I made it, and finally have wi-fi set up after an adventure due to not having the right report from the MA RMV…
But most of the changeover stuff is done now. Just waiting for TD to clear the cashier’s check into my account so I can start using the interac instead of my US credit cards for everything…
Yeah, I’m extremely certain of this. Last time I visited Canada, the border guard mentioned that. He recognized that it was stupid, by the way, but also took his job seriously.
Hi all,
I’ve been away for awhile, as I settled in to Canada. I’m mostly ok – being without my wife and kids has been harder than expected. There have been some very low points where I struggled, but I seem to be on the upswing.
I’ve found a variety of places for all my self care (lashes, hair, nails, etc) and I’m going to redo my laser hair removal on my face because some of the black hairs on the neck are making a comeback.
I’ve started on the Board of Directors for Insure Equality – an organization working towards amplifying marginalized voices in the industry. It’s been a really interesting few months, and some of the work we are doing is really cool and I’m excited for people to hear more as they come to fruition.
I’ve found a new board game group, so that’s nice to meet people and have some fun every week.
I’m anxiously looking forward to the family coming to stay in early July, but I think the next 3 months will be better than the first three as far as mental stability, plus the weather is getting nicer (15-20 cm of snow projected on Wednesday notwithstanding) and soon it will be sundress season 
https://community-new.goactuary.com/t/samanthas-ramblings/7347/67?u=mountainhawk
Adding my comments over here not to butt-in on Samantha’s thread. I got reasonably decent volume from HRT alone, but as Samantha pointed out commonly happens, I had the issue where they were so spread out that they would have separate postal codes here in Canada. I ended up getting my breast augmentation pretty much to get shape nicer.
Hi all — I got tagged in a politics thread and it made me realize that I hadn’t been back in a while.
Long story short, the 6 months without my family have been incredibly difficult. There have been weeks where I work up the motivation to leave my apartment twice. I’ve been through my first bout of COVID (with a long term effect of being unable to drink dark soda without getting sick) and have struggled to actually get good nights of sleep.
Watching what appears to be the series finale of the US from afar has been sad and surreal. I am thankful that I got out when I did, but it’s painful to watch trans friends in a state of absolute panic about continuing to be alive after January. Watching Democrats give up fighting for us is depressing, if expected.
The movers cleaned out our US house yesterday, the sale closes tomorrow, I meet my family for vacation on Saturday, and then they’ll moved back here with me (though in an extended stay hotel about 2km away) after the vacation. It’ll take me a while to discard the mental baggage that has accumulated over the past 6 months, but just walking over to see them 5-6 nights a week for dinner will do wonders I think.
Hope you are all doing well.
Once you’ve settled in, I think you and your family are going to love Ottawa. Nice city, and there’s a million things to do with family.
Upcoming, the Rideau canal and Winter fest!
I am sorry to hear how difficult this has been for you. I do hope the arrival of your family greatly improves your morale.
Hi all. I’m sorry I don’t update this thread more, it’s all been a lot.
Good news: We found a house, and moved in in mid-October, so almost 2 months together. My physical health is slowly recovering a little from more activity and having to move around a house instead of a tiny apartment. The house is great, I was able to get a board game room that is slowly getting setup, and it’s so wonderful to be back together with the family. We are right on the border of Chinatown and Centretown, so there is so much to do and so many good places to eat – it’s been great. I also got to take my kids to their first box lacrosse game.
Mental health is still up and down. I was back in the states right after the election for work, at which point I told them I wouldn’t be coming back for 4 years – which they all understood. I’m very glad I’m here, though my heart breaks for trans friends that are still back in the states.
I participated in a study for trans people that have left or are in the process of leaving the US – it was a really interesting experience and made me realize just how disconnected I am from my birth country. I’ve made the decision that come 2027 when I can get my Canadian citizenship, I will be renouncing my American citizenship as well.
Last update is now that I’m 17 months post FFS — the healing is pretty much done. Maybe a couple of things that will minorly change, but the major stuff has settled. And I’m really, really happy with the results. (After/Before photo below) It’s almost hard to believe it’s the same person - I understand why I have issues with the biometric scans with my passport now.
Hope everyone else is doing well.
Thanks for the update Alyssa. I had been wondering how you have been settling in.
Although the Ottawa winters can be harsh, they can be enjoyed if you don’t retreat from them. I miss real winter having left Ontario over 20 years ago for BC.
thanks for the update. happy to hear how you are doing whenever you are up to sharing. if not, you owe me nothing.
So far the temps haven’t been too bad (nothing below -10 or so), but up to 30 cm of snow. Hopefully it holds out and we have a white Christmas
So far lol. The good news, winter fest and canal skating are coming up.
The pics are amazing.
I was thinking you were relieved that you planned for the worst case scenario with regard to the election. Wishing you and your family well.
I think we have maybe had one or two white Christmases since I moved to Vancouver.
We used to spend Christmas at my parent’s farm in Eastern Ontario before moving to BC and there was almost always lots of snow then. I really miss that.
If you like skating try skating through the woods in January at this place. Magical.
Thats cool! Might have to try that this year.
Thanks for this, my son will absolutely LOVE this. Now to figure out how to get out to Stittsville lol.
Incredible pictures, congrats on your move and changes and hope life is going well.
