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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Thursday, October 22. 6:35 pm. I give a lingering hug to Dora, the lovely Burmese-American woman who sat next to me during my 12 hour flight to Incheon International Airport. She tells me excitedly that I’ll have an amazing experience teaching English in Korea.  I respond with my big, toothy smile, validating what I believe to be true. After picking up my suitcase at baggage claim, I meet Andy, my new Korean-Canadian boss with whom I share mutual friends. I roll my suitcase down into the parking lot and notice something peculiar about the cars. “Hey, is it just me,…

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