In 2019, I made a goal to start putting my content skills to better use. Giving a home to the photos that overload my phone and getting my crazy thoughts out of my head. ( the thoughts include swear words. Consider this your WARNING! Sorry Mum!)
For those that don’t know me, I am Jennifa, a thirtyish gypsy who recently moved to from Ontario to Halifax, Nova Scotia. My partner got his dream job, so we decided to move our two children across the country on the pursuit of happiness and Cannabis.
I have the privilege of having too much time on my hands, having quit my job to stay home with my babies. This has given me the opportunity to explore my new city, talk to random strangers and see cool shit.
9 THINGS THAT HAVE STOOD OUT TO SOME RANDOM GIRL FROM ONTARIO.
9 – EVERYTHING IS DIFFERENT YET THE SAME-
I feel like I did TONS of research, on what it takes to move 4 people from point A to point B. I took into consideration normal things, I believed would come in handy. From finding a new home, registering my kid in school, Insurance, ETC. But nothing will ever prepare you, for feeling like a complete moron, getting lost 24/7 and causing a lot of scenes.
For the record, I would like to say I am medium in the planning and organizing department. I really, really try, but sometimes I fall short in this department of being an adult.
So, I may have overlooked a few things in the move….Such as the first day of school. For the record no one directly told me the date . And I know you are thinking, “isn’t that important Information”?! Well it is, but I assumed it would be the same. The day after labour day, Kids across the country go to school.
We showed up at school bright and early, on time . For a tiny second, I was proud of us… WRONG DAY. A teacher in the parking lot; told us, school in fact started the next day. The Wednesday after the LABOUR DAY!
This moment will never be forgotten. As much as you can plan every detail of life, you can miss somethings. We need to have space in our life for these moments. We need to laugh at the fuck up and move on. Lesson learned. TRIPLE CHECK DATES. WRITE THAT SHIT DOWN. BE A GOOD GROWN-UP!
The Maritimes is a very distinct place in Canada. They have a different landscape, culture, weather, attitude. When we left Ontario, I didn’t realize we were leaving a huge part of what we were comfortable doing. Our brains in “autopilot”.
I can now say, things have settled down and I am in the driver seat ready for what is next. Change is good, we just need to be open and I don’t get lost as much.
8-LAND OF THE DOUBLE DOUBLE-
Tim Horton, must have been from Nova Scotia.
I think all Canadians love the coffee of our homeland. Tim’s is even MORE loved here. The Scotians, have additional language for their coffees. This is something, I have not even experienced in Orillia, ON, (which I thought was the Tim Horton Capital)
So I think, we all know a DOUBLE, DOUBLE and TRIPLE, TRIPLE…
HAVE YOU HEARD of the DOUBLE SINGLE?
Two cream, one sugar. WORD…
7-DONAIR-
Nova scotia loves donair. FYI: Donair is a meat. You can find in a wrap, on a plate, pizza, or egg roll. I have even seen on a DONAIR cupcake on TV. (I am just really into the sauce. It comes in a CUP!
DONAIR SAUCE goes with the meat. It’s soooo fucking good. Dipping pizza in it….is LIFE CHANGING.
I am currently on a pizza jurney, ordering pizza from a new shop each chance I get. There are a TON of pizza shops. All privately owned and amazing!!!! I would not even eat dominos again, if you paid for it.
6- PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY NICE-
Soo, what the FUCK is your problem ONTARIO?! Just kidding 😆
Get this, random people will smile and say hello to you in the streets, elevator and stores. EVEN if they don’t know YOU!!!! Crazy right!?
I can sense that people genuinely care about each here, they are nice, just because. There is no reason, no motive. They are just KIND. It’s a simple fact that the entire province, loves the Pittsburgh Penguins, only because Mr. Crosby is the CAPTAIN.
I guess I feel the warmth of the people, because I am loner.You know those weird people that talk to you for no reason in public. And you think…whhhyyyy me?! Well, I have become that annoying person…
Lucky for me, people enjoy having random conversations about nothing all the time. They will even start one with me out of nowhere, it does help my baby is the cutest ever.People have been so kind to me,
I make friends all the time. Especially when I take the bus; simple smiles and conversations. It is nice to be acknowledged by someone. It can turn a really annoying long bus ride with an out of control toddler, into bearable.
Without going too deep, maybe you have felt this if you have lost someone. When I talk to a Senior; that would’ve been my grandparents age. I feel them with me. That connection may seem crazy, but it helps with being homesick in a weird way.
So, talk to weird-o’s, like me and the 90-year-old at the grocery store, because you should. WHY NOT? Are you to cool to to talk about nothing?
5-WEATHER-
I have become an avid weather watcher these days. The weather predictions here are very accurate for the most part, thank you CTV Atlantic. When they say it’s going to rain like crazy… it rains HARD and at almost the exact time they say it will. You actually need to purchase proper equipment to handle the weather here. Like umbrellas and raincoats!
As for the winter, I was warned from everyone about it. WELL , I am still waiting for the bad shit to arrive. I mean it is wintery but nowhere near as bad as I thought, (I have most likely cursed myself). Or being from the Snow belt of Ontario has really prepared me to face CANADIAN WINTERS.
I have a feeling this bad winter weather curse, is really a trick to keep the others out. Ssshhh don’t tell anyone. Apparently, it is longer, then Ontario’s but we will see, it is March.
New Brunswick, different story. Go there for the SNOW! And a true CANADIAN winter if you DARE.
4-CULTURE!!!!!-
NO offence, Barrie, but culture does not really exist here. I mean, you try. However, you will always be to me, the white trash capital of Ontario. I can say this, because I am from HERE. I escaped, but Barrie has shaped me into the white trash gypsy I am today. And for the record, in my new chapter, I say I am from, North of TORONTO. It’s weird because a lot of people know, Barrie too well. So it will never leave me.
Now back to CULTURE, it’s very beautiful to see all different types of people, cultures living in one place. I love it. I love to people watch (not stare), and I truly believe our differences can really bring us closer.
My son has more knowledge of other cultures than I ever did, till maybe University (I was dumb). At almost 8 years old. My son has a classroom of friends that speak languages, other than English. The children learn and grow together and share about their faiths and cultures. My son knows, that some people believe in Allah, as their god. And some families speak Arabic at home, or Mandarin.
FACT: Our friend just celebrated the Lunar New year. The school shared the importance removing “Chinese” from the phrase. This is because in fact many Asian cultures celebrated this holiday, not just CHINA. DUH!
mind blown…Barrie Jennifa says THANK YOU!!!!!
3-CANADA’S WORST DRIVERS LIVE HERE-
They really do, me included. A lot of the drivers make me look good on a regular basis. I tend to naturally drive like a 98 year old with road rage. The things I have seen, keep it real and hands are always at ten and two.
The roundabouts are interesting for me, considering Park Place is a mini roundabout; and my only first hand experience. I have had to learn how these “real” roundabouts go. I believe the best way to approach them, is the “follower” approach and copy the car directly beside you .( if you can) And yell OH FUCK , WHILE you do it. You should be fine.
Highways: the exit lanes are the same as the entrance lanes here…and NO lights , it’s dark. 😒
It seems for the most part, people do what they want, when they want while driving motorized vehicles. SO move bitch, get out the WAY!
2- CANADA IS BEAUTIFUL-
Duhh, right… I honestly had not seen the true beauty of Canada, until recently. I mean Ontario, is pretty medium when you compare it, to what’s on either side if the coast. Before this past summer I had never made it past the Eastern Townships in Quebec. FUN FACT: The first time I ever visited the East coast, was when I moved my family here in August.
The east coast is stunning, I try and capture the landscape, my phone can’t even do it justice. The historical and environmental views can take your breath away. Literally, its’ windy as fuck here.
I love this amazing country even more, I feel prouder to be Canadian in a non-weird cheesy way. Having had the opportunity to see and show my children the other provinces that make up our great country. New Brunswick, PEI, I see you other beautiful places. (NFND to come)
Grade 9 geography comes to life, it’s magical. I encourage ALL CANADIANS to travel within our country; at one point in your life. You will not be disappointed.
1-CALL YOUR MUM , DAD, FRIEND……FIRST!!! –
Don’t wait for them to call or message because it’s not your turn or whatever bullshit you feed yourself.
I did it too, trust me. I actually don’t really like talking on the phone, it can be annoying. Hearing someone’s voice you love, is something very special. It has taken me a move across the country, to stop being an asshole and pick up the dang phone from time to time
When you think of someone you love, I believe, it is the universe telling that you are lucky enough to have these amazing people in your life. Like your Best friend or Mum. There are so many ways to connect but we are lazy or just waiting for the other person to do it, but they are waiting for YOU!
An unexpected text or phone call from an old friend is a magical thing. It makes your heart smile and can change your day or even week. We live at a time with greatest ability to connect to the people we love, however, many of us feel lonely. Stop being an asshole and call your mum, I know she would love to hear your voice.
Events happen in our journeys at different time for different reasons. I am very grateful for where my journey has taken me and looking forward to what is next.
I am accepting new friend applications- HOLLA At your girl – MUST LIVE IN NOVA-
.the nova way. In 2019, I made a goal to start putting my content skills to better use. Giving a home to the photos that overload my phone and getting my crazy thoughts out of my head.
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As more Chinese newcomers call Halifax home, early signs of a Chinatown emerge
HALIFAX -- In a corner of Halifax's historic south end, Mandarin signs have started to sprout up: They appoint dumpling and dessert restaurants, bubble tea cafes, rental housing and a barbershop.
They are the early signs of a fledgling Chinatown.
It's very small, and as with Chinatowns elsewhere it's not all Chinese -- some of the smattering of businesses specialize in Korean barbecue, Vietnamese pho or Indian groceries. Compared to big-city Chinatowns, it's a blip on the urban landscape.
But for a city more accustomed to Irish pubs and fish and chips, this tiny pocket of businesses around where Barrington Street turns sharply into Inglis Street tells the story of a steady flow of newcomers to Halifax from China.
Halifax, a busy port city of about 400,000 and home to several universities, has long had a small Chinese population. What's changing is the number of Chinese immigrants choosing to make it their permanent home.
As more stay -- rather than returning to China or moving west to Toronto or Vancouver -- a critical mass of Chinese ex-pats is slowly forming, potentially encouraging others to put down roots.
"It's more busy than before," said Mai Duong, co-owner of Ca-Hoa Grocery, a family-owned Asian retailer that has been selling fresh produce and packaged foods on the corner of Victoria Road and Queen Street since 1981.
"There are still a lot of Chinese students, but now more families too."
Under fluorescent lights and colourful paper lanterns, Ca-Hoa's shelves are stocked with large bags of rice, bamboo steamers and teapots, as well as the basic ingredients of Chinese cooking like soy and oyster sauce, rice vinegar, and dried chili peppers.
Ca-Hoa describes itself as "Halifax's Original Asian Grocery," but there are now at least a half-dozen in the port city.
The aging province desperately needs the newcomers. From 2011 to 2016, the number of people aged 15 to 64 dropped precipitously in Atlantic Canada, while the proportion of seniors increased sharply, Statistics Canada 2016 census data showed.
Nova Scotia is aggressively trying to tackle its population crunch by attracting skilled workers, and calls China a "key market" for both immigration and trade.
It appears to be paying off. In 2016, Nova Scotia opened its doors to 5,485 newcomers -- a 61 per cent increase over the year before and the single highest jump since the end of the Second World War, according to figures compiled by the province from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
China is the top source of international students to Nova Scotia, and the third biggest source of immigrants overall, according to the provincial government.
Most of those newcomers appear to be settling in the provincial capital. Halifax had a record population boom in 2016, with the city's per capita population growth outpacing Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa and, just barely, Toronto, according to Statistics Canada figures.
The figures appear to back up anecdotal evidence of a growing Chinese population, and a potential little Chinatown.
"It seems there is a bit of cluster there around Queen Street and at the bottom of Victoria Road around Inglis and Barrington," said Waye Mason, Halifax's deputy mayor and the local councillor for the area.
"There are a lot of international students from Southeast Asian countries and certainly Chinese students that seem less interested in Victorian flats, and the larger apartment buildings in that area seem to be more attractive to them."
Still, while Mason said he has noticed more businesses with Chinese signs and heard chatter about a growing population, he said he has no solid data to back up those casual observations.
Yet there are other signs that seem to support the notion that more Chinese natives are putting down roots in Halifax.
New companies catering to Chinese newcomers have popped up across Halifax, in addition to the cluster near downtown, while established businesses like real estate firms and car dealerships are hiring Mandarin speakers to better serve the burgeoning population.
Halifax Public Libraries said Chinese newcomers made up a third of the participants in its English conversation groups last fall, and circulation of Chinese language books is always high.
The EduNova Co-Operative, which runs various programs for international students, said the number of Chinese students looking to study and stay in Nova Scotia has increased. Chinese students now make up nearly half the 133 students participating in the organization's programs, a spokesman said.
Meanwhile, the city's English-Mandarin newspaper, Dakai Maritimes, has seen its circulation jump to 35,000, up from 5,000 when it was launched five years ago.
Meng Zhao, founder and editor-in-chief, started the paper after graduating from Mount Saint Vincent University to help bridge the gap between Chinese newcomers and locals.
"It can be isolating when you first arrive in a new community," she said. "It's starting to change now, but when I moved here the Chinese population was quite small and I wanted to connect them to each other and the larger community."
While working long hours on the newspaper -- which has since partnered with the Chronicle Herald, the province's biggest daily -- Zhao and her husband started a family and now have a one-year-old and a three-year-old.
"Being a parent is challenging on its own no matter what country you're in, but when you're away from your family and culture it can be hard," she said.
Zhao joined a WeChat group on social media for new Chinese moms living in Halifax, which she said now has close to 400 members.
They share advice and offer support online, and also meet up for play dates at local libraries and parks to talk about the experience of raising a family in Nova Scotia.
"I've been here long enough to integrate into the local culture and lifestyle, but for some who don't speak the language fluently or have support it's really difficult," Zhao said. "We help each other out."
Yao Chen moved to Halifax in 2008 to study at Saint Mary's University.
Many of his friends moved to Toronto upon graduating, but Chen stayed in Halifax and recently became a real estate agent with Viewpoint Realty.
While he said there are ways to encourage more Chinese graduates to settle here -- including improving immigrants' ability to bring their parents -- he said the city's real estate investment opportunities go a long way to making the city attractive to foreigners.
"The real estate market in Halifax hasn't been as appealing as other cities like Toronto or Vancouver," Chen said. "But that was before other governments introduced foreign buyer taxes."
Since then, Chen said Chinese newcomers are starting to recognize that properties in Halifax are more affordable and the quality of life better than in bigger cities.
"I think Chinese immigrants are starting to see that there are good opportunities here," agreed Ran Jin, another newcomer from China who recently moved from Shanghai and is now a sales consultant with Halifax's Land Rover dealership.
"It's a small city and the population still needs to grow, but there are more options here now for newcomers."
from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/2qoEsRM
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