Since I moved here to Parksville in 2006, I found myself going miles and miles away again from friends I made since I came to Canada in 2003 and the convenience of the surroundings and the things I got used to doing. I would visit once in a while either by the float plane that normally takes 20 minutes or so to get to downtown Vancouver, or the BC Ferry which is more economical but takes like forever and a day, in which the ferry ride alone will take 1 hour and 45 minutes to arrive to Horshoe Bay, and another 20 minutes to take the bus from there to downtown Vancouver and another more to take the Skytrain to my destination. This long route not including the time spent on my side which I usually enjoy on my own, but in every visit I made, that familiar feeling would keep creeping in -- that strange feeling of being out of the loop like I had when I went back home in year 2000. And it was not a good feeling.
So I came up with the idea of sending not just friends in Vancouver but to all over the world a yearly newsletter full of pictures of events my honey and I shared during the year. This has given me the opportunity to keep in touch and let my families and friends know that despite the distance, I am still existing and I insist on existing into their world. And if I don't get anything in return after maybe 5 attempts, see how persistant? I would still do the next year or so, or they are out of my contact list. This year is different because I finally set myself up a private blog where you can find me almost everyday. What a treat? It is so private because I don't like the paparazzi going all over me all the time like Tiger Woods. Duh! You know.... So I apologize to those who are getting all these reminders of invites to log-in or set up a google account if you want to visit me but that's the way it is. Like the trip I make just to visit friends either to Vancouver or to Philippines, we have to take that extra effort to do so, right? To those who are not computer savvy (which is impossible because I know no one of you who wouldn't know how it works), you are most welcome to log-in as guests, or use your own email accounts or ask someone to do it for you. Whether you just want to snoop or really interested and have the time, I do hope that this blogland of mine is working for you so here it is, a year in review before we welcome 2010. Pictures to follow and links..... By the way, to my families in PI and other friends around the world who have just recently celebrated the coming year, Happy New Year and all the best! Cheers!!!!
A Year in Review at the little Johnsons family:
1. Jan- the biggest event of the year when we finally got the final approval of buying our first house together.
2. Feb- lots and lots of snow.
3. Mar- my honey started getting busy with his Softplan and started a new big job with Palladian.
4. Apr- when we finally moved to our new house and a new life began for us…
5. May- we are so excited to prepare our first garden for the summer and saw Shery Ulrich with Tom Weight and Barny Bental’s concert at Errington War Memorial Hall. They generously let us video tape the whole concert and Shery gave us her email and we have yet to email her back and send them a copy of the video. I bought their CD too....
6. June- I finally got an approval on my Canadian citizenship which is a big achievement. Flew back again to Vanouver to celebrate with Teri our dual citizenship. Had our special lunch at the Revolving tower and took lots of pics there. Got my first ever American passport too. Yoo Hoo!
7. July- we had a surprise visit from the Karp Family: my first time ever to see my baby Max after 2006-very emotional!; lots of sun and swimming at Englishman River bridge and the Beach of Parksville.
8. Aug- the big Johnsons fest revival with the flips making it even bigger, Rose’s family and Che-Che’s first visit ever in Parksville and our good time first ever to catch oysters with my first ever fishing licence; 2nd visit to Pachena bay in Bamnfield and our first adventure to the Great Central Lake past Port Alberni. Great summer adventure altogether with great visits from families and friends from the mainland.
9. Sept- our 2nd year Anniversary and my 2nd class with Shimelle Laine, Learn Something Everyday. My first time to meet a friend who speaks nothing but Spanish! My first blog ever-- the Little One.
10. Oct- we got hit by the most terrible flu and our first costume Halloween party at Don’s and my last training to volunteer for the Olympics 2010.
11. Nov- the scariest moment of our lives when my honey got hit with a stroke. Our fist Office Party at Tigh-Na-Mara with our partners.
12. Dec- my first time taking JYC with Shimelle Laine and I'm loving it, and our first Christmas at our first home together with mom and her traditional turkey minus the cheesecloth….
Care to share yours? What have you plan for this coming year? Whatever, please keep in touch.....
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