Oh Canada*

Coming from the far away land of the Canucks, I tend to feel pretty exotic around these parts.  You should see the awed looks I get when I tell people that I'm from Alberta, Canada.
But sometimes I find it a little silly how ignorant Americans can be.  When people hear that I'm from Alberta or even Canada, too many assume that I must know Bill or Sally or Terry from Small Town, Far Away Province, Canada.  It used to annoy me, but now I'm just amused. 


On the first day of my science class this semester, the teacher was asking us all where we were from.  It came around to my turn, and I told him.
"Canada?" he replied, "I have a couple of friends from Canada."
"Oh, well, I must know them," I responded, trying to beat him to the chase.

"No, I don't think so.  They're from over in New Brunswick."
Apparently he didn't catch my sarcasm.


Later in the semester, I was with my roommates and a few of their friends.  As is customary, we went around the table introducing ourselves, what we're studying, and where we're from.
One young man from California asked me what part of Alberta I was from and then said, "I actually have some relatives from Nova Scotia."  With a straight face, I retorted, "Oh really?  That's very cool.  Ya know, I have some relatives from Colorado." 
He looked at me like I was an idiot.  I looked at him like he was one.
(I suppose this wasn't the kindest response of me.  I felt especially bad after I later found out that he had a sincere interest in all things Canadian and just was honestly interested in knowing more about it.)


My roommates from last semester and I are in the same online class.  When the semester started, we were asked to introduce ourselves and respond to at least two other people's introductions on the online discussion board.  Alex and I figured we could have a little fun with the rest of the class by pretending to not already know each other, and hopefully ward off any further inquiries regarding my nationality.

(Click to enlarge)

I have fun with it.  Oh Canada!




*This counts as lyrics from a musical - haven't you seen Score: A Hockey Musical?