What er yeh talking aboot?

Have you ever really thought about Canada? When you think about it, it's kind of weird, you know?
My impression of how Canadian people are is very skewed, most likely false, and highly based on Degrassi.




But seriously, I thought Degrassi was an American show until the 3rd season, when they mentioned Toronto. How could I have been so naive, you ask? I am sure you caught on to the "aboots" but I didn't until this fantastic revelation that hit me early in high school. I mean, if you were to move to Canada, you know how weird that would be, being an ex-American? It'd be like, EXACTLY THE SAME, but different. The people would look like americans, being diverse and all, with mostly caucasians. They would speak English (some would speak french, sure, but we're talking about Degrassi canadians here). And the landscape/environment/plants would look relatively the same (again, Degrassi). So what would be the difference?

I guess like I mentioned before, they would have the "aboot" accent on certain words, but it wouldn't be that obvious. And it'd be really strange, not having an MLK Jr. Day, or President's Day or 4th of July. Or thanksgiving! They have a different Thanksgiving, which I am not even sure what they celebrate. I just know that Cassie Steele celebrates with Tofurky. And Christmas would have the accompanying Boxing Day.

And have you ever wondered what the ruling of Canada was? Like, is it a monarchy? Democracy? Or what? I looked it up on the old faithful wikipedia and I was informed that it is, in fact, a monarchy. So, do people bash the queen of Canada like they do with George W. Bush? Or any president for that matter? Are there "sides" like with democrats and republicans? I guess there wouldn't be any...unless there were like "for the queen" people and "against the queen" people. Or neither, because they sure as hell don't want to re-create America.

And they have more freedom to televise stuff about abortions or other controversial topics.

I mean, am I the only one who didn't know this, or hasn't ever thought about this? I mean, I can't be the only one, right? Feel free to comment.





And let's talk Canadian TV.

If you watch Disney and The-N, you have a sampling of the finest Canadian teen shows. And you also have the sampling of the select 20 teen actors they have. Seriously, they recycle the actors for every show in Canada, it's crazy. You'd think the population is close to that of McLeansboro, Illinois, with their lack of stars. Degrassi is like the Mickey Mouse Club of Canadian Television, and they branch off from there. Take, for example, the following shows:

• Degrassi: The Next Generation (had guests like Kate Todd, Genelle Williams, and Nathan Stephenson, from RFR. Charlotte Arnold from Naturally Sadie)
• Naturally Sadie (with Miriam McDonald, Shenae Grimes, Ephraim Ellis from Degrassi, Michael Seater from Life With Derek)
• Life With Derek (has had guests like Lauren Collins, Ryan Cooley, Shane Kippel, Kit Weyman from Degrassi)
• I Was A 6th Grade Alien (Ryan Cooley, Lauren Collins, Daniel Clark, Deanna Casaluce from Degrassi, Ashley Leggat and Shadia Simmons from Life With Derek)
• Radio Free Roscoe aka RFR (guests incl. Steve Belford, Lauren Collins, Jake Epstein, Paula Brancati from Degrassi, William Greenblat from Life With Derek)
• Instant Star, granted, the creator is the same as for Degrassi, but still... (guests include Cassie Steele and Skye Regan (an extra from many Degrassi episodes)
• Pecola (Jake Goldsbie, Miriam McDonald from Degrassi)
• The Zack Files (Daniel Clark, Jake Epstein from Degrassi, Ashley Leggat and Shadia Simmons from Life with Derek)
• Are You Afraid Of The Dark (Daniel Clark and Ryan Cooley from Degrassi, Michal Seater and Shadia Simmons from Life With Derek, Justin Bradley from Naturally Sadie)
• Wild Card (Jamie Johnston, Steve Belford, Ephraim Ellis and Dalmar Abuzeid (danny van zandt) from Degrassi, Michael Seater from Life With Derek)

And movies, they do it too! The following movies have the same canadian actors, too...

• The Poet (Nina Dobrev, Miriam McDonald from Degrassi)
• Charlie Bartlett (Lauren Collins, Jake Epstein, Aubrey Graham from Degrassi, Michael D'Ascenzo from Naturally Sadie)
• Devil's Diary (Alexz Johnson, Miriam McDonald, Deanna Casaluce from Degrassi)
• The Red Sneakers (Sarah Barrable-Tishauer, Jake Goldsbie from Degrassi)
• Picture This! (Shenae Grimes, Lauren Collins from Degrassi, Justin Bradley from Naturally Sadie)
• It's a Boy Girl Thing (Genelle Williams from RFR and John Bregar from Degrassi)
• Quints (Shadia Simmons from Life With Derek, Jake Epstein from Degrassi)

and even American shows are loving some Canadian blood:

• The Best Years (Cassie Steele, Mike Lobel, Lauren Collins from Degrassi)

And trust me, there are a kazillian more, I just got sick of writing them all.


I guess if you are born in the mid to late 80's in Canada, you will be a very successful actor.

PS, in that extensive IMDB search I found that Jake Goldsbie (Toby) was in more episodes than Adamo Ruggiero (Marco) on Degrassi. And Marco has had more plot lines, like being gay, having a gambling problem, running for school president, etc...and Toby has had....none. Unless you count the...nope, none. I sometimes feel bad for Toby, 'specially since he's been on it since the 1st episode, and is literally the ONLY character to not have character development.


Learn anything new? Think of anything I didn't cover? Comment.

No Ben & Jerry's Necessary

Is it just me, or is it awesome when you get a day where you have absolutely nothing planned, and no one is there to disturb it?
I LOVE IT!
Last night, for the first time in a while, I had the apartment all to myself and it was lovely. Not to bash my roommates, but I just love my alone time. Some of you may laugh at what I did last night and think that it's pathetic, but I bet you haven't had a "Me Day" in a while, where you could just spend all the time to yourself, not needing to please anyone, no rush to be anywhere, able to do whatever you want, the nice calm quiet. Because if you have had one of those days, you would be wanting one right now.
So, last night, at approximately 5:12 PM, the night began. I began by deciding what I was going to have for dinner. I love to cook, so I decided to make Roasted Cumin Carrots (go to realsimple.com for the recipe...it's SO good) to eat with my leftover potstickers from the day before. I love carrots, but it seems to be one of the only vegetables I do like, so I like this recipe. They don't get all gross like they do from steaming, instead they get roasted and charred like you grilled them. And the scallions and cumin make them SO GOOD.
So that was a fun recipe to make. While they were getting to the point of deliciously great goodness, I made potstickers and dipping sauce. All while listening to my favorite radio station, WXRT. And while dancing around the apartment. Then I made my little plate with a portion of each thing, poured myself a tall glass of milk and sat there on the couch, listening to the music and enjoying my meal. After I finished it, I played some solitaire on the coffee table. It was so nice. I love nights like that. Later I joined Jake and his friends and watched the movie "The Guardian" for a little bit until I decided to retire early (11pm). I came back to the dorm and slipped under the sheets for a much needed sleep.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable night. I don't feel like "alone time" should be an "oh, let me pity myself and my lonelyness" time. It should be celebrated! I love having time to spend alone, watching DVDs of The OC episodes and eating a delicious meal. Who knows me better than myself? Why, myself of course. I don't need a tub of Ben and Jerry's to feel better...I just need to dance around my apartment singing to the High School Musical soundtrack. I had fun.


And I was reading the blog at the-n.com (home of Degrassi and South of Nowhere!) and for the week of Valentine's Day they have "crush outs" aka shout outs to your crushes. I was reading it and found this one, which was so fitting to this post, and I wanted to share it with you because when you read it, it's almost so cute you get a little tear in the corner of your eye.

"Ok self, you listening? Here goes... I've been with you for over 18 years now, and I know we've been through some tough times (ugh remember puberty? yikes! Let's not do that again, deal? ok good ;)), but I just wanted to tell you that I think you're rad. You're smart, can always make me laugh, and over these past 18 years, I've grown pretty fond of you. And this may seem shallow, but seeing you're face for 18 years has yet to get old, in fact I kinda like it. So feel good this Valentine's Day because there is at least one person on this planet who likes you just as you are, and lets be friends for a really long time, please? ok awesome!" - qtrocker5



See? Isn't it great to appreciate yourself?

iBienvenidos! (Welcome!)

Hola! Enter my new domain (pun!)!
I really don't know what to start with other than explaining a few quick things (first and last thing that will be quick, I'm usually long-winded).

1. De Todo Un Poco. If you don't speak Spanish, the rough translation is "a little bit of everything" or more literally "of everything a little." I should probably use more Spanish seeing as that I may minor in it, so I could write a few posts here in Espanol. But the title I thought was fitting, because there will not be a set topic of this blog. Just thoughts and comments, recipes, and stuff to do when you're bored. I know I won't just complain about life, unless I think it is worth sharing. And by worth sharing, I mean you will laugh at my misery/pain.
I can't really pinpoint any interests of mine, they are across the board, regarding music, movies, hobbies, even friends' personalities. I have a bit of everything, and that's how I like it. I get tired of things easily, and start up new interests almost immediately.

2. In Your Natural Habitat. I was walking from class the other day when I saw a car full of people stop at the stop sign, blocking the entire one-way street, and basically do a Chinese Fire Drill (not really, but everyone got out of the car and was getting something out of another part of the car). They then all got back in, put on the emergency lights and proceeded to block the lane. Of course, cars piled up behind them and were honking to get through. I thought to myself "I love watching stupid people in their natural habitat." Hence, the name of the site. However, I am not saying that you readers are stupid people. Your Natural Habitat just seemed right, because I hope that at least one entry will apply to every readers' interests at some point.


So, enjoy this blog, however long it lasts. Maybe next entry I'll write about carrots! Or Powerpuff Girls. Or both!


Well, so much for being short and sweet.
Ciao bella!