About me
I’m an editor and writer who enjoys learning about new topics through my creative work.
As a lifelong learner, I have always loved learning new languages and perfecting the ones I already know. I was fortunate to grow up in Belgium, where languages play a big part in the school curriculum and in everyday life. By the time I was 17, my weekly schedule included classes in Dutch, English, French, German, and Spanish.
So when I needed to decide what to do after high school, it was no surprise that I chose a language-focused university degree. I completed my Bachelor of Linguistics and Literature (English-Italian) and my Master of Linguistics and Literature (English) at Ghent University. I was not quite done with being a student after my four years there and decided to get my Master of Arts of Translation (Dutch-English-Italian) at University College Ghent.
In 2020, I went back to university (this time in Canada!) and completed my Editing Certificate at Simon Fraser University.
Why Kraai?
Kraai is the Dutch word for crow.
My maternal grandfather always said that after he died, he would come back as a crow to keep an eye on us. After he passed away during my teenage years, crows became an important symbol for our family, and we see them everywhere we go. And every time we do, one of us will say, “Granddad is here too.”
I moved to Vancouver in the middle of the crow migration season. I had no idea, but there are a lot (a lot!) of crows in Vancouver. Feeling anxious about having moved to the other side of the world by myself, I thought these massive murders of crows were a good sign. I made the right decision. My grandfather was here to keep an eye on me.
This picture is from my first hike in Vancouver after my move. We hiked the Saint Mark’s Summit trail and saw this crow enjoying the beautiful view from the top. Just like us. I love this particular picture and also have it framed in my house.
