Archive for Canada

“I Can’t Afford to Be Sick”

// March 2nd, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Canada, Immigration

I am finally realizing the true meaning of that phrase. My X-ray reports are back, pneumonia in my lungs confirmed and I have another appoinment tomorrow since I am no better than I was last week.

An inhaler and 10 capsules of anti-biotics cost $192. This is WITH health insurance and we are not counting the cost of labs, physician visit and X-rays yet. Mom decided to buy me the Mucinex DM, which was also prescribed. How can I possibly ask her to pay for the rest of my health care at this point especially since I am probably ill due to my work and all the sickening forces around me every time I leave my home?

A fellow in the struggle from Indiana says that stress and trauma also cause and then, prolong illness. It’s probably true–I deal with traumatic things like having to sit through a whole day with mostly white men who could care less about our immigration struggles and then, hear from brown men about how “those gays” don’t get it, before they start ranking oppressions. Enough. I didn’t even get an apology from the organizers, let alone a reimbursement. I wish I could sue someone or take out a petition, but oppression is so institutionalized.

That’s what I get for almost killing myself in New York. So I guess I better make it worth dying for, right? We’ll have a bonfire for the destruction and death of CIR 2010 soon. We hope a phoenix will rise from the ashes–a truly progressive movement that restores fairness and justice in our immigration system and provides family unity for everyone.

Personally, Canada might need to be postponed, which makes me really sad because I am craving to get out of this place. I have some job offers lined up for me and some I am waiting to hear back on soon.  It’s about time someone said “to hell with” and handed me a job like I deserve. I am on my way to the very top and I’ll always remember who supported and helped me through this tough period and who hesitated to come forward even when I was vastly over-qualified for a particular position.

In the meantime, I have multiple diplomas but I can’t afford health care. I’ll have to get refills or new meds on my credit card (funny how they will give me a credit card in this country but not a long-overdue green card). And then I have to try not to worry about finances, the $800 in LLC taxes I need to pay next month and drive myself more ill in the process.

It’s a cycle of destruction and it needs to stop.

“Twice-Removed”

// January 14th, 2010 // No Comments » // Canada

I think a lot about this somewhat forced migration–first from India to Fiji on indenture ships and then from Fiji to the United States by modern aircrafts. There is a real crisis of identity and belonging.

I had an epiphany yesterday that we have been working really hard to change “twice-removed” into “an opportunity to start twice-over.” As Indian kids, we are taught to make the best of every opportunity and a lot of us do just that. The problem is that I cannot find a reason that we had to start “twice over.” I have no idea how my life would have been in India for my great-great grandparents and I have no clue why my parents left Fiji. So “twice-removed” is “twice-removed without reasonable cause.” And that may be the root of all my anger and frustration. And pain.

All my life, we’ve been told to get out of countries where we made our homes. I grew up hearing about how Uganda removed Indians only to experience something similar in Fiji. I hope I get third-time lucky because this time there is definitely a reason: I would no longer need to struggle to make sense of a life and existence I did not choose.

And I can already see my PhD dissertation topic — Postcolonial Indian Disaporic Identities in ____________. I am excited and content with life.

Accepted Offer from UBC

// December 22nd, 2009 // No Comments » // Canada

Ho-Ho-Ho!

All my hard-work from the past decade is paying off as I was accepted into one of the best schools in Canada–the University of British Columbia. I paid down my deposit and applied for housing right away. The study permit process is next.

Why UBC Law in Canada? While I have been accepted into other universities around the world, the University of British Columbia in Canada is my top choice due to its name recognition, diverse environment, moderately low cost and breadth of the program. The Faculty of Law also offers a unique focus on Pacific Rim issues, with an international reputation for excellence in environmental and natural resources law. It has also great programs like Feminist Legal Studies. Now where else will I find that diversity?

Mom says 2010 is supposed to be a good year for me. Lets see what happens. I am still waiting on replies from most U.S. schools so this is not really a final decision but the best one I received in 2009.