Which means it's Canada's birthday, and that makes me happy because I like Canada. I may be biased, but that's my prerogative as a Canadian.
At church on Sunday, our Branch President spoke, and one of the things he mentioned was about how grateful he was to live in the United States. He listed some of the good things about this country, and called it the "Best in the World". I was visiting with a friend later that evening, and, knowing that I am Canadian, she asked me what I thought about President Bigelow's words. I figured that there are lots of things I could agree with-- that there are a lot of good things in the states, a lot of great things about it (they let me come to school here!). I can even see why to many who live here, it really is the best country in the world. But... (and I may be biased) I found that I just couldn't quite get my heart to agree. My mind, yes, my heart... not quite. Yes, the states have a lot of great things going on-- but so does Canada! And I love the freedoms and opportunities that I was able to grow up having. We've seen a lot of the country while traveling and moving as a family, and while every region is unique, that diversity that is part of what I love about Canada.
So... to kick-off July... I'm going to make a Love List for Canada... I realize that some of these things are not exclusive to Canada, but they are there and they rock nonetheless...
Nature!
-the Canadian Shield
-the Rockies
-the Prairies (yes, even the prairies... they grow on you after a while... ha, no pun intended)
-Aurora Borealis
-Winters are beautiful (dang cold, but beautiful)
-the East Coast
-the West Coast
-Forests
-camping
-canoeing
-biking
-cross-country skiing
-the beach
-fall leaves, and pressing them in heavy books
-wildlife- Canada geese, moosen, deer, polar bears, grizzlies, beavers, lobsters (ok maybe those don't count... but they are still cool)
Food!
-Ketchup Chips
-Aero Bars
-Poutine
-Kinder Eggs (for the toy, not the chocolate)
-Maple Syrup
-Maple Candy (one is more than enough)
-Maple Cookies
-Maple Taffy (boil the syrup/sap and then pour it in a little trench in the snow, then roll it up on a popsicle stick to eat it like a lollipop)
-Shreddies
-Fruit stands by the side of the road in the summertime (especially in Ontario)
-Nanaimo Bars
-Pierogies
Cool Role Models!
-Terry Fox
-Emily Carr
-Kim Campbell (the U.S. is busy making a big fuss over having a female President, meanwhile, we had a female P.M. over 10 years ago. Even if she was in office for only nine months, and only because of some unfortunate troubles with the preceeding P.M.)
-uhhh... I guess there should be more here but... brain lapse.
The Dominion as a Whole!
-Freedom
-Democracy
-Bilingualism- and not just on cereal boxes
-Multiculturalism (and not to mention all the tasty food that comes with it :) )
-An honourable military tradition of peacekeeping and libration
-socialized health care (it may not be a perfect system, but it's one of the best)
Miscellaneous!
-spelling things with "extra" letters (I'm looking at you, u)
-special distinction for the letter Z to not rhyme with any other letters of the alphabet
-cool-looking money (hockey on a fiver = awesome)
-doughnuts always within a short drive
-an understated national identity, and the accompanying self-deprecating humour
-"Sorry"
-"Eh"
-Mounties and the musical ride
So... what have I missed? What are your favourites?
