Traveling Europe – A Chron-nicoles tour

Being back in Canada after having lived in Belgium and traveled Europe for over two years, I’m happy to be presenting and sharing my experiences at the University of Alberta’s International Week today. Looking back at the photos of all the places I’ve been made me realize that I took […]

Support Nicole Basaraba as a Samsung Global Blogger – 2012 London Olympics

Since its Wednesday, this would usually be my Writers’ Uni-Verse-City segement day, but I have been up to something special I want to share with you. Since I finished the first draft of my novel for the Round of Words in 80 Days writing challenge, I’ve been working on some […]

Spring is here – Festival of the Iris in Brussels

Two days of free concerts, activities, clowns, magicians, costumed performers, and buzz in Brussels center is happening this weekend. The Festival of the Iris/Iris Day (Fête de l’Iris) is a celebration of the symbol of Brussels. On January 12, 1989 a new law created the Brussels Capital Region on the territory […]

European Cafe vs. Canadian Coffee

I am no expert on coffee, although I love it and drink quite a lot of it. Coming from Canada to Belgium, I knew that the coffee would be stronger, but I didn’t know just how much stronger. My intention of the following “analysis” is based on personal experience. I […]

European desire for closeness – Living in Brussels

Living as a Canadian expat in Brussels, there are a lot of cultural and social rules that one needs to learn and adjust too. One social quirk that I just cannot get accustomed to is the Europeans’ desire to be close to other people. In Canada, or at least in […]