OTTAWA____A lumber town becoms the nation's Capital

Ottawa is the Capital of Canada. Situated on Ontario's eastern boundary with Quebec, the city is a blend of French and English cultures.

Ottawa began as a lumber town in the early 1800s. Today, it is a centre of government and high-technology industry. It is also a major tourist destination, with more than five million visitors a year.

Ottawa's main attraction is Parliament Hill--the heart of Canada's government. The Parliament Buildings sit majestically on a cliff overlooking the Ottawa River. The city's many museums, historic buildings, and monuments are also popular with visitors.

Surrounded by beautiful parks, Ottawa is one of the greenest capitals in the world. With an average winter temperature of -10 Celcius, it is also one of the coldest.

EARLY DAYS

The Ottawa region's early history and economy depended very much on the mighty Ottawa River. The river was a water highway for native peoples for thousands of years. When the Europeans arrived, they used the river as a route for the fur trade. Later, the river transported logs to Ottawa's booming lumber industry.

The first European to come to the Ottawa region was the French explorer, Etienne Brule, in 1610. Almost two hundred years later, Philemon Wright set up a lumber mill on the north shore of the Ottawa River in 1806. This site is now the city of Hull, Quebec.

In 1826, Colonel John By started the construction of the Rideau Canal. His camp on the south shore of the Ottawa River became the village of Bytown. The 202-kilometre canal was completed in 1832. It created a link to Kingston on the St. Lawrence River. It also brought more settlement, trade, and expansion of the lumber industry. In 1855, the region was a major lumber producer. Bytown had a population of 10,000, and its name was changed to Ottawa.

In 1857, Queen Victoria chose Ottawa to be the capital of the United Provinces of Canada. Her decision created a controversy. Cities like Kingston and Toronto were very upset. In their opinion, Ottawa was a backwoods town with a reputation for drinking and fighting. Ten years later, Ottawa became the capital of the new country of Canada.

FACTS & FIGURES

Ottawa's population is 323,000. The population of the region is about 1,000,000. It is Canada's fourth largest metropolitan area.

Almost half of Ottawa's residents are bilingual (English and French).

The average household income is about $56,000 a year.

The average cost of a house is $133,084.

The average temperature in the winter is -10 Celcius. In the summer, it's 21 Celcious.

"Ottawa" comes from an aboriginal word that means "to trade".

Construction of the Parliament Building was finished in 1866. In 1916, a fire destroyed most of the buildings. They had to be rebuilt.

ENVIRONMENT VOCABULARY

Environment-Important Issues

acid rain;  
aerosol;  
animal welfare;  
carbon mono;
conservation;
deforestation
endangered species;
energy
nuclear energy;
solar energy;
exhause fume;
fertilizers;
forest fires
global warming;
non)renewable resources
nuclear;
nuclear fallout;
nuclear reactor;
oil slick;
ozone layer
pesticide;
pollution;
protected animal
rain forest;
unleaded gas;
waste;
nuclear waste;
radioactive waste;
wildlife;

Environment-Natural Disasters

drought
earthquake
flood
tidal wave;
typhoon/hurricane/tornado;
volcanic eruption;

Environment-Verbs

cut down
destroy
dispose(of)
dump
protect;
pollute
recycle
reuse
save
throw away
use up

Environment-Politics

environmental group
green issues
pressure group

NATIONAL ANTHEM / HYMNE NATIONAL

O CANADA

O Canada! Our home and native land!

True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,

The True North strong and free!

From far and wide.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

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Thou = You (Singular Subject)

Thee = You (Singular Object)

Thy/Thine = Your (Singular Possessive)

Thou art = You are

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FAITH OF OUR FATHERS

1. Faith of our fathers, living still,

In spite of dungeon, fire and sword;

O how our hearts beat high with joy.

Whenever we hear that glorious Word!

Faith of our fathers, holy faith!

We will be true to thee till death.

2. Faith of our fathers, we will strive

To win all nations unto Thee;

And through the truth that comes from God,

We all shall then be truly free.

3. Faith of our fathers, we will love

Both friend and foe in all our strife;

And preach thee, too, as love knows how.

By kindly words and virtuous life.

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dungeon: 土牢，城堡，土楼；

holy: 神圣的，圣洁的；

strive: 努力，奋力，斗争；

virtuous: holy, good.

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O GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST

1. O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Our shelter from the stormy blast,

And our eternal home.

2. Under the shadow of Thy throne

Thy saints have dwelt secure;

Sufficient is Thine are alone,

And our defense is sure.

3. Before the hills in order stood,

Or earth received her frame,

From everlasting Thou art God,

To endless years the same.

4. O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Be Thou our Guide while life shall last,

And our eternal home.

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eternal: 永久地，永世地；

throne: 宝座；

dwelt: lived; dwell（dwelt，dwelled）

sufficient：enghou;

everlasting: 永久的，不朽的

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GOD SAVE THE QUEEN

1. God save our gracious Queen

Long live our noble Queen,

God save the Queen:

Send her victorious,

Happy and glorious,

Long to reign over us:

God save the Queen.

2. O Lord, our God, arise,

Scatter Thine enemies,

And make them fall:

Confound their politics,

Frustrate their knavish tricks,

On Thee our hopes we fix:

God save us all.

3. Thy choicest gifts in store,

On her be pleased to pour;

Long may she reign:

May she defend our laws,

And ever give us cause

To sing with heart and voice

God save the Queen.

***

scatter: 撒，散

frustrate: 挫折，挫败；

knavish: 无赖地，不正当地。

***

Rememberance Day

Nov.11th is Remembering Day in Canada.

        Today, we have a Field Trip for remembrance the heroes who were victimed during the World war I and World war II.

      I went to the George Weston Recital Hall, which was lay in 5040 Yonge St.. I got and wore a Poppy at the entrance by 2 dollars donation. It's popular. After Nov. 1st, you could find many people in Toronto wore a bright red flower all in street. They donated the Found which was found for the old soldiers.

     At 11: 11 am, it was 11: 11, 11-11, the remembering activity began. The old soldiers entered the theatre in row. All of us stood up and gave prolonged applause...

      I was moved very much. I met Joseph's father. The senior insist on taking part in the activity. The respectable old man stood up every times and sung the all songs.

       Today, we sung 4 songs:

O CANADA,

FAITH OF OUR FATHERS,

O GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST,

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

Do You Know "errenzhuan"(二人转)？The Famouse Play in China

ow.ly/37DOW
ow.ly/37Elx

It is so Funny

It is so funny.

Today, we begin in The Winter Time System in Canada. It is also The day of  one-twenty fourth climate of a season in China. In China, we call it "Li Dong", which means going into winter.

Last night, before I went to sleep, I turned back one hour in my clock and watch. I also reset my mobile cell phone in the winter time. But, this morning, I woke up at the usual time. I was used to waking up at 7 o'clock before. I looked at the watch, it showed "6 o'clock".

I remembered that today was the first day of the new time system. So, I turned back one hour again, then went on sleeping.

I had an important appointment on 10 o'clock. When I arrived at the palace, you know what happened...

Certainty and Uncertainty

1.
A: I was thinking about applying for the new position.
B: Do you think that is a good idea?
A: It seems like a good idea but I am not really sure.
B: What are your main concerns?
A: Well, it would give me a chance to grow, but I am wondering if I would like the job.
B: I know what you mean, I've thought about that myself.
A: I also am thinking about the pay.
B: Could you take a slight pay decrease for a chance to move forwards?
A: Yes, it might be worth it. I am not certain.
B: I think I'm convinced that trying for this position is the best choice for you.

2.
A: I am not certain, but I think I might ask to be considered for the new job.
B: Why are you considering trying for it?

A: I think that I might like it, but I am still thinking about it.
B: What is it about this job that appeals to you?
A: I think that I would enjoy the position but there isn't a lot of creativity involved.
B: Yes, you would be right. There is a lot to consider.
A: I am also wondering about the pay.
B: Would a slight decrease in pay be worth it for a new opportunity for growth?
A:  I am thinking that might be the case.
B: I think you should give it a shot. What do you have to lose? You can always change your mind.

3.
A: I am considering going for the new job that was posted yesterday.
B: Are you certain that is what you want to do?
A: It may not be the best choice for me, but I'm considering it.
B: Why do you think that this job would be a good move?
A: I believe that this job would allow me to move up but might be a little boring for me.
B: Yes, there are always pros and cons to make a career change.
A: Also, the matter of pay is also a consideration.
B: I think the slight pay decrease might be worth it. The benefits are much better.
A: Yes, sometimes giving up a little to move forward is the best choice.
B: I think you definitely should apply for the position.


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brainiac
nerd