Watching the Canadian Olympics from Texas

I am so very proud to be Canadian at this moment.

Yes, Canada is far from the ideal state. Yes, our history is one of oppressing marginalized peoples. Yes, racisim still exists and gender inequalities have yet to be defeated...

But at the same time, there is so much that is good and beautiful about Canada.

These Olympic opening ceremonies show just some of these qualities.

Canada, like the world, is multicultural. The ceremonies make no attempt to erase Canada's colonial history. Both French, English, and mulitple Indian languages are used in the opening ceremonies. In fact, the Indian nations, who were the original inhabitants of the land of Canada, symbolically invite the world to the Vancouer Olympic Winter Games. Leaders of the Indian nations are included amongst the offical delegation of the Olympics which include the IOC president and the Prime Minister of Canada. The ceremonies recognize Canada's colonial past, but attempt to move past the trauma and oppression of colonialism, by recognizing the Indian nations claim to the land and integral role in forming the nation of Canada.

Canada takes responsibility, and by doing so, does not erase its history of colonialism.

Canada gives voice to those on the margins.

Canada accepts and celebrates difference.

Canada accepts and celebrates the many cultural forces that influence our world and the nation of Canada itself.

The world does indeed need more Canada.

Not thick, but still very attractive

Since I've been back, I've made two important realizations. Because I flew from Austin directly back to Canada, and then from Canada directly back to Austin, I think the ability to acknowledge the differences between the two much easier. As a result, here are my findings:

1) Most people here do have accents. The student population of University of Texas at Austin is mostly Texan born and raised. Something like 80% of students are from Texas. Upon my first arrival, maybe because my migration was gradual as I drove to Texas through the Midwest, I didn't notice any thick accents. Upon my return to Texas after my holiday, in which I flew directly from Regina, I do notice accents. Though not thick, a subtle southern-drawl is present.

2) The boys in the gym are hot. Much hotter than the guys at the gay YMCA in Toronto. This, of course, is not surprising. Young active men at University age are much more likely to appeal to me than older blue collar types. But still, it wasn't something I had noticed until now. Previously, I had taken the beautiful bodies around me at Gregory Gym for granted.

Back!

I'm back in America.

I survived my first term. I endured aggressive criticism of my scholarship. I negotiated the egos of faculty and other graduate students. I barely made it through the administrative nightmare of immigration and social security. I battled with entitled undergraduates who thought they deserved everything in the moon for merely handing in a paper. I learned. I grew. I survived.

Now I'm back. I'm more prepared. I know what I'm in for. I've learned from my mistakes. I've acknowledged my successes.

I'm ready.