Dear followers, I am sorry I haven’t updated this blog in almost two years. If you miss me, you can follow the weekly blog I write for The Press newspaper in Christchurch, New Zealand: Chez Cecile. You remember my friend Andrew? Well we started a blog where we share our obsession with podcasts. It’s called podcastpals.net because … Continue reading
100 posts, a new blog, and an article in the paper
It took me more than two years to write 100 posts. I learned to write on this blog, made friends through it, and had a lot of fun. Coming up with ideas and getting them out here regularly wasn’t easy. But feeling connected to my friends, family, other bloggers, and even total strangers has been … Continue reading
Always Look On The Left Side Of Life
It’s hard to focus on the bright side of life when you’re too busy trying to be perfect. My first two weeks of university have been challenging, exciting, interesting, and overwhelming. That on top of coming to the other side of the world, painting and cleaning a new house, switching on to the news, trying to … Continue reading
The Dream Is Not In The House
I used to live in a dream house before my parents divorced. It was a dream house because it was made of stones, had a fireplace, and a sunny terrace with hammocks on it. The house was in Villefranche sur Mer on the hills above the sea. From there, we could see the bay and … Continue reading
The Risks Of Writing
Have you ever wanted to send an email, write a blogpost or even just a Facebook update, but decided not to? I once sat in a train across from a guy who was completely absorbed in the writing of a letter. It was clearly a love letter: the feverish focus on his face, the insecure … Continue reading
Postcards From Australia
I’d love to give you some exciting updates about my new life in New Zealand, but I’m still completely buzzed from all my travels and the whole moving to the other side of the world thing. I just came back from a little holiday in Australia where I met up with my sister Flora. She’s on … Continue reading
Is it supposed to feel that way?
Have you ever had the impression of being a spectator watching the movie of your own life? Sometimes, I can’t help observing myself like I would observe a character in a movie and wonder: ‘Am I supposed to feel that way?’ Sitting at a funeral, not feeling anything, wishing you could cry but you can’t. … Continue reading
A Little Break, a Big Tree, and a Fat List of Resolutions
Have you ever had this impression of not being able to create anything right? I drafted two posts this week and none of them expressed what I wanted to say. Being in a creative rut is usually a sign that I need a break. Nick and I are spent after two intense weeks of sorting out … Continue reading
Happiness Is Not In The Box
Before buying anything new, I ask myself: “Will buying this make me happier?” Despite this habit, all the things I accumulated without even realising it are resurfacing today in a big mess. I have 6 days left in Zurich and a flat full of boxes and half assembled furniture. Getting ready to move reminded me that … Continue reading
I Already Miss Switzerland
Since Nick and I decided to leave Switzerland, I’ve started mourning my family, my friends, and all the wonderful Swiss things I’ll miss in New Zealand. It’s a confusing feeling to start missing things and people you still have access to. It’s like my brain decided to start processing the inevitable nostalgia waiting for me … Continue reading
Countdown to Success
Four weeks ago, I posted the draft of my application essay to a graduate diploma in journalism here on my blog, used your comments to improve it, and sent it off. It was good enough to earn me a Skype interview. And so the countdown to the interview started. . I will now switch to the present … Continue reading
Capturing Falling Leaves Forever
Every Autumn, I feel an urge to collect all the yellow, brown, and red leaves scattered on the ground- I know they will soon be gone. That’s probably why I love Fall photos so much: they capture the ephemeral falling leaves and changing colours forever. Many bloggers have shared incredible Autumn photos posts: check out this … Continue reading
How I Became A Better Person
When I arrived in Switzerland, I paid for my train tickets once every four times, stole candy and drinks in the supermarket, and arrived minimum 5 minutes late to all my appointments. I was quite a bad person. Three and a half years later, I have a train pass, I pay for the food I … Continue reading
Brownilocks
Once upon a time there was a girI named Brownilocks. She had curly brown hair and was extraordinarily clever. She grew up in Nice: a beautiful, colourful place with an azure sea, green pines, and yellow, orange and red houses. Brownilocks loved her hometown, but she also wanted to explore the world. She thought for … Continue reading
Just Sit Down And Write (2)
Part 1: Getting started Part 2: Rewriting & Editing What’s the most important thing in writing? Is it syntax, rhythm, organization, the very words? None of the above. The most important thing in writing is the meaning. We forget this all the time. We should be obsessing about what we’re going to say, not how … Continue reading
Just Sit Down And Write
As an avid reader of books and tips on writing, I’ve always hoped to find the secret formula to make me good at writing through other writers’ words. By sharing the best tips I’ve found so far, I hope to internalise them for good. If I can help others in the process, all the better! … Continue reading
New Zealand Sneak Preview
I won’t have time for a carefully crafted story this week as I’m buried under an avalanche of administrative tasks to complete. I received amazing feedback about my application essay for the journalism program– supportive comments, constructive criticism, detailed emails, grammar corrections, suggestions… Thank you all so much for that! I took note of every … Continue reading
Next Stop: Journalism School
I’m working on my application to the graduate diploma in journalism from Canterbury University in Christchurch, New Zealand. Only 20 students will be admitted for next year’s session starting in February 2013. I really, REALLY want to get in. The thought of becoming a journalist has been germinating in my head for over a year now … Continue reading
Love, Risks and Adventure
“What do you mean you’re not sure you could live in New Zealand?” Asked Nick, my Kiwi fiancé, 3 months ago. “When we started dating, you said you could totally imagine a life there.” “I know I said that,” I replied. “But when I met you I’d just arrived in Switzerland; I had no friends, … Continue reading
Don’t Forget Fun
When I’m absorbed in a task, focused on the goals I’m trying to achieve, I forget about fun. What a mistake! Laughter is healthy– it strengthens the immune system, boosts energy, soothes pain, and diminishes stress. A good laugh relaxes me more than meditation and yoga combined. I just have to remember to have fun. How … Continue reading
Trying to be Conscious 