Yes. I grew up watching Hockey Night in Canada. I am addicted to Tim Horton's coffee. My first French class was on the back of a cereal box. And I eat my fries with vinegar.
That's Canada on the surface.
With one of the most intriguing and beautiful cities on the planet as the backdrop, the world is now starting to understand what being Canadian is really all about - my Canada.
I watched part of the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games the other night and was taken aback by the awe-inspiring spectacle. One moment after another sparked this incredible feeling of familiarity. I knew this place. It was and will always be my home. The portrayal of Canada's diverse people and geography, the well-known Canadians who helped tie the ceremony together and the Canadian athletes who came out with a sense of comfort, knowing that they are backed by a fiercely patriotic fan contingent more than 33 million strong - it literally brought tears to my eyes.
To me, Canada means growing up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the daughter of hard-working immigrant parents. Being Canadian means being passionate, accepting, walking down the street and hearing ten different languages at the same time. Being Canadian means being humble and proud. It means having an awareness and appreciation for the rest of the world and how you fit into the big picture. It means growing up learning about Canada's history and diversity and understanding the historical challenges and struggles that created this modern country that continues to hold on to its roots.
It means learning French in school, travelling to the top of the CN Tower on a grade 8 trip to Toronto, eating pea soup at Old Fort William, Persian day at school, skating on the Rideau canal, listening to Don Cherry on TV with your grandparents and speaking Italian.
OK. That's pretty deep. But having lived in the United States for more than a decade really reminds me every day of how important the place I grew up has been in shaping who I am today. The U.S. is now my home and I have been given the unique gift of two countries to love and appreciate for different reasons.
All right, truth be told - I will always cheer on Canadian teams at hockey games. I can still sing the Canadian national anthem in French. I have the CBC Radio and Globe & Mail apps on my iPhone. And I absolutely panicked the other day when the Canadian flag went missing from my desk. My family still lives in Canada and as I said before, it will always be my first home.
You can take the girl out of Canada, but you can't...well, you know what I mean.
I am so proud that the best of Canada is on display in Vancouver. It gives me shivers every time I turn on the TV and see Canadian flags everywhere.
I love you my American friends, but this month I'm smiling for Canada and her athletes.
(Copyright 2010 by KARE 11. All Rights Reserved.)