Book Inheritance

Today is my father's 75th birthday! Remembering here a celebration 10 years prior. I'm proud of my old man! #courage #discipline #heroism

Preface: A version of this text first appeared in Discovering Ratchet (the now-defunct blog) on February 12, 2015, under the title “A tribute to my old man“. It is reproduced here, with minor edits. Yesterday, 4 days shy of his 65th birthday, my father worked his last day, and started his retirement. After 38 years working a blue-collar job at the same company, a metal shop, he is finally…

Ever struggled with writer's block? Discover how I'm learning to balance structure with creativity and finding my voice in the process. Join me on this journey of self-discovery and storytelling. #WritingJourney #Creativity #WritersBlock

I’ve been struggling with massive writer’s block lately. I wouldn’t say it is imposter syndrome: I’ve been touched by how supportive and encouraging the bright minds in the EMBA program have been every time I’ve shyly shared my writing goals and aspirations. It is easy to have big dreams when surrounded by the brightest of minds, each of whom is dreaming the biggest of dreams. It does contain…

Reflecting on my last Mother's Day with my mom in 2012, it's more than a celebration; it's cherishing every moment with our loved ones. Let's honor the unconditional love and sacrifices of our mothers. 💖 #MothersDay #GratitudeForMom #LoveEndures

Preface: A version of this text first appeared in Discovering Ratchet (the now-defunct blog) on May 14, 2017. It is reproduced here, with minor edits. I never understood Mother’s Day growing up. I understood Father’s Day even less. Like, why bother? Y’all are my parents every day, so why are we gonna pretend one day is more important than all the others? I was a brat, can you tell? I did a…

Explore how Ryszard Kapuściński's literary journalism bridges cultural divides. Dive into stories that connect us to the 'other' and enrich our understanding of the world. #MagicJournalism #CulturalUnderstanding 🌍📚

An introduction to literary or magic journalism Ryszard Kapuściński (1932-2007), a Polish journalist, poet, photographer, and author, was renowned for his travel reporting and writings on the African coups and revolutions during the decolonization of the 1960s and 1970s, as well as his coverage in South America and Asia. Throughout his career, Kapuściński witnessed 27 revolutions and coups, was…

Honouring my grandmother's wish, our family formed a choir to sing at her funeral. A true testament to our roots and the power of music. #FamilyHeritage #MusicalTribute #RussianChanting

Preface: A version of this text first appeared in Discovering Ratchet (the now-defunct blog) on July 13, 2018, with the title “A Little Russian with Your Chanting?”. It is reproduced here, with minor edits. My grandmother wanted a hymn, the Song of Simeon the God-Bearer, to be sung at her burial by an all-male choir. When she told my uncle of this wish a few years back, he pointed out that in…

Exploring the power of routine in mental health struggles through the simple act of doing the dishes. A personal tale of finding strength and resilience. #MentalHealth #Resilience #SelfCare

I always know when my mental health is deteriorating: my self-management falls apart. It starts with errands piling up, a schedule of gridlocked anxiety. Next, my social life erodes, marked by broken promises and unexplained absences. Housework is avoided until I’m too ashamed to answer the doorbell. Getting dressed is less of an issue now, ever since working from home became pervasive and…

A rational decision & some irrational doubts In 2022, I was at a crossroads. I was stuck in my career, fed up of living with the conviction that there was more to life than what I was squeezing out of it. I decided to go back to school. I debated between two possibilities, with similar costs: A Masters in Fine Arts (MFA), Creative Writing, from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland: 2 years…

Rediscovering Stephen King's "On Writing" after a 6-year hiatus. From pandemic reflections to an EMBA class, join me on a journey of embracing creativity, facing fears, and the disciplined pursuit of writing. #StephenKing #OnWriting #WritingJourney

6 years of avoidance A friend gave me Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft in 2018. The timing was ironic: I was in the midst of a self-inflicted professional fall-out triggered by my former blog. Soon after, I made the decision to put my career over my voice. I hid On Writing at the back of one of my bookshelves. It was a painful reminder of what might have been. Then the pandemic…

Exploring the power of a live performance of Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House.

My one true love I remember the first time I fell in love with ballet. I was 6 years old, watching our ballet teacher lose her temper. Let’s assume it was a Saturday morning. Mme Mansour had reached the breaking point with our class, a bunch of brats in pink leotards seemingly incapable of standing in a straight diagonal line. This was the first time I was witnessing an adult lose their temper…

When a memory is forgotten until it is jolted back to life with a sound or a smell...

Preface: A version of this text first appeared in Discovering Ratchet (the now-defunct blog) on July 15, 2015. It is reproduced here, with minor edits. In Montreal, it is not infrequent to hear amateur musicians playing in the metro stations. I heard this piece played (badly) recently, as I was travelling home from the gym. It’s a funny thing, memory. I’ve been a pro at blocking out any memory…

The "why" behind this blog.

Preface: One of the elective courses of the Kellogg-Schulich Executive MBA is “Selling Yourself and Your Ideas”. I expected it to be a class on Sales, with a heavy emphasis on communication. Instead, it turned out to be a weeklong study in the art of storytelling. On our last day (February 23, 2024), each student was called to give a 3-minute story presentation. This was mine. I chose my…

Diving into my mom's beloved detective novels, I've rediscovered comfort in their pages. "Whose Body?" by Dorothy L. Sayers reignites my love for the genre's charm. 🕵️‍♂️💼 Join me in this cozy literary journey. #DetectiveNovels #CozyReads #BookLove

Britannophiles, unite! Money wasn’t scarce growing up, but it also didn’t grow on trees. Movie theatres were a rarity: we waited until the release on VHS. The only “official” movies we had were gifts. Rarely, very rarely, we would rent a film from the local video rental shop – before it turned into a Blockbuster – but more often, we would borrow films from our favorite library. In order to be…

Exploring wisdom from 'The Screwtape Letters' and my grandparents' stories in times of uncertainty. How have books shaped your view on life's challenges? Join the conversation. #CSLewis #LifeLessons #FamilyWisdom"

Preface: A version of this text first appeared in Discovering Ratchet (the now almost-defunct blog) on January 17, 2017. It is reproduced here, with no edits. Daily Bread: a Lesson from my Baba I’ve been remembering my grandparents a lot lately (all of them born and raised in Europe/Russia during the revolution and WWII). They too lived through days where a democratically elected government…

Discover how C.S. Lewis' 'Screwtape Letters' profoundly influenced my journey – reflections from 2017 and a fresh perspective in 2024. Join me in exploring how this timeless book shaped my outlook. #FamilyHistory #CSLewis #LifeLessons #ScrewtapeLetters

Preface: A version of this text first appeared in Discovering Ratchet (the now almost-defunct blog) on January 17, 2017. It is reproduced here, with no edits. I’ve included an afterword, with updated thoughts. Daily Bread: a Lesson from my Baba I’ve been remembering my grandparents a lot lately (all of them born and raised in Europe/Russia during the revolution and WWII). They too lived through…

Explore how Georgette Heyer’s novels shaped family dinners and left a lasting impact on my life, blending historical romance with sharp wit, to create memories of shared laughter and companionship. #GeorgetteHeyer #FamilyTraditions #HistoricalRomance

My mother’s health was very poor. Suffering from chronic pain disorders and insomnia, she would get up around noon, and spend the entire afternoon preparing supper slowly, with many breaks to rest. She would breakfast late, and graze as she cooked; by 6pm when we would sit down to eat, she wasn’t hungry. My father was bone-tired and famished, due to his physically demanding job as a welder, and…

New Year, More Money! Explore my journey with 'The Psychology of Money' by Morgan Housel and how its lessons on financial understanding can reshape your approach to money.

Solo NYE: A Tradition of Intentionality 5 years ago, I began a new tradition: spending New Year’s Eve alone. I typically carve out 2-3 days to reflect upon the year that is ending, acknowledge the highs and the lows, and forgive myself for the mistakes I’ve made. I then work through what I want the new year to feel like, especially in contrast to the emotions I’ve just sorted through for the…

📚 On a quest for perfect kids' books (5-10 yrs)! Rediscover the joy of children's stories in my latest post, featuring 'The Umbrella's Story'. #ChildrensBooks #AuntieJuneFinds #ReadingAdventure #Bookworms

I am the cool auntie. And with that privilege comes the responsibility of nailing holiday shopping and buying the best presents for my nieces and nephews. And what are the best presents? Books, obviously! However, navigating the maze of age-appropriate books for children is no easy feat. I am very clear on what are baby-appropriate books, easily identified as “books” that don’t have paper pages.…