Full Exhale

The title of this post is an homage to my husband. When we were still living in MA, I took him to yoga, which he enjoyed immensely – especially when the instructor said “full exhale;” he found it implausibly funny and proceeded to repeat it at every opportunity for the next three months.

But that’s where I am right now: in… out… ah…

I got a fourth “calm down, ya crazy!” email from a Canadian, this time a “criminality specialist” at a Canadian immigration law firm (oh yes, I did email about 15 different lawyers being like “OMG, is it all over?!” Sometimes lawyers are awesome and answer specific questions without asking for two limbs and your firstborn in payment – gentle barristers of the masses, they are. This is actually how I made friends a year or two ago with Attorney Joshua Paulin, who is – in my humble opinion – one of the best immigration lawyers that Masschusetts has to offer and a darn nice man with a darn nice wife).

Said Canadian lawyer sent the following email:

Dear Corin,

I hope this message finds you well… Based upon the information you have provided, you should not be prevented from entering Canada on your study visa. A traffic violation such as "driving without a valid licence" is a provincial regulation and not a criminal conviction in Canada.

I hope this has been helpful.

Oh it was, kind sir! Very helpful, indeed.

And he spelled it licence. Teehee!

So, no news yet from the consulate, but it sounds like we can hope for good news… which means that I’m massively behind on my Fulbright work and need to get crackin’ because we just might be on a plane on August 26th. Zounds!

Update: I have since received a second email from a second kind lawyer who said:

Hello Corin,

Thank you for your email in which you described your situation regarding the application for a student visa. Ideally you should have indicated that your husband had been arrested, but it was in relation to a traffic offence and not a criminal offence. But it is a very minor misrepresentation and you should explain the same to Immigration (if asked) as you have explained in your email to me. You both should still be able to come into Canada as planned. My representation will not necessarily add anything further to what you have already done.

Good luck! All the best!

I'm actually speechless. What is this marvelous land, with its kindly lawyers and understanding immigration officials? How does Canada exist in this cruel and heartless world? Is it the beavers? Is it the tuques? I don't know, but I'd like a big glass of that Kool-Aid, please.