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Tuesday, July 07, 2009
- Many people travel when they’re on vacation. Some go to their hometown to see their extended family while others prefer to explore places they’ve never been before.
But what if you choose to do some R&R (rest and relaxation) while staying at home?
It turns out English has a relatively new word to describe a staying-at-home vacation - a staycation. Staycations are seen as an inexpensive and more affordable way to enjoy the time off. Staycations are convenient for families with little children or people with medical conditions. They’re popular in the times of economic downturn, lay-offs and high unemployment rates.
Staycationers visit local attractions, parks, shopping malls and libraries. Sometimes they go on day trips or camping for a few days. But usually they stay in the vicinity of their place trying to spend quality time with their family and tend to their hobbies.
If work-related emails and phone calls can be successfully avoided (ignored), then maybe a staycation is the best vacation?
POSTED BY Olga Galperin AT 11:51 PM
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Wednesday, July 01, 2009
- It’s Canada’s 142d birthday. How much do you know about this country? Read the facts below and challenge yourself to additional questions in the brackets.
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- Canada:
1 - borders only one country (which one?)
2 - has two official languages (which ones?)
3 - has three territories (can you name them?)
4 - borders four out of five Great Lakes (which ones?)
5 - has five officially recognized parties in the House of Commons (can you name them?)
6 - has six time zones (would you name them?)
7 - is home to seven Wonders of Canada (can you name some of them?)
8 - has eight main Inuit tribal groups (naming them is challenging, but just the mere number is amazing, isn’t it?)
9 - won nine silver medals in 2008 Beijing Olympic Games (can you name the winning athletes or the sports?)
10 - has ten provinces (can you name them all?)
Answer Key:
1 - USA is the only country that Canada borders.
2 - English and French are two official languages in Canada.
3 - Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut are three Canadian territories.
4 - Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Superior are located on the Canada-USA border, the 5th lake - Lake Michigan is entirely contained within the United States.
5 - The Liberals, Canadian Alliance, Bloc Quebecois, Progressive Conservatives, NDP are officially recognized parties in the House of Commons (part of Canadian Parliament)
6 - Pacific Standard Time, Mountain Standard Time, Central Standard Time, Eastern Standard Time, Atlantic Standard Time and Newfoundland Standard Time are six time zones across Canada.
7 - Confederation Bridge linking Prince Edward Island to the mainland, transcontinental railway, Quebec Citadelle, Expo 67 in Montreal, Rideau Canal, CN Tower and St. Lawrence Seaway are the Seven Wonders of Canada. (There are also some wonderful alternatives to that list).
8 - The Labrador, Ungava, Baffin Island, Iglulik, Caribou, Netsilik, Copper, Western Arctic Inuit are eight Inuit tribal groups in Canada.
9 - rowing (1) won by men’s pair: David Calder and Scott Frandsen, equestrian (1) won by a jumping team: Jill Henselwood, Ian Millar and Eric Lamaze, diving (2) won by Aexandre Despatie and Emilie Heymans, trampoline (2) won by Karen Cockburn and Jason Burnett, canoe/kayak (1) won by Adam van Koeverden, taekwondo (1) won by Karine Sergerie, triathlon (1) won by Simon Whitfield.
10 - There are 10 provinces in Canada: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.
POSTED BY Olga Galperin AT 3:11 PM
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