Home / Andrea Yu – Toronto Freelance Writer

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."

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.

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.

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.”

The Globe and Mail • 8th July 2020

This artsy 61-year-old IT specialist isn’t ready to retire. How can he bridge a hobby with experience?

After working in IT and telecoms for 25 years, Fred was made redundant from his last role when the company downsized two years ago.

Toronto Life • 7th July 2020

“We got married then went inside for pizza”: How a couple with three kids tied the knot on their front porch

Christeena and Gabriel met when she was 19 and he was 20. Ten years and three kids later, they were finally ready to tie the knot—and then Covid hit.

The Globe and Mail • 30th June 2020

Work-from-home office setup stipends are on the rise as remote working continues

When Winona So began working from home, she discovered the shortcomings of her home office. The wireless internet connection wasn’t strong enough and her chair wasn't ergonomically built.

Toronto Life • 25th June 2020

"I had people offering to buy four extra tickets to get the flight off the ground"

When Nikole Poirier discovered repatriation flights from the Cayman Islands to Toronto would not allow animals on board, she organized a private charter flight to bring Canadians and their pets back home.

The Globe and Mail • 24th June 2020

Resume review: With summer already underway, does this journalism student have hope for finding an internship?

“Trying to navigate the internship space during COVID-19 has been tough and it’s late into the summer term, so there are fewer student jobs now."

TheStar.com • 19th June 2020

Staying engaged with a parent during isolation just takes a little creativity

Every Sunday, Carolina Ayala visits her senior mother Alicia and adds videos to her YouTube playlist to keep Alicia occupied and engaged while at home.

Toronto Life • 17th June 2020

"We have an extra staff member just to disinfect the toys and blankets": What it's like to run a Toronto child-care centre during Covid

Denise Shepherd is a registered early childhood educator who has been working with the YMCA of Greater Toronto for 13 years.