“It’s the most, wonderful time, of the year…” Andy Williams sang sweet lies to me as my visibly bored students crafted Dear Santa letters. It was rounding 10 pm on Christmas Eve. At 10:05, I wished my students and co-workers happy holidays and jumped in a cab to finish packing for my trip to Malaysia the next day. The next morning, I checked in and bought myself a green juice while I waited to board my flight to Bali, with a two day stopover in Kuala Lumpur. I gazed over at the only other white girl around. She was sipping on…
Why I Cancelled My Trip to the Maldives
For some of you who follow my social media channels, you might recall my gleeful announcements a few months back that I had been invited on a press trip to the Maldives. What was truly unbelievable about the invitation was that I had only been blogging for three months – with only a few thousand followers on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest combined. Like I said: UN. FUCKING. BELIEVABLE. And, sure enough – it was. In reality, my invitation was based on unsavoury motives, from a man targeting impressionable, attractive, young bikini-clad newbie travel bloggers. Here’s how it all went down. January 8th,…
Me, moments before sending an e-mail turning down a job with a six figure salary
10 Times “No” Changed My Life for the Better
As a naturally curious person, I would define myself as being a yes person. Yes to trying new (vegan) foods! Yes to speed dating! Yes to world travel, and yes to joining the student council! I’m all about yes, because yes invites love, opportunity, and growth. Except when it doesn’t. Here are the few occasions that made me grateful for no. The time the McGill Faculty of Law said no to me I had been putting off my law school applications for years. I had already earned two degrees – a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, and a Master’s degree in International Affairs. The…
The Letter I Wrote to a Stranger in Hanoi
When I was in Hanoi, I decided I should check out Giang Cafe, the birthplace of a local culinary invention called egg coffee. On Monday evening, I took note to try it out before leaving on Thursday. On Tuesday, I traipsed around town, visiting the Temple of Literature and a few other spots. Hungry for lunch, I noticed a cafe I believed to be The Note Coffee – the #2 most recommended cafe on Trip Advisor in Hanoi after Giang Cafe. I walked in, and asked if they served lunch. They said no, so I left. The day after, I took…
What I Learned After Visiting a Spiritual Healer in Bali
This is the first of many posts that will document a massive paradigm shift I experienced on a spiritual level over the past few months. In short, I have become vividly aware that if you’re not living your divine purpose, your body and mind will turn against you and attack itself. In my case, it was a combined diagnosis of depression, panic disorder, adjustment disorder and anxiety. More about that in a later post. It’s hard for me to pinpoint a beginning to this major turning point in my life – because really, my path started the moment I took…
Travel Dares!
Last month, I held a massive snake (what is it anyway? a python?) around my neck for at least a solid five minutes on a dare from a friend. Not only was I convinced the snake was going to choke me to death as it slithered around my neck, I was also fairly certain that it would bite my face off ( it kept going in for “kisses”). Naturally, neither of these things happened, and I emerged a little braver and more badass that day. As such, I’ve decided to pray my parents don’t read this and invite dares from my…
So You Wanna be an ESL Teacher?
For the past four years, I have been making ends meet as an ESL teacher. The creative freedom, flexibility, personal fulfillment and influence I have as a teacher are what keep me in the ESL bubble – and it’s also a good industry to consider if you’re looking to save a good chunk of cash and travel. But I never planned to become a teacher. Teaching found me. “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” – Malala Yousafzai After completing my Master of Arts degree in International Affairs a few years ago, I experienced a…
The Perfect Long Weekend in Montreal
With an obscene number of restaurants, bars, hangouts, and hot spots, it’s hard to fit in everything Montreal has to offer if you’re only in town for a few days. Montreal guides in both digital and print formats will likely recommend classic Montreal spots like Saint Joseph’s Oratory, every major terrace on Saint-Denis Street, and the underground city (and they’re certainly classic for a reason), but if you’re looking for a more local-approved experience with a healthy dose of tourism, check out this sample platter of some of my fave Montreal spots for a perfect long weekend getaway. Thursday Night The…
21 Things I Miss About Living in Montreal
Though there are things I love about Korea that we don’t have back in Montreal – 24 hour nightlife, cheap cab fare and yujacha (well, harder to come by, anyway) – there are lots of things I miss about my hometown. In no order of importance, here are the top things that come to mind. My Famjam It goes without saying that I love and miss my family every day. Being away from my family has undoubtedly been the most difficult part of uprooting myself from Montreal. I’ll especially miss the holidays , when my massive extended family plays Cards Against Humanity…
Photo Credit: Tony Hisgett, Flickr - CC
10 Kinds of Montreal Men You Meet When You’re Single
Montreal men are unlike any other on Earth. Charming and handsome while finicky and confusing AF, they are a special breed of fabulous that my friends and I hate to love love to hate.* *Kinda depends on the day. Having been a serial dater for the past few years, here is both a guide and tribute to the men I’ve liked, loved, hated, forgiven and loved again in the city I call my home, affixed lovingly with my specially designed terms of endearments (hope you enjoy them). Please note that this is in no way an exhaustive list, and only meant…
