I have so many ideas on how to do this year-end post. I thought of doing a per month summary or a top 19 things that happened this 2019. I'm writing this December 30th, and I still haven't decided.
I'll look at Google Photos and see what happened each month and see if I can present it in a better way. Let's do this!
Update on December 31: I started a monthly summary and picked the top 19 events that happened this year. Disclaimer: I didn't include birthdays. This list is arranged chronologically.
Number 1. Staycation at Pan Pacific Hotel
We welcomed 2019 by staying overnight at Pan Pacific Hotel (you can read the details here). The primary reason for our stay is to watch the Vancouver New Year fireworks.
View from our hotel room
Our beautiful room (and yes, that's the view from the window)
Number 2. Vancouver Aquarium at night
Jomar's workplace has organized a winter party at the Vancouver Aquarium. There were lots of food, great music, and watching the fishes and sea creatures at night is just a different experience.
Fishes at night
Number 3. Wedding preparation trip to Manila
We spent a week back in Manila. Meeting with family, friends, and suppliers. It was too short.
Wedding Preparation
Number 4. Jomar joins Vancouver Sun Run
Jomar joins his first-ever fun run in Vancouver. It was the total Canadian experience when it hailed in the middle of the run. This is the moment I knew Jomar is adjusting well and is happy in Canada.
Number 5. Therese's graduation
Congratulations Therese! She graduated from the University of British Columbia, and we're so proud of her.
Celebrating with the family
Number 6. Crossing Burrard and Cambie Bridge
Jomar and I love walking, so crossing both Burrard and Cambie bridges for the first time this year definitely belongs in this list.
View from Burrard Bridge
Number 7. Main Street Car Free Festival
It was an unplanned visit to the Main Street Car Free Festival. They closed Main Street from traffic between 33rd up to Broadway. There were lots of food and pop-up stores. It was amazing!
The Crowd
Number 8. Hovey's graduation
Congratulations Hovey! He graduated from Vancouver Community College, and we're so proud of him.
Celebration in the Philippines
Number 9. Watching the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club
It's our first time to watch a baseball game ever. Moreover, there's free food (which is the primary reason we went). Thanks, Jomar's workplace, for sponsoring!
Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium
Number 10. Catholic Wedding in Manila
This is the goal for 2019. I have no idea how we managed to organize and pay for this wedding, but all I know is that if it's in God's will, it will happen. It's nice to see all our family and friends in one place. Thank you, everyone, who helped in making this possible. You're God's angels sent to us.
Surrounded by family and friends.
Number 11. Honda's Celebration of Lights
Fireworks to continue the beautiful summer in Vancouver.
Number 12. A Day Trip to Whistler
Real vacation (the February and July visit to the Philippines is really work for the wedding) to Whistler, a day-trip to explore more of our beautiful British Columbia.
Us in Whistler
Number 13. Pinoy Fiesta in Vancouver
In our search for Filipino food and before summer ends, we joined fellow Filipinos in Pinoy Fiesta Vancouver!
Number 14. Taiwanfest
During the Labour Day weekend, we went to Taiwanfest and enjoyed the performances and food.
Number 15. Watching the Vancouver Whitecaps FC
We watched Vancouver Whitecaps FC twice this year. Hoping for great things from the team next year.
Let's go, Whitecaps!
Number 16. VanDusen Glow in the Garden
For Halloween, we went to VanDusen Glow in the Garden and enjoyed the mysterious, beautiful lights.
Number 17. Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant
To celebrate our wedding anniversary, we went to the Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant. It was beautiful.
One of the views from the Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant
Number 18. Santa Claus Parade
This is the third year we kicked off our holidays with the Santa Claus Parade!
Number 19. Vancouver Christmas Market
It's our first time in the Vancouver Christmas Market, and I loved it. Hopefully, it becomes part of our annual tradition.
Other things to note:
This year is the first time I've been to Taiwan (just the airport in February). We had our layover in Japan (in July), and I was able to eat Japanese Curry in Japan.
Thank you for the many beautiful memories in 2019! Praying for more blessings this coming 2020.
Last Tuesday, Jomar and I spent the day at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. I've been there before, but I enjoyed it so much that I had to bring Jomar there as well. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park offers free shuttle service from Downtown Vancouver to Capilano. Check their website for pick-up point and schedule. You may also check Translink or Google Maps for public transportation direction. Jomar and I are inside the free shuttle bus. There are different sections of the park, and we enjoyed them all. Starting from the Story Centre and Kiapilano Totem Poles guided tour, we walked our way to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Because of the volume of people walking on the bridge, it was shaking more than the last time I was there. Guided Tour of the Story Centre and Kia'pilano
Jomar and I have been planning to go here last year and even the year before, but somehow we never have gotten around to it. Today, after the Pokemon GO Community Day, we went to Jack Poole Plaza where the Vancouver Christmas Market is located. Then, it started raining. Merry Christmas! Nope, I'm not going to be drenched in the rain and endure the cold to be here. This rain is not in the forecast so it was completely unexpected. We decided to let the dark clouds pass inside the Starbucks at Shaw building across the street. After an hour, it stopped raining. Thank God! We lined up again and entered. It was still before sunset so it's bright. We took pictures around and feasted on the many great foods! I wish we could eat more but at some point, you just know that you're full. Top left: DAS BRAT from Freybe (THE Brat seasoned with marjoram and caraway served on an artisan bun with warm sauerkraut). Top right: Tender Beef Gulasch in a bread bowl from Das Gulasch
Last weekend, +Jomar and I were back in Cebu for a Google Apps for Education training for one of the universities there. We arrived in Cebu at around 10:30 PM and met with +Jerome at The Ridges Commercial Center. We went to Starbucks in IT Park to discuss the training the following day. I had hot chocolate and croissant. After less than an hour, we went straight to Center Suites to get some shut eye for the next morning's training. After having breakfast, we went to university and trained the student leaders of the campus. It was the first time I teach students about Google Apps who already know the basic but was amaze on the other things I shared. I had fun today!
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