Summer Plans

Summer in Montreal is truly special, and I want to make the most of it by planning ahead.

I’ve decided to make separate plans for weekdays and weekends to enjoy the summer to the fullest.

For the weekdays: I decided to work in office every day instead of three required days so I can avoid all the construction noises if working at home and enjoy the following:

• Just two walks a day—about 35 to 45 minutes each—and I hit my 10,000 steps without even trying that hard. I enjoy taking in the sights of downtown Montreal while walking—whether I’m listening to French, tuning into The Debaters, enjoying some music, or chatting with friends

• 20 minutes of light exercise in the open field next to work before starting each workday. It does set a very positive tone for the day

• A healthy lunch prepared onsite and enjoyed slowly - either with colleagues in the office kitchen or outdoors, either through animated chatting or people watching

  
  

Yes, I do sometimes miss those two days a week when I could linger in bed a little longer, tend to small things around the house, and most of all, playing music out loud in the background—no headphones, just me and the vibe.

But I will gain more especially because the office is located right in the heart of Montreal, which makes it easy to jump into all the summer fun during lunch break or after work.

For the weekend, I decided to keep things open—no agenda, just going with the flow ☀️🌧️

• If it’s sunny, I might go dancing, walking, hiking, or biking

• If it rains, I’ll probably organize a card game with the girls, visit a museum, watch a movie, or play some games indoors.

Here is a recap of what I did this past weekend. It was a weekend of wetness, warmth, and wonderful moments. It was a blend of sunshine, rain, and heartfelt memories. Each day brought its own rhythm, its own flavor, and its own little joys.

Friday: Sun, Smiles, and Spanish Flavors 💃🎴🎬🚴‍♀️

The weekend began with a gift from skies - gorgeous weather that set the perfect stage for a fabulous date. We drove along the river to Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, a charming waterfront town where people come from near and far to soak up the spirit of summer.

We dined at a Spanish restaurant with a view overlooking an open-air venue where live music filled the air and people danced freely under the setting sun. The music was so inviting, it made me want to jump in and join the crowd—but hunger won.

The restaurant was packed, and we didn’t get our food until nearly 9 p.m.—over an hour after we sat down—but it was worth the wait. The food was exquisite, rich in flavor and taste.

All in all, it was one of those dates: unplanned, unhurried, and unforgettable, an evening that would linger in memory for a long time.

Saturday: Raining Day, Radiant Company

Saturday brought a steady rain, but it only made the indoors feel cozier. I played backgammon as well as Chinese Checker with my boyfriend and I spent rest of the day playing cards with the girls, and what a joy it was, despite the fact that I did not win. We shared laughers, we shared food and we simply enjoyed each other's company.

Sometimes, the best kind of fun is the kind that does not require sunshine - just good friends and a deck of cards (3 or 4 decks in our case) ♥️♠️♦️♣️

Sunday: A Quiet Celebration of Life and Love

Sunday was a special one - my son's birthday. In a beautiful twist of coincidence, I sent him a message at 7:59 AM, the exact moment he came to this world, but 27 years ago. I hadn't planned it - it just happened as I opened messenger on Facebook. It was a quiet, magical alignment of time and memory.

I sent another message on Facebook to a dear friend who visited me at the hospital the day I gave birth. She’ll be 85 in October, and she still remembers that special day when my son was born. She was one of the few who came to see me in the hospital. She wrote:

“Happy Birthday, Eric. I do remember that day. I can hardly believe it was 27 years ago. I hope he has a great celebration and that you’ll be able to connect today.”

My son came to Montreal last year in June but this time, he is celebrating his birthday in Spain with his girlfriend.

The rest of the day was peaceful and grounding. We stayed in for a while, playing a few games and simply enjoying each other’s company. Later, we headed out for a walk along the Lachine Canal, letting the calm water and evening light ease us into the night.

We ended up at a cozy jazz session, performed by my friend’s musician husband. One piece in particular stood out—I recorded a part of it and sent it to him afterward.

The night wrapped up with a comforting Vietnamese dinner, topped off by a sweet, crispy fried banana for dessert—simple, sweet and satisfying.

As I look back, I am reminded that the best weekends aren't always the busiest - they are the ones that leave you feeling full.

Full of laughter, love, connection, music and meaning.

How was your weekday and your weekend? Did you find a moment or many that made you smile? How are you going to enjoy your summer?