PRgal

Peeve: People who gate keep their heritage's cuisine. Like, people who freak out when I cook Chinese style dumplings in the oven with tomato sauce and cheese. It's easier for me than steaming, pan frying (i.e. pot stickers) or boiling. And I like fusion. And being a hummus freak, I've used it to top fried quinoa (yes, quinoa, not rice). I've also used guacamole and pico de gallo. Queso too. It's really tasty. And like Hong Kong cha chaan teng food isn't just low brow fusion (low brow since most are hole in the wall joints).

Neither would a teacher. Heck, I'm pretty sure some of my tech, lawyer and finance friends had help with their downpayment.

But pop culture wise? Not necessarily. For example, my parents only know who Polkaroo is because, well, they watched Polka Dot Door with me when I was little. I really doubt child-free immigrant boomers would. Or my mom's cousin and his family, because they came to Canada in 1990 when the kids were 11 and 15 respectively. I doubt they'd know who Bonhomme is either. Carnaval was a big part of my (very Anglphone, very Ontario) elementary education, but I think that was because the French teachers at my school did a really good job, especially for a school without an immersion program. They actually RENTED a Bonhomme costume and someone on staff wore it. We had to guess who it was. High schools don't really do anything about Carnaval and my 11 year old cousin came for the last two months of Grade 6 (at a JK-6 school).

It used to be that pretending you're Canadian worked, but any Canadian there will question your knowledge (which kind of sucks for many immigrants who didn't grow up immersed in the culture or school system).

I was seeing this coming YEARS ago, long before the current government. Trump is launching America’s version of the Cultural Revolution This was my comment on the article: 25 years ago, I was a history major focusing on East Asian and Chinese history (you know, it's all about "discovering your heritage" when you're in your late teens/early 20s, right??) I saw this coming A LONG TIME AGO. BEFORE Trump's second term. Whether implementing STRICT DEI (only certain views need apply, in my experience. Diversity education was much needed, but the way it was done was HUGELY FLAWED in most cases) or dismantling right now. And everything else that came along with it. Learning about the Cultural Revolution, discussing it with my family (I have extended family who were directly affected, including great-aunts/uncles and cousins on both sides. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles were safely in Hong Kong (and later, Canada), thank goodness), etc was mind-numbing considering HOW it affected them. Note that I only have a bachelor's degree on this subject. My master's is in something entirely different. Note that when I mean "cousins," I mean "cousin-aunts" and "cousin-uncles" from the Chinese naming/title perspective. Hong Kong was safe because it was under British rule at the time and, according to my dad, yes, there were a good number of refugees. At the time, anyone who came from mainland were automatically given residency status as soon as they were on the British territory (I believe that eventually changed. Too many people/too much to handle).

But their shareholders....I guess they don't care too much about us. And I guess with the down market, they're hoping people will buy more while it's cheap. Or hold on to what they have.

I asked my dad about your comment and here's what he said: Hard to know. All depends on how Trump behaves in the next 6 months

For me, it's more of my hatred of your GOVERNMENT than some random American, especially one from a blue state. I'm still purchasing items from blue states (but only if an equivalent from Canada, Europe or Asia isn't available. I'm pretty brand loyal to some products too).

CEOs basically don't have the guts to call out on You Know Who, according to the Wall Street Journal. I'm totally NOT surprised about this. Those guys never have guts to call out on the government.

I haven’t bought a ticket at the theatre since 2015. We find that it’s more convenient, especially if we go to ones with assigned seating. Okay, fine, I also haven’t been to a theatre since the before times as well. My son did a “boys only day” with my husband and my dad over the December holidays and saw Sonic in the theatre. I don’t think they went to one with assigned seating though.

I didn't know they expanded. Maybe the networks need the extra time because they don't have enough programming!

Was he born in the US or an immigrant? If the latter, then he shoulda been deported.

I refuse to believe that a Boomer like Trump does not know what a certain symbol looks like. Weren't they fed stories from either their parents (who may have fought in WWII) or their friends' parents? He would DEFINITELY have known a WWII vet or two, even if it's not a family member.

Even my DAD, Mr. Financial Industry Who Worked in Private Equity in New York (he has a story about 9/11 and being *THIS CLOSE* to the Twin Towers), was all like "we'll lose our identity." He was referring to the idea of having separate governments, but an EU-like system. And Dad is right, we most certainly will. As you know, @Dimity and everyone else, my parents CHOSE to come here in the 70s! I have my issues with my parents, but this is most certainly NOT one of them. My dad typically votes (if he votes. I'm not sure how often he's done it) Conservative. Not sure about Mom. But they sure as h3ll aren't NDP.

This could be a neurodivergence thing. A lot of people (including me), will think of something that they can (sort of) relate to and will bring it up whenever. We've been told to stop, but it's just how we are. It helps US try to understand other people. Even if it isn't close.

People tend to find out at the 20 week scan, right? Maybe dad didn't go? We knew early because we did non-invasive genetic screening through bloodwork (there was only one test we could do because of gestational surrogacy/donor embryo. There are actually two tests if you were carrying your own genetic child). My surrogate messaged me to tell me, and I did a private reveal to my husband by buying a blue frosted cookie, wrapped it and had him open it for dessert that night. We didn't announce to the rest of the world until our shower, making guests guess whether we were "Team XX" or "Team XY." And then we told them after the results were announced. And that was also when the rest of the world found out.

I think it's cute. And my husband did that. :) Am I the weird, really old fashioned one here?

My husband proposed to me in our hotel room while we were on a weekend getaway in the Niagara region! He hid a Build-a-Bear bear on my side of the bed while I was in the bathroom. Came out, saw the bear and he got on one knee and asked. Very cute! What gets silly are PROMposals! That didn't exist when I was in high school!

This sounds familiar to A LOT of us parents, doesn't it? From the Toronto Star: Donald Trump rails against Doug Ford’s electricity retaliation move. ‘We don’t need your energy’

I continue to be in awe at the price of eggs in the US. I saw this at my local supermarket a few days ago. There is currently only ONE PLACE I won't buy eggs from - a small, independent grocery store that was selling organic free range eggs for $15 (for the typical dozen). The EXACT SAME BRAND at the online place I order from 2x a week was $12. Sent my kid to camp (he's on break this week) with egg salad (my version of egg salad uses yogurt and cucumbers) on challah. :)

I did not know that Leafs-Habs marriages were...legal. Elbows up indeed.....(plus a possible Shawinigan Handshake). #sorrynotsorry

Our current place isn’t far from our old place. In fact, I can see my old building! Don’t drive so I need to be near transit. And the big hospitals due to my health condition. We’re really lucky that we can walk to three good sized grocery stores! Though I still use a delivery service at least twice a week, including a local one.

We moved into our current unit the weekend before the big shutdown! Like, we moved in on the Saturday and my husband was forced to work from home that following Monday. My son learned to walk on his own in our current unit. We will likely not be leaving this place until we move into a retirement community. No plans to move to the suburbs at all.

Okay, I LOVE this: ^^^ this man is 91 and seems to be in BETTER SHAPE than You Know Who, too. He was PM when my entire Grade 9 class (so spring '94) went to Ottawa to learn about government. He met with our grade and we presented him with a Grad Tie that is worn by the graduating class. He quipped "did I pass all the exams?"

And Mark Carney also DOES NOT have a seat in the House of Commons. What happens then? Read here.