Happy Birthday Canada !

It's Canada Day in Tokyo! (and my first Canada Day outside of Canada) so in tribute to my home and native land I wanted to dedicate a blog post to making mention of a few things that I miss about Canada; perhaps things I have come to appreciate even more having lived in Japan for the past few months...

- First and foremost, my beloved family and friends (You know who you are). Thanks so much for the continued support (i.e. taking interest in my blog). The ability to share all of my amazing experiences gives them so much more meaning ! Love you all xoxo.
- Space! mainly, private space in the public sphere (i.e. public transport, or even just walking down the street). Walking through Tokyo can be quite a physically demanding activity at times (such as busy hours, or weekends - Sundays are the worst!). Needless to say, life in Canada doesn't place such a strain on my agility when I just want to pick up some groceries or make it to class or work on time.
- A familiar language. I haven't heard English spoken anywhere (apart from conversation with friends, or in my classes), let alone been able to read anything since I've been here. This is something so easily taken for granted. I cannot read advertisements, or choose to pick up and read a stray newspaper - this form of familiarity is a fundamental aspect of feeling comfortable where you are. Although I manage to get by, I definitely miss the feeling of competence. (Then again, I could just learn Japanese...)
- The laid back Canadian life. I never tend to feel like I am rushing around so intensely in Canada the way I have felt in Japan (however this is mostly a characteristic unique to Tokyo). Also a laid back lifestyle in terms of dress. Sweatpants and a simple tee-shirt are generally considered acceptable university attire in Canada, whereas here - though there is no 'dress code' per se, such a fashion statement would definitely turn heads in a class room full of girls that look like they spent three hours getting ready for school (makeup, fake lashes, styled hair, high heels and an overall well-thought-out ensemble). This means no rolling out of bed, grabbing the first (and most comfortable) articles of clothing I can find and throwing my hair into pony tail before bolting out the door for class. Venturing out into the public eye in Tokyo means committing to 'getting ready' beforehand; looking decent. Ohhhh it's a hard life.
- Sometimes, I miss the Canadian social culture (i.e. occasionally making small talk with cashiers, servers and retail workers). This isn't so much in relation to the language barrier, but interestingly a difference in culture. Canadians typically view friendliness as a means of 'good service', and just a nice way to treat others in general, whereas the Japanese focus strictly on respect (no more and no less). In Japan, a worker seeks to do their job, and doesn't even expect to be recognized as an individual beyond who they are in their role or job position. Their aim is to do their job, and to do it well. It's nice, don't get me wrong, but I do like how Canadians can be so darn friendly. However, notice I specified this as something I only sometimes miss; in Japan, you will never encounter someone looking to vent to you about their life problems, or share a conversation with someone who is just a little bit too open. Eitherway, it seems there is no happy medium between the two - and the bottom line is: I do love Canadians.
- Good old Canadian weather (save the bitterly cold winter days). I didn't expect I would be saying this - but that was before experiencing what real 'rainy weather' is, and the most intense humidity I've ever been exposed to. There is being sweaty from extreme heat, and then there is being 'sticky' from untold levels of humidity. I am not a fan of either. In Japan, 'dressing for the weather' involves planning frizz-control for your hair. As for the rain - well, rainboots aren't the most attractive footwear and they do a nice job of spoiling any 'cute' outfit you've put together. I don't care what the pattern (i.e. polkadot, floral etc.) - rainboots are invariably heinous; there is simply no such thing as nice looking rainboots. Finally, I never leave my residence without my umbrella. Enough said. So Canadian winters can be frigid... but if you can layer and still look good, things really aren't so bad after all.
- Garbage cans: every 6 ft. in Canada - scarce in Japan. A simple convenience that goes a long way. For a country that seems to have no opposition to wrapping/packaging/bagging virtually everything (i.e. individually packaged bananas, and plenty of snacks that you will open to find individually wrapped pieces inside - even individually wrapped gum chicklets!; bags for the smallest purchases - it's insane) more garbage cans around doesn't seem like a bad idea.
- Last but certainly not least: Cultural diversity. My lovely multicultural country. This is also something that might be taken for granted by those born and raised in Canada. Living in Japan has given me the opportunity to experience what it is to be a visible minority and there are times when I truly miss not 'blending in' (i.e. at the gym, or on the train). It is often that I stick out like a sore thumb and while the attention is innocent and I have gotten used to it by now - sometimes I'm just not in the mood to standout, and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it. One key difference between visible minorities in Japan and those in Canada is that to be such in Japan automatically makes you a foreigner (naive, oblivious, inferior; an outsider), whereas in Canada, it would be anybody's guess as to whether you're a tourist or a Canadian citizen. This is part of what makes Canada so exceptional, and what makes me so proud to be Canadian.

There is a strong sense in which living in Japan has helped me realize just how Canadian I truly am. Every difference I have come to recognize is based on beliefs and values that were shaped within my Canadian culture; and many of these differences that I've discovered through life in Japan have led me to better recognize what I love so much about my home country. On that note, "Happy Canada Day!!". See you soon Canada!

Love always,

Your proud Canadian girl,

xo Tory