A Changed Space

It's funny how, in a year, you can grow accustomed to something, without even noticing. My trip back home to Halifax last week made me realise that living in Brussels is changing some of my perspectives. Most noticeably, my concept of personal space is shrinking. I've always disliked crowds. I...

Football Fever

Here in Europe, you'd have to live under a rock to not notice that the World Cup is in progress, but those who live on the rocks back home in Eastern Canada aren't even likely to know what the World Cup is all about. Football fever has hit Europe and...

Expat Careers: The Inside Story

Like many expats, Andrew and I moved overseas because of Andrew's career. Unlike some, we were given a choice and we decided together to take on the challenge. Since then, we've faced many obstacles together, but there are some that Andrew has had to face alone. I don't talk about...

Braving the Immigration Debate

I try to stay away from political topics in my blog. I'm an opinionated person but I tend to keep my viewpoints to myself unless they are asked for. Lately however, I can't seem to escape the immigration issue. I have to admit that before I became an expat, I...

Feline Fun

Belgians love a good party. Even the tiniest villages have some sort of annual celebration. Throw in a parade, live music and of course a good helping of Belgian beer and you’ve got yourself a Belgian festival.

It’s heating up

Every year, about this time, something miraculous happens in Belgium — the people go outside. Of course, there are people outside in Belgium at any given moment of the year, but they are often scurrying from place to place, under heavy layers of clothing. They look determined to get from...

Bringing it Home

Andrew and I have just spent almost a month with my parents who were visiting from Canada. Not only did everyone survive unscathed (possible exception being my mother's heart after three weeks of driving on European roads with her lead-footed son-in-law) but I gained a valuable perspective on my expat...

Belgian Chocolate

I have always liked chocolate, but in Canada I wasn’t too choosy about things like brand, filling or coco content. Toss me some sort of Hershey bar or a box of Pot o’ Gold and I was happy. Since moving here, I’ve changed. Belgium has turned me into a chocolate snob. There, I’ve...

Spa-ah – Visiting Grimbergen Spa, near Brussels, Belgium

After a particularly hectic month, Andrew and I decided to treat ourselves to a day of rest, relaxation and most importantly, some quality time together. After a year of hard work adjusting to a new company, a new country and a new life, we needed a break. So, we thought, when in Belgium, do as the Belgians do — let’s go to the spa.