There was the time circa 15 years ago when talking about immigration to Canada or US could give you a reputation of a mentally unstable person.

What immigration?! We couldn't even get a visitor's visa!

And today I am a proud Canadian citizen holding Canadian passport in my hand (see the pictures). Who would've thought?!

I celebrated my becoming Canadian citizen surrounded by my true friends, majority of whom are ex-KAO employees: Luda and Henry VanStaden, Dima and Irina Matsigura, Alexander Dubovsky, Zhenya Zhuromsky, and Anya Scurfield (KAO maiden name Ovcharenko). We had a wonderful Canadian-themed gathering. Everyone was wearing something Canadian or brought something Canadian. We all had pictures taken with Maple Leaf Flag background. Shania Twain was singing on TV (she was busy and couldn't attend :) Maria Wormington has prepared a fun quiz for us to warm us up a little. And then the party was just going wild: trying Indian outfits, drinking Canadian beer and wine, nibbling on home-made deer sausage, and enjoying beautiful Calgarian summer on a balcony. It seemed that both of my cats have immensely enjoyed the party (and the food), at least that what they said :) And we ended the party up with the usual: singing karaoke at the top of our lungs.

I would like to thank everyone who attended my citizenship ceremony and my party! And thanks to all my friends for supporting me from day one I arrived here to stay 4.5 years ago.

I also would like to use this opportunity to say 'hi' to all KAO site visitors who remember me from those Usinsk days.

Yours truly,
Yana

P.S. Link to photos will be posted soon.