My latest observance

I write my German exam in just over 10 hours, but the mood has struck me to make a post. It’s been a long time, I know, but hey I’m feeling a bit nostalgic, so just go with it.

In the last couple of weeks I have missed Canada especially. Not for any particular reason, just because I am quickly realizing just how great we have it and that we really are quite possibly the best country in the world.

The other day in one of my classes I had to defend our country as one of my classmates bashed us. Why was she bashing? I honestly still do not know. However, standing up for my country made me feel pretty damn proud. Even with our faults most of the world cannot even compete.

A couple days ago I got into a heated discussion about Canada’s role in Afghanistan. The person I was talking to was pretty convinced that we shouldn’t be there. She said it wasn’t our war and that we just need to get out of there. What she fails to see is that it is indeed our war – Al-Qaeda attacks are not just aimed at the US. Last time I checked there were even Canadians killed on 9/11. Besides to leave the country now would be disastrous. The reason we study history is to learn from our mistakes. What did we learn from the East-Timor crisis? When you (in this case, Australia) give up on a mission and pull out of a country it can lead to chaos and everyone looses. Besides, whether you agree with our role or not, is beside the point. You have to recognize the remarkable efforts of our Canadian Service Men and Women. All those who our defending our country – who wake up each day a world away from their families and face challenges we at home cannot even imagine. If we could just put as much energy into showing our support for the troops as we do arguing about whether or not they should even be there it would be extraordinary.

Something I have learned over the past six months is that no matter how far away from home I am I am a Canadian through and through. I am proud of my country. I believe in my country. I support my country and everything we stand for. Nothing can change who I am or how I feel. We have a great thing going for us – it goes by the name Canada. I’m not saying that I am giving up my world travels – this would be far from the truth, but I certainly have a deeper appreciation for my country now. So much so that even when I get home and have to stand on the side of the street waiting for my bus for a half hour I will remember that I am a lucky, lucky girl.

Und jetzt studiere ich!