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The Fetal Diaries #35: On being stuck in Canada for too long.
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I haven’t been out of Canada since I got here.
That means three years and three months of good ol’ Canadian living, eh?* and yes, I’m saying it the Canadian way.
[*There are many ways you can say eh. The Canadian way, or aka the annoying way. Somehow, Canadians can always find a place to put ‘eh’ in a sentence. The stereotype holds true, actually.
There’s the British way. Meaning the most common way of saying it. I don’t think I need to explain. And there’s the Asian way. Which sounds more like ‘heh’ than ‘eh’. Or maybe it’s ‘ehh’ I’m thinking about..]
That, in itself is a huge problem. Although Canada boasts of its multicultural background, it lacks that strong iconic culture say, the French might have (that, for no apparent reason, popped out first). In other words, Canada cannot entertain a person like me. I’ve been to some places where culture is very strong and defined, like the UAE. Sure, the expat population there very easily outnumbers the local population, but even so, the authentic arab life is there, if you knew where to look (I recommend Al Ain, somewhere in the desert. Good place to start a bonfire with some crazy arabs and dance around. Arabs know how to get a party started, in their way, of course). The Philippines, although has a long history of invasions from multiple foreign countries, has a very defined culture. Although it is a very diverse culture, it’s there, and people know it. What filipino does not know what Baguio is? I rest my case.
Anyways.. Being a TCK, I know what a defined culture is. Take Thailand and the amazing Golden and Reclining Buddhas (and Pad Thai). Canada does not have that. What’s authentic Canadian food? Poutine, I guess.. But not a lot of people know it even came from Canada. But it’s just fries.. With gravy and cheese. Compared to a Korean kimchi or Japanese sushi, a Canadian poutine hardly seems distinct enough.
Now I’m not saying Canada is horrible. But like I’ve said in numerous previous posts, it’s just too.. Plain. If maybe there were more Aboriginal influence, then maybe Canada would be more exciting. Well there’s the Calgary Stampede.. But fairs are just fairs.. And rodeo eventually gets boring. Besides, rodeo itself isn’t very Canadian either. See what I mean?
Now that is driving me crazy. It’s so Canadian, yet it’s not. I’m not sure it’s making sense to you right now, but it does to me. Somehow, Canadian culture fails to get to me and amaze me. There’s something horribly missing. I’m really not kidding.
So yeah, poor Foetus is stuck in here, but not for long. In just 8 days, I’m out of here. Temporarily, and it’s just the US. But it’s something. Anything that gets me out of Canada. And besides, Little Tokyo and Filipinotown in California should get me some of my embarrassing asian-ness back (some may argue I’m already too embarrassingly asian, but friends, you haven’t seen nothing yet). And maybe shopping will get me my sanity back. Just maybe.
Really, I’m stoked. This is my first time into the US. To many TCKs, the US is, well, just the US. But hey, I’ve never been there. This only adds to my list of countries and cities visited. The US would be.. My 7th country to set foot on.
My dad says I’m lucky, compared to many kids out there (I know he specifically means my cousins). I know I am. Compare me to my cousins and you’ll hardly figure out how we’re related. We’re so different. While they’re either too Filipino or too Canadian. I’m neither. So maybe I’m the human Canada? Just like how Canada is a country, but a country that lacks a distinct culture, I’m a human being, but I lack that feeling of patriotism towards one (and only one) country. *Gasp* I am a human Canada!
So I just realized I’m a human Canada. Maybe all TCKs are. That’s… Sad. See how Canada affects my brain and trail of thoughts? I really need Mickey Mouse’s help on my road to recovery. Let’s hope by the end of this summer, I’ll be myself again.
Alright. Tired of txting. I’m outta here. Night (or morning). Rant over. Pc’n.
Kristine aka Fetus.
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July 6th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Man, I’d do anything for Canada. How do you feel about a switch in TCK countries? I’ll move to Canada and you move to NYC? If only it were that easy…I still have to decide if I am ready and willing to give up my US passport forever to go to Canada. Hmmm…this place is pretty crazy! LOL
P.S Where in Canada are you? That might be the only problem…I grew up in Africa so amn’t to cool about mountains of snow…maybe I should rethink this plan…sigh!
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July 6th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Am I the only person on TCKID.com who had an incredible experience in Canada (a place I lived in for 3 years)?
Canada and Los Angeles share something in common - they are places you can “travelling without travelling”. The diversity of people, perspectives, cultures was right at my doorstep!
A typical day in Canada for me was…
1). Waking up in my gorgeous apartment on the third floor of a heritage home on Parker Street, Vancouver. The entire west wall was all windows where I would enjoy a bird’s eye view of the mountains, water, trees, fireworks on public holidays. Damn, one winter I watched a meteor shower snuggled up in my comfy bed.
2). I would sit down and cook a phenominal breakfast with the freshest, most delicious ingredients possible.
3). If it was the weekend I would cruise down to the “10th House” - a hippy commune. A hodge-podge of characters whether lesbian burlesque-dancers, Jewish-death-metal lovers, Swhite-girl Shiatsu healers would coral and flolick creating pandemonium by climbing the house with mountain-climbing ropes. One would be chanting Tantra mantras, one would be spinning Hip-Hop. Someone else would be having a political discussion. I would be out front with the passion flowers enjoying the sun.
4). What to eat for lunch? Vegan, Italian, Mongolian, Thai, Indian, Jamaican, Ethiopian, Yucatan Mexican? Hmm…why not some stewed octopus in tomato sauce with fresh lime and herbs with warm tortillas. How about a coconut-macaroon organic cookie for a treat? Organic juice as Sweet Cherebums? Or how about a falafel at either the Israeli or Halal spot? I know, a Nanaimo bar
5). Hmmm…I need some craziness. Let me go peop my Jamaican people from Toronto down on Hastings. Argue over the best Jamaican beats, eat some dumplin’ & curry goat?
My 3 years in Canada were the best of my life. Whether in Vancouver (which has done a 180 and is very different from when I lived there back in 199-2002) or Toronto I love it! T.Dot with Caribbeam/African/Asian/ Indian/Portuguese populations?
Travelling without travelling indeed
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July 6th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Wow Christine,
I don’t know what it is about Canada, but it seems to be a place where expats get really “stuck.” Hard to move out of Canada for some reason.
I live in Canada when I was a little kid, way back in the late 60’s. I went to Catholic school, and in the winter, they would ice over the playground so that the kids could ice skate on it. My one memory of Ottawa was of the nuns ice skating with the kids during recess. They had these huge habits, and therefore, you could not see their legs moving as they skated, and they usually had their hands stuck inside a muff. Their nun veils would be sticking out at 90 degree angles, and you would see them just gliding over the ice in their habits, like they were some kind of smooth mechanical wind up dolls.
Oh, and my one other memory of Canada was the frequent tea parties my mom would throw for the nuns in hopes of persuading them not to jettison of one my 6 rowdy brothers and sisters out of school for some crime or another. Lots, and lots of petit fours!
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