Some quick math: Dividing the population of Canada by the total area (in square miles) gives us a ratio of nearly 10:1 … so if the land in Canada were divided evenly, each person in Canada would have 10 square miles to themselves! As comedians Will & Ian Ferguson remark in their popular book “How to be Canadian“:

As noted, Canada has a very low population-to-area ratio. So low, in fact, that you might be wondering how you will ever meet any actual Canadians. … But fortunately, Canadians tend to clump themselves together in places known, for lack of a better word, as “cities”. … In the province of Manitoba alone, for example, more than half the population lives in one large mega-city: Winnipeg. And they all hang out at the mall.

Americans celebrate independence day on July 4, while Canadians celebrate their country’s birthday on July 1. How do you plan to celebrate your country this year? And how do you see the USA & Canada being similar, or differing?

Image credit: derpunk

I am Canadian, but I wasn’t always.

Belonging

There are brief moments now when I almost forget that I’m not from here.  My story starts in England and takes a trip through Africa before arriving in North America – my third continent so far.  I’ve lived on the west coast long enough now that I identify as being “from BC” rather than “from Ontario” where I did most of my growing-up. It is an amazing feeling, belonging here.

Being received

Arnold Schwarzenegger was once asked about being an immigrant and in his response he said, “I have been received.” That’s such a perfect statement of what it means to become a citizen by means other than birth.  I have been received too.  When we arrived in Canada my Mom was heavily pregnant with my younger brother and I remember the neighbors quickly rallying around her, helping her find an OB and bringing food to the house.

Inviting others

I know that not every immigrant family is received as mine was. I think it’s hard for people who have always been in familiar surroundings to realize just how lonely it is to go somewhere where everything is different and where no one, not one single person, knows you.   If there are immigrant families in your neighborhood, why not inviting them into your weekend plans? What better way to celebrate independence and everything that is great about your country and mine than by receiving the people who have sacrificed a lot to choose to be here?

How do you define yourself? Try our free online lesson and talk with a mentor about what matters most to you.

Around the country and the world Friday, legions of grief-stricken fans of the King of Pop mourned the sudden death of Michael Jackson with spontaneous flower-laden and candlelit memorials and emotional tributes, as the autopsy to determine the cause of his mysterious death was scheduled to begin in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office was to start the autopsy before 11 a.m. Eastern time Friday, but toxicology results were not expected for days, perhaps six to eight weeks. A former family lawyer gave interviews about his recent concerns of Mr. Jackson’s deteriorating health, and indicated that prescription drugs might have been a factor in his death Thursday at age 50. (New York Times)

In later years, Jackson’s enormous musical success was in many respects overshadowed by legal, financial, and personal troubles. His planned comeback tour, scheduled to begin this summer, will remain unfulfilled.

What was your reaction to hearing about Michael Jackson’s death? Does it matter to you at all, and if so, in what way?

Image credit: Pierre Éthier

Still looking for more? Check out the New York Times Best Seller list, or the Modern Library 100 Best list.

You’ve read the classics, have you read the first book that came off the Gutenburg press?  Why should you read a 2000 year old book?

“The world is watching. And how they approach and deal with people who are, through peaceful means, trying to be heard will, I think, send a pretty clear signal to the international community about what Iran is and is not. … This is not an issue of the United States or the West versus Iran. This is an issue of the Iranian people.”

The election in Iran, where previous president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was retained power in the country, have resulted in calls for a recount, protests, and violence in the country. Threats (and acts) of violence against protesters of which Mr Obama elsewhere said “We call on the Iranian government to stop all violent and unjust actions against its own people,” Obama said in a written statement. “Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away.” (CTV)

Recently, “Iran expelled the BBC’s correspondent in Tehran yesterday and accused Britain of pouring agents into the country to sabotage the election.” This came after Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called “Britain the “most treacherous” of the Western powers that were fomenting unrest in Iran.” (Times Online)

As the unrest and violence in Iran continues, what role should other countries play? What response should we have as individuals and nations when we hear about injustices in the world?

Image credit: marctonysmith

Camp is one of the quintessential moments of childhood.

I was 11 the year my parents sent to camp.  I didn’t go willingly.  A cousin had recently come home from university too homesick to continue and it was decided then and there that I needed some independence.   Many eleven year olds are completely up to the adventure of camp.  I was not.  I went, under much duress, and my memories of camp are not pleasant.  I never went back.

How do you know if your child is ready for camp?

An article on Parentmap.com quotes River Ranch Camp Director Marcy Mastel saying,  “one way to tell if your child is ready for overnight camp is, quite simply, if they ask to go.”   Listening to and watching each child can also help you assess their readiness for camp.  Do they make friends easily?  Do they cling to you in unfamiliar situations?  Has your child spent time away from home before?

Remember, too, that a week-long sleep away camp isn’t the only option. Try a shorter camp or  a day camp to ease children into the idea of being away from you.  See if you can arrange for a cousin or friend to go to camp with your child.  A familiar face in the cabin can make a world of difference.

I believe that camp can be a wonderful and important time in a child’s life, provided that it comes at the right time.  If you are considering sending your child to camp this summer, take some time to talk to them about it.  There’s no guarantee a child will have fun just because they are at camp.  However, if they feel safe at camp, if they’re excited to be there and ready to participate in all the activities,  camp can be the highlight of the whole summer.

(The cousin, it should be noted, went back to university the follow year.  She graduated handily and spent a career in medical research.  I wonder if her parents sent her to camp?)

More for kids:
Creative ideas for rainy days
Photographing kids

I might be a bit of a geek.

I love Transformers.

Growing up, it was not an odd thing to find me playing with Transformers action figures or watching the cartoons. (I preferred the ones that turned into animals, naturally.) What’s not to love about a band of good hearted and noble alien robots looking out for humanity?  And it wasn’t just me.  Transformers were a large part of growing-up in my generation.  For many a boy (and some gals) Transformers fill childhood memories with warm fuzzies.

It was less than shocking when Hollywood realized that in this day and age of technology and CGI, this franchise would be a huge moneymaker.  Even less shocking was the amount of attention that the movie garnered from young and old alike.  Preying upon fond childhood memories of Generation X was a sure way to bring in viewers. Add in fast-paced plot twists and scene stealing, larger than life, special effects and you’ve got yourself a blockbuster.

When the first movie came out in 2007 showcasing the plight of the Optimus Prime and his Autobots against Megatron and the evil Decipticons it was a runaway success.  And I don’t think it is by chance that the ending of the movie was left wide open. Almost immediately after the colossal success of the first film, the second film was in development.

And now the time has come.  On June 24, 2009 director Michael Bay’s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen hits theatres.  In the second film, the Decepticons have found a way to bring their previously killed leader back to power and are out to get revenge on the Autobots.  And they won’t let humanity get in their way.   The battle to save the world is underway.

This second movie aims to one-up the first in terms of visual and special effects.  It also introduces even larger and more formidable creatures sure to entertain the masses.  But the question remains as to whether the story line will carry the flashy effects. Box office smash hit?  It seems to have all the makings.

I, myself, will be going to see it full of wonderment and with high expectations.  I am more than sure that it will meet them.  How about you?  Will distant memories of playing with your cousins move you to go check it out?

How would you describe your father? And what influence has your father had in your life?

Father’s day reading:
Why “Father” God? What adjectives come to mind when you hear God referred to as “Father”?
A Dad Shaped Hole When dad isn’t around …

I remember the very first time I drove by myself, my shiny new license just minutes old in my wallet.  My parents lived in a small farming community so there wasn’t exactly a lot of traffic to deal with.  I pulled up to the light and as it went green pulled into the intersection to turn left.  Convinced that it was safe to go, I turned to the passenger seat to get confirmation — remembered that I was all alone.  The decision to turn or not was entirely my own.  I had a license, it was my call.

Driving involves making one judgment call after another.  Do I have enough room?  Is it my turn?  I am going too fast for this corner?  You can learn the mechanics of how to operate a car, but that doesn’t make you a good driver.  Gaining skills as a driver takes a lot of practice.

Gary Direnfeld notes, “Aside from the first year of life, the first year of driving is the most dangerous year in a young person’s life.” If you have a young driver in your family this year,  Gary has some great suggestions for keeping them safe as they practice.  Many states and provinces now have graduated licensing systems to protect young drivers.  If your area doesn’t have one, try some of Gary’s ideas to make sure that we all arrive home safely.

More on teens:
How to talk to your teen about sex
Finding a place to belong

For those who love the wild untamed North Country and want to experience an adventure that will give you a life time of memories, floating through the Inside Passage on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system is the way to go. It will take you to places that a cruise ship cannot access and give you a real perspective of the true Alaskan lifestyle.

I was excited when my son Luke asked me to join him on the 15-day adventure. Traveling the Inside Passage from Bellingham, Washington, to Skagway, Alaska, was a novel idea—something we as father and son have never tried before.

Continue reading Ken’s article Alaska Inside Passage Adventure to learn more about their trip as well as how you can go on an adventure of your own!

Other vacation articles:
3 Minute Expert Video: Travel Tips for Parents
Strength to Forgive: NYPD Office Travels the World to Tell His Story