Pants Not Trousers

If you find yourself with some sudden downtime or if you have too much time on your hands, Raheel and Areej offer their picks to keep you busy and entertained. Here are some suggested reads, binge-worthy shows and a couple of movies worth the two hour commitment, should you have the time to spare.

There is a reason why most travel advisories state that essential travel only is recommended. Needless to say, travelling during COVID times is complicated. Raheel and Areej talk about the preparations involved with travelling these days (mostly Canadian context) and why with all the planning, you should expect anything to happen! 

When we move away, we have lofty goals of keeping in touch often with our friends and family with promises of frequent face-times, virtual birthday parties and even being pen-pals. But in reality, it is often easier said than done. Between busy schedules and time zones, keeping in touch is a challenge and we can often feel even more disconnected from those we miss and love. With a bit of creativity, flexibility and some handy tools, the process can be made a bit easier. 

From cultural attractions and amazing London parks, Raheel and Areej talk about the best spots in London for a very local staycation. The everyday things to do around London, the abundance of green spaces and of course the food options are impressive! There are so many museums that offer different experiences and collections to enjoy, the variety and accessibility of which make them such a global and local attraction.  And worth mentioning are cemetery tours! So much more of London to discover and share. 

Raheel and Areej talk about staycation ideas just outside of London. For most of us that is all the travelling we can do this year (or will bother to do because its SO complicated to travel right now!). Whether you want a seaside vibe, a bit of nature and agriculture on a farm, or visiting some amazing castles, as much as there is a lot to do in London, there are definitely great options just outside of the city.   

There are some things in particular that Raheel and Areej miss about being home - Tim Hortons and dill pickle chips top that list. This is their chance to bring some stuff back from Canada when they finally visit this summer. They also chat about the things they will gift their family and friends that will hopefully bring a taste of Britain to them. Lots of suggestions on where to go in London for some cool gifts and places they are looking forward to visiting again when they head back home to Canada!

Dreadful things like getting a pap smear (aka smear test) that end up being surprisingly pleasant? Sometimes its worthwhile to talk through your discomfort in advance and laying it all out on the table. When is a new interest a child has border on obsession? Frankly, it sometimes feels like listening to a record on repeat, of one song over and over again. Raheel and Areej also talk about the apps that have been key to their survival in London, those that help them get around, get appointments for hair and beauty (hugely important) and even keeping health records on your phone (also pretty important).  

We have grown accustomed, and yes, quite attached to throwing on those sweats! But as we are all out and about more these days, beyond the grocery store, we want to put a little bit more effort into what we wear and help to make ourselves feel good. Raheel and Areej talk about the fashion aesthetic they see around London, and what looks they are into these days. They talk about go-to brands they enjoy, strategies for finding your look, and narrowing down what could be an overwhelming (but highly enjoyable) shopping expedition through a bit of forward planning. 

As most of us know, it is really hard to get to know new people and put yourself out there. For many, it causes real anxiety, similar to public speaking. Raheel and Areej talk through their social fears and ways they try to overcome them. Socializing and making friends in general comes a bit easier to Raheel and she shares why creating connections with people is and can be a natural thing. Areej relies on natural social networks which can be helpful. Although it would be nice to strike up conversation without an irrational fear of getting a nasty look and that person running fast in the opposite direction! 

Ahh that question that we all ask, and have been asked at several points in our lives "What do you do?" Areej and Raheel talk about the complexity of this question and how we define our careers. This goes back to when they had conventional (paying) jobs before moving to the UK, and careers they are exploring here as expats. They have jobs, the most important (and hardest) job in the world; managing a household and shaping human beings for the future, yet there is no job title to reference and certainly no vacation days!