As I showered before departing on our roadtrip, the hubby asked if we should reconsider not bringing T’s tablet with us. “Don’t you dare,” I said. “You create your own misery.” Like the time at the airport earlier this year when the hubby gave T his tablet to pass the time after I told himContinue reading “Digital Detox: Letting Our Neurodiverse Son Enjoy a Screen-Free Vacation”
Category Archives: travel
Exploring the Beauty of Lake Superior Provincial Park
For five years, I’ve thought about this beautiful drive through Lake Superior Provincial Park. This summer, we went back and explored. In 2020, we did an amazing roadtrip to Thunder Bay and I regretted that we only drove through Lake Superior; it was the middle stretch of a 14-hour return drive to Sudbury. 😝 ThisContinue reading “Exploring the Beauty of Lake Superior Provincial Park”
The Hours: Lessons from a Windswept Pine at Killbear
The windswept pine tree on sunset rocks at Killbear Provincial Park is beloved by visitors. Over 100 years old, standing on rocks over 2 billion years old, it has witnessed many untold moments. I’m thankful that we are a part of each others’ passage in time, from the hubby and my first visit before TContinue reading “The Hours: Lessons from a Windswept Pine at Killbear”
Canada Day Fireworks in Timmins
We kicked off T’s summer with our annual family roadtrip and headed back to Northern Ontario. I planned this 7-day trip in April. As the days grew closer, the excitement was palatable in our home. On our first day, on Monday, we drove 4 hours from Toronto to Sudbury, making a pitstop at Killarney. WeContinue reading “Canada Day Fireworks in Timmins”
March Break in Mexico
For March Break last week, our family returned to Cancun, Mexico and had a blast. The week leading up to the trip, T’s excitement was palatable. On the Friday before the break, I picked T up from school at lunch, to let him relax in the afternoon, as we had to get up at 2Continue reading “March Break in Mexico”
The Simple Life: Exploring Village Historique Acadien in New Brunswick
Less is more. Tight knit community connections. Want not, waste not. These were thoughts that came to mind when we stepped back in time during a visit to the Acadian Village in New Brunswick in August. Le Village Historique Acadien is an historical reconstruction that portrays the way of life of Acadians between 1770 and 1949.Continue reading “The Simple Life: Exploring Village Historique Acadien in New Brunswick”
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough: Riding Banff Gondola Up Sulphur Mountain
The big picture view always puts the small details into clear perspective. On Day 3 of our family trip to Banff in early July, we took the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain. As it’s a popular spot, we reserved a timeslot ahead of time online to minimize the wait to board. As someone who getsContinue reading “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough: Riding Banff Gondola Up Sulphur Mountain”
The Tumbles and Polish of Sea Glass
Picking up treasures on pebbled shores reflected the journey through life’s imperfections. One highlight from our visit to T’s grandparents in New Brunswick was picking sea glass. Wonderopolis describes sea glass as pieces of glass smoothed over time by the tumbling of water, waves, and sand. As glass soak in salt water and get tossed againstContinue reading “The Tumbles and Polish of Sea Glass”
Swimming at Nigadoo Falls: An Off the Beaten Path Oasis in New Brunswick
Often times, the best activities are those known to the locals. At the top of T’s list to do during our annual summer visit to his grandparents in Beresford was to swim at Nigadoo Falls. It’s a beautiful, rocky and fresh water spot tucked in the woods, off the unassuming Rue du Moulin in Nigadoo,Continue reading “Swimming at Nigadoo Falls: An Off the Beaten Path Oasis in New Brunswick”
Wild Blueberries
We’re letting T run wild this summer, taking a more relaxed approach than previous years. Usually by the end of June, I would’ve lined up worksheets and books from his teacher, to work on with T over the summer. I did this to avoid summer learning slide, as I’m mindful of T’s FASD and ADHD.Continue reading “Wild Blueberries”
Hiking Takakkaw Falls and Canoeing Emerald Lake at Yoho National Park
We saved some of the best experiences for last during our family summer trip to Banff, Alberta. I intentionally kept our last day as a blank slate when planning the itinerary. At the advice of a local, we spent the day exploring Yoho National Park, located an hour drive from the town of Banff. OurContinue reading “Hiking Takakkaw Falls and Canoeing Emerald Lake at Yoho National Park”
The Quiet Beauty of Banff’s Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
Turquoise and emerald water, majestic snow-capped mountains and carpet of evergreens. A trip to Banff’s must-see lakes did not disappoint and there was an unexpected bear sighting too! Our visit to both lakes on the fifth day of our week-long trip worked to our advantage, as the weather was great. As we learned through ourContinue reading “The Quiet Beauty of Banff’s Lake Louise and Moraine Lake”
Cycling the Legacy Trail and to Johnston Canyon in Banff
A 25 km bike ride in Western Canada provided an unforgettable scenic experience for my family. On the fourth day of our week-long visit to Banff in Alberta, I planned a full-day outing around T’s love for biking; it was just last summer that our 9-year-old took off his training wheels. There are numerous bikeContinue reading “Cycling the Legacy Trail and to Johnston Canyon in Banff”
Family Summer Visit to Beautiful Banff in Alberta
We kicked off T’s summer with a week-long visit to Banff, a town within Banff National Park in Alberta. Our Canada Day departure got off to a slow start with a 2-hour mechanical delay, while we were already seated on the plane. “Is the plane going to crash?” T asked loudly and I reminded himContinue reading “Family Summer Visit to Beautiful Banff in Alberta”
Down into the Depths
In your lowest moments, you find yourself again. We enjoyed a cave exploration excursion during our March Break family trip to Mexico. Our first activity was to rappel down 7 storeys into a small cave. T went first. As he was lowered by the guide, down a small hole that quickly opened widely, he saidContinue reading “Down into the Depths”
Surga
After a cloudy few months, we’re spending March Break at a place of happiness. We booked this family getaway last October, before I knew one of my closest friends would lose her brave battle with cancer in November. Never would I have guessed Ma would pass away a few weeks later. For better or worse,Continue reading “Surga”
The Oldest Chinatown in the World
I recently visited my childhood neighbourhood in the Philippines, 35 years after moving away. Over the holidays, I unexpectedly flew to Manila after Ma fell ill and with a very sad outcome. After Ma was admitted to ICU, I could no longer visit her. So, with thanks to uncles, I visited Binondo, the neighbourhood myContinue reading “The Oldest Chinatown in the World”
Far From Home
During the holidays, I unexpectedly flew to the other side of the world to visit my ailing Ma. Ma moved back to the Philippines in July. In early December, her myositis autoimmune disease, which attacks and weakens her leg muscles, resurfaced and a few days before Christmas, she had a fall at home. On ChristmasContinue reading “Far From Home”
Leap of Faith
We were racing against sunset as we hiked up the rocky hill to get to the cliffs to jump into the bay. It was our first day camping at Killbear and we had just finished dinner. We had decided we would do cliff jumping the following day, but T was insistent, so the hubby andContinue reading “Leap of Faith”
Our Budding Influencer
“Hi guys,” T says sweetly and excitedly to his phone, on video record mode, to his imaginary followers. He goes on to narrate what he’s doing, emulating the online influencers and livestreamers he enjoys watching, like Ethan Gamer. It appears we have a budding influencer. T started doing this at his grandparents’ cottage during ourContinue reading “Our Budding Influencer”
My Life With T 