What are you up to this weekend?

Will you be working on a personal project, or exploring new-to-you parts of your host country?

Many different cultures and faiths are holding celebrations at this time of the year. Don’t miss the chance to witness (better yet, take part in) time-honoured traditions such as Sankta Lucia day in Scandinavia, Eid Al-Adha in the muslim world or one of the many Christmas Markets around the world, to name but a few.

If you are getting your home ready for the holidays, you may want to drop by Alkemie, The Kitchn or Apartment Therapy for some home decor and culinary inspiration. These blogs are full of fantastic ideas, from thrifty to decadent, and are sure to get you in the spirit of the season in no time.

As for me, I will be indulging my creative side this weekend. I would like to finish my main art project, a charcoal and ink drawing on papyrus, in the ancient Egyptian style.
I might also make a big vat of mulled wine and invite friends over for an impromptu get-together.

Have a great weekend and don’t forget to explore, be curious and enjoy your surroundings- this is what expat life is all about!

Emmanuelle

Related post: Travel Opportunities

Winter months in the northern hemisphere can sometimes be a little depressing, especially for expats used to sunnier climes. The Montreal Gazette recently published an excellent article about the winter blues that should help you retain your sanity through the next few months.

Their recommendations in a nutshell:
- Exercise
- Spend time outdoors in natural light, or use a full-spectrum light box
- Eat foods rich in vitamin C and D, such as leafy greens and fish. Apparently, chocolate helps too, by boosting our serotonin levels.

I am lucky. Colder weather and darkness have never really affected my mood- unlike heat, humid heat in particular, which does get me down.
Should I ever get a little melancholic this time of the year, though, it looks like I live in the perfect city to fight the winter blues. Even if Vancouver can get quite rainy, the weather is mild enough that we can spend time outdoors year round. Seafood is plentiful, sushi restaurants are everywhere and we are spoilt for choice when it comes to handmade chocolates. The perfect city, I tell you!

How are you faring this winter? Have you noticed a change in your energy levels, your sleep patterns or your food cravings?
Based on the tips above, what changes are you going to implement to keep the darkness at bay?

Emmanuelle

2008 is drawing to a close. For most of us, this time of the year is all about goodwill, good resolutions and finding the perfect presents for our loved ones.

As the old saying goes, charity starts at home: What perfect present could you give yourself?
What would help you make 2009 a happier, easier, more fulfilling year?

I was mulling over this earlier today. I concluded that my perfect present to myself would have to be:
- Intangible, because I am a minimalist at heart and I already have all the material stuff I need;
- Meaningful, so that it inspires me throughout 2009;
- Memorable: Either an outrageously fun experience, or something that makes my life simpler, day after day.

For starters, I am going to give myself the gift of a new year without resolutions. As committed as I am to my personal growth and business goals, I already have a lot on my plate, so some things will have to take care of themselves. I am aiming for a more organic kind of growth next year. Less striving.

So? Have you found the perfect present you will be giving yourself?

Here are a few keywords to get you started:
- Let go of…
- Give yourself permission to…
- Finally learn how to…
- Experience…
- Shift your perspective on…

Tell us what is on your list- inquiring minds want to know!

Emmanuelle