Correr Es Mi Destino

Anything related to my new life under the snow… From bitching about the weather to hockey games and the Stanley Cup, from culture shock to shocking culture, from old Europe to the New Continent, whatever is in my immigrant’s mind !

People feel the need to eat in places they shouldn’t even think of: at concerts, sports games, outdoor activities, movie theaters; on the bus, the train, in their cars. I clearly remember a time where I would go to the movie and would at most had a bottle of water in my bag.

Ever heard of the Tragically Hip? Chances are if you did, you hold a Canadian passport. If no, don’t worry — you’re just a foreigner. The band from Kingston Ontario has been around for around twenty years but it just doesn’t work outside Canada. Could that be because their songs mostly revolve around hockey, small Canadian towns and Canadian history?

For most immigrants, Canada’s two seasons can be illustrated by the following words — “fucking hot” and “fucking cold”. And Canadians loudly complain too. Too much snow to shovel in the morning, freeway buried under blizzard and ice storms in winter, drought and floods in the summer.

Like when we were traveling in Latin America. Once I went back home, everybody asked me about the drugs over there: “come on, didn’t you see poppy fields in Bolivia? Cocaine in Peru? “. Nope. Didn’t see any drugs. The odd join smoked at the hostel, maybe. But certainly much less drugs than I had seen when I was in high school.

Do you know why I’m not a perfect woman? No, it’s not — only — because I like muffins (a lot). It’s a much deeper secret. Still don’t know?

Let me put in simply. I’m French. And I’m a lousy cook.

So, 15% of $30… is…

No, I’m not calculating my Adsense revenues (that would be easy: $1 + 0.50¢ = $1.50… last time I checked!). I’m experiencing tipping-related stress. Don’t laugh: it’s common.

I would have relaxed myself (translation: drink Diet Coke while smoking cigarettes and read forums), but as the new year is about to begin, I wanted to end 2007 on a positive note. So here are the top ten reasons I love Canada.

Things I learned in 2007.