July 1 – oh Canada!

342/365 – people to thank who have had an impact on me.  Being born and raised in Canada of course has great advantages.  I am very privileged and I know it and I guess being ethnic makes it even that much more real for me.  I have been to India a few times over my life and every time I have come back to Vancouver, I have realized that I take a lot of things for granted.  Yes, India has progressed greatly from my first trip to the last one I took in 2009 but I am still very lucky and glad to call Canada my home.  Today, on Canada Day, I am not thanking a specific person, rather I am thanking my country!  I am so very proud to be Canadian.  I love being a part of a mosaic and being able to retain my very essence and still be Canadian rather than having to be melt into a pot to be nationalistic over individualistic.  The entire world loves Canadians!  I have never, ever heard anything negative about Canada.  I mean, it’s the exact opposite – how damn nice we are and yeah, we are!! 😉  When you see my face, Canadian isn’t probably one of the things that comes to mind but when I see myself in a mirror, Canadian is one of the things that I see!  That’s the thing that sets Canada apart from any and every other country – diversity!  I don’t know any different as I was born and raised here but Oh Canada, am I so very happy to be damn Canadian!  Canada gave you Ryan Gosling, Ryan Reynolds, Drake, Justin Bieber, Winnie the Pooh, Superman, Basketball, Poutine, Walkie Talkies, Imax, Ice Hockey, Plexiglass, The Caesar, Peanut Butter, the Telephone, Shania Twain, Seth Rogen… and well, yeah, me!! 😉  Damn yeah, Oh CANADA!!!