A to Z Challenge: S is for Study

At the age of 40 something, I thought my days of studying were behind me. Not so, my friends. My gal pal, sk, and I are studying for our Canadian citizenship test! I think this is the last step before we can attend a swearing in ceremony and make our transformation into Canadian citizens official. At least I sure hope it’s the last step in this process! 

We’ve lived in Canada for seven years now, well, it will be seven on June 28th, of this year. However, we started the paperwork while we still lived in the states so we’ve been on this roller coaster ride for citizenship for over 7 years. If we pass our tests and get to attend the ceremony, I promise, I won’t make a scene about pledging allegiance to the Queen of England. You just know, every American cell in my body will scream when I do that but I’m willing to make the sacrifice.

Right now, as I’m studying, I can’t help but realize how terrible the American education system is, or at least was when I attended back in the day. You Americans out there, correct me if I’m wrong, but are you taught anything about Canada? I wasn’t. I knew Canada was a huge passive country to our North. That is all.

Do you know Canada has a Prime Minister? Canada has provinces, not states, but do know how many there are? The Queen of England has a representative here in Canada! As much as I hate to admit this, I know even less of the First Nations, in the US they use the term Native Americans. Here in Canada, we have a Parliamentary form of government, very similar to England’s. Good, finally something that is helpful!

Unfortunately, the only thing I remember about England is they wanted to control us colonies, which was ‘bad’, hence that slogan, “No tax without representation!” Once their army landed wearing bright red coats, they were pretty easy to pick off. . . I’m assuming, and we (Americans) showed them by declaring our Independence. Ha! We will rule our land how we want! Old white men shall always be our representatives!

Oh, I kid but the truth still remains, I know little about this great country I now find myself in and close to becoming a citizen with the ability to vote, a right I take very seriously. Good news though, you get two chances to pass the test. I still have hope!