Day 3: Canada

Day 3: June 8, 2012

Q: Where are you from? 

Stage directions:  Diane freezes.  She dreads this question because she doesn’t know the answer.

A: Well … I last lived in … (and so the story goes)

I have moved a lot.  I was born in St. Catharines, moved to Kenora, then Holland Landing, Newmarket, St. Catharines, Japan, Thailand, Thorold, Colombia, Brasil and now Mexico.  Where am I from?  I am from Canada. More than 25 moves to date. 

Today I am very thankful for Canada. 

It seems ironic considering I have been living abroad for 12+ years doesn’t it?  It’s true though, I am extremely grateful to be a Canadian.

This are my top ten (+3) reasons why I believe Canada is so cool:

1.             The beaver.  The beaver is one of Canada’s national symbols.  I did a little research about this furrly little fellow and this is what I found. Sr. Beaver was made a national symbol in 1975 because it was the primary fur traded and trapped by the Hudson Bay Company.  It was also shown on the first postage stamp.  Who knew ? 

2.             Oakridge Elementary School.  Canada provides free public education.  Working as a teacher abroad, I see first-hand the gap in public and private schools.  I don’t recall having to look very hard to find a U-hu glue stick or pair of silver scissors.  We always had paper, coloured pencils, and we studied in schools with hopscotch courts, jump-rope for heart, scholastic book club, team sports, field trips and we sang the national anthem every morning.

3.             Cough, cough, sniff, sniff.  Canada provides free health care.  It’s as easy as showing your health card and waiting your turn.  Period. 

4.             Disco balls.  Despite being a really big country, it has the fourth lowest population density in the world, with only three people living per square kilometer! We have A LOT of room to dance.

5.             Beep-Beep.  The roads are well maintained in Canada and although traffic exists, it’s orderly and predictable.  People even use their signal in Canada; right to turn right, and left to turn left.

6.             How is everything going here?  Service is impeccable.  People know their jobs and they take them seriously.

7.             Awe.  Canada is simply stunning.  The Niagara region is sprawling with parks and greenery and the Rockies out west declare power.  I haven’t had to pleasure of venturing to the east coast yet, but I have heard nothing but rave-reviews.

8.             Eh?  Canadians just know what “eh” means and it’s so much faster and cooler than adding, “do you agree?”  On the end of your sentences.

9.             5-O.  In Canada you can trust authority.   I even pulled a cop over once (on my way to the Black Eyed Peas concert) to see if he would act as my notary for my passport renewal.  It was a long shot.  As I asked him, “I have a really big favour to ask of you …”  he responded with, “Diane Clement?”  Turns out I knew him from years back.  Thanks Marty!

10.          Four seasons. Not the hotel, the restaurant or the pizza, but the real four seasons; one of the coolest consequences of our little geographical space on Mother Earth.

11.          Poutine.  French fries, gravey and cheese curds.  Yum!

12.          Pride.  Canadians are proud to be Canadian.  We don’t believe that the world starts and stops with ‘Oh Canada’ but Canadians hold their national identity close to their hearts (and backpacks).

13.          Fun Summer.  What I love the most about Canada, are the summers.  Canadians take advantage of the summer months and spring fever lasts until late August.  I love the idea of back-yard barbeques, patios, picnics, late sunsets and just enjoying the great outdoors.  My Canadian summer is just around the corner.  Lucky me. 

I can’t wait till someone asks me where I am from. I got it.  A: Canada!