Immigration Consultant

Immigration Consultant

It is now official. I am a member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC). This means that, effective immediately, I am fully licensed (and regulated), and am able to practice as an Immigration Consultant. I was advised by the Council by e-mail at 4:12 p.m. on Day Zero: June 17, 2016. It is both the end of a year-long journey through the nine-course qualification procedure, through the afternoon-long final exam, and the start of a new line of business for me. I have completed the paperwork and application process to set up the new business, which even now has its first client.

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Autumn-15

A farewell to summer

While Bob followed the Toronto Blue Jays journey into the baseball post-season, and I tried to learn the cricket-like game, autumn was also a time to bid farewell to the things we treasure most about our home: our divine garden and the ability to have our ‘outdoor rooms’ during the good weather.

We enjoyed a sumptuous Thanksgiving feast this October. Thanksgiving weekend was a balmy throwback to summer, with daytime highs in the mid-20s. Bob wanted scalloped potatoes to go with the turkey dinner, and set out to make it with me. We were both surprised at how relatively simple it was to do, and how good it tasted.

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Obi-Wan

Our iconic cat is gone: Obi-Wan, 1999 – 2015 It is with deep sadness and sorrow that Bob and I convey to friends and family the passing of our eldest cat, Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan died at 6:34 p.m. on the afternoon of Monday July 27, 2015, secure with Bob and I, in his basket and with love, compassion and mercy at his vet’s. My children, Zachary and Nicklaus, came to the vet’s office to bid goodbye to…

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Easter Snow

So much for Easter brunch outside

Bob went outside on Good Friday, and spent a few hours bringing out the patio furniture in soft and balmy (for April in Ontario) weather. He raked up the entire back yard and uncovered the lawn ornaments, which we cover with plastic wrap each autumn. We were hoping for an Easter Sunday brunch on the patio in moderate weather. This happens about a third of the time in southern Ontario. Not this year, though. Overnight on Saturday, it began to snow, and by Easter morning, the patio was covered with a fresh layer of white stuff.

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Family Cookbook

Preserving the family culinary memory Shaaron and Patricia were chatting at Auntie Ione’s party tonight at Lisa and Shamir’s. They felt we should have a family cookbook. Little did they realize that we already have exactly that. And it is on this website! Click here to see for yourself. Now the challenge is on! Who will submit the next recipe? Click the menu above and try one or two of our recipes. Then submit one of…

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Summer 2014

The Larisa Grove back yard in full bloom

It was a very hectic spring at our home. On May 1, the Ontario government tabled its 2014-15 Budget, and on May 2, one of the opposition parties said they would not support it. The Opposition Party, the Conservatives, didn’t support any government bill, so that meant that a vote on the Budget would result in the fall of the government. This was not unexpected. On Friday May 2nd, the Premier called an election for June 12th, and we were off and running!

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Tired of Winter

Want to trade humidity for cold? Winter in Canada began with an ice storm in December, and has just not let up at all! While we did not lose our electricity in the ice storm, this unremitting cold is ensuring that we suffer in a uniquely Canadian winter fashion. Aside from Bob fighting off a head cold, on Friday, the blower motor in the furnace had a bearing fail. Following a grinding sound, the furnace…

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Christmas 2013

Christmas holidays 2013

The 2013-14 Christmas Holiday Season is now officially in the history books. Over the January 11-12 weekend, we carefully dismantled the decorations and adornments in the house, labelled everything in its box, stored it back downstairs, and then cleaned and vacuumed. All traces of Christmas 2013 are now in storage. As always, the Christmas tree was last to go, its lights signaling the festive season until the very last minute as the Christmas music CDs get one last play while the takedown tasks are done.

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