You asked, here’s the answers

Last Tuesday, I asked my readers what they would like to know about me.  Fortunately, I had no crazy questions I would have felt weird to answer!  Thank you so much for participating.  I really enjoyed reading your comments and answering your questions (14).  I couldn’t pick 10 questions so, I chose to answer all of them.

Questions from Mam

1- What is your favourite experience so far in Australia?

So many it’s hard to choose!  But, I can tell you what I like most about Australia: the fact the nearest beach is less than 30 minutes away by car (even though I don’t go often, I know it’s there and it makes me feel happy!)  This is something I didn’t have back in Montreal.

2- What can Australians learn from Canadians?

How to build roads!  Seriously, there are far too many roundabouts, traffic lights placed in weird places and, I don’t claim to be a road expert, but bicycle tracks should be placed along the footpath followed by parked cars and then, the road.

Question from Jacana

3- Can you share some of the cultural experiences (that you have learnt or done) from your Lebanese parents?

My parents gave me the love of Arabic music, baladi and Lebanese folkloric dancing.  As far as I can remember, there was always Lebanese music in the background when my mother was cooking or cleaning the house.  They also gave me the love of traditional food and home cooked meals.  And they taught me to speak Arabic, a gift I will always be grateful for.  Finally, they gave me the love of Lebanon by telling me tales about this country and, even though I was born and raised in Canada, I always felt a very deep connection with this country.

Question from Annaleis at Teapots and Tractors

4- I’d like to know what your favourite craft is and what craft do you find the most challenging?

I love scrapbooking but, my favourite craft is knitting.  The craft I find the most challenging is crochet.  I just can’t understand how to do it.  But I still want to learn it one day or the other…

Question from Emily at Have a laugh on me

5- Why is there such a rivalry between Canada and the U.S.?

I don’t think it’s a rivalry but more a sense of patriotism Canadians feel toward their country.  They don’t want to be mistaken for Americans because they are attached to where they come from and are loyal to their country.

Now, regarding French Canadians, it’s another story all together.  We have our own culture, music, language, food and these are only few aspects that distinguish us dramatically from the rest of Canada and the U.S.

Question from Happylan

6- Have you written any more poems? Or alternatively, do you have a favourite poet or poem from someone else to share.

I have not written any other poems after The Volcano.  I’m trying to focus on finishing and editing my novel.

A few months ago, Kylie over at A Study in Contradictions wrote Empty Contradictions.  I really loved her poem and I could see myself in her words.

One of my favourite writer/poet is Gibran Khalil Gibran.

Questions from Kirsty at My Home Truths

7- I’d like to know what you like the most about blogging.

What I like the most about blogging is the sense of community and the ability to connect with others.  I love reading the stories of other bloggers, sharing their feelings and get to know them.  I love sharing my own stories and knowing that people are reading them.

8- What has been your most rewarding experience as a blogger?

There is not specifically one most rewarding experience.  In fact, I have an incredible feeling of satisfaction each time I take my courage and press “publish”.  Also, I feel blissful when someone out there think it is worth to take some of his/her time to stop by my blog, read my posts and comment.

Question from Twitchy at Twitchy Corner

9- What is your most perplexing/horrifying/amusing (pick one) Aussie custom?

It’s not really a custom but the most perplexing thing about Australia for me was to drive on the left-hand side (In Canada, we drive on the right-hand side).  It took me so long to get used to it and I was so scared to drive here until I had no choice due to a work placement I had in Ballarat.  I remember being so nervous and looking everywhere to see where the cars were coming from!

The most horrifying…  Vegemite!  I’m not exaggerating!  I just don’t get how Australians can eat that!

Questions from Becc at Take Charge now

10- What is the thing you miss most about home?

I miss my parents very much; I miss my brothers, their wives and my niece and nephews heaps.  And, I miss my friends more than words can say.  I feel sad when I think I’m not a part of my nephews, niece and children of my friends’ everyday life.  For them, I’m just a distant auntie they see once a while on the computer and who send gifts sometimes…

11- What is the best part about the move to Australia?

I’m with the man I love and we have a beautiful relationship.  If I had the choice, I will do it all over again even though it is a huge challenge.

Also, I can’t help but think moving to Australia allowed me to realise my dream of writing.  Perhaps, if I had stayed in Canada, I would have continued to work as a lawyer and would have forgotten all about my dream.

And, I love the weather (most of the time) here, especially the fact that there’s no snow, ice and cold in winter time!

Question from Min at Min’s Mash

12- I’d like to know how on earth you have learnt English so quickly – not just to speak but to write in English – when French is your native language.

It took me a while to be able to communicate in English fluently.  When I came to Australia in 2009, I had only basic English.  In 2010, I did a first English course for migrants which was provided by the government of Australia.  Then, I did another English course called English for Academic Purposes at RMIT University.  When I completed this course, I felt comfortable to speak in English and I was also able to write in this language.  Finally, I did a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism at RMIT and it brought my writing to a higher level.

For me, it was a long process to learn English.  Until now, I don’t feel a hundred per cent comfortable writing in this language.  I look up words and translations often and I proofread my posts at least 10 times before hitting publish!  And then, I read them again!

Question from Kaz and Ang at Melting Moments

13- I want to know, what is a recipe that has been passed on to you from family that you really love?

It’s very hard to choose only one but if I must, I’ll choose two!  First, the recipe Peas and rice reminds me home every time I cook it.  Also, a dip called “Labne” my dad makes every morning back in Canada!

Question from Claudia

14- My question is in what language your mind thinks before talking or writing? And explain why.

Generally speaking, I think in French.  But, I realised that slowly, slowly I am starting to think in English because this is the language I use the most now.

Wow!  That was quite a fun and interesting exercise!  Thank you again for participating.  And now, I’m tagging all my readers and all IBOT’ers to do the same: would you dare asking your readers on your blog what they want to know about you?  If you play along, let me know so I can come and visit your blog!

Linking this post with Jess over at Essentially Jess for I Blog on Tuesdays.

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Tagged as: Australia, Canada, expatriate, Lebanon, questions