Canada at War!

Speaking of fighting between Canada and the US. Did you all know that the US tried to take over Canada once and LOST? Yep, that's right. Those of you who know history know that on August 16th, 1812 (War of 1812 might ring a bell), General William Hull tried to invade Canada and was stopped at Detroit by a smaller, yet well prepared army led by Isaac Brock. I hope no one has hard feelings about this but it just goes to show you that Canadians knew how to fight at one time (we've lost our edge the last 10 years or so). Actually, little known to most, Canadians were very involved in many wars. In World War I (1914-1918), Canada (population of 8 million at the time) sent 418,000 troops and lost over 60,000. In World War II we declared war on Germany on Sept 10, 1939...yes 1939 and Canada (population of 12 million at the time) sent 1,100,000. We were allies with the US in both the Korean and Vietnamese wars and big into peace-keeping. So...my American friends...don't even think of trying to invade Canada. You may think you can over take us...but we will stop you!

Boxing Day

Hey American friends, did you know that Canada has an extra holiday at Christmastime. That's right! December 26th is known as Boxing Day. What is it you may ask? Well...its a bit fuzzy, but I did a short search online to figure out what it really is. Its basically a day that was created to give stuff to the poor or to service people that have to work on Christmas. It may have also been a day when the money boxes that were filled over Christmas were given to the poor. It's also celebrated in Britian, Australia, New Zealand and some other Commonwealth countries. One thing I do know, I know that Boxing Day has nothing to do with the sport - boxing...but that could be an interesting holiday to start. A day when Canadians and Americans set aside time to hit each other in the head. Hmmmmm...

Something that saddens me is that I really can't think of anything that would be considered Canadian food. Besides "Canadian bacon" and moose meat, I don't really know if Canada has something that we can call our own. The US has New York fries, A&W (All American Food) hamburgers, Chicago style pizza, ball park hot dogs, Kentucky Fried chicken, New Orleans cajun cooking. And other countries seem to have their own special dish: Mexican tacos, Greek Gyros and Chinese egg rolls. What is "Canadian bacon" anyway? Isn't it just glorifed pig? Help me out here!

BLAME CANADA!

Something that really gets my goat is when the weather people in the US blame Canada for the cold weather. I'm constantly hearing "A Canadian cold front is coming in," as if Canada was to blame. We had nothing to do with it! If we really want to get technical...we could say "It's all ALASKA'S FAULT!". I would just like to set the record straight...Canadians DID NOT invent cold weather (since we've been talking about inventions). And another issue...I'm always asked, "Is it cold in Canada?" I'm not really sure how to respond. Of course it is...but "cold" is relative. It also gets cold in Florida. It also gets HOT in Canada. Here are a few stats for you to ponder.
-Coldest recorded temperature in North America was -63C (-81.4F) in Snag, Yukon (that's a territory of Canada) (recorded Feb 3, 1947). Alaska came close with a -62.2C (-80F) record.
-Highest recorded temperature in Canada was 45 C (113F) in Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan (July 5, 1937).
-January yearly average on Ellesmere Island (northern point in Canada) -28C (-18.4F).
-January yearly average in Windsor, Ontario 0.7C (33.3F).
-July yearly average in the north 6.8C (44.2F).
-July yearly average in the south 27.8C (82.0F).

Oh...is it cold in North Dakota?
-January yearly average in northern North Dakota -16.7C (2.0F).
-July yearly average in northern Northa Dakota 22.8C (73F).

Ok so I am not much into sports (except ping-pong) so I need some help here. I guess there are some differences between Canadian sports and the US. What is the difference between the CFL and the NHL and which one do you think is better? Also...is it true that the US stole/borrowed/bought the game of basketball from Canada? It was invented by a Canadian, James Naismith, in 1891. I was at the US Olympic Center here in Colorado Springs and they also attribute the invention to Naismith. Can the US just overtake our sports!!! Seems shocking to me! Hockey (at least the modern rules) was invented by Canadians but it seems like the US is about to steal that one too. So, what's next Curling???

Well, thanks to all your advice I'm starting to see some differences between Canadians and Americans. Maybe we aren't the same and maybe we shouldn't become one country...or should we? So...I'm making a list...and checking it twice (at least) of all the differences between Canada and the US. I need you to help think of cultural/lifestyle things that make Canadians different than Americans.

OK...so I asked some American friends last night how they spell the word "amoung/among" and sure enough they spell it "among." SO...even the name for my blog hints of Canadian (I didn't think of this till after I named my blog Alien Amoung Americans). Spell check (American based) doesn't recognize "amoung". Canadians often use the "ou" in words such as flavour and colour. We also spell "theater" - "theatre" and "center" - "centre". We also name one letter in the alphabet a little different. The last letter "z" is named "Zee" in America but in Canada we call it "Zed." That's why Zellars (like Walmart) has club Zed points. There are several little idiosyncrasies that make Canadians different than Americans. Its different...but its Canadian. :)

So, have you ever lived in a country that is not your own yet most people who meet you believe that you belong? I look like an American. I talk (for the most part) like an American. I eat like an American. I smell like an American (whatever that is) and YET I am not American. I am Canadian. Its not a big deal...but its often a bit confusing for people and in someways its very confusing for me. After living in the U.S. for 5 years I'm still not sure what the real differences are. Yes, there are things like citizenship, government and "Smarties," but what really is the difference? We have borders and governments that seperate us yet I've discovered that most people that meet me would never know that I am Canadian unless I tell them. I need some help here. What is the difference between being a Canadian and being an American???