That Baffling Cultural Mystery I Can’t Crack
To me, Mark’s school is some kind of mismanaged charity with inconsistent guidelines where the presence of kids is an inconvenience and volunteers are always needed urgently because made-up reasons.
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 Bad (You Know)
Sometimes, I say ONE thing ONCE and it will be remembered forever. Problem is, I never know what will stick with Mark. If I did, parenting would be easier, right?
5 Learning Experiences All Newcomers Should Embrace
What did you learn as a traveller or as an immigrant? What learning experience was the the most useful to you?
Ottawa’s Legendary Downpours
Remember when I explained you didn’t want to get caught in an ice storm? Well, you probably don’t want to get caught in the summer version of these ice storms either—Ottawa’s legendary downpours.
Yet Another Canadian Mystery – The “Discover Your Neighbours’ Political Preferences” Game
Here comes that awkward moment when you get up one morning and find out your neighbours’ political preferences.
Three Days in Toronto
We went to Toronto for the Victoria Day long weekend for the best reason of all—none.
Report from the 50th floor – Stuff You Learn Living the Condo Lifestyle Downtown Toronto for 3 Days (Part 2)
Five lessons learned staying at the ICE condo tower at 14 York Street in Toronto. Damn, it’s windy up there…
Report from the 50th floor – Stuff You Learn Living the Condo Lifestyle Downtown Toronto for 3 Days (Part 1)
The driving distance from Toronto to Ottawa is 450 kilometres, which is “basically next door”…
A Museum Geek’s Visit to Toronto
When it comes to culture and museums in Canada, Toronto is a major hotspot. This…
Why Do You Live Where You Live?
“It’s temporary, anyway” was our private joke for a long time. We never really settled down the way many couples do because we had zero interest in doing so.
The Lonely Neighbour
“Please, don’t call the police!”
This is the first thing she ever said to me when, one evening, I passed her on the pathway leading up to Madison Park, one of the neighbourhood’s playgrounds.
I Need Your Help—And a Better Strategy
Here I am, very candidly asking for your help. The stats tell me this blog receives about 1,000 visits a day. Maybe you work next door to a publisher, maybe you’ve heard of a publisher accepting non-solicited manuscripts, maybe you know an agent.
You’re Tired Too, Aren’t You?
I’m tired. Not the oops-passed-out-on-the-carpet-again kind of tired I experienced when Mark was a baby, but I feel drained.
The Notes
It takes me a second to realize that Mark snuck into my bedroom again. I smile.
Question Mark
Mark’s big questions always come out of the blue—even though I’m pretty sure he has been thinking about them for hours—and they often start with an assertion statement.
Your Plate as a Map of the World – The Significance of Food Culture
Many travellers across the globe have been embracing a multicultural lifestyle at home, when they’re…
I Have an Accent—Do You?
I have an accent. Scratch that—I have accents, one in every language I speak.
Mommy Shark, Daddy Shark, Baby Shark (The Song Will Be Stuck in Your Head Forever)
On a quiet Sunday last fall, my in-laws decided that Feng and I had failed at parenting again. The situation was serious—at the ripe old age of 5, Mark couldn’t swim.
The Best Casinos That Canada Has To Offer
Canada is renowned for lots of things like maple syrup and ice hockey. However, one…
The Art of Asking (The Right Person, The Right Way)
I’m not selfish, uncharitable or useless. Also, if you call me names, you’re an ass and if you make it to Canada, I hope the hockey team you may end up supporting loses for five seasons in a row—alternatively, I hope you lose a glove on a very cold day.
Ottawa Ice-pocalypse or How to Survive an Ice Storm
Last weekend’s ice storm was no joke. It scared me. Freezing rain creates an amazing scenery. Freezing rain causes accidents and damages. Lovely, but deadly.
The First Query Rejection Emails
I had sent a query to this publisher last October. I knew the email wasn’t going to bring me joy but closure.
“Will My Life Be Better in Canada?”
Every day, I receive two of three emails or comments from strangers asking me to map out their destiny.
How to live the UK on the road: tips and tricks for your British adventure!
What we love more than a trip is to have the opportunity to travel entire…