Monday, October 27, 2008

Back in Canada - Andrea's Wedding


We're home!

Ahhh... it is wonderful to be back in Bolton & talk person to person with all of our family.
Now we have to hurry & get ready for so many wonderful events this summer. Andrea's wedding, Adam's wedding, Danaca's wedding, Kathyrn's wedding, Heather's wedding reception, Aunt Berte's 90th birthday celebration. Whew ... we're glad we're home to share in all of these celebrations.

Andrea's wedding was spectacular. Andrea & David worked so hard at every detail. We had nothing to do but sit back and enjoy the celebration of their new life together. The Doctor's House and Chapel in Kleinberg, Ontario is a beautiful setting. The weather was perfect - a slight touch of rain in the morning, beautiful sunshine for the afternoon pictures and a bit of rain while we danced. The temperature was perfect. Andrea looked beautiful in her gorgeous gown and David was so dashing in his top hat. Despite David's newly broken leg he hobbled about quite well. The chapel ceremony was lovely with prayers, poetry and song by Curtis, Marijke and Mark-Jan. Father Larry was a very pleasant minister who made the short but personal ceremony very meaningful.

All of the bridesmaids & ushers looked and performed wonderfully. Andrea and David are so very fortunate to have such wonderful friends. The reception, dancing and mingling were perfect. We had a superb time. The food was spectacular. The Doctor's House did a magnificent job on the wedding meal.

Andrea & David started off their married life with a beautiful honey moon in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. They now live in a "small"apartment in Toronto and they are continuing with their extremely busy lives. Andrea is an ERW with the Dufferin Peel Catholic School Board and David is a media buyer. They are both very involved in theatre productions and are currently in the CATS performance at the Fairview Theatre in Toronto.
We are now pondering what roads our newly retired lives will take. Stay tuned & we'll let you know.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Good bye Malaysia


We cannot believe that one year has passed since we started out on this most wonderful adventure in Malaysia.

We have been very busy finishing our lessons, meeting with staff and consoling students who did not make the final grade to come to Canada. There were a few students who worked so hard during the year but missed the cut off 80% that their sponsors needed to sent them on scholarships to a Canadian University. These students were heart broken. We are very happy to hear that most of them have been given wonderful educational opportunities in Malaysia that may lead them to Canada or the United States in a couple of years or others who are in wonderful University programs in Malaysian Universities. We wish each of them success.
The Taylor's University College graduation was a lovely affair. There was a great deal of pomp & ceremony that was planned for these very deserving students.

It was extremely difficult to say good bye to the ICPU staff. We had a magnificent time with all of them. They were warm, friendly and very helpful. We miss them dearly. We would have loved to stay for another year to continue to work with them.

On June 13th we were packed and ready to return to our family and home in Bolton, Ontario. They 24 hour flight was long but our excitement about seeing our family sustained us through the hours. Our reunion with our loved ones was beautiful. It was wonderful to hug & kiss each one and know that they were safe and prosperous.

Malaysia, the people, the staff, the students and our travels throughout Asia will forever remain in our memories as one of the best years of our lives. We are so thankful that we had the opportunity to experience this wonderful adventure. It was truly a magical year!