Articles tagged with: Canadian News and Trends
Marriage Fraud in the News Again
Marriage fraud is in the news again, with a recent announcement by Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney that aims at tightening the rules for sponsorships.
The Fitness Quest
My plan A was Goodlife Fitness, a gym with several locations in Ottawa. The membership fee being one of my main criteria, I went online to see how much it was. Surprise surprise, the fees were nowhere to be found. Instead, those interested in joining Goodlife where asked to provide their info to be contacted about plan rates.
The Phone Quest
One of the first things I had to do when coming home, along with doing loads of laundry, was to get a phone.
Well, technically, I have a phone. Two, even: a landline (primarily for telemarketers to call) and a cell phone that I never use because I haven’t bought minutes in ages.
Going Digital
I’m the kind of person who reads a book a day (and because OCTranspo is rarely on time, I have the chance to do so). Like most women, I carry my life in my bag, plus a couple of books (just in case I finish one, I like to have a backup). Some of my friends have tried to get me to switch to an eBook reader but I reacted like a granny. “It’s gonna hurt my eyes! It’s not the same as paper!” I protested.
Picture of the Week: Occupy Ottawa, a Month Later
Last weekend, I walked through Confederation Square, where Occupy Ottawa settled. I hadn’t gone back since the day the movement started.
Ottawa Does Not Suck
Come on guys. Ottawa does not suck!
It’s funny how popular capital-bashing is in the new world: Australians with Canberra, Americans with Washington DC etc. The old world usually have capital envy—French may not like Parisians but most acknowledge that Paris is somewhat of an exciting place to be.
Charity Begins at Home (And is Everywhere)
All summer long, I bumped into canvassers wearing emblazoned binders and vests with the logo of the charity they were working for. “Do you have a minute for the environment?” some ask plaintively. “I don’t bite, come closer!” others plead.
Canadian Souvenirs
I admit it, I suck at buying souvenirs. First, I often don’t have room in my luggage. Second, most souvenirs are not exactly useful and can be downright tacky. What’s the point of spending money on trinkets that will just collect dust at home?
Recently, one reader asked me what Canadian souvenirs I would recommend visitors to buy.
Picture of the Week: BlackBerry
Whether they are BlackBerry, iPhones, Android, smart phones or mobile devices… everybody’s got one.
Ottawa seems to be partial to BlackBerry though, probably because Research In Motion (RIM), the telco company who invented the device, is Canadian, has contracts with the government and is a big employer in Ottawa.
The Pumpkin Massacre
I’m very ashamed to say that, for the past…er, 8 years, the pumpkin carving duty was often performed by my Chinese in-laws.
But this year, we decided to tackle the chore.
Cut me some slack, okay? Back in the days, October 31st was just a regular day in France—no pumpkin, no sugar-high kids, no candies.
