Today’s the Day
In about a half hour I'll be leaving to drive to the interview which (hopefully) will grant me official Permanent Residency Status. We have run down the checklist several times to make sure we have everything we need (and then some) for the interview, and we have a green light.
Let's hope the Immigration Officer feels the same way. I'll update this post when I return from the interview.
UPDATE: I am now an official Canadian Permanent Resident. I never thought this day would come... holy canoly!
Permanent Residency: Approved!!!
Checked the mail at 12:50pm today, and there it was. Two envelopes, one for Nadia and one for me. Nadia's was the letter from immigration telling her that she was approved as a sponsor for me, and my letter was telling me that I was approved for both permanent residency and my work permit. The work permit will apparently be sent soon by Vegreville. As soon as I get it, I can begin working again! 
I won't "officially" be a Permanent Resident of Canada until I am contacted by Canadian Immigration (CIC) in Scarborough for an appointment, at which time we'll have to pay another $490 for the "Right of Permanent Residency" and then we'll most likely get the official documentation. That should happen in January or February if what we've been reading from others' experiences are accurate. Anyway, that doesn't matter all that much in comparison to getting the work permit. Once I receive my work permit I'll be able to begin working full time again!
WOOHOO!
Immigration Verdict: Coming Soon
Well, the verdict is in. And it's in some envelope or package, on it's way to my house. Inside is the decision made by Canadian Immigration on whether or not I can be a permanent resident of Canada. The online status checker tool as I have so cleverly named it has notified us that they have sent us their decision on December 2nd (yesterday), and nothing else. They did not tell us if it was accepted or denied, just that it was sent.
How's that for efficiency.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American readers out there! Although I will be home in Canada for the holiday, I will be having a Thanksgiving feast complete with a 12lb turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, biscuits, corn, gravy, and a homemade marble cake for desert! Oh how I love having two Thanksgivings (Canada's is in October)...
As for that power outlet, it turns out that my original brilliance in getting that dimmer switch to work wasn't actually brilliance at all. It was the reason my power outlet wasn't working! A huge thanks to Terence and my father-in-law for helping me figure it all out, and teaching me a few things along the way.
Oh yeah! My visitor record extension finally came in! YES! It means I can visit my family for Christmas without having to worry too much about getting back into Canada! You see, if I were to visit my family on "implied status," it would mean that my permanent residency application would basically have to start over if I were denied entrance back into Canada, which is a very good possibility if I'm only on implied status. SO! This also means I can go to Costa Rica in January! 
WOOOOOOOO
Alright, I better get started getting ready for tonight! Cheers!
I’m Married!!
The big day was Saturday May 3rd, 2008. Now to commit that date to memory for anniversaries... haha. Nadia and I are both very happy, it was everything we could have asked for (except the weather)! Photos coming soon...
This is also a step in Phase III of Operation Canada, so an update for that is coming soon as well!
Operation Canada: Phase II
Now that I've successfully moved into Toronto, it's time for me to get a job, get a new bank account, a new cell phone plan, a new driver's license, update my portfolio for finding a job, etc. etc.. I've got my SIN (Social Insurance Number, similar to SSN in the U.S.), so that will allow me to open a bank account and get my driver's license. Getting a job is most important right now though, so that I can help pay for the apartment, and to have my own money as well. Phase II is well underway!
Operation Canada: Phase I
So to prepare for my invasion of Canada, I have to clean out my bedroom and make it look like a guest room. This is a LOT harder than it sounds. I have endless supplies of junk I've collected over the years of my residence here, and it'll be tough to part with some of it. I also am not graced with a lot of time either... I'm flying out to Toronto on Tuesday, driving back to the US on Thursday, attending my cousin's wedding Friday and Saturday, and then driving back to Canada for good on Sunday.
And still looking for a job...