Hi, my name is Jenilee. I'm from Milton, VT and I have lived about 30 minutes south of the Canadian border my entire life. I am an Elementary Education major concentrating in English. I am taking this class because I am part French and am interested in reading some literature from our neighbors to the north.

Hey everyone! My name is Erin and i'm from Montpelier, VT. I am a junior here at UVM and finally decided to settle as an English major. Growing up so close to Canada, it has always been an interest of mine to find out more about it. Besides the crazy trips to Montreal I have also been able to see some different parts of the country as well. So, I am hoping to learn more about Canada and the fascinating things it holds.

Hi! My name is Sarah and I'm a sophomore at UVM. My major is Elementary Education, with a concentration in English. I decided to take Canadian Literature because my mother is Canadian. My grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins all currently live in Ontario (where my mother is also from). I think it is an important obligation for me to learn more about my mom's native land, and my heritage.

Greetings all - My name is Dede, short for Deirdre. I am a junior with a double major in English and Studio Art, and an Advertising minor. I am from New Canaan, CT - no where close to the Canadian border. I think it's interesting that we are so close to another country, and I would love to learn more about it (also because none of my friends from home go to school up north and I would love to blow them away with my new Candadian knowledge). AND obviously because Paul Martin is the greatest teacher EVER...I really liked English 86 and the Canadian books we read in it, so I figured this class would be full of great literature.

After Type Key finally worked (login is case sensitive!), I can see what this blog is all about. I'm a junior and am an English major- Canadian Lit will be very interesting I'm sure- I've been to Montreal and Ottawa of course since I'm from Williston VT. My best friend played hockey in Cornwall, ONT for a semester last year so I actually spent a lot of time with him up there (a few hours away, it's above NY). Much rougher hockey, but I didn't get a chance to know their famous literature.. however Tim Horton's are my favorite and I wish we had them in the US!

How's it going? My name is Sam, and I'm in my junior year. I'm a Political Science major and and an English minor. I'm a little upset that I procrastinated for 3 years here and never got up to Montreal to see an Expos game. I live west of Boston about 30 minutes. I took this class for a bunch of reasons. For all the classes I've taken here I think I could count the discussions of Canada on one hand, so it's a nice change. Also, I was a bit disappointed in myself when I realized how little I knew about Canada considering I only live an hour away now. Anyway, the class should be a good time.

Hi, my name is Lauren Transit. I’m a secondary education major with a concentration in English and a minor in special education. I hail from Shelby Township Michigan, which is 40 miles north or Detroit. I am about 45 minutes from the Canadian border (Sarnia, or Windsor). Growing up I went to Canada a lot. I have been many times to Windsor (especially since I turned 19), Sarnia, Toronto, and New London. Since coming to UVM I have been to Montreal. In addition, when I drive to UVM I go through Canada, although I must say it is not the most exciting drive, I appreciate all the Tim Horton’s along the way.

Howdy, I'm Ryan and I'm a sophomore. I'm an English major and history minor. I live in THE Long Valley, NJ(a little less than an hour west of NYC.) I guess that my little story behind taking this class is that last semester I had English 86 with Paul Martin and I really enjoyed the class and the novels by Ondaatje and Poulin, so I figured I would be exposed to some of the same literature this semester. Never in a million years did I think I would be taking any type of class having it's concentration on Canada, but here I am taking this class and David Massell's Can-Am relations class. You've gotta love the irony of it.

Hi Everyone, call me Katy. This is my third year here at UVM and I am enrolled in the College of Secondary Education with a concentration in English, minor in History. I grew up along the coast of southern Maine, about five hours from the Canadian Border. And while I've visited the country a handful of times, I was shocked, and embarrassed, to be a junior in college without the least bit of knowledge about a country so close. So, with hopes to change, I find myself in Paul Martin's English 180 class.

Hi! My name is Lynn Mondani. I am in my third year at UVM, majoring in Elementary Education with an English concentration. I am from Cromwell, CT. I chose to take English 180 this semester because I am generally not familiar with Canadian writers. I also took Eng 86 last semester, so I have read a novel by Michael Ondaatje and Jaques Poulin. I enjoyed reading both novels, so I think I will enjoy the texts Professor Martin has selected for this course as well.

Hi, I'm Kelly and I'm a junior from Medfield, Ma. I am a psych major and english minor. I've been to Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, but I don't know much about Canada or Canadian literature, so I should learn a lot from this course. It also fit into my schedule and I heard Paul Martin was a really good professor.

Hi my name is Amie Kippert. I am a Junior studying English and Religion. I am from New York-Long Island area. I have never studied anything that remotely involves Canada or Canadian studies. I am very interested in this course because my lack of knowledge in Canadian literature! I am very excited about this semester and I cannot wait to learn more about Canadian lit.

Hi, I'm Hannah, I'm a sophmore, english major, sociology minor. Just like half of the class I took 86 with Professor Martin, so coming back for more either means he's a good teacher or I'm just a glutton for punishment. I also loved the Ondaatje and Poulin books and have read some Atwood as well. And on a side note, even though he isn't Canadian, you should all read Dave Eggers, I just finished his newest book and it was awesome!

hi. i'm liselle. i'm a senior and i'm sad to say that the main reason i am taking this course is that it fulfills a requirement (sorry paul). however, i did enjoy a course i took previously with paul (although sadly i can't remember what one...'senoritis' sets in...) i was formerly a Secondary Ed major, but my urgency to leave UVM has prevailed and I am now an English major, Film minor. i am a 3rd generation of Freeport, ME (llbean, outlets, etc) and will be moving to North Carolina shortly after graduation to attend Johnson and Wales University which has nothing to do with the past 4 years i've spent at uvm. most important: Hannah Byrd and i work at old navy and you should come visit us there to talk about canada/canadians/literature because we'll do anything to not have to actually work.

Hi everyone, sorry it has taken me so long to introduce myself (although it looks like i'm definitely not the last one to do so!) My name is Jamie Koehnlein - last name pronounced Ken-line - and I am a junior. I am taking this class due to my high regard for Canadians and my obsession to some day become a citizen. My best friend from freshman year is from Montreal, I enjoy the flag, the lakes, the open bars after SOCCER TOURNAMENTS! and fortunately enough, the literature as well. I am from western NY, located directly across lake Ontario from Toronto. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the semester and impressing people with my ability to now name the provinces!

Hey class. I am Alex. I am from just outside the North End of Hartford CT, a wonderful location to avoid cops and see the delightful underworld you see and hear so much about on the news. I am an English major and an ENVS minor. I'm in this class because I thought I should know something, anything really, about my neighbor to the north. I've been to Prince Edward's Island and the mussels there are amazing. Montreal is also a cool place, but, unfortunately, I cannot remember anything except the bars.

Well hello there. My name is Hannah, and to distinguish myself from Hannah Byrd, you may call me Hannah Rose if you wish. I am a super junior English and Anthropology major who like many of you took English 86 with Paul and was so taken with Ondaatje and Poulin I decided to explore Canadian Literature further. Not to mention the fact that my father grew up speaking French on the US - Canada border and all of my relatives are delightfully Canadian. Hooray!

Sorry for not signing on sooner- I couldn't figure out how to post.

Anyway, my name is Kathleen and I'm a senior. I took Paul Martin's course since I know he also teaches post-colonial literature, and was wondering what the crossovers might be between the two areas of study. Secondly, I think most of the US is under-informed of Canada- either its a refuge or the bane of the US's existence for its universal healthcare. In sum, I wanted to learn more of Canada's history and writing legacies.

Hi everyone,
Sorry I didn't post my introduction sooner, first there was a problem with my blog sign-in and then I had an issue with a virus on my computer. But at any rate, My name is Dana, and I'm a senior this year at UVM. I am a political science major and and english minor. I have heard great things about Professor Martin from many of my friends who have taken english classes with him, so I wanted to take one of his classes as well. I've been to Montreal a couple of times before and four years ago I went on vacation to western Canada; Banff and Jasper which I loved. I figured it would be interesting to learn more about the history of the places I have visited in Canada.

HI, My name is Sarah Bowman, it took me so long to post about my self because my internet explorer would not give me access to the blog. I am from New Jersey, and am a sophomore at UVM. i am a english minor, so i do enjoy this class so far. To let everyone know im the one on crutches, but they're coming off soon.

Hey, Bob here, just getting into this blogging during spring break in beautiful New Jersey, my home state. I'm a junior english major who has Paul for two classes this semester and one last semester thus getting the hat trick for the year. I've enjoyed this class so far and hopefully will get on this site more the second half of the semester.

Hi, my name is Meghan, I'm from Queens, New York. I am a senior and an english major, snd I took this class because my friend Amy Faith says that Paul Martin is the best teacher around.

Hi, my name is Alex I am a senior from CT. I am majoring in English and minoring in Psych. I am taking this class both because I wanted to take another class with Paul and also because I feel that I do not know enough about a country that is closer to where I live than my home town and so I wanted to learn more. Very excited!

Hi, I'm Laura. Im a sophmore from Buffalo New York, where we say pop and suckers! I also can walk across the canadian boarder in 15 minutes. Buffalonians have a special relationship with canada because on your 19th birthday, a ritual trip across the boarder will be made, to indulge in actvities illegal for a 19 year old in the US.

Hi All,

My name is Emma and I am a Junior from Carlisle, Massachusetts. My major is english and I am taking this class because I have had Paul Martin before and really likes the books he chooses! I am also half canadian and visit Nova Scotia every year. My favorite area is Cape Breton, it is breathtaking. If anyone is ever up there I would suggest doing the Cabot trail. See everyone in class.

My name is Brendan McCormick and I'm in my last year here at UVM. I'm a psychology major and an english minor. I have many friends that attend McGill University and I love seeing concerts at the Bell Center, so I'm constantly traveling north to Montreal. I'm interested in learning not only more about the general culture and literature of Canada, but specifically the literary seperation that Montreal and Quebec have obtained.