Retirement Reflections
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Hello, I'm Donna Connolly. Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, 'Retirement Reflections' was born. I hope that you enjoy these..
Retirement Reflections
2w ago
I am currently helping my parents move and transition into their new residence. I tried to multitask but soon realized that the move and transition need my full attention. I look forward to catching up with all readers/fellow bloggers/friends soon ..read more
Retirement Reflections
3w ago
Richard and I eat a variety of different types of foods, including meat, fish and dairy. As we were home alone for the majority of March, we tried to focus on eating meatless meals as much as possible. While I greatly enjoy plant-based meals, it can be easy to run out of ideas of what ..read more
Retirement Reflections
3w ago
Are you also a fan of March and a believer in the hope that it brings? Despite the weather’s ups and downs, I am always grateful for March. At its bare minimum, it reminds us that short-term pain leads to the long-term gains of upcoming summer for the Northern Hemisphere and relief from hot temperatures ..read more
Retirement Reflections
1M ago
In the interest of fitness, spending time outdoors, and accomplishing other tasks I’d rather procrastinate on, I’ve been trying to limit my reading to one book a week. Reading Goal: Read four books a month (or less).This Month’s Reality: Six books read in the last thirty days.Lesson: My plan was to start my last two ..read more
Retirement Reflections
1M ago
In my last post, I used a question-and-answer format and invited readers to ask specifics about my February. The queries ranged from my recent trip to Mexico (and how many fellow Canadians I met there), Muttley Crew Dog Walks, what’s the big deal with the Superbowl and how in the heck my calendar is so ..read more
Retirement Reflections
2M ago
Welcome to February’s ‘What’s Been On Your Calendar?’ In the interest of a challenge and trying to do something a bit different, I am starting this post with this short paragraph and a single photo of my calendar for February. The ‘something different’ part is that I invite all readers to ask a question about ..read more
Retirement Reflections
2M ago
My reading goal for 2024 is to read less than I did last year and the year before (56 and 65 books, respectively). No more than a book per week would be perfect. Although this may sound like an unusual goal, especially for an avid reader, it makes sense to me. I love to linger ..read more
Retirement Reflections
2M ago
Richard and I just returned from a two-week stay in Mazatlan, Mexico. Our biggest takeaway was how many Canadians were there at the same time. Seriously, at the pool, on the bus, at restaurants, and at the airport, we repeatedly ran into other Canadians, many of them from our province of BC and many from ..read more
Retirement Reflections
3M ago
After a whirlwind late December/early January filled with family, friends, festivities, and food, Richard and I gifted each other a small getaway with warmth and winding down as top priorities. Although the winding down part didn’t exactly happen, the weather has been fabulous. On my Facebook page, I posted random pics from our travels each ..read more
Retirement Reflections
3M ago
After a fabulous, loud, joyful, peopley, cherished, whirlwind, loved, chaotic, and absolutely wonderful nonstop three weeks of family holiday celebrations, I have extended my blogging break until January 25. However, I did want to share what I have been reading and have a quick catchup with you. I will be reading and replying to all ..read more