Best Wishes from Toronto

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season

Wintry Toronto

It was a magical day with snow flakes swirling around, spreading a thick fog over the city, covering everything in white. Yes, I know it's not fun when you're driving blindly into a sheet of snow, or struggling against an icy wind blasting across your face. But when you're walking, and dressed warmly, it's truly awesome to be out there against the elements, and watch the snow transform the city ...

In the park, children were tobogganing, their thrilled laughter echoing in the fresh snowfall. On the sidewalk, an older woman was trying to cover her face from the wind, and slipping on the snow. I gave her a hand and led her to the store, and she was all smiles. A passer-by with a bouncy step grinned, telling me in her caribbean accent how much she loved snow. We winked at each other with an unspoken understanding.

She probably gets asked as often as I do how I could bear the cold north when I was born on a sunny island. With the creative opportunities and freedom that Canada offers, winter is easy to bear. I don't miss the continuous tropical heat as I love the change of seasons, spring's blossoms, summer's lush greens, fall's colourful leaves, winter's snow flurries ... they inspire me to no end.

I love you, Toronto

There's something about the cold weather that makes me want to get cosy and warm at home, but there's so much to do in Toronto that I'm often willing to brave the cold. So many artists, musicians, writers, dancers, actors, filmmakers are spreading their creative and innovative vibes throughout the city that it's often hard to choose which event to go to. From neighbourhood restaurants and bars that feature musicians, and artists' work to contemporary operas and documentary screenings, the choice is endless. 

While walking by Queen Street the other night, and watching skaters gliding gracefully on the ice rink with our City Hall standing behind them against the sky, like some sci-fi building about to lift up, I thought of  how much this city means to me. So grateful to live in this cultural hub and its multicultural diversity. Toronto has offered me the freedom, and opportunity to be an artist, photographer and writer who can make a living from her art. And the people who live in this city, the kindness of friends I've made over the years have inspired me immensely.  I love you, Toronto.

Photography Exhibition and Book Signing of Island Lovers - Poems and Images of Mauritius

Photography Exhibition and Book Signing of Island Lovers

Stella’s Lunch Box

145 Lauder Avenue (just south of St. Clair) Toronto

Sunday December 4th

1 to 4 pm 

Come by, and meet friends in this charming café, and enjoy the photographs, 

poetry reading, and live music in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. 

If you can't join the event and would like to buy this book as a holiday gift, it's also available at Book City Yonge & St. Clair (1430 Yonge St), Book City Beaches (1950 Queen St. E), Indigo online, amazon.ca, amazon.com

Supermoon over Toronto Skyline

On Monday evening, I went with a friend to Humber Bay Park to chase the moon. A surreal experience watching the glow creeping behind clouds, rising behind the CN tower before finally making its way up in full glory.

Launch of Island Lovers at Toronto's The Word on The Street Book Festival

Inviting you all to the Toronto launch of Island Lovers - Poems and Images of Mauritius at The Word on The Street Book Festival on Sunday, September 25th from 11 am to 6 pm at Harbourfront, 235 Queen's Quay West.

I will be with four other authors at the Toronto Hakka Heritage Alliance booth, booth 151, along the lake, near the Toronto Star  tent. You can't miss it ...

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Island Lovers in Mauritius

Thank you to all the avid readers who purchased Island Lovers in Mauritius where it was launched on August 6th at Bookcourt, Bagatelle Mall in Moka, followed by book signings on August 19th at L'Artelier (L'Atelier Litteraire) Port Louis, August 26th at Bookcourt, Caudan, Port Louis, and August 31st at Petrusmok Bookstore, Hennessy Park Hotel, Ebene.

Thank you Mauritius for your interest in my work and for the radio, newspapers, and tv interviews. I'm very touched by the tremendously positive response to Island Lovers. It's been an exhilarating visit on the tropical island where I was born. So wonderful reconnecting with family and friends, and enjoying the lush beauty of the seaside and countryside. 

For  those who couldn't make it to the launch and book signings, and are interested in getting a copy of Island Lovers in Mauritius, it is available at:

Bookcourt Stores  

(Caudan, Trianon, Flacq, Bagatelle, Cascavelle, Airport, Grand Baie)

L'Artelier, Port Louis

Petrusmok Bookstore, Hennessy Park Hotel, Ebène

Librairie Le Cygne, Rose-Hill

For wholesale orders in Mauritius, please contact the distributor, Harold Venpin at 230-5256-1165


Info on the Toronto launch coming soon ...

Book launch of Island Lovers in Mauritius

I will be at Bookcourt book store in Bagatelle Mall, Moka, Mauritius on Saturday, August 6th, from 1-4 pm for the launch of my new book, Island Lovers - Poems and Images of Mauritius, and hope many of you who live there will join me.

I took the photos in the book during several visits to Mauritius, and the images inspired me to write poems on the island I left so long ago, an island that still brings back fond memories.

Looking forward to seeing you ...

Island Lovers - Poems and Images of Mauritius

Slowly emerging from my writing cave ... So excited to share my book cover. It will be out soon in Mauritius, and in Canada, later in the fall. Will keep you posted ...

Luminato Festival at The Hearn

What a thrilling experience to be at The Hearn yesterday. The Luminato Festival brought back to life this fascinating decommissioned generating station in a celebration of art, music, and dance. I hope this building becomes a new landmark for creative expression in Toronto. The festival runs from June 10th to 26th. Check the activities on Luminato's website

This giant, rotating mirror ball, continuously casting its refracted light over exposed steel beams, wires and peeling walls had a surreal effect,. I felt as if I was in a sci-fi movie, surrounded by ethereal creatures floating around.

Even the windows seem to be works of art ...

Le Pavillon, a makeshift restaurant on the upper floor of The Hearn. 

What a resourceful use of the generating station's control room.

Dining at Le Pavillon. 

A treat for those who made reservations, but since we did not, 

we were lucky to get last minute seats at the bar, and enjoyed the delicious French cuisine.

Majestic hallway, softly illuminated to bring out neat architectural details

One of my favourite sculptures, made of meshed acrylic

Industrial elements throughout the building

For more impressions on the Luminato Festival at The Hearn, check Schuster Gindin's article in Living Toronto

The Moon

Trying to post once a month, but obviously, I'm not fast enough. I took this photo of the moon on Sunday, May 22nd, the night Mars was visible as a bright red star in the sky. It was fascinating to see the red planet so much closer, and imagine that we could be there one day. However it appeared as a tiny insignificant dot in my camera. I have yet to experiment with astrophotography. But the moon, on the other hand, held the spotlight, the darkness, an essential part of its presence.

Working away on my photo and poetry book... putting all I've got into it and aiming for the moon, but I'd be happy to reach a star or even a meteorite ...

About writing

“Fiction is art and art is the triumph over chaos… to celebrate a world that lies spread out around us like a bewildering and stupendous dream.” 

John Cheever

I was walking through Cedarvale ravine a few weeks ago, and I came upon those bulrushes that have bursted into downy seeds since last fall. Still hanging in there, glowing in the soft light of dusk like an abstract painting. This quote from Cheever reflects my state of mind as I edit my poems and try to turn chaos into harmonious celebration ...

Writing and Photography

Sunset in Mauritius

Editing my poems feels like I'm purging, cleaning out the excesses so the verses stand out, trim, and muscled with imagery and emotions. It's been long months digging for words, or rather, thought-provoking little gems that have gestated from intense experiences, and can dance in rhythm on the page. Photographs in contrast are within a click of the camera. Even though there's a learning curve about technique, and sensitizing one's eyes to capture the mood and the story, the instant gratification is unmatched. Combining both is something I've wanted to do for a long time and I'm so excited that this baby is on its way ...

Photo and Poetry Book

Montagne du Rempart, Mauritius

I'm currently combining two of my passions and working on a photo and poetry book on Mauritius, the island where I was born. Sorry to disappoint those who are waiting for the novel on relationships ... it is still churning in the background and will be next, but the opportunity to have the photo and poetry book published this year came along ... 

I wish I could just keep writing and have a fairy godmother to do all the marketing for me, but the reality is that we writers, need to reach out to the public and promote our work. So, today, I added my blog on my Amazon Author Profile to reach out to you, readers. Feel free to comment as we start to know each other better through this blog that I hope to update weekly.

Letting go ...

“Holding on to anything is like holding on to your breath. You will suffocate. The only way to get anything in the physical universe is by letting go of it. Let go & it will be yours forever.”

Deepak Chopra

Happy Holidays from Toronto

Some photos from Asia

Victoria harbour, Hong Kong 

Meizhou, China

Gardens by the bay, Singapore

A river in the shopping mall of Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

 Manila, Philippines

 Puerto Princesa, Philippines

Buddhist god playing music, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Detail of Buddhist temple, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Stilt house in Water Village, Brunei

Sentosa island, Singapore

Parking lot at Sentosa island, Singapore 

Nuit Blanche Toronto

Portraits glued on the grounds of Nathan Phillips Square

Wire sculptures at 401 Richmond Street

It was a cool fall evening, but enthusiastic crowds strolled through downtown Toronto and lined up at AGO, OCAD, and other venues to soak in the creativity of Nuit Blanche.

Relationships

Love has been on my thoughts lately. I'm writing a collection of short stories about what goes on in men's and women's minds and hearts when they are in committed relationships, and cheat. It is often said that life is stranger than fiction. In this collection, I'm extracting the essence of real situations and turning them into fiction.

I apologize to those who have been expecting a sequel to The Coral Heart. It will come at some point, but I was immersed in the1910-1950 period during the many years spent writing The Coral Heart, and it's refreshing to write about present times, and take a break from the past.

The Prison Book Club by Ann Walmsley

So proud to announce that Ann Walmsley, a very dear friend from my writing group, published her first book, The Prison Book Club, with Penguin Random House.

I was fascinated by Ann's story from the very beginning and it's been an incredible learning journey to support, and witness the progression of this thought-provoking book before it came to life. Ann's clear authentic voice, her warmth and courage resonate throughout this captivating non-fiction that will shatter many preconceptions.

The Prison Book Club can be pre-ordered and will be available soon in Canada, U.S., U.K. and all the commonwealth countries. Check her website for more info about Ann and her book.

Congratulations Ann. I will be cheering for you all the way to literary stardom.