Today feels like a truly beautiful way to cap off the summer while working on the findings section of my dissertation. Right now, I am sitting at Britannia Beach—a place that, to me, is the most beautiful beach in Ottawa. There are other beaches that are also lovely, but this one holds something special. Its free parking, accessibility, and blend of sandy areas with expansive green spaces make it unique. If you don’t feel like being in the sand, you can easily relax under the trees, on a bench, or even have a barbecue. The beach is also close to shopping centres, which makes it very convenient.
Compared to other beaches I’ve visited—like Westboro Beach, with its nice sandy shore but inconvenient and paid parking, or Petrie Island, which is beautiful but far from downtown and not always accessible—Britannia stands out. It’s also one of the best places for swimming in the city. We used to live nearby, and I loved that I could come here almost daily for walks or a swim. Since moving downtown, it’s been harder to come, as it’s now a 20-minute drive on the highway, sometimes longer with traffic. Still, being here today makes me realize how much I appreciate this place.
Interestingly, my being here wasn’t even planned. I had originally set out for the mall to eat and write. But I made a wrong turn on the highway and ended up near a Filipino restaurant and sari-sari store. I was craving some Filipino delicacies, especially chocolate moron, though unfortunately, they only sell it on weekends. Instead, I bought pork ribs, Bicol Express, and bread. Rather than eating at the food court, I decided to bring the food here to the beach. I had my blanket with me, so I spread it out on the grass, enjoyed my lunch, and then opened my laptop to write.
The weather was perfect—warm but breezy, with the hint of an approaching thunderstorm. I managed to finish the section on social capital in my findings chapter before the rain began pouring down. I quickly packed up and ran to my car, smiling at the thought of how wonderful the moment had been. I could have gone straight to the mall to continue writing, but instead, I chose to sit here in my car, listening to the rain, and reflect.
This summer has been the best summer I’ve had since moving to Canada. My previous summers were difficult:
- My first summer here, I experienced a miscarriage while also preparing for comprehensive exams.
- The following summer, I was wrongly accused and mistreated by my supervisor, leaving me emotionally and psychologically drained.
- Last summer, what was supposed to be a fresh start turned into another painful season when I had an ectopic pregnancy that ruptured my fallopian tube, leading to surgery.
In contrast, this summer has been full of life, peace, and gratitude. I am now nearing the end of my dissertation—the hardest chapters are behind me, and what remains feels manageable. More than that, I feel God’s love and goodness so strongly. It is, after all, a Jubilee year—a year of breakthrough—and I see that reflected in my own life.
I know that by nature I can be prideful, stubborn, and even vengeful. Yet, when I reflect on God’s love for me, I am humbled. His goodness softens my heart and reminds me to love others as He has loved me.
As I sit here, I thank the Lord for this summer, for His faithfulness, and for the joy of being almost done with this dissertation. I look forward to October, when I will go to British Columbia to work on a publication; November, when I will celebrate my birthday in Cancun; and December, when Lala will come to visit. There are so many blessings to look forward to, but today I am simply grateful for this moment—this beach, this breeze, this food, and this time with God.
Lord, my heart is full. I love You for all that has been, all that is now, and all that is to come. Praise be to Your name.
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