Friday, December 30, 2022

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮


𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧 2022 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙖 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙖 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙙𝙖. 

It's a new beginning for me as a newcomer to a place that gives opportunities for growth and success. As I leave the Philippines, I have all the good memories, life lessons, and faith that will inspire me to move to the next chapter. 

Travel from the Philippines to Canada 

I feel the love and support of my family as I bid farewell. It was an incredible journey as I think about what lies ahead; my dreams and desires. 

I carried the lessons learned from my parents and cherished those precious moments with them. My family is my inspiration to strive for the better. To keep on fighting and living a good life. 

Even when I'm far away from home, we're always connected, and they get inspired by the things I share about my new life. 

Spring has Sprung 

I arrived in Canada in the 2nd half of Winter, February 2022. Although I haven't experienced heavy snowfall, I still feel cold and adjust to the frigid weather. 

And then, the Spring season began in March, which was pleasant weather. That's when Cherry blossoms are everywhere, and romantic scenery makes people smile and feel loved. 

It feels good to have visited Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. It was a charming and laid-back city on Vancouver Island, full of history, unique places, and culture. Vancouver Island is just an hour-and-a-half ferry ride away from Vancouver's mainland. 

It was a fantastic trip as we celebrated Holy Week 2022 in Victoria. They have the mildest weather in British Columbia, so people enjoy strolling around while enjoying the scenic views. 

Spring reminds us of a beautiful new beginning. It's like a restart button after things become chaotic. This season, we travel more, explore places, taste various cuisines, and enjoy events. 

Summer Season in the Sun 

Summer is the time of being outdoors. The weather is temperate, and it's the best time for camping in the mountains, woods, and creek. 

Summer can be sweltering, but it doesn't stop us from travelling to places for adventure and new experiences. 

It can be warm to hot just before the summer officially begins, so we can already feel the summer vibe. We travelled about 5 hours to Logan Lake, located in the Northeast of Vancouver. That's the most extended land travel I experienced in British Columbia. We had a great weekend camping and the best road trip ever. 

I celebrated my birthday in the summer on the Sunshine Coast, and it was a memorable experience to travel to the coastal towns with magnificent views. 

We had a creekside camping, a beach walk, a harbour stroll, and an excellent ferry ride. 

The summer season makes the lawn dry for several months of drought, but some farms can be so green, like the Richmond Country Farms, where we enjoyed the Sunflower Festival. 

The sunset is late during the summer as the night starts between 9 - 10 pm, and dawn is as early as 4:30 am. That means we may have a shorter sleep and more Netflix time. 

Fall in Love 

The Fall season is magical as the leaves turn to different colours like yellow, red, orange, and brown. It makes the surroundings golden when the leaves do not fall from the trees. And when it falls to the ground, it's just incredible and lovely. 

It is during the fall season that farmers get to harvest their produce, so farms get busy with their festivals and activities. I enjoyed the pumpkin patch experience, the pumpkin soup, and the pumpkin pie. 

During the fall, we celebrate Thanksgiving for the blessings and graces we received and the bountiful harvest the farmers shared with everyone. 

Winter Wonderland 

It's the season when winter storms can cause chaos in the city. Travelling may be challenging when the road is slushy with several snow days. 

I experienced the first significant snowstorm of this year on November 29, when I was stranded on the road for almost 2 hours and suffered from shivering. 

The days become shorter, and the nights become longer during winter time. It can be dark as early as 4 pm and very cold when the temperatures hit below freezing point. 

We live in the Pacific Northwest region of Canada in British Columbia, which has the mildest temperature in the country. It's not as harsh and frigid as Canada's central and eastern sides. So we're blessed with a favourable climate all year round. 

Winter season is fun when we experience snow activities in mountain resorts. We visited Mount Seymour in North Vancouver a week before Christmas Day and enjoyed activities like toboggan and tubing. There's no reason to be stuck at home when we can still enjoy the snow until it lasts. 

Four Seasons in Canada 

I've experienced Canada's four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Every season has its character and charm. Which one is the most or least beautiful? I love to experience the good things each season brings. 

We have made it this year, 2022. We have travelled great distances in British Columbia and had a meaningful journey. We discovered places, explored local cultures, and enjoyed the food, the wine, and the music. 

We have made it this year, 2022. We have travelled great distances in British Columbia and had a meaningful journey. We discovered places, explored local cultures, and enjoyed the food, the wine, and the music. 

There are so many things to enjoy and experience, so we look forward to more travel in 2023. Life is a journey on the road. It gives a new perspective on something. 

Once in a while, we need to unwind, recharge and rejuvenate, and this is made possible through travelling, exploring places, and experiencing new things. 

This year is also about developing new skills as I venture into YouTube vlogging. I've been a blogger since 2011, but I need to upgrade my skills to integrate the world of vlogs into creating meaningful travel journals. I've named my YouTube channel, Del Make it Happen, as a reflection of my goals and aspirations.

The year 2022 has been a roller coaster of emotions. I've learned many things in Canada and hope to continue living my best life while achieving my most cherished hopes and dreams. 

©️ 2022 Del Cusay 

Related Posts: 

👉 2021 Year in Review: Reunited in Love 

👉 2020 Year in Review: Overcoming Great Odds 

👉 2019 Year in Review: The Greatest Love

Sunday, December 25, 2022

𝗠𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮

𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧. 𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙛𝙪𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙃𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙧 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚. 𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙖 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚, 𝙬𝙚𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙙𝙖. 

Family is forever, and yes, they are in the Philippines. I feel sad on my first Christmas in Canada. It's not something I expect. It's not something I wanted. 

There's no "Noche Buena" culture here, a tradition in the Philippines. It's quiet, and people prefer to be at home for some reason. 

Is Christ present during our darkest times? The times when we feel down and not feeling good about ourselves? 

There's more love in the Philippines during Christmas. The reason we dwell on the most meaningful and memorable moments in our home country. 

Whenever we reminisce about the good Christmas moments, it gives us a good feeling and brightens the darkness. 

A family is there who understands and comforts us. It's the most special day of the year when we remember and talk to them. To share the good and not-so-good things we see, think, and feel. 

All I want this Christmas is to feel the presence of Christ. His love and the Holy Spirit to guide and lift me. Others may have forgotten and been blinded by their priorities, but we can't follow their path. They always have the choice to make beyond our control. 


I still want to feel the bright side of Christmas. The ups and downs will always be there, but Christ will be in our hearts. 

In this year's message, the Pope said, "Even in dark times, never lose hope in God's love," and that there is light even in our darkest hour. 

©️ 2022 Del Cusay 

Sunday, December 18, 2022

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗲


𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙣, 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙖𝙮. 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙠𝙞𝙙, 𝙄 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨.

Christmas is the most beautiful time of the year. We sang Christmas carols, received gifts from our loved ones, and anticipated gifts from Santa Claus. 


Back then, on Christmas Eve in my home country, the Philippines, we celebrated mass together as a family and shared a meal for "Noche Buena." Family is forever. We had a joyous celebration together. 

As a grown-up adult, I still find meaning and joy in celebrating Christmas. This year, however, will be a different experience. It will be my first time celebrating Christmas away from my family in the Philippines. It's my first Christmas in Canada. 



Here at Lumagica in Surrey, Canada, it brings back wonderful memories of when I was a kid. There's a fascination with Christmas trees and lights, the joyful spirit of hearing Christmas carols, and the excitement of seeing Santa Claus. 

Lumagica is a magical light festival with a North Pole winter wonderland theme. It's about attracting families to get together and experience a spectacular white Christmas.

Christmas is fun for the whole family, the
adults, and the little ones. But for the grown-ups, there's always that kid in us. We shout for joy; we genuinely enjoy! 




Let this Christmas season bring back that glow in our faces and sparkle in our eyes like a child. Find the magical experience that Christmas brings. Find happiness and joy in our hearts.
 
©️ 2022 Del Cusay