Wow Canada!  That's gonna be a really fun vacation, Parnum!  
By Parnum Johal 

Yep Canada. Sound exciting? Well... I guess it does, for many people. Only if you’re going on a vacation. But what I told my friends was only the half of it. “Umm, well you see, I’m not going for a vacation.” I told them. “Well who’s going then? Your Grandparents? Parents?” It was time. Time to tell them. “I’m moving there.” I whispered flatly. My best friend, Isha was really happy for me, but I could see the sadness in her eyes. We had been best friends for over three years. We knew that we would stay best friends forever, even if we went to different schools the following year. “Are you happy? Do you want to move?” She asked. “Well, my dad has tried so hard to pass his pharmaceutical exam, so I’m not going to let him down” I said as I walked home.

Months passed. Then came the dreaded month of August. Yep, you guessed it. The month I was moving. It was already the summer vacation, and I was trying to spend as much time with Isha as I could. We both pretended that nothing was going on, but slowly, it would be the time to leave.

Then it was the week before we moved. Movers came and took our things that were going to Canada. Soon after, our house, which was once full, was now empty. It was sad. But you know that phrase, “Time moves on,” and so do people.

It was the 25th of August. I went to Isha’s house. We looked at each other, and Isha burst into tears. Suddenly I was fed up with keeping my sadness inside, I also started crying, and we both embraced. When I got back home, I discovered people at my house; some were chatting, some drinking, and some were eating. And then I spotted a sad sight—my Grandmother sitting on the sofa all alone. I didn’t care that my friends were there, I went over and started hugging, and talking to her. I could tell she was really pleased that I came and sat with her. I didn’t care that my friends were calling me to come and play. My Grandmother was much more important at that moment. When I was sitting, I suddenly felt really angry. I felt like yelling at everyone, “WHY ARE YOU ALL CELEBRATING?? THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE IS COMING UP TOMMOROW AND YOU GUYS ARE CELEBRATING!! WHY??” But I couldn’t. The next day arrived. I woke up and started to cry. I knew everyone else felt the same. Silently, we all got washed and changed.

Then it came. We were leaving. Once again, I could hold it in no more. I didn’t care how many people were seeing us off, I started crying. A LOT. I remember not wanting to let go of my grandparents, but I had to leave. So sadly, my mom, dad, sister and I got inside the car and waved goodbye. I saw my Mom’s mom, Uncle, Grandparents, Aunt, more uncles and cousins. I looked back until we turned the corner. I hugged my Mom tight. Why would they want to do this, I thought. We reached the airport. I hugged my Uncle as we said goodbye, and then we went into the terminal. Seven hours later, we arrived at Toronto Pearson International Airport, and that was the start of a great adventure!

Fifteen months later, I have made it to my second year of Churchill High School. I am in Grade 8, have great friends, have a lovely home, and a great life. Most of all, I have seen my family a few times. So when I think back to that first month, it wasn’t that hard. As for Isha, her family moved to Bangalore, India and I still keep in touch with her! So going back to that phrase... “Time moves on,” and so do people!