Oh, Canada

July 31, 2007

<this isn’t learning related…just need to vent>

Isn’t it ironic that my US passport renewal, which was supposed to arrive 16-18 weeks ago, arrived “priority mail” yesterday? How appropriate that the Passport Backlog Reduction Act was also signed yesterday which facilitates the hiring of Foreign Service retirees to assist in the processing of passport and visa applications. Yesterday. Just in time! That fine piece of government efficiency is my number 10 reason for considering a move to Canada.

#9>> Canadians are more about making peace then war.

#8>> Canadians have a better education system. The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation and standardized testing in the USA is a step backwards.

#7>> I am accustomed to four consecutive months of summer followed by eight consecutive months of “not summer.” (I’m a short 3-4 hour drive from the border depending on what vehicle I’m driving)

#6>> My children already know how to play hockey and lacrosse.

#5>> As I was recently reminded (I don’t like to think about it) by the movie Sicko, that I pay more for my health insurance than I do for the mortgage on my four-bedroom home. And *bonus* I might not get the coverage I need when sick. The Canadian health care system is much better than the privatized health care system in the US. And, the price is right.

#4>> There are a lot of cool people in Canada illustrated by my blogroll (don’t make me name names!).

#3>> National Hockey League (NHL) teams are not named after Disney characters. Quack. Quack.

#2>> The beer is better.

#1>> I know the first two words to the Canadian National Anthem (as illustrated in the title to this post).

I do love the US. I love my country, but hey…gimme a break already.
<end of rant>

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  • http://www.brandon-hall.com/richardnantel/ Richard Nantel

    knowing the first two words to the Canadian national anthem is excellent and is probably all you need to get in. Anything else you may need to know about Canada can be found on Rick Mercer’s Web site:

    http://www.cbc.ca/mercerreport/

  • http://www.brandon-hall.com/richardnantel/ Richard Nantel

    knowing the first two words to the Canadian national anthem is excellent and is probably all you need to get in. Anything else you may need to know about Canada can be found on Rick Mercer’s Web site:

    http://www.cbc.ca/mercerreport/

  • http://www.mctoonish.com/blog Heather Ross

    Janet,

    I made the move from California to the Canadian Prairies in JANUARY of 1997 (the things we do for love) and have never regretted the move. The education and health care systems really are much better.

    By the way, I am also a woman edublogger.

  • http://www.mctoonish.com/blog Heather Ross

    Janet,

    I made the move from California to the Canadian Prairies in JANUARY of 1997 (the things we do for love) and have never regretted the move. The education and health care systems really are much better.

    By the way, I am also a woman edublogger.

  • http://members.optusnet.com.au/rlubensky Ron Lubensky

    Best wishes for the move! I was born there, but moved to Australia. It’s all relative:-)

    Don’t forget this part the anthem, especially if you plan on working for the government:
    “O Canada!
    Terre de nos aïeux,
    Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!”

  • http://members.optusnet.com.au/rlubensky Ron Lubensky

    Best wishes for the move! I was born there, but moved to Australia. It’s all relative:-)

    Don’t forget this part the anthem, especially if you plan on working for the government:
    “O Canada!
    Terre de nos aïeux,
    Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!”

  • http://www.brandon-hall.com/ Janet Clarey

    Ron, I’ve got to learn French? Drat, another downside of being just another ugly American. ; )

  • http://www.brandon-hall.com Janet Clarey

    Ron, I’ve got to learn French? Drat, another downside of being just another ugly American. ; )

  • http://www.brandon-hall.com/ Janet Clarey

    Richard – on my last visit, I didn’t even need to produce identification…

  • http://www.brandon-hall.com/ Janet Clarey

    Hi Heather-
    Thanks…I wasn’t subscribed to your blog. Am now.

  • http://www.brandon-hall.com Janet Clarey

    Richard – on my last visit, I didn’t even need to produce identification…

  • http://www.brandon-hall.com Janet Clarey

    Hi Heather-
    Thanks…I wasn’t subscribed to your blog. Am now.

  • http://enkerli.wordpress.com/ Alexandre

    Jokes aside, knowing both official languages is clearly an asset for immigration to Canada. On November 3, 2004, two friends in the U.S. were talking about moving to Canada. According to the Canadian immigration website (which was overloaded that day), one of them had enough points to get in while her husband didn’t. She knew French, he didn’t.

  • http://enkerli.wordpress.com Alexandre

    Jokes aside, knowing both official languages is clearly an asset for immigration to Canada. On November 3, 2004, two friends in the U.S. were talking about moving to Canada. According to the Canadian immigration website (which was overloaded that day), one of them had enough points to get in while her husband didn’t. She knew French, he didn’t.

  • http://www.brandon-hall.com/ Janet Clarey

    Alexandre-
    This is good to know. This post was more a ‘dream’ things would get better in the States. I’ve got roots here in my community and it’s doubtful I would move. However, you make an excellent point and I certainly would want my family to know French if moving. Thanks! Looks like a great blog you have at http://enkerli.wordpress.com/. I’ll enjoy reading it! Thanks for the comment.

  • http://www.brandon-hall.com Janet Clarey

    Alexandre-
    This is good to know. This post was more a ‘dream’ things would get better in the States. I’ve got roots here in my community and it’s doubtful I would move. However, you make an excellent point and I certainly would want my family to know French if moving. Thanks! Looks like a great blog you have at http://enkerli.wordpress.com/. I’ll enjoy reading it! Thanks for the comment.

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