As all of you hockey fans know, Boston played against Vancouver in the Stanley Cup Final yesterday; it was my 1st time ever to watch a live hockey game. And boy what a tough and hard sport it is, I mean watching along I couldn’t help noticing that Hockey is a really extremely difficult sport to master… anyway, what shocked me is that my almost 5 year old son was actually excited to watch the game, guess he heard all about it at school. He was: “Boston win, Kanvouver lose” all the time, so being a “good” parent I had to set things straight.

Lesson (1): Pronunciation.

Eman: It’s Vancouver sweetheart.

Adam: Kanvouver.

Eman: Van-cou-ver.

Adam: Kan-vou-ver.

Eman: Kanvouver.

Adam: Fancouver.

Lesson (2): Patriotism.

Eman: so why are you cheering for Boston rather than Vancouver?

Adam: because Boston is better.

Eman: this is the first time you ever watch them play, how come you’re so sure?

Adam: Boston is better. He plays better, he’s cool.

Eman: Boston is a team not a man, you know that, right!

Adam: And Fancouver?

Eman: a team too. Plus the Vancouver team is Canadian, you should be supporting the Canadian team. Dad and I are wishing Vancouver will win.

Adam: I love Canada. But Boston is in America, right?

Eman: yes right, so?

Adam: where’s Disney World?

Eman: in America.

Adam: Boston win, Fancouver lose, Boston win….

Lesson (3): It’s all about the spirit, not the winning.

Eman: Ok, you cheer for Boston, no harm in that, because in the end, in sports it’s all about the experience. Decent competing, the challenges, good playing, and the joy of sharing this marvelous experience together, whether playing or watching. So it doesn’t matter what side you’re on, as long as you enjoy it, in the end, we’re all winners.

Dad: *#U*)@)_@_

Eman: Oh No!

Adam: BOSTON WINSSSSSS!

Eman & Dad: WHY!!!!!

Adam: it’s ok, it’s just a game…. He runs all over the place: Boston won, Fancouver lost!

And this, my dear friends, is what I call successful parenting skills.

There is something about Canadian mornings…

The earlier I wake up, the more beautiful my morning becomes. The foggier it is outside, the yummier my coffee tastes. The rainier it is, the more tempting it is to go out for a walk. The cooler it is, the more refreshing I feel.

There is something about Canadian mornings, that I just love.

Being an Arab, my part of the world, from which I’ve come, is considered -relatively speaking- the part of eternal sunshine and warmth. Do I miss it? wouldn’t be human if I don’t, but life and my many travels have taught me to cherish every moment of every day, no matter where on the planet I am. It has taught me to look for beauty in the darkest of times, and darkest of places. And the darker the mornings get in Canada, the more alive they become… in my eyes.

I see people waking up really really early, to start a car, catch a bus, grab a coffee, hit the gym, walk a dog, or, what Canadians love most: go jogging. No matter how cold, no matter how dark, morning is as alive as it is in the sunniest of countries, if not even more. I really don’t know how they’re always motivated to be so active all the time, and I have no idea where their energy comes from, but I admire it, I respect it, and I really am impressed with it. Mornings here look so gloomy to most, but if you look closer you’ll see all the bits and pieces that prove the fact that Canadians just don’t care how their mornings look or feel, they always have their ways to enjoy them, make the best out of them, and get you wanting to do just the same.

And since I still have no job to go to and join the thousands of Canadians in their exciting daily morning adventures, I settle for my beloved hot cup of coffee, my morning TV, my laptop, a couple of books and a very deep breath trying to take in as much of this magically refreshing morning breeze as I could… until I have enough energy to go for a nice walk that is.

Yes, there’s something about Canadian mornings that I just love.

Good morning Canada.