Canadian Expatriates, its contributors, and readers have been invited by Foreign Affairs Canada to participate in a series of eDiscussions. The current topic is “Showcasing Canadian Culture and Know-How Abroad”.

We are asked to consider the following questions:

What role does Canadian culture and know-how play in our foreign policy?

How might the government best promote Canadian talent and expertise in the world?

The eDiscussion runs from April 4 to May 6, 2005. At its conclusion, a summary of the discussion will be sent to senior policy planners.

The Expat admin team encourages its readers to join in the eDiscussion at the Canadian International Policy website.

---

Posted by Admin

The administration team is currently searching for Canadian expatriates who would be interested in contributing to the Expat Blog. The subject matter is wide open, but must remain family friendly.

If you are interested in joining our blogging team, please send an email our way!

Thank you!

A very good friend of mine is getting married this weekend. I am, of course, in Scotland, and she's getting married in Edmonton, so I won't be there in anything but spirit. I've sent them a Welsh Lovespoon for their wedding gift, because what's the point of travelling if you can't send friends nifty foreign gifts?

But, I regret. I regret being here, when I could be there to share her big day. I can only imagine, or experience through pictures, what her wedding will be like. She sent me their vows for me to read through, to make sure they weren't 'too sappy', and I caught myself having to hold back tears. They're so perfect for this couple, and I can't believe I'm going to be here when I could be there, helping them celebrate this day they've been planning for months.

It's an interesting story, though. Mel left the US to come to Canada a few years ago, and Cody came just a few months ago to join her. They met through the internet, and then in person a few times before he made the leap to join her in Edmonton, leaving behind a town he hated and a family he has little in common with. She did the same thing - I don't doubt Mel loves her family, but they're not invited to the wedding. I'm not even positive they know about it.

So, here I am, a million miles away, thinking about what I gave up to be here, and there she is, pondering the complicated twists and turns that led her to finding the man of her dreams, a million miles from home for both of them.

I've been contemplating giving up my Canadian citizenship while Mel's been writing her test to become one. She's found her home, to some extent, while I'm still searching for mine.