alumna weekend, eh
Just got back from a lovely long weekend in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. I try to go back once a year -- usually during Alumni Weekend in September, but I'm going to be away then -- in order to maintain my hybrid accent, my Honorary Canadian status, and my collection of Queen's University T-shirts. I got to visit campus and drop loads of dough at the bookstore and generally reconnect with one of my favorite cities on the planet.
There's just something about Canada, and Kingston in particular. I can't explain it, and believe me, I've tried. You just have to experience it. I found it the first time I went up to Queen's for a prospective-student campus visit -- I fell in love, and I just had to go there.
And I noticed something on the telly while up there this weekend: Even the weather guy was exceedingly polite. Now, politeness is a stereotype Canadians have had to endure for ages. And, like all stereotypes, it probably isn't true. But they've borne it with such decorum that we Americans would never be able to tell.
So I grinned to myself while I was getting dressed and packed up yesterday as the weather guy began each and every segment with a heartfelt, "Hello! Thank you for spending some of your time with us today. I really appreciate it." As if, by checking the forecast, we were doing him a personal favor.
Next year is my 10-year reunion. I'm not sure how that much time has gotten away from me. But I'm resolved to do all the official alum things next year -- you know, visit campus and drop loads of dough at the bookstore and generally reconnect with one of my favorite cities on the planet.