Tag: 150th birthday

#Chronicle150 — 150 Truly Canadian Stories for its 150th Birthday — #36, Nikki Yeh, Journalist/Admin, Adventures in Baby Savings

Hello, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome back to the #Chronicle150, where we strive to find 150 Canadian stories to commemorate this nation’s 150th birthday!

The series took a break for a while—you wouldn’t believe how much is going on here behind the scenes—but it’s high time this project got back on track, and I’m doing that with a piece from Nikki Yeh.

Nikki’s a journalist who was a year above me in high school—I remember seeing her name in print early on in publications like The Mississauga News. Nikki’s #Chronicle150 entry touches on a few themes I’ve returned to time and time again while crafting this series: struggling to develop an identity beyond your race. The multigenerational grind to develop a better future for those who follow. And—of course—some of the reasons why we stay in Canada, like the value we place on family life.

Nikki’s answers hold things many of us can relate to—perhaps they’ll give you pause to reflect on your life and what needed to happen to make you who you are today.

Enjoy the read and until the next,

–case p.

Who are you and what are you all about?

I tell it like it is – many would say I’m honest, humble, a good listener and a huge pop culture fan (Riverdale, anyone?). I wear many hats as a writer, editor, dance and gymnastics instructor, proud wife and Mom. My time’s currently divided between freelance projects, managing my Facebook group Adventures in Baby Savings, playing trucks with my two-year-old son and helping my 6-year-old daughter count nickels and dimes.

What makes you so Canadian?

Nikki on her wedding day in 2009, wearing her grandmother’s Chinese dress for a traditional tea ceremony.

Here’s something many don’t know about me: I seldom cared about being Canadian until a few years ago. I used to roll my eyes at the thought of Canadian history, deeming July 1st as “Barbeque and Booze Day.” But after digging into the history of both my maternal and paternal families, it’s hard to deny my Canadian roots.

Hailing from rural China, my paternal great-grandfather – my grandmother’s father, Gee Sing – was a Chinese labour worker in the 1880s for the Canadian Pacific Railway, surviving in poor conditions to improve the future of his family. My dad’s father, Tin Yeh, was one of the first group of students from China to study at the University of Toronto after World War II. Then there’s my Mom’s family – the Yuens, consisting of my Mom’s parents, two sisters and herself – as the first Chinese family to reside in Brampton, Ontario, in the ’60s. (They were even interviewed for their local newspaper!)

Sure, I’m physically Chinese. But for me, being born in Canada isn’t what makes me Canadian. It’s how my family made sacrifices and overcame hardships so that their future generations could thrive in this country.

CONTINUE READING Nikki’s story for the #Chronicle150! “#Chronicle150 — 150 Truly Canadian Stories for its 150th Birthday — #36, Nikki Yeh, Journalist/Admin, Adventures in Baby Savings”

#Chronicle150 — 150 Truly Canadian Stories for its 150th Birthday — #35, Pauleanna Reid, Motivational Speaker, Millennial Mentor, Celebrity/CEO Ghostwriter, Author, Everything I Couldn’t Tell My Mother

Gotta say—I thought I’d struck Pauleanna’s nerve in my hunt for Tales contributors. She’d told me she was too busy when I pressed her with one of my emails, but one brief look at her résumé will tell you that’s exactly what she was!

Pauleanna’s ode to her country shows a lot of growth—many of us born here take this land for granted, not fully realising that life’s a lot harder in many countries around the world. My journeys have taken me many places—Maasai huts in Tanzania. Cockroach-ridden buses in Compton. From mountaintops to back-alley shops, I’ve witnessed huge swaths of the human condition, which is why I embrace home with open arms every time I come back!

It’s easy to forget how good you’ve got it when you stay inside your comfort zone for too long, and I think Pauleanna’s piece is a good reminder for us to take stock of these Canadian lives, seeing what we can do to better those who live their lives without.

Enjoy Pauleanna’s piece, and we’ll see you at the next #Chronicle150!

Until then,

–case p.

Who are you and what are you all about?

I’m a multi-passionate entrepreneur on a mission to help young women and girls see beyond the limits of their circumstances and create a life they love. I’m also a motivational speaker and nationally published journalist of the best-selling book Everything I Couldn’t Tell My Mother, the founder of New Girl on the Block Inc., a mentorship program that’s way sicker than your average. In the end, I manage a lot, but every passion project is well worth it!

What makes you so Canadian?

As a Canadian citizen, I was very fortunate to have access to many tools that may not be awarded in other countries. One of the biggest things that really served a purpose in my life was getting healthcare when it came to dealing with my mental health. I was grateful to overcome my depression and anxiety and have Canada to thank for it! Growing up in a Caribbean household has helped me get closer to my parents’ roots, but being born in Canada gave me a lifeline to many opportunities to help empower and change people’s lives.

Continue reading “#Chronicle150 — 150 Truly Canadian Stories for its 150th Birthday — #35, Pauleanna Reid, Motivational Speaker, Millennial Mentor, Celebrity/CEO Ghostwriter, Author, Everything I Couldn’t Tell My Mother”

#Chronicle150 — 150 Truly Canadian Stories for its 150th Birthday — #34, Talia Leacock, Storyteller

For the #Chronicle150, one thing I really appreciate is when people don’t feel forced to stick to the script.

I met Talia when scouting contributors for this year’s Tales from the 2.9, quickly intrigued when I realised she holds a degree in professional writing from York University!

I’ve developed a real love for the craft over the years, so I immediately respect when others show the same, and I think you’ll see it in Talia’s piece for the #Chronicle150—those years of investment shining through in the story of how she came to Canada and the path to where she is now!

I hope you enjoy Talia’s post below—it’s a great read!

We’ll see you tomorrow for the next post in the #Chronicle150!

Until then,

–case p.

My earliest memory of Canada includes a strange collection of items that are surely not uniquely Canadian, but in my mind, are inextricably linked to Canada—flurries, capri pants, and Swedish meatballs.

My family and I moved here sort of accidentally in the fall of 2002. After more than 18 hours driving from Kissimmee, Florida to Toronto to visit my stepfather’s sister and renew his Canadian passport, complications with U.S. immigration led to an unexpected resettlement. Goodbye, Florida sun. Hello, Canadian chill.

It was October, to be exact, during one of those years when winter crept in early. Lawns were still covered in red, yellow and orange leaves, shaken from the trees by gusts of wind that were colder than any breeze I had ever experienced. Before Florida, I had only lived in my homeland, Barbados, so Canada’s chilly temperatures were a first for me. I was fascinated by the sight of my breath suspended in the cool autumn air. I took every opportunity I could get to stand outside and puff little clouds out above my head.

Continue reading “#Chronicle150 — 150 Truly Canadian Stories for its 150th Birthday — #34, Talia Leacock, Storyteller”

#Chronicle150 — 150 Truly Canadian Stories for its 150th Birthday — #33, Grace Pan, Social Media Influencer, Event Planner, PR Consultant, Instagrammer, @Phone.Eats.First

Grace Pan is very likely my favourite foodstagrammer in this city.

There. I said it.

We met under… less than ideal circumstances (just saying, when a person you just met is willing to sift through garbage to help you find your wedding ring—friend for life), but I’m entirely glad to include her in my life.

In a world oversaturated by the same names with the same game, seeing them over and over again, Grace seemed to come out of left field with her stunning visuals, reminding me there was still a world of people doing things I hadn’t yet experienced, and I can’t thank her enough for that.

Grace’s approaches her post the same way she photographs food—focusing on the broad range of colours, textures and stories you’ll find across Canada. Canada is not simply the part of the country you’re currently in—there’s a ton to experience across these 9.985 million square kilometres we call home, and I think Grace’s post does a great job of reminding us!

Hope you enjoy it, and we’ll see you tomorrow for the next #Chronicle150!

Until then,

–case p.

Who are you and what are you all about?

My friends call me Grizzy, Grake, Gracie… you name it (they’re probably just tired of auto correct constantly changing ‘Grace’ to ‘Grave’ LOL)! An ordinary day for me consists of producing digital content for brands, planning events, and capturing the most Insta-worthy shot. On top of that, I’m also a full-time university student.

What makes you so Canadian?

Sometimes I say “sorry” more than I should, or awkwardly hold the door for someone who’s a little too far behind (then they end up running over and here comes the endless ‘thank yous’s and ‘sorry’s). I owe my Canadian-ness to the amazing friends I have who come from many ethnic backgrounds. The diversity seems to only make us closer and appreciate each other more.

I also like to drizzle maple syrup on my poutine, does it get any more Canadian than that?

If you could distill your world to one story or moment that truly defines what being Canadian means to you, what would it be?

2017 marks the 10-year anniversary of my family’s journey in Toronto and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunities and experiences. I was in elementary school when we immigrated to Canada, I knew zero English, and somehow, I still managed to make friends. At that moment, I knew I wanted to do the same for newcomers I meet to make them feel like home. Being a Canadian to me means being welcoming, inclusive, accepting.

This is Canada today after 150 years. Where would you like to see it go from here on out?

I’d love to see schools all over Canada spend more time to embrace the differences among us and show students how different physical attributes don’t necessarily separate us, it can bring us closer together. I hope the world will get to see more of Canada’s beauty, flavours, and culture. Just because we are younger than most other countries, doesn’t mean we are any less significant!

Finally, what’s the one thing you think the rest of the world needs to know about Canada?

I believe Canada is one of the most underrated travel destinations. We have breathtaking mountains and oceans views in Vancouver and Banff, fabulous city vibes in Toronto, so many historic sites in Ottawa, and you simply can’t walk away without trying the iconic Montreal-style smoked meat. The world NEEDS to know and experience Canada!

Grace Pan is a social media influencer, event planner, and PR consultant based in Toronto. Her Instagram @Phone.Eats.First was featured by Narcity Toronto as one of the “Top 12 Food IGs to Follow”. She loves to travel and discover hidden gems to grab a bite at; you will always find her filming with her camera or phone wherever she goes. Check out her YouTube videos here.

#Chronicle150 — 150 Truly Canadian Stories for its 150th Birthday — #32, Stan Grey, Owner, Build & Evolve

When I ran this year’s Tales from the 2.9, one of the more unexpected responses was from Ann Asher, who proposed writing a piece on a local entrepreneur to profile! There’re so many people living in this country of ours, and Stan Grey is but an example of everything Canada has to offer!

Please enjoy today’s piece and we’ll see you tomorrow for the next instalment of #Chronicle150!

Until then,

–case p.

Game-Changer: How The Internet is shaping the 21st Century Entrepreneur

Raise your hand if you had ever wanted to start your own business? Was starting this year one of your New Years resolutions? There are literally thousands of businesses that get registered in Canada every year, and according to a June 2016 Key Small Business Statistics report, of the 11.6 million Canadians currently employed as of 2015 approximately 70.5% (8.2 million Canadians) work for companies with less than 500 employees. Needless to say, small/medium enterprises (SMEs) continue to make up a significant portion of employment for many in this country. And when you factor in the variety of businesses operating exclusively online, the impact of SMEs grows considerably.

As Stan Grey would put it, the Internet has become a game-changer in its breakdown of multiple barriers-to-entry in virtually (pun intended) every industry – which, unfortunately in the past, deterred many people from exploring a career in entrepreneurship.

As a sci-fi loving, Apple product enthusiast, Stan Grey took the time to examine some of these new resources for today’s entrepreneur, and coupled his futuristic thinking with his passion for graphic design and technology to create Build & Evolve; an online business that he runs from his “corner office” literally next to his living room couch. Providing services such as web and logo designs, social media marketing, and SEO expertise, Build & Evolve works closely with SMEs to establish and/or improve their professional appeal to their consumer base, and the rest of the world.

Sitting in my living room, armed with my MacBook and voice recorder app ready on my iPhone, I wait less than five seconds for Stan Grey to answer FaceTime on his end. We see each other without any audio-visual interference or delays that would remind us that he’s all the way in Scarborough and I’m a 90-minute bus ride in Brampton conducting this interview. What does come to mind, however, is how far the Internet has come in changing the way we interact with one another in the last 25 years.

So tell us, what inspired you to start Build & Evolve?

SG: I’ve always had the mentality of running my own business, and Build & Evolve was an idea that I had come up with a year or so ago after I noticed a former classmate using his personal cell phone for his small IT consulting business, [and] didn’t have any business cards. From the outside world, the whole thing did not look professional. When he wanted my take on all of it, I was like, “Yeah, I can help you with that”. So I did some graphic designing for him, [I] did his business cards, and I just did a website for him. He was good at IT; he just didn’t know anything about making his business look professional.

In comparison to things like “Wix” and other do-it-yourself-style of online businesses where the customer can build their own platforms, how is Build & Evolve different?

SG: A lot of people don’t have the patience, the time [or] the know-how [to do it themselves] because that’s not what they do. Like, they’re into baking and [they want to] make money but they don’t know anything about how to set up their services to look good, how to create invoicing… so [that’s where] I would come in.

Continue reading “#Chronicle150 — 150 Truly Canadian Stories for its 150th Birthday — #32, Stan Grey, Owner, Build & Evolve”