the Simpsons

Hi,
This week I have to comment about the TV show, the Simpsons. Some people don't let their kids watch this show. I think it's a great show! Like, maybe it teaches some bad habits, but mostly good. Besides from being funny, it also demonstrates good values.

I think, kids who don't watch it may grow up to be more book-smart, but kids that watch it, will grow up with a more well-rounded intelligence. Street smart... looking for something more out of life. If I didn't watch it when I was a kid, I... I hate to think about it. For one, I wouldn't have this stunning personality that I do now!

beijos, Peter

the Weather

Hey,
Again, the weather. It's almost like as soon as I wrote about the unseasonably warm winter we've been having this winter (Jan. 5th), it started to get cold. I can't complain, 'cause that's expected for a Canadian winter. I should've just kept my mouth shut.

Yesterday though, was extremely cold. When I came to work, it was -24ºC with a wind chill of 35 below! By the time I went home at 5pm, the temperature had "warmed up" (got less cold), but the wind had also picked up, so it seemed about the same.

I was waiting for the bus, obviously looking like I was freezing, and a car stopped. I didn't recognize the car or the person, but she offered me a ride. Yeah, she! I was pretty suprised, because she looked like she was in her 70's too! But I was very gracious, and once she dropped me off, I told her that the world needs more people like her.

The funny thing is, when I told Patrícia (my wife) later, she told me that the same thing had happened to her earlier in the afternoon. Wow. Thinking about the welfare of others, here. That's a first.

beijos

A side note this week: At the beginning of December, I thought, "Should I even continue writing here every week? I doubt anyone reads it." And I almost gave up. But then, just before Christmas, my Aunt Pauline asked me in an email how to access my blog. So I kept doing it. Aunt Pauline died this week, but I know she'll still be reading every week. Her parents too (my grandparents). They died 15 years ago, and she missed them dearly. Now they're together.

20% French

Hi,
I took last week off again... I feel like my boss, taking days off whenever I want!

Anyway, I read in the paper the other day that "20% of jobs in the Ottawa Area are now officially bilingual." At first I thought, "Wow, that's a significant drop!" When I was looking for a job, it seemed more like 90% required bilingualism!

But really though, this is dumb. Less jobs for people actually from Ontario! Because all the Quebecors who's native language is French get these jobs, even though their second language, English, is sometimes next to impossible to understand. Besides, if all (or most) Quebecors learn English at a young age, they should have to use it when they come to Ontario.

We live in a country that has two official languages: ONE province is French. My solution: Keep the language in that ONE province, and the other 12 provinces and territories can keep English in theirs! Like, the rest of the country (mostly this city) is letting the frenchmen walk all over us!

beijos