Tag Archives: traditions

The Easter Bunny always knows where you live

Posted on April 5, 2012 by

Yesterday I slipped two Lindt chocolate bunnies into my shopping basket and thought of how much Easter has changed now that my girls are teenagers. The first casualty was the early-morning Easter egg hunt, which thrilled them to the core … Continue reading →

Posted in Adjustment, Singapore, Third Culture Kids | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Happy Victoria Day, eh?

Posted on May 23, 2011 by

Today Canadians across this great land unite in joy to celebrate the birthdays of England’s Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II. Well, sort of. The last Monday on or before May 24th is a federal statutory holiday in Canada, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Identity | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

In my house, even St. Patrick has an identity crisis

Posted on March 17, 2011 by

Family traditions — or rather, their evolution during expatriation — continue to fascinate me. As expats we often find ourselves in duct tape mode when it comes to maintaining traditions away from home: either we can’t find the necessary elements … Continue reading →

Posted in Identity, Repatriation, Singapore | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

A taste of home: Satisfying expat food cravings

Posted on March 7, 2011 by

Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755 – 1826) Never mind, Monsieur Brillat-Savarin, I’ll tell you what I am myself and save you the trouble: My name is Maria, and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Adjustment, Food | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Expat Canucks on ice: Skating in Singapore

Posted on January 16, 2011 by

Ice skating was a big part of my life as a child. My parents arrived in Canada one sunny afternoon in May more than 40 years ago, and by the time hockey season started in September, they were rabid Toronto … Continue reading →

Posted in Identity, Repatriation, Singapore, Third Culture Kids | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Sharing Christmas traditions with expat friends

Posted on December 21, 2010 by

Although holidays are all about tradition, living abroad forced our family to shake things up a little: having chicken for Christmas dinner because we couldn’t fit a turkey in our tiny oven, for example, or leaving the girls’ stockings under … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture Shock, Repatriation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Long live the Gingerbread Man

Posted on November 28, 2010 by

Much as I resent the ever-creeping boundaries of the festive season (Christmas decorations sharing retail shelf space with Hallowe’en candy, anyone?), I know I can’t postpone my Christmas planning any longer. Common sense tells me a few minutes of frenzied … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, France, Repatriation, Singapore | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments