October 23rd, 2014.

Seoul, South Korea.

A couple of days ago, I wrote about not identifying with being Canadian. I wrote about being a Newfoundlander first, a Canadian second. I wrote about loving Seoul and Korea.

Yesterday, Canada experienced something that it hadn’t at least since I have been alive. I studied about a similar event in the 70s during school but that isn’t the same, surely.

Seoul, South Korea.

I wrote on Monday about not knowing what made me Canadian.

Yesterday, maybe I figured out that I am more Canadian than I had thought. I sat in a cafe just outside of Seoul glued to my laptop watching Peter Mansbridge from the CBC giving updates on a situation that was ongoing. I hadn’t heard Peter Mansbridge for a long time. I had forgotten what a great anchor he is.

I watched at first as a matter of habit. I listened while I did other things.

After twenty or so minutes I couldn’t do anything but watch. Listening to stories of the deceased reservist who had dreamed about being a real soldier. Listening to the story of a 29 year police veteran turned security official who took out the gunman before he had a chance to reach members of parliament. I listened, and I watched.

Before I knew it, it was 5AM and I was still watching.

While I said I struggled to feel Canadian on Monday, I had no trouble yesterday.

I certainly feel Canadian now.

Seoul, South Korea.