In the first quarter of 2013, I had a family reunion with my maternal relatives at a private resort. We sang videoke, swam in the pool, and ate our home-cooked food. Unfortunately, I sprained my knee after stepping on a wet puddle, which caused me to limp for several days. I didn't break any bones, though. It also rained that afternoon. Thankfully, we left the resort just in time. My mother and I had our first trip for the year in June when we visited Monterey, California. She attended a conference there, too. After her presentation, we went to Trader Joe's and bought some groceries. While there, a shopper asked my mother, "Excuse me, is this tomato organic?" She replied, "Oh, I think you would like to let my daughter, Willow, take a closer look." When he asked me the same question, I replied, "Yes! This is organic." He became overjoyed and exclaimed, "Thank you so much, young lady! You sure have such sharp eyes!" To the extent in which we saw each other again in the checkout counters. He then told his family, "There's that lady who made my day brighter!" I smiled and waved in response. After leaving the store, he gave me a motivating monologue about helping others and how it impacts their lives. He even called me a hero. However, I said to myself, "I'm no hero. I'm just doing the right thing." It was another fun trip for us. The only sad part was that it was quite short due to a schedule conflict with my mother's classes. I also got sick with a cold. Nonetheless, we were able to explore most of the place. We called our relatives before going back to the airport by phone, too. On November, we visited my mother's birthplace and childhood home of Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley. My maternal grandmother, who was also born here, came with us along with one of my aunts and uncles. It was yet another fantastic trip and we had some funny experiences. Once again, I was flattered by our relatives here, who were awed by my natural beauty. For my fifteenth birthday, we went back to Singapore and Malaysia as a family. We enjoyed ourselves in this one despite my father's crabby attitude.
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The Christmas spirit is felt all over London once again, and the Beatles were getting ready to deliver their annual message on the twenty-fifth. After their radio show ended for the day, they decided to start recording it so that it will be ready. John said, "Let's include the announcement of our new tour in the message, mates. And Paul, you can be the one to open it this time." Paul replied, "Thank you, John. I know this is going to be another wonderful Christmas message." John responded, "You're welcome. It certainly will be." George added, "Indeed." "And I'll close it by playing my harmony trumpet." Chimed in Ringo. "Jolly good!" Exclaimed John. After about an hour, the lads finished recording the message. They then left the Broadcasting House and walked back to the dorm to tell their friends about it.
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As the weekend started, the Beatles, Rosie, and Nicholas got to work on the set list for their tour. It was completed after thirty minutes. The songs that they chose were "I Want To Hold Your Hand", "Please Please Me", "All My Loving", "Eight Days A Week", "I'm Happy Just To Dance With You", "I Should Have Known Better", and "Twist And Shout". John then said, "I've got another great idea, mates. During the concerts, let's bring one or two fans from the audience onstage to sing with us!" Ringo replied, "Oh, how splendid! We'd love that." Rosie added, "Indeed!" George said, "Yes! Now that our set list is finished, I think it's time for us to start rehearsing in Abbey Road Studios." Paul replied, "That's right. We'll start with the first three songs for today. Then, we will continue with the last four on Sunday." "All righty." Responded the others. And so, the group brought their instruments and were on their way to the Studios for rehearsal.
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With preparations for their tour in full swing, the Beatles, Rosie, and Nicholas decided to go out for lunch and discuss what they plan to do in order for it to be a success. While waiting for their food, John wrote down a tour errands checklist. These include choosing which cities to perform in and the dates in which the tour will kick off and end, hiring a coach service and a ticket and concert poster agent, creating a set list of seven songs, and rehearsing in Abbey Road Studios. Rosie said, "This is going to be so much fun! We're really excited to go on tour with you, mates." John replied, "We are, too, love!" Paul added, "Certainly!" Everyone had a delicious lunch and took a relaxing afternoon walk around the neighborhood a few hours later. Then, they returned to the dorm and went to sleep early so that they'll have plenty of energy to start their errands tomorrow.
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By the time evening came, the group had finished exploring the marketplace. Ringo said, "What a day this has been, mates. I'm glad we were able to find me trumpet here." John replied, "We're glad for that, too, Ritchie." "And we got to buy plenty of cool stuff as well." Added George. Rosie said, "That's right. Shall we have dinner at the market's food tent before riding the bus back to the dorm?" Ringo replied, "Certainly, love. Let's go." Once the six friends and the Beatles went inside the tent, they bought their food and beverages from the kiosks, sat in one of the picnic tables, and started to eat. It was truly a great way to cap off their fantastic experience.
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