Home / Andrea Yu – Toronto Freelance Writer

Toronto Life • 4th September 2020

We split our 1940s bungalow into two modern houses. It's pandemic perfect

Real estate agent Jordan Chong tore down his childhood home and rebuilt two brand new homes on the property. Here's his story.

Toronto Life • 2nd September 2020

We met on Tinder during the pandemic—and by the second date, I asked her if she'd join my bubble

In May, feeling lonely during lockdown, Ryan Zade logged onto Tinder. Within a couple of days, he matched with Vicki Braide.

HOUSE & HOME • 27th August 2020

Shops We Love: Poodle & Blonde Satisfies The Dog-Obsessed Design Lover

As Whinnie Williams' passion for interiors and design grew, she partnered with the London-based interior consultant Kierra Campbell to start Poodle & Blonde.

The Globe and Mail • 26th August 2020

How can this museum-studies grad take advantage of her former career in urban planning?

Aviv, 30, worked as an urban planner before heading back to school to earn a master of museum studies.

TheStar.com • 19th August 2020

Sofa-in-a-box is the new flat-pack trend and it’s driven by millennials

Sofas-in-a-box are poised to become the next big millennial furniture trend. Aside from being easy to move, sofas-in-a-box are modular.

Toronto Life • 15th August 2020

"Teachers are in an impossible situation": Parents share their back-to-school concerns

The education minister recently announced reopening plans for Ontario schools. We asked seven GTA parents how they felt about the new protocols.

The Globe and Mail • 14th August 2020

Q&A with video game designer Jared Moldenhauer: ‘We started liquidating whatever we had'

Jared Moldenhauer was working in his family’s construction business when he designed a video game. Cuphead has now sold more than five million copies.

Toronto Life • 6th August 2020

Our big summer wedding was postponed by the pandemic, so we had an intimate backyard ceremony

When Covid hit, Omarie and Jennifer were forced to cancel their 175-person celebration. Instead, they hosted a backyard ceremony with a homemade Caribbean feast.

The Globe and Mail • 5th August 2020

With live performances on hold, can this entertainment sales director make a pivot?

Neil finally landed his dream job as the sales director of an entertainment company but he was furloughed in March due to COVID-19.

The Globe and Mail • 29th July 2020

After a COVID-19 layoff, can this food science grad find an R&D job?

Paul worked as a production assistant for a beverage company in Toronto but was laid off in April, 2020 because of COVID-19.

Toronto Life • 28th July 2020

Our first date was supposed to be in mid-March—and then the entire world shut down.

Graydon and Nicolette matched on Hinge in February. But before they could set up their first date, Covid-19 hit. Here’s how they navigated their new relationship through a pandemic.

Toronto Life • 23rd July 2020

"Everyone's feeling claustrophobic and horny": Toronto singles on the ins and outs of dating during Covid

Toronto romance seekers discuss online speed dating, Zoom movie nights and how they decide when to let someone in their homes.

The Globe and Mail • 22nd July 2020

With only overseas experience, can this software developer find work in Canada?

Lloyd, a software developer, immigrated to Canada in November 2017 with his wife. He retained a few remote contracts from his hometown of Kingston, Jamaica but hasn't been able to secure full-time work.

TheStar.com • 17th July 2020

Why Animal Crossing has become a pandemic hit

Professor Kristopher Alexander believes that Animal Crossing’s popularity is due in part to the game’s flexible nature that adapts to a spectrum of ages and interests. “The goals are kind of what you make of it.”

HOUSE & HOME • 16th July 2020

13 Canadian Food Experts To Follow On Instagram Right Now

Shake up your pandemic cooking routine by following these Canadian food Instagram accounts.

The Globe and Mail • 15th July 2020

With TV work on hold, can this production co-ordinator break into a new industry?

Carol has been working as a TV a production coordinator for seven years. This was supposed to be the year that she left to explore another industry. Then COVID-19 hit.

Toronto Life • 13th July 2020

In 2018, a couple bought this place for $900,000. Then they tried to sell it during the pandemic

"It was a very quick decision. One day we weren’t going to sell the house. And two days later we had a stager come in."

The Globe and Mail • 10th July 2020

Sustainable sheep farmer Carrie Woolley: ‘We’ve had a lot of skepticism locally’

Carrie Woolley is a sixth-generation farmer and the shepherd to a flock of 800 sheep, which graze and fertilize apple and cherry orchards. It’s one of Ontario's few outdoor livestock-grazing operations.

Toronto Life • 10th July 2020

"Living alone has been a huge challenge and my cat has kept me sane": New pet owners share their pandemic adoption stories

We spoke to new pet owners who found their furever friends during the pandemic.

TheStar.com • 9th July 2020

COVID-19 poses separate challenges for deaf community

“There’s a lot of touching of the face when signing,” says Thinaja Nadarajah, who is deaf. “We often communicate by touch, like tapping on the shoulder to get someone’s attention.”