Here! Magazine Winter 2015/16

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EXCERPTS FROM TH E WILD IN YOU BY LORNA CROZI ER & IAN MCALLISTER

a language & culture quar terly for newcomers to Canada

NEWCOMER IRENE OGBOMIDA

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THE INTERLOVE PROJECT

REMNANTS OF WAR

TRAILING SPOUSES

JANUARY 2016

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HIKING THE WET COAST

IN THIS ISSUE Volume 3‚ Issue 1

new 7 REMNANTS OF WAR

by Fiona Bramble

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Victoria welcomes Irene Ogbomida!

Irene arrived from Nigeria in 2014 and is finding a place for herself at Royal Roads University and in the greater community.

learn 20 Get yourself ready to hit the trail with word mentor and trail guide Ryan LeBlanc of The Natural Connec tion.

TRAILING SPOUSES

by Susan Johnston Taylor

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money 22 Leat Ahrony introduces credit score repor ts and tips for maintaining good financial health.

rent 23 Alex Creighton of Devon Proper ties shares the Top 3 Problems for landlords and tenants and how best to solve them.

read 24 COLIN BOYD SHAFER’S INSPIRING NEW PROJECT

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Governor General’s Award -winning poet Lorna Crozier and photographer Ian McAllister share their collec tion of poems and images from T he Wild in You.

home 26 Kedsanee Broome opens up about her feelings of loss‚ guilt‚ and doubt when a family member falls seriously ill back in her home countr y of Thailand.

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any of us came from somewhere else.

Some of us arrived 10 0 years ago; some of us 10 0 days ago.

Now we are here — working‚ living‚ and learning together. We may have arrived in different ways and may have come for different reasons; we may be going down different paths, but one thing is the same: here is home.

HERE! IS THERE: OUT AND ABOUT IN THE COMMUNITY w w w.heremagazine.ca Publisher | Functionall Books Editor | Fiona Bramble Copy Editor | Warren Layberry‚ Christy Sebelius Contributing Writers | Annie Wu‚ Erin Renwick‚ Leat Ahrony‚ Kedsanee Broome‚ Alex Creighton‚ Hyeyoung Jeon‚ Renée Layberry‚ Susan Johnston Taylor Illustrators and Designers | Josephine Aucoin‚ April Caverhill Design and Layout | Fiona Bramble Print and Production | Glenmore Printing Get Here! Magazine for your home or organization: subscribe@heremagazine.ca Advertise in Here! Magazine: ads@heremagazine.ca

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From top lef t‚ clock wise: Hari‚ new Canadian‚ with his Citizenship Cer tificate‚ at the Special Citizenship Ceremony at the Royal B.C . Museum‚ Oc tober 2015; Canadians - to - be taking the Oath of Citizenship at the Special Citizenship Ceremony at the Royal B.C . Museum‚ Oc tober 2015; the winner s’ circle at the British Columbia Multicultural Awards‚ November 25‚ 2015‚ at the F airmont Hotel Vancouver ( The Royal B.C . Museum won the award for “Multicultural E xcellence in Government ” ); Yi‚ Vivian‚ and Lixian‚ newcomer par ticipants at Here! Magazine’s communit y focus group event on Oc tober 10‚ 2015‚ hosted by the Greater Vic toria Public Librar y‚ co - sponsored by Thrif t y F oods; Here!

Magazine’s Hyeyoung Jeon is learning how to wear a hijab at the Masjid Al - Iman open house on November 29‚ 2015.

/heremagazine.ca

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Full subscription price for one year is $18.99 plus applicable taxes.

Letter from the editor “O u r e nvi a b le, i n clu s ive s o ci et y d i d n’ t h a p p e n by a cci d e nt a n d wo n’ t co nti n u e with o u t effo r t.” — Prime Minis ter J u s tin Tr u de au

Building your own belonging Each year‚ in a large room tucked away down a hallway at the Royal B.C. Museum‚ fifty new Canadians-to-be gather around tables with other community members and organizers to share their deeply personal experiences along the road to citizenship. Each time I have the honour of facilitating a table‚ I get goosebumps.

It’s not just the diversity represented that makes the magic in the room—my last table hosted immigrants from Croatia‚ England‚ Australia‚ India‚ and Mauritius (yes‚ I needed to look it up) and included engineers‚ homemakers‚ educators‚ and entrepreneurs—but also the common experience shared by our newest citizens: a sincere‚ dedicated effort to build their own belonging.

These new Canadians didn’ t expect or wait for their neighbours and community to make a place for them (although each person insisted Canadians were very welcoming!). They did the hard work of integration by reaching out.

H ere! M a gazine i s now a not - for - profit or ganiza tion‚ and we ho s ted our fir s t foc u s group in la te 2 015 . We were luck y enou gh to have our own special group of newcomer s join u s and share some of t heir idea s for a bet ter H ere! M a gazine.

H opefully‚ you’ll notice some of t he po sitive chan ge s in spired by t hi s foc u s group.

Remember‚ we always welcome your feedback too‚ so plea se reach ou t to u s!

They joined play groups and sports teams and sought out activities and hobbies similar to those they did in their home countries; they got involved; they volunteered. Almost every participant agreed that volunteering had helped them create a strong sense of connection to their community.

As I write this‚ CBC Radio is hosting a discussion about refugee support and‚ in particular‚ how listeners feel about settling refugees from Syria here in British Columbia in the upcoming months. This is a remarkable time for Canada‚ and it seems‚ for the most part‚ that Canadians are mobilizing in every way they can to help welcome and support these displaced individuals and families. This gives me goosebumps too. I hope together we can help them begin the process of building their own belonging in their new home.

This late-winter issue is about love‚ loss‚ finding‚ and belonging—and that sometimes your heart finds a home in an unexpected place. I won’ t give it all away here but will let you discover the magic for yourself. Best wishes for 2016 from the Here! team.

Fiona Bramble, Editor Second-generation Irish-Scottish Canadian

OUR MU LTICU LTUR AL COMM UNIT Y V ic toria ha s a v ib rant and grow ing multic ultural communit y! T he s e org aniza tion s ce leb ra te c ulture and di ver sit y w ith annu al event s like the D ra g on Para d e‚ Flam enco F e s ti val‚ G re ek fe s t ‚ F e s ti val M ex ican o‚ India M e la‚ Loy K ra tong ‚ A friC a F e s t ‚ and the Highland G am e s and C e ltic F e s ti val. T hey al s o of fer s up p or t an d s er v ice s to their m emb er s and newcom er s ‚ inclu ding langu a g e s up p or t ‚ he alth and we lln e s s a c ti v itie s ‚ net work ing op p or tunitie s ‚ and work- re la te d sk ill d eve lop m ent .

V i c to r i a an d Van co u ve r I s l an d G r e e k C o mmuni t y S o ci e t y

H un g ar i an S o ci e t y of V i c to r i a

V ic tor ia Canada- China Fr iendship A s so ciation Fa c e b o o k : V i c t o r i a C a n a d a - C h i n a

Chin e s e C o n s o li d a t e d B e n evo l e n t A s s o ci a t io n 6 3 6 Fi s g a r d S t.‚ V i c t o r i a ‚ B .C .

W hi t e Ea gl e Po lis h A s s o ci a t io n

V i c to r i a N a t i ve Fr i e n d s hip C e n t r e

4 6 4 8 E l k L a k e D r. ‚ V i c t o r i a ‚ B .C .

Fr i e n d s h i p A s s o c i a t i o n

476 B a y S t.‚ V i c t o r i a ‚ B .C .

250 -388 -50 04

9 0 D o c k S t. ‚ V i c t o r i a ‚ B .C .

231 R e g i n a A v e . ‚ V i c t o r i a ‚ B .C .

2 5 0 - 3 8 4 - 3 211

U k r aini an C an a di an Cul t ur al S o ci e t y of Van co u ve r I s l an d

V ic tor ia Filipino - Canadian S enior s A s so ciation B a y a n i h a n C o m m u n i t y C e n t r e

V i c to r i a H i ghl an d G am e s A s s o ci a t io n

L a S o ci é t é f r an co p h o n e d e V i c to r i a

3 27 7 D o u g l a s S t. ‚ V i c t o r i a ‚ B .C .

5 5 5 L a m p s o n S t. ‚ V i c t o r i a ‚ B .C .

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170 9 B l a n s h a r d S t.‚ V i c t o r i a ‚ B .C .

2 0 0 - 5 3 5 Ya t e s S t.‚ V i c t o r i a ‚ B .C .

2 5 0 - 3 8 8 -73 5 0

V i c to r i an Cr o a t i an C o mmuni t y

4 0 81 G o r d o n H e a d R d .‚ V i c t o r i a ‚ B .C .

Vic toria Korean- Canadian Women’s A ssociation We b: v kc w a.w o r d p r e s s .c o m

L e o n ar d o D a V in ci C e n t r e

I n di a C an a d a Cul t ur al A s s o ci a t io n

V i c to r i a Filip in o - C an a di an A s s o ci a t io n

Fa c e b o o k : I n d i a C a n a d a C u l t u r a l A s s o c i a t i o n

Bayanihan Communit y Centre 170 9 B l a n s h a r d S t.‚ V i c t o r i a ‚ B .C .

Victoria Filipino-Canadian Caregivers Association B a y a n i h a n C o m m u n i t y C e n t r e

J e w is h Fe d e r a t io n of V i c to r i a an d Van co u ve r I s l an d 3 6 3 6 S h e l b o u r n e S t.‚

170 9 B l a n s h a r d S t. ‚ V i c t o r i a ‚ B .C .

V i c to r i a A f r i c an C ar ib b e an Cul t ur al S o ci e t y We b: v a c c s o c i e t y.c o m

Van co u ve r I s l an d T h ai A s s o ci a t io n

Fa c e b o o k : Va n c o u v e r I s l a n d T h a i A s s o c i a t i o n

195 B a y S t.‚ V i c t o r i a ‚ B .C .

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V i c to r i a N ik ke i Cul t ur al S o ci e t y Fa c e b o o k : v n c a.c a

M e x i c an C an a di an C o mmuni t y A s s o ci a t io n of V i c to r i a We b: v i c t o r i a m e x i c a n c a n a d i a n .o r g

V I C TO R I A I M M I G R A N T & REFUGEE CENTRE SOCIET Y 9 3 0 B a l m o r a l R d .‚ V i c t o r i a ‚ B .C. 2 5 0 - 3 8 8 - 47 2 8

6 37 B ay S t ., 3 r d F l o o r, V i c t o r i a ‚ B .C. 2 5 0 - 3 61- 9 4 3 3

P l e a s e co n t a c t u s a t co m m u n i t y @ h e re m a g a z in e.ca i f yo u n e e d t o u p d a t e yo u r o r g a n iza t i o n’s in fo r m a t i o n o r i f yo u w o u l d li ke t o hi g h li g h t yo u r o r g an iza t i o n o r e ve n t in H e re ! M a g a z in e.

Victoria welcomes Sitting down with Fiona Bramble on a November afternoon in the Juan De Fuca Library in Colwood‚ Irene shares her enthusiasm for her new life in Canada.

IRENE OGBOMIDA HOMETOWN Benin City, Nigeria LANGUAGES English, Enwan, Yoruba, Benin

Irene‚ what is your background? I have a undergraduate degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from the University of Benin‚ Benin City‚ Nigeria. Now I am a student at Royal Roads University in their Conflict Analysis and Management Masters program. Diplomacy has a connection with conflict because you have to negotiate and bargain on a diplomatic basis.

Tell me about your family. I am the first-born in my family. I also have two brothers and a sister. One of my brothers is studying at the University of Winnipeg—he travelled there alone from Nigeria at the age of seventeen! My other brother lives in Singapore‚ and my younger sister is still in school in Nigeria‚ but I hope she will come here one day. My mother and father are both still in Nigeria.

What do you miss most from home? The food! And my family of course. In Canada‚ I don’t really see the family culture. Back in Africa‚ you’re all connected. In Is Irene your birth name? Yes! But actually‚ normally‚ Africa‚ a community is family. For example‚ in the African tradition‚ when a first you are from Langford‚ and everyone living child is born‚ a lot of people come in Langford would be your brother‚ or MY DAD GAVE and give names. So‚ your grandma‚ ME MY NAME—HE someone from Goldstream would be family your parents‚ everybody just gives WAS SCHOOLED IN with anyone else from Goldstream. That names‚ and because we have such FRANCE‚ AND HIS sense of community doesn’t happen in big families you can have‚ like‚ twenty BEST FRIEND IN Canada‚ so I really miss that‚ that feeling names! My dad gave me my name— FRANCE WAS NAMED of extended family. In Canada‚ family he was schooled in France‚ and his IRENE. IT MEANS usually just means husband‚ wife‚ and kids. best friend in France was named ‘PEACE’.

Irene. It means ‘peace’.

“

What has your experience in Canada been like so far? You know‚ some people say they face things like segregation‚ but my experience has been awesome.

I just feel so free here. I have a bunch of good classmates‚ and I feel like I’m really integrated into the system—even my friends say I’ve integrated so fast. My best friend from Nigeria who has also lived here said‚ “Irene‚ do you know that you are just so integrated into this culture. You’re going to the lake!

When did you start going to the lake? Did you even go to the lake back in Africa?”

welcome to the community

Is there anything you find strange or funny about Canadian culture? Well‚ what I personally consider funny is the style of dressing—there are so many different styles of dressing here! But the strangest thing is when you go on a date here‚ you each pay your own bill. That does not happen‚ would never happen‚ in Nigeria. The African man is going to foot all of your bills! But here! I can’t believe it. I told my friends here that this “sharing the bill” culture must be changed!

Read Irene’s full interview at www.heremagazine.ca heremagazine.ca

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a documentary series fr

COLIN BOYD SHAFER

AWARD-WINNING CANADIAN DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER AND CREATOR OF COSMOPOLIS TORONTO COLIN BOYD SHAFER BRINGS US HIS LATEST PROJECT

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heremagazine.ca

people with differing beliefs come together in love

“Sitting across from each other over dinner‚ it felt like we had known each other for ages. We have been together ever since.”

Lauren grew up in Waterloo‚ Ontario. Her parents moved to Canada from South Africa and chose a city where they could integrate with the local culture.

Her family upholds the traditions of Judaism‚ and she identifies as a cultural Jew. For Lauren‚ the beauty and meaning of the Jewish holiday traditions are what she primarily identifies with.

s from

They have been fortunate to have the support and love from both sides of their family and from friends. “Considering the divisive state of mainstream social politics between Jews and Muslims‚ some are surprised that we do not embody those same THEIR STORY political divisions and that our Almost a decade ago‚ Lauren relationship has not faced any and Jameel met while playing on unique challenges that other the same ultimate frisbee team. married couples do not also They were‚ at that encounter.” As time‚ both dating they now live in people and had a one bedroom CONSIDERING THE not really paid apartment‚ their DIVISIVE STATE OF much attention daily struggles MAINSTREAM SOCIAL to each other. include such issues POLITICS BETWEEN Over the years‚ as who takes JEWS AND MUSLIMS‚ they would run up more time in SOME ARE SURPRISED into each other at the bathroom THAT WE DO NOT social events. It and whose turn EMBODY THOSE SAME was not until 2010‚ POLITICAL DIVISIONS... it is to wash the when Jameel was dishes (Lauren on his way to live contends that in Kyrgyzstan and Lauren was off it is Jameel on both counts). to volunteer in Africa‚ that they “While we do acknowledge that really connected. there are differences between us‚ there are far more relevant They kept in touch through commonalities that provide a group emails that described their strong foundation upon which we respective travels and overseas base our relationship.” adventures. Over time‚ the group emails evolved into personal They are often greeted with messages and then Skype surprise and curiosity when calls. Being able to share the people discover that they are a challenges of living in different Jewish–Muslim couple. “It is not cultures helped them experience lost on us how unique our union is.” a special type of bonding.

Returning to Toronto after To read Jameel and Lauren’s full s tor y both spending almost a year and to discover how they brought to gether elements of Indian‚ Ismaili‚ overseas‚ they went on their first and Jewish cus toms in their wedding official date. Jameel remembers‚ ceremony‚ visit w w w.interloveprojec t.com

“

Ja me el + La ure n Jameel was born in Toronto to South Asian parents who had immigrated to Canada from Tanzania in the mid-1970s.

He was raised in a traditional Ismaili household where his family regularly attended religious services. Jameel identifies as an Ismaili Muslim and acknowledges that his loving and supportive home life provided the foundation for him to become the man he is today.

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“

When it come s to the Israeli-Pale stinian situation, we ’ve had some heated debate s.

I think most of our arguments come from our different starting points: that not nece ssarily logical place where you assume your people are the only one s coming from a good place .

CatholicAtheistHumanistBuddhistSikhIs Pre s b y t e r i a n S u f i B a p t i s t A n g l i c a n P r o t e An g l i c a n H i n d u J e w i s h C a t h o l i c P r e s b y t e r HinduSunniWiccanPresbyterianCatho ProtestantAnglicanHinduPresby terian MuslimAnglicanHinduJewishCatholicP HinduSunniWiccanPresbyterianCathol AnglicanHinduPresbyterianSufiBaptist MuslimBuddhistSikhIsmailiProtestant Jewi s hCathol icPres by teria nAthei s tHuma n 10 To r e a d J a m e e l a n d L a u r e n ’s f u l l s t o r y and to discover how they brought t o g e t h e r e l e m e n t s o f I n d i a n ‚ I s m a i l i‚ and Jewish customs in their wedding c e r e m o n y‚ g o t o i n t e r l o v e p r o j e c t .c o m

heremagazine.ca

F r o m t o p l e f t ‚ c l o c k w i s e : E m a n + J e s s ‚ E l v a n + A l l e n‚ J a m e s + M e l i n d a ‚ A v i s h ka + S e a n‚ A a r o n + B r i t Re a d a b o u t e a c h u n i q u e u n i o n a t i n t e r l o v e p r o j e c t . c o m .

Interfaith love like ours is not without its challenge s, but with a strong core to the relationship, all the se challenge s can be overcome .

“

Is mailiProtestantAnglicanHinduBahá'í estantMuslimHinduSunniBaptistMuslim erianAtheistHumanistProtestantAnglica olicHumanistProtestantMuslimAtheist nSufiBaptistAnglicanHinduSunniBapti Presby terianAtheistHumanistProtestan olicAtheistHumanistProtestantAnglica stAnglicanProtestantMuslimSunniBapti ntAnglicanHinduBahá'íAnglicanHind a n i s tProtes ta ntAng l ica nH i nd u S u nn iWicca n I N T E R LOV E w i l l b e e x h i b i t e d a t t h e M i l e s N a d a l J e w i s h C o m m u n i t y C e n t r e i n To r o n t o f o r t h e S c o t i a b a n k C O N TAC T p h o t o g r a p h y f e s t i v a l i n M a y 2 016 . heremagazine.ca

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B E R L I N WA L L ‚ E A S T S I D E G A L L E R Y. B I G S T O C K P H O T O.C O M

remnants of war “ Remnants

of war” is a term most often used to describe the physical and psychological legacy of war. The international community refers to landmines, unexploded shells, grenades, and bombs as “ ERW”: explosive remnants of war.

by Fiona Bramble

THE SUITCASE had been carefully tucked away on a basement shelf‚ several long strings deliberately draped across it to detect disturbance or unwelcome curiosity.

Ann’s father had hidden the old case there several years earlier after Ann had stumbled across it cleaning out the basement. “Dad!” Ann had said then‚ “Here’s your old suitcase.” Ann knew that her father had arrived in Canada after World War II with only a few possessions in a single suitcase. For Ann‚ here was a chance to peek into her father’s past and possibly glimpse photographs of his family left long behind in Europe‚ her people too —family she had never met. Her father‚ Peter‚ had wrenched it from her hands with little explanation and a sudden‚ raging anger: “Mind your own business!”

Peter disappeared with the suitcase and‚ not wanting to upset her father further‚ however strange his reaction‚ Ann put it out of her mind.

Ann Thomson was born and raised in Victoria‚ B.C. Along with her younger sister‚ she grew up in a time seen through a post-war filter. According to Ann‚ World War ll was a daily point of reference: “ the neighbour’s tree was planted before ‘ the war’; I had this job during ‘ the war.’” Everyone had been touched by the war‚ and almost everyone honoured

an unspoken code to not ask veterans questions about wartime experiences.

This was particularly true at the Edelweiss Club‚ where Ann and her family spent much of their spare time. A social club still located in Victoria‚ the Edelweiss Club is a gathering place for all German Canadians including‚ in Ann’s time‚ veterans tainted by the Nazi regime. To have TO HAVE ASKED THESE MEN asked these men QUESTIONS ABOUT questions about THE WAR WOULD the war‚ in Ann’s HAVE BEEN BAD words‚ “would MANNERS‚ RUDE‚ have been bad AND HURTFUL. manners‚ rude‚ and hurtful.”

“Even now‚” says Ann‚ “ the older ones will not talk about the war.” Ann also says‚ “ this [unspoken code] is what saved my dad’s bacon.”

“

Ann remembers this time at the Edelweiss Club as one of dances and Oktoberfests‚ where she heard “Dad speak German— often.” Even though they hadn’ t met or learned anything about their extended German family in Europe‚ Ann and her sister culturally identified as German. As children‚ the two sisters would often choose Germany as the focus for school projects‚ colouring in many a flag with stripes of black‚ red‚ and gold. heremagazine.ca

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WHAT WAS INSIDE ANN’S FATHER’S OLD SUITCASE WOULD CHANGE EVERYTHING ANN HAD EVER KNOWN ABOUT HER OWN LIFE‚ HER FAMILY‚ AND HER CULTURAL IDENTITY.

When Ann’s mother died in 1988‚ Ann and her husband Steve moved in with her father into the old family home. Shortly afterwards‚ the personal computer age dawned‚ and the family found themselves gathered around a bulky machine‚ wondering what they could do with this wonderful new technology. Ann saw it as an opportunity to search for long lost German relatives in Europe. Ann’s father‚ who Ann says “was fascinated by any technology”‚ agreed and asked Steve to look for the woman Ann’s father said was his sister: Anna Maria Strube. The pre-Google internet of the time‚ not surprisingly‚ returned nothing on the search.

Who and where Anna was remained a mystery for many more years.

Ann’s family suffered another loss in 1991‚ when Ann’s sister died suddenly and tragically.

Then‚ in 2004‚ the reserved‚ hard-working patriarch of the family‚ Peter‚ suffered a stroke.

Andy‚ an old friend of Peter’s Ann and Steve had never met‚ came to see him in the hospital‚ along with Peter’s former doctor‚ Hans. During the visit‚ Andy unexpectedly proclaimed Peter to be a “good Bulgarian man”‚ just like him.

Ann thought at the time that Andy was a little confused because‚ of course‚ her father was German‚ not Bulgarian. Two weeks later‚ Ann’s tough‚ seemingly invincible father died.

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in German and some in Cyrillic.” And there were photos‚ “hundreds of them”‚ including a black and white photograph of a baby in a carriage‚ on the back of which was written “Maria Zlata‚ 4 months” and another photograph of a small boy in a field‚ on which was written “Dear Uncle‚ look how big I am.” There was also a passport and a christening certificate.

Ann says she “had no idea what [they] were looking at” and called Hans and Andy to come over‚ hoping they could help translate some of the documents. The christening certificate was Peter’s and was written in Cyrillic script. The passport‚ also Peter’s‚ was Bulgarian. Confused‚ Ann asked Andy and Hans why her father would have a Bulgarian passport. Andy and Hans replied with the obvious: “Because he was Bulgarian.” Ann‚ in shock‚ told the two men that she had been raised her “whole life” to believe both her father and her cultural heritage were German. Ann’s next words were: “Where the hell is Bulgaria?”

It was Steve who remembered the suitcase.

And what was inside Ann’s father’s old suitcase would change everything Ann had ever known about her own life‚ her family‚ and her cultural identity.

Ann remembers the following two years as time spent “looking at a big jigsaw puzzle with ten thousand pieces‚ and every once in a while‚ a piece would just move into place and click in.” Ann and WHEN I LOOK her family started to BACK NOW‚ THERE ask themselves how WERE CRACKS they could not have EVERYWHERE. known. Ann admits: “When I look back now‚ there were cracks everywhere.”

Ann recalls that when she and Steve opened the case‚ inside “were all kinds of papers: military papers and newspapers‚ some of them

Uncovering Peter’s secret past was complicated by distance and the passage of time but also by Bulgaria’s communist legacy.

heremagazine.ca

“

Ann’s early searches and eventually even inquiries from the U.S. Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) bumped up against a suspicious and secretive bureaucracy.

The break came when Hans connected Ann and Steve with a Bulgarian couple visiting Canada.

The couple agreed to help Ann in her search. Ann gave them copies of her father’s Bulgarian passport‚ his christening certificate‚ and some photographs‚ including those of the baby and the boy in the field. It was this photo of the boy that eventually and miraculously led the Bulgarian couple to Ann’s long lost Bulgarian cousin‚ Mitko‚ now sixty and living in Svilengrad‚ Bulgaria. Ann was told that there “were many tears” when Mitko was told about his cousin.

When shown‚ Mitko recognized the picture of the baby as his uncle Peter’s daughter. However‚ as the conversation continued and dates and locations were compared‚ it became clear to Mitko and the Bulgarian couple that they were talking about different baby girls.

Mitko explained that his uncle Peter had married Anna Maria Strube in Germany and they had had a daughter: Maria Zlata. Ann had not only found her Bulgarian family but had just discovered her father had had a first family in Germany. Ann had a half-sister somewhere and‚

hopefully‚ alive.

Over the following six years‚ Ann travelled to Bulgaria and found herself instantly at home in a culture she had never known and with people that “looked like [her]”— and her father. But Ann never gave up searching for her half-sister. Then‚ by chance‚ she saw an article about the Canadian Red Cross’ “Restoring Family Links” program in a local paper and immediately made an appointment at their Victoria offices.

The Restoring Family Links (RFL) program is coordinated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and involves a grassroots network of staff and volunteers working across international borders. Familylinks.icrc. org describes The Family Links Network as one that “helps people look for family members when they have lost contact due to armed conflict or other situations of violence‚ natural or manmade disasters‚ or migration as well as in other situations of humanitarian need.”

Monika Hall-Kowalewski‚ from Victoria’s Red Cross office‚ admits that Ann’s request was unique‚ particularly as so much time had passed since the family members had lost contact. Nonetheless‚ Ann’s situation met the program criteria and the Red Cross team agreed to help her. Ann was warned that there were no guarantees of success and that only a single letter would be sent. heremagazine.ca

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Ann wasted no time in contacting Slatka. Slatka was a single mother with no other family and was joyfully overwhelmed by the idea of a sister. Once reunited‚ Ann and Slatka began to piece together their father’s story‚ as challenging as that was with so many details clouded by war.

Slatka’s mother‚ Anna‚ a German‚ and Peter had been recruited as war-time spies against the Nazis.

During that time‚ they married and had Slatka.

After the war‚ Peter was imprisoned in Buchenwald‚ a notorious Nazi concentration camp that‚ for several

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years after the end of the war‚ was operated by the Soviet secret police.

It is also known as Soviet Special Camp No. 2. The camp was dissolved shortly after the establishment‚ in late 1949‚ of the communist German Democratic Republic (GDR)‚ once known as East Germany. In 1951‚ Peter Kalojanoff‚ soon to be Kalonoff‚ arrived in Canada with a single suitcase.

each other in their respective countries. Together‚ they have also travelled to Bulgaria‚ so Slatka could finally meet her father’s side of the family.

P H O TO C R E D I T: A N N T H O M S O N

Ann knows that the work of the Red Cross is painstaking‚ thorough‚ and often dangerous‚ but she just calls it “magic.” When the Red Cross letter did arrive at Ann’s half-sister’s apartment in Bergkamen‚ Germany‚ many months later‚ it was mistaken for junk mail and almost thrown out. But Slatka— her name spelled slightly differently than Ann had thought—had second thoughts and opened the letter after all. Three months later‚ the Red Cross called Ann and gave her the news she had dared hope for: “we have some information for you.”

Slatka (lef t) and Ann (right) in Germany.

After being betrayed to the Communists by a neighbour‚ Slatka’s mother was imprisoned for eleven years in a women-only internment camp. Slatka was raised by an aunt in the GDR. By the time Anna was released‚ Slatka was married and a mother herself; her own mother was a stranger. Anna moved to West Germany and they never saw each other again. Slatka’s husband died early in their marriage‚ and her son passed away last year.

Ann and Slatka have now each travelled twice to visit

It took Ann seven years after her father died to find Slatka‚ and Ann says‚ “there were so many miracles behind each step.” When asked how she feels about her father after her discoveries‚ Ann is emotional: “I always knew my father was an unselfish man‚ but I didn’t realize how much he gave up to put us first. He saved his family in Bulgaria and protected his wife and child by losing his own identity. The Communists would have killed his family if he had revealed them. He could never talk about his childhood‚ his early life. He could never talk about his own heritage or share his heritage with us. I am in awe of all he gave up.”

From the remnants of her father’s war‚ Ann salvaged something precious: the gift of family and culture.

Read excerpts from Ann’s fir s t let ter to Slatka at w w w.heremagazine.ca

Information ab ou t the Re s torin g F amily Links pro gram and other Re d Cro s s ser vice s can b e found by contac tin g the C anadian Re d Cro s s: 9 0 9 F air field Rd. Phone:(25 0) 382-204 3 or by visitin g: w w w.re dcro s s .ca/how - we - help/findin g family - re s torin g - family - links

trailing spouses

“ Trailing

spouse” refers to a person who follows his or her spouse to a new city or country for a work assignment; the term is believed to have been coined by the Wall Street Journal ’s Mary Bralove in 1981.

by Susan Johnston Taylor

HYEYOUNG JEON moved to Victoria‚ B.C.‚ in 2010‚ ten days after marrying a fellow South Korean who’d moved to Canada several years prior‚ initally to improve his English but later to complete a degree and pursue work as a software consultant. Jeon had worked as a hospital social worker in Korea‚ but she wasn’t allowed to work—or even take ESL classes—when she first arrived in Canada on a visitor visa. “I felt like I’d lost my identity‚” she says.

Feelings of isolation or disconnectedness are not uncommon in newcomers relocating with a spouse—or like Jeon‚ moving to live with a spouse. One spouse may have built-in social and professional connections through work or family‚ but the accompanying partner often lacks those connections and may feel like a fish out of water. And sometimes‚ that accompanying partner may need to wait for a work permit and new certifications or licensing before working in their chosen fiel d. heremagazine.ca

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Even though she says she’s not naturally Mayfair Mall. She’s made friends through work outgoing‚ Jeon found her sense of purpose (but the downside‚ she admits‚ is that her friends through volunteering with kids through the James from the store are often working when she has Bay Community Project’s welcome playgroup for time off). As word of Stewart’s Scottish roots immigrants and refugees with small children. “I spread‚ others from Scotland would come talk am grateful to be a small part of this playgroup to her at the store. Stewart now works in the for newcomers with young children as this group Bay Centre at Migration‚ a retail hub for local provides supportive and welcoming environment designers. In Stewart’s words: “I love it! Being a for them to connect with community‚” she textile designer myself‚ it has really inspired me says. “Volunteering helped me get a sense working here to get back to designing myself.” of belonging‚ a feeling like I can contribute something to the community. I If you don’t find work right away had no job to do and tons of or can’t work due to visa issues‚ free time‚ but ever since I started consider volunteering as Jeon has I FELT LIKE I WAS volunteer work‚ it’s something I done or joining an athletic group FIVE OR SIX YEARS can do for the community. I’ve met like Franck Germain did. (And these OLD AGAIN. PEOPLE WERE NICE TO lots of great people.” avenues could help broaden your ME‚ BUT IT WAS social circle even if you do find work‚ HARD TO DEVELOP Jeon’s supervisor‚ Kaye‚ moved of course.) After meeting his wife FRIENDSHIPS. to Victoria from England and Laura in Burgundy‚ France‚ Germain experienced many of the same moved from France to Canada challenges as an immigrant‚ so the two hit it twenty-five years ago. “I felt like I was five or off. Jeon also volunteers with the organization’s six years old again‚” he says of his arrival in toddler time drop-in‚ and she learned English Canada. “People were nice to me‚ but it was and found work as an on-call receptionist for hard to develop friendships.” the nonprofit where she volunteers. She’s now a registered social worker in Canada and is Germain and his family moved back and forth looking for a full-time job. between Canada and France‚ and by 2008‚ he knew he needed to build his own network of Here‚ Jeon and two other accompanying friends. While buying running shoes‚ he asked partners share their tips for settling in: about local trail running groups‚ which led him to the group he now runs with three times a week.

GET INVOLVED. Joining a club‚ finding a job‚ “You can enjoy running anywhere in the world‚” or volunteering are great ways to start meeting he says. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from. It’s new people‚ even if it’s uncomfortable at first. easy to relate to people with a shared interest.

While living in Scotland‚ Nicola Stewart had The rest falls into place.” He cautions that other previously worked at a Swarovski jewelry store‚ accompanying spouses shouldn’t rely on their so when she moved from Scotland to Victoria partners’ friends or family for social contact. “It with her fiancé‚ Martin‚ in May of 2014‚ she doesn’t give you space to express yourself‚” he quickly landed a job at the Swarovski store in says. “You need your own space.”

“

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WHETHER YOU SPEAK THE LANGUAGE OR NOT‚ CERTAIN THINGS MAY STILL FEEL FOREIGN. STEWART’S CO -WORKERS SMILE WHEN SHE SAYS “RUBBISH” INSTEAD OF “GARBAGE”.

LOOK FOR THE UPSIDE. Change often brings positive and negative results‚ but for the sake of your happiness and your partner’s‚ try to focus on the positives. For many newcomers to Victoria‚ the beautiful British Columbia weather tops the list of positives. Jeon and her husband spend time during the summer camping and hiking around the island. “When I was in Korea‚

I worked in a hospital all day‚ so I didn’t have any personal time to enjoy camping and hiking‚” she says. “The weather is really nice.

South Korea can be hot!” Jeon also cites her volunteer opportunities and volunteer training as positive aspects of her new life in Canada.

Stewart and her fiancé now have a Jack Russell terrier mix they named Archie‚ and the pair spends many of their weekends exploring the outdoors with Archie. “Make the most of it in the summertime‚” she says.

BE PATIENT. Whether you speak the language or not‚ certain things may still feel foreign.

Stewart’s coworkers smile when she says rubbish instead of garbage or shopping centre instead of mall. It may take longer than you’d like to get a permanent residency card or find a family doctor‚ so practice patience and don’t expect to feel like a local right away. “Everything takes time to get familiar with the system‚” Jeon says.

Give it time‚ and things will often start to fall into place. “[Moving to Canada] was tough at first‚” Germain admits‚ “but I have no regrets.” heremagazine.ca

n ex t sec t i o n : L A N G U A G E, L EA R N I N G, A N D L I V I N G

AVOID COMPARISONS TO YOUR HOMELAND. It’s easy to fixate on the differences between your new country and your old one. “When I first moved I’d make comparisons‚” Germain says. In France‚ Germain and his family enjoyed lively debates and two-hour lunches‚ complete with fresh French bread. But Germain found that Canadians tend not to debate as much and don’t savour their meals the way the French do. “I’ve learned not to make comparisons‚” he says. “There are good and bad things on both sides.” (Fortunately‚ Germain says‚ Victorians now have access to better bread makers than when he first arrived.) When the couple moved with their kids from France back to Canada‚ one of the children missed those long‚ relaxing meals‚ but Germain says they made a smooth transition overall.

(Lef t) Frank Germain and wife Laura. Photo provided by Franck Germain. (Centre) Nicola Stewar t, fiancé Mar tin, and Archie, the dog. Photo provided by Nicola Stewar t.

(Right) Hyeyoung Jeon and husband Bongcher hiking a local trail. Photo provided by Hyeyoung Jeon.

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HIKING IS A YEAR-LONG ACTIVITY ON VANCOUVER ISLAND. OUR TRAIL GUIDE RYAN SHOWS US WHAT’S IN HIS BACKPACK AND WHAT WE NEED TO HAVE FUN WHILE STAYING WARM‚ DRY‚ AND SAFE:

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1 Write the number in the box next to the matching word that describes Ryan’s hiking gear:

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a headlamp a walking stick a sit-upon a toque a bear bell a GPS unit

What is the purpose of each item? Do you think these items are necessary?

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Tr u e o r fa l s e? a. The “ trailhead” is both the start and the end of the trail.

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b. A “silencer sock” is a very soft type of hiking sock.

T F c. “Standing water” is creek water that is safe to drink.

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d. If a piece of clothing “wicks”‚ it is not good to wear hiking.

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F

3 A “ toque” is a classic Canadian fashion item.

What are three words that rhyme with “ toque”?

H i n t : a p l a c e o n Va n c o u v e r I s l a n d w i t h a g o o d b e g i n n e r ’s t r a i l !

4 Ryan carries information about the things you might see along a trail‚ like bugs‚ birds‚ trees‚ and mushrooms. An exper t who studies bugs is called an “entomologist”. What are the other exper ts called?

A n s w e r s o n p a g e 27

RYAN’S TIPS FOR SHARING THE TRAIL STAY TO THE RIGHT OF THE PATH WARN PEOPLE IF YOU ARE COMING UP BEHIND THEM DON’T MAKE YOUR OWN TRAIL PACK OUT EVERY THING YOU PACK IN

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What is the appeal behind spending hours on end...walking? Why do I enjoy taking a route I’ve never tried? Why does time alone in nature centre me‚ but time alone at home can make me lonely? Why do I hike?

It’s simple‚ really: it just feels good. Not having my cellphone distracting me by buzzing with (mostly) pointless updates feels good. Fresh air in my lungs and sunshine on my shoulders feels good. Getting my heart working and endorphins rushing as I push myself up a steep hill feels good. Rain on my skin‚ wind in my hair‚ spiderwebs in my face...well‚ most of it is great!

There’s a chance I’m addicted to nature‚ but I won’t be looking for a cure anytime soon.

COAST

—RYAN LEBLANC Trail Guide‚ Owner/ Operator of THE NATURAL CONNECTION

BRITISH COLUMBIA’S WEST COAST IS MAINLY PACIFIC TEMPERATE RAINFOREST. LOCALS SOMETIMES REFER TO IT AS “THE WET COAST”!

HIKING WITH RYAN ESSENTIAL GEAR? Water‚ a waterproof jacket‚ gloves‚ a headlamp‚ a watch.

My GPS unit.

GOOD TRAILS FOR BEGINNERS? Francis/King Regional Park‚ Thetis Lake‚ Witty’s Lagoon‚ Alyard Farm Trail at East Sooke Park. Francis/King is also wheelchair accessible.

NEWBIE MISTAKES? Not preparing adequately (especially when it comes to water), clothing and shoes‚ and timing. If you’ve never done the trail before‚ you don’t know what to expect‚ so prepare for anything!

Scan the QR code with your phone or tablet and watch Ryan's video exploring another of his favourite trails at the stunning Sooke Potholes.

WHAT’S NEXT? Helping more people connect with our natural world and the amazing walks and hikes on Vancouver Island! www.thenaturalconnectionvictoria.com heremagazine.ca

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For extra tips: http://www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca/eng/resources/publications/creditloans/pages/ understa-comprend-1.aspx

moneY

Cred it a n d cred it scores

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Writer Leat Ahrony was raised in Taiwan and received a North American and international education. She has a Bachelor of Commerce in Sustainable Business and Community Engagement from UVic’s Business program.

A credit score represents ‘a moment in time and can change based on your behaviour’.

June 10, 2013, The Globe and Mail

For many international visitors and immigrants‚ and young Canadians‚ a “credit score” is a foreign topic and one we often prefer to deal with later. However‚ the simple approach to getting a good credit score is to be on top of your finances. Think long-term.

This is the second ingredient in financial health. Do you see yourself owning a home or car‚ having a family‚ or travelling around the world in the nex t ten to twenty years?

The decisions you make today will affect those of tomorrow. It is difficult to keep on top of our finances sometimes‚ especially if you are dealing with cultural adjustments‚ trying to find friends‚ or looking for a new job‚ but don’ t let your credit slip away‚ because it will come back to bite you later. In North America‚ most people have some sort of line of credit‚ and unfortunately‚ there is a rising trend of credit debt in Canada‚ so don’ t fall into this trap.

In Canada‚ you can request a free report through Equifax (but to get your actual score‚ you must pay a fee). Equifax’s database consists of about 24 million Canadians‚ and they track all kinds of debt‚ including lines of credit‚ bank loans‚ credit cards‚ car loans‚ mobile phone bills‚ and mortgages. This is a sample credit score report and some Canadian statistics. www.equifax.ca

The #1 thing to remember: CREDIT = DEBT You are essentially borrowing money‚ so make sure you are aware of what you are spending. If you have multiple lines of debt‚ pay off the highest interest loans first.

WHAT IS A CREDIT SCORE?

WHY IS A GOOD CREDIT SCORE IMPORTANT?

heremagazine.ca

A credit score is a numerical assessment of how “credit-worthy" a person is and indicates how responsible (or not) you have been with money and debt in your past. For example‚ if you are always late on your credit card payments‚ or always max-out your limits—to “max-out” means to use all the credit available to you— then you will most likely have a poor credit score. If you always pay your bills on time and don’t have any debts‚ then you will have a better credit score rating.

A good credit score is not just important for major purchases‚ like when you buy a car or a house; a good credit score might get you better interest rates or give you a better chance of the bank being willing to give you a mortgage. A good score is important even when renting an apartment or signing up for a cell phone plan. Banks and credit unions will also check your credit score when you open a bank account; a good credit score can give you benefits‚ like more flexibility with newly deposited funds.

To p 3 p rob le m s for la n d lord s a n d ten a nts The age-old issue of conflicting lifestyles in multiunit housing never goes away. Simple things, like differing schedules—the early bird vs. the night owl—can cause problems between neighbours.

Loud music or parties can cause conflict and possible visits from the landlord or the police.

The bottom line is this: any noise at any time that is unreasonable is not allowed. It doesn’t matter if it is 1 p.m. or 1 a.m.

Smo ki ng

Unless a building is designated “no smoking”, tenants are permit ted to smoke in their own suite. They are not permit ted to smoke in the common areas or in the entranceways to the building.

If you are sensitive to smoke, it makes sense to look for a “no smoking” building when you are looking for a place to rent. There are more and more landlords who are designating buildings as “no smoking”. On the other hand, if you are a smoker, you will want to know this as well. Do not make the mistake of moving into a “no smoking” building and think you can get away with it. You most likely won’ t!

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Gues t s W he n i s a gu e s t not a gu e s t , an d w he n do t hey b e come an a d dition al o cc up ant in t he p re mi s e s? T he l an dlord cannot unre a s on ab l y re s t ric t yo ur right to ha ve gu e s t s s ta y w it h yo u. H oweve r, if t he l an dlord b e lieve s a gu e s t ha s m ove d in w it h yo u, t hey ha ve t he right to q u e s tion t hi s . I f t he p e r s on ha s m ove d in w it ho u t p e rmi s sion , t hey can re q uire t he p e r s on to m ove o u t if yo ur te n an c y a gre e me nt contain s te rm s p rohibitin g a d dition al o cc up ant s w it ho u t t he l an dlord ’s p e rmi s sion. T hey can i s s u e yo u notice to e n d yo ur te n an c y if yo u w ill not ha ve t he p e r s on m ove o u t . A l s o‚ al wa y s re me mb e r yo u are re s p on sib le for t he a c tion s of yo ur gu e s t s on t he p rop e r t y. I f t hey cau s e d am a ge or di s turb an ce s , t he con s e q u e n ce s w ill m o s t like l y b e yo ur s . heremagazine.ca

Visit www.heremagazine.ca for links to rental resources and to view or download previous Rent Here articles: Looking for a Place to Rent‚ Viewing Rental Units‚ Applying for a Rental Unit‚ Moving into Your New Home, and When You Need Repairs.

If you are disturbed by noise, you need to document the incident(s) and let your landlord know. If the landlord is not informed, they are unable to assist you.

The landlord should investigate and, if warranted, the tenant causing the noise should receive a warning from the landlord. If there are problems again‚ the landlord needs to be informed. Keep a record of your complaints, and try and make them in writing if possible. These may be required if the landlord needs to take the step of evicting the other residents if they will not co-operate in keeping their noise levels reasonable.

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Alex Creighton has over 30 years experience in property management with Devon Properties and her family-run property management company.

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r ead A Winter’s Sle ep So much sleeping in this place. Think of all that lies beneath the snow, lake trout below the ice, bears in their dens, their warm snores drifting above the tree tops that are sleeping, too, high above your own long sleep.

Even raven, with so much to say and do, closes his eyes, tucks his beak under his wing and sinks into the season’s dream-rich dark where all his stories start.

Poems and images from The Wild in You , © 2015, Lorna Crozier and Ian McAllister.

Reproduced here with the kind permission on Lorna Crozier and Ian McAllister/ Pacific Wild. Published by Greystone Books. All Rights Reserved. pacificwild.org/thewildinyou

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Ian McAllister with his photographs and Lorna Crozier with her poems hope to touch the wild in you. They want this book about The Great Bear Rainforest to inspire you to treasure and protect wolves, bears, salmon, whales, trees, in all their beauty, so that they will thrive alongside us on this earth.

thinking about the poems 1. The poems are inspired by the animals and natural setting of the “Great Bear Rainforest”, located along the northern B.C. coast. Find the names of eleven animals in the poems.

Thore au S aid a Walk Changes the Walker A rainforest changes the man, it changes the woman.

Some were born with rivers in their blood. Their ancestors spoke with raven and fox, spoke with wolf and otter and black fish, spoke with salmon and eagle and frog and heron.

You speak to them, too, and they talk back. Sometimes you’re close to grasping what they say— that’s how the rainforest changes you.

Today at dusk a bear walks through the eye of the camera.

The old ones claim a man lives inside a bear; you tell nobody a bear lives inside a man.

There are weeks in the forest when your whole body is a word even you can’t utter but the trees, in their deep listening, hear.

a. Have you ever seen any of these animals? b. What do these animals mean to you? c. Are there similar animals in your country of origin?

2. Who are those “born with rivers in their blood” and “ the old ones”?

3. How do the poems and the photographs work together to tell a story?

4. Think about the last time you were alone in nature. How do you feel? What did you hear? heremagazine.ca

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Home

l oss Kedsanee (Aoy) Broome immigrated to Canada from Thailand in 2004 and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors‚ specializing in cultural diversity.

THIS PAST CHRISTMAS brought quite a different feeling to me. It was about this time last year when I received news about my aunt‚ who had had a stroke during her vacation in the north of Thailand. The bad news arrived via social networking. I saw family members sharing their feelings‚ hopes‚ and sympathy through Facebook. When I woke up early that December morning‚ I was shocked by the news‚ and disappointed that I discovered the news on Facebook and not directly from family.

When I called my cousin‚ she was calm enough to tell me that her mother was in good care in the ICU in the best hospital in Chiangmai. “Not to worry‚” she said. I could sense her sympathy for me that I was not able to be part of the circle of support. It was the worst moment for me.

I felt hopeless that I couldn’t be there for my family during this difficulty. I felt so far away from them and could feel an emptiness in my soul.

My aunt was lying unconscious in the ICU‚ waiting for the family’s decision on an operation.

What it would be like after her operation was the topic of discussion among family members.

What was it like for the family to make these decisions? Every minute of waiting seemed to be unusually long. “What can I do?” I asked myself.

Nothing but read the updates about her health condition on Facebook.

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“Don’t worry. We’ll be okay. It’s too much for you to book a flight‚ especially this time of year to be here for just two weeks‚” my dad told me over the phone. My husband and I had a flight booked to Thailand for the upcoming summer. I had to think hard about booking a flight to be with the family during this time as it would be heremagazine.ca

financially difficult to make two trips within six months. What about Christmas? Was I about to leave my children to have them celebrate Christmas without me? How was I going to afford the last-minute flight to Thailand during the Christmas holidays? Decision‚ doubt‚ and guilt haunted me for several days. My aunt passed away on Boxing Day. The feelings of loss and hopeless were indescribable.

“The scariest part of our lives as we move away from home is to receive bad news about our loved ones from back where we come from‚” my friend who moved from Thailand to Idaho once told me. I now fully understand how she feels.

The more I talked to people who have moved from elsewhere‚ the more experiences we shared.

A friend of mine who owns a Thai restaurant in Sidney‚ travels to Thailand at least three times a year to visit his mother. As an only son‚ he feels obligated by a duty of caring for his ageing and ill mother‚ who lives on her own in Thailand.

When in Thailand‚ I try to see as many friends and family as possible.

I wonder if I could do less visiting for more quality time. But what if I miss seeing someone I should have. I still blame myself for not spending enough time with my aunt during my last visit when she was alive. I also felt for my girls and husband‚ who would rather spend time on the beach than several stops at my relatives’ places. My husband was looking forward to a nice relaxing vacation.

“What would be a win-win solution?” I asked myself.

Perhaps I just need to accept that I chose to live far away from my family. And the choice comes with the hurtful fact that I will miss being there for and with them. The lesson for me is to take one thing at a time‚ enjoy it while it lasts‚ plan for future‚ and embrace the fact that sadness is like happiness: it comes and it goes.

Departure brings the chance for another reunion.

Immigrant Welcome Centre

BUILDING CULTURAL CONNECTIONS

The Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA) helps individuals and organizations to connect across cultures.

We provide information, support and tools to help immigrants and refugees reach their goals. By engaging people through networks, education and arts programming we create a welcoming community.

S U GG ESTED AN SWERS TO ACTIVITI ES O N PAG E 2 0 1. Write the numb er in the b ox nex t to the matching word that describ es R yan’s hiking ge ar. a head lamp

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a walking stick

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a sit- upon

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a toque

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a bear bell

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a GPS unit

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2. Tr u e or fal s e? a. The “ trailhead” is both the start and the end of the trail.

Immigrant Welcome Centre and Main Office: 930 Balmoral Road (At Quadra) Victoria BC, V8T 1A8 info@icavictoria.org Phone: 250-388-4728 Fax: 250-386-4395 Mon–Thurs: 8:30am–6:30pm Friday: 8:30am–4:30pm

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b. A “silencer sock” is a very soft type of hiking sock.

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www.icavictoria.org

A silencer sock is a cover for a bear bell.

c. “Standing water” is creek water that is safe to drink.

F

Standing water is water in nature that isn’t flowing and may contain bacteria‚ algae etc...

d. If a piece of clothing “wicks”‚ it is not good to wear hiking. “ Wicking” fabric pulls F moisture from the skin to the outside of the fabric where it can evaporate‚ keeping you cool (or warm) and dry when hiking.

3 . A “ toque” is a classic Canadian fashion item. What are three words that rhyme with “ toque”?

S o o ke‚ f l u ke‚ L u ke‚ j u ke‚ p u ke 4 . Ryan carries information about the things you might see along a trail‚ like bugs‚ birds‚ trees‚ and mushrooms. An exper t who studies bugs is called an “ entomologist ”. What are the other exper ts called?

BIRDS: Ornithologist TREES: Arborist MUSHROOMS: Mycologist

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