Christmas Tree 2018

I know it's almost Valentine's but because my primary objective in blogging is to document, let me post the highlights of our 2018 Christmas. Let's start with our tree.

We moved here in our new home on November 20, 2018. And with me recovering from a procedure, sangkatutak na ligpitin, at visitors (Pod's parents came here to spend the holidays with us), talagang nagahol kami for Christmas. In fact, I was only able to decorate our tree on December 22!

I really had no intention of buying a new set of tree ornaments kasi nga gahol na, saka maraming gastos sa paglilipat syempre, so I planned on using our 2015 Christmas tree decors na lang. Kaso hindi talaga namin makita-kita sa garahe (kung saan nakatambak pa ang lahat ng gamit namin). Kaya nga nagtagal ang pagkakabit ko ng decors, I was really hoping na makita pa namin pero wala talaga.

Hence, I had no choice but to use the 2014 ornaments. Hesitant akong gamitin talaga yun kasi nga hindi pambata pero wala namang choice. We only had two sets eh. Noong December 2016, wala na kaming bahay kasi nakalipat na kami dito sa BC (tapos nasa Pinas kami noong Christmas season). Last 2017 naman, hindi na kami nagput-up ng tree kasi ang sikip at ang pangit naman sa apartment.

At eto na nga ang kinalabasan. I modified the design para hindi naman kaparehong-kapareho noong 2014. Goal ko talaga na huwag maulit ang design ng Christmas tree para may distinction naman sa annual pictures hehe.

As expected, hindi masyadong trip ng anak ko ang naging Christmas tree namin. Ang sabi nga niya, "Mommy, ang pangit naman ng Christmas tree natin. Eh kasi pink."

Sorry naman, anak. At least ang pogi mo namang mowdel ng tree hehe.

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Ford wants to have a new tree by next year. Medyo high ceiling kasi itong bagong town house namin kaya parang biglang lumiit tingnan ang 7-ft Christmas tree. Pero ayaw ko, masasayang naman kasi ito eh ang bago-bago pang tingnan. Saka would you believe na $11.00 lang namin ito nabili? Closing sale na kasi ng isang store nun kaya nachambahan namin ito.

Next year, we will have a white-silver-red theme. I was able to buy most of the ornaments already from Walmart last December 26, naka-50% off na. Sana maganda ang kalabasan. I was never a fan of silver/white Christmas theme eh. Doon ako palagi sa traditional colors of gold, red and green. But since I want a different tree look every year, sige susubukan ko nang maiba naman.

New books from Raxie

I stopped buying books when I migrated to Canada. Pricey kasi ang books doon, hindi afford ng jobless self ko. Saka I really have this reluctance to buy things na alam kong makukuha ko ng mura sa iba, kaya hindi talaga ako bibili hangga't maaari.

So I took advantage of our Christmas wish list para makapag-request ng books na gusto ko sa friends ko dito sa Pinas haha. Mas mura nga kasi ang mga libro dito.

Sa Sunday (January 28) pa actually ang super late Christmas party naming girls but Raxie already handed to me her gift last Saturday.

That my son excitedly opened!

I now have an official gift opener. =)

And taraaaan, my new books!

Yey, My Crazy Rich trilogy is complete! My bilas actually gave me a link of Rich People Problems so I could read it online pero mas happy talaga ako magbasa ng actual book. I am old school that way.

Philippine Price: Php795.00

This book is not included in my wish list naman kasi nakalimutan ko. It was only later that I told Raxie about it, sabi ko dagdag sa listahan ko. Meaning, pwedeng isa sa mga options niya na bilhin. But my ever-generous BFF can't be stopped, talagang binili nya yung dalawang books na request ko haha!

Philippine Price: Php695.00

Thanks so much, Raxie! Super happy ako! Ang problem ko na lang ngayon is to find time para makapagbasa nang hindi iniistorbo ng batang makulit. =)

Noche buena food fail

We ate at Grandt Kitchen, a Filipino restaurant here in Surrey, last December 16 and I've decided to just order our noche buena food from them. Wala na rin kasing choice, di ko na alam kung saan pa bibili (unlike sa Edmonton na maraming pwedeng orderan ng kung anu-ano). Nasarapan naman ako sa kinain naming kare-kare noon (pero hindi sa crispy pata) kaya nag-risk na rin ako. Ang sabi ko sa asawa ko, let's get surprised lol.

The owners of Grandt Kitchen were very nice and accommodating. I was thankful that they accepted "small" orders for Christmas eve, sa iba kasi puro tray-size lang. Tapos hindi na rin sila nanghingi ng deposit. We agreed to a 6:45pm pick-up on December 24 (they will close daw by 7pm).

We ordered pancit canton, beef caldereta, pork sisig, and pork barbeque nga pala.

Sobrang ginusto kong maging masarap ang pagkain namin kasi puwera sa pasko, I wanted to have another Filipino restaurant here in Surrey na masarap kainan. Kaso fail talaga. The beef caldereta was too cheesy na hindi lasang caldereta, hindi ko talaga malunok (favorite ko pa naman yun), the pancit canton had too many red and green pepper, the pork barbeque was mediocre (ni hindi naubos ng asawa ko ang isang stick), and the sisig was dry (medyo gusto ko naman ang lasa pero hindi type ni Ford). Overall, sayang ang $43.79 na binayad namin.

I made a mental note, next time hindi na nga ako magririsk. Sa Max's na lang ako magtetake-out kung hindi pa ako sure sa dishes ng mga Pinoy restos dito.

I threw the caldereta and pancit later. Hindi na talaga nakain.

At dahil konti lang ang nakain namin for dinner, naglook forward na lang kami ni hubby sa chocolate cake na matagal naming inasam-asam. Natikman namin ang cake na ito last Thanksgiving at nagustuhan talaga namin.

I ordered it from a Filipina home-based baker last November pa. Mabilis kasing maubos ang slots niya kapag may occasions kaya maaga talaga akong nagpareserve. Ang sabi ko nga, this will be the star of our noche buena and our ultimate cheat food. Kakalimutan ko munang magbilang ng carbs.

Toppers were not included in the cake.

Kaso fail din waaah! Matigas yung cake, masyadong dry yung loob. Na-overcook, obviously. Sobrang disappointed talaga kami. And to think hindi siya mura ha, kasi $40 siya.

I somehow felt guilty kasi as the wife and mother of the house, obligasyon kong mapakain nang masarap ang pamilya ko lalo na kapag ganitong Christmas season noh (sexist stance, I know). Kaso bigo. Kaya sabi ko sa sarili ko na babawi na lang ako talaga next year. Hindi na mauulit ang ganito.

So there, I am putting it in writing to put pressure on myself. I WILL PREPARE A GOOD NOCHE BUENA FOOD next year. Promise talaga yan.

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The following day, sinubukan kong kainin uli yung cake kasi sayang naman. Kaso I felt that it's not worth cheating for. Susme, halos diko na nga malunok tapos tataas pa ang sugar ko? Uneasy na talaga ang pakiramdam ko so I messaged the cake-maker nang madaling araw na (December 26).

She's actually very nice naman kaya ang sabi ko magfi-feedback lang ako. I wasn't demanding for anything. I just felt the need to release haha. Ang sabi ko nga medyo matigas yung cake, unlike doon  sa previous order namin.

When I woke up, may reply na siya. She was apologetic, siguro raw sa dami ng cakes na binake nila kaya nagkaganun. She offered to replace the cake which I gladly accepted. Medyo nakahinga na ako kasi nahihiya rin ako sa asawa ko kasi nga $40 ang matatapon kung hindi mapapalitan.

So on December 30, may new cake na kami (hindi pwedeng December 31 kasi fully booked na sila).

And it tasted so good! Moist na hehe.

Minessage ko agad yung cake-maker to tell her na perfect na yung cake this time. She was very happy, binantayan daw nila talaga yun sa oven to make sure na maayos na. Ayos, both parties were happy!

Note: Dapat kainin ang cake in 2 days kasi titigas na rin after. 

Christmas Eve 2017

My aunt invited us to spend the Christmas eve with them but I graciously declined. I told her Nathan won't make it till 12 midnight because he's been sleeping quite early lately. While it is half true, the real reason is that I really just wanted to stay at home for noche buena. We may not have the best Christmas decors nor the most delicious food this year but I want to be comfortable with my two boys. Ok na yun.

December 24, 2017. After having lunch with friends, we spent the rest of the afternoon at Metrotown Mall killing time. We shopped a bit and left at around 3:30pm to pick up the cake that I ordered at 4pm. We went home after that and tried to make Nathan nap so he will be awake later that night. But he couldn't sleep. Ford got a call from Grandt Kitchen (a Filipino restaurant here in Surrey) and was requested to pick up the food that we ordered earlier than 6:45pm, so he did.

At around 6:15pm, he's back and complained that he's hungry. So instead of waiting for 10pm or 12mn (my original eating time plan), we had early dinner na. Mabuti na rin para bumaba na ang sugar level namin later that night at nang makakain uli.

Ang hirap mag-isip nang ihahanda for a party of three, lalo na kapag hindi pa kumakain yung isa at diabetic yung dalawa. We just ordered food sa Pinoy resto because it's practical and economical.

Our handa -- pancit canton, beef caldereta, pork sisig, and pork barbeque.

We ate in front of the TV watching news. Our plan was to watch all night.

As expected, the little boy only ate apples. I was hoping that he'll eat pancit kaso ni ayaw tikman. I'll do a review of our food on my next post.

Then at around 8pm I brought out our ultimate holiday cheat foods na. Big time cheating talaga ang plan lol.

We ordered this cake from a Filipina home-based baker. Si Jesus pa ba ang mawawalan ng birthday cake?

Nathan joyfully delivered a birthday song for Jesus.

Family groufie after.

And the little boy couldn't wait to open his gifts! Ang alam nya kasi pagkatapos magblow ng candle ng cake ay gift-opening na haha!

I am thankful that we bought several gifts for him. Enjoy na enjoy siyang magbukas.

Here are his three major gift requests -- "animals,"hugas-hugas," and "toilet." Paniwalang-paniwala talaga siya kay Santa (I don't remember believing in Santa when I was growing up. Siguro kasi poor lang kami noon haha!).

Ford and I also opened our gifts from Juris and Tess. Haha, we didn't have gifts for each other kasi nga wala naman kaming separate money/bank account. Basta I buy whatever I want and tell him gift na niya yun sakin lol.

A little past 9pm, we started watching Seven Sundays na. We rented the movie @TFC.TV for $7.99. Medyo pricey pero ayos na rin kasi I've always wanted to watch this film.

Carbs overload!

Pero mukhang mas nag-enjoy ang asawa ko sa palabas haha. Plus he kept on saying "Ang gwapo talaga ni Dingdong" kaloka!

I think we'll do this na every Christmas eve, watch Filipino-themed movies. Sana lang palaging meron.

Halfway through the movie, nakatulog na ang bagets (not that he was watching lol). Sabi na nga ba eh, hindi nga kasi nag-nap nung hapon.

Pack-up na kami around 11:30pm. I had my red day din that night kaya I wasn't feeling well. It was the husband who washed the dishes, salamat naman.

My major wish that night was for us to have our own place na (be it a condo or a townhouse) by next Christmas para mas bongga naman ang celebration. Pero kahit simple lang ang naging noche buena namin, I was happy and contented kasi kasama ko ang asawa at anak ko. Iyon naman ang pinakaimportante.

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By the way, I am glad that that morning, I was able to talk to my Mamoosh and Tita Oya via Facetime. How I wish na magkakasama kami on Christmas kaso hindi naman palaging posible. Buti na lang talaga may internet. =)

Christmas lunch with friends

December 24, 2017.  We originally planned to hold our Christmas party at Tess' place but we decided the last minute to eat out na lang. Masyadong hassle pa ang ang magluto / magdala / bumili ng pagkain for potluck tapos magki-clean up pa after. Both Tess and Juris are so busy the past days. Tess went back to work already last November (after a one-year maternity leave) and Juris just started her new part-time job this December kaya ang hirap pagtugmain ang schedule nila. I am glad we were able to push through with our get-together bago magpasko.

We agreed to eat at Max's Restaurant since Juris wanted Filipino food. She's married to a white guy kasi and they seldom eat rice haha.

I called Max's the day before for reservation. Buti may slot pa for 6 adults and 4 kids. Their specific instruction was for the whole party of 10 to be present by 11am to avail of the table, or else they have the right to give it away.

As usual, Team Coblancs came early. We were there 10 minutes before 11am. I told the receptionist that we were a bit early and the rest of our companions will arrive shortly. They asked us if we want to sit already and order. I said yes, since the girls and I have already agreed what to order.

Before I ordered, messaged them again to make sure that they are coming haha! Baka mamaya hindi dumating eh aanhin ko ang lahat ng pagkaing inorder ko.

Our order -- 2 fried chicken, 2 pancit canton, 2 liempo sisig, 1 large sinigang na baboy, 6-pcs pork barbeque, 1 chopsuey, 2 large steamed rice. All for $181. Not bad at all. We just chipped in $60 per family.

Group photo before digging in.

Families from Surrey, New Westminster, and Langley

We were all starving. I think nobody ate breakfast that day lol.

The drawback though was that the "party" was over by 12:30nn. Walang masyadong time din for chika because we girls were busy attending to our kids (and our stomachs!). Our husbands were medyo reserved din. You see, it's a bit hard when there's a "foreigner" in a party, medyo nakakailang din. We could not converse well in Filipino for fear that he'll get offended. But though we all can speak English naman talaga, it's still awkward to speak English all the time in the presence of your fellow Filipinos. Kaya nga nagtataka ako whenever I hear Filipinos na slang pa kumausap sa kapwa Filipino (ung mga obvious na hindi lumaki rito ha). Ako kasi nang mapunta ako dito eh parang mas nagtatagalog pa ako.

After eating, we just distributed our gifts to one another tapos kanya-kanyang uwi na. Medyo na-sad nga ako kasi ang bilis lang. Kahit sina Tess biglang nadisplace kasi 2:40pm pa ang next appointment nila sa chiropractor. Nag-mall na lang kami, separately.

Gifts that we gave out.

Gifts that we received.

Hopefully next year, we could plan a better party na. Mas ok nga sa bahay na lang para mas matagal ang kuwentuhan. I am willing to host it kung may place na kami.

Our first advent calendar

I've only been a mother for three years and I still have a lot to learn. Lalo na at dito pa ako sa Canada nagpapalaki ng anak, I feel a bit alienated. Imagine, ni hindi ko pa nga talaga alam ang school system nila rito. Challenge talaga.

Anyway, one of the things na bago para sa akin ay ang usung-uso dito na advent o Christmas calendar. Pero parang uso na rin yata sa Pinas kasi may nakita akong Pinoy blogger na nagpost sa Instagram.

Syempre join din ako. Iba rin kasi ang Christmas talaga kapag may bata, maraming paeklat dapat. I am determined to make my son's Christmases memorable kaya gusto kong punuin ng maraming gimik haha. Too bad, medyo limitado lang kami ng space talaga ngayon. But when we move na to our own place, hopefully by next year, talagang bobonggahan ko ang bawat pasko namin para sa kanya.

I've seen so many advent calendars everywhere but I chose the cheapest one at Walmart. One dollar lang yan haha. Nathan doesn't eat chocolates kasi kaya masasayang lang kung ung Lindt, Cadburry, o Kinder ang bibilhin ko. Hindi naman ako pwedeng kumain nun kasi nga diabetic ako.

Saka my son just turned 3 last month, wala pa siyang sense of days talaga. So I consider this as a dry run pa lang.

Our advent calendar may be cheap but it sure did make the little boy happy and excited everyday. There were days when he ate the chocolates, mga thrice yata, kaso parang nasuka siya noong huli kaya ayaw na niya. Sinusubo na lang sakin.

Kinakain ko na rin kasi maliit lang naman. Ten calories lang and 1g of carbs.

First day.

Last day

This advent calendar thing will surely become part of our Christmas traditions. Kahit ako sumaya eh.

But I have an idea. I learned na hindi lang naman pala candies o chocolates ang pwedeng gawing surprise treat. Merong mga Christmas calendars na toys ang laman. But since expensive yun, mag-DIY na lang ako! I'll start collecting 24 small and cheap toys (probably from dollar stores) tapos yun ang gagamitin ko. Ayan, na-excite na ako ngayon pa lang! =)

No picture with Santa

When we went to my aunt's house last December 17, one of their relatives asked me: "Napapicturan mo na ba siya kay Santa?"

Kaloka, ang anak ko lang yata ang bata rito sa North America na walang picture kay Santa Claus this Christmas!

Apparently, usong-uso pala talaga rito ang pa-peechur kay Santa. Sa halos lahat ng malls, merong designated area for picture-taking. Usually me bayad, around $20-30, pero meron din namang libre lang (or by donation).

When Nathan was still a baby, I promised myself na magkakaroon siya ng lahat ng ganyang klaseng kaeklatan. Mahilig kasi ako sa mga ganyan, lalo na sa pictures kasi nga for documentation ko yan. On his first Christmas (2014), less than two months old pa lang siya kaya wala pa syang picture. Noong 2015 naman, when he was one, takot na takot sya so wala rin (kung sa ibang tao nga takot eh, sa mamang me puting balbas pa ba?). Last year (2016), nasa Pinas naman kami kaya lalong wala.

This year, I was hoping na magkakaroon na kasi nga bukod sa hindi na siya anti-social, me appreciation na rin siya sa Christmas. Nakilala na rin niya si Santa sa Youtube. I was really hopeful kaso he's still very much afraid. I think he was torn, gusto niyang lumapit at/o makita yet natatakot siya kasi weird-looking nga naman. In general, takot kasi sya sa mga mascots eh.

From November 29 up to December 24, my husband and I have been trying our best to erase whatever fear he has on Santa. Ginawa namin lahat para pumayag siyang magpapicture, kahit nga kasama kami. We did mental conditioning, pati na nga bribing, kaso ayaw talaga. Whenever we're at Guildford Town Centre, he would always panic kapag nagagawi na kami sa area ni Santa. I could really see myself in Nathan, he has a mind of his own. Very stubborn.

We could have pushed it, kami ang parents eh. Wala naman siyang magagawa if we insisted, pero is it worth it? Is a picture worth the trauma? Di bale na nga lang. He's only 3, marami pang Christmases na darating sa buhay niya para magka-picture with Santa.

So there, he has no picture with Santa this year. Someday, kapag hinanapan niya ako, I will ask him to read this post.

Merry Christmas!

Finally, Christmas na rin samin dito sa Vancouver! Advanced ng 16 hours ang oras sa Pinas kumpara dito kaya medyo corny, tapos ng magbatian lahat ng kaibigan at kapamilya namin sa Facebook lol.

Anyway, makikiuso na rin ako kahit gasgas na gasgas na.

From our family to yours, have a blessed Christmas!

Vancouver Santa Claus Parade 2017

December 3, 2017 (Sunday). This was one event that I really was looking forward to. I was able to watch a Santa Claus parade in Edmonton in December 2013 (indoor nga lang kasi sobrang lamig doon) and I super enjoyed it. Now that I have a child, mas may reason para ma-excite kasi alam kong matutuwa talaga siya.

The parade was held in downtown Vancouver. Our original plan was to just ride the sky train because parking fees in Vancouver are so expensive, but Ford changed his mind the last minute. Mas convenient nga naman kung magkotse kami. It was a Sunday so may mas murang parking naman daw.

We left the house at 10am (the parade's at 12noon) and stopped by McDonald's for a quick bite.

We reached downtown Vancouver a few minutes before 11am. They were closing some roads daw by 11 so we rushed into finding a parking space. My husband wouldn't hear of my suggestions (grrr!) so we ended up in a paid parking lot that charges $15. Hay kainis talaga.

I was afraid that we were "late" na. May mga kids' activities pa kasi prior to the parade (like face-painting, arts and crafts, etc.) that I wanted to go to. Sobrang daming tao nang dumating kami sa may activity area kaya imposible ng makasingit. Puno na rin halos yung mga gilid ng kalsada, nakapuwesto na ang mga manonood ng parade.

Akala ko wala na kaming mapupuwestuhan nang maayos, buti na lang naglakad pa si Ford somewhere farther. Ayun may bakante pa.

People were very ready -- may mga upuan, pagkain, at blankets pa talaga silang dala. I regretted not bringing chairs, tutal may kotse na rin lang kaming dala. Sabi ko pa naman the last time we watched a parade in downtown (for Canada Day) na magdadala na ako next time. Nakakangawit din kasing umupo sa kalsada lang eh.

I texted my friend Juris and asked where they were. Nakapuwesto na rin daw sila ng mga anak niya so we agreed to just see each other after the parade.

We were underdressed that day. We checked the weather and it wasn't supposed to be that cold. Kaya hindi makapal ang jacket namin ni hubby at walang hoodie. Pero grabe ang lamig lalo na kapag humahangin.

The boy patiently waited. He was in a very good mood, masaya kasi ang atmosphere.

I brought some snacks for the little boy. Ang cute ng ziplock ko noh? Nahawa nako sa mga taga-dito, mga mukhang ziplock.

Nagutom na rin ka kaka-antay.

A few minutes after 12noon, dumaan na sa harap namin ang parada.

There were many Food Bank volunteers who were asking for donations.

I enjoyed watching my son's face. Sobrang saya niya. My 39-year-old husband naman was bored (lol!). Mas mabuti pa raw na matulog sa bahay kaloka! Wala naman kasi sya talaga hilig sa mga ganyan, pero sobrang natuwa rin siya sa nakita naming kasiyahan ng bagets.

The parade participants were giving away candies, stickers, and other treats kaya lalong naaliw si Nathan.

The floats/costumes were actually very simple, nothing grand. Wala akong nakitang nakapagpa-wow talaga sa akin. Kaya di na rin ako gaanong nagpicture.

Ayokong isipin na kulang lang sila sa creativity at budget, siguro talagang simple and modest lang ang mga Canadians.

But look at my son's reaction! Priceless talaga.

Finally, Santa Claus! I am glad that Telus saved the event from cancellation. Rogers yata ang dating sponsor kaso nagback-out na kaya nagka-budget shortfall. Pang 14th year na ng parade na ito this 2017.

I was ctually quite disappointed that the parade only lasted for an hour. Ang unang naisip ko, "shaiks sayang ang $15 parking namin" haha!

But though the parade itself wasn't impressive, nang makita ko ang lahat ng nanood na ito, I felt a sense of community. So keri na rin. Sabi ko nga kay Ford, kung successful business owner lang ako dito sa Vancouver, I will participate. Magsasali talaga ako ng entry. It's a way of giving back eh. Around 300,000 daw ang spectators kaya masusulit naman.

We met Juris and and her kids afterwards. It was really cold. Akala ko ako lang ang nilalamig, pati pala ang asawa ko na sobrang lakas ng tolerance sa lamig. Hindi rin daw niya alam kung bakit ganun ang pakiramdam niya. Buti na lang medyo makapal ang jacket ni Nathan.

Juris's daughter Zoey cried daw after the parade. Sinumpong kasi tapos na.

After a few minutes, naghiwalay na rin kami. Nagbus at train lang sina Juris from Langley. Hindi naman namin sila maisasabay kasi bukod sa hindi kami kasya sa sasakyan namin, kailangan din ng car seat pag may sakay na bata.

Nagka-family picture rin nang hindi selfie. Thank you, Juris!

We decided to eat na lang sa Aling Ening's Restaurant in Fraser Street (malayo sa downtown) kasi wala na rin namang kaming magawa doon. It was too cold to stroll sa may Canada Place. In fact, naghanap pa nga kami ng Dollarama para bumili ng gloves.

Now the question is, will we watch the parade again next year?

Haha, kung kami lang siguro ni Ford, hindi na. But for as long as Nathan wants to, sige lang. Our Christmas is for him, after all.