prairie girl musings

Category: Canada

  • An overdue Vancouver update

    An overdue Vancouver update

    Well, hello there. What’s been happening with you all?

    It’s been ages since I last sat down to type out a blog post. If I’m completely honest, I haven’t had the mental capacity to dedicate to this small corner of the internet. Between moving to Vancouver, finding an apartment, starting a new job (more on that shortly!) and navigating a global pandemic, I have seriously neglected Prairie Girl Musings, but I finally feel ready to tackle the (metaphorical) blank page.

    It’s been difficult leaving behind New Zealand for a multitude of reasons. We miss our friends and family and the freedom with which we were able to navigate life; not only in the obvious Covid-sense, but also more generally. I was talking to a friend (whom I met in Christchurch, but now lives in Vancouver as well) and she was saying that despite having lived in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and now Canada, New Zealand is the place that has stayed with her. It seems to have that effect on people.

    On the job front, I’ve now been working at a Vancouver agency (AntiSocial Solutions) for about five weeks and finally feel like I’m in the swing of things. After over two years of being my own boss, it feels almost foreign to work alongside a team of strategists, copywriters and designers. My colleagues are all incredibly talented and I’ve already learnt so much from them. As much as I loved being my own boss, I often felt a bit aimless in New Zealand and I’m grateful to have a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. Even though we’re primarily working remotely, it feels nice to have other people to bounce ideas off and regular brainstorming sessions. While I’ve always assumed that I work best on my own, I’ve come to realize how important it is to surround yourself with ambitious, likeminded people. There’s something so reassuring about having a whole team behind you. While the structure and regularity are a welcome relief during these turbulent times, I do miss the spontaneous weekday cocktails and long lunches with my fellow freelancing friends.

    Nick has also been navigating his new normal working for a boutique transport consultancy. He’s been learning all about the transport system here in Vancouver (let’s just say, it’s a much bigger beast than that of Christchurch…) I’m really proud of how he’s taking on this new challenge and absolutely run with it. Together, we’ve reconnected with a few Toronto and Saskatchewan pals, gone on some local hikes and we’re gearing up for what will hopefully be a great ski season at Whistler. Truthfully, life feels a bit smaller amidst the ongoing pandemic, so we’re practicing gratitude and savouring the slower moments at home. We know that there are plenty of challenges that lay ahead, but we’re taking things one day at a time.

    What are you looking forward to as we head towards the end of the year?

    A photo of a woman frolicking in the leaves

    Photos by John Yoo

  • 6 Tips For Moving To Another Country

    6 Tips For Moving To Another Country

    Living overseas has been one of the most rewarding (and challenging) experiences of my life so far. It’s helped me understand different cultures, people, and places and has shifted my perspective about home and relationships. Had I not moved to New Zealand seven years ago, I’m not sure I would have had the courage to change my career path or seriously pursue writing and journalism. Though painful at times, these life changing experiences have imparted many lessons.

    design sponge
    Image via Pinterest

    There are many factors to consider when deciding whether moving overseas is right for you. You’ll likely need to factor in your family, your health, your finances, your friends, maybe even a partner or a pet. While motivations for moving can range from personal to professional, the experience will teach you more than you could ever imagine. It’s been awhile since 19-year-old me decided to apply for a study abroad program in New Zealand, so I wanted to share some tips I’ve learnt along the way:

    1. Save money. Whether you’re moving for a job or to study, make sure you save as much as you can. It could take you several months to find work, (or in my case, to sort out my visa!) so cutting back on everyday indulgences prior to departure is one of the most important steps you can take. Plus, when you arrive, you’ll want to explore and experience everything, so it helps to have a little extra cash in your savings.
    2. Decide where you want to go. This can be one of the trickiest decisions, and it helps to consider your contacts, the economy, the climate, your background, etc. Did you study Japanese at school? If so, maybe consider a move to Kyoto. What’s the medical system like? How affordable is health coverage? Some countries are easier to navigate than others and some systems are easier on foreigners.
    3. Sort out your visa. Like I mentioned above, obtaining a work or study visa can be a tedious process. Despite having dealt with immigration both in the United States and New Zealand for the past nine years, I still haven’t figured it out entirely. That being said, sorting it out in advance is a lot less stressful than arriving on a three-month visitor visa and crossing your fingers that something works out.
    4. Research. Once you’ve decided on a country and secured your visa, it’s time to learn as much as you can about your new home. What are the local customs and laws? What languages are spoken in your new country? After deciding on a city, look at neighbourhoods to determine where specifically you’d like to live.
    5. Apply for jobs. This is easier said than done (and I’m speaking from experience). Unless you’re highly sought after in your field, securing a job before arrival is very difficult. I mean, 11pm Skype interviews are only fun for so long. In the very least, do your research and figure out where you’d like to work and keep an eye out for job postings.
    6. Network. Before setting foot on New Zealand soil, I didn’t know a soul in the entire country. While my first few days were rather lonely, I felt like I could be whoever I wanted to be, reinventing myself. I was in a university setting, so making friends was inevitable. However, if you’re moving for work, networking is even more important. Ask a colleague out for coffee or join an expat group to commiserate with whenever you feel a twinge of homesickness.

    I hope these tips proved helpful! If you’re considering a move overseas, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

  • Twenty Reasons I Love Summer (Toronto Edition)

    Twenty Reasons I Love Summer (Toronto Edition)

    Image(Photo by Kimberly Pesch)

    1. Fashion is simple and baring one’s legs is perfectly acceptable.

    2. Pool parties with copious amounts of beverages and floatation devices are a thing.

    3. Havaianas are the closest I can get to walking around barefoot.

    4. I’m allowed to eat as much ice cream as I desire.

    5. Running outside (to counteract said ice cream) is far more pleasant in the (spring, fall and) summer months.

    6. There’s always something going on. Toronto comes ALIVE in the summertime.

    7. I’m allowed to laze by the lake for at least a week, maybe two.

    8. OSHEAGA Music Festival is the place to be during August long. And festival fashion is my kinda fashion.

    9. Exhibitions, fairs, carnivals (whatever you’d like to call ’em) are an excuse to eat mini donuts and candy apples, then scream your lungs out on rides called Vertigo and Gravitron.

    10. Dining outside is a daily occurrence.

    11. Baseball games are an affordable and fun way to spend an afternoon.

    12. The sunsets are breathtaking.

    13. TIFF in the Park is re-inventing and urbanizing the drive-in movie theatre.

    14. BBQs. Need I say more?

    15. It’s the perfect time to wear your favourite Karen Walker sunglasses! Harvest are my personal faves!

    16. Everyone is out and about, making the most of the season.

    17. Road trips are much more pleasant (and safe) in the summertime!

    18. Rooftop patios are a weekly (sometimes thrice weekly) thing.

    19. There’s nothing better than whiling away the afternoon at The Toronto Islands.

    20. Torontonians sport an abundance of amazing, well done tattoos, that are more visible in the summer months.

  • Land of Living Skies

    Land of Living Skies

    There’s something incredible about returning home after being away for a long period of time. I was recently back in Saskatchewan for the first time since relocating to Toronto. Oddly enough, I came home more frequently when I lived in New Zealand. I’m not sure why I haven’t been home. Perhaps it’s been because of my internship and job hunt. With the oftentimes haphazard scheduling of interviews, I didn’t want to miss out on any opportunities that came my way.

    Regardless, it felt amazing to be back at my parents’ house in Yorkton. They’ve only lived here for the past three years, but it always feels like home. It’s the constant in my ever-changing, never stable life. It’s the place to which I return from wherever I’ve been living. As the complete antithesis of Toronto’s urbanity and chaos, Saskatchewan feels like a retreat, an escape from the everyday challenges I encounter in the Big Smoke. I always harp on about how much I love urbanity, and it’s a necessity for me at this age, but Saskatchewan has indescribable charm and vast beauty that many city dwellers will never experience.

    It’s also a place where my family has lived for a number of years. Throughout my life, I was fortunate to live nearby to all four grandparents. Last week, after the passing of my paternal grandfather, I realized what a luxury it was truly getting to know my grandparents. Many of my cousins, aunties, uncles, and extended family are all located in the prairies as well. It’s serene, with vast blue skies and perpetual sunshine. Most of my childhood and teenage friends still reside in Saskatchewan, which makes for a wonderful reunion whenever I am here.

    When I was completing a multimedia project for my creative writing course at The University of Auckland, I conducted an experiment comparing my two reference points (at the time): The Prairies and The North Island (of New Zealand). It was an introspective assignment that I delved into wholeheartedly. It enabled me to record my experiences with displacement. Should you be interested in reading my exegesis, I’ve attached the link here.

    Saskatchewan, I do not appreciate you enough. You’re a wonderful place to call home.

  • Halifax, Nova Scotia

    I’m in love with my home and native land. Canada is such a vast and beautiful place. From the shores of Nova Scotia to the tundras of the Yukon, it’s eclectic, expansive, and absolutely breathtaking. Unfortunately, like many Canadians, I don’t get around to seeing it as much as I would like to. That being said, two years ago, my family decided to embark on a two-week road trip from our hometown in Saskatchewan to the Maritime provinces. This involved a lot of driving and a lot of sightseeing.

    Last weekend, I ventured back to the East Coast, Halifax in particular, to visit my younger sister who studies at Dalhousie University. The reason for my trip was her Dal Dance Society annual recital. It was a treat to see her perform, but also to visit a few key spots I had missed out on the first time around. One of my favourite spots was Peggy’s Cove, which is located 45 minutes outside Halifax.

    Natalie’s recital, of course, was also amazing. I haven’t seen her dance since high school, and was blown away by how much she’s developed as a performer. Here are some photos of Halifax, Natalie’s recital, and our sweet Air Canada upgrade!