Variety is the Spice of Life

By Asami Kawamura

The expression, "Variety is the spice of life," is usually true. I was born in Hokkaido. When I was a junior high school student, I was planning what to do with my life, but when I was twelve years old, I moved to Osaka. I didn't want to leave Hokkaido and transfer to junior high school. In those days, I disliked Osaka, but my feeling changed as time went by. Now I love Osaka. I'm nineteen years old now. I live in Canada. I enjoy Canadian life. Sometimes, I make mistakes about something, but I learned from repeated mistakes. I never know what will happen next. Life is what I make it, so I want to visit more other countries. I want to enjoy my life.

The Past Ten Years

By Lin Lin

My life has been changed a lot since 2000. I graduated from my high school in 2000. I didn’t get any good offer for the university. At that time, my mum gave me two opinions to choose: go to college or go abroad. I didn’t even think about it. I told my mum I would love to go abroad. Since then my life has been changed.

In 2001, I packed up my stuff when I was ready to go to my new direction. I didn’t spend too much time to settle into my new life. I went to school, found a job, and met a lot of new friends. At the end of 2003, accidentally, I met my husband. I started to build a family. After we met each other’s parents, I was planning to have a baby. In 2006, lucky me, we had a baby girl. I started to learn what the responsibility means. I needed to look for a job and save some money for my daughter’s future. When I got a job as a clerk in the Chinese clinic, I didn’t have time to look after my baby girl. I had to let her grandparents take care of her. But I promised myself I would bring her back to me in four years.

I worked a year in the Chinese clinic. At that time, I began to feel my knowledge wasn’t good enough. I decided to go to school. I picked up a nursing course. That course was related to my last job. A year after I had done studying, I got a job offer from a nursing home. However, I knew I wanted to bring my baby girl back to me, and I didn’t want to go back to China. I should change my situation: to get PR (Permanent Resident) or citizen in Ireland.

Then my husband and I began to find how we can apply for PR or citizen. We applied but were not successful. People always say: if God closes a door, he opens a window. By chance, I saw a message from a web site. Depending on my skill and my work experience, I could immigrate to Canada. I was so surprised and so excited. But the bad condition is I needed to go to Canada first. After I worked two years, I could bring my family here. I told this information to my husband, and he stood by me to do this thing.

2010 is my second important milestone. I had to leave the country that I had been living in for 10 years and go to another strange country. But whatever, the choice is right or wrong. I could only do it now—just step on it. I packed up my stuff again, said good-bye to my families again. I crossed my fingers to myself. I would bring my daughter back to me as soon as possible. This is my story for my past 10 years.

Tips for Travelers

By Pamela den Ouden

If this is your first visit to Canada, I have some advice for you about politeness in North American culture. My most important tip concerns gift-giving customs when you visit a host’s home. If you’re invited for supper, it’s considered good manners to bring something for the host. Traditionally, people bring flowers, chocolates, or a small gift that they’ve brought from their own country. Next, it’s important to be on time. If you have a business meeting, show respect by arriving five to ten minutes early. Greet the receptionist and introduce yourself. This will help you make a good impression. For a dinner engagement at someone’s home, you should arrive 10-15 minutes before the stated time. For example, if the host tells you dinner is at 5:00 p.m., you should arrive between 4:45-4:50. If you are unavoidably detained, call your host and explain why you’re going to be late. Finally, if you eat out at a restaurant, you should leave a tip of 15-20%. This is a typical amount. This has not been added into the price shown on the menu. Following these simple suggestions will help you avoid awkward situations and will make your visit to Canada more enjoyable.

My Canadian Life in Fort St. John

By Rina Takamatsu

When I arrive in Fort St. John, I was excited. This study abroad is my first visit to a foreign country. I was really looking forward to the day in Japan. Then, I met my host family. They are so kind to me. First Dad showed me the Peace River. I was surprised. It is very beautiful, but I couldn’t say anything. because I didn’t know how to say my feeling.
When I cam to school the first time, I was nervous. There were Chinese, Korean, and Colombian students in my classroom, so I couldn’t speak Japanese, and I thought, “I want to talk to them, and I want to be friends with them.” But my English is not enough, and I was ashamed about my English skill, so I didn’t talk in the beginning. But they invited me to a lot of places. I went to Mastaro Sushi, Boston, Pizza, Mr. Mikes, a pub, Sushi Heaven, Mama Panda and so on. Generally, after school, we went to Tim Hortons, Starbucks, DQ, and we talked about many things. I was good memories for me.

Also, my school has good teachers. I couldn’t understand in the beginning, but now, I can almost understand their English because of them. Pamela is very funny. If I don’t know the word, she expresses the picture of uses body language. There are explicit instructions. Michael is also a good teacher. He was always kidding, and he is humorous, so his class is so funny. But he is sometimes strict for me. If I can’t understand the meaning, he seriously taught me. Anyway, my teachers are great. I could know a lot of useful English.

In the Easter vacation, I could do a good experience. The first day, I went to Taylor, and I played ice-skate with my friends. The second day, my friends and host family’s friends came to my house for supper. There was a delicious meal. The third day, I rode a horse in my Dad’s uncle’s house for the first time. These were nice days!

I went camping from May 19 to May 22 with Miho’s host family. We went to Liard. Liard is 12 hours from Fort St. John by car. It was so far, but so beautiful view. I felt nature there. We stayed in the countryside, and it was exciting for me because there were a lot of first experiences. We went to the hot spring. Also, we saw bears, moose, buffalo, and a lot of animals. I thought, “This is a zoo.” I really envy this country. This country still has a rich natural environment. My country has a natural environment, but not so much, so I could see such a lot of nature the first time beause of Miho’s host family. I appreciate them.

Also, I went to Calgary, Banff, and Jasper with my friends from June 4 to June 9. It was awesome! They are my good friends. I won’t forget the trip memories.

My house is the best place. I really like my host family. When I have trouble, they help me. Mom always cooks for me. It’s very delicious meal, and Dad always makes me happy. They always care about me, so when I stay in my home, it is the most comfortable. Also, they have a lot of friends, so I could meet many Canadians and I could talk to them. Probably, my English grew because of them. Also, they take me to Egan’s pub on every Monday. I think they’re really my Dad and Mom. I’m their daughter. I’m glad to meet them.

My Canadian life is perfect. I could meet many people, and I got good friends, great teachers, and a wonderful family. I will boast about my Canadian life when I go back to Japan. They must envy me because I had a good time in Canada. Super than you so much, Canada. I hope I could come back here!

Summer and Winter

By Selina Situ

There are four seasons in a year. Compared with the other seasons, summer and winter are opposite.

In summer, the temperature is higher than any other season. In the opposite direction, winter is colder than any other season, but one thing you have to remember is in winter the temperature can be negative centigrade degrees in the morning and at night, but it might go up to positive centigrade degrees in the afternoon.

In addition, people wear more clothes in the winter, but it is very inconvenient as you come inside (even though outside is very cold). When you go inside you have to take off your coat because inside is heated up. Also, in winter, night time is longer than day time; on the other hand, in summer, day time is longer than night time.

In my opinion, I like winter, but it is too cold for me, and I think a lot of people love summer, maybe because they can dress less than winter, showing off their perfect body, and it is very convenient to go out on a nice summer day.

Book Review: The Nightmare Game

By Austin Au

I’m going to talk about a sad story, The Nightmare Game. This story talks about a sad time in Canada in 1970. In that year, the Quebec residents wanted to run their province themselves. They wanted to kick the other people out of the province. For a long time, the English Canadians ran Quebec. They ran many factories. They ran the banks. Some of the people in Quebec got angry. A few people in Quebec formed the FLQ. They wanted to make the government sit up and listen. The FLQ wanted to free Quebec.

On October 5, 1970, the FLQ kidnapped James Cross. James Cross was the British Trade Commissioner in Montreal. They demanded from the Government many things. They wanted the government to free 23 prisoners. They wanted a lot of money, and they wanted a plane to Cuba or Algeria. For sure, the government would not deal with them.

Then on October 10, Pierre Laporte was kidnapped. Pierre Laporte was a member of the Quebec government. The FLQ kidnappers made the government know again. The government might be ready to talk about freeing the 23 prisoners, but only if it was sure that James Cross and Pierre Laporte would be set free. Unfortunately, the talks broke down.

On October 16, the federal government put the Emergency War Measures Act into force. The police could now pick up anybody who might have had anything to do with the FLQ. It was the worst time for Canadians.

In the end, Pierre Laporte lost his life. James Cross lost his freedom, and the government lost a lot of support. Finally, the police closed in on the kidnappers. The FLQ knew they were cornered.

Everybody lost something in the Game. The FLQ got only one of their demands granted: the plane to Cuba.

Why did I choose this book? Because I don’t think in Canada, this peaceful place, also has some bad things that would happen at any time.

Differences Between My Home and Canada

Pamela writes: I asked the students to write about some of the differences they've noticed between their own home and culture and what they've seen so far of Canadian homes and customs. Most of the students have been here only for a few weeks--since the beginning of September.

Yui

When I came to Canada, I saw huge lands. It was cool in Canada, so I felt good. I was surprised that Canadians eat moose because Japanese people don’t eat it. Whenever it is cold, Canadian wear scanty clothing. If Canadians wear scanty clothing, Japanese wear much clothing, so I think Japanese are extremely sensitive to the cold. Canadian don’t take a bath every day, that surprised me. It’s usual for Japanese to take a bath every day.

Reika

When I moved to Canada from Japan, I’m surprised at many things. If Japanese go shopping, Japanese certainly lock the door, but Canadians don’t lock the door. I also always take a bath in Japan, but Canadians take a shower. Besides, it’s a short time for the shower.

I noticed food and times for eating. Canadians eat dinner very early and just a main dish. When I was in Japan, I often ate dinner at 8 p.m., and I have many foods, such as vegetable, fish, and main dish.

Ai

I had many surprising things after I came to Canada. There are a lot of differencesand cultures about foods, life style, habits and shipping and so on between Japan and Canada.

First, about foods. In Canada, they eat only one dish at supper and sometimes bread with it. That’s all. I was really surprised. Also, they sometimes eat some sweets like pudding and cookies for lunch. I feel Canadian people eat all day. These things are very surprising things for me.

Second, life style and habits. My host family never take off their shoes at house. In Japan, we take our shoes off all the time. And they drink only water from a tap. I think Canadian water is more safe than Japanese water. Additionally, they hardly watch TV. They don’t have a TV.

Third, shopping. They were drinking cola before buying. It was really surprising for me. The other day at the supermarket, I noticed a big difference. Canadian people take a shopping cart and put many things they will buy in it. Then they put all things on the counter and pay for them.

Differences from Japan and Canada – Yumi

When I came to Canada, I found some differences from Japan and Canada. First a jmajor difference is supper time. In Japan, supper time is about 7 p.m., but in Canada, we have supper at 5:30 p.m. I was surprised.

Next, Canadian people go to bed early. Everyone goes to bed about 9 p.m. I always go to bed about 12 a.m.

Then Canadian people bring snack (for example, cookies, pudding and so on) for lunch. Also Canadian people drink a cup of juice at supper. Japanese drink water or tea.

Next, at the supermarket, things are bigger than in Japan. For example, when I want a PET bottle, I can buy a PET bottle in Japan. But in Canada, I must buy a six-bottle set. There are many differences from Japan to Canada.

Sanae

There are a lot of different customs between Japan and Canada. First, Japanese always eat rice and some dishes, but Canadians usually eat a potato or bread and one dish. I was also surprised about clothes. In summer time, some Canadians wear only a bathing suit. Some men were naked to the waist. In addition, Canadian houses have small gardens which are like a farm.

However, we also have a similar custom. For example, we always worry about family or friends.

Yoko

I was surprised by many differences between Japan and Canada. First, in Japan, I take a bath in a bath tub every day, but my host family’s house doesn’t have bathtub. I’m sad, and I’m very cold. Second, there are differences of foods. Although Japanese eat rice every day, Canadians don’t eat rice, mainly they eat bread. I sometimes feel to eat rice.

Third, I find some differences at supermarket. In Japan, we had a basket to cashier, but in Canada, we must put goods on conveyor. I feel Canada’s good, for example, bread, ice cream, joice and so on, are so big compared to Japanese ones.
Fourth, many Japanese stay up to midnight, but many Canadians sleep very early.
Finally, I think there are m any differences of climate. In Japan, it is moist and hot. In Canada, it is dry and very cold. I worry this weather. I like nature, but my hometown doesn’t have it. Fort St. John has a lot of nature. I like it here.

Different Culture – Hitomi

Before I came to Canada, I thought that there are some differences between Canada and Japan, but there are more differences than I thought. I will tell you four things that I noticed.

First, Canadian people eat supper at 5 or 6 o’clock. Japanese people eat supper at 7 or 8 o’clock because some Japanese work until night. So I feel a little discomfort about supper time.

Next, Japanese people take a bath almost every day but Canadians, for example, my host family often only take a shower. I like taking a bath so I want to take a bath!

Third, I was surprised when I went to the supermarket. A clerk and a guest often talk a lot in Canada. If I talk with a clerk in Japan, other guests maybe become angry.

Finally, in Canada, a bus is usually late. I take a bus every day and the bus is always late! In inconceivable so I was very surprised.

There are many amazing differences but I enjoy Canadian life.

Vincent

When I moved to Canada from Macao, I experienced and enderwent many differences because two places have too many customs that are different. First, a major difference is the language. I’m not able to speak Cantonese or Chinese wherever I go. At the first time, I was so confused that I’ve never seen too many English words on billboards, sign boards, ads and anywhere.

Second, I saw too many individuals, stylish dudes who were walking on the street. I was surprised at a guy with punk hair but he still can go to school and kids don’t have to wear school uniforms. Then, now I comprehend how uncomfortable it is to take a bus and also how unbearable to tolerate the inclement climate.

Ryuka

When I came toFort St. John from Japan, there are many differences! First, it is early for me to eat and sleep. In Japan, I eat supper at 10 p.m. and sleep at 1 a.m. because I work till 9 p.m. Second, In Japan, I take a bath every day but Canadian people don’t do that. Third, at the supermarket, people don’t pay goods first although they take and eat first!!! It is unbelievable for me!!!!! That’s why there are many differences between Canada and Japan.

Hideki

When I move from Japan to Canada, these counties are very far so I’m having a different culture. At first, Canadian people greet everybody even though almost all Japanese people greet only friends.

Also, foods are very different. Before I came to Canada, I ate mainly rice, but Canadian people are eating bread. Usually Canadian houses hafve a pick-up truck or camping car. Japanese have not too much space. Almost all Japanese cannot get a big car. Therefore, compacts are popular in Japan.