Nikita Butalia
Where to Next?
MOVING TO CANADA
All about moving to Toronto, studying at Schulich and building a new life
In 2019, I moved to Canada, to study in the IMBA program at the Schulich School of Business. Relocating has been a journey of many ups and downs that I’ve put together in this section, to offer information, experience, and hope to anyone who is making the decision to move countries. There are so many things that I wish I knew before I moved, and those that I have discovered before I spent hours researching.
Read on, for a student’s perspective on life in Canada, working your way into an incredible job and stories from travels and trials in this fair country. >>
Stumbling Around The World
Hi! I’m Nikita Butalia:)
Let’s Stumble Around The World Together
Welcome to Stumbling Around Delhi! I’m Nikita Butalia and you’re about to join my journey of discovery that began around my home city of New Delhi but ended up around the world. A passion for travel and endless wanderlust led to a massive appetite for travel that’s never satiated since. Here’s to inspiration from sunsets, mountain tops and late night city lights. Happy reading!
nikita butalia
Shop the stumbling store
Our Sponsors
Living in Canada: A Series // Background about life until now- Pt. 1 ⠀
⠀
Unlike many ...
May 28
Living in Canada: A Series // Background about life until now- Pt. 1 ⠀
⠀
Unlike many stories, this one doesn’t have a beginning. I don’t know how I came to the decision, I can’t pinpoint the exact day or year that I decided I wanted to live outside India. For years I had fought against it, not because I couldn’t give up the motherland, but because the idea of leaving home was unfathomable. I fought my mom, who lived in New Zealand for many years, and who tried every trick in the book to convince me to move there for my undergrad. I fought my dad, who thought my personality was far better suited to a more individualistic society. Anywhere that wouldn’t get me in trouble for opening my mouth, he often said. I figured this conclusion came from a series of foot in the mouth moments I had conjured up. ⠀
⠀
After successfully dodging extremely persuasive attempts (armed with wish-fulfilment promises for things like a Beetle- the car that I was embarrassingly obsessed with at the time, a puppy and new friends- as if any teenager could ever want that) my obstinance had forced my parents to give up. And so I got through college as an English Lit major at Delhi University. But the seed had been planted.⠀
⠀
And hours stuck in traffic, accompanied by miserable pay at the hands of corporate slavery in India soon made me question, at 22, if life was going to look like this from now until I die. Or retire, if we keep the drama aside. ⠀
⠀
I was rebelling against this life in small ways. First by leaving a big 4 to work for a travel company- and second, by saving every penny to travel. If no one was coming, I was going to travel alone. ⠀(to be continued)
⠀
#movingtocanada #lifestories #canadasummer #canadiansummer #indianincanada #studyingincanada #writerblog #instawriterscommunity #relocationspecialist #ontariocanada #relocating #studyingabroad #mbacanada #mbaincanada #studentsincanada #indiatocanada #livingincanada #visitcanada #canadagram #lifeincanada #canadianlife #canadalife #torontolife #lifestory #thoughtoftheday #everymoment #understandinglife ⠀
Welcome to #NorthYork where I live on the @yorkuniversity campus. In the past 9 months since ...
May 26
Welcome to #NorthYork where I live on the @yorkuniversity campus. In the past 9 months since I’ve been here, we’ve sufficiently explored all pubs within a 5-mile radius. Which brings me to Covid and the summer- and my long lost love for picnics under the sun. ⠀
⠀
In need of a change within Uber-able distance, we showed up at West Humber Parkland at a friend’s suggestion. It’s a biking trailer with a river running through and a pond at the end of the road. Spent the entire day soaking up some sun and vegetating by the river. ⠀
⠀
9 months of windy Toronto later, we couldn’t believe our luck. ⠀
⠀
Then the air con stopped working. ⠀ ⠀
#MovingToCanada #LifeinCanada #DiscoveringToronto #ExploreToronto #WestHumberParkland #westhumber #northyork #discovernorthyork #torontopicnic #torontosummer #torontoparks #torontothingstodosummer #torontolife #torontolifestyle #picnicatthepark #torontoparks #canadasummer #canadiansummer #torontospring #parkscanada #tdot_shots #parkscanada #ontariotravel #travelontario #exploreontario #ontarioparks
Found the fluffiest Japanese Soufflé Pancakes at Kingston Market sometime ago. Wandering without...
May 23
Found the fluffiest Japanese Soufflé Pancakes at Kingston Market sometime ago. Wandering without a clue among the graffiti-walled, narrow lanes of this hip market was one of my favourite days discovering a new place around town. ⠀
⠀
I hadn’t stepped into @hanabusacafe by chance, nor through a recommendation I found on any travel websites. I saw it on Instagram and was taken in a second. Dragged a friend across town to get here and IT.WAS.WORTH.IT! ⠀
⠀
They have a select few items on the menu that taste as delectable as they look. It’s a tiny hole-in-the-wall cafe that is so daaamn cute. ⠀
⠀
Field day for Instagrammers, foodies and anyone with a sweet tooth! ⠀
⠀
#hanabusacafe #discovertoronto #blogTO #thingstodotoronto #thingstoeattoronto #foodtoronto #torontofoodblog #exploretoronto #igtoronto #kingstonmarket #torontofoodie #torontofoodblog #torontofoodblogger #torontofoodblogs #torontofoodscene #torontocafes #torontofoodguide #torontocafe #torontoeats #tofoodies #604eats #foodpornto #tofoodies #torontorestaurants #torontofoodphoto #cravethesix #toreats
The campus haunted house 🏚 (or so we call it) sits along the road that leads to the pond, ...
May 22
The campus haunted house 🏚 (or so we call it) sits along the road that leads to the pond, although veiled by trees and bushes. ⠀
⠀
Also visible from our house, and though I’ve never seen a soul anywhere around it, the lights are sometimes switched on late evening. ⠀
⠀
For months I wondered what the sign at the entrance of the house meant (it’s in Swedish), thinking it might prohibit us from entering. ⠀
⠀
Turns out it’s a prayer hall.⠀
⠀
#architecturepicture #architecturecanada #hauntedhouse #ongooglemaps #torontocorners #torontohome #torontohouses #torontohomes #torontoarchitecture #torontodesign #canadianarchitecture #torontoliving #lifeintoronto #torontolife #torontoarchives #canada_gram #canadaphotography #canadahomes #canadabuilding #canadabuildings #canadahouse #canadahome
Listing ALL of the book recommendations I received from you guys recently (and adding some of ...
May 21
Listing ALL of the book recommendations I received from you guys recently (and adding some of mine too): ⠀
⠀
1. The Zahir- Paulo Coelho (Super Recommended!) ⠀
2. The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan (Fiction based on the life of Nur Jahan; Super Recommended!) ⠀
3. Shadow of the Wind (Recently read this- v recommended!) ⠀
4. Kafka on the Shore⠀
5. The Content Trap (read & recommend!)⠀
6. The Witch of Portobello (one of my all-time favorites)⠀
7. Sapients (Read this and would recommend it as well as it’s follow-up book Homo Deus) ⠀
8. Becoming by Michelle Obama (Incredible book, can’t recommend it enough!) ⠀
9. Fountainhead by Ayn Rand 10. The Lean Startup⠀
11. Scarecrow- Matthew Reilly ⠀
12. The Woman in The Window (read & recommend for a one-time thriller)⠀
13. Trick Mirror- Jia Tolentino ⠀
14. Success Stories of Amazon ⠀
15. The 5 am Club (Read & recommended) ⠀
16. Hirohito by Herbert P Bix ⠀
17. Chernobyl by Serhii Plokhy⠀
18. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine ⠀
19. Mereng by Anuradha Sarma Pujari⠀
20. The Room (read & recommend!) ⠀
21. Master of Margarita ⠀
22. Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert ⠀
23. Blade of Light by Andrea Camilleri ⠀
24. Sharp Objects ⠀
25. Nigella Lawson’s Recipes ⠀
26. Mahanayak by Vishwas Patil ⠀
27. Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni⠀
⠀
⠀
#bookrecommendations #covidreads #quarantinereading #quarantinereads #stayhome #newreads #mayreads #bookrec #stayhomeandread #timetoread #bookloversofinstagram #quarantinethingstodo #quarantinebooks #sundayreads #lazyweekend #weekendreading #whattoreadnext #whatareyoureading #quarantineandchill #quarantineandchill2020 #thingstodoathome
Sharing my top 3 fav road trip songs (so we can hit the road soon as it’s safe to travel ...
May 20
Sharing my top 3 fav road trip songs (so we can hit the road soon as it’s safe to travel again)🎵: ⠀
⠀
1. Barefoot Blue Jean Night- Jake Owen ⠀
2. Sweet Home Alabama (YES this is cheesy galore but it never gets old and I never get over it ❤)⠀
3. Beautiful Day- Nuriel ⠀
⠀
Add yours to the list! ⠀
⠀
#ourwhimsicaldays #folkandstory #everydaymagic #autumnaesthetic #tones #capturequiet #darlingdaily #petitjoys #livethelittlethings #dailydoseofcolour #orangeandteal #tealandbrown #embracingaslowerlife #aslowmoment #mybeautifulsimplicity #thesimpleeveryday #livethelittlethings #seeingthepretty #calm_collected #amomentofwonder quietinthewild #natureonthepage #tinytinymoments #orangeteal #tealandorange #moodytones
Today I’m sharing all the things I’m #covidgrateful for this week: ⠀
⠀
1. The ...
May 20
Today I’m sharing all the things I’m #covidgrateful for this week: ⠀
⠀
1. The weather and a beautiful picnic: for the pitter-patter outside my window on Sunday, the sunlight streaming in on Saturday morning; ⠀
⠀
⠀
perfectly comfortable cool and warm weather fluctuations that became the reason we stepped out for a picnic with a basket full of food and an insatiable desire to dip our feet in the cool waters of a nearby stream⠀
⠀
⠀
2. Finished reading two almost-completed books; one of which I’ve been trying to finish for a year (it’s a beautiful book but the character’s journey is too intense to follow sometimes- specially when it mirror’s one’s own) ⠀
⠀
3. Cleared my @anthropologie cart by purchasing the coffee mugs I’ve been wanting for sooo long (and now I can’t wait for them to get here!)⠀
⠀
4. Finally (!!!!) managed to transfer all 15k pictures + videos from my iPhone to hard drive- NO EASY FEAT, as anyone who’s ever tried to do it will know⠀
⠀
Every Monday, I want to share positive stories and experiences from the previous week.
There is so much negativity around us & I’m hoping to reduce some anxiety that we’re all facing through positive stories. ⠀
⠀
Join in if you feel like 🌷⠀
⠀
#communityovercovid #covidgratitude #summerisnotcancelled #practicegratitude #picniccanada #yorkuviews #canadalife #canadacovid19 #torontolife #yorkuniversity #torontosummer #torontostrong #northyork #canadastrong #richmondhill #lovetoronto #victoriaday #gratitudejournal #gratitudepractice #gratitudepost #victoriadayweekend #maylongweekend #may24 #longweekendvibes happyvictoriaday #maylong #victoriadaylongweekend #may24weekend #northernontario
#BookRecommendation: What a fine piece of writing, Shadow Of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. ...
May 2
#BookRecommendation: What a fine piece of writing, Shadow Of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. ⠀
⠀
It’s gripping to the point where I found myself hung on every word, gulping page after page of its compelling, dark narrative. ⠀
⠀
It’s dripping with mystery, sadness and the anticipation of tragedy. ⠀
⠀
You keep waiting for the looming foreboding to surface. When it does strike and the storyline reveals itself towards the end, it doesn’t disappoint. ⠀
⠀
The story eventually unfolds slowly and then all at once, accentuated by rich vocabulary and descriptive story-telling. ⠀
⠀
It makes you sympathize with every character, feel in a very real way, the tragedy that befell each of them. A book that’s difficult to put aside. ⠀
⠀
#quarantinereading #quarantinereads #bookrecommendation #bookwormlife #whattoread #readreadread #mustreadbooks #aprilreads #mayreads #booksharks #weekendreading #readersofinstagram #quarantinetodo #quarantinethingstodo #quarantinebooks #quarantinebookclub #quarantineandread #2020reads #readingchallenge #whatareyoureading #lockdownreading #bookrec
It’s been a difficult few days around here. ⠀
⠀
We thought we were dealing well ...
May 1
It’s been a difficult few days around here. ⠀
⠀
We thought we were dealing well with the quarantine life, until yesterday when everything started to feel too much. ⠀
⠀
I took on a lot of projects and they would have all worked out had they not all had deliverables piling up together. ⠀
⠀
Over the summer, I will be: ⠀
⠀
- Interning at Microsoft ⠀
- Working on a brand strategy consulting project for the NBA ⠀
- Finally completing and launching the new Stumbling website ⠀
- Fixing the youtube channel and launching it again ⠀
- Working on the Schulich student body as Director, Marketing (this will carry on for a year) ⠀
- Publishing the year-end school newsletter ⠀
⠀
Every time I’ve looked at my phone in the past three days, I’ve had emails, WhatsApp notifications or calendar reminders for something that was due. ⠀
⠀
With my immense gratitude for all the things I have the opportunity to do over the summer, also comes anxiety- the anxiety of staying home, not knowing when I will see my parents and when I’ll go home again. So as one would imagine, feeling overworked and overwhelmed, I couldn’t take it anymore. ⠀
⠀
Lucky for me, the weather was amazing today and our favourite campus coffee shop is open for take-outs. So we took our laptops, novels (the three of us who live together in one house are allowed to hang out with each other outdoors during social distancing) pizza and coffee, and plonked ourselves on the grass to get some sun and fresh air. ⠀
⠀
Sat there for 2 hours, then grabbed our yoga mat and dollar-store-bought work-out equipment and exercised for a bit. It was hill-station weather today and we made the most of it. ⠀
⠀
Excited to start working again after a day away from the desk (still curating the workspace, will share ideas soon)⠀
⠀
How are you staying positive during this time? ⠀
⠀
#remotework #stayhome #stayhomestaysafe #stayhealthy #quarantinelife #positivity #positivemindset #positivethinking #coronaupdate #coronaquarantine #quarantinework #quarantinestories #quarantinetimes #quarantinelifebelike #quarantinedlife #quarantinemoments #quarantine2020 #quarantinedays #quarantineeffect #justquarantinethings #lifeinquarantine #lifeathome #homeallday
#StumblingCorner is a series of coffee shop corners I meet along my journey of discovering Toronto. ...
Apr 28
#StumblingCorner is a series of coffee shop corners I meet along my journey of discovering Toronto.
It’s a glimpse into café moods, some with vintage undertones, others that a bookworm would tuck into until the cows come home.
Trying to capture character through an unstable camera and the hope that a faint, inviting smell of coffee will come wafting through your memory.
@dineencoffeeco
#torontocoffee #torontocoffeeculture #torontocoffeeshop #coffeeshopvibes #coffeeshopcorners #coffeeshopcorner #coffeeshopdecor #coffeefix #coffeedaily #coffeeaddicts #coffeeheaven #coffeevideo #torontocafe #torontorestaurants #coffeeculture
On a quest to find picnic spots around campus. Now that our campus looks like a ghost town, one ...
Apr 26
On a quest to find picnic spots around campus. Now that our campus looks like a ghost town, one would expect you could hang around just about anywhere. ⠀
⠀
But the geese have taken over and they can be seen and heard everywhere- even on the 16th floor, where I live.
To add to that, they are an unfriendly lot and I just had one recently charge at me and chase me around in circles for accidentally getting too close. Funny sight for anyone who isn’t me. (Captured beautifully on camera, that no one should ever get to see) ⠀
⠀
So we discovered this trail a little away from the walking murderers with a stream flowing through and nothing but the sound of water trickling over and between rocks.
For a few quiet seconds, everything felt normal and it was the perfect spring day. ⠀
⠀
(For those in India- Canada is not under lockdown but we are heavily practicing social distancing and people who live in the same house are allowed to spend time together outdoors- as long as we maintain lots of distance)
#trailrunning #yorkuviews #outdoors #quarantined #quarantineactivities #quarantinepicnic #socialdistancing #socialdistancing2020 #socialdistance #picnicspot #picnicspottoronto #quarantinetoronto #northyork #torontotrail #stories #campuslife #quarantinestories #coronastories #geeseofinstagram #geeseattack #canadiangoose #greatoutdoors #canadaspring #springtoronto #torontoquarantine #toronto_insta #torontoliving #campuslife #campusactivities #campuslifestyle
How are you guys spending your time at home? A lot us have turned into cooks (me included) while ...
Apr 23
How are you guys spending your time at home? A lot us have turned into cooks (me included) while others have turned to Netflix (..also me😒) 🍷🥞📺📚🛒
⠀
Share your #quarantineandchill ideas here using emoticons only. Let’s see how many we can guess together! #101WaysToWasteTime ⠀
⠀
#whatelseistheretodo #boredinthehouse #thisis2020 #stayinginside #whatdayisitagain #quarantineideas #quarantinecreativity #stayhome #quaratineandchill #quarantinelife #quarantining #quarantinestories #quarantine #quarantinedays #quarantinediaries #quarantine2020 #quarantinechronicles #quarantined #coronacation #quarantimes #quarantinedlife #covidchronicle #daywhatever #quarantinedaywhatever
I’ve long been intimated by salads. Because there’s rarely ever a recipe and yet everyone ...
Apr 21
I’ve long been intimated by salads. Because there’s rarely ever a recipe and yet everyone seems to know how to make a great one. (Everyone but yours truly)⠀
⠀
Today I made a summer salad of my own though- and dare I say, it was great. ⠀
⠀
Here’s what you need:⠀
Sweet corn⠀
Red onion⠀
Cherry tomatoes (or any tomatoes)⠀
Pasta⠀
Avocado (optional)⠀
⠀
For the dressing:⠀
Cilantro (a bunch)⠀
Olive oil (1/3 cup)⠀
Garlic (1 tbsp)⠀
Red pepper powder (1/2 tbsp)⠀
Honey (1-1.5 tbsp then add based on your taste)⠀
Lemon juice (3 tbsp)⠀
⠀
- Boil the pasta (salt it while you do)⠀
⠀
- Meanwhile toss all of the dressing ingredients in a blender⠀
⠀
- Throw it all into a salad box and mix⠀
⠀
*I didn’t add avocado cause mine turned out overripe. It’s not mandatory⠀
⠀
*I accidentally added too much lemon juice to this so it’s thinner than it should be. If that happens, add some sugar. Yours should look green and slightly thick⠀
⠀
*Can add mangoes, bell peppers, jalapeño (or anything else you like) to this ☺⠀
⠀
*Tastes better with grilled corn- but either will do⠀
⠀
Tag #thestumblingsalad if you try it! ⠀
⠀
#summersalad #saladrecipe #easysalad #quickandeasyfood #saladrecipes #quarantinecooking #quarantinecookingclub #quarantinelife #quarantinekitchen #pastasalad #saladsofinstagram #torontofood #torontofoodies #torontofoodblog #canadaspring #springincanada #torontospring #springishere #summertime #summerfood #picnicfood #picnictable #picnicinthepark
One of my favourite days hopping in and out of Irish pubs and coffee shops. ⠀
⠀
The ...
Apr 17
One of my favourite days hopping in and out of Irish pubs and coffee shops. ⠀
⠀
The sun had made an appearance for the first time in almost two months and somewhat guided by a distant CN Tower, we were stumbling around a neighbourhood that I haven’t quite pinned down yet.⠀
⠀
Guzzling coffee, sipping strawberry beer, people-watching from the window of an old pub. Before the #quarantinelife struck. 🍓 🍺
#streetsoftoronto #torontoneighbourhoods #torontopubs #arttoronto #torontoartist #torontoartist #torontoartists #torontocanada #torontoarchitecture #torontoartscene #torontobuildings #torontocity #torontocityvibes #torontospring #torontosummer #torontophoto #torontofashion #discovertoronto #traveltoronto #torontotravels #exploretoronto #toronto_insta
Never again taking for granted french toasts made by someone who actually knows how to make ‘em...
Apr 14
Never again taking for granted french toasts made by someone who actually knows how to make ‘em ⠀
⠀
#torontofood #torontofoodies #torontofoodies #torontocanada #torontoeats #torontoblogger #torontofoods #torontofoodblog #torontofoodie #torontoeat #vaughn #symposiumcafe #discovertoronto #cafetoronto #torontocafe #stumblingaroundtoronto #torontodiaries #canadablogger #torontolife #torontolifestyle #torontorestaurants #toronto_insta #torontoinsta
HELLO! I’d say it’s great to be back but I’m a travel blogger who won’t be traveling ...
Apr 12
HELLO! I’d say it’s great to be back but I’m a travel blogger who won’t be traveling soon. ⠀
⠀
A lot has changed since my last one-sided conversation with you. ⠀
⠀
For one, the snow stopped falling a long time ago. Second, I haven’t seen the sky in 15 days. And finally, I’ve now learnt to cook in 10 days flat with only one notable case of food poisoning. (But that was also the night my boyfriend cooked frozen veggies in all 7 Subway sauces, so the pool of suspects has expanded & the jury is still out on that one) ⠀
⠀
So I present to you today, the last remaining threads of my sanity in the form of a blog plan. ⠀
⠀
Why am I doing this? Because I’m quite sick of blogging about the same stuff (i.e travel tips) when my life has changed completely over the past year and I have so much more knowledge to impart without your asking, thank you v much. ⠀
⠀
I set a guideline for myself and here’s a heads up to all of you, my wonderfully non-engaging audience: ⠀
⠀
There are tiny 30 second videos of coffee shops, precious moments from this past year, random (but beautiful) discoveries in Toronto and a lot about my MBA experience + upcoming internship. ⠀
⠀
And while in we’re locked inside.. random ways to kill time. Learning as I go on this one. ⠀
⠀
Lastly, now is as good a time as any to procrastinate and throwback a lot of memories from the past 6 months. ⠀
⠀
Comin’ up! ⠀
⠀
This endpoint has been retired