Tuesday, May 23, 2006

what, it's time already?

This picture was taken several hours after I arrived in Canada on May 2. This is me at the balcony. Well, time flies so fast, doesn't it?

seems like only yesterday - picture taken by Bob  Posted by Picasa


Much to my regret but a few more hours and I am about to end this wonderful adventure in Canada. It caught me unaware because I thought I was leaving tomorrow. Well, yes, but it will be at 2:25 am. So, I have to be at the airport at around 12 midnight tonight. It pains me to leave behind things I will always have a fondness for.

I am truly blessed to have had this experience. Not many have been as lucky to have the same experiences I have. It is not only the wonderful places I have been to, like the ones I have shared so far and these pictures I have yet to show:

Finn Slough  - taken by Gwen Austin Turbyfield;Posted by Picasa


Fishing anyone?  Posted by Picasa


sunset at Steveston. Taken at the Charthouse by Gwen  Posted by Picasa


me at Riverrock Casino and Hotel Posted by Picasa


My house for three weeks is in this condominium Posted by Picasa


but it is the warm welcome I receive from people everytime I come. There's Stephe, Arlene's son, who always make sure he comes to see me in spite of his busy schedule in Edmonton. Dinner at Trudy's house, which always turn out to be a real treat as she cooks really well... reuniting with them, I have come to realize they are no longer friends but my family in this side of the world. There's Don, Daniel, Jenny, Scott, and their malamuths, Taku and Kodiak.

Arlene's family and mine, too. Trudy, Daniel and Stephe who flew all the way from Edmonton Posted by Picasa


Final dinner at Don's and Trudy's home - May 22, 6:00 Posted by Picasa


Trudy and Daniel Posted by Picasa


With Don Wallis and Jenny Posted by Picasa



Visiting the Wits, Chris and Ole and Tina and Andy have always been a pleasure knowing that they are friends forever.

Respectable Ole and bubbly Chris  Posted by Picasa


me and Andy Posted by Picasa


meeting new friends, poet-laureate Bob here with poets Scott and Arlene

Poets allPosted by Picasa


With Joe and Arlene at Finn Slough Posted by Picasa


not so anonymous;

A real winner and they haven't started the olympics yet Posted by Picasa


Joe Oppenheimer, husband of Gwen Austin and a member of Mensa as well as Bob;
Learning from the master historian Joe Posted by Picasa




but most of all, living with a gracious woman with a kind heart who had given me so much for so little, my generous host, Arlene Lawson, who has unselfishly bestowed me with wonderful treasures of memories and more.

My beautiful host, Arlene Posted by Picasa


This feeling of euphoria I have is one of those which I hope will never come to pass but always does.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ang gwapo sa unang pic ah! Si Troy nga ba talaga yan?! Sige intayin namin ang pagdating mo. Ingat sa byahe!

batjay said...

nasa pilipinas ka na siguro bossing. sarap ng bakasyon mo. i am sure you had a great time with all those interesting friends. it can only make your life richer.

good for you.

Anonymous said...

Rolly,

You've just gone out the door. Funny how still the house is without your presence. In the morning you won't be here. There'll be no coffee made for me and no one to share the balconey with. I'll try to concentrate on the good memories and not about how much you'll be missed now that you've returned home. Three weeks wasn't nearly long enough. Hopefully, you can return soon. In the meantime, I'm grateful we are friends. I know we always will be.
Love you, Rolly.
Arlene

{illyria} said...

that's awesome, rolly. now you have for us more unforgettable stories right inside your luggage. xx.

Vicky said...

most things have their endings..di bale busog ka naman sa memories, photos, and maybe more inspired to plan and save for the next one.
have a safe trip back home.

Anonymous said...

welcome back rolly..what lovely friends you have over there and the views and interesting places you've been to. Seems to me Canada is your second home now.

I'm flying to L.A next week and will meet some of our california based berks friends.

till then..sach

Stan said...

Hi Rollo, remember me? I just get back to blogging, having returned from Hawaii, look you up and here you've been right here for the last month, while I was getting myself moved from Vancouver to a new place on Gabriola Isnand, up the coast a ways. Too bad, I could have shaken your hand! Oh well, that's how it goes.

rolly said...

Mickey Sabi ko sayo magkamukha tayo e.

batjay Yes, I had a wonderful time and yes, my experiences made me richer and more confident, especially after taking a bus and commuting on my own for the first time in a foreign land.

Arlene Thank you for the kindness, generosity and for being a very very good friend. You have been such a wonderful host I do not know how i can ever repay it.

transience I wish I had your ability to write beautifully so that I could have captured my thoughts via the written word.

Vicky Yes, it will be a long time again probably but I sure hope that it was not the last. Maybe with my family the next time? who knows, eh?

sachiko from the first time I set foot on Canada soil, I knew it would be my second home. It has always been very kind to me. Good luck on your next trip. I'm sure our friends will take good care of you.

Stan Of course I remember you. As a matter of fact, I celebrated mother's day in Richmond and i was thinking of your flower shop and where it could be located so i can purchase flowers for my friends who are mothers. Too bad, you've moved. Oh well, this is not really a big world we live in. Maybe someday, huh?

Anonymous said...

Have you given serious thought about moving to Canada permanently?

rolly said...

Bayi I've given it some thought although not seriously as my wife isn't keen on moving. She claims we're too old to start all over again. What can I do, eh? The boss has spoken. haha

Anonymous said...

I am sure you could have supported yourself and your family teaching art and doing painting, something I am sure you like. And this will make you happy.

My sister is an NZ citizen. She's been pestering me to go there but I am not keen. Malaysia is where I belong and my wife feels the same. My son thinks he wants to live in Australia. I am not stopping him if he intends to move but I will remain. I love it here in Malaysia. Remember to visit me someday, ok?

Toni said...

Tito R,

I love the first pic. Ang ganda ng portrait ninyo. :)

So when do we get to read your poetry about your trip? ;)

rolly said...

Toni Thanks ha. Credit should go to the one who took the picture. Si Bob. Actually, kakababa ko pa lang ng eroplano nyan. Wala pa kong tulog. hehe

Meron akong nagawang isa. hindi naman kagandahan pero pwede na rin. Pwede mong tingnan dito

rolly said...

Bayi i think my wife and probably, me, too, have the same sentiments as you do.