I am not a tourist anymore and I want to be a valuable member of my new community. :)
But it's gonna take some time and efforts before it actually happens!
So I started with the basics.
1) Library membership card @PEI Provincial Library
It might sound funny (or stupid, you name it!) but the first thing I did was to register at the library of Charlottetown. It is the little things that makes you happy, eh! I usually go there to print like mad or make photocopies. Here's a little anecdote for you: first time using the printer, I asked a grungy-looking guy to help me. He answered he had no idea how it worked - which probably had something to do with him being on Facebook and me bothering him. A couple hours later, I saw him begging on the streets!
2) Social Insurance Number@Service Canada
"The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number that you need to work in Canada or to have access to government programs and benefits." Service Canada agents are very friendly "people serving people". I got to choose the language I was more comfortable with and they called me by my first name. I liked it!
I received my SIN card very shortly after meeting one of their agents. It felt great to get it - until I heard that you would want your number to start with 1 and not 9 like mine is.
Oh well! Nevermind! I feel special anyway!
3) Bank account@ScotiaBank and President's choice financial
I didn't and still don't know much about Canadian banking.
I went to Scotiabank because they were advertising a special bank plan for newcomers. After speaking to a receptionist (very friendly, said she liked my very French sounding surname...), we agreed on me meeting personal banker Andrew on the following day. But J told me that President's choice financial had no banking fees so I emailed Andrew goodbye and got myself a PC bank account - the most simple you can get of course. I like how the lady asked me to make a deposit while I was at it! haha She too called me Deborah. It's actually my "naughty name" but anyway!
4) Phone@Rogers
FRUSTRATING.
I loved my Blackberry (use of past tense intended).
And I unlocked it for free after six months use.
I went to Canada. I bought a SIM card. Got myself a new number.
And said goodbye to all good things I liked about my Blackberry.
I used to send and receive emails, bbm my lover, Facebook like crazy but what I liked most about it was that I felt that I could reach the world whenever I wanted and the world could reach me anytime it wanted.
It is all gone now. My Blackberry is just another random phone.
I am thinking of sending it back to France and getting another one though.
It is no urgent matter though - my current stay-at-home girlfriend status does not allow complaining.
But still. It is a real shame to have such a ginormous phone in your hands and not
being able to use it efficiently. Argh.
Oh and about Canada's mobile plans? I hear "Canada is a rip off when it comes to mobile datas".
5) Home key@Canadian Tire
I have been here for over a month and got my first home key last week.
It was exciting anyway. J put it in my bag as a surprise. It has the Canadian flag on it and a flower for key ring.
This was just the beginning of a long list of to dos.
Getting a job and learning to drive being on my top two priorities.
They both deserve their own posts which will come up soon enough!
