Well, the election is over, good or bad. It was a very long 12 1/2 hours working the polls. The good news is that I only had problem with one voter who told me in French that since this was a Quebec election I should be speaking in French. No, respect for me as an English speaking person, born and raised in this province. What made this even more hurtful was that this person speaking to me is very new to our community, a community that is one of the very few English language communities left in this province. Little did she know that I could speak to her in French, enough to make myself understood, if the need arises. My first mistake was that I said "Hello" and not "Bonjour". My answer to her was that "I am speaking the language of my province, the one I was born in and have lived in my entire life". When she put her ballot in the ballot box I said, "Merci, bonne journée". She walked away without even a, "Merci, et vous!". Silly stuff!
Really, how hard is it to respect other people for their differences? Why is it so difficult to understand that we should be allowed to live comfortably, without retribution, in our own land?
It is becoming more and more impossible to get a job in this province if you do not have French as your first language. We are almost considered immigrants and we have all read in the papers lately how the Québécois treat immigrants.
This is not about all French speaking people because I know many French speaking Canadians that I have great respect for. One of my very best friends speaks French. I was going to say "she is French speaking" but that is like putting a label on her. French speaking, English speaking? Why should there be such a difference that we cannot get along and not celebrate our differences? Why should our spoken language be allowed to label us? How/Why does it make one of us more or less superior than the other?
The problem are the Québécois, the Separatists, who are fighting to take away the rights of the English in this province. But they are also isolating themselves from the rest of the country. Their own children, who are brought up speaking only French, are struggling to cope in the rest of the country where they cannot communicate.
I'm done now, I'm stepping off this soapbox!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
How to feel like you don't belong?
Try being an English speaking Quebecer.
Try being an English speaking Quebecer working the polls at a Quebec election.
Even better, try being an English speaking Quebecer working the polls at a Quebec election and having to do training in French. Thank goodness they made a few English manuals.
Better yet, being an English speaking Quebecer who was born in this province and who has lived here all your days but you feel like you don't belong.
It's not the greatest feeling to know that you are considered a second-class citizen. That you are not considering equal and that someone can take away your rights when it comes to the simplest of rights...freedom to have instruction in the language of your choice.
The French here in La Belle Province lament that their rights are being taken away...hmmm...can't say as I totally agree with them.
Try being an English speaking Quebecer working the polls at a Quebec election.
Even better, try being an English speaking Quebecer working the polls at a Quebec election and having to do training in French. Thank goodness they made a few English manuals.
Better yet, being an English speaking Quebecer who was born in this province and who has lived here all your days but you feel like you don't belong.
It's not the greatest feeling to know that you are considered a second-class citizen. That you are not considering equal and that someone can take away your rights when it comes to the simplest of rights...freedom to have instruction in the language of your choice.
The French here in La Belle Province lament that their rights are being taken away...hmmm...can't say as I totally agree with them.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Daylight saving time.
It's 7:03 pm and it's still daylight. I love 'daylight saving time'!
It's been a great day. My husband took all 3 kids and headed to the camp with the snowmobiles and some friends. I have had the most relaxing day that I can remember having for a very long time. Kids were on March break last week, a week earlier than the Ontario break. They just about drove me crazy. Up until Friday it has been so blessed cold here that no one has wanted to go outside. The wind has been blowing and wind chill has been almost unbearable at times. So, it is about time we get some great weather. Today, along with the longer day we also got above 0C temperatures. What more could one ask for.
Spent some of the day doing volunteer work, the quiet was just what I needed to do some finalizing on two brochures I have been working towards deadline on. One is the Pontiac School of the Arts course brochure for 2007 and the other is the brochure for the 2nd. Annual Shawville Jamboree. The website still needs some information but it's coming.
Day is slowing fading into night with a wonderful sunset...hues of pink. It's 7:20 and I can still see light...love it! Blue Rodeo is playing on the radio, "Bulletproof". One of my favorite Canadian bands.
Darkness is upon us!
It's all good!
It's been a great day. My husband took all 3 kids and headed to the camp with the snowmobiles and some friends. I have had the most relaxing day that I can remember having for a very long time. Kids were on March break last week, a week earlier than the Ontario break. They just about drove me crazy. Up until Friday it has been so blessed cold here that no one has wanted to go outside. The wind has been blowing and wind chill has been almost unbearable at times. So, it is about time we get some great weather. Today, along with the longer day we also got above 0C temperatures. What more could one ask for.
Spent some of the day doing volunteer work, the quiet was just what I needed to do some finalizing on two brochures I have been working towards deadline on. One is the Pontiac School of the Arts course brochure for 2007 and the other is the brochure for the 2nd. Annual Shawville Jamboree. The website still needs some information but it's coming.
Day is slowing fading into night with a wonderful sunset...hues of pink. It's 7:20 and I can still see light...love it! Blue Rodeo is playing on the radio, "Bulletproof". One of my favorite Canadian bands.
I also took time to today to take a drive in the countryside for some late winter photos. We didn't have much snow this year so I wanted to take the opportunity to grab some shots before it's all gone...the week is supposed to be quite warm so it won't last long.
Darkness is upon us!
It's all good!
Sunday, March 04, 2007
What's going on...
Finally, we got our first snow storm of the season...that it only came last Friday, March 3 is fine with me, what better time to have a first snow storm than just before spring so it can all melt away.
Kids are on March break. Not sure what we're going to do. With the husband about to loose his job we're not making big plans. Although, I envy my friends who can go away every year for a family vacation to somewhere warm. I think there are plans to head to the camp in the woods with the snowmobiles....not me, the kids and Dad. I prefer the city to the bush, so if that is their plan my plan is to head into Ottawa for a shopping trip with Viv.
We turn the clocks back next week which means more daylight. I love this time of year when the daylight sticks around a bit longer. Helps get rid of the gloom of the February blahs.
Prepping a couple of photos for an art exhibit at the Café 349 to be exhibited with instructor and student works from the last two years of courses at the Pontiac School of the Arts.
Went to the most hilarious comedy show, Women Fully Clothed, last weekend at the Centrepointe Theatre in Ottawa. If you ever get the chance to see these ladies in action I recommend you don't pass it up. I went with 5 friends and we all had a great time. We laughed so hard we had to wipe the tears away. This was a great group of friends to go to such a show with. When we weren't laughing at the show we were laughing at each other. There is nothing like a good laugh especially with friends.
Kids are on March break. Not sure what we're going to do. With the husband about to loose his job we're not making big plans. Although, I envy my friends who can go away every year for a family vacation to somewhere warm. I think there are plans to head to the camp in the woods with the snowmobiles....not me, the kids and Dad. I prefer the city to the bush, so if that is their plan my plan is to head into Ottawa for a shopping trip with Viv.
We turn the clocks back next week which means more daylight. I love this time of year when the daylight sticks around a bit longer. Helps get rid of the gloom of the February blahs.
Prepping a couple of photos for an art exhibit at the Café 349 to be exhibited with instructor and student works from the last two years of courses at the Pontiac School of the Arts.
Went to the most hilarious comedy show, Women Fully Clothed, last weekend at the Centrepointe Theatre in Ottawa. If you ever get the chance to see these ladies in action I recommend you don't pass it up. I went with 5 friends and we all had a great time. We laughed so hard we had to wipe the tears away. This was a great group of friends to go to such a show with. When we weren't laughing at the show we were laughing at each other. There is nothing like a good laugh especially with friends.
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