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Canadian Life

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 on my newcomer’s mind!

On Campus (Part II)

I have always been fascinated by North American high schools and universities. They seemed to have so many rituals, so many traditions that I felt we were really missing out in France. Take...

On Campus (Part I)

My oral exam lasted exactly three minutes. It may have something to do with the fact I wrote in big bold letter "I am French !" in answer to the question "where did you learn French?" in the...

10 Facts About Canadians

Believe it or not, the stereotypical Canadian is not a lumberjack, doesn't live in an igloo somewhere up North, and doesn't always watch hockey. Okay, the last part may be true. Hockey Night in...

Amazing Skies

One of the good sides of Fall and Winter is the amazing skies, cloud patterns and sunsets we are having. I'm not sure why the sky is so interesting at this time of the year, but I noticed it is...

The Alien Student

At university, I feel like an alien among students. when the class started in September, and when it was still hot, I felt like a nerd in the middle of a bunch of wanna-be strippers. Since when did...

Greyish November

On Saturday, Gail headed to Ottawa and we meet downtown, two addicts with cameras in need of something to shoot. Between rain showers, we covered the Chateau Laurier, Notre-Dame Church and many...

10 Canadian Sports

Have you ever heard of curling? Did you know that cricket was popular here? Can you name Canada's official summer sport?

No?

Looks like you need this 10 Canadian sports list!

1, Sussex Drive

We headed to Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Governor General of Canada, as well as that in Ottawa of the Canadian monarch. The estate, located at 1 Sussex Drive, is huge. Like many...

10 Canadian Expressions

Contrary to popular belief, Canadians don't speak Canadian. Most speak English, or French, or even both. But Canadian English also has words or expressions not found, or not widely used, in other...

The End of Fall

The last leaves are falling, the sky is moody, the days are getting shorter and it's a bit colder everyday. Almost winter, I guess. To non-initiated people, it's hard to explain what is going inside...

Terry Fox Statue in front of the Parliament (Ottawa)

10 Great Canadians

There are great Canadians in all fields: sports, science, arts, social sciences... Thousands of Canadians from all backgrounds and all origins helped improve this world, one way or another, through...

What’s For Lunch?

Fear not: I'm not going to turn this blog into a cooking blog. I'm not that domestic. But lately, I've realized that every evening I was facing the same dilemma -- what to take for lunch?

The H1N1 Vaccine Dilemma

The news is out: as of today, October 26th, the H1N1 flu vaccine is available in Canada. So, should we get vaccinated? I'm wondering. I don't believe in massive conspiracy theories but yet, as your...

The Ottawa Valley

In the Gatineau Park in Québec, once you pass the forests, the lakes with their beautiful reflections, you will come across a few viewpoints, up in the mountain. From here, the Ottawa Valley looks...

10 Canadian Bands

Welcome to my new series, the "Canadian List of Ten"! Ten weeks, ten posts, ten lists and one hundred new Canadian things for you, from food to language, from city to weather. Today, we will start...