So welcome to this page full of memories. For some of you, they will also probably be a part of your own memories.
WELCOME - DOWN MY MEMORY LANE........
This was taken after the reception at the funeral service of my nephew Gino. As you can notice, we are all smiling and laughing. We are celebrating his life and not mourning. This picture means a lot as I realized the many and numerous friends who love him and I know for sure he will not be forgotten.
That's me and my sister Luckie, who now lives in San Jose, California. This was taken when I visited her in Toronto and we both had our haircut. We had the before picture as well but I would rather have the after picture. We always have fun when we visit each other and we have the most extraordinary heart to heart talk, especially when we are driving on our way to shopping or eating. It was always fun and some very memorable. I guess it is time to go and visit her again. I might just sign out from here and go online AirCanada.
That is Luckie, Sister Esther and me taken in London, Ontario. We visited her and another sister at the Sisters of St. Joseph Mother House and Retirement Home. She was posted in Yellowknife in the 70's and I believed she attended my wedding in 1975. I have not seen her in a long time and it was nice and wonderful to have visited her. My sister visited her often when she was in Toronto. A very close family friend and when we reminisce it is nice to hear all of the things she remembered when we were all in Yellowknife. I hope I can visit her again. Hello, Sister Esther.
This was taken in front of the Queen's Landing Hotel in Niagara on the Lake - October 2008 the last time I visited my family. My niece was coordianting some kind of legal training and as she put it we gate crashed and stayed in her nice suite. We drove around Niagara Falls and went to the designer outlet stores and did some shopping. We as always had so much fun. Hopefully, there will be more to come.
Christmas morning 2008 in the North (the frozen North) at my niece's, the Rankins home in Yellowknife. The peanuts on the floor actually spelled HO HO HO. We had to get up early, very early (5:30am) for this. It was a different tradition from when I was a kid and from when I had young children. It was a sight to see on Christmas morning and I am sure so much fun and excitement for the two kids in the house. I had the best time although for the 3 weeks I was there, the average temperature was -36 celcius plus wind chill. One of my best Christmas memories!!! And the Christmas dinner ( that would be for a later memory).
One of my most joyful memories, the wedding of my niece Alysia and hubby Mike. For a long time before this, she would ask me if and when she gets married, if I would attend. And my reply have always been YES! Not knowing it would be in a foreign land. Also it came at a time when I was dealing with a serious medical problem. I did not know whether I could go but my nephew Gino said, and I am quoting, "Just go, Tita". And to this day I am glad I went. I had a nice time and a first holiday with my family. It is more memorable now because this would be the only holiday time with Gino.
What can I say? I am speechless!!! This could be one of the last few pictures I have with him. At least he was smiling. I don't even remember this but once in a while he came around to see if I was ok, and that was nice of him. After this, I would call and he and I will have a short conversation but after I spent a few months with them and we ended up being together most of the time, we got comfortable with each other. I can't imagine the two of us in their fitness room doing all kinds of exercises and watching movies with our own snacks. Just precious memories, it brings tears to my eyes.
Christmas 2006 in Toronto. My nephew Gino and I went shopping and we prepared the meal together. It was just the two of us. We each had a bottle of wine, red for him and Chardonnay for me. We had an awesone dessert which he chose and I don't remember the name. Then we watched a movie and we slept in. I remember he gave me a gift certificate and I used it to get a queen size bed in a bag which I still have. Unfortunately, this was the last Christmas dinner with him. I am glad to have spent this time with him and I really cherish this memory.
Taken in 2007 when I spent a few months in Toronto. This brings special memory because I enjoyed having family around. We would get together after work and watch a movie or play mahjong. Alysia and Mike will come for dinner and stay for a while. Gino would download movies and I watched them during the day. Sometimes we would just have a chat and reminisce. I remember Mike always trying to see if there will be "baon" for next day, which means leftover to take to work.
As I have posted this may feature all kinds of memories. This is considered unpleasant. The picture only tells of the time which is Christmas. I spent it overseas and was expecting to have a good time. Bu the opposite happened, it was the worst experience for me. I had just finished baking and was looking for some pictures and found some that broke my heart. I did not know what to do since I was so far away from home. I went for a walk wondering how I will handle the next two weeks there. I believe to this day that I have completely denied what I saw just to survive. From that time on, Christmas never meant the same to me and I started to hate it. It also made me aware that you never really can say that you know a person well. This experience taught me a lot of lessons regarding relationship, trust, commitment, and forgiveness. I will never forget it though I have moved on, there are times I see the pictures in my mind and very clear like I am looking straight at it.
This was my villa suite at Bavaro Princess in Punta Cana DR. June 2006. My first all inclusive beach resort vacation. I do not like to swim and so I never was really interested in beach vacation. But this is where my niece got married and I had to try and experience it. I had a good time since there were more than 50 attended the wedding and you at least know people although going single was a bit different as I did not want to be the third wheel. I was not too fond of the buffet and you had to reserve to eat ala carte and you can only do three ala carte. After the third day, I could not stand the smell of onions and tomatoes and other stuff being sauteed. One morning, I had donuts for breakfast. The free drinks were ok but I think it was watered down as I had too much and never got drunk and friends were trying to get me drunk. All in all it was still a good vacation mostly because of the people who were there.
This is part of the lobby of the Excellence Resort in Punta Cana. It is an adults only resort which is wonderful in terms of how quiet and relaxing it is. No children crying or running around. It was not as crowded because of the time we were there June of 2010. We were booked at the Excellence Club which is an ugrade.
The villas are located on the end part of the resort, our beach area is roped off which means the rest of the guests can't use the area. We have different towel colour which indicates if you belong to the club. There were beach butlers and ours was Lorenzo. He brings champagne as soon as we sat on the lounge chair, pizza is offered at lunch if you want and the fresh fruit after lunch.
When we got into our suite, there were flowers, newspapers and chocolates. There is also the Excellence Club lounge where you can access computers or watch the big tv. World Cup soccer was on when we were there. We did not have to reserve as most restaurants were a la carte which was nice. There was buffet for breakfast and lunch if one chooses to go. The food was great and we had room service twice.
The staff was great and once we admired a rolling cart of pastries on our way to watch the entertainment which by the way was superb and when we came back, there was a tray of pastries on the table.
The bar fridge was well stocked, even chocolate bars and cookies. Hard liquor of all kinds was in the room as well. Since we do not drink beer, we had chardonnay instead.
The suite has a jacuzzi which was nice though we only used it once during our stay.
All in all the kind of vacation spot I like. We were spoiled. But for now, I have had enough of this kind of vacation. Next would be a guided tour of an interesting country.
