The Relocation Coach » personal reflection

Summer and school

Frank — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:50:51 +0000

Our local beach

I popped into Staples yesterday for some paper and noticed the Back to School signs were up. They had all the local elementary school stationery lists there too, so that you can buy everything that your child needs.

It was a not very welcome, and rather premature, reminder that summer is going [...]

How to stay positive when relocating

Frank — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 18:35:30 +0000

Skiing on Cypress Mountain

Relocating often seems to be more about waiting than moving doesn’t it? For us that was true. We waited for visas. We waited to sell our house. We waited for the removal men. We waited at the airport. We waited at immigration and we waited at customs.

It can be pretty frustrating [...]

How can you avoid the freshman 15?

Frank — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:30:13 +0000

You have probably not heard of the freshman 15. It is the name given to the way first year students away at college gain 15 pounds in their first semester. So what has that got to do with you as a new arrival in Canada?

It may have a lot, depending on how you adjust your [...]

World cup soccer

Frank — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:50:26 +0000

I probably don’t need to tell you that the soccer world cup is underway at the moment in South Africa. Here in Canada we are following it too. I have to say that it is pretty low key compared to 1. Hockey and 2. the Olympics. Of course Canada is not in the competition so [...]

Will I be hounded for walking my dog off leash?

Frank — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 22:11:17 +0000

Our border collie, Jasper, enjoys off leash walks

It is not often that one is inspired by meeting an official of any kind – least of all a Bylaw Enforcement officer. I will call him Ron.

Sue and I took advantage of a fine sunny afternoon this week and took Jasper, our borderline collie, out for a [...]

What work needs doing around the home?

Frank — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 01:13:17 +0000

Gutters clogged with pine needles

One of the sure signs that Spring is on the way in Vancouver (apart from the daffodils and cherry blossom of course) are the explosion of new shows, exhibitions and displays. All centered around doing up, clearing up and generally sprucing up your home and/or garden.

So last weekend, we sent [...]

Canada through British eyes

Frank — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:34:26 +0000

Jasper admires the daffs in our front yard

Last week I wrote about my impressions of England seen as a returning expat. This week I thought I would mention a few things that struck me about Canada when arriving here. Of course other people’s experiences and observations may be different, but here goes.

- Friendly is [...]

How one Canadian visitor saw England

Frank — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:16:45 +0000

Bus on a wide street in North Vancouver

On our recent trip to the UK, here are a few things that struck me as odd now that I am used to living in Canada.

- People don’t get into conversation with each other.This was probably one of the biggest things for me. I had not realised [...]

Fries with that?

Frank — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:12:37 +0000

It is only when reality comes a hits you in the stomach that you realise just how much you have adapted to being in Canada.

Our first meal here in England was a pub lunch. Cheese and pickle sandwich with chips. We were surprised to find that the chips were what we now call fries. And [...]

Looking on the bright side

Frank — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:49:46 +0000

Sue enjoying the sunshine in Vancouver

At the risk of boring everyone, I am talking about the Olympics again. We have been enjoying the whole experience and joined in with the crowds downtown.

It seems that the British press has not had such a rosy view of the Olympics. That is quite a contrast to the Canadian [...]