From Edmonton with love

When you're a new immigrant, even the most mundane thing like sending a mail can result to some feelings of insecurity. Ahhhmm, paano nga ba uli maghulog ng sulat sa post office?

I've lived in the Philippines for 34 years and I, of course, have mastered the art of living there. Here, I'm like a child... I need to be socialized in every aspect of Canadian/ Edmontonian culture.

Anyway, Christmas is fast approaching so I decided to rekindle my love of sending greeting cards. Ford and I are so far far away from our family and friends so we really wanted to keep in touch. Sa panahon ngayon ng email,  Facebook at Instagram, I know many of our loved ones will still appreciate a tangible Christmas card.

It's still November but Ford reminded me to finish the ones we'll be sending to the Philippines, UAE, and Malaysia. Hay, medyo late na nga yata ang cards namin. Sana umabot sa Pasko.

Canada Post Offices are conveniently located in malls and pharmacies all over the city. For local mailing, you can buy stamps and just drop your letters at designated drop off areas.

There's a post office in West Edmonton Mall and we went there after Pod's work. I loved the idea that you can send mails up until 9pm. Sa Pilipinas kasi hanggang 5pm lang.

The post office shares a stall with a mini store. It's complete with any mailing paraphernalia that you might need - envelopes, boxes, pens, tapes, etc.

Edmonton postcards are also available there.

An elderly woman man the office. Isa pa ito sa gusto ko sa Canada, pwede kang magtrabaho kahit na ano pa ang edad mo basta kaya mo.

After receiving Pod's payment, the lady gave us the "Air Mail" stickers. Then the stamps. Self-service mode, sulat mo - dikit mo!

I enjoyed putting in the stickers and stamps onto the envelopes. Sana may ganung career, tagadikit lang.

I also noticed na stickers ang stamps nila. Hindi na kailangang dilaan para dumikit hehe!

The first batch of the Christmas cards we're sending.

From Edmonton with love!

We sent ten cards for this batch. I realized though that sending snail mail nowadays is no longer cheap. Or cheapskate lang talaga ako?

A stamp for each international mail costs $1.85 + 5% tax = $1.94 or around Php80.00. Whew!

I am keeping my fingers crossed that all these letters will land in the hands of their respective intended recipients before the year ends. I have no problem with the efficiency of Canada Post, sa Philpost ako diskumpiyado.

Happy 90th Birthday, Amangski!

My grandfather is celebrating his 90th birthday today. I am feeling a bit down because I am not there to spend this day with him. Sayang talaga, hindi pa ako umabot. But thankful na rin ako because three of his children (plus some grandchildren) came home to Pinas for his special day.

Picture taken during our wedding - January 12, 2012

Needless to say, 90 is a big gift of life. This is every person's wish, to have a long life.

And for that... Congratulations, Amang! Happy, happy birthday!

Picture taken last November 3, 2013 (when I said goodbye to him before I left for Canada)

Amang is my only grandparent left and though I wasn't really able to show it, he's very special to me. I love him to bits. Now that I'm far away, I regret not spending more time with him. I wish I'd be given pa more chances para makabawi. I swear, babawi talaga ako!

We love you, Amang! Always take care of yourself and see you again soon! Mwah! :)

Happy Thanksgiving, USA!

A lot of people I know are oblivious to the fact that Canada and the US are two DIFFERENT countries. Ang akala nila porke magkadikit at English-speaking ang mga tao eh iisa na. Kaloka.

One difference between these two countries is the day they celebrate Thanksgiving. Canadians 'give thanks' on October (second Monday) while Americans commemorate this day every fourth Thursday of November.

According to my husband, who has lived in both countries, Thanksgiving in Canada is not as 'big' as in the US. Sa America, talagang humihinto "busy life" ng lahat kapag Thanksgiving Day. Everyone's into holiday mode, very much looking forward to spending time and good meal/s with family and friends.

Anyway, it is now November 28 and we wish to greet all our family and friends in the US a Happy Happy Thanksgiving Day! 

Picture taken from Hello Kitty's Official Facebook Page

Ford's immediate family (Mom, Dad, and Sis) and majority of their relatives are all based in the US. Almost everyone in my father's side of the family also lives in there. I wish I can also experience Thanksgiving Day in America someday. Si Ford kasi sawa na daw, lol!

With all honesty, hindi ko pa talaga naiinternalize ang value ng holiday na ito. Wala pang kabuluhan sa akin (sa akin lang naman) haha! Wala naman kasing Thanksgiving sa Pinas. Pero malamang mai-instill din siguro sa akin eventually. Wala namang masama kung madagdagan ng isa pa ang holidays na pinahahalagahan ko, right? Mas masaya nga eh.

Friday Night = Chicharon Night

The first time I came here in Canada (and that was June last year), the Immigration Officer at Vancouver Airport asked me if I brought some corned beef and chicharon (yep, she prounounced it with a slang!) with me. Knowing that we are not allowed to bring anything meat or with meat in this country, I confidently said no.

Filipinos have obviously become notorious in bringing in these two goods here in Canada. Although I understand that we want to take a part of 'home' with us when we go to another country, my stand is that we should put premium in FOLLOWING the rules of the society we are heading to. Tayo ang maga-adjust, hindi sila. And don't ever argue that you are not aware of what the rules are, it's your task to know.

Anyway, Pinoy chicharon lovers in Canada need not worry because supermarkets and grocery stores here also sell chicharon! Yep, even Walmart! Hindi nga lang gawang Pinas pero ok na rin, kasing-lasa rin naman.

More Pinoy-looking chicharons can of course be found in smaller Filipino stores. In fact, we discovered so many chicharon variety at Empanada Convenience Store last Sunday but we have yet to try them.

We bought this particular pack at Lucky 97 Supermarket. It costs $3.14 (tax included) or around Php129.00. Not bad huh.

Anyway, last Friday (November 22) was "chicharon night." We were not able to prepare something nice for dinner because I asked Ford during lunch time to drop me of at West Edmonton Mall so I can window shop for the rest of the afternoon. He then picked me up after work and we just had some Chinese meal at T&T Supermarket.

When we got home, we tried the Hangouts apps and (video) called my bestie Raxie who's currently based in Kuala Lumpur. It was already Saturday morning there so she was available for some online kulitan.

We deliberately munched chicharon (dipped in sukang maasim with sili)  in 'front' of her to tease her. Malaysia is a Muslim country kaya deprived ang kaibigan ko sa chicharon hahaha!

Happy birthday, Michiko!

My good friend Michelle (one of "my girls") celebrated her birthday last November 23.

Picture courtesy of Bitstrips

Though a birthday is always a happy occasion, I felt a bit sentimental that I am no longer in the Philippines to celebrate with her. Simula college, magkakasama na kasi kami sa lahat ng espesyal na araw ng buhay namin.

Oh well, cliche as it may sound, change is the only constant thing in this world. Siguro kailangan din namin maghiwa-hiwalay talaga for us to grow more (as fabulous individuals haha!).

Happy happy birthday, Michiko! I may be away but keep in mind that I'm always here for you. As in always. I love you, Friend! I miss you all so much!

Picture taken on October 5, 2013 @ Starbucks Landmark Trinoma

PS. I hope you had a fun birthday! Errr, sa Davao ba? =)

A visit to Empanada Convenience Store

There are two giant Asian supermarket chains here in Edmonton  (Lucky Supermarket and T&T Supermarket) and we buy most of our grocery items there. Around 80% perhaps.

However, this afternoon, I was so depressed with my flaky and dry skin that I told the Hubby I want a Safeguard soap. Believe me, I've tried so many "imported" (i.e. not Philippine brand) soaps in my lifetime and nothing beats Safeguard. I suddenly remembered my bestie Raxie who started working in Kuala Lumpur in 2007. The first time I visited her, she requested for Safeguard too!

Anyway, I have not seen any Philippine soap in Lucky and T&T Supermarkets so I thought of looking for Safeguard at 'smaller' Filipino stores. I googled and quite a few stores appeared. But since we were going to West Edmonton Mall, I chose the Empanada Convenience Store which was just along the way.

Ford already knew where it is located. I think he's been there once or twice.

The store looked small on the outside but it was quite spacious inside.

The moment I entered the store, I felt happy! At last, a place filled with familiar products!

More Pinoy grocery items of course can be found here than in Lucky or T&T.

In my opinion, better buy your condiments here. Mas marami.

Ford was so happy to have found Del Monte Spaghetti noodles. We cooked Pinoy spaghetti at home a couple of days ago but we were disappointed with the noodles eh. Though Del Monte costs more, sulit naman because it jives with our Filipino taste.

Ahhh! I am a certified junk lover and though I love Ruffles, Lay's, Chips Ahoy!, and other "imported" chocolates, I also love local Pinoy chichiryas syempre!

And I was so excited to discover that they sell Royal Tru-Orange! It was only when I was about to migrate that I learned that Royal is exclusively a Philippine product. Akala ko kasi parang Coke or Sprite siya, universal.

Ford loves adobong mani! We had to get a pack kahit mahal.

And we of course we also had to buy their "famous" empanada. Kaya nga Empanada Store eh.

Other than grocery items, Empanada Convenience Store also have frozen products. Sana lang may Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs noh? Ba't ba kasi bawal magpasok ng karne sa Canada mula sa Pilipinas.

Finally, Filipino toiletries! I wanted to grab all the Safeguard soaps kaso $3.25 + 5% tax = $3.41 (or Php140.00) ang isa. Shaiks! Dalawa na lang muna. Right there and then, I instructed my husband never to use MY soap. Akin lang ang Safeguard lol!

Empanada Convenience Store also sells ready to eat Filipino snacks and delicacies such as pancit palabok, sapin-sapin, leche flan, pandesal, etc. I wasn't able to take pictures though for fear that their staff might see me. I am new here in Edmonton and I am not if it is okay with store owners if I take pictures of their commodities.

Anyway, we only bought a few items because our pantry is still fully stocked. We just did some grocery shopping last Friday eh. But we'll surely be back at Empanada soon!

Now my next project would be to compare the prices of  Filipino grocery items in different stores. Para alam ko kung saan ako makakatipid.

But honestly, even if the price is a bit higher in small Filipino stores, I think I would still prefer to buy from them. To quote one person who reviewed this store at Yelp:

"In these days of big box stores and major chains, it is a miracle that Emapanada has survived."

We Filipinos living abroad need to support our "own" stores because these serve as an extension of our homes. Dito Pinoy ang nagtitinda at karamihang Pinoy lang ang namimili -- so para ka na ring nasa Pinas. The familiar is so comforting.

Migrants today are lucky because despite being thousands of miles away from the Philippines, they still get to feel and taste a bit of 'home' through the available Filipino products in the market. I am keeping my hopes up that with the cheaper shipping costs nowadays (dahil na rin sa competition), mas magiging affordable pa ang mga comfort items natin. =)


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Empanada Convenience Store
8746 149 St. NW, Edmonton, AB T5R 1B6
(780) 988-1124
Store Hours: 10am-8pm DAILY

Excited for Black Friday Sale

I was about to enter Bath and Body Works (at West Edmonton Mall) last night when I noticed this...

Whoaaah! They'll open up at 6am on November 29! I postponed my plan of buying some hand soaps. Sa Black Friday na lang, baka may mas magandang deal.

Black Friday Sale is an American shopping phenomenon. Thanksgiving here in Canada happens in October and it's not as 'big' as its US counterpart. But Edmonton retailers have of course noticed the lucrativeness of having a grand sale on a black Friday so they've decided to try it here in Canada.

According to the website of West Edmonton Mall, the so-called biggest mall here in North America which houses most of the biggest brands here in Canada, they'll be operating from 8am to 11pm on November 29. But it seems that other shops will be opening their doors as early as 6am!

Now I am glad that I am not yet working because I have all the time to shop on a Friday! Ford and I will be needing a lot of stuff for our house so I need to grab this chance.

Since Ford has to go to work on that day, the original plan was that he'll drop me off at WEM at around 7:30. But I now wanted to be at the mall at 6am so he better wake up super early! I'll also ask him to stay with me for a while so he can carry my loots and later put them in the car.

I am so excited!!!

I'll tell you about my Black Friday shopping experience soon! =)

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POSTSCRIPT: November 22, 2013 -- Ooops, Bath and Body Works further adjusted their store opening at 5am!

A little celebration @ Tony Roma's

Ford comes home every lunch time to eat with me. Yesterday, he told me he needs to get back to the office early because their HR Officer has scheduled a talk with him.

At 2pm, he texted me and told me he got promoted! With a salary increase, of course! We were very happy and grateful!

Picture courtesy of Bitstrips

And so we had to celebrate! This would be the first time that we'll be celebrating 'real time' a milestone in his career. I was so excited! Nagsink in na rin sa akin, hindi na kami LDR! Yebaaah!

He picked me up at around 6pm and we went straight to West Edmonton Mall. I realized that we are typically very Pinoy. The first thing that came to our mind with the word celebrate is "mall." Lol!

West Edmonton Mall (WEM) is around 20 minutes drive from the downtown area (where we live). It's the biggest mall in North America actually. Pero di ako masyadong impressed. Mas bongga pa ang mga malls sa Pilipinas noh. Meron lang siyang indoor swimming pool, casino, at hotel kaya siya malaki.

selfie selfie

The thing with just being the two of us, walang tagakuha ng picture. Kaya ayan, pagsamahin na lang. :)

I love love love the giant poinsettia tree behind me. 

I was so happy with the Christmas decors. At least nafeel ko na magpapasko na. 

Anyway, unlike sa malls sa atin sa Pinas na sangkaterba at nagkalat ang mga kainan, WEM only has three areas for eating. Two food courts and one for a bit high-end dining.

We ended up at Tony Roma's because we were both starving and wanted to eat something familiar.

Niloloko ko siya na magpa-burger naman siya so he really ordered burgers for us. Funny, because when we got home, he asked me why burger. Bakit daw hindi steak. Kaloka, I then realized na hindi nga pala niya alam yung commercial na "pa-cheeseburger ka naman" ng McDonald's. He's been living in North America (California then Alberta) for the past twelve years kaya hindi siya aware. Haha, sineryoso niya talaga ang burger!

Aside from burgers, we also ordered a rib sampler. But when these three plates were served on our table, napalunok kami. Shaiks, we were hungry but there was no way we could eat everything! Ang laki ng serving! We should have ordered only one burger.

Roma Burger, Bacon Swiss Burger, and Star Studded Rib Sampler

The busog-lusog couple...

We loved the food and we enjoyed our little celebration. I was so glad that for the first time, I got to be with my husband in an important event in his life.

To my dear Pod, congratulations! You make me proud as always! I love you! =)

Joel Ford G. Blanco, PEng

PS. At exactly my second week here in Edmonton, the Husband got promoted. Hmm, ako nga yata talaga ang lucky charm niya hehe!