Genuine Canadian?

I had a very interesting and beautiful moment this evening. It was an entirely new sensation. So get this my American friends and family: I'm sitting there with some friends in this classic, lovely old pub watching hockey in Ottawa -- I know, the classic Canadian set up, right? -- and its almost as if the very spirit of Canada and Canadians rose up before me. It's like I was aware of it more than I ever have been in my three years of Canadian schooling. I could see it and feel it even. I was thinking about how cool a sport hockey is (the Senators were on a roll) when it felt like I finally began to understand more of the Canadian identity. It must be diluted somewhat in the West, but out here I really feel like I'm in Canada, a distinct country. What was sticking out most to me was hockey and Parliament. These two strongholds of Canadian culture are not exclusive to Canada, but how they are done and the role they play is definitely Canadian. I do love a good cultural experience and this was one.
I've actually found it a bit of a struggle to maintain my American identity out here. I am so immersed in the heart of Canadian life and politics that my mind sometimes wants to commit its entirety to the project. Americans and Canadians aren't really all that different, but are still different. I do feel at times that I could step across the line and go to that side of things, but I would have to surrender the things that I value as part of my American culture. For those of you worried that this is my resignation as American, don't worry, its not gonna happen. For those of you worried about me being in a pub, take it easy; I had a Pepsi and fish & chips.
I guess all this is to say that my experience here has really given me an understanding of who Americans are and who Canadians are. We are more different than I previously understood. But I can't say that I would want to change Canadian values, just as I can't say a beautiful portrait needs different brushstrokes. In seeing this portrait, it gives me a better understanding of American life from an outside perspective. Likewise, this portrait does not need changing. Perhaps it is more often the observer needs to change his or her perspective on the picture.

One Month

It has been one month since I've arrived. So much has happened; more than what I would normally expect out of an individual month, but I'm still surprised that it has been that long since I've been here. You know the feeling of having your head way in front of your feet and your legs are churning to catch up with the rest of you? That's what it feels like.
I have felt the transition in my mind this past week from this being a cool trip to it being home. Memories of home have been filing through my head one last time before going into storage for a while. I'll think I see a face from home, then resign myself to not being able to see them. I've grown habits of living here to replace those I had at home. Sometimes I'll check what the temperature is in fahrenheit and enjoy the familiarity of the numbers. News about America has become something of a novelty. My preference for things American must remain mostly hidden. For all of the Canadians' tolerance, many of them can get pretty bothered by America. There is that underlying tension. I mostly just take it and try not to draw attention to myself. Bias isn't worth arguing with and I'm not here on a culture mission.
I've become quite familiar with Canadian politics now. There is still much to be learned, but now I find myself discussing what a month ago I had no clue about and wasn't investigating at all. It's really quite weird. A week or so ago I found myself joking along with some friends about the Ontario premier candidates. A month ago I did not know there was an election, nor did I know the candidates. Now I'm caught up in all the discussions about whether there will be a federal election after the Throne Speech. It's like language immersion. Immersing myself in Canadian politics is bringing me rapidly closer to fluency.
My life here is still amazing to me. It's hard to comprehend some of the stuff I've done, am doing, and will do. It's also strange to grasp the reality of my location, in Ottawa and specifically in this mansion. What an opportunity! This is truly a very special experience that I will treasure all my life and I thank God for that.
That being said, I miss home. I miss you guys. Family, friends, dogs. You aren't just family and friends, you are part of who I am. I thank God for you all and my life back home. Where ever I may go, I'm always casting a glance over my shoulder to my home and my heart.