Have you ever read the famous Japanese comic series “Slam Dunk” about a delinquent teenager who turns his life around by joining his highs school’s basketball team. Maybe not, but you have probably read a book or watched a film with a similar storyline. When I was around 13 years old my good friend lent me the series one comic book at a time. I was obsessed just like so many other kids from Korea and Japan. In fact, reading the series inspired me to start playing basketball. I played without fail every Saturday from early morning until the sun went down for about two years and played whenever possible after that into my thirties. Needless to say, basketball was really important to me.

Before I started playing basketball, I was a little overweight. After playing regularly for three years, I totally slimmed down. I also became much stronger and quick on my feet. I could run around the court for four to five hours a day. Most importantly, I learned all the rules and regulations of the game, and became a very skillful player. Eventually, I developed into a really good point guard, which allowed me to help the others on my team to get baskets.

Playing basketball taught me how to work cooperatively with others. I had to make sure that every pass I made would benefit the team. I always had to be alert so that I never missed a pass. The team depended on me to do my best as a point guard, and I didn’t want to disappoint them. After all, we would win or lose together. However, the game doesn’t go well just because I perform well alone. Each player must be faithful to their own role, and only when those roles work in harmony and the team moves as one can, we experience a joy that goes beyond winning or losing. Because of this dynamic, we grew to respect and care for one another.

Over the years of playing basketball, I met a lot of good people that I really admired. Most of them were, kind, considerate, focused and determined. Their behavior had a big influence on me. I aspired to be just like them. I always looked forward to playing, so I could spend time with the other players. Even though we sometimes got into arguments on and off the court, I developed really close relationships with all my teammates.

Without a doubt those were the happiest days of my life. Sometimes, I wish I could go back to Korea to play one more game with all of my former teammates.

My morning routine: Today, when the alarm ringing I still sleep at 7:00 am in the morning. After 30 minute I get up and go dink some water. I brush my teeth at 7:40 am. I plug my laptop and I open it at 7:45 am. Usually i eat breakfast when I go to work at 9:30 am.

My afternoon routine: I work when I have time around 12 or 1 pm i have lunch. After my lunch i go to work. My evening routine: I still work to 6pm. I sweep the floor at 6:20pm . I sweep the floor at 6:30pm. I thought garbage at 6:40pm. I clean my table at 6:50pm. I go to my car at 7:00pm. I drives my car and I get at home 7:10pm. I take a shower after i go home. I have a dinner at 7;30pm. I done my dinner at 8:00 pm, I don't wash the dishes. I watch my phone. I brush my teeth at 9:30pm. I go to bed at 10:00pm.

I went to BMO Field to watch the soccer game, “Toronto FC vs Inter Miami”, with my older son. He wanted to see Messi.

My husband and I decided that we would buy the tickets because this game was the only chance we could see Messi playing. My youngest son is just 3 years old, so he is too young to see a full game. My husband cared for our younger son while my older son and I went to the game.

While he cared for our son, he also wanted to spend the time with our daughter and offered to compensate her with something. However, suddenly she had an appointment with her friends and she chose her friends instead of my husband and son.

Then, my husband needed to go to some place with our son for 4-5 hours. They went to Little Canada in downtown Toronto.

Little Canada is a place that has Canada's landmark miniatures and lots of people figures. My son liked it there, but he wanted to touch the miniatures. My husband would not let him touch them, but when my husband wasn’t paying attention, my son touched them. The good news is my husband figured out it is a hard time looking after our youngest son. It was the first time that they had spent a long time just by themselves.

After the soccer game, we met again. My husband looked very tired.
Thanks to my husband, I watched the game very happily.

My favorite singer is Teresa Teng.

She was a Taiwanese singer born on January 29, 1953, in Yunlin County, Taiwan, who became an icon across East and Southeast Asia until her death in 1995.

She was admired for her clear, gentle voice and emotional delivery, especially in love ballads and folk-style songs. Teresa Teng sang in many languages among others which helped her reach fans in Taiwan, China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and beyond. Some of her best-known songs are The Moon Represents My Heart, Tian Mi Mi, Goodbye My Love, and I Only Care About You.

Her records sold tens of millions, and even though she passed away when she was 42, her songs remain beloved and influential.

My name is Ha and I am thirty-one years old. I am a housewife. My family has seven members. My husband's name is Van and he is a teacher. We have five children, my daughter and 4 younger boys. Currently, there are 4 children attending school. We often have dinner together and listen to the children talk about what they learned that day.

I have a dog named Eva. She has very beautiful brown and white fur. She is very smart and obedient.

On weekends, we often go to the park near our house and watch the children play together.

Hello my name is Monica Laryssa, but I prefer to be called Laryssa. I was born in Brazil. My childhood was okay. When I was 17 years old I discovered I was pregnant. Being pregnant as a teenager was very hard, but I changed a lot when my daughter was born. Her name is Helena. One month after she was born, I separated from her father, because he is a terrible person. When my daughter was one years old, I went to university, and I met my current husband. Unfortunately, I needed to stop my studies because I didn’t have a lot of money, but I started working in the area I chose, Interior Design and carpentry. I worked in that area for 14 years. In 2014, I had my youngest son Erick.

In 2017, after living in Sao Paulo, my family moved to another province in Brazil called Santa Catarina. I moved because my husband got a new job. We lived in Santa Catarina for 4 years, and we bought a house.

When the 2020 pandemic occurred, my husband was in Canada for work, and at that time the company opened a new position in the Toronto office and my husband applied. He stayed in Canada for 6 months because all the flights were canceled. He waited for a flight from the Brazilian government to return to Brazil, and I stayed 6 months by myself taking care of our two kids. When he returned to Brazil, he said we would move to Canada because the company approved him to work in the Toronto office. We needed to wait until 2021 to arrive in Canada. It was a long journey with 2 kids and 2 cats. We brought all the family, especially the pets. My two cats are old. Janis is 14 years old and Pissinha is 13 years old, and they are special to me and my family.

I work now in a Retirement Community. I’m a server in the dining room. I liked my job because the residents are like my grandmas and grandpas for me, and they helped me a lot because I missed my mom and my friends, but I missed my career in Brazil. I love carpentry. I miss creating furniture and rooms. I really enjoy using my creativity in my life. My life now is good. Compared to my life in Brazil, I feel very safe here in Canada.

My future goal is to see my youngest son in university or college, and my daughter finish her university degree and get a great job. I would like to come back to my area of interior design and carpentry because I miss using my creative all day. If I come back in my career, I know everything will change for me and my family. That’s why I started studying English because I wish to come back in my career, and get a better future for me, my kids and husband.

I came to Canada in 2022, fleeing the war in my country, because Canada is a safe country. That's exactly how I arrived. The Canadian people are kind and hospitable: they made me forget my pain and loneliness. I'm happy here now; especially, since I've learned a little English, and I'm always striving to improve it, so I can get a job and obtain Canadian citizenship; because that would make me even happier.

Canada is more industrial than many other countries in the world. Canada is becoming more urban because most of the population live in the urban areas. It has the cleanest country rank in the top 20% of cleanest countries in the world. The western province of British Columbia is the quietest of all. The most populated areas are its urban cities. Northern Canada is sunnier than southern Canada. Spring in Canada is rainier than in summer. Winter is drier than summer. Big cities are more polluted than small towns. Ottawa is the most crowded city in Canada.

I have seen many winters in Canada. I have noticed that this year, it started snowing early in the first week of November. On that day, I had not even checked the weather forecast. I had to go to work on that day, but luckily it was in the afternoon, so I wanted to step outside when the snow stopped, but the snow didn't stop, so I stepped out around 4:30 pm. I saw it was still snowing outside. I didn’t find my gloves. I started removing snow from my car. It was cold outside, so my hands started to freeze. The road was not clean, yet I started rolling my car towards my yard, which was 15km from my home. It took me half an hour more to drive there. I saw that my truck was also covered with a thick layer of snow. I removed the snow as I opened the door to get in, and then I opened the hood to check oil levels. I found out everything was good. Then I started the truck and removed the remaining snow. I started my mini heater to warm the cabin of my truck. I put my belongings and started a tablet log book.

I know my truck was taking a long time to warm up because it was parked for the weekend, and the weather was also cold. It took one and a half hours to start my trip. On the road, it was still snowing, and luckily, I had a clean highway because it was Sunday. There wasn't too much traffic on the highway. After warming up, my truck and I felt good.

I had never imagined travelling to another country. For me, it was just a dream. I was always the one accompanying people to the airport to say goodbye, or welcoming others when they arrived in my country. But I never thought that I would be the one leaving.

Everything started with a friend's suggestion in December 2023. He asked me, “What are you still doing in Cameroon? There are opportunities elsewhere. You have so much talent, but people here don't pay you what you are truly worth. What would you think about travelling?” I laughed at first.

Then, in 2024, I told myself why not? That is how I began taking language tests. I thought it would be an easy step, but I ended up staying a long time in the pool. My process took so much time. I told myself to focus on other activities, but one morning by the grace of God, I was selected from the pool. I started the procedure, and everything went well. That is how I found myself in Canada.

Saying goodbye to my family wasn't easy. I cried a lot because I knew I had to start from zero. I was afraid of starting over. What will happen? What will become? How are people over there? I had many questions in my mind.

Then came the day of my trip. I travelled, and it was my first time taking a plane. Surprisingly, I was not nervous at all. Everything went well. When I arrived in Canada, I passed through immigration without any problems. I had friends who were already here to welcome me.

The cold was the first shock, but I think this country is truly warm in spirit and full of opportunities. I do not regret coming here. I believe I have every chance to succeed.

The time of the year when the leaves change color and fall from trees is known by fall or autumn. In Canada it starts in September and goes until December followed by the winter. First, the days tend to be shorter in this season and the weather starts to get cold but this is not what is happening this year as we are experiencing warm autumn days. Last year for example, people were using really heavy coats at this time of year and now people can go outside with t-shirts. Second, Fall is a time for various festivities, including harvest celebrations and holidays such as Thanksgiving and Halloween and some funny activities are visiting pumpkin patches, apple picking, going on a scenic drive to see fall foliage, and attending fall festivals. In conclusion, autumn is a time of great fun and preparation for the very cold days ahead.

Autumn is my favorite season. It likes a senior's life: quiet, calm, measured, settled. Short days, long nights, you can wake up later and watch the colourful fall. Autumn, often called fall, is a season full of beauty and comfort. The colourful leaves, with shades of red, orange, and gold, bring a sense of peace and joy to many people. Seniors especially enjoy autumn because the weather is cooler and more comfortable than the heat of summer. It is a perfect time for walks in the park or sitting outside with friends and a warm drink. The crisp air and gentle sunshine make outdoor activities more pleasant and less tiring. Autumn also brings cozy traditions and holidays like pumpkin treats and Thanksgiving Day. That is good opportunity to share stories and spend time together with the family. Overall, fall is my favorite season because it combines comfort, beauty, and meaningful moments.

style='text-transform: capitalize;' class="glossaryWord" title="" onclick="window.location='./glossary.aspx?y=2025-10-01#'">Fall is my favorite season because its perfect the weather, fun activities, and beautiful scenery. During this time, the weather is cool and comfortable, not too hot like summer or too cold like winter. This makes it easy to enjoy outdoor activities and dress comfortably. For example, people wear class="glossaryWord" title="small, comfortable, and warm" onclick="window.location='./glossary.aspx?y=2025-10-01#cozy'">style='text-transform: capitalize;' class="glossaryWord" title="" onclick="window.location='./glossary.aspx?y=2025-10-01#'">cozystyle='text-transform: capitalize;' class="glossaryWord" title="" onclick="window.location='./glossary.aspx?y=2025-10-01#'"> sweaters, class="glossaryWord" title="a loose jacket or top made of soft material, which has a hood" onclick="window.location='./glossary.aspx?y=2025-10-01#hoodie'">style='text-transform: capitalize;' class="glossaryWord" title="" onclick="window.location='./glossary.aspx?y=2025-10-01#'">hoodiestyle='text-transform: capitalize;' class="glossaryWord" title="" onclick="window.location='./glossary.aspx?y=2025-10-01#'">s, and enjoy fun things like picking apples, visiting pumpkin patches, and jumping in beautiful colorful leaves. These activities show how fall brings both joy and beauty to everyday life. That’s why I love fall, because it feels peaceful, looks amazing, and lets us enjoy time outside without the extreme heat or cold.

We should be more compassionate and tolerant.

We should offer help without expecting anything in return.

We should spread love and peace everywhere in Canada.

We should volunteer and work together to build a beautiful future in Canada.

My name is Yadira, and I’m from Mexico. I speak Spanish, and I’m 44 years old. In Mexico, I studied to be a Psychologist, and I worked as a teacher in a rural High School for 15 years. I moved to Canada in April 2019 with my Canadian boyfriend to build a life together in this country. I will write about my experiences in this new country, and I will start with my honest initial perceptions and feelings.

My first experiences in Canada were quite difficult. First, I never imagined the loneliness that cold weather can cause- missing the family and activities that you can’t do because of the weather. The second thing was and is the language barrier which makes it difficult to participate in Canadian culture and life. Also, the issue of work was surreal in the times of the pandemic. However, one thing that made a big difference was the people; Canadians are very kind and warm; they give you the opportunity to learn their culture and language. They helped me feel more welcome.

Also, the government programs for immigrants are a great help like the Multicultural Center and of course, the LINC Home Study program (in my case).

Over time I’ve started to adapt every day, I’ve learned a lot about Canadian culture and grown both personally and professionally. My goals are to study mental health or something in the health and psychology sector.

In conclusion, immigrating to Canada was not easy- but it was worth it. I’m grateful first for my husband and also for the experiences in this new life, and I’m excited about the life I'm building here.

Thank you for reading my story!!

Winter in Ottawa is a season I am really looking forward to discovering and enjoying to the fullest.

I can’t wait to see the city covered in snow and to try winter activities for the first time, such as skiing, ice skating on frozen rivers, and family sledding, which I also dream about.

My greatest wish would be to spend a night in a quiet cabin, especially during the Christmas season, surrounded by my family, to enjoy the peaceful and cozy atmosphere of the Canadian winter.

This experience promises to be unforgettable and full of shared memories.

The weekend before Halloween, my family went to Montreal. Despite only being a 5-hour distance, it felt like a different country. Most people were speaking French.

On our drive, we travelled through Brockville, Ontario. There’s an old train tunnel in Brockville that had been decorated with lights and music. My family really liked the continuously changing lights. When we passed through the tunnel, we came out in front of Lake Ontario. Some people were kayaking there. When they got close to us, my kids yelled because the kayakers were wearing Halloween costumes! They were dressed as witches. What a fun surprise!

We have a great memory in this trip.

It was a Civic Holiday long weekend last summer. I and my husband had planned to go somewhere on that weekend. Finally, we decided to go to Niagara Falls. It was one of the first places to see on our bucket list after we arrived in Canada.

Early morning on Saturday we started our journey. We took Go Train to reach Niagara. It was my first Go Train trip. There was nice scenery during entire trip till Niagara. We reached Niagara Falls at 11:30 am. We took nice photos there and walked on the strip. We spent some time in the park also. We had ice cream and dessert from there as well. Then in the evening we came back again by Go Train around 7 pm.

We were very happy during the trip and we enjoyed it a lot.

When I came to Canada, the first thing I realized was that there are many volunteer positions. This helps newcomers to have some work experiences in Canada. My volunteer position in Canada enabled me to know how Canada supports the newcomers in many things especially women. In my volunteer position, we support women empowerment by providing them the clothes with lower prices and trainings to be comfortable and confident when they are going to the job interview. I’m very happy to contribute to women wellbeing and their empowerment.

I'm going to describe my trip to Tobermory, which is located in the northern part of Ontario and it is connected to Lake Huron. My family and I attended the trip with some friends a couple of years ago. It was during the summer break, so therefore, it was very busy. We rented a cottage and stayed there for a couple of days. Tobermory is a small little town with a lot of beautiful natural scenery. One of the attractions was the Flowerpot Island that you could only go to with a boat. Then, there was the Big Tub Lighthouse which was interesting to look at. All in all, Tobermory is a must-go to destination, and I will definitely visit it again in the future. Finally, if you visit Tobermory in winter, it can be slippery and wet, so wear good walking shoes. I recommend going in the summer for better experience.

First, you need to prepare a winter jacket to prevent wind and snow. Then, I check your gloves and boots to prevent slipping on the ice and snow. You will also need a hot hat and scarf. Next, get ready the car such as winter tires, heating car, windshield wiper and put your car flash light, blanket, warm clothes, boots, gloves and hat.

Finally, always check the weather conditions during winter time and listen

I enjoy Canada’s fall colours. I like the different colours and that there are a lot of trees. I have been very busy at the barbershop, so I did not get to go out much this fall.

However, I see lots of colours with the different trees and leaves when I walk to the barbershop. I grew up in a village named Kemuna in Kurdistan, Iraq.

The weather was much different from Canada’s weather. It was really hot there and there was a beach with sand. I did not grow up with cool fall and cold winters like Canada. I enjoy seeing the different weather.

Fall in Canada includes a Halloween experience. In Canada fall is always fun and beautiful for me. It is also colourful and gorgeous because the leaves are changing to red, yellow and orange. The Halloween's pumpkin is a good match for the colors of fall. I love seeing children with their costumes and the neighborhoods' decorations. This year, the weather was windy and rainy. My family stayed home and watched a movie together. We had a good time together. Halloween is one of the best events for children and I am already looking forward to next year.

This summer my family and I flew to Niagara Falls (Canada). When we visited Niagara Falls, we were very excited. We saw the huge waterfalls, and they were even more beautiful than in the photos. The sound of the water was very loud, and we could feel the mist on our faces. It was an amazing moment.

We took many pictures and walked around the area. There were a lot of people, but we still enjoyed the view. We also went on a boat tour, and it was fun to be so close to the water.

Our trip to Niagara Falls was wonderful. My family and I felt happy and amazed, and we would love to visit this place again.

I celebrate Christmas in December. I celebrate Christmas with my husband and friends. I celebrate on December 25. I go to a restaurant sometimes or at home. I eat restaurant food for the holiday and drink traditional coffee at home. I cook special food called Dirho and Zegni. My favourite part is singing at church and spending time with my family, drinking coffee.

The festival’s name is Pongal. Pongal is a four day harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu, India. Pongal is a celebration from January 14th to 17th, to give thanks for the harvest and welcome the new year. Pongal thanks the sun god, Mattu and also celebrates cattle and kaanum(the fourth and final day). Pongal is for family gatherings in rural India.

Homes are decorated with flowers, sugarcane and colourful Rangoli. A central dish is the Pongal , made with freshly harvested rice, milk, jaggery ghee(a simple, traditional mixture of unrefined cane sugar (jaggery) and clarified butter (ghee)), which is cooked in a new clay pot. Other foods include, lentil soup and rice cookies.

People wear traditional clothes with men often wearing dhotis & women wearing sarees. People visit relatives, exchange gifts and enjoy outdoor activities.

This is a festival that not only marks agricultural prosperity but also symbolizes the unity of communities in rural India.

Halloween is celebrated every year on October 31st. On this day, children wear different costumes like ghosts, witches, and superheroes. They go from house to house saying “Trick or Treat!” to get candies and chocolates. People also decorate their homes with pumpkins, lights, and spooky things.

Many families carve faces on pumpkins to make jack-o’-lanterns. Some watch scary movies or tell ghost stories with friends. Halloween is a fun time for everyone to be creative, dress up, and enjoy sweets together.

My favourite holiday is Nowruz, the celebration of the Persian New Year. I love it because it brings a feeling of renewal, hope, and togetherness. My family prepares a beautiful Haft-Seen table, and we gather to enjoy special foods, music, and traditions that remind us of our culture. The atmosphere feels fresh and joyful, and everyone seems happier and more connected. For me, Nowruz is not just a holiday—it is a time to reflect, appreciate family, and look forward to a bright new beginning.

January 12 back home is the first day of new year in the Berber calendar. It’s called Yennayer and it’s been a public holiday since 2018. Each year, on the night of January 11, my family gathers in my parents’ home, and we spend the whole night together to celebrate Yennayer. I am a member of the Kabyle tribe and one of our special foods for this celebration is couscous and chicken. We also like singing or telling stories and we wear traditional clothes like Kabyle dress (Thaksiwth) for the ladies and hooded woolen robes (Burnous) for men.

My favorite Yennayer is the one organised outside the city at our second home in the countryside which is surrounded by forests and mountains. It’s the home of my parents. This day was my favorite because my whole family were gathered together: my mother, my brother, my sisters and nephews and my cousins who lived around the home. We spend the whole night together telling stories or playing games with our traditional clothes and eating the delicious couscous made by my mother. I would like to celebrate this celebration again in the future with my family.

Halloween is one of the most exciting holidays of the year. On this day, children and adults dress up in costumes like ghosts, witches, and superheroes. Many kids go trick-or-treating to collect candy, while families decorate their homes with pumpkins, lights, and spooky decorations. People also enjoy Halloween parties and telling scary stories. Overall, Halloween is a fun and creative celebration that brings people together.

Eid al-Fitr is my favorite celebration in our Muslim culture. It is at the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. The fun begins with the revealing of the new moon, followed by the Salat al Eid in the morning. We gather together to show our gratitude to Allah. We wear our best clothes, we exchange warm wishes of Eid Mubarak which means blessed Eid, then we visit our family and friends in our day, and share delicious Kaak filled with dates and chocolate, which is why it is called the Sweet Eid. Beyond the food and the EDIYA for us kids, its money given for the kids from the elder people, and then we do the Zakat El FIter, that’s what we call it when we give charity to the people in need, and it represents the kindness in our heats, forgiveness, and our humility.

This year like the past years I didn't celebrate Thanksgiving because, first I didn't know and never heard about this celebration. Then, according to my beliefs it's not necessary to celebrate it because we don't have a special day to say thanks or to be with our family. Each single day is an occasion to be with them, showing them love and spending the good moments together. So, about what I ate this day, I didn't remember exactly. Finally, now I know about this celebration, I will just keep going to respect those who celebrate it without judgment.

Thai Pongal is most popular festival for farmers in Sri Lanka. Worldwide people celebrate this festival. They celebrate this festival for harvest. It occurs on 4th of January. Pongal is dedicated to the Sun God and marks a time of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest.

During the festival time people wakeup early morning and take a good shower, after wearing new clothes, they prepare milk rice before sun rise. After, they share the sweet with their friends and family.

Three years ago was our first Halloween in Canada. It was scary, funny and very interesting. And of course we did a lot of mistakes in preparing for this holiday. I was so excited to Halloween that I started to think about costume ideas months in advance. My older daughter wanted to be Wednesday and my youngest daughter wanted to be Elsa, of course. So I bought 2 dresses, very beautiful long blue Elsa dress and short black dress (for Wednesday girl).

Afterwards I realized how impractical this was! First the weather was windy, cold and it was raining; second - walk in long dress not comfortable and kids can trip; and thirdly, black clothes weren't visible in the evening, and I kept losing my daughter. So my advice to choose warm, comfortable, colourful or glowing in the night costume!!!

After costume problem, three years ago, we were faced with a high sugar problem after all these candies. It was a LOT of sweets in ours bags and after inside our kids. Having drawn conclusions for the next year, we agreed in advance with the children that they could keep 10 sweets from the basket for themselves, and we would buy everything else from them for 10 cents per candy. We give the candies we buy back to the children who come to us.

Overall, this holiday is quite expensive for my husband and me. But at least it's safe for their teeth. :)

Since I was born, I have many things to be thankful for in my life. However, I want to talk about the biggest blessing around me. I am thankful for my family who always love me no matter what, and they always welcome me with help and support. I am also thankful for my husband, who shares every moment with me. He is the best person to stay by my side when I feel happy or sad. I feel grateful for my friends, who share laughter and sadness with me and always support me. I am grateful for my good health, which allows me to enjoy each day with people I love. I am thankful for my mother and father-in-law, who found a wonderful place for us to live, taught me how to make wonderful desserts, and gave me their secret recipes with me. Another thing I am thankful for is Canada, which gives me the opportunity to learn new things, meet kind people, and enjoy the beautiful nature around me. Most of all, I am so grateful for the peace and happiness that come from appreciating my life. It is small, but full of meaningful moments.

In December, for Muslims like us, there are no specific events to celebrate unless they coincide with a religious celebration, because Muslims, like Jews, follow the lunar calendar. However, this year, we will celebrate Christmas with friends in Toronto on December 24th at their home. We will visit downtown Toronto to see how the city prepares for this event: the lights, the decorations, the Christmas tree, and all the festive activities. After that, we will return to their home to prepare dinner and spend the evening playing board games and watching movies. Christmas is not part of our religious traditions, but it was a wonderful opportunity to share joyful moments with friends and discover the festive atmosphere of the city.

In December, I celebrate New Year's Eve. This day is very special for my family and me. This is like closing one page and opening a new one from a clean page, where you can create something new. Usually I celebrate with my family until 12 pm. We talk about everything, and we eat homemade food. After that, I can celebrate with my close friends. In my country, we have a very big and beautiful Christmas tree in the downtown area where you can have a good time. You can buy hot chocolate or a different beverage. A lot of people like to do it in my country. Happy New Year!

December is a special month for me. I celebrate Christmas and the New Year. I celebrate Christmas on December 25 with my partner and our pets at home in Atikokan. We decorate a small tree and put lights in the living room. I like to cook a simple but tasty dinner, and we give small gifts to each other. We play with our animals and take pictures together.

I also celebrate New Year’s Eve on December 31. In the evening, we watch movies, eat snacks, and talk about our plans for the next year. At midnight, we say “Happy New Year,” make a wish, and go outside for a short walk if the weather is not too cold. These celebrations are important to me because I feel safe, calm, and happy with my small family—my partner and my animals.

Eid is a major Muslim festival. It's celebrated worldwide Muslim peoples. It falls on the next day After the month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslim fast for thirty days. people wear new clothes on this day. We great each other with 'Eid Mubarak'. Muslim offer special prayers in Mosques. Children get Eidi as gifts and money. Families and friends meet and celebrate together. I make sweet and delicious food at home. Eid ul-Fitr brings joy and happiness. It's a day of celebration and sharing.

Diwali is one of my favourite festivals, and I enjoy celebrating it every year. It is known as the Festival of Lights, and it brings a lot of joy and positive energy to everyone’s home. Before Diwali, my family and I clean the house and decorate it with colourful rangoli and bright lights. On Diwali, we wear new clothes and visit the temple to pray for peace, health and happiness. In the evening, we do diyas around the house, which makes everything look warm and beautiful. We also enjoy delicious food and sweets, which are prepared specially for this festival. Spending time with family and friends on Diwali makes the celebration even more meaningful. Children are always excited because they get gifts and sometimes small fireworks. For me, Diwali is not only a festival but also a reminder of hope, new beginnings, and the victory of light over darkness. This festival always brings happiness to my heart, and I look forward to it every year.

Dear Neighbour,
Thanksgiving is a Canadian culture that I will share with you. We can spend time with family eating. Many family's have a turkey. The traditional dinner would have sweet potatoes, but I prefer a dish from my native country. This year I was unhappy during thanksgiving because I didn't know that I have to buy Turkey earlier, so when I went to buy Turkey there wasn't anymore Turkey, from superstore to store on my bicycle. Next year I would advice getting my Turkey early.
Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada. This time the union the people that to much interesting, on the street of the all country you can fell the spirit of the union. The traditional food that probable to be on the all table of everyone here is a turkey, but in Canada you can see differents sides dishes, because the Canada have a lot emigration that put a little culture on the table together a turkey. The people share food, but good conversation and spend a good times together family and friends is more important.

Thanksgiving in Canada is a national holiday celebrated on the second Monday of October. It’s all about spending time with family and friends and being grateful for what we have and share a meal. It was our first Thanksgiving in Canada all our friends came in our home and every one brought a meal and our centerpiece was roasted chicken. It was eaten with pomegranate sauce. One of our friends brought pumpkin pie and it was the first time that I ate pumpkin pie and I cooked Qabeli Pollow. We had a great night with our friends, enjoying a variety of foods, a warm and intimate gathering, and thanksgiving each other for everything.

This year my daughter invited her friends to our house for Halloween. They played, had some pizza, snacks and then they went Trick or Treating. I was still at work, but my wife went with them, and they had a lot of fun. It was very cold but not raining at least. After Trick or Treating they came back to our house to had a cake and a dance party with glow sticks.

Every year we leave bowls with candies on the porch for kids. When I came back from work, I saw two teenagers pour the whole bowls of candies into their bags and run away. Luckily, we had more candies at the house for other kids.

My daughter was very happy to spend that evening with her friends. They had a wonderful time together.

In the past three and a half years of living in Canada, I have seen new festivals and events.

Every festival and event has its own variety of customs. But Thanksgiving is one of the best event that touch my heart.

In the winter of 2022, I saw an old woman carrying a bag of food. I told my brother, is today a special day My brother said yes, it is. Today is Thanksgiving, and people celebrate it for the things they have.

I was very impressed, because this event is about Thanksgiving for what we have, and it is very important that we should be grateful that God has given us many things.

Last Thanksgiving was very special for me, because I got a gift for the first time; my kind and lovely English teacher sent a gift on Thanksgiving weekend. After I got the gift, I realized why Thanksgiving is so important, and it touched my heart!

I hope you will not laugh at my childhood handwritten

Thanksgiving is a special day. It is a time to say thank you for what we have. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October in Canada. This is a time that people get together and share a meal. People celebrate it with family and friends.

On this day, families make a good food and eat a big meal together. The main food is usually turkey. There is also mashed potato, corn, and pie. Pumpkin pie is very popular In Thanksgiving Day.

People talk, laugh, and share stories. Some families visiting farms or watch TV or baseball, soccer games. Many people also help others by giving food to the poor. Sending gifts with family, neighbours, friends, students.

Thanksgiving is not only about food. It is about love, kindness, and being thankful. this year I celebrated my first Thanksgiving so I'm very happy and enjoy my first Thanksgiving!

I support David Suzuki’s view on genetically modified food. Although I lack knowledge in this area, but my instinct tells me, this is very bad. It’s not a product of nature. It’s against nature laws, it brings fear to people. In China, all products sold in supermarkets are asked marking if it’s a genetically modified food. I would avoid purchasing these products. In Canada, I don’t know if there is a related Law. Unfortunately, I have been having hives since coming to live in Canada for 3 years. I don’t know the reason. I found an article from Chinese social media that a part of Chinese people have allergic symptoms when they have come to Canada for 7 years. I don’t know if it is true. I guess the genetically modified substances have already destroyed ecological balance. I don’t know if it will bring terrible consequences. I’m a disaster movie fan. I’m a little pessimistic. I hope there are a lot of scientists like David Suzuki all over the world; they will express right views by the power of science. In China, there is a person name Yongyuan Cui - he was once a famous host. He has been insisting on resisting genetically modified food until today. I admire him very much. He is a brave warrior.

Life on the road is not always easy, but it is also something special. Being a truck driver means spending many hours behind a steering wheel and traveling through long distances. Sometimes people think this job is simple, but they don’t really understand how different it is from normal work. In this essay I want to talk about the reality of truck driver life — the hard parts, the good moments, and what this job means for me.

As I mentioned above, this job has a lot of challenges. Probably, the biggest challenge for me is that I don't feel like I live in my home with my family for long periods. Sometimes I feel that when I'm at home I'm like a guest. I forget where some things are and, it's the worst, I don't see how my kid is growing. Every time I come home I feel that he has changed and I'm upset that I don't take part in his growth. My wife also needs help and support which I can't give to her because I can be 2000 miles away.

Another hard part of this job is that every day you're in risk and stress on the road due to different weather conditions, changing circumstances and environment, and delivery deadlines. Even though there are strict hours of operation rules in Canada and the US, I have a lot of shifts when I have slept only for 2 or 3 hours and every day you're behind the steering wheel for 11-13 hours. A lot of people argue that it's simple. You're just sitting and looking in the window, but in fact it's a lot of tension, concentration and stress. Also, you haven't any stable schedule for resting and eating. One day you can rest from evening to morning, and the next day the situation turns upside-down. And this stress and lack of sleep are literally killing you slowly and gently. Health and relationships with family are slowly becoming worse and worse.

On the other hand, this job has a lot of advantages. First of all it is a good opportunity to earn enough money and be sure that your family has everything they need. In my opinion, lack of money has much worse consequences for you and your family than lack of sleeping. Also I can say that the big reward of this job is this amazing feeling of freedom and independence on the road. You're driving 110 km per hour at the 23 meters and 50 tons truck and you're the real king of the road. And these long trips have their own unique vibe. And if I spend more than a week at home I feel that I need to be on the road again and I need to feel this vibe.

For me, truck driving is not just a job but also a part of my identity. Even with all the difficulties, I feel proud of what I do, because I know that my work really matters. Every day I deliver fuel, food, and other important goods that people need. It gives me a sense of purpose. At the same time, this job taught me to value simple things: a quiet evening at home, a dinner with my family, or just playing with my son. These moments became more special, because I don’t have them every day. And even though life on the road is hard, it also made me stronger and more responsible.

To sum up, being a truck driver means facing many challenges, such as stress, long hours, and time away from family. But it also brings real rewards: financial stability, independence, and the unique feeling of freedom on the open road. This job is not for everyone, but for people like me it becomes a lifestyle. Life on the road is tough, but it is also meaningful, and I wouldn’t change it for anything else.

Three months after delivery, I started a yoga teacher training course. For the first month, I really enjoyed it, but after that, my baby's behavior changed and I had a lot of work at home with my other daughter.

It became really exhausting to manage everything. After all the challenges, I was very excited to receive my yoga instructor certificate three months later. In the beginning, I had to constantly breastfeed my newborn every two hours for two months, and it was quite boring. But all that effort is so rewarding as I watch my baby grow.

One of my favourite courses, which I took at CTM College, was Introduction to Healthcare Support. I decided to get in because I was exploring the option of joining the co-op program in health services. Tuition for this course was reasonable, and it was lower than others, so it was a good choice. My guidance counsellor recommended it to me, saying practical skills are useful for future employment. The course covered basic patient care, safety procedures, and communication skills. It was taught by Dr. Lean, who helped me all the way through. I enjoyed the class because it was hands-on, and my marks were generally high thanks to her help. By the end of it, I felt confident and used what I learned during my co-op placement at a long-term care house.

I recently enrolled in a post-secondary diploma program in Civil Engineering Design and Technology, which is the most challenging and time-consuming compared to other programs.

Most of the courses are conducted online, and while this offers flexibility, it also brings technical issues such as unstable Internet connections. Thankfully, the school provides recorded lectures, which are a great help for reviewing. However, due to my current limitations in English listening and speaking, I find the learning process quite demanding. Initially, the school used outdated software, which made things even harder, but later they upgraded to newer tools and introduced accessibility features like screen magnifiers and real-time captions—these improvements significantly boosted my learning efficiency.

Despite all these challenges, I remain confident that with the support of excellent teachers, dedicated staff, and helpful classmates, I will succeed. Looking ahead, I plan to pursue electrician certification in the construction field to complement my engineering studies and expand my career opportunities.

To become a Personal Support Worker (PSW) in Ontario, you must complete a recognized PSW program at a publicly-funded colleges or some career colleges. The first step is to meet the guidance counsellor and ask about PSW programs at the college of your choice. I chose Herzing College in Ottawa. Then they will ask you if you have a high school diploma and you have to be between 18 and 53 years old to be eligible for PSW course.

If you don't have high school diploma you can do language and math assessments, but if you already have your high school diploma, you are qualified to study PSW. The program will take approximately 1 year to complete and the government will support you with a loan called OSAP and a grant. The grant money is the money that can support you during the school year program. If you complete the whole program, you do not have to pay back the grant money but you have to pay back the loan, usually 6 months after you finish the course. You can pay it off in small amounts. Repayment depends on available jobs and your salary.

After the internship, most people get a job in the same place. It's not difficult to find a job because in the course they teach you how to look for a job and you attend meetings with employers in long-term care facilities. The only condition is to graduate from PSW course and to pass the NACC exam.

With PSW you can get lots of opportunities to work in long-term care facilities, retirement homes, hospitals or home care agencies. After becoming a PSW, you can apply for dementia care training and CPR/First Aid for free. These additional courses will increase your chances of finding a job faster.

If English is not my first language, you can ask for a few extra hours to read the book and understand information. They also give you 2 or 3 chances to pass your exams but you still have study very hard because modules are long and difficult. I am very proud of myself because I have passes all my modules and I never needed to attempt the exam twice. Every week we have a new module and on Fridays we have exams.

In conclusion, if you want to become a PSW, you must have high school or higher education and be ready to meet guidance counsellor who will guide you and help you fulfill your dream. The course is not easy and it's a big challenge, but if you dedicate your time to attending classes in person and studying for assignments you will succeed and have a good job in the future.

When I decided to continue higher education in my field after a gap of 20 long years, it was quite challenging and stressful. However, I was determined to succeed and that was motivating enough to invest my time and energy.

Besides returning to education after a long break, another challenge was studying in the English language. Even while I was familiar with some concepts, studying them in a new language added complexity.

Additionally, construction in Canada is quite different from construction in my home country, materials and techniques are totally not the same. As a result, Conception and architecture are influenced by Canadian culture so adapting to all these new concepts takes time and patience.

On the other hand, adding all these challenges, I was in a new environment composed of diverse other cultures, it required tact and skills to adapt and to be integrated while preserving my authenticity and values. At first, I was stressed and hesitant, but after some exchange with my classmate, an atmosphere of kindness and mutual support was established.

Even though all these difficulties seem unmanageable, I'm still confident that I have enough experience and skills to go through all this and, at the end, to be rewarded for all my hard work and sacrifice.

Working in a clothing store has been a big change for me. There are some challenges I did not expect to face. My daily tasks require me to move heavy boxes and to organize inventory. Moving things and taking inventory are not my strengths. I am also currently expected to plan a sales promotion, so this week I have been working overtime every day. Although all these challenges, I am try my best to adapt to the job. Now I have learned many new skills and made some new friends.

When you get a job in Canada, you will have orientation days and health and safety training. You will be on TPT (probation) for a number of months. Then you may become full time employee and sign the contract. Your employer or union will give you information about vacation time, employment insurance, benefits, sick days and your worker’s right.

When I started my job in GM, the first week was called orientation days. The course was conducted by communication managers from the plant and the trade union. We were told about the work of the plant, internal rules, safety and the importance of the trade union to protect worker’s rights. After the course, every Tuesday we had meetings about safety in the workplace.

The course and the meetings really helped me learn about workplace safety and adapt to working conditions in Canada. It also helped me build good relationships with coworkers.

Conducting successful job search in Canada requires several steps. First, you should look for an employment agent like Access Employment to do a course. The goal of this course is to be a bridge between previous work in your country and potential work in Canada. You will learn many things about Canadian Employment Standards and Canadian Workplace Culture, as well as how to write a resume, cover letter, how to search for a job, and how to connect employers directly. The next step is to check for job postings on Internet sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and www.jobbank.gc.ca. Before you start applying, you should polish your resume. Ensure that it is concise, error-free, and does not exceed two pages in length. After that, put together a winning cover letter. Also, look on the internet for employment events like job fairs to meet directly with employers and owners of companies. To find a job faster, you should align your resume to the job description and requirements. Remember, if you do not find a job, it’s better to go to an employment agency or look for volunteering opportunities if you need Canadian experience. Sometimes the same company that you volunteer with gives you a job offer. Finally, apply for several jobs, as there can be hundreds of applications for a single position, and prepare well for an interview. It’s good to read about the company and the kind of work they do. This will help you speak about the company and why you are interested in working there. In conclusion, if you are prepared and you apply above job search strategies, you will find a job in Canada. Good luck!

Childhood memories are the best of all memories. Childhood is the most fun and beautiful time in our life, and they always bring a smile to our face. Childhood memories are very close to our heart. It's the first stage of life which we enjoy in whatever way we like. This is the time that shapes our future. Parents love and care for their children, and the children will take care of the parents one day, too.

Before coming to Canada, I lived in my mother’s house. It was built by my grandparents with adobe, a traditional material in my country. The house has a large yard with many plants and a big lemon tree that gives delicious fruit. It is my favorite place because it brings me many beautiful memories from my childhood.

The house has a kitchen, a living room, a dining room, three bedrooms, and one bathroom. It is very old, so it needs many repairs, especially on the roof and the walls. Even though it is not modern, I love this house very much because it represents my family's hard work and history.

I had been away from my hometown and my mother for two and a half years. So, this year, when I visited my native country, and my mom’s birthday came, I wanted to celebrate her birthday with her in a big way.

The celebration began in the morning. I prepared longevity noodles for her. Back home, longevity noodles are symbols of health and happiness. I also gave my mother a pair of comfortable shoes. She liked them very much. She said she will wear them every day. In the evening, we invited relatives and friends to have dinner at her favourite restaurant. After the meal, everyone sang birthday songs and offered good wishes to her.

My mother said that this was an unforgettable and truly a very happy birthday for her, because all the people she was close to, were there to celebrate, and what was more, I was by her side! To make her happiness complete, there was a new family member, my daughter, who was with her on this birthday. Mom said she couldn’t ask for more!

My mom's birthday was thus the highlight of my trip to my hometown!

I grew up in a small countryside village in Vietnam. In my hometown, we don't really have Mother's Day. But we show love to our mothers every day. As a child, I tried to be obedient, help my mother with housework and make her life easier. For me, love and respect for my mother are shown through caring, understanding and supporting her, not by a special day. My mother is the only person in the world that nothing can replace. We should love our mothers while we still can. Because once they are gone, we might regret it. For me, every day is Mother's Day.

The most important person in my life is my wife, Wei. She is not only my partner, but also my best friend and greatest supporter. Wei has a warm heart, a strong sense of responsibility, and an optimistic spirit that inspires me every day. No matter what challenges we face, she always stands by my side with patience and understanding. Her love and encouragement give my life meaning and strength.

We first met through our mothers, who were high school classmates and good friends. They introduced us to each other, thinking we might get along well — and they were right. At that time, Wei was living in Boston, while I was in Canada. Even though we were far apart, we talked often and quickly became close. I still remember the first time we met in person — I drove ten hours to Boston just to see her. When we finally met, it felt as if we had known each other for a long time. From that moment, our bond grew even stronger. Over time, our friendship slowly turned into love, and eventually we decided to build a life together.

In our daily lives, Wei and I always try to support each other in every possible way. When I feel tired or stressed from work, she listens patiently and gives me comfort and encouragement. She often cooks my favorite meals and reminds me to take care of myself. I also do my best to help her, whether it’s sharing housework, going shopping together, or simply keeping her company when she works from home. We understand each other’s moods and needs without many words. No matter how busy life gets, we always make time to talk, laugh, and enjoy small moments together.

Wei and I are perfect soul mates because we understand each other very well. We share the same values and enjoy the same things, so being together feels easy and happy. Even when we have small disagreements, we listen to each other and solve problems together. We support each other, make each other laugh, and help each other grow. Being with her makes my life better every day.

Wei and I share many dreams for our future. Our biggest goal is to build a warm and happy home together in Canada, where we can enjoy a peaceful life surrounded by family and friends. We both love to travel, and we hope to explore the world hand in hand — discovering new cultures, tasting local foods, and creating beautiful memories along the way. In the long term, we also hope to grow together in our careers and continue supporting each other’s goals. More than anything, we dream of living a simple but fulfilling life filled with love, laughter, and mutual respect. Whatever challenges the future may bring, we believe that as long as we have each other, we can face anything with courage and joy.

My mother tongue is Arabic. I can speak English Turkish, and Kurdish. My native language, which I speak at home is Arabic. My parents spoke Kurdish because we are Kurd. In my country there is only one official language, Arabic. There are people who speak Turkish and people who speak Kurdish, but they are not the official language.

I like to eat healthy and stay active. My favourite meal is avocado mixed with vegetables. I like it because it smells and tastes good. Because of its ingredients, it helps me to be healthy. I know that a healthy meal has to contain a good proportion of fruits, vegetables, fats and protein. In my favourite meal there are carrots, pears, onions- mixed with oil, vinegar and sugar.

I think that to stay active depends on what we eat or how we are taking care of ourselves. To stay active you have to eat healthy. After that, you have to occupy yourself by doing something to avoid becoming sleepy. You can say that since we are alive, we will always have something to do. Finally, you have to have a good schedule for your day or you can become bored.

This summer I enjoyed playing soccer with my friends. Every Sunday morning, we went to a big green field. We usually started early in the morning at 7:00, when the air was fresh and cool. Playing soccer made me happy and gave me a lot of energy.

Sometimes we played for one and a half hours, and sometimes longer. After the game, we sat together and talked. I liked spending this time with my friends because it was fun and relaxing. Soccer also helped me stay healthy and strong.

For me, Sunday morning soccer was the best part of my summer. It made my weekends special and I always looked forward to it.

I lived in a neighborhood called Alshaar. It was very enjoyable because it was full of people and shops that did not close until late at night. It had a beautiful and enjoyable park. Also, the school was very close. My father, mother, and siblings were with me in the same neighborhood, and this made me very happy. I was very comfortable there, and I hope to live there again.

We are a family from Ukraine, from the heroic city of Kherson. Our family consists of four members: me, born on July 30, my wife, born on October 6, our daughter, born on March 23, and our son, born on September 3.

Let me start by saying that the counteroffensive on our city began on the first day of the war. The Russian armed forces began entering the city from the Crimean direction, crossing the Antonovsky Bridge. Kherson courageously resisted, but on March 1, the Russian army completely occupied the city.

On the first day of the war, we couldn't yet comprehend what had happened, but day and night, explosions thundered, fighter jets flew overhead, and columns of tanks passed. Our daughter began having nervous and panic attacks from the endless explosions. She realized that at any moment, a missile could hit our apartment and end her life. There were fragments of a downed missile that fell in our yard.

On the second day of the war, our family was forced to flee; my two children and I fled to another part of the city to find a bomb shelter (the basement of a multi-story building), because there were no bomb shelters in our neighbourhood, and no way to hide. We were forced to leave our homes and hide our children from the missiles and constant shelling. Our family lived in the basement for almost a month. Food was very hard to come by in the city, and armoured vehicles and tanks were roaming the city, making it dangerous to leave the shelter.

I tried to find at least some food, but it was very difficult at the time. A month after the invasion, we were lucky, and volunteers got us out of Kherson. They managed to negotiate with the occupiers and organize the evacuation of women and children from the occupied city. The volunteers tried to get us out of Ukraine so we could live for a while. Leaving was dangerous, but we had no other choice. Our sick children desperately needed help. We left the city in the morning, and convoys of vehicles were parked in a field for several days. Getting out of the vehicles was prohibited because there were mines and constant fighting all around. There were several families with children there, and our cars were constantly checked at gunpoint. There were several checkpoints with armed soldiers of Caucasian appearance. At each checkpoint, they approached us with a pistol, pointing it at our cars. The children were terrified and cried constantly. It was truly terrifying! We travelled to Czechia for almost five days.

On the fifth day, we reached Czechia, where we were granted temporary protection. We were taken in by a Czech family who tried to help. I spent four months in the occupied Kherson. During this time, I helped deliver medicine to the sick, collected essentials for women and children who were forced to flee nearby towns due to constant fighting, and donated blood to the wounded during shelling and bombing. Men of draft age were not allowed to get out under Ukrainian control. I then decided to leave the occupied Kherson through the Crimean Peninsula. This was very dangerous; everyone had to go through a strict screening process at the border. At the border, Federal officers interrogated us for a long time, looked for national tattoos, searched our belongings, searched our phones for any information that might be related to the war. This allowed them to detain us for a long six-hour humiliating interrogation, crossing the border. In Czechia, we had no money, so I had to work to support the family. In July, I left Kherson and started working in Europe.

My home was in Tehran, Iran. My family lived with me. It was beautiful from inside.

Our house had one living room, two bedrooms, a basement and a small yard.

My father found this house by use using a real estate agent. It took him two months to find it. For us cost and location were important for a place to live. Because we're not rich and we need a safety place.

Being a parent is a very challenging role. Moreover, each baby is unique in their own way. In my experience, it requires a lot of love, patience, and knowledge for the best development of the child. I would like to share with you my experiences with my four children. With the first three children, I worked until the delivery, so I didn't have time to join any prenatal courses or parental classes. I just read a book about how to take care of a baby. And that was it.

For the first child, as a brand new mom, I only followed all instructions and advice from my mom and other seniors. Now, looking back at that time, I see that I didn't learn about him enough to understand what he needed, and my mom's experiences and advice didn't work for him. He not only cried and was fussy every night but also didn't want to eat much. We even tiredly fed him milk with a spoon, but that did not work either. We did every traditional method, but keeping him calm and sleeping during the night was hard. We even tiredly fed him milk with a spoon. After three months, we found out that he had heart defects that made him uncomfortable.

The second one, I thought I had more experience, but I actually didn't. I still followed what other people told me to do. He was easier because he was born healthy. However, he often got the flu and cried for mommy at nighttime, especially when I had the third child when he was two years old. I still didn't recognize what he really wanted through his cries. My mom helped me all the time.

For the third child, she was quite healthy and much easier compared with her brothers. This time, I had six months of maternity leave, which was longer than her brothers, only four months before going back to work. After that, my cousin took care of her as a nanny, and I just dropped her off and picked her up every weekday at my cousin's house. I spent my time at work all day and played with her at night and on weekends only. I still don't think that I understood what she really wanted then. She was just easy-going.

For the fourth one, it was another girl. This time, I had time to participate in some prenatal and baby care courses, and learn to take care of the baby via online resources. I know what she really wants through different cries. I feed her well and spend all day with her. I've been learning from her; in return, she has learned something from me and the world around her. When we understand each other, life is much easier. Many people said that with the fourth one, I must have a lot of experience and knowledge about how to take care of the baby and children. I always reply that I am learning more because each of them is so different, so I need to adjust myself to nurture them. Moreover, each stage of a child's development requires various care and needs. Therefore, learning is a continuous process.

There are a lot of responsibilities and difficulties as a parent, yet abundant rewards and happiness have been happening along the path of bringing up a child. I've learned a lot from my children. I've learned how to be patient, love, and be loved.

I want to talk about something very special in my life: my dog Jacko and his arrival in Canada 8 days ago!

My husband and I came to Canada one year ago, but at that time we couldn’t bring our dog with us because we had a contract with the Cruise Line Company. At that time, we decided to leave him in Colombia while we finished our job.

Some time ago, we started doing all the paperwork and the process to bring Jacko to live with us. My sister was our support and our angel. She and Jacko traveled to Canada 10 days ago, and that was incredible for us. Jacko did very well on the airplane, and everything went smoothly.

I felt so excited and happy when I saw him crossing the gate at the airport. Now he is home, and we are so grateful to have our little dog by our side again.

I have two budgies, singing birds. They are about two and a half years old. My daughter gave them beautiful names: Moon and Light. The male bird, Moon, is blue and white. The female bird, Light, is white. The male is very social and the female is shy and light. She is the opposite of him. They look like small parrots but their sounds are so soft and very beautiful.

My budgies have lived in a cage for about two years since I bought them for my daughter. She likes animals so much, sometimes she pets them and carries them out of the cage. The budgies eat special food that I buy every time from Dollarama. It is called Budgie Food, which has vitamin and mineral enriched. My wife is taking care of them: feeding them budgies’ food every day and giving them a bath sometimes. During the day, they eat, sing, clean their feathers, and flirt with each other. They sleep about 8 hours at night. They like quiet while sleeping, and I cover the cage to keep them warm and prevent light from reaching them. Unfortunately, they haven’t laid eggs yet.

Brazilian Brigadeiro recipe is famous for being incredibly simple and quick. Brigadeiro is a versatile sweet! Whether you're celebrating a birthday, snuggling on the sofa with a spoon or just in need of comfort food. It’s a favorite for PMS cravings, too!

Whenever I make brigadeiro, it takes me straight back to being a kid licking the spoon, the great chocolate smell everywhere, and my mom telling me to wait for it to cool down. It's more than just “sweet balls”, it's a memory of love and cooking together as a family. I'm going to do this with my son soon, to make those special memories that we will always keep and treasure.

Ingredients:

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tablespoon butter unsalted
• 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
• chocolate sprinkles

Instructions:

• Put the condensed milk, butter, and cocoa powder in a pot.
• Cook on medium-low heat for about 8-10 minutes, stirring the entire time until the mix is very thick and comes away from the bottom of the pot. Do not stop stirring!
• Pour onto a buttered plate and let it cool completely.
• Grease your hands with butter. Roll the cold mix into small balls.
• Roll the balls in the sprinkles. Done!

Tip for Brigadeiro de Colher (Spoon Brigadeiro): If you want the super creamy, soft version to eat with a spoon, just cook for about 5-7 minutes. It should be thick, but still easily run off the spoon.

Cooking tools:

• Rolling pin
• A pot
• A bowl
• Pastry brush
• A cooking pan

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Flour
• 400 gms Butter
• 2 cups Water
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup Honey
• 1 cup Sugar
• 2 cups Pistachio
• 1 1/2 cup Raisins
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Steps:

1. First, prepare the dough by mixing flour, water and 1 spoon butter and 3 eggs. Make a soft dough.
2. After that, rest the dough for 30 minutes.
3. Then, prepare the sugar syrup. Mix sugar, water and lemon juice in a pot. Boil till the sugar melts.
4. After that, add honey. Cook it for a few minutes.
5. Now, keep at room temperature.
6. Next, divide the dough into 10 small parts. Now, roll all part into a thin paper.
7. Melt the butter and spread the butter on the rolled dough.
8. Put the chopped pistachio inside the dough and roll it.
9. Now, cut the rolls into parts. When it is ready, put it on the pan and cook till it is crisp.
10. When it is ready add sugar syrup.
11. Add more pistachios and it is ready to eat.

How to Cook Rice

My favorite recipe is rice.

First, I bring two cups of rice.

Second, I wash it well.

Then, I put three cups of water in the pot and put it on the fire until it boils.

After that, I add the rice and a little salt.

Finally, I lower the heat to cook on low heat.

Winter in Afghanistan is short. The first night of winter is called Yalda.

Afghan people celebrate Yalda night by wearing traditional clothes and singing Yalda songs. On that night, they also prepare warm food, watermelon, pomegranate, nuts, and cake. Families gather indoors and enjoy this night because it is one minute longer than the other nights (Winter’s Solstice). During winter, if there is snow, people become very happy, especially farmers because Afghanistan has a dry climate. Before winter starts, they plant wheat and other grains. During winter, farmers pray and are grateful for rain and snow. In years when there is plenty of rain and snow, farmers are very happy.

Since old times, people have had a special tradition during snowy days. When people wake up early in the morning and see snow, they put a little snow in a box and give it to a friend or family member. If the person does not realize that the box contains snow, they must prepare a party and cook different foods. Young people also play in the snow outside. They build snowmen, and they make small snowballs and playfully throw them at each other.

In Afghanistan, people use a kursi during the winter (a rectangular table with a heater underneath and a big blanket on top). It is very interesting because it brings the whole family together. Every night they drink tea with nuts, and warm fruits, and enjoy talking.

Afghan people also have a special winter food called kichery gosht land (dry lamb meat with rice and mung beans). Before winter starts, people dry lamb meat, and during winter they cook this dish.

When I was in Afghanistan, I enjoyed the winter season because the nights were long, and every week we had a party with my sister, my uncle’s daughter, and my aunt's daughter.

In Afghanistan, winter starts on December 21. Similarly, in Canada, winter also begins in December.

Canadian people celebrate Christmas, while Afghan people celebrate Yelda night. On one hand, winter in Canada is very long, but on the other hand, in Afghanistan it is very short. In Canada, people enjoy many outdoor activities because the country has great places for skiing, ice hockey, ice skating, and tobogganing. In contrast, in Afghanistan people have fewer outdoor activities, and usually enjoy indoor gatherings during winter. On weekends they gather, have parties, and spend time together.

Winter in Canada is very different from winter in my home country. When I arrived in Canada, I saw snow many times, and it was very interesting for me. However, during these three years, I couldn’t go outside to have fun because I have children and they got the flu many times. In the future, I hope I can enjoy outdoor activities with my kids.

Winter is the most popular season for celebrating. The white colour of the snow with the freezing wind makes everybody feel special because they know that it's the end of the year. As for me, winter time is the best time to stay at home and cook some traditional noodle soups. It makes me less home-sick and more time to reunite with relatives. Every weekend, my husband’s cousins always ask us what we will cook and offer what they will have for dinner as well. Besides the cooking time, my husband and I like to go for a walk a little bit outside and after that we will go around in the shopping mall. We love to go to the Indigo bookstore to browse the magazines and smell the new books. We enjoy the lively atmosphere of the biggest holiday season of the year, with its bright colours, beautiful Christmas decorations, and people shopping everywhere. When it snows a lot the night before, we like driving around the city the next morning and looking at the beautiful scenery. Watching families play in the snow and seeing people happily skating at the outdoor rink in downtown Guelph makes me love this city even more. It helps me feel more connected to the place I live.

The holiday atmosphere in Canada is very lively since people like to go shopping and buy gifts for each other, and that makes me remember my days in Vietnam during Christmas time. Even though there is no snow and the weather is not as cold as in Canada, there is something similar: People in Ho Chi Minh City also love to decorate their homes. In some neigbourhoods with Catholic families, they put up colourful lights along the alleys and make a nativity scene in front of their houses. I always feel good whenever I see Christmas decorations not only in Canada but also in Vietnam.

For me, the winter season is truly a time to enjoy life, slow down a little, and appreciate the simple moments that make each day feel special. This winter, I hope I can try to study skiing or snowboarding. For beginners like me, it will be the most challenging because it will be the first time I try. I think that will help my husband and I refresh our minds and recharge our energy.

My favourite season in Canada is summer. I like summer because the weather is warm and sunny. I can go outside without wearing a heavy jacket. During summer, I enjoy going to the park and having barbecues with my family and friends. The days are long, so I have more time to walk, ride my bike, and travel. There are many festivals and outdoor events in the city. I also like going to the beach and swimming. Summer makes me feel happy and full of energy.

On Saturday, November 22, 2025, the streets of Downtown Sudbury were full of life for the annual Sudbury Santa Claus Parade. Before 5:30 p.m., many families and friends stood along the sidewalks, wearing warm coats, scarves, and mittens because the weather was cold.

The parade started moving slowly through the downtown area. Colorful floats, happy music, dancers, and community groups passed by the crowd. Everyone celebrated the theme of the year: “A Magical Northern Christmas.” Children waved with excitement as each float went by, hoping to see Santa at the end.

Before the parade began, some streets were closed at 4 :00 p.m. so that everything could be prepared. Many people came early to find a good spot and to donate food to the Sudbury Food Bank.

By the end of the evening, Downtown Sudbury became a bright and joyful place, filled with holiday spirit.

Every fall, I love to go outside with my family and enjoy the colorful leaves in Canada. The trees change to red, orange, and yellow, and they look very beautiful. I usually go to the park near my house to see the trees and take pictures. Sometimes, I go with my family or friends to walk on the trails. We often go on weekends in October when the colors are the brightest. I like to feel the cool air and see the leaves falling on the ground. The sound of dry leaves under my feet makes me happy. Watching the leaves change color reminds me how amazing nature is. It helps me relax and forget stress after a busy week. Fall is my favorite season in Canada because it is peaceful and colorful.

My favourite season is autumn because the climate is so nice and it is the best time to go outside. This season does not have humidity and the temperature is cool in the morning and then hot during the day. Sometimes it’s rainy and windy, so you need to wear light sweaters, wind breakers, rain coats or umbrellas. This season usually lasts 3 months, but now it is changing. I think it is for the climate situation.

In this season I see the trees changing leaves into beautiful brown, yellow, musty red, and orange colours. I hear the breeze and smell autumn harvest season full of fruit, crops and fall flowers. The wind is breezy and it smells like autumn. You can breathe better without humidity and heat. I enjoy spending time outdoors during my free time.

In this season, we have two holidays: Thanksgiving and Halloween. For Thanksgiving, it is normal for any food to be made from pumpkins; for example coffee, tea, cool or hot drinks, pies, cakes etc. I also really love Halloween because every year we are looking for good family costumes to go trick-or-treating. Fall is the best season in Canada, but I also like winter season.

I don't think it has always been the same, although for me, coming from a tropical country, winter is very beautiful when it snows.

My favourite season is spring because it is not too cold and not too hot or pretty humid. It’s the perfect weather for picnics or going on walks. Usually, my family and I go to parks together during the spring and it's so much fun! You can wear light clothing and not too many layers unless it's raining. Spring is also very beautiful no matter what the weather!

Spring is somewhere after February. It starts on March 21st and finishes on June 20th. I am happy when spring comes because that means winter is over! I really love spring because it brings beautiful flowers, green grass, leaves on the trees and new life. There are many birds and animals around. Everything becomes alive and full of life in spring time.

In the Philippines, summer is my favorite season in my country, from the month of March until May. It is the hottest season, with the temperature soaring to 35 C. I like the hot weather because I can spend time at the beach. The smell of the sea breeze and the warm water in the ocean bring back memories of my childhood. Swimming together with family and friends, gathering food and drinks, and sharing laughter about the experiences strengthen the relationships that we miss.

On the other hand, I think it’s not only the locals who are splendid in the summer. I’ve seen that there are many foreigners who choose to spend their vacation during summer in the country. The people who live here are kind and respectful, the food tastes amazing, and the prices are affordable. In my home, it’s easy to talk to the locals, and most of all, the climate and beautiful scenery stand out.

The tourism industry is doing well, and there are many emerging businesses. But why are our cultural customs slowly disappearing? I hope those who are in government will pay attention to this, preserve them, and make them a priority so we can show others how rich our culture is, and not just because of the nice weather we have.

In general, let’s pay attention to our nature. It’s not just tourists who are amazed by its beauty. The people will benefit and pass it on to our future generations. We can build memories every time we come home and see how beautiful it is to experience the summer in my country and God’s creation that has been well taken care of

My favourite season is autumn. In Brazil, the autumn is a lot like the summer. In Canada, I can see a big difference in the colours of leaves on the trees in autumn compared to summer. I love to go to the park in autumn where I enjoy nature. Autumn is too short in Canada. It is supposed to be 3 months long, but we only seem to have it for a month or so. I start eating hot food more in autumn, like soup. I love to go out to coffee shops in autumn. We often stop at the Tim Horton’s on our way to the park.

I received a lot of warm clothes from people at our church when I arrived in Canada. I received new and second-hand items. Thanksgiving and Halloween were new to us. Halloween was especially different here because all of the houses were decorated. In Brazil, homeowners do not decorate but businesses do.

Another difference is that a lot of kids go out to receive candies and chocolate here, but not in Brazil. Halloween here is much more enjoyable here than in Brazil. I think winter is definitely my least favorite of the seasons.

Next year I might like winter because I will be staying home with a new baby and won’t have to go to work. I will drink my hot chocolate in my house and watch the snow fall outside!!! I will light a fire in the living room to keep us warm.

I came to Canada in 2016 and so many things have changed in my life since then. Before that, life was hard. I left Syria for good at the end of 2014 with my wife and children because of the war in my country. We went to Lebanon to find safety with a relative. UNICEF was responsible for us, and they gave us food cards, money and clothes. The United Nations protected us. However, there were terrorists in Lebanon so we moved to another city where I found some work. We were hoping to leave to go live in Turkey. The plan was to then emigrate to Europe. Things were desperate.

Then a miracle happened. I got a call from the United Nations. They asked me if our family wanted to move overseas. They offered me a choice of three countries to move to. We chose Canada. I knew nothing about it but I thought it was the best choice. We left immediately. We had never been on a plane before and we felt happy to be away from danger.

From the first day we arrived, I have felt very settled and welcomed here. I got a job and enrolled in an English program. We learned about finding jobs and resources in British Columbia. Now, I have been here for nine years and in conclusion, I am proud of being in Canada and would like to become a citizen.

When I was coming to Canada, I thought it was going to be really hard, but I decided to keep going. I was leaving my family for the first time in my life, with no Canadian experience. My only support in this country is my husband, who is always here for me. I live in a small town. It’s far away from everything, but I feel comfortable because people are so kind here, and the nature and the weather are also so nice. I really like this country even though I miss my family. My goal now is to learn English, start a small family, and find a job.

My name is Sarah. I'm married and have three daughters. We came to Canada four years ago, and it was a new and different beginning for us. I said goodbye to my family and friends with sadness, and I long to see them again.

Here in Canada, we got to know cultural and social differences. I met Canadian friends who are very nice, and the country is beautiful. I visited Calgary, Kelowna, and Victoria, and we are exploring many beautiful places and scenery. My children are happy with life here. It's a quiet city with wonderful beaches, and I dream of visiting Niagara Falls in Ontario, where my aunt and her husband live. Canada is a country of love and peace, and I love peace and hate war and bloodshed.

I'm waiting for summer to come so I can enjoy the weather even more and visit places with my children and husband. We are a happy, small family. We love adventures, social life, cooperating with each other, and encouraging each other to achieve our dreams. I love Canada and consider it my second country. I wish to visit my country and see my family, as family is a source of strength for everyone, and love and peace in a country are also strength for the individual.

I feel a sense of love and sharing whenever I come to Canada. As a newcomer, the first period of settling in is very difficult, but I’ve realized that the Canadian government has many policies to help people like me. Programs such as the Child Care Benefit and financial assistance for families who return to school to enhance our knowledge. During this time, even when we can’t find a job or go to work, we still receive federal or provincial benefits that help us survive and ensure our family has enough to live on. Additionally, helping everyone to integrate with culture and community like the LINC program from non - profit organizes or Home Study program from Achev or an apprentice program. All these programs help to break language barriers. I feel deeply grateful for all the support I’ve received, and I am sure that in the future I will help newcomers just as I have been helped.

1. Being far from family is emotionally difficult
One of the hardest parts of coming to Canada is being separated from your loved ones. The first weeks and months can feel very long. When you don’t find a job quickly, you feel the absence of your family even more. You can feel lonely, confused, and lost in a new environment.

2. Social interactions are very different
Where I come from, in Africa, you can greet your neighbor, talk with strangers, and even have personal conversations with people you just met. In Canada, people value privacy. Most interactions are short and polite: “Hello,” “How are you?” or “Nice weather.” It is not that people are unfriendly, they are just more reserved and focused on their personal lives and difficulties.

3. Finding a job takes time and patience
Some newcomers find a job in a few days, while others wait six months, eight months, or even a year. There is no rule. Whether it’s an entry-level job or a job in your field, you must be prepared emotionally and financially. Patience and resilience are essential. Don't feel frustrated because you don't quickly find one, remember everyone has his one life history, continue doing effort and keep your positive mind.

4. Canada has many resources to help newcomers
One positive thing is that help is available everywhere. Information is not hidden. When you need help with a service, a document, or a website, there is always customer support. You can call, send an email, or fill out a form, and they will answer you. The customer service is honestly impressive.

5. Getting a training in a high-demand field is a great start
I wish I had known earlier that beginner-level training can open doors. Fields like customer service, elderly care, childcare, security, or retail hire a lot. These jobs help you gain Canadian experience while you adjust to the culture and improve your language skills. So if you have the possibility to do a training in relation to one of the fields, do it.

6. Language challenges can affect job opportunities
If you move to a province where the main language is not your own, you will face extra difficulties. Sometimes you may not get a job because your English or French is not strong enough yet. It is important to accept small beginnings, celebrate progress, and keep learning. Great news here, provinces have free courses for language classes to facilitate the integration of newcomers.

7. The weather is a big shock for people from tropical countries
Canadian winters are extremely cold. Sometimes you don’t feel like going outside at all. But the good news is that summer and autumn are beautiful seasons, and spring is also nice even if it’s a bit cold. Also, winter clothes from tropical countries are not warm enough. Canadian winter clothing is made for –20, –30, and even –40 degrees. It is better to keep the money to come and buy adapted clothes here.

8. Each province feels like a different country
Canada is a big country with many provinces, and moving from one to another can feel like crossing a border. Some documents you use in one province are not valid in another. For example, each province has its own health card. Even phone plans from the same company can be different. It is important to get information before moving between provinces. Despite these differences, Canada is a beautiful country with many cultures and people from around the world. Once you accept change, adapt to the lifestyle, and even celebrate holidays like Thanksgiving, you start to feel at home.

Coming to Canada is a big adventure filled with challenges, surprises, and learning experiences. Even though there are things I wish I had known before arriving, each lesson has helped me grow stronger and more confident. Canada may not always feel easy at first, but with patience, adaptation, and an open mind, it becomes a place where you can build a good life and feel proud of your journey.

I have been living in Canada for 3 years, and I’m still getting used to life here. Vietnam and Canada are very different in many aspects, such as size, culture, religion, food, and lifestyle.

One of the first things I noticed is that everything in Canada feels much bigger. For example: streets, roads, cities, malls, grocery stores, and even the portion sizes at the restaurants. In contrast, things in Vietnam are smaller.

Food is another big difference. In Vietnam, vegetables are generally cheaper, while in Canada, meat prices are more affordable. You can see a lot of street vendors in Vietnam offering a wide variety of street food options, not only Vietnamese dishes, but also Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Indian, and Taiwanese street foods at reasonable prices. In Canada, there are many fast food chains like McDonald’s, KFC, Tim Hortons and Starbucks…

Cultural behaviour is also different. In Canada, people often say “sorry” even for very small things. At first, I found it surprising, but I’ve come to understand it’s more of a polite cultural habit rather than a serious apology. In Vietnam, saying “sorry” usually means some problems have happened.

The weather difference also affects the way buildings are constructed. In Canada, most homes are fully enclosed with tightly sealed doors and windows to keep out the cold, and they include heating systems. In Vietnam, buildings are more open, they always use the AC and do not usually have a furnace because of the hot climate.

Lastly, both countries respect religious freedom. However, while churches are commonly seen across Canada, pagodas are much more prevalent in Vietnam.

First, to save money on your grocery shopping, it's essential to prepare well before going to the store.Take the time to consult the flyers of different grocery stores. to identity discounts, weekly specials and reduced price products. This step allows you to planify your meals around promotions and set a budget to avoid unnecessary expenses.

After, this step, look at the price labels by kilo or by liter to compare brands and choose the products offering the best value for money. Remember to use coupons of loyalty cards, which can help you to reduce even the further.

Finally, take a moment to check your basket to reassure yourself that your choices respect the saving goals you set.

By following these step, you will be able to do the course more strategically, intelligently and economically.

Last month, I bought a pair of shoes from an online store that seemed very reliable. The website used encrypted payment methods, which made me feel safe when entering my banking details. At first, I worried it could be a scammer site, but the store had a clear return policy and customer service contact in addition to being padlocked. Unfortunately, my account was compromised later through another unsafe link, though it wasn’t the store’s liability. Fortunately, I quickly realized this and stopped this attempt. Overall, the shopping experience was smooth and interesting.

Most people enjoy buying things. In fact, not a single day goes by without us planning to purchase a service, an item, or a good to satisfy a present or future need. From one country to another, purchasing power varies. For example, in Cameroon, my country of origin, purchasing power is very low; it is about one dollar per day. Some families live with even less, especially in rural areas. In Canada, by contrast, the average salary is about CAD 69,000 per year. It becomes easier to understand why people enjoy shopping.

Being a rational consumer, I was immediately influenced by this policy focused on increasing household purchasing power. Even though I did not yet have a source of income, my savings from back home still allowed me to treat myself a little. That is how I ended up going to a supermarket to buy some clothing in preparation for winter. Because I was apprehensive about online shopping—due to the lack of consumer protection, the risk of receiving poor-quality products, and the fear of having my bank card hacked by attackers—I had no choice but to opt for in-person shopping.

My challenge was that I had to pay using a self-checkout machine programmed for that purpose. It felt very strange to me, coming from a country that is extremely underdeveloped compared to Canada. Not wanting to embarrass myself, I had to put the items back and leave without buying anything. This experience allows me to draw the attention of policymakers to the need to strengthen the integration of newcomers through improved integration mechanisms. Such initiatives already exist, but there is room for improvement.

Black Friday is not an important day for me, because I have been a minimalist for many years. I am not a shopper or spender at all. That is because I grew up in China in the 1970’s when material well-being was not as important as it is today, so I was educated to lead a life of frugality. On the other hand, I became more and more concerned about the global environment disaster due to overproduction and overconsumption.

Nevertheless, I understand the that young people enjoy the shopping festivals like Black Friday or the Bachelor Festival in China. I really don’t want them to live a life like an old, boring old man. Their world is more colorful and prosperous. Similar to todays young people, I used to join the crowds at stores, cueing before opening time. I still remember that I was spying the big shopping mall’s last minute discount preparations on the evening before Black Friday, in order to dash to the counter of goods I wanted to buy the following morning. Actually, I am a minimalist now. I don’t throw away clothes and I use a 10-year-old car. Moreover, I repair it myself, thinking of the mountain of garbage piling up somewhere outside of town.

As a result of the above ideas, I am an advocate of “Living off Grid”. Even though I don’t know what other people would do to prictice the off grid life, I always recycle what ever is possible. I try to seal my windows and doors in winter to reduce heating costs. The goal is to save the planet. However, I have never tried to live in a wooden house far from human beings and wear fur and catch fish in a pond.

The biggest thing I don’t like is the fast fashion, because this is the most harmful way to destroy the environment and pollute nature. In China there is also fast fashion everywhere. People pile up clothes in their wardrobes. It is worse than in Canada, because people in China don’t have the habit of buying clothes in second hand stores. We used to donate them to our relatives living in the countryside, but nobody wants them any more nowadays.

The best things I bought at a discount price were 2 Timberland beanies. They cost only 10 dollars each!

Why I like shopping online

I really like shopping online. There are many reasons why I enjoy it. The first reason is that I save a lot of time time because I work and I have a busy life. Secondly, I can shop and compare prices, without spending a lot of time going to the store. Finally, online shopping also helps me save a little money because sometimes there are promotions for the first purchase and I get discounts. In short, online shopping is the best for me and it’s a trend in the new era.

Computers have made our life easier and posed threats to our life.

In a simple case, to make an appointment in any company we just need enter information of customers and save it. But we have multiple tasks to do on a computer, like using Excel to calculate, making bill payments, registering employees and products depending on a sector, distributing a different tasks by email. All of these make our life easier.

For our era, computers have a most threatening aspect, and it's to lose everything in just a second, in this century we're saving all of our information concerning business, company, customers or patients online and if there is a breakdown, we have to stay with nothing and this could put a company in danger.

Computers are changing the workplace because we have no need to do data entry on papers and imagine having thousands of appointments from Monday to Friday, this could be very hard and you could also lose some documents during the process.

Sometimes I feel challenged by computers, because of maintenance and logistics. They are made of materials so they could break because of misusing or if some water is poured on it.

Rapid development in technology, especially automation and AI make our life change so much. The appearance of smartphone has made human life change significantly. With the availability of Wi-Fi in many locations, everyone can connect with each other easily, watch a favourite film, listen to music, search information, shop online, order food so on. All of human demands can be fulfilled through a click on the smartphone.

Young people can integrate with the development of technology very quickly. More and more smartphones are increasingly becoming an essential part of their daily lives. The older people have some trouble when they mix with technology. It is very difficult to change as much as we get older. However, we must do our best to keep up with modern technology. We must not only adapt but also integrate with our children.

I think technology made our lives active, flexible, positive, and proactive. Therefore, all of us should change our habits to adapt but use the technology effectively without being too dependent on it.

Computers make my life easier because they help me finish tasks faster. For example, I can pay bills, send messages, and search for information in just a few seconds.

Computers also help me stay connected with my family and study more easily. It makes my daily life simple. Internet is here to stay. I always stay in touch with my family, and I use it every day for school, work, so I think it will always be part of our world.

In my opinion, learning computer skills is necessary today. Almost everything, from school to banking, is done online, at this point everyone should line learn at least the basics.

Computer knowledge is important for anyone looking for work today because when you apply for jobs, everything is online.

On the other hand, computers have made life feel less personal. I notice that people, often text or email instead of talking face-to-face. Computers are helpful, but sometimes they make our relationships less warm and more distant.

There is a large number of devices that technology is providing and it is impossible to live without technology today. The advancement in technology not only facilitates our lives, but offers us a more comfortable lifestyle and saves us a lot of time. In this essay, I will describe how I use technology in my daily life.

I use many devices and tools every day. For example, I use a laptop and the Internet to study from home. When I receive my payment from my work, I can open my bank account and pay all my bills from my smartphone. I also use Google Calendar to organise my daily tasks and to remember any important activities that I had planned. In addition, I can also go anywhere using Google Maps, and I am able to research anything on Google or Chat GPT. What is more, I can eat from any restaurant in the city without leaving my home, just by calling or making an online order and then the food is at my door. Finally, I can easily communicate with my friends and family using WhatsApp, Viber or Facebook and Instagram.

In summary, technology helps save time, and provides me with comfort and convenience. I am able to do more things from the comfort of my home and I can easily communicate and interact with people far away or close by anytime.

Learning English today is easier with technology devices like personal computers, smart phone and tablets, which I use to facilitate my English language learning. The main device that helps me to learn English is my PC computer. For example, I use it to attend my English classes, do my homework, and research everything I need to complement my learning. On my computer, I use lots of online websites and platforms, such as Zoom and Teams to communicate and share my screen with my teachers. In addition, I use Google Docs to do my homework because it’s easy to share and get feedback from my teacher. Other specific LMS platforms from my English program are for example Elli, Avenue, and LINC Home Study Modules, which I am using every week for reading, listening, pronunciation and writing as part of my English lessons. In addition to the above mentioned websites, I often use You Tube to watch videos about grammar, or other videos for fun and learning like TED Talk, CBC News, etc. Lastly, I am also using platforms for listening to audiobooks in English like Spotify and Kindle for reading books. In conclusion, all these websites, programs, platforms and devices have been facilitating and helping me a lot to improve my English skills.

The city where I was born was São Paulo, Brazil, the capital. It is considered one of the largest metropolises in the world, with almost 12 million inhabitants. Life there is intense, culturally rich and diverse, because it welcomes people from all regions of Brazil, which is also a country with very distinct cultures in each of its regions. Besides its native population, it received people from different parts of the world during colonization. São Paulo shows these cultural contrasts very clearly. However, most of its natives have some African, Portuguese, and Italian ancestry.

It is a cosmopolitan city and, because of that, a financial and commercial center. This creates a stressful atmosphere due to constant transformation and development. It is also a city marked by a deep gap between social classes. The result is a tension between urban violence and the effort to live a better life. It is, at the very least, interesting.

Known as a city that never stops, it has an endless nightlife, full of bars and restaurants with strong gastronomic expression from all regions of Brazil and also from the world, but it is especially recognized for the strong influence of Italian cuisine. In addition, it has important tourist attractions such as the Ipiranga Museum, the Latin America Memorial, the São Paulo Art Gallery, and Ibirapuera Park. São Paulo is an intense and diverse city that deserves to be visited.

I have planned to travel to Belgium to visit my brother and his family. Also I hope to meet my relatives and friends that I’m really miss them very much. After visiting them, I plan to travel around Belgium and to nearby countries, especially Germany. I would like to drive on the famous German highway that there is no speed limit. However, I know that all these plans come with a cost that I can’t afford right now. I hope I can afford all these costs by next year, so that I can make this trip happen. But as I am seeing my current economic situation, it seems almost impossible to make this trip. Anyway, I won’t lose my hope. I will do my best to make this trip happen. I am going to buy a lottery ticket, if I win the big prize which is more than 50 million Dollars, and if you wish to visit from Europe, I will pay all the costs for your trip. Just pray for me to win the dreaming prize.

After getting my Canadian passport, my daughter and I decided to fly to California, San Diego due to visit my best friend who was battling cancer. after arriving at San Diego airport, she picked us up took us to see the famous and popular places, where we had a great time and varieties restaurants with the delicious foods. We spent wonderful time together, we were surprised by her husband who performed a lot of magic very nights, they were fun for us. It was the best trip of my life.

Last year my husband joined me in Cameroon to visit my native Village. He joined me in Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon, and we took a bus to Dschang, my native Village. The travel was very long but fun. Once we arrived in Dschang, we first looked for a hotel to sleep. The next day we visited several places in Dschang, such as the municipal lake, the university, we even went to see the waterfalls in neighboring villages. it was really pretty. We also had the opportunity to enter the fisherman's boats to go with them to catch fish. This was very scary because I don't like this kind of activity, but my husband does. At the end of our trip we had too much fun there, and I think we will do it again if the opportunity arises.

A special place I have visited was in Ethiopia. I went to a museum and everything was interesting. I wondered why everything was special. My favourite part was they had things that were made from clay. This place was special for me because I never went to this kind of place before.

I began my career overseas as a Registered Physiotherapist, earning my Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy and later pursuing a Master of Public Health. For eight years, I worked as a clinician and educator - roles that taught me empathy, discipline, and how to understand people beyond their symptoms.

But after almost a decade in the medical field, I felt myself being called toward a different path. I didn’t leave because I no longer loved the work; I left because I wanted to grow in ways the clinic couldn’t offer me. So, in 2012, I traded my scrubs for a suit and stepped into the world of business and leadership. In that transition, I discovered a lesson etched deeply into every reinvention: before you rise, you bow. Before you are rewarded, you are humbled.

Over time, I took on roles that challenged me to expand my skills, sharpen my judgment, and embrace the realities of guiding people and making decisions that matter. My move to Canada in 2020 marked another chapter of reinvention - one where I continued my learning through certified courses in Business Ethics and Management while adapting to life in a new country.

Today, I serve as the VP for Administration and Finance at a company founded by my husband, where I lead with a simple philosophy: a company should outlive its founder, and leadership must always be anchored in empathy, integrity, and purpose.

If there is one thing my journey has taught me, it’s that reinvention is not about abandoning who you once were; it’s about expanding who you can become.

My experiences in the world of business have shaped my belief that entrepreneurs don’t just build companies—they solve people’s problems and add value to the world. To me, business is not rocket science. You don’t need an MBA or any business-related degree to succeed because the classroom and the real world are not the same. In the real world of business, it is crucial to have character, purpose, and a lot of common sense. Everything else is secondary.

From physiotherapy rooms to boardrooms, I learned that reinvention is not a restart—it’s a progression into the person you were always meant to be.