ago, I looked for my homestaymom and she was not there. I was all alone in a strange city with no one to pick meup. It must have been a couple of hours before a friend of my homestay mothers

finally came to take me home. Essentially, I hated everything and I felt so lost andconfused. I could not stop crying and regretted my decision to leave mycomfortable life back home. I was worried that I would be here for my 5-weekprogram and be unhappy for 5 weeks. However, it is now my 4th week and I havebeen making new friends and the teachers are fabulous, I am even getting As onall my assignments which is a change from home. When I told them back home I

had been diagnosed with a concentration problem and had issues in schools, theywere surprised! I am so glad I came and I am thinking about staying longer!

Avoir,

Je t'adore,

Marie-Christine


15/27

15

Stella is from Bogota, Colombia. She

left a successful dance company in

Colombia to start a new life with her

husband who had been accepted intothe Engineering company at the U of

C. Stella is very persistent and when

I spoke to Stella she told me it took

her 2 weeks to get a job with very

little English. Her persistent paid off

and her determination is very evident

as she now runs a very successful

fitness studio out of her home and

studio out of her home and also

teaches zumba classes at the

University of Calgary

First snow sighting

My interview with Stella, a fitness guru from Colombia was very eye opening and enlightening. Stella had

come with her husband and really had no expectations in Calgary. She was here for Ricardo and that

was it. However, she managed to find a silver lining in her homesickness.

Hola Papa,

We arrived in Calgary on December 31 at about 2:00 in the morning. Our flight had been long.

Carlos and Yeni (our friends from back home) picked us up at the airport and took us to our new

house- a small basement suite Ricardo had arranged from home. A sweet little lady whom I fondly

call Mrs. A. greeted us at the door with a warm smile and offered us some hot chicken soup before

showing us to our room.

I saw the most beautiful thing from my window-SNOW! I was inside and looked out the window of

the house and thought the window was made like that. Mrs. Anne told me that it was snow and I

said, Baby Jesus must have done this. I was so happy, I almost started crying!

I have to go look for a job now, but will write soon,

Abros,

Stella

P.S. The picture on the front of this postcard is of Calgary in winter!

When I first saw snow, I almost

started crying from happiness.

Baby Jesus (snow) must have


16/27

16

Joe moved to Canada from Ghana

almost 20 years ago. He was a part

of the .. tribe.

He lived in Toronto and then decided

to come to Calgary after an offer from

a recruiting company. He now lives

with his wife and 3 children in

Coventry Hills. He owns a successful

reight business and if he were to give

one word of advice to newcomers, it

would be

Driving to Calgary from Toronto

An African relocates from Toronto to Calgary for work. This two day road trip gives him the opportunity to see many things; good,

bad and ugly.

Immigration

Hey bro,

I just thought I would update you on my life. I am no longer living in Toronto and

am now living on the west coast (Calgary). I took a job in Calgary from a recruiter

who came to Toronto. So, a classmate and I drove my car from Toronto to

Calgary- a road trip that took us 2 days! This trip was not dull! We saw a mooselook both ways and cross the road with her calf and we almost ran out of gas in

northern Ontario and we

We finally pulled into Calgary at 4:00 am on the Saturday! Since it was too late to

get a hotel, we decided to sleep in the car for a couple of hours. We pulled over

near downtown, pushed back our seats and rested. It had been 2 long days with

little sleep, but lots of adventure. I had finally dozed off to sleep when I heard a

knock at my window. As I peered out the window, there was a lady with a short

black skirt, a sparkly short top and big hoop earrings standing at the window. Do

you need some help, she asked me. Ipeered back at her and said, What kind of

help? I soon realized that she was a hooker. Everyones really helpful here!What an adventure so far!

mo ni ife e ( I love you in Nigerian)

Joe

Did you know that:

STAT ABOUT THE SNOWFALL in Calgary


17/27

17

Vickie is originally from London,

England. n. England. She first came to

Calgary in July, 1989 to visit Canadian

friends she had worked with in

England. Just she was about to leave,

she met a man who would later become

her husband.

She has lived in Calgary since 1989 and

ran a property management business

with her husband, Nitch. Her beloved,Nitch sadly passed away in 2001, but

Vickie continues to reside in Calgary .

She is an active senior who loves

writing and volunteering, especially at

the Spuce Meadows equestrian centre.

. Will she stay in Calgary now that her

beloved husband is gone and her family

is back in England? I am not sure,

says Vickie. I never did like winter andI am finding ever winter harder than the

one before. Ah, the things we do for

love.

ImmigrationGetting into Canada is not that easy for some; even if you love a

Canadian!

Dear friend,

Hello! How are you over there in Korea? It has been awhile since we spoke, but

just thought I would update you on my news!

I am now living in Canada, but not without a few road blocks and obstacles.

Let me start at the beginning; remember how I worked at that resort in the UK,

well I ended up meeting some Canadians there and decided to come to Calgary for

a 3 months (July-October). I ended up meeting a wonderful man-the love of my life!

He is actually from Montreal, Canada, but lives in Calgary (the west)

So, I went back to London and applied to the Canadian Embassy at home(London). However, the immigration officer who happened to be from Calgary

told me not to bother applying, as my job and education were not enough to get me

into Alberta. Go back to Canada, get married within 3 months of landing

and immigrate as a dependent, he advised me.

So, you guessed it; I got married to a Canadian and am now living in

Calgary, Canada. You will have to come and visit!

Im going now,

Love from,

Vickie

,


18/27

18

Yan came to Cagary from Beijing,

China. She arrived in Calgary in 2007

because she got accepted into the PHD

program in TESL at the University of

Calgary.

She currently lives in a house (picture

above) her and her husband recently

purchased. For most Chinese people to

have a house in a new city means they

have really settled down. Yan, her

husband and her 8 year old daughter

love the Rocky Mountains and the

natural parks. They take advantage of

the great outdoors by camping, skiing

and swimming. If she were to give one

word of advice to newcomers about

Calgary, it would be..

Getting around the city

Yan discovered that it is very difficult to get around the city without a car and little money. In the midst

of it all, she did manage to meet a nice Calgarian

It has been ages since we spoke, but just thought I would tell you how we are doing here

in Calgary.

We arrived at the end of July so it was still warm. The one thing about this city is that it

is so spread out! When we first arrived, my husband and I did not have a car so we were

relying on trains and buses.

The other day, we went to this supermarket to buy grocieris.and my husband kept having

to go back home with the groceries, leaving me and my 5 year old daughter to watch therest of the groceries. He took the train downtown, take the bus to our apartment and

then take the bus and train back to the NE to pick up the rest of the groceries along with

my daughter and I. So, there we were waiting for my husband I to come back to get us

and it was closing time.

Why are you still here so late? asked the security guard. I told him that my husband

had to take the bus and train back to our apartment to take some on the groceries andthen take the bus and train back to get my daughter and me and the r est of the groceries.

Luckily the security guard was nice enough to let us stay inside the store while we

waited

It is so difficult to get

around in this city

because it is so spread

out.


19/27

19

Life on the farm

Joe, from Ghana marries a farm girl from Peirce, Alberta and gives us a glimpse to what it is like to brand cattle in rural Alberta;

He learns a few things on this adventure. First, cattle do not roam free here like they do in Africa, second, branding is an all day

event and third, the cattle are not always willing participants (who would!) so be prepared for a bit of a fight

Dear,

I just returned from a weekend in Peirce, Alberta. Brandy (my wife) invited

me for the weekend to help her family with branding their cattle. I didnt

even know this sort of thing existed!

You know how in Africa how animals are free to graze anywhere and some

end up destroying peoples farms? Well things are so much more controlled

here.

First we had to get the cattle into a small pen to get them ready for branding.

I felt so bad for the cows; they were just crying and crying. We had to cut the

horn, pull their ears and make a label to identity them. We had finished

branding a few cattle, when suddenly one started kicking and kicked Brandys

brother in the private parts! It was scary. You can imagine how much pain

he was in; he had to sit out and moaned and groaned for hours.

The next morning, we got up to start branding again. As I was trying to hold

a calf down to help brand him, he started to struggle and started kicking

frantically. I was afraid I was going to be the next victim. I had to protect my

family jewels! I saw what happened to Brandys brother yesterday, so I

started to fight back! Boy, he was strong, but I finally managed to subdue

him. Always, I am beat from working all day! I will talk to you soon,

Love J,

Branding cattle quote

Cartoon


20/27

20

Touched by a Canadian

Some are just grateful to be living in Calgary and are fortunate enough to be inspired by a local. Touched by an Speedskater

Hola!

Hola! Como estas? Guess what? I met a woman that changed my life here in

Calgary! Before you jump to conclusions; let me tell you my story,

Last week, I went to a party at the Banff Springs Hotel with Carlos (my brother and

law) and a Canadian speed skater (Catriona Le May Doan) was giving amotivational speech. You know, she really had an impact on me and inspired me

to do something I had never done before! She really pushed me to do something

that was always inside me, but I never had the strength to take out. Before her

talk, I will admit I was having feelings of doubt about leaving my old life behind.

People are still asking me why I left my life of luxury and my rich wife back home,

but she made me realize that I had done the right thing and soon after her speech, I

decided to write my mom a tale for her birthday. I would have never believed in

myself to do this if it werent for Catriona.

I will write more soon,

Hasta Luego,

Jose

BIO


21/27

21

Elizabeth moved to Montreal from

New York in 1952. She left Montreal

in 1974 because of the war measures

act. She came to Calgary from Fort

Mac on the bus and stayed with

people she had just met in Fort Mac

who lived in Calgary. She arrived in

1974. She remembers when she first

arrived she was so impressed by the

weather and then someone said to

her, winter begins tomorrow.

Finding oneself

Elizabeth from New York discovered herself in Calgary and was so releaved that she no

longer had to hide that she was an American.

Dear friend,

I am now settling down in my new home Calgary. I must say that I definitely

feel more at home here than I did in Montreal. Everything just feels so much

more familiar here! I believe there is more commonality between north andsouth than east and west.

One thing that I found is that I no longer have to hide that I am an American

here. You know how in Montreal I had to hide my accent and basically

change the way I said things to try to fit I, saying things like garage as and

eh, as eh..

Here in Calgary I no longer feel I have to do this. It turned out that the

people living in my apartment building are from the US.

My adaption was learning about the mountains and the prairies.

I remember this Russian Jew who used to invite me in for tea. I had a lonely

period


22/27

22

Dressing for the weather

Adapting more to the environment than the culture.

Dont judge the

I remember waking up and hearing water drip after it had been 30

below the day before.

Elizabeth

New York

The girls kept talking about storms and I though this is not a storm. My

first white out driving was crazy. It felt warmer because it wasnt that

damp cold. I froze my fingers, because I didnt feel the cold. People

dressed for the weather here as opposed to Montreal where it was maxi

coats and miniskirts. I bought a mink coat and wore it with my blue

muck luck shoes which she was horrified.

Hello again,

It is me Elizabeth again. One thing about

these people is that they sure know

how to dress for the weather! In Montreal,

they were dressed in maxi coats and

miniskirts when it was freezing cold! In

Calgary, they are dressed in ski jackets! It

doesnt

seem to be as much of a show here.

However, I remember when I bought a

mink coat and wore it with my blue

muck luck shoes. My friend was horrified!

Just another funny story about weather!

Love,

Elizabeth


23/27

23

Sharon Wheaton is from Cork,

Ireland. She moved to Calgary in

November, 2012 to live with her

boyfriend. She admits at first she was

nervous about leaving home, moving

in with her boyfriend of 4 months! In

the short time she has lived in

Calgary, she has managed to find a

ob, experience a white Christmas andsurvive the -20 temperatures. Does

she have any advice for newcomers?

Well, dress warm for the weather is

one thing!

A White Christmas

Sharon was given a cool welcome from Calgary welcomed Sharon from Cork, Ireland with a blast of cold had the opportunity to come

to YYC when a cold snap hit. She got to experience minus temperatures, learned how to dress for the weather and on the up side had

the opportunity unity to experience a white Christmas! It

can only go up from here!

4.25 inches

by 6

inches.

Dear Uncle Peter,

Matt and I made it to Calgary and boy is it cold! When I first arrived, it was -23 and

it is only November! Luckily, the boys had warned me in advance about the

upcoming adverse weather conditions, so I was well prepared with my warm jacket

and fluffy boots! To be honest, I didnt find it TOO cold, but I guess I was so

exhausted from the flights and early start that it may not have registered fully with

me. It hasnt hit the freezing temperatures that it is capable of hitting just yet..Some

people had forewarned me that the week between Christmas and New Years tends

to be the typical time where temperatures have been seen to plummet to as low as -40!! And they were right. Even though it didnt hit as low as -40, it did stay at

about -30 from the Friday before Christmas, to the following Friday.

But seriously, and I know this sounds ridiculously obvious, but as long as you wear

enough clothes, then the cold is bearable! Just invest in good gloves, a hat and

maybe something to cover your neck and face, like a cowl or something! The

temperatures dropped to about -24 in the lead up to Christmas, so we got to

experience a white Christmas! Its the wind chill that makes the weather so cold at

times; it may be somewhat mild, but the wind chill can really impact on how cold it

really is! Im looking forward to some summer heat!

It is getting late so I should go, but will write more soon

Give me love to everyone,


24/27

24

Ali is from Tehran, Iran. He came to

Calgary because he was accepted into the

PHD program at the U of C. He arrived in

late December of 2008 and remembers it

was a really cold and everything was cold. Ifhe were to given any advice to new comers,

it would be

He thinks that Calgary has a certain smell,

but is not sure what that smell is. If he were

to describe Calgary it would be an image of

a dark, empty street covered in cold and

snow. He thinks that summer is the most

beautiful.

Any advice to newcomers..

A New Years Eve tour

As most of us know, comgin to a new city can often be cary and it it easy to get lsot. While Ali and his friends have no

difficulties gettign to the mall to bu items for their new home, it is getting home where they havedifficultires..

Immigrating to Calgary

Steve a guy from China that I interviewed came

Hello,

Its me Ali. I am now in Calgary and I am slowly getting to know the city,

but did get lost on New Years Eve!

My friends and I had decided to take the bus to the mall to buy things we

needed for our house. It was a short bus ride there and we just assumed the

same bus # would take us back to the c-train when we were finished

shopping.

So, when we were finished shopping, we got on the #407 bus to go back to

the c-train and soon realized that it seemed to be taking us longer than the

first time. This is when we got a little; suspicious and something just

didnt seem right.

After what seemed like forever, we were the only passengers left on the bus

and the bus driver stopped the bus and told us it was the end of the line

and we would have to get off. It was the middle of nowhere, nothing was

around and it was winter here and really cold! Luckily, the bus driver took

pity on us, made a call and drove us back to a c-train station. Two of us

got off at Banff trail station and walked to our hotel, but our other friend

Mohamed walked back to his house where he was staying. We later found

out that he had wandered around in the snow for hours looking for his

house before the friends he was staying with accidentally found him

on their way back from a party! He is still joking how he could

have died that night and it is kind of true. People tell us it was

a really cold winter. It is really kind of scary!


25/27

25

Steve is from Beiging, China. He wasworking in the oil and gas industry in

China and decided to come to Calgary

or one reason, to make more money.

When Steve was in China working, he

ound out that the same person (a

Calgarian) was making double the money

he was probably because he was a

Canadian. So, Steve decided to apply for

a visa to Canada and is now successfullyworking at an engineer in Calgary,

making a lot more money than he was in

China.

Ding, Welcome to Canada

Hey Rob,

Guess what! I am finally got a visa to come to Canada and of

course I am coming to Calgary. It was when I found out we

were doing the same job and you were making double the

money that I decided to come to Calgary. Do you think I can

get a job as a petroleum engineer over there?

I thought it was the good luck bell that I bought from the old

man standing outside the immigration office, but the

immigration officer told me it was because the oil and gas

industry in Alberta is booming and we lack a lot of petroleum

engineers. It is not about the luck, it is about a need, he

told me. So, he stamped my passport and I am moving to

Calgary! DING, welcome to Canada

See you soon,

Steve


26/27

26

Bai was sent to Calgary from

his company in China. They

sent Bai and 6 others to learn

English. He has enjoyed his

time in Calgarty and he will

really miss Tim Hortons when

he will go back to China.

They seized my beef noodles

THIS IS A PICTURE OF A

Hello,

Greetings from Calgary! I have been here for a couple of

weeks now and it has been interesting. When I first arrived, the

policeman asked to check m y luggage because I wrote down we

were staying for business and stay for 90 days. Why does

your business have to be so long,? asked the officer as he

rifled through my luggage. The only thing he found was clothing CHINA

and some beef noodles which he took. I told him I was staying

for English in business and this is why I needed to stay for 90 days.

Then, He asked for my return flight ticket and sent me on my way.

After what seemed like a couple of hours, leaving me to put back together

the piece of my luggage, I finally got to see more than the airport.

I thought, there were not a lot of buildings and hardly any people!

I have to go to class. Say hi to everyone for me,

Love,

Bai


27/27

27

Hello,

I remember it was winter and snow covered the ground. My

husband, daughter and I decided to go to the liquor store to buy

some wine and we had parked beside another car. We could not

see the lines because there was so much snow. A guy came out

of the car and hit our brand new Rav4.

He was so surprised when I opened the door and told him to payus. He took off so I chased him. My husband was so surprised

and proud of my bravery. He could do it in Chinese, but not

English.

Love,

Yan Zhang

China

Documents

Really Recent 2nd Sample of Story Layout