CELPIP

Wednesdays are becoming my favorite days of the week. Every Wednesday around 6:25 pm, I leave my place and walk to the Taber & District Community Adult Learning Association's building to take evening classes to "study" English and get ready to take the exam, called CELPIP, in order to be able to apply for Canadian Citizenship. I enjoy meeting the other foreigners, mostly Mennonites and an Australian lady who participate in the classes and get to meet some of the employees there.

I never thought I would ever try to get  Canadian Citizenship but here I am, a decade later, and I am finally making the plunge. If it wasn't for my children I probably wouldn't even try to get it. I LOVE this beautiful country that my children so proudly call home. Almost daily, the boys remind us that they are Canadian and that they love Canada. I want to be able to always be with my children (you know just in case I can't be a resident anymore), and be wherever they are. I want to simplify my residing in this country without having to renew or deal with a lot of forms, papers to fill (not that I mind them), and be able to travel freely between here and the United States without having to pay $14 every couple years to the U.S borders. I mean $14 is not a big deal but when you forget about it and travel to the States then realize that you have forgotten about it, well let me tell ya, It is not funny being taking into custody and having to run around the airport to find a place to fill and pay the fee in question, long story. I will also be able to finally switch all my official papers to Bennett. People always struggle with my maiden name, and at Church, my records are under Tainanuarii which is a pain for the priesthood brethren to say when I need blessings or setting apart. Having dual citizenship might have its benefits too so why not do it? The only thing that will change for me, once I become an official Canadian citizen, is that I would finally be able to vote. That is the only difference between being a PR (permanent resident) and a Citizen. No big deal right?

The English classes are quite simple. Having had 10 years and some of, learning/"practicing" it daily, I think it is safe to say that I am not doing too badly at it. I am acing all of the work we have been doing so far and occasionally am learning something new about grammar which is, I have to say, quite exciting! Few more weeks to go then I can apply to take the exam in Lethbridge, and go from there. Will be applying for the boys dual citizenship too.

Tahitian/French is what I truly am. Becoming a Canadian will be awesome. All of the Canadians I personally know are terrific people. I love them! I love this beautiful country, and I couldn't be happier to call it home.