Today, July 20, 2022, marks two years to the day since I left London destined for Toronto, Canada. We were eager to be reunited as a family, but it wasn’t the farewell we had imagined, thanks to the terrifying pandemic that had gripped England. It was a bizarre departure from the place we had called … Continue reading Living, Loving, and Leaving London
Break the Pink Tax Bias
In celebrating International Women’s Day, the ‘pink tax’ was one of the discussions that recently surged to the fore, especially on social media. The pink tax isn’t an actual tax - it’s an act of discriminatory pricing applied on women’s products. This insidious form of bias is pervasive. It literally starts at birth with differential … Continue reading Break the Pink Tax Bias
10 tips for travelling during Covid
Almost twenty years ago, the horrific events that transpired on September 11, 2001, changed travel forever. In the immediate aftermath, many of us thought that removing belts and shoes, tossing our beverages, and foregoing metal utensils on flights were part of temporary measures. Now we don’t bat an eyelid at the stringent airport security screening, … Continue reading 10 tips for travelling during Covid
5 things you can #choosetochallenge for gender equality
On Monday we celebrated International Women’s Day. Each year I come across one or two provocative people who ask the question – do we still need this day? The answer is yes. We must continue to spark conversation and recommitment to action, not only on March 8, but every single day, because there is much more to be … Continue reading 5 things you can #choosetochallenge for gender equality
The Unexpected Gifts of Driving Through Snow
Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada, February 2021 It’s funny how memories come back to you when you're the one in the driver’s seat. Last night I thought about the first time I saw snow. It was in Chile when my brother and I visited our aunt in Santiago. It was summer for us in Jamaica, but … Continue reading The Unexpected Gifts of Driving Through Snow
Engage, Tolerate or Disconnect Respectfully?
‘Delete toxic people’. ‘Remove the haters from your life’. ‘Stay away from those who don’t appreciate your value’. Is it my imagination or has the message to cut people off proliferated? If you use social media, you will likely see it pop up in some form or other on various channels. There seems to be … Continue reading Engage, Tolerate or Disconnect Respectfully?
Moving Countries? Self-care is a must
Relocation is stressful. Even if you are simply moving to a townhouse in the same complex, it’s still stressful. We’ve done that by the way. We thought we could just load up the car and drive back and forth 300 meters between places. Worst plan ever. Planning the moving logistics kicks off anxiety. Packing boxes … Continue reading Moving Countries? Self-care is a must
Becoming American
Touring D.C. When my husband and I got engaged, I realized it was a possibility that we would end up living in the United States. But I didn’t believe we would really pack up and leave home. I didn’t imagine one day I would vote in a U.S. election and I certainly never thought one … Continue reading Becoming American
Adieu 2020
There have been many clever memes about this year. You’ve likely seen dozens. And you are probably as eager as everyone else to see the back of 2020…with a swift kick. To a large extent it has been bizarre, painful and just plain crappy. This year I mourned the passing of people I had never … Continue reading Adieu 2020
Moving Countries? Schooling is a Priority
photo credit: Arlene Amitirigala In a previous blog post I listed getting schooling right as a top priority. Most parents I know are obsessed about getting their child into the best school but it’s not easy and requires a lot of close attention, especially when you are moving countries. Budget time for lots of research … Continue reading Moving Countries? Schooling is a Priority
TrulyArlene 