I invited some friends to my home and we celebrated the end of the year together 🍷🍷🍷
This is year two I hosted the event. I got the request to host again in October😊😊😊
Last year, we ordered food, this time, each brought a dish or two. We had a feast 😋😋😋
I presented each with handwritten words on different Christmas cards to show my appreciation for their presence in my life.
It is my way to count my blessings 🥰🥰🥰
Yes, my friends = my blessings!!!
And I recorded my words here to remind me to always count on my blessings 👍👍👍
Words here are presented in the order of the person's first name/nickname.
Charline
Dear Charline: I am glad I met you through our mutual friend Wei. You are a lovely addition to my circle of friends.
Thanks for reaching out and asking to be included.
Next time when we hang out, we should do a language exchange (English / French)
What do you think?
Cui...er
Dear Cui, you set an excellent example for us on how to age gracefully.
You stay active, healthy, and playful.
You play Ping Pong with force and determination.
I admire you!
Keep living, keep growing.
May the beauty that is Christmas shine in your heart all year! (Words on the card itself)
Echo
Dear Echo, It is an absolute pleasure to know you and to be invited to your lovely home and to bike together. I am pleased that Anna introduced us and I am very impressed by your French.
Hope that we can bike more and practice more French in the New Year!
Note: She is the lucky winner of my food basket 🧺🧺🧺
Hua
Dear Hua, thanks for coming from West Island to join us by BMW (bus, metro, walking), not easy.
We have known each other since 2010 I believe and we had fun together: playing bowling, and badminton, going camping, and playing cards of course.
Your company is always appreciated.
Note: she got a ride home from Wei 🚗🚗🚗
Jin
Dear Jin,
I am so proud to have you as a friend.
You are like a ray of sunshine that always brings positivity, joy, and happiness into people’s lives.
I am glad that you brought Linda to my home and added more fun and joy to our activities together.
Attached is a little summary of what we have done since we met in 2014. It will be year 10 in a few days.
Hope for many more fun times together in the next ten years and more…
With anticipation, Angela
Note: I inserted a printout of my blog post for her. Click here to read that article
Lily
I Love your energy, your hospitality, and your happy-go-lucky (无忧无虑) personality.
I enjoy our shopping trips to Costco, rides together to the dance venue, and adventure to watch the top-notch ballet show in the park.
Looking forward to more in the New Year
Note: She came with her lovely younger daughter Ting Li and I didn't prepare a card but will write a word or two here.
Linda
Linda, Linda, what can I say?
You are such a delight in so many ways
You got me so many new things, so thoughtful and appreciated, yet you took in almost all that I offered you and made me feel “special”
Thank you for being the “heart of the party”, for bringing liveness and sometimes silliness to our forever delightful conversations
Thank you for being a great cook, an entertainer, and best of all, a wonderful friend
With gratitude Angela
P.S. A blog entry from 2020 and an article about your “Double Celebration” are attached for your viewing pleasure!
Liwen
Dear Liwen, thank you for being there lending your ears, and for encouraging each other.
Your listening skills, your patience, and your perseverance inspire me!
Thank you for being you!
I am looking forward to playing Ping Pong with you!
Man
Dear Liman, we met at Jin’s 50th birthday. We didn’t talk that much on a one-on-one basis ever since.
For the rare occasions, we did speak and connect. I was drawn to you by your wisdom and outlook on life.
You drove two hours to join us, it is an honor to host you and have your company.
I sincerely appreciate YOU!
Note: This is the second time she drove two hours to join us. Happy to have you always!
Sandra
It is so nice to know you and to be part of the dance group. Your dedication and your caring nature are very commendable. I am grateful to call you my friend!
Cheers!
TingLi
She just flew in from London two days ago and she bought a huge gift for me and my team (her mom's word): An LED Ring Light Kit. We put it to use right away and we captured some excellent group photos. It is only natural that I featured her in one of the three photos for this post. She is likable, polite, and very articulate...in Chinese. No wonder she won the Miss Chinese International 第三名 (Global) in 2014 when she was only 21.
Thanks for stopping by. It is a true pleasure to have you.
You make your mom proud 🌼🌼🌼
Xiao Linzi
Thanks for being in my circle. Your vibrant personality is contagious and I admire your energy for playing badminton 9 hours weekly.
Stay active, healthy, and happy forever!
Wei
Dear Liuwei, thank you for being my friend and for being supportive whenever I need support. I appreciate you!
Wendy
Thanks for stopping by. It has been 20 years since we met each other.
Time flies! Let's sing the song: Auld Lang Syne and celebrate our friendship.
Note: we met in a carpool to Toronto in 2007, so not 20 years yet, but we are very close. Now she has been living in Toronto for almost 10 years. See you in Toronto!
Today on my way home, I stopped by the Shoe Shop at Complex Desjardins and dropped off a card and a box of "Merci" chocolate to the owner, a friend called Bernard.
Bernard
Thank you for being a great salesperson. I bought 4 pairs of shoes since last December.
I appreciate your business. Your hospitality and your patience with my French practice. Thanks for giving me storage whenever I needed it.
P.S. Your sense of humor is top-notch
To a prosperous 2024, cheers!
Anna
She didn't come to my party due to another engagement but she did check in today asking about it.
I also have a card for her and the words on the card itself say it all.
Something special just for you…because you are special through and through (自始至终)
Thank you ALL for being in my life. You truly add liveness and richness to my life.
From the bottom of my heart:
I APPRECIATE YOU ALL 🌹🌹🌹
The top image is from last year.
The bottom image is from yesterday. There were fifteen of us!
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