Hoser

I have a confession. Are you ready? Are you bracing yourself? Alright, here it is: I'm Canadian! It's true. And so I wish you all a Happy Canada Day (it was yesterday but I was so busy enjoying it I didn't have time to blog). On Canada Day everywhere Canadians wake up to a busy day of BBQ and beer. There's probably a parade, some fireworks and inevitably, more beer. It's a grand tradition and one I miss terribly. One year, when I was young and probably stupid, I even flew home early from Europe so I could spend Canada Day with my friends. It's true and it was lame. I'm pretty sure we did nothing exciting and there probably wasn't even beer.

Now that I'm older and not living in my country I'd like to say that I'd never do that again but I would. I miss my home - not always 'cause there's no Target there - and I miss all those things that make Canadians Canadian - though I don't think you miss those things unless you do without them. So, I've compiled a list of things that I miss....

1. Canadian chocolate.

2. Canadian beer

3. cough medicine

4. persians (a hometown favourite)

5. the Hoito

6. RCMP

7. The Big Nickel

8. French/English bilingualism

9. Metric

10. BBC's Coronation Street (yah, I know it's British but we get it in Canada and it's sort of an icon just the same).

And no mention of Hockey? I believe it is understood. I love, love, love Hockey Night in Canada (or at least the old anthem) - it's a Canadian tradition if ever there was one. But, I'm married to a hockey player, I have two sons that play hockey (in the yard) and I live in a town that has an NHL team - it's still in my life so I won't bore you with it...