Hey everyone, my name is Jason, and I thought I'll introduce myself on my first post in the forum.
I'm Hong Kong born Canadian, and lived in Calgary most of my life. My family immigrated to Canada when I was 6 y.o. Then they decide to move back to HK when I was 12. My chinese suck so bad I ended up in a British international school. I lost my of my english and got my cantonese back. 4 years later, at 16, I went back to Canada, this time alone. Been there ever since 3 days ago, Jan 27, 2006 as I'm moved back for family reason.
See most chinese I know in Canada generally fall into these groups:
1)Born in Canada or moved to Canada at a very young age and just stays there: the true bananas! (Hope I didn't offend anyone)
2)Come to Canada to study and leave right away after graduation.
3)Moved to Canada at a later age (11+ yo?) which either:
a) slowly becomes 1)
b) still update themselves with chinese culture and trend who longs to go back and hangs around mostly other people like them. *I find this especially so in Vancouver*
Now me, I consider myself kind of unique yet messed up. My language is half & half, so are my ways of thinking, culture and sense of belonging.
While in Canada, I visit HK once a year to visit my family for about 2 weeks, maybe longer if I can handle it, this is the first time since a decade that I'm living here and not as a visitor.
I'm not freaking out yet, still I realise I have a LOT and I mean LOTS to catch up and get use to. Everything is just....so foreign to me. But as my sister said, once I start working, meet new people and friends, I'll enjoy HK better, and learn to love it.
Phew, nothing like venting huh? Anyways, I just found this forum and I find it really helpful especially on where to shop and find english stuff. I left/sold most of my belongs in Canada as well...Air Canada will only allow me to bring 2 suitcases! Hope this site will widen my circle as well as it's pretty damn small! I'm sure there's others like me as well and would love to talk! On a bad side, I'm kinda geeky (degree in chemistry..go figure) so no hardcore party animal here.
That's a lot of typing...so later people, wish everyone great fortune and
happy New Year!