An American in Canada

Welcome to

I hope your dog team didn't give you any trouble on your way here. Are you settled comfortably into your igloo? Is it could enough for ya, eh. Are you ready to go around and aboat for your tour? Get your Loonies and Toonies out for our stop at The Loonie Store. Don't forget to get a double double at the local Timmy's and be sure to try their none spicy chili in bread bowl. Tonight for your viewing pleasure we bring you Canadian Idol, So You Think You Can Dance: Canada, Canadian Top Model, ET Canada, Toronto Jays Baseball, CFL- Canadian Football League, Curling, and of course HOCKEY.

Here is tonight's News brought to you by Molson Canadian.

Official :

Ontario challenging B.C.'s pot-growing supremacy: OPP
B.C. has a reputation for abundant bud, but Ontario Provincial Police say marijuana growers in their province are starting to rival their western counterparts.
Officials probe Winnipeg man's death after 34-hour ER wait
ER staff to check on everyone in waiting rooms: health minister
Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson tie the knot in B.C.
Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds married actress Scarlett Johansson in a quiet ceremony this weekend outside of Vancouver, according to People magazine.

If you were to watch the news on a regular basis these are somethings that you might notice.

Crime rarely happens at the end of a gun but with knives and fists.
It's a good year for the political party in charge, so there will be an election held in November with the expectations that they will stay in charge.
More protests and questions are being raised against The Olympic Committee, ranging from spending, to construction, what's to be done with the homeless, no one likes the mascots, and the latest should the National Anthem be for sale?
On the first day of snow: We apologize for the 10 car pile up. We have all forgotten
how to drive in it.
Why are our goods and resources being sent to the States
The weather can and will change every 5 minutes. Quebec does not like the rest of Canada and would like to split.
The rest of Canada say; We dare you.
The West does not like the East and vice verse.
Teachers are on strike.
Everyone's on strike at least once every 5 years.
All this and more can be found at CBC.ca the pride and bore of Canadian news.
One thing I really enjoy is their broadcasts of the Olympics. They show a larger variety of events, countries and is almost on 24/7.

Now to continue on your tour let me introduce myself. My name is Jennifer and I am here to give you an American view on this lovely, big, diverse, country. I've been here for 9 years, coming from Arizona. A state known for it's heat and blended Mexican culture. We made our move, my family and I, to Calgary, Alberta in July of 99. It snowed within two weeks of our arrival. Summer was officially over and we were lucky if the temperature got to 20 degrees Celsius/80+ F. I entered school that fall and immediately was introduced to the small yet noticeable differences. I was no longer average height, everyone is taller. I was now the minority and The American. Everyone was anxious to know if I knew anything about their grand country. If you were lost in the introduction, don't worry so was I. The assumption is made that everyone in the US believes that Canadians live like Eskimos.

Just as you would imagine school systems and curriculum's to be varied from state to state the same is in Canada. The two biggest differences are thanks to the divide of the two official languages; French and English. It is required that every student take 3 years of French and if you live in where French is predominant 3 years of English. The other being in Quebec, because they love to be different, there are 13 grades to pass. School Pride, Spirit Week aren't big factors of your High School years. Rugby, Lacrosse and Field Hockey are interesting and fun sports to watch. Prom is Grad. Parents are invited to the dinner. And the theme is pre-chosen by the District and is used for every High School. Ours was 'An Evening under the Serengeti Sunset'. Prom is held on the night of Graduation. This is scheduled up to a month before your last exam. When walking across the stage in your robe you are given a certificate stating that you participated in the Graduation Ceremonies. Your diploma is mailed to you, IF you passed your final exams.

Back to the Official Language. Everything in Canada is required to have English and French on it's labels, street signs, manuals, EVERYTHING. In the West, French isn't spoken as much as it is in the East. In British Columbia, things may as well be labeled in English and Chinese. The Chinese population is HUGE!

Which brings me to mention my favorite part of living in Canada. It's wide range of diversity. There are people from all around the world who live in this country. From Chinese, to Philippines. South Americans to Australians. Africans to Asia. With it comes a wide variety of cuisines, cultural events and market places.

Along with it's worldly culture Canada has it's own culture that can be found through out and also varies from province to province.





There is so much more that I can tell you about this country but for now lets get to what sets it apart from the United States of America, "it's rival" and other fun facts.

There are no Asian Canadians, African Canadians, Hispanic Canadians etc, just Canadians.

Coke tastes like Pepsi and Pepsi tastes like Coke. (It's all about the sugar)

The Queen is on most of their money and looks like monopoly bills.

The Loonie is a dollar coin. The Toonie is a two dollar coin.

Poutine is a favorite junk food. A mix of french fries, gravy and mozerrala cheese.

U appears in many words like; honour, colour and armour.

ER is reversed in many words like; centre and theatre.

Canada has a Nationalized Health Care Program.

The football is bigger as well as their field and endzone. The actual game is easier. If you miss the field goal kick but the ball falls onto the endzone you still get 1 point.

Ketchup and Dill flavored chips were invented here.

Some American Food Brands are found here but there are very distinct taste differnces, for a variety of reasons. Ketchup, Oreo Cookies, processed cheese slices, McDonalds, all cereal brands, are just a few.

Menu items in the fast food resturants are different. The main one; french fries instead of biscuits and mash potatoes at KFC.

Milk bags instead of cartons or gallons can be purchased in Eastern Canada.

Eh instead of huh. Is used to turn a question into a statement or a statement into a question. It is used by Canadians in almost every sentence.

Tim Horton's a Canadian institution. A double double is a cup of coffee with two creams and two sugars.

All Television stations must include in it's broadcast 40% of Canadian based programing. American channels; ABC, NBC, FOX, and a few others that can be viewed here are cut out from time to time to make room for the local TV listings. It can be very frustrating if you're awaiting to watch a new series only to have the channel switch and can no longer view it at all. The same goes for sports, they will cut in the middle of a game to broadcast a Canadian team that is playing at the same time.

Banff/Lake Louise: A National Park located in Alberta. A must visit. Quebecers come to these towns to work and learn english. Unfortunatly there are so many of them that there is no need to learn it. You're better off learning French while employed there.

"I'm Sorry." They take the blame for everything. I may be the one that wasn't looking at where I was going but they'll be sure to apologize for being in my way.

"Pardon." If they didn't hear or understand what you said. You'll hear this word.

A Canuck - It's a term that was once used to refer to French Canadians, that is now used to define ALL Canadians. It can be both affectionatly used or as a put down. Mostly it's the first. It is also the name of many sports teams.

They are very Liberal. (Although the West is more conservative, minus B.C) It was one of the first countries to legalize Gay Marriage. They have a Marijuana Political Party, known as the Green Party. Gay Pride is Big. Vancouver has a parade every year and even has it's own street; Davie Street.

And this is where I must end our tour. I am having technical difficulties. I hope you have enjoyed your stay in Canda. I will be adding to this post when I can, because "Canada is really BIG" so there is lots more to be said. Be sure to also check back from time to time and read more about my Canadian Experience, just click on the Canada label. I will also be flooding my childrens blog Connie and Bina, with Canadian images; from my collection, my fathers as well as some found on Google. Thank you to all you visitors from Blog Around the World. Debbie this is truly fantastic!

Enjoy this last clip; an exerpt from 'This Hour has 22 Minutes'. I love Canadian humor.