It’s not easy starting a new life in a new country when you don’t speak the language.
But for Port Moody friends Maria Kim and Sunyeo Pak, both originally from Korea, the challenges have been worth it as they prepare to celebrate today's Canada Day celebrations at Coquitlam's Town Centre Park.
In fact, it doesn’t take much for Kim to start singing "O Canada" in her melodious voice, and while Pak isn’t ready to chime in, says she loves Canada all the same.
“At first, everything was different and difficult,” said Pak, recalling her early years spent raising children in Regina. The weather and the language were obstacles to be overcome but, eventually, Pak found work as a hair stylist. And when her husband, a government worker, retired, the couple moved to B.C.
“Now I’m glad I came. Everything is beautiful,” Pak said, pointing to the weather, the seniors' programs and Canadian food, such as roast beef and casseroles among her favourite things.
“So I put on weight,” she joked.
Her friend, Kim, prefers salads to roast meats but says she too enjoys living in Canada, even though she misses her grown sons, one of whom moved to Japan for work and the other to Korea.
Kim worked in Banff, along with her husband, for many years and has a unique perspective on Canadian life from living in the Rockies, learning a bit of Japanese in addition to English, and even some French from when she first landed in Montreal.
Both women came with their husband and children to Canada many years ago for their children's education and are now Canadian citizens. They plan to celebrate the country's 150th birthday.
Kim even plans to dress the part in a red t-shirt emblazoned with a maple leaf atop white slacks.
Together, the two represent a lot of seniors who immigrated to Canada over the years: They're healthy, enjoy their retirement and their grown children.
Jinah Kim, program officer for SUCCESS, said the Seniors Enrichment Program is an important bridge for older people from Iran, Korea and China who live in the Tri-Cities because it offers a variety of programs to keep them healthy and active. For, example, there is an English conversation group, art workshops, life skill workshops, tai chi and games.
There are also spots open for senior newcomers who want to join in.
And at today's Canada Day festival in Coquitlam, the organization will have a booth for games, face painting and henna sessions. At noon the seniors will join in the noon procession and sing the national anthem.
The two seniors The Tri-City News spoke with hope to be there, as well, to sing the anthem and celebrate their adopted country’s birthday.
• Canada Day at Coquitlam's Town Centre Park runs from noon to 10:30 p.m. and includes entertainment, displays by agencies and community groups, food, a vehicle showcase, a photo booth, fun with recyclables and much more. The day concludes with fireworks, starting at 10 p.m.
