Goodbye Niagara Soon

As I sit down to write, I am bubbling with excitement! The decision to move back to Toronto feels like the right one, and I can't wait for this new chapter to begin.

I still remember that first night in Niagara, full of anticipation and hope. I was determined to give it my all, staying for at least two weeks to see if there were enough daily assignments. And then, just when I was settling in, something amazing happened. In my second week, I received an offer from Durham. The thought of moving back to the GTA filled me with joy, but it was a secondary occasional teaching position, and I wasn't quite ready to jump into it.

Niagara has been wonderful, with its elementary occasional teaching position... I decided to pack up my things from Vaughan and give myself at least 9 months to try. I was thinking about moving back GTA for Durham's minimum occasional teaching days in the last month in the academic year, but as time passed, I found myself missing my friends and feeling tired of the long-distance relationship.

Luckily, I received an offer from Peel, and everything fell into place. It's time to move back. I've completed over 60 days of assignments in Niagara, and I know that if the assignment days are less in the GTA, I can always return to Niagara...

Thank you, God, for the time I've spent in Niagara. Thank you for the experiences and the lessons learned. I'm grateful for the memories made and the friendships formed. Thank you for guiding me and showing me the way. As I move back to Toronto, I trust in your plan for me. Thank you for your blessings and for always being by my side.

Forever Happy Together

My heart feels so full knowing that I have someone as special as my love in my life. His smile is the most important thing to me in the world, and seeing him happy makes me the happiest person alive.

  

I collected some of his favorite chocolates and prepared them as a gift. I also decided to get creative and designed some of our photos by writing messages on them.

I hope that we can stay forever happy together.

Here's to many more happy moments together...

Birthday Week

This birthday week has been a whirlwind of emotions and activities. I was so excited to have February 14th off, a rare treat that got me feeling all kinds of giddy. Birthdays have been a bit of a sore spot for me in the past, filled with stress and a sense of inadequacy. I know it's just a day, but for some reason, I always get nervous and particularly down around my birthday. It's like all these ghostly feelings come back to haunt me, and I hate that!

There were so many things on my plate: visiting Cynthia and Ronald for Lunar New Year, meeting up with Janice and Dorothy, seeing my Chinese practitioner Ms. Ding, getting a facial... it was a lot, especially since I had to drive back and forth on Friday and Saturday. Note to self: next time, take a day off in between to avoid the exhaustion from all that driving.

My love surprised me with flowers and indulged in the chocolate cake I picked out, which made me so happy. And then there was the unexpected short day trip to Niagara Falls, US. We've been spending so much time in transportation lately, it's almost comical. I really hope we can relocate soon. Thank you for the offer from Peel; I hope to secure a job soon and provide my parents with more options for their retirement. I'll keep praying for it all to work out.

Here's to hoping for smoother travels, fewer ghostly feelings, and more peaceful birthdays in the future.

 

Gong Hey Fat Choy! 🧧

Today marks another Lunar New Year away from home, and I can't help but feel a wave of nostalgia mixed with sadness. It's been two years now since I last celebrated this joyous occasion with my family, and each passing year seems to make the distance feel even greater.

Mum sent me a video of my adorable niece, Amanda, who's growing up so fast. Seeing her cheerful face brought both happiness and tears to my eyes. Oh, how I miss the laughter and the warmth of family gatherings during this festive season (T_______T) One of the things I miss the most is the delicious turnip cake and Mum's special Lunar New Year veggies.

The family reunion dinner and watching fireworks at Victoria Harbour on New Year's Day are cherished traditions that I yearn for dearly. But here I am, alone in Niagara, far from home. Yesterday, I ventured out to witness the special Lunar New Year celebrations on my own. It wasn't the same as being surrounded by loved ones, but at least I wasn't drowning in solitude at home with only my teddy bear for company. Thank goodness for small mercies.

I treated myself to a piece of birthday chocolate cake. Sometimes, a little indulgence is necessary to keep loneliness at bay.

Here's to brighter days ahead, filled with good health, happiness, and an abundance of blessings for my family. Gong Hey Fat choy! 🧧

You are my Whole World...

What a day! I was absolutely beat, rushing back home like a maniac, completely unaware that a delightful surprise awaited me right outside my doorstep. Yep, you guessed it, I was so tired I didn't even notice the colourful balloon! 

...So, turns out my amazing love decided to pull off an early birthday surprise for me! How sweet is that (cry)... I mean, just a few days ago, I casually mentioned to him that we've been together for 333 days since March 3, 2023. And what does he do? He goes and arranges this adorable surprise for me! I swear, he has got a heart of gold (cry).

It's my first time ever receiving birthday flowers! I know, crazy, right? But seriously, seeing this colorful bloom and those lovely pinky roses just made my heart swell with so much love and warmth. It's moments like these that remind me how lucky I am to have someone as thoughtful and caring as him in my life ...

Dudu's birthday

Dudu's first birthday celebration (1/23) with me went down at Keg Mansion, thanks to Matt's recommendation. The rib steak was off the charts😗! Dudu and I were practically doing a happy dance (at home) over that juicy steak and dreamy mashed potatoes. It was a feast to remember!

But then, Dudu got a bit emotional about the birthday spending. Come on, it's his day! I'm all about showing him love and giving him the good stuff. We've been eating with home-cooked meals lately, so a fancy dinner was totally in order—Cupid strikes again! ( I am cupid me.. teeeheee💘)

As we were enjoying the grub, Dudu spilled about his worries in our relationship—mixed backgrounds and communication stuff. It hit me in the feels, thinking maybe he's not sure what he's really looking for.Later on, the "separation" dropped in my mind. I'm thinking Dudu, being the thoughtful guy he is, might be holding back. I wondered if he's secretly longing for a more traditional, same-race vibe.

It's tough to see him all anxious, so I'm tossing around the idea that maybe, if I'm not the one, he doesn't need to stress. I seriously worry about Dudu....

 

New Start Again?

January 02, 2024, a day I had eagerly anticipated for months. The thrill of receiving the first written interview invitation from York Region filled me with an indescribable joy. It was a moment that sent me twirling in a dance of elation, and there, in front of T&T, Dudu and I celebrated this small victory. Cloud nine didn't seem high enough to encapsulate the emotions that surged through me.

Four months of waiting, wondering, and worrying finally led to this moment. I had almost resigned myself to the idea that perhaps an interview with York Region was not in the cards for me. But here it was, a glimmer of hope that reignited my dreams of returning to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The prospect of leaving behind the solitude I experienced in Niagara was a beacon of light.

Living in Niagara had its own set of challenges. Loneliness, I realized, could be one of the most disheartening things in the world. The move to Niagara had prompted me to reflect on the notion that life shouldn't be solely about work. Deep down, I've always known this truth, but circumstances seemed to have cornered me into a position where work took precedence.

The struggles with the previous school, the rejections from kindergartens, and the subsequent dent in my confidence added layers of complexity to my journey. People around me insisted that working in the school board would guarantee stability and a promising future. Yet, as I immersed myself in the role of a supply teacher in Niagara, I discovered that the reality was far from enjoyable or fulfilling.

Sure, the daily salary was relatively better than the private school market, but the sense of accomplishment and joy in teaching were conspicuously absent. The schools lacked resources, especially considering the influx of immigrants. Portable classrooms, small and dim, failed to create an optimal learning environment. The shortage of laptops, books, and exercises highlighted the stark challenges faced by both educators and students. Witnessing this disparity left me wondering how students could truly learn, particularly the art of writing.

As I prepare for the upcoming interview with York Region District School Board (YRDSB) and Peel District School Board (PDSB) for a secondary occasional teaching position, I find myself grappling with mixed emotions. The prospect of a stable and prospective life looms ahead, yet I question whether it aligns with my ideals of meaningful and fulfilling work.

Dear Lord, guide me through these interviews, grant me the courage to navigate the path ahead, and help me make choices that resonate with my values and aspirations.