The Capital of Canada

Last year in the UK we tried to inundate our British classmates with as much information about Canada as we could. We would answer their questions about our mother country with a lot more knowledge than they asked for. We hoped they would absorb every random fact and detail we threw at them.

The first lesson about Canada generally went like this...
"So, you're American?"
"No, we're Canadian" (hee hee - no, just kidding... usually they knew we were Canadian).
It went like this...
"So, where are you from in Canada?"
"We're from Ottawa, the capital of Canada" (note that subtle example of giving them more information than they bargained for).
Their response: "The capital? I thought Toronto was the capital."
"Nope, Ottawa's the capital of Canada."

We really wanted them to get it. Of all the classmates we thought would get it, we would have counted on Matt. Matt's from Huddersfield - he's doing his PhD. He was given the award for highest mark in our class. Matt's clever and he really pays attention too.

Apparently this weekend Matt was in some sort of student quiz. He was shown a Canadian flag. He had to name the country and the capital. He got the country right - not the capital.

Matt, you've let us down... but we still love you.

Lesson one: Ottawa's the capital of Canada.

-Maryann

Snow anyone?

Right now in Ottawa we have plenty of snow. In fact, Canada is covered with snow from Coast to Coast! We are living in a housing co-op where everyone pitches in volunteering around the buildings to help everything function smoothly. I've been assigned to shovelling snow, so I've been VERY busy. It has snowed for the past 2 or 3 days, without letting up, and I have to shovel about 3 times a day so people can get to their units. Ha hahahahah!!! I LOVE IT!!!

Living in the UK last year, I really missed the snow and the cold in Canada! Now we have plenty of it. We are sitting at a nice -8 C with a windchill of -17 C. I compared this on-line with Cardiff...10C to 14C this week. What a difference! Think of all the things we can do! Shovel cars out of snowbanks, make snow angels, go skiing, skate, snowshoe, visit the sugar bush, make snow men, or shovel an entire co-op! So many exciting options.

One of the greatest parts of a snowy day is how cozy it is to bundle up inside with a nice cuppa hot chocolate. Maryann has decorated our new place so nicely. It's full of colour. You may be able to see that we have about 2 feet of snow on our balcony just off the living room. This is great!!

Environment Canada has predicted that we are going to have our coldest winter in over 15 years! It's the perfect year to live in Ottawa by the Canal, for the winterlude festival with all the ice and snow sculptures, and to dress like a Canadian bear! If you haven't ever experienced a Canadian winter, this one's gonna be a doozie! Don't miss it!!

Ben