Occasional musings from a Left-coast Canadian ExPat in Oxford.
Almost. Almost 2017. I always cringe at the idea of writing a holiday letter, and yet, I love reading all the ones I receive. So on the chance there are some of you out there who feel similarly about the writing vs. reading about other people’s lives, I present… Team Watkii: The Year in Review … Continue reading So this is the New Year
I have had so many thoughts about this assinine “Meternity” idea-slash-book (go ahead, google it. I’ll wait.) that came out ages and ages ago. I finally have a few minutes (FINALLY) to commit those thoughts to pixels. Maternity (or parental) leave is not for mothers (or parents). It’s for babies. It is not an employment … Continue reading MeTernity
I just got around to reading Anil’s recent post on 15 lessons from 15 years of blogging. Poignant, since I’ve been thinking about what to do with this site. I’ve been blogging for over 10(!) years, with a few defunct blogger and livejournal accounts before that. The blogosphere has changed a lot since then, but my … Continue reading The personal blog is an important, under-respected art form.
It has not been the happiest New Year so far. Christmas was amazing, and it was so good to see family and celebrate. Unfortunately, after that, things started going downhill pretty rapidly. It really started back in October, when my Oma found a lump in her breast. I think you know where this is going. … Continue reading Awake / Asleep
I am really quite excited to see the resurgence of feminism in the mass consciousness. I’ve actually been meaning to write more about my nebulous thoughts and experiences around it, but this other thing has been eating at me a bit, so I thought I’d throw it out there and see if I can drum … Continue reading Uneven Footing
My first job out of university, I ended up managing a team who brought everything to work. Their joys, their sorrows, their dreams, their drama – so, so much drama (we employed a few underemployed actors; make of that what you will). They loved the fact that they felt like their colleagues were counselors and … Continue reading How much to bring to the office
Everyone loves the Reasons my Son is Crying tumblr. Everyone, except me. I am not usually such a curmudgeon about such things. I am the first to admit that kids, especially kids around 2-years-old (like the one in the tumblr seems to be), are hilarious, illogical, pains in the arse. My favourite episode of Isaac’s … Continue reading ‘Reasons my Son is Crying’ makes me want to cry a little.
Neil and I just got back from a trip to India, which was incredible, but more on that later. Taking the trip meant leaving Isaac behind. Just shy of a fortnight away from the kiddo. You guys, it was SO GOOD. Much as we love the little bugger, it was really excellent for Neil and … Continue reading Home and Away
We just got back from a few days visiting friends in Stockholm, which was also our first experience with RyanAir. Photo by Mikelo on Flickr We’ve flown other discount carriers before, but RyanAir is often held up as the example of how much discount carriers can nickel-and-dime travellers, and exactly how deep the race to … Continue reading The Friendly Skies – 4 tips for flying RyanAir with a lap infant
Quite a few people have been asking what it’s been like to have relocated, and I feel like I don’t have a great answer. Because currently, it doesn’t feel like, well, much of anything. I feel like I should have a better answer. Something like going to museums, sitting up in late night philosopher’s cafes, … Continue reading What it’s Like
Fun kid thing of late: At some point, Neil started reacting to Isaac’s more… impressive… diapers by exclaiming “Wow!” in the midst of changing him. I’m not sure when it really caught on, but now, Isaac exclaims “Wow!” every time his pants come off. Kid, I wish you a life where someone always says “Wow!” … Continue reading WOW!
Because I want to bring both my kid and dog to the pub, goddammit. Because a bunch of my other friends moved to Europe, and I miss them. Because I’m sick of living somewhere with a mandatory bike helmet law. Because, as much as I love my Kindle, who wouldn’t want to live near an … Continue reading In which the WaterCooler lives up to the “WorldWide” part
This is what it means to have a family: diapering, cleaning, bedtime stories, untold drinks of water at bedtime, cooking, homework supervision/assistance, school drop off and pickup, daycare drop off and pick up, scheduling play dates (including hosting play dates), comforting and conflict resolution. If you aren’t willing to do those things, why the hell … Continue reading Parenting, Family, etc.
I can’t believe it’s been half a year already! Commiserating with friends who just had a baby a couple weeks ago, I realize how much of Isaac’s early days are a total blur. It’s probably for the best – he’s way more fun now. Which is a good thing, because despite not wanting to be … Continue reading Six Months
