Diary of a New Canadian: From Chai to Coffee
East meets West. Facts and Fiction. Work Vs Family. From Chai to Coffee.
Are you still curious about what happens when East meets the (frozen) West? In this continuation, I narrate, exaggerate, and dramatize my real-life experiences in The Great White North. Presenting the second instalment in my series of lighthearted, 'non-academic' writings about cultural contrasts and personal adjustments.
September 15: Arrived in Canada. Greeted by a gust of wind that nearly sent me back home. First task: Debating with my toddler over whether maple leaves are a snack or just pretty. I'm losing.
September 20: Attempted a Canadian-style playdate. Swapped samosas for Costco's seaweed and learnt of local Buy Nothing group. Missed the gossiping aunties you find in every corner in Pakistan. Discovered 'playdate' is just a covert operation to compare children’s gymnastic skills.
October 7: Submitted my first article to a Canadian journal. Celebrated by teaching my son about the culture of publish or perish, in what I thought was quality mom-son bonding. He now proudly declares every scribble as his 'research paper'.
October 15: Realized that work-life balance here means juggling Zoom meetings with making dinosaur-shaped parathas. He traded them for pancakes. My toddler's critique of my cooking is tougher than any peer review. He's the Gordon Ramsay of the under-5s. Remains unimpressed.
October 31: Halloween! Dressed my son as a mini academic (complete with a tweed jacket and toy microscope). He lectured our neighbors on the benefits of hand washing. Proud mom moment.
November 14: Reviewer comments are in. They asked if English was my second language. It's actually my fourth, but who's bragging? Rewriting with regular-sized humility, medium-sized resilience, and large-sized chai.
December 1: Canadian winter is coming. Created an indoor snow fort, leading to a living room snowball fight with socks. Tried to get my son into his snowsuit. Felt like I was stuffing an octopus into a miniature bag. Imagine me as Rosie the Riveter, flexing with determination under 'We Can Do It!', a red headband and all.
December 10: Academic conference with a toddler in tow. He charmed everyone and scored me a potential research collaboration. Who needs business cards when you have a cute toddler?
December 29: Battled parental guilt and ditched the laptop for holiday family time. Spent the day playing Lego with my son. Stepped on the Lego train – hopped on one foot while he rolled with laughter. Precious moments.
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January 1: New Year's resolution: Embrace the Canadian cold. Bought a winter puffer coat that makes me look like a walking marshmallow. I've never been warmer or rounder.
January 12: Career Day at school. Explained my research using fairy tales and Pokémon characters. My son now thinks I'm the innocent victim who writes about the bad guys. He's a genius, I tell you.
January 25: The honeymoon phase with snow is officially over. It's not a winter wonderland; it's a slushy, slippery hazard zone. Must continue to master the penguin waddle to avoid fractures of bones. Or ego.
February 14: Valentine's Day. My son made a card that said, "Dear Mommy, I love you more than you love your laptop." Unsure if I should be touched or worried...
March 18: Found a Pakistani community group. Realized I've been using skin-whitening creams while everyone here is chasing a tan. Feeling culturally bamboozled.
April 3: Article accepted! I love my life. The ice skating celebration turned into a crash course in Urdu curse words. Tim Hortons' French Vanilla is now my new comfort drink. Am I officially a Canadian now? Feeling sorry to say goodbye to chai – it’s not you, it’s me; you deserve someone better.
Note: Inspired by Diary of a Snow Shoveler. The links are not always direct references, but they provide context and food for thought
Read more in the series:
Edit:
Questions, doubts, or personal anecdotes? Feel free to comment or message me. Your insights are appreciated—thank you for engaging.
MBA
10 个月Remembered something when your son said he loves you more than you love your laptop. For my birthday last year, my nephew drew a card for me, the drawing was me typing on my laptop, because he said, I am always on my laptop. Mba moments captured by a 6 year old. Another good read Prof! Reading everything now!
This is just awesome.... I carry the same guilt... love for laptop..
Assistant Professor at University Canada West | Settlement Service Manager at Impact North Shore
10 个月This is a wonderful piece.
CPHR Candidate | HR & Talent Acquisition Specialist | Skilled in Recruitment, Onboarding, Event Management & Customer Service | MBA & MSc in Business and Tourism Management| Passionate About People & Culture
10 个月Thank you very much for sharing this wonderful post.
CPHR / SHRM-SCP/ Expert in Talent Management
10 个月Really loved it, Rafia! So funny and engaging. Could relate myself a lot in this, especially when I was working from home and was trying to entertain my toddler ?? lol... keep going... waiting for more diary notes like this ??