Is my patriotism paying off?

When we first got here I wore the bag everywhere...not only because I am proud to be Canadian...but also because it is big and holds a lot of stuff! As I would walk down the street or get onto the train, people would look at my bag and then stare at me. I am not just talkin' about a quick glance...I mean a hard-core stare! At first it kind of bugged me, but now it doesn't -- either that or I am totally used to be looked at all of the time!

Today on the way home from work I was stopped on the street by a mom and her two kids. She said she noticed I was from Canada and was wondering if I was an English teacher. She said she is looking for a private tutor and wanted to know if I was interested. After conversing with her for a bit, I took her card and will probably look into contacting her in the next week or so!After work I came here to Seattle's Best to check my e-mail and do blog stuff. I have my little MEC black purse with my small patch/maple leaf pin on it. As I sat down I noticed a girl in front of me staring at me. I smiled and she politely smiled back. After about 20 minutes she came up to me and said she noticed I was from Canada and proceeded to tell me that she studied in Canada a couple of years ago. We got to chatting and I asked her if she was studying English now because her English was pretty good. She said "no", she just practices by reading, but she wants a chance to speak more. She asked if I spoke Japanese and I said "no", but that I really wanted to learn. I asked her that maybe if she had time, we could plan to meet once a week or so here at Seattle's Best and I could teach her English and in return she could teach me Japanese. She loved the idea and apologized for her obvious excitment! She was so cute!So ya.....oddly enough I was stopped not once, but twice today by people noticing where I was from based on my purses. I thought it was neat! Now I'll hopefully be making some extra moola and learning some Japanese lingo!

***Thanks for all the great beerfest / birthday (Steve and Kev) pictures. They both looked like a blast! We love hearing from you guys! Keep up with those blog comments—I know the site has been acting up lately, but don't stop trying! Cheryl, have a wicked time in NYC and I can't wait to hear all about it! Erin, can't wait to see your vacation pictures. Steve & Alex, how was Cali.??***

HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING THIS COMING WEEKEND AND OF COURSE
GO CANUCKS GO !!!!!


September 30, 2006