Ottawa, Montreal… and Paris!
Paris doesn’t change but Paris must have changed.
Author Zhu
Zhu
French woman in English Canada. World citizen, new mom, traveler, translator, writer and photographer. Looking for comrades to start a new revolution.
I’m Going to France and It Makes Me Anxious
I’ve never felt so anxious before a trip to France. Yet, over the years, I boarded Air Canada, Air France and Air Transat flights in various states of mind.
The Day My Parents Went Off Script
I shouldn’t even have seen the email, simply titled “News,” until the next morning, but I go to bed way too late and when I noticed it was from my mom, I clicked on it.
An opportunity for an international student to apply for permanent residence in Ontario
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program has a special offer called the Employer Job Offer: International…
Toronto, The City Where Cultures Blend (Deliciously!)
Toronto isn’t “just” multicultural—it’s a fascinating blend of people, food and languages, a dream for those who want to experience the best the world can offer.
Sailing the Turkish Coastline on a Luxury Yacht
If you are looking for authenticity, sunny weather, peaceful atmosphere, exceptional hospitality, and amazing food,…
10 Random Observations About Toronto
The trip started with me cursing Videotron and us parking a few blocks from a 7/11 where the condo key was supposed to be waiting for us in a lockbox.
Disconnecting in Toronto – Wait, I Didn’t Mean It *Litterally*!
Ladies and gentlemen, this is why you can’t rely on your phone in Canada—our service providers suck.
Canada Day 2019 + 10 Years of Being Canadian
It is a standard Canada Day but to me, it feels special and extra-Canadian. Ten years ago, I was taking the Oath of Citizenship.
Fun Things to Do in Canada
Everyone wants to go to Canada. Well, it is said to have the nicest people…
Grade 1 Completed – By the Way, Did You Know That the Dog Is a Bus?
Throughout the school year, shortly before 3 p.m., I would often receive short, cryptic emails from Mark’s school about a “delayed badger” or a “cancelled dog.”
5 Things You Didn’t Know About the Life of a Freelance Translator
It’s amazing how many prospective clients tell me I “shouldn’t worry about money at this stage” when said stage is after the project was explained and when I have to accept or decline the assignment.
Crow Attack
I’ve been to San Pedro Sula, dodgy parts of Rio, Salvador and Porto Alegre, I survived shitty border towns but damn, I’m avoiding Crow Street, Suburbia, Ottawa.
Can You Spot What’s Wrong With This Picture?
Look at the two pictures I took in my neighbourhood yesterday afternoon. Do you notice anything strange? Anything missing, maybe?
Do You See Your Smartphone as a Basic Need or as a Luxury?
My laptop and a reliable Internet connexion are a necessity in my personal and professional life. Provided I have both, my smartphone isn’t. Am I an oddity?
These Waves of Primal, Overwhelming Love
That’s pretty much life with kids. When you least expect it, you get completely overwhelmed by love and a primal instinct to protect, hug, and kiss them.
International Money Transfers Are Tricky When You’re Not the 1%
In 2018, I re-opened a bank account in France. Problem is, sending money to myself from Canada didn’t go exactly as planned.
We Are Being Stalked (By an Unlikely Stalker)
Life is punctuated by a series of enlightening, unexpected, and occasionally puzzling before-and-after moments.
What You Need to Do To Enjoy Your Vacation
Going on a vacation is an excellent way of unwinding. Work can become stressful, and…
3 Types of Crisis All Immigrants Should Prepare For
Quick exercise—make a list of your friends and acquaintances. Now look at it. How many of them would you feel comfortable asking a favour from?
Against the Clock
These days, the time is the only information I can give straight out because I’m always racing against the clock.
Our New Tuesday Evening Phobia
Tuesdays are now known as the “six mots” day, a weekly homework writing exercise a native French speaker and skilled translator/copywriter/proofreader is struggling to complete.
Did I Tell You About the Weather?
Someone finally turned the heat on this weekend. It was lovely, warm, hot, amazing and other adjectives used and reused by everyone here. And this is what happens when it suddenly gets hotter in Ottawa…
Will Winter Ever End?
It rained all day on Friday. It snowed on Saturday. As I’m typing this tonight, on May 1, there’s a freezing rain warning in effect.