Archive for the Life in Canada Category
Vancouver in Party Spirit
The City of Vancouver is in one great party mode for the last two weeks. The whole nation is entranced with the Olympic spirit. The entire downtown Vancouver has become one big pedestrian mall with art exhibits, street vendors, buskers and tourists. Big screen TV’s are positioned in restaurants, streets, supermarkets… so that people at [...]
Foolproof Yorkshire Pudding Recipe
This Christmas holiday, we have decided to have yorkshire pudding and prime rib instead of the obligatory annual Turkey dinner. The reason was forwarded by our turkey carver - it takes too much time and effort to dress and carve the turkey. A prime rib roast is just as good and takes less effort.
So, once [...]
Merry Christmas to One and All!
Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
See the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say
December [...]
A ancient story of interracial romance
To watch the Metropolitan Opera Live at the Lincoln Center can cost you as much as US$400 for the best seats, and US$42 at the worst. Yet, through the recent Metropolitan Opera Live in High definition program, I was able to watch opera at an equivalent price of US$18. Metropolitan HD Live now broadcasts live [...]
Parol Christmas Lanterns
After the James Bond 007 Inclusion Office Party, I attended another Christmas function. This time, it is a Low Budget yet High Energy Christmas Party by a Filipino community group. We each paid $10 (about US$9.50) per person for the party. This included hall rental, catered food, door prizes, christmas decorations and entertainment. This party [...]
James Bond 007 Christmas Party
I had a chance this year to attend a Corporate Christmas Party that is quite unlike anything I have experienced before. Called the James Bond 007 inclusion, this is a party professionally hosted by a corporate event planner. Guests dressed in their favorite James Bond characters. At the party, guests were given secret mission assignments [...]
Canadian immigrant trapped between two cultures
Mina and her husband are a ordinary Canadian immigrant family with a male dominated structure. Husband is the provider, and works to support the family. Mina stayed home to look after the two children. Mina gets a good allowance to buy groceries and pay for the home expenses. Husband paid for everything, and the children [...]
A Magical Coffee Shop
Situated in the quiet neighbourhood of West Vancouver is this small coffee shop that is truly magical and charming named Amadeo Bakehouse and Coffee Shop.
The wall is decorated with murals, handpainted by an artist. The seats have figureheads, each one featuring a different person.
The pastries, European, of different types, scones, croissants, eccles, cinnamon rolls, bagels,…… [...]
Baptist Church Ladies Peanut Butter Squares
It’s Christmas time soon, and our church is having a Christmas Craft and Bake Sale to raise funds for our Youth Mission to South Africa.
So, I used a recipe from my Aunt who used to run the Black Cat Ranch in Hinton, Alberta. She got this recipe from the Canadian Baptist Church Ladies who always [...]
Romancing China
“What took you so long?”
For the first time, since Stephen Harper became Prime Minister of Canada, he visited China with his wife, Laureen Harper on a 5-day scheduled official visit.
Premier Wen Jiao Bao gently chided the Prime Minister for taking so long to come and visit China. It has been five years since any [...]
Inukshuk Blog Award - Immigrant Story
We find this delightful blog that has been on cyberspace for the last three years (since 2006). It is a blog about the adventures of a French Canadian immigrant who settled in English Canada; about immigration, life as a French teacher and snow !
Her name is Juliette, aka Zhu. Yes, she’s not Chinese, but she’s [...]
Prime Minister Harper visits Bollywood
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife made a stop at a Bollywood TV Dance Show in Mumbai during his recent trip to India. What an amusing sight it is to watch him and his wife be surrounded by dancing girls.
The visit is a deliberate photo opportunity and publicity stunt to soften the Prime Minister’s [...]
A Canadian Christmas Tradition
Every year, Canadians filled out over 700,000 shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, personal hygiene items such as soap, toothbrushes, combs, etc. through the Operations Christmas Child project run by the Christian organization Samaritan’s Purse.
These shoeboxes are sent to children living in poor countries in Asia, South & Central America and West Africa. The collection time [...]
Canadian Immigrant’s Halloween Surprise
This new Canadian immigrant was delightfully surprised with the Canadian Halloween tradition. She finds the practice amusing and a little wasteful. “Coming from a third world country, I found it hard to waste a pumpkin, when it could be food. When I helped my kindergarten son carved his pumpkin, I wanted to save every pulp and every seed and made them into food.” Read about the amusing experience as viewed from the perspective of a new Canadian immigrant.
Canadian Yam Salad with Craisins
For Canadians pressed for time, this Yam Salad with Craisins is easily a favorite for three reasons: (1) It is healthy and tasty. (2) It is easy to make, there is very little cooking. (3) You can have many variations which keep the recipe fresh and exciting.
Ingredients list is simple:
- Yam or Sweet Potato
- Green [...]
Canadian Thanksgiving 2009
“Thanksgiving weekend is a time when Canadians everywhere pause for the weekend to celebrate with family, friends and communities.
“Many Canadians use the long weekend to catch up with loved ones, take a break from hectic lives and take part in activities that remind them how important those around them truly are.
Neighbour’s Tree fell on our Yard
On one unforgettable night, I was having dinner with my son at around 8:45 pm in the evening when we heard a thump. I couldn’t figure what it was, but my son could see it from the window, even in the dark. A big tree from our Korean neighbour fell sideways and landed on our [...]
The Dalai Lama at the Vancouver Peace Summit 2009
It’s no different as when you grandparents used to tell your parents “Think of the starving children in India, or China or Vietnam..” Instead of nagging, the world’s celebrities came dancing, singing, and cajoling. One after another, young people went on stage and spoke of the power to change….Vancouver’s youth loved it. They cheered, danced, [...]
Romanian-Canadian immigrant brings Kurtos Kolac to Vancouver
From Transylvania, the land the gives us Count Dracula, come Kurtos Kolak. It’s been called Kurtos Kolac, Kurtos Kolacs, Kurtos Kalac, Kurtos Kolak, or Kurtus cake, Chimney cake. Originating from Eastern Europe, the Kurtos bread or cake has been traditionally sold at food fairs. Basically, it is made with a sweet bread dough rolled flat, cut into thin little strips, then wrapped around a wooden cone with a handle. The dough is then coated with sugar and the forms placed on a barbecue over heated volcanic rocks.
Long Lost Son Returns to China
This is the story of a adopted teenager, Christian Norris who was reunited with his biological parents after being separated for 10 years. His was an unusual case. He was the favored boy, the second son, illegal baby because of the one-child policy. He was raised by his uncle and grandmother. One day, during a bus excursion, he was lost in a crowded bus station, and ended up in an orphanage and picked up for adoption…
Chinese-Canadian Modern Wedding Tea Ceremony
The Chinese has a long history with many traditions dating back to ancient times. One of the strongest tradition is the Chinese wedding ritual of tea ceremony, where the bride and groom offers tea to the parents of both families and in return the parents offer the gift of a red envelope, containing money. [...]
The Douglas College Self employment program
This video clip is a submission by Alvin Barrera of www.mixmediaworld.com, a graduate at the Douglas College Self Employment Program Intake no. 143. Alvin Barrerra is a Filipino-Canadian immigrant who has recently became an entrepreneur with the launching of his company called MIXED MEDIA. He did two video clips of his graduating class, featuring the [...]
Jane Mclean - Who?
She was born Jane Gregorio, in Manila, Philippines in the year 1974. At the age of 10 months, her family moved to Mississauga, Ontario where Jane was raised. This Filipino-Canadian actress is about to be made famous with her supporting role as Charisse, best friend to Rachel McAdam’s Clare, in the movie “Time Traveller’s Wife”, [...]
How Big is Your Zucchini?
This is a submission from our subscriber, Mary who lives in Surrey, BC. Here is her blog.
I have a little garden in my front yard which measures about 200 square feet. It is really tiny. What I did was plant a few good looking tall shrubs (rhododendrum) in the front of the yard to provide [...]
Bichon Frise tried to walk on water.
Here is a photo of my dog. He is a bichon frise, with beautiful fluffy fur. He is a young puppy, and he does not understand water. We took him out on the boat this summer vacation, and he behaved perfectly fine staying on the boat. However, when we took him ashore, he got confused. First, he had fun jumping up and down on the beach, then he thought the water looked so inviting, and in his mind, water is just another type of floor surface, so he simply stepped right in. Splash! and then he just cried.
Boss for the Day
Are you fighting too much with your partner, travelling companion, or your sibling? Then try this rule:
Boss for the Day
Here’s a tip on how to handle the non-critical decisions in everyday life.
You can negotiate and reach an agreement on any major decisions, but for the trivial daily decisions such as what to eat, what brand [...]
Have you been Imputed?
This is the story of Adam and Eve. And Angelina.
Adam was married to Eve for 10 years, until one day, while playing frisbee happily with his son in the front yard, a courier arrived delivering a letter stating that his wife (Eve) cannot live with him anymore and he has to move out within 1 [...]
Neighbourhood Canada Day Parade
While all of Canada are celebrating Canada Day in pomp and ceremony, the little close-knit neighbourhood of Pemberton Heights celebrated Canada Day in their own special way, a parade organized by the residents in the area.
It was simple. Every participant dress in red and white, the colors of the Canadian flag. There is a best [...]
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA
July 1, 2009, Today is Canada Day, a federal statutory holiday, celebrating the anniversary of the July 1, 1867 enactment of the British North America Act of 1867, which united Canada as a single country of four provinces. Canada Day observances take place throughout Canada as well as internationally. So join us in celebrating Canada’s 142nd birthday by singing OH Canada.
Watercolor Art Exhibit at Silk Purse Art Gallery
The Silk Purse Art Gallery houses the West Vancouver Arts Council and holds regular art exhibits showcasing artworks by local artists. This month from June 16th to the 28th, it hosts a watercolor exhibit titled “Landscape, Clear and Radiant”. Landscape art depicts scenery such as mountains, valleys, trees, rivers, and forests. Sky is almost [...]
