It’s that time of the year again when I reflect and recall the first-time experiences and highlights of each month. I am amazed by the irony. Even with the pandemic and the lockdown, I realized that I still had an eventful year. There are certainly a lot of firsts and new insights learned. God has truly brought us to our knees and disrupted what we deem as normal. He has manifested His Sovereignty and showed us that man can never boast of his own competency. This miniscule virus has stopped us on our tracks and challenged the great minds of our scientists, researchers and government officials. It is a reminder that we are never in control of the circumstances and our best laid out plans can be disturbed at any time. I appreciated even more the meaning of utter surrender to the Lord and the acknowledgement that He holds my present and my future. From this moment on, I will value each moment with family and loved ones. I will encourage others to constantly see the bright spots. I will serve in whatever capacity I can in the community and become part of the solution, instead of the problem. By God’s grace, let us choose to rise from the negativity around us and move forward.
Join me as we walk down the memory lane of 2020. Review your photos, posts, etc. and focus on the blessings and lessons gleaned from the experiences. Do this with a heart full of gratitude and praise. This is mine and I look forward to reading yours. Happy reflecting!
January
Rang the new year at the Toboggan Festival in Quebec City
Brought a friend to the emergency on New Year’s Eve when she had a wrist fracture from a slip accident
Amazed by the views of the frozen Montmorency Falls in Quebec City
Visited the Ice Hotel and marveled at the beautiful ice sculptures in each of its themed rooms
My first jury duty experience and a glimpse at the trial process (good thing I was not selected hehe)
Rejoicing with brother and family as they received their Canadian citizenship! God is good!!!
February
Superbowl viewing with friends at The Pingals
Icefest escapade with the Inbetweeners
Valentine’s date with Papa and tried Cagney’s Steakhouse and Winebar for the first time
Winter hike with friends at Hilton Falls
Checked out the newly opened Eataly – the Italian franchise with market and restaurant in downtown Toronto
March
First time in a comedy bar in Canada - Yuk Yuk’s Niagara Falls
Papa’s 83rd birthday celebration with Portico Growth Group friends
Covid-19 lockdown announced and implemented. The whole family worked, studied and stayed indoors.
Participated in the church online service and worked from home full time
Started my Korean drama (Kdrama) addiction with Crash Landing On You as my first series
April
Kicked off virtual Bible studies with various growth group sessions
Video calls with family and friends within Canada, US and the Philippines
Europe trip which we were planning for over 6 months, cancelled because of Covid-19 outbreak
Virtual drinks with IBM-CIBC leadership team
May
Volunteered at the Open Door in Square One – arranging food and clothes donations... It was a trip being one of the handful of people inside the huge mall
Hiked for the first time at the Mono Cliffs Provincial Park observing proper physical distancing
Christmas in May – missed seeing friends and did a door to door visit, bringing some goodies
Papa’s first haircut at home done by my brother
June
Back country experience at The Martin’s backyard – picnic in the afternoon and enjoying the campfire in the evening
Day trip with Sharon and Winnie at Lake of Bays in Muskoka – driving around Baysville, Dwight Beach, Oxtongue River and Huntsville
Picnic and Bible study at Riverwood Conservation Park with WAGOH friends. Our first meeting in person after the lockdown.
First live worship after lockdown and the following Sunday, second live worship with Papa this time and celebrating Father’s Day
Hiked at Crawford Lake with Inbetweener friends
July
Celebrated Canada Day by hiking with Inbetweeners at Rattlesnake Point. No gatherings and fireworks this year because of Covid19.
Ventured at Mount Nemo and Robert Edmonson for the first time with Crossover friends
Enjoyed the first IBM virtual concert
Delightful lunch and catch-up with BFFs at the Tanpoco’s
Hybrid WAGOH Bible study – mixed of in-person and call-in at Isis’s place
Attended Jenny & Mark’s wedding at a modified lockdown – only 50 guests allowed in the reception. Happy to dress up after months of being in sweatpants / pajamas at home.
Portico Growth Group Ladies book 1 (Changed Into His Likeness) “graduation” at Tannery Park, Oakville
Launched a blog site and enjoyed writing down thoughts and opinions. God willing, the articles would spread hope and positive vibes.
August
Explored Mountsberg Conservation Area for the first time with Crossover friends
Made beautiful memories with family in our Tobermory escapade - Sauble Beach, Flowerpot Island, Big Tub Lighthouse, Grotto, kayaking, patio dining
Admired the creative floral installations in downtown Toronto at the Fleurs De Villes event
Enjoyed the WAGOH getaway – we challenged ourselves on a hike to the Lion’s Head Lookout, gaped at the beautiful sunset at Southampton Beach and capped the getaway with another hiking at Island Lake Conservation Area in Orangeville
Thankful for being part of a frontliner friend’s free entrance benefits at the Royal Ontario Museum along with two other friends
Explored for the first time Lochland Botanicals sunflower, herb, floral gardens and learned more about the use of Alfalfa as cattle food, oil extraction process, and more
Collingwood getaway with BFFs Sunset Pt, Northwinds Beach, Blue Mountain. On our way back, it was my first-time experience to drive in the mix of three conditions – heavy rains, fog, dark roads
Relished the outdoor worship service at Portico’s parking lot area
Celebrated a friend’s milestone birthday at Earl Bales Park with Crossover friends
September
Explored the posh Friday Harbour Resort and all its amenities
Raptors (post-Kawhi leaving) almost beat Miami Heat to enter the NBA championship. This year has been different with all teams in a bubble in Florida. Had fun cheering on their match ups especially with Celtics and Miami Heat
Co-planned a surprise party for a friend at a park – the only allowable place as province announced Covid-19 restrictions, limiting gatherings up to 25 people. Glad that it was a success.
Attended my first virtual wedding (Ruthie and Erik’s)
Marked our last hurrah for summer by having a pool party at a friend’s place
Fall hike at Meadowvale Conservation Park
Fall hike at Mount Nemo
Fellowship at The Ducoy’s Niagara-on-the-Lake cottage
October
Experienced Cranberry Plunge for the first time – learned more about this fruit - how its grown and harvested
Hiked at the forests of Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery
Explored Bala town – falls, riverfront
Visited Ball’s Falls for the first time with Portico Growth Group friends and was in awe of its fall beauty
Enjoyed an out of town adventure with Crossover friends exploring the city of Sudbury, we challenged ourselves with the hike at Cup and Saucer Trail in Manitoulin Island and capped the 3 days-2 nights escapade by admiring the fall colours at the Horseshoe Resort in Barrie
November
Tried out several restaurants at Oakville downtown (Lakeshore strip) - the nearest region with less restrictions and still allow indoor dining
Thanks to OHIP (Ontario’s health care plan) Papa had his six free physiotherapy sessions
Second lockdown announced
Explored Meadowvale Village with friends as we appreciated the preserved town of the 1800s
Woodbine Beach hike turned photo session with friends
Quick checking out of Toronto Winter Village at the Distillery District that replaced the Christmas Market this year
Awed by the works of Vincent Van Gogh that was transformed into a multi-media experience
First birthday car parade in celebration of a friend’s milestone birthday
Lockdown did not stop us from enjoying Christmas … went to a drive through Christmas lights show at the Gift of Lights in Kitchener
December
More drive through Christmas lights at Bluffs Winter Wonderland
Covid vaccines rolled out
Joined free online workout classes offered by Mississauga Fitness
Fun Crossover Zoom Christmas Party
My first virtual baby shower party (Ruthie and Matt’s)
WAGOH Zoom Christmas Party that left us worked up from all the games and laughter
Santa duties – driving and delivering gifts to friends
Grateful for the gifts delivered to our house
Our annual Christmas/year-end video call with besties Mavis, Ala and Mildred
We are closing off 2020 in a few days’ time. May we apply the lessons learned this year in the new year. As we face 2021, may we continue to trust God and anticipate the best plans He has for us. We accept both the good and the unpleasant because it will work for our whole being. Keep the faith!
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
- Romans 8:28
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