Contest: On Being “From Away”
Posted on 20. Dec, 2008 by Laura-Jane - Whimfield in House
Welcome to the final Saturday Whimfield contest!
My stash of prizes has grown low, so be sure to enter this contest as this might be your last chance to receive free stuff from our rickety little house in the middle of a snowy field!
(If you’re reading this and thinking, “Hey, I’ve got free stuff that Whimfield could give away,” then you should email laura-jane@whimfield.com. Because you could get good karma and some kind of public love and gratitude, and then I’d be able to give away more free stuff, which is, like, my favourite thing to do. I like it much better than washing dishes and clearing snow from long driveways. Prizes great and small are welcome! No requirements, really, whatever it is just needs to be…mailable. So no puppies. No giant pumpkins. Other than that, anything goes.)
I recently joined a writers’ group, and I’ve met some amazing people there…including my good friend Gary who was kind enough to drive me all over Eastern Kings recently. Thank you, Gary!
One of the members of the group wrote a book, Prince Edward Island Seen From Away, which is a great read about all things Prince Edward Islandian. This book would have been a great resource for us when we were planning to move to PEI, because it touches on a lot of the issues a newcomer would want to know about–especially this whole being “from away” business.
Being From Away
When we were planning to move to the maritimes, in our online research we kept coming across phrases like “Oh, she was from away,” and “Is he a CFA?”
Being west-coasters, we’d never heard of these expressions, and we learned what they meant along the way. Basically, being “from away” means that you weren’t originally from the area. In other words, you were born elsewhere. If you “came from away” (came from somewhere else), then you are a CFA.
Before we moved here, I was a little nervous about being an outsider–being “from away”. I worried that we’d stick out. I worried that we would be treated differently. But although we might stick out a little (especially at the beginning when we had BC license plates and needed directions to get anywhere) we’ve basically had nothing but good experiences as a result of our “from away-ness”.
Win the Book
Tom Schultz’s book, Prince Edward Island Seen From Away, does not focus exclusively on the topic of being “from away.” It gives a great overview of the island and what it’s like to live here today. From the book jacket:
This book describes the people, places, and practices of Prince Edward Island, Canada, as seen by a recent newcomer. “From away” is the local term for anyone not born on the island, no matter how long they have lived there. This book can be a useful visitor’s guide or a tool to help long-time Islanders recover an appreciation for the things they have stopped noticing because of long familiarity.
You can buy this book from Amazon
I’d love to mail a copy of the book to you. In order to be eligible to win the book, just leave a comment below somehow related to this post. Come back next Saturday to find out whether you’ve won.Feel free to enter this contest until the end of the day on Friday, December 26th. If the comments are still open below then the contest is still on.
Here I am, exiting stage left singing, “I’m from away and that’s okay!”
Steven Fisher
Dec 20th, 2008
I have no idea what I could post that would be directly related to this post! But please put me in the draw, because I’d love to read about PEI…
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Dec 20th, 2008
Lol, Steven, you’re in the running!
We are now turning it into a free for all, people!
We’re opening the flood gates on this one. ANY COMMENT CAN WIN!
Tell us what color your socks are. Your middle name. How many fingers you have.
Go nuts!
Aunt Krissy
Dec 20th, 2008
I know what it feels like to be CFA, like my blog name says. I came from Alaska and came here to Wisconsin. I have been told that I will always be an outsider as the local people that live here are here cause their great grandparents came from here. When that talk about family farms they are talking about 3rd and 4th genaration. But the people are still really nice and have made feel welcome. (The post office, gas station, Chruch, etc, etc )
In fact, I had to call the village offcie about some stuff and she knew I was the lady that moved down from AK and that the house I bought belonged to her sister-inlaw’s Dads brother. (Something like that!)
christy
Dec 21st, 2008
my socks are non-matching; one blue and one brown!!! my middle name is leigh. and i have 10 fingers.
FYI: i had to laugh because i knew you were thinking of me with the giant pumpkin comment :). and if you werent thinking of me, then i laughed anyways so you can laugh at that. LOL.
Kerry
Dec 21st, 2008
I’m from away too and exactly one person from PEI has pointed it out in a negative way. I consider that to be pretty good, I had heard before moving here that we wouldn’t be accepted by the locals, which has been virtually 100% untrue. We feel welcome here.
Meg S.
Dec 21st, 2008
Hi Laura-Jane,
I am not wearing socks, just slippers because I am doing laundry. My middle name is Elisabeth. I have 10 fingers. And I LOVE PEI & hope that I can convince my husband that we need to move there in the future (we’re not too far off – he is worried about being away from family, being able to find jobs for us, and health insurance). We’ve been twice so far…in 2006 for our honeymoon, and again in 2008. I don’t worry about being a “CFA”….as I feel welcome everytime we go there (as you mentioned in your post – all great experiences!). As I have told my husband countless times, I feel like a part of my heart will always be in PEI. So yes, I would love to win this book, as I would to read about all things Prince Edward Islandian! :)
Gary Gray
Dec 21st, 2008
Yep I’m Laura-Jean’s chauffeur and I hope that I didn’t frighten the poor girl out of her wits with all of that bumping over the back roads of Eastern P.E.I. Believe it or not I did have a good idea where we were and it is almost impossible to get lost on this island.
Any way I did get her back home safe and sound. (although when she got out of the truck she took off like a scalded dog to use an Island expression) LOL
I have a copy of Tom’s book and I have now read it as well. The book is great and as an official Islander (at least third or forth generation) I want to welcome all of the new faces (CFA’s) moving to and setting up homes here on P.E.I.
Call me crazy but I was born and brought up here on the Island and I have no desire to leave. in the words of Hal Lone Pine in the song “Prince Edward Island Is Heaven To Me”. “I long there to be because Prince Edward Island is Heaven to me”.
Sorry for the long comment and I officially disqualify me from the contest. I do hope that someone has an idea for Laura-Jane to continue to have contests. They are such fun and everyone get’s a chance to comment.
Smiles :o)
Gary
Phil
Dec 21st, 2008
As a native to my neck-of-the-woods (in NW WA state), I have seen an interesting trend develop over the years. Back when, my little town (a cool outdoorsy college town with a great old downtown) began appearing on lots of “Best of…” lists: “Best town to retire in,” “Best town for rowing,” and so forth. Along with this came an influx of CFA’s, many of whom had no previous connection to the area, but heard about it somewhere and instantly fell in love. Many of these folks were moving north from CA, as CA housing prices were generally double those of my town (meaning, sell one CA house = buy two WA houses).
In time, those folks became a sizeable percentage of the region; so, whenever local public sentiment would turn against these carpetbaggers, it was quite ironic to see the former CFAs now grabbing their torches and joining the angry mob.
“I moved here from elsewhere, and love it here, but YOU stay out of my town!” The hated has become the hater…
Kathy from NJ
Dec 21st, 2008
My sister Carole & her family live in Saco, ME and once vacationed on PEI. Her oldest daughter was learning to drive and one day they decided the quiet roads on PEI would be a great place for her to practice. They pulled to the side of the road and were discussing strategy when a farmer pulled up behind them to find out if they needed any help. They explained the situation and he invited them to use his farm for the driving lesson.
They took him up on his offer and got a wonderful tour of the farm and left with a huge sack of potatoes. To this day Carole swears that they were the best potatoes she’s ever eaten.
Natalie
Dec 21st, 2008
Ah, I was a CFA the whole 5-1/2 years I lived in Nova Scotia! I can’t say I miss that feeling of not quite fitting in, but I do miss living by the ocean. I’m glad you are both having such a great experience in PEI. Happy holidays!
Natalie
jypsy
Dec 21st, 2008
I’m a CFA. I married a 4th generation Islander, son of a spud farmer, gave birth to 4 Islanders, have lived here more than half my life and have no plans on leaving.
As an army brat, when asked where I’m from, the best I can come up with is “Canada” (I lived in my birth town all of 4 months).
When I used to hitchhike on the Island I learned the answer to “What is your father’s name?” is “I’m not from here”.
Happy Solstice to Laura-Jean and her readers, have a very happy, healthy holiday season.
Lauren
Dec 21st, 2008
Its -6 out this morning and my marble looking black/white cat Lilly is tucked under my arm as I type, curled in the corner of my recliner, draped over my him enjoying the warmth of my fuzzy blue robe. She’s stretching her silly white paw onto the laptop, purring.
Even more so today, I think you should get an easy little female farm kitten who will keep you company and mouse/spider free.
Please enter me in the contest!
Kim
Dec 21st, 2008
Seeing as I just won last time, don’t let me win this time. (much as I’d love that book – I’ll just have to go buy it!) Oh, right, I received the book on Friday, thank you!
I just moved to PEI from Vancouver Island last spring, and am loving it here. Except am concerned about the big windy snowstorm predicted for tonight as we’re still living in a teeny travel trailer while we build …
Got chickens, got geese, got great neighbors, got a newfound peace of mind – everything I didn’t have back in the city.
Laura-Jane, where does your writing group take place? I am a writer (albeit novice) and would be interested if it is close enough. I’m about 25 minutes from Montague.
Swapna
Dec 21st, 2008
I’m always “from away”, no matter where I go, being a traveller and an immigrant and of a minority race. But I take the attitude, no matter where I go, there I am. Usually with a smile on my face.
Islanders have been absolutely lovely to me every where I go. I did get stared at an awful lot in Tignish and Alberton, but no one has ever said a bad thing and has always treated me with curiousity and respect.
Ps: I also vote you should get a cat!
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Dec 21st, 2008
It’s interesting to read about CFAs from all over!
@Aunt Krissy – I know what you mean. People will often ask me who our house used to belong to.
@Christy – Of course I was thinking about you. You’re the only person I know who has access to pumpkins the size of small cars. :)
@Meg – I believe in your powers of persuasion. Look us up when you get here. ;)
@Gary – I knew you knew where you were going! (Does that make sense?) Sorry if I ran away like a scared cat… Although I wasn’t scared, I can’t help my feline tendencies. :)
@Phil – “I moved here from elsewhere, and love it here, but YOU stay out of my town!†That’s very interesting. I could see how people could feel that way in some respects. At the moment, I’m more of an “Hey everybody, come on over to the beautiful Island!” person. But how do you feel about the CFAs, Phil?
@KathyfromNJ – Oh dear, that reminds me of an embarrassing story from last year that I really must share with you some day… The story involves pulling over in our car…neighbours…and snow…
@Natalie – Happy holidays to you too! Sometimes it is weird not being from here. The other day I was having a sandwich in a cafe, and an older gentleman asked me in a kind way, “Now, who’s daughter are you?” and I had to say, “Well, my dad’s name is Tony, but…you probably don’t know him. I’m not from here, you see.”
@Jypsy – I can’t wait to share your story. I’m working on it! :) Oh! And I just reread your comment about the question “what’s your father’s name.” And it relates exactly to what I just wrote to Natalie above!
@Lauren – Oh, to be spider free! That sounds good to me. Would the cat also clean all the cob-webs? Because I need an animal that’ll do that, too!
@ Kim – We’d love to have you join the Writers’ Guild! We meet at the Montague Library on Wednesday evenings once a month. I’ll email you right now with the particulars. Anyone else who’s interested, feel free to get in touch.
Michelle
Dec 21st, 2008
I’ve visited PEI all of my life. As an Air Force Brat, I never really had any real roots… no place to call home but my Mom was from Summerside and Grandma & Grandpa raised 12 children there. Summerside is the only place I know that is constant from my very early years to now… some 5 decades now. I recall hearing from the many relatives during visits over the years, “How long ya home for?” Funny that… it was never my “home”; however, I do know for a fact (another cousin moved there from Ottawa) that if I were to move there, I’d be known as being “from away”.
I’m amused there’s actually a book about this. I’m more amused by the mentality of it. As a visitor I’m ‘home’, were I to make it my home I’d be ‘from away.’ Go figure.
Here in NB, you are “your name” of “your father or mother’s name”. hmmmm…. seems everyone in known by the family name.
Kim
Dec 21st, 2008
Regarding your free stuff…
At some point in the New Year, we will be FINALLY unpacking our storage unit. If I come across any prize-worthy items, I’ll send ‘em your way.
No promises, as I mercilessly whittled down the extras, but hey, you never know!
P.S. we recently moved from Nanaimo. I grew up in Courtenay.
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Dec 21st, 2008
@Swapna – Coming from Victoria, on Vancouver Island, which was definitely more multicultural than where I am now on PEI, I definitely did notice a difference in terms of the number of visible minorities that are here on the island. I’m glad to read that your experiences have been positive. It’s been my experience, as well, that a smile does wonders. :)
@Michelle – That’s interesting that you mention the “home” aspect of it. The previous owners of our own house only came here in the summers; they lived in the US during the winter. I’ve noticed that when some people refer to these neighbours, they would say that they only “came home” during the summers. This was so interesting to me because they were not originally from here, but yet people still referred to them as coming home. I hope I explained that correctly!
@Kim – Thanks! No pressure at all about the free stuff. I just put it out there because you never know! Wow, Nanaimo and Courtenay, I know them so very well! I’m from Parksville, as you may have gathered.
Michelle
Dec 21st, 2008
Laura-Jane… further to the country/Maritime/small town mentality, I have found in rural NB that the family members tend to be each other’s neighbours. The house we bought is the home that three of my four nearby neighbours were born in. It must have been so hard for them to give up the family home to “outsiders” but they were very hospitable upon our arrival. One of the them had a daughter who was getting married within a week of our moving in and he came to invite us to the wedding and reception, saying “come, the family would like to meet you.” And the strangest and most bizarre thing is the neighbour who wasn’t from this family ended up to be a relative of mine. Ends up I have many cousins (my Mom’s first cousins) and second cousins living all around me. I had NO idea although I knew I had Acadian roots as does my husband but to find myself smack-dab in the heart of my relatives domain was something that I found incredible… I mean, what are the odds!
It seems that while we may be considered ‘outsiders’, we’re really just displaced Acadians who’ve made their way back to their roots. I recall saying many years ago that I’d never live in the Maritimes again. Things change… I can’t really explain what made me change my mind but I’ve had no regrets.
Andrea >> Become a consultant
Dec 22nd, 2008
I recently met two different people who grew up in Vancouver and who have ancestors (as in parents and grandparents from here). Meeting true blue Vancouverites is rare. Most people here came from somewhere else. That’s why you hear so many people say things like “Back East”. Vancouver is probably entirely made up of people from away. So no point in identifying the CFAers.
Melody C.
Dec 22nd, 2008
I’ve never had aspirations to move to PEI but it has always held a fond spot in my memory since a vacation there in 1979. Come to think of it, that trip was our last true “family” vacation as my parents divorced two years later. Looking back, I’m amazed that I was a happy 13 year old girl (must have been a good week!) as I loved the beaches, the lobster dinners, the farm stay (with piglets) and just the beautiful low hills and grass.
You live in a special spot and I hope my husband and I will make a trip there in our future. No better place for me to hold a lobster eating lesson, right? Poor guy, he’s never had one!
My grandpa and his brothers did the transborder crossing thing. I believe they were born in Maine to immigrant parents from Denmark. They headed to Red Deer, Alberta before he finally settled back near his parent’s new home in upstate New York. Does that give me 1% Canadian blood? No? I didn’t think so!
Thanks for the contest! Have a wonderful Christmas!
John
Dec 22nd, 2008
When we bought our house in P.E.I. we were worried about fitting in as well. But after reading these comments I am reminded that our neighbor, (who is keeping an eye on our house until we move in the spring) when we talk on the phone, always asks when are we coming home. We can hardly wait, 100K winds, storm surges and all.
Ellen
Dec 23rd, 2008
I’m in the “I don’t know what to post” category too….so my middle name is Darys (Spanish for Doris), last I counted I had 10 fingers, one of which is bruised from ripping out the battery out of a cantankerous fire alarm system that seems to be anti-grilled cheese sandwiches and I have my husband-y sport socks on (it’s chilly in the house!)….
ellen
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Dec 26th, 2008
This contest is now closed.
Thank you for your entries!
The winner will be announced on Saturday, December 27, 2008.