This year's July 1st celebrations in Steveston were particularly special, celebrating 150 years of Canada's confederation. Traditions.
This is the first July in ten years that I've been able to wake up each day and feel the freedom of choice. To read what I want, do what I want - without the over-riding feeling of guilt that I should be focusing on my doctoral studies. I have read more novels and professional books of my choosing this summer than I have in the last few years combined. I have baked and cooked and walked and enjoyed my garden and the sun. I have gone to shows - Mary Poppins at TUTS, Harry Potter in Concert with the VSO, Monet at the VAG and The Drums are Calling Festival downtown. I have walked and lunched and seen friends. Sort of feels like what summer holidays should feel like.
I have enjoyed my backyard and garden this summer - drying herbs to share, replanting a corner of the yard that was overtaken with ivy, enjoying the fruits the backyard produces and reading outside on the deck.
The boys (and by boys I mean Adam, Colin and Neil) got together and bought themselves a scooter/moped. Fun for quick jaunts around Steveston. It's kind of loud - you'll definitely hear them coming!
Neil spent the first week of July at his new school and then took his dad down to the states for their annual casino trip. Neil has been sick most of June and July and the doctor that he finally saw mid June thinks he probably had pneumonia. Needless to say, he hasn't been riding his bike and for the first of many summers, he did not go on his long distance bike trip.
On July 25th, we said goodbye to Adam at the airport as he left for South Korea to meet up with a group of his friends. A very long flight by himself - he was both excited and bit nervous. He and his friends are staying in an AirBnB in Seoul for 10 days.
We have been communicating with him and his friends using the What'sUp app - fun to see them post photos and videos of their days so far from here. They have been taking in lots of live music, shopping, hiking and trying out the local foods.
We continued to celebrate Colin's graduation with a much anticipated visit to Miku restaurant in Vancouver. Amazing sushi and a special dessert for Colin. He has been working more than "full-time" this summer, between Ichiro and Takeya.
And because as Canadians, we are especially known for talking about the weather - what an amazing July it has been. Kind of tedious actually - sun, sun and more sun. I have been out every day enjoying the weather and the local views.
Thank you July for being so wonderful. Looking forward to a big family adventure in August!
~Janice
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