Family Fondness
Family… like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one.
What an incredible summer… I’ve been super busy with preparing and facilitating summer institute workshops on BC’s New Curriculum on the one hand… and travelling to different places to visit and connect with family on the other hand.
After teaching two BC’s New Curriculum workshops at St. Mark’s College and presenting research at the Canadian School Board Association Congress 2016 in Winnipeg, I had the privilege and opportunity to travel to New Jersey and New York City to reunite with three generations of the Ho-Family (my dad’s side of the family). All 44 of us (and one of my aunts from my mom’s side) gathered together for 5-days to engage in activities ranging from family photos, talent show, and Master Chef to backyard olympics, mariachi band madness, and Zumba. We had a tonne of fun. From friendly competition to eating lots of yummy food, I learned more about my family and myself. Thank you Uncle Tom & Aunt Mabel for your hospitality… and, thank you to my brother & Ho-Minions for making the reunion memorable.
Travel highlights to New York City included eating NY style pizza, climbing up the Statue of Liberty, catching Pokemon in Central Park, tipping ‘strangers’ in Times Square, and visiting the 911-Memorial & Museum. In such a short time, my little family experienced so much. We must return back to NYC again. After the reunion, my little family took the train to Montreal, QC. We stayed at the Gingerbread Manor B&B in the Plateau for a few days and visited McGill University, toured around Old Town, and ate the BEST smoked meat sandwich at Schwartz. In the midst of our Montreal visit, we connected up with my cousin on my mom’s side, Rhetta, and her little family.
My husband loved Montreal for the lifestyle and prominent cycling community. My kid found some joy chasing squirrels in the park and catching Pokemon with the available free-wifi. I loved the food. Wow. The food in Montreal is absolutely delicious. We went to several restaurants ranging from vegetarian to Korean. Yum, yum, yum. We left Montreal on a bus to Quebec City. We did not visit any family but watched the changing of the guards at the Citadelle of Quebec, ate escargot and maple syrup on a stick, and watched live performers on the streets. We ended our vacation with another bus trip to Ottawa, ON. We toured the Parliament Building (in French), visited the Canadian Mint, and cruised through the War Museum. We stayed at my aunt & uncle’s place (Rhetta’s parents). It was another opportunity to connect up with family (and food). We had a wonderful time visiting with Aunt Lillian & Uncle Dave.
The best part about vacationing is the greater appreciation for the comforts of home. After our plane, train, and bus trip, we returned home. Wow. I love living on the Sunshine Coast… and that very moment when you drive past the gorgeous ocean view of Davis Bay. I am quickly reminded why I love living on the west coast in British Columbia. Super nice. It was nice to settle back in, pick fruit from our trees, and reconnect with my little dog, Sally. It’s good to be home. Unfortunately, my husband left soon after drove up to Prince Rupert to visit his dad. My kid and I also went up a week later to Prince Rupert. We flew to Terrace and met up with my husband who drove us back to my hometown of Prince Rupert. It was an interesting few days.
We visited places in Terrace and Prince Rupert to reminisce. We went to Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Mr. Mike’s, and Smile’s Cafe. Yes… FOOD… again. We stayed and my husband’s mom’s house. It was nice to visit Heather & Jim. It was also nice to connect up with Tim, my husband’s brother, and Ellen, my husband’s aunt. However, our primary objective was to visit my husband’s dad (as seen below). We had an awesome visit. We took the opportunity to get to know each other a little bit better but also provide some love and support. It’s also nice to return to my hometown to see where I come from and understand where I am. My kid and I had such a great visit with Randy Sr.. We were so glad that we took the time to see him. My kid and I flew back home from Terrace and my husband stayed for a few more days.
Now that I am back home… I have meetings and I am prepping for a summer institute in Kelowna and two university courses I am teaching in the fall. I am so lucky to do what I do and I am so fortunate to see family throughout the summer. I learned more about my family and learned more about myself. Thank you family. I love you all.
