My parents moved to Kamloops from Surrey, BC, in 1997. They moved for financial reasons, as that area was getting too expensive for them, and they wanted to move from being in a condo to a house, as they thought that would be a better fit to have a family (my sister and I).

I feel fortunate for the advantages I’ve had from being born in such a wonderful country. I often reflect on how different my life could have been if I had different parents,and how I might have faced struggles and oppression as a result.

On a more personal level, I consider how my life would have changed if I had grown up in Surrey or, even more dramatically, in Slovenia, where my dad was born. I believe I was lucky to be born in Canada, in a smaller town with a backyard. It was a place where I could ride my bike and safely meet up with friends. I feel grateful not to have been caught up in the hectic city life of places like Surrey, or in Slovenia, where English is not the majority language and where living conditions and opportunities can differ significantly.

I also ponder what life would be like in other places, like third-world countries, and how drastic that could be. This gives me the perspective to not take things for granted and to appreciate every day I am alive and well. It also pushes me to sympathize with those who are less fortunate and to help them where I can in the conscious choices I make.

Male (he/him)

My father is 1st generation, and my mother is 2nd generation (does that make me 1.5 generation?)