His New Phone / Her Old Phone

Dad went home last Friday with a bad news -- nabasag daw niya yung phone niya. Umakyat agad ang dugo sa ulo ko, naisip ko ang mahal magpa-replace ng screen ha. More than a hundred bucks. Saka ang bago pa ng company-issued phone niya, hindi pa nasusulit talaga.

After relaying the unfortunate news, biglang bawi siya. Ang good news daw is that he has a new iPhone! Ha? Ambilis naman kako. Ang sabi niya, he told one of his bosses that he broke his phone's screen. Ayun he's lucky daw because he's got a spare iPhone 7. Inabot na agad sa kanya.

And just like that, he's got a new phone! Waaah. I was so bitter. Ako itong nagko-contemplate na magpalit ng phone for several weeks now tapos siya pag-uwi galing trabaho eh meron na. Swerte rin talaga sa buhay itong asawa ko lol.

Ford said he'll return the broken phone to the office tomorrow. He'll ask daw kung ano ang gagawin, kung 'itatapon' na daw eh hihingin niya na lang. Kaso ano naman ang gagawin namin sa phone na yun? We have two extra 'old' iPhones already, kay Nathan na nga lang yung isa. Kaloka, first world problems.

Sa totoo lang. it's so easy to have nice phones here. Kung masuwerte ka, mafi-free mo lang yan sa mobile network mo. Or pwede mong isama sa phone plan mo, minimal na dagdag lang. Kaya halos lahat dito maganda ang telepono, hindi ka magwoworry na may magi-snatch ng sayo.

By the way, my iPhone 6 plus is already 3 1/2 years old. Nagi-isip akong palitan sya kasi feeling ko hindi na maganda ang camera niya. Parang malabo at grainy na. Overused na yata. Kidding aside, million shots na siguro ang nagawa nito. Except for calling, text messaging, and web browsing, pagkuha lang ng pictures ang major function ng phone ko. Eh lately nga, parang di na ako happy sa quality ng pictures niya.

Bumili na raw ako sabi ni hubby. Palibhasa sila ni Nathan ang nagbe-benefit sa kakakuha ko ng pictures kaya supportive siya. Kaso nanghinayang ako sa pera, eh di ba lilipat pa nga kami? We could spend that money sa mga bibilhin naming ibang gamit sa bahay. Saka yun nga, ano na naman ang gagawin ko sa old phone? Sa Pinas ang daling magbenta ng lumang gamit kasi maraming sasalo, dito itatapon na yan. Hindi ko rin naman yata pwedeng ipadala yan sa Pinas kasi pang-Canada siya. Pero sabagay, lahat naman naa-unlock sa Pinas. Pero kahit pwedeng ipamigay, wala naman akong maisip na pwedeng bigyan nito sa Pinas na karapat-dapat lol.

O siya sige lang, while Dad is enjoying his new phone, I am stuck with my old. Life is really not fair huhu.

Salary increase celebration

June 27, 2018 (Wed). Ford's company just had their annual wage and work review and we were happy kasi syempre may salary increase ang asawa ko. The increase will take effect starting July.

To celebrate, nagpakain si Mayor sa labas. Where else eh di sa favorite naming Il Uk Jo Korean-Japanese Buffet Restaurant. Susme, parang nung Father's Day lang eh nandun din kami.

We were contemplating kasi kung sa isang ala carte restaurant kami kakain o doon (wala naman kasi kaming ibang gustong buffet restaurant dito). Nanaig ang pagiging praktikal, nanalo ang Il Uk Jo. kasi kung sa ala carte kami, hindi pa kami mabubusog sa $50. Sa Il Uk Jo, less than $55 lang eh busog na busog na kami. Yun nga lang, ang diabetes! Kaso may excuse naman kami to cheat di ba?

Children below 4 years old are free kaya isa pang gusto namin doon. Eh kasi hindi naman kumakain si TanTan ng food nila, sayang kung ipagbabayad namin tapos walang kakainin. Nagbabaon pa tuloy kami ng Mc Donald's Happy Meal for him.

But anyway, narealize namin na mas ok talagang kumain doon pag lunch time kasi mas mura ang rate. Mas makakamura ka ng around $15 for two persons.

Now about the salary increase.

To be honest, medyo malaki naman siya. Ang problema lang kasi talaga eh malaki ang tax. Sa compute ko, around 60% lang din noon madadagdag sa monthly income niya. At dahil nga lalaki ang gross income ng asawa ko, lalaki rin ang percentage ng income tax.

You know what, minsan bitter si Ford haha. Kasi sobrang daming privileges daw ng low-income families - at the expense syempre of middle-income earners. Kawawa raw talaga ang professional class kasi sila ang talagang nagsa-subsidize sa lower class. Syempre ibang usapin ang sa upper class.

I can't blame him. Nakakalula naman talaga ang annual income tax niya. Equivalent na sa yearly income ng isang 'ordinaryong' empleyado dito.

Not that super laki ng income niya. Kung sobrang laki nun eh di sana hindi na namin kailangang mamroblema sa pagbili ng bahay dito sa BC. At sana hindi na namin kailangang magtipid. Sadyang malaki lang talaga ang deduction sa kanya kanya ganun.

Pero usapan lang naman yung bitterness na yun, syempre talagang nagpapasalamat kami. Ang sabi ko nga sa kanya, mas mabuti ng siya ang nagsu-subsidize kesa kami ang under welfare. Hindi naman maganda sa pakiramdam na umaasa ka sa tulong ng gobyerno noh. When he lost his job in Edmonton, nakakakuha siya ng Employment Insurance (EI) from the government every 2 weeks. And although he paid for that insurance (through monthly deduction sa sweldo niya) and is very much entitled to it, nandun pa rin yung feeling na ayaw mo ng ganun. Na mas ok pa rin na may trabaho ka at kumikita ng sarili mong pera.

Salamat po, Lord, for all the blessings!

Father's Day 2018

As usual, we had a very simple Father's Day celebration last Sunday (June 17, 2018). Days before, we were searching na for a nice restaurant na hindi pa namin nakakainan, pero we ended up having lunch at Il Uk Jo Japanese-Korean Buffet Restaurant again. Kasi comfort restaurant talaga namin ito haha. Bukod sa mura (lalo na kapag lunch), nasasarapan naman kami sa food. Saka matagal na nga rin kaming hindi nakakain dito kasi nga five months kami ni Nathan sa Pinas.

By the way, last year dito rin kami nag-celebrate ng Father's Day haha. We're such creatures of habit.

However, eating there wasn't a good idea. Punuan kaya ang pangit ng puwesto namin. Wala kasi kaming reservation. At dahil maraming tao, ang tagal ding dumating ng order namin. Oh well, ganun naman talaga kapag may occasion, dagsa ang tao sa restos.

Sobrang pangit ng lighting sa loob kaya nanghihinayang ako kapag kumakain kami doon. Di ko makuhanan ng maayos ang food.

I will always be thankful that this guy is the father of my son. Swerte kaming mag-ina. =)

After eating, we went lang sa Guildford Town Centre para maglakad-lakad at magpababa ng kinain. Pero kaloka, ang Nathan nagpoo-poo while I was shopping for pants sa Old Navy. Buti na lang ever-mabait si Daddy Ford kasi inuwi niya talaga si Nathan sa bahay namin (na malapit lang naman) para dun linisin. Bumalik na lang sila sa mall after. Yep, that's Daddy Ford! Kapag nasa labas kami, siya talaga ang in-charge kay little boy. Pinapabayan niya talaga ako na mag-enjoy hehe.

Umuwi na kami after mag-Starbucks (na hindi masarap) at bumili ng new headset ni Dad. Then binigay namin yung gift namin ni TanTan for him. Noong bandang gabi na, naga-aya pa siyang lumabas kaso tinamad ako kasi nga busog pa at nahahassle akong lumabas. Sabi ko mag-fishballs na lang kami sa bahay haha! Buti pumayag naman.

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Happy Father's Day, Daddy Ford! Not everyone is blessed with a great father like you! Thank you for everything that you do for us. We love you so much! 

Gifts for Daddy Ford (2018)

I don't usually give gifts to my husband. Aside from the fact that I don't have money of my own here (haha, ang corny naman na bilhan siya ng gift out of his own pocket), mahirap talaga siyang bilhan ng regalo kasi wala siyang gusto. Siya na siguro ang pinaka-non-materialistic person na kilala ko, bukod sa ermats ko.

But now that Nathan is bigger at mas nakakaintindi na, gusto kong ma-instill sa kanya ang value ng gift-giving. Gusto ko na hindi lang siya excited tumanggap, marunong din dapat siyang magbigay. I am glad na as early as two, enthusiastic na talaga siya na mag-abot ng gifts sa ibang tao. Kahit nakabalot na regalo o simpleng pasalubong man yan, excited na excited siyang magbigay at tingnan ang masayang expression ng mga taong binibigyan niya.

So for Father's Day, dapat may maiabot kami kay Daddy Ford na kahit ano lang. It's the thought that counts, anyway. Sa Pinas na ako naghanap kasi nga one week lang after namin bumalik dito ay Father's Day na.

I am glad may stock ako ng Marvel heroes gift wrapper (bought in Dollarama), perfect ito for our own super hero. =)

 Daddy Ford was actually surprised when we handed him these gifts.

Na eto lang naman ang laman lol.

• Father's Day card -- from Dollarama, $1.12 (lagi naman namin siyang binibigyan ng card pag Father's Day o birthday niya)

• San Miguel Beer Light bottle opener / ref magnet -- from Blue Magic, Php50.00 (kasi favorite ni Dad ang beer na ito haha)

• Desk Pad -- from Papemelroti, Php149.00 yata (haha, sabi nga ni dad eh para sa akin naman ito!)

• Body Bag -- from Girbaud, Php525.00 yata (Dad doesn't use bag but I felt that he needs one now for an updated "baby bag" lol. Siya kasi ang tagabitbit ng baby bag ni Nathan pero dahil bigger na ang bagets, less things na ang kailangan naming dalhin. At least iyan pang-lalaki haha. And why Girbaud? Kasi "special" sa amin ang brand na yan. Nung panahon namin (i.e. when we were in college), sikat na sikat ka kapag naka-Girbaud ka hahaha! Eh ngayon sobrang cheap na lang ng Girbaud, saka walang ganyan dito sa Canada noh. I am glad natuwa naman siya sa bag. Sabi niya sana bigger daw para magamit niya sa office. Aba me ganun pa siya ngayon!

Ayan tapos na ang Father's Day. Next occasion to prepare for naman is Dad's 40th birthday in September. Dapat medyo bongga naman ng konti hehe. 

Goodbye, Auntie Nen. =(

Ford's 88-year-old aunt passed away yesterday (June 19, 2018 - Philippine time). She recently had a pacemaker insertion and we thought she'll be ok na. Kaso dahil medyo may edad na talaga, marami na ring ibang sakit ang dumapo sa kanya.

Auntie Nen is so special to my husband. She acted like his second mother when he was growing up kasi nga kasama nila sa bahay. She was his math teacher and mentor. Siya nga raw ang favorite among the nephews and nieces.

December 2016

If there's one thing I regret, it's that Nathan and I weren't able to visit her during our 5-month stay in Pinas. She was looking for Nathan daw. Kaso they live in Luna, La Union and I don't go there without Ford kasi nga ang layo. Hindi ko kayang dalhin ang bata doon mag-isa. Wala na rin kasing tao masyado sa probinsya, my immediate family-in-law are all based abroad. Kaya walang maga-aasikaso sa amin doon, given na may sakit na nga si Auntie Nen. Siya na lang kasi ang naiwan mag-isa sa ancestral house nila (with some helpers, of course).

Sayang nga, she passed away just merely 10-days after namin umalis ng Pinas. Sana nandoon kami to pay our last respects.

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Anyway, my husband is in a dilemma. Uuwi ba siya ng Pilipinas o hindi? There's a part of him na gustong-gustong umuwi (lalo na at tinawag ang name niya bago mamatay nang makita pa namin sa Facetime), pero given our current situation, parang hindi feasible. Ang daming dapat i-consider eh:

BUDGET -- Ang mahal ng plane ticket na mabilisan. Mahina ang Ca$1,600 (o Php65,000) kung uuwi siya. Idagdag pa ang additional expenses like airport parking (for at least a week), expenses sa Pinas, contribution sa hospital bills and burial, etc. Aabutin siguro ng around Ca$3,000 (Php120,000). To be honest, dati madali lang sa aming gastusin ang ganyang amount. Pero dahil kabibili lang namin ng bahay at maraming naka-ambang gastos sa mgas susunod na buwan, malaki na iyon. Sobrang bigat, actually.

VACATION LEAVE -- Isa pa ito sa major concern kapag kailangang umuwi ng Pinas agad-agad -- may leave credits ka pa ba at/o papayagan ka ba ng boss/company mo? Sa case ni Ford, madali lang para sa kanya ang magpaalam (yung mga bosses na yata niya ang pinaka-compassionate employers sa mundo) pero he was alloting sana all his remaining leaves sa paglipat namin sa bahay. Medyo matagal din kasi maghakot at magsettle sa new house kaya kailangan niya umabsent ng matagal-tagal kasi wala naman kaming ibang aasahang tutulong sa amin. With a very clingy toddler, malamang siya lang ang gagawa ng bulk ng trabaho by that time.

By the way, may 3-day bereavement leave dito sa Canada pero it only applies to deaths of immediate family members eh.

LONG AND TIRING TRAVEL TIME -- We need at least 24-hours para makauwi sa Pinas (including na yung commuting time to/from airport, waiting times, plane rides, layovers, etc.). Mas matagal pa ang kakailanganin niya since sa La Union siya uuwi at malamang walang susundo sa kanya kasi nga nasa probinsya na lahat ng tao. So we're seeing na 3-4 whole days lang siya sa Pinas tapos babalik na sa Canada. Tapos back to work na rin agad. Talagang parusa sa katawan yun.

SOME FAMILY CONCERNS -- I am actually hesistant na payagan siyang umuwi kasi natatakot ako maiwan dito mag-isa with Nathan. I am useless here, if something happens, matutulala lang ako. I also feel so alone here, pakiramdam ko wala akong ibang maaasahan in case of emergency. Buti sana kung nasa Edmonton pa kami at maraming kaibigan. Saka physically, hindi ko kaya si Nathan mag-isa ng 24/7. By body is too weak at mentally, nakakabaliw kapag kaming dalawa lang. Kaya sobrang takot din ang asawa ko na iwan kami (haha) kasi kawawa daw ang anak niya dahil baka masigawan ko lang pag na-stress ako.

Pero dahil ayokong maging KJ, I told Ford that he could go. I told him that the decision is up to him. Tingin ko gusto nya rin umuwi dahil uuwi ang parents at sister niya from California. Yung brother niya from Qatar, nagpa-plano rin. Ang sabi ko lang sa kanya, timbangin niya nang maayos. Wag kakong magpa-peer pressure (lol) kasi iba-iba naman ang circumstances ng mga tao.

His grandmother passed away in May (2014) and he was able to decide to go home kaagad kasi nga madali that time. I was pregnant with Nathan that time at thankfully nasa second trimester na kaya I was feeling better. Tapos nasa Edmonton pa kami noon, marami kaming kaibigan na matatakbuhan. Wala ring problema sa budget kasi talagang settled na kami that time with a house na hindi kasing laki ang mortgage ng tulad ng magiging mortgage namin dito sa BC.

Hay, ito talaga ang isang malungkot when you are living abroad. Hindi ka basta-basta makakauwi kung may mga ganitong pangyayari. Naexperience ko na ito when my grandfather naman died in October 2014. I wasn't able to go home kasi nga manganganak na ako.

Anyway, whatever the husband decides, alam ko naman na maiintindihan yun ni Auntie Nen.

Happy Valentine's Day, Coblancs! (A Repost)

This is a repost from my old private blog. Haha, sana makagawa uli ako ng updated list.  =)                                       

                                                                                     February 14, 2013

To My Dearest Pod Pod,


The past days, we've been talking about "kilig." And I've been complaining a lot about how unromantic you are, that you lack the 'grand gestures', that you're complacent and all. Well most of those times, I was just being a drama queen. Alam ko naman na mahal mo ako, that you are willing to give me 'everything'. Accepted ko naman na kulang ka lang sa creativity, haha!

Pero sige na nga, tutal Valentine's Day, aamin na ako na napapakilig mo naman ako sa mga simple gestures mo. Now let me enumerate those recent times/instances that you make/made me feel the big K word...


-- Nang dinala mo yung wedding ring mo pabalik sa Canada (kasi sabi mo you won't) at syempre kapag sinusuot mo every weekend.

 -- Whenever you carry my purses and shopping bags. Really, pag ginagawa mo ito, palagi kong naiisip na ang swerte ko kasi ang gentleman ng asawa ko and ayaw niya talagang nahihirapan ako.

--- Whenever you cook for me. Haha, natatawa talaga ako!

-- Kapag pinaglalaba mo ako. None is sweeter than having a man who does your laundry.

-- Whenever you tirelessly drive for me. Walang simangot, walang reklamo. And let me add, you look so cute pag kumakanta ka na lang para aliwin ang sarili mo pag natutulog na ako. Super sweet din pag inaabot mo na sa akin ang neck pillow pagsakay ko ng car. Dami mong pogi points ha!

-- Whenever you accompany me to the mall/shops. Again, walang reklamo. Lahat ng gusto kong puntahan, pinagbibigyan mo. Very few guys can tolerate that.

-- When you gave me my sustento haha! Syempre sweet and touching!

-- Whenever you tolerate my cravings for frosty, mocha frapp, and other fattening food. At least di mo sinusumbat na tumataba na ako.

-- Whenever we would go grocery shopping and you would still consult (read: ask my permission) me if you want to buy something even though it's you who'll pay for everything.

-- When you sent money when I got hospitalized last year. Noon ko unang naramdaman na may asawa na nga ako who's willing to provide for me.

-- When you bought a house in Secord and said that it's "ours" kahit wala naman akong kahit singkong contribution. Lalo na when you agreed that I'd get the whole house at yung garahe na lang ang teritoryo mo.

-- Whenever you insist that I drink my medicine at halos isubo mo na sa akin.

-- Nung nakikipagkwentuhan tayo sa Luna and you insisted na sa may bubong ako umupo kasi mahahamugan ako. Sweet!

-- Nung ikaw ang nagsuot ng shoe plastic sa akin sa Madame Chiang's Shilin Residence kasi hirap akong yumuko. Dagdag pa kapag itinatayo mo ako pag di ako makatayo.

-- When you bought this Michael Kors purple tote bag because you missed buying stuff in our wedding motif color.

-- When you 'surprised' me with this gift (3 breads equals i love you) hahaha! Corny!

-- Nang pinagtiyagaan mong buuin ang IKEA storage boxes ko even though masakit na kamay. You never really let me down, Dear!

-- Whenever you would kiss me before going to work. This truly makes my mornings!

-- Whenever you eat my luto and assuring me that it's good.

-- Whenever you would hug me before going to sleep.

 -- Whenever you answer "eh san ka naman pupunta?" when I say "pano pag nagkahiwalay tayo?" It's you who's always sure that we'll always be together no matter what - even if we'll not have a child.

-- At may mas kikilig pa ba when you asked me to marry you and gave me these two beautiful rings?

Hindi ko siguro namention lahat ng nakakakilig na nagawa mo for me but let me assure you that those things are never unappreciated. Everyday I am grateful that I have you, that you chose to make me your wife.

Happy Valentine's Day, Dear! I love you very much!

This will be the last February 14 that we'll celebrate apart. I promise, babawi rin ako kapag magkasama na tayo.

Mahal na mahal na mahal po kita! I miss you!

Yours forever,
Bim Bim Blanco

Two Years Ago in Edmonton (Part 2)

Sa una biru-biruan lang: "Tara lipat na tayo sa BC! Malapit ang Jollibee doon!" But on April 2016, we found ourselves talking to a realtor. On the first week of May, for sale na ang house namin.

I've always wanted to live in (Metro) Vancouver. When I first visited Canada in 2012, dumalaw kami sa Tita ko sa Surrey at nagandahan ako sa place. Hindi gaanong malamig (bihirang mag-snow) saka ang daming pwedeng gawin at pasyalan, hindi kagaya ng Deadmonton. Tapos cross border ka lang, Washington na. May Seafood City doon at Jollibee, Red Ribbon, at Chowking. Isa pa, mayroon nga akong Tita doon (na sobrang ka-close ko dati) kaya talagang na-engganyo ako.

Pero syempre hindi kami pwedeng lumipat noon kasi settled na si Ford sa Edmonton. May magandang trabaho siya, may bahay na kami, at may malalapit na kaibigan na rin. At mahirap din kasing iwan talaga ang Alberta kasi nga mataas ang sweldo doon (prior to recession) kasi nga mayaman ang probinsya. Tapos 5% lang ang sales tax  (sa BC ay 12%) kaya mas mura ang cost of living.

Pero by April, we realized that we had to leave Edmonton already. We already knew for a fact na matatagalan pa bago maka-recover ang Alberta. Ford's employment insurance will only last until February 2017. Sure, we could get by later on kung maghahanap muna siya ng kahit anong odd job tapos tuloy ang work ko, pero we had to consider his career. Hindi siya pwedeng ma-stagnate nang matagal. Yung ex-officemate niya na nalay-off din, nagrelocate na sa Ontario and found a job there.

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It took a while bago nabili yung house. Again, recession. Sino ang bibili ng bahay sa mga panahong iyon? Medyo skeptic nga ako eh, pero sige lang, wala namang bayad sa realtor. Magkakaroon lang siya ng commission kapag naibenta na niya.

At dahil matagal nga inabot, medyo naipit din ang job-hunting ni Ford. He couldn't apply in Vancouver kasi nga paano ang bahay kung hindi pa naibebenta? Hindi naman namin pwedeng iwan syempre. Hindi rin naman pwedeng mauna siya sa Vancouver, paano naman kami ni Nathan sa Edmonton? Ni hindi ako nagda-drive doon. So we had no choice but to wait.

My cousin in Toronto once asked me, "Buti hindi umiinit ang ulo ni Ford? Buti hindi siya nai-insecure na ikaw muna ang nagtatrabaho?"

Actually hindi naman. Hindi talaga. Una, mas malaki pa nga ang nakukuha niya sa insurance kesa sa sinusweldo ko noh. So mas malaki pa rin ang share niya sa household expenses namin haha. Pangalawa, mataas talaga ang EQ niya. He knew na temporary lang naman ang sitwasyon, that everything will be back to normal once na nakarelocate kami at nakahanap na uli siya ng work. At pangatlo, I would like to believe na hindi ko naman kasi siya dinown during those times. It wasn't his fault na nawalan siya ng trabaho, usaping ekonomiya yan. I reminded him that when he was earning well, he's been so good and generous to me. Kaya walang rason para maliitin ko siya sa puntong iyon ng buhay niya.

Pero minsan nang sabihin ko na pagod na ako (physically tired), he said: "Sana magkatrabaho na ako uli. Kasi pagod ka na." I assured him that I wasn't complaining, na wala naman talaga sa akin yun. Pagod lang talaga ako kasi may physical aspect din naman ang work ko.

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After what seemed to be an endless home viewings, we finally got an offer on August. Syempre we didn't get the amount that we initially stated, nagtawaran pa kami. In the end, break even lang kami. Pero ok na rin, at least makakapagsimula na kami uli sa BC. Saka two and half years pa lang naman kami doon, kaya wag magexpect ng equity. Masuwerte pa nga kami kasi nabenta, ang dami-daming properties (both old and new) that time na nakatengga kasi nga walang pambili ang mga tao ng bahay.

By the way, ang nakabili ng townhouse namin ay isang matandang mag-asawang Intsik yata. They used to live with their child (and his/her family) in one of the units din in the complex, pero gusto na nilang humiwalay. Kaya bumili sila ng unit (cash ha) doon din para malapit lang din sa anak nila. We were thankful kasi nga kung hindi sila tagadoon din, I doubt kung bibili sila ng second hand house. There's a new array of townhomes just across our street na marami pang vacant units, pwedeng doon sila bumili kung tutuusin.

We agreed to turn over the house on the last day of September. We thought that should give us ample time to look for an apartment in BC, pack, and bid goodbye to our friends.

Pero kaloka ha, mid-September na eh wala pa kaming malilipatan. On my birthday weekend (August 27-29), we drove all the way to Surrey to check a townhouse-type rental apartment that's big enough to accommodate all our things. Akala namin makukuha namin, given my husband's good credit history and our savings (that will prove that we are capable of paying), kaso we got declined. We were shocked, ang sakit palang ma-reject. Ang only reason na naisip namin is because Ford was jobless at that time. Our savings (plus the sale of our house) didn't count. We really never saw it coming, we were too confident na walang magiging problema sa paghahanap namin ng matitirahan.

We searched and searched online pero walang vacancy sa mga apartment complexes sa Langley, Delta at Delta (iyon kasi ang mga target cities namin). Mukhang booming talaga ang BC, naisip namin. Marami nga rin kasing naglipatan doon from Alberta simula nang mag-recession. I tried emailing / text messaging yung mga homeowners na nagpaparent ng basement but nobody replied. Mukhang hindi ako sineryoso.

We were getting desperate. Malapit na kaming maging homeless. Ang tindi ng pressure. Thankfully, meron isang nakausap si Ford na apartment manager who was willing to take us in kahit na hindi na namin ma-view ang apartment. When Ford informed her na wala pa siyang trabaho, enough na daw that we email to her our bank's statement of account para lang masigurado na may pambayad kami sa mga susunod na buwan. I guess she took us in when she learned na Filipino kami, marami raw kasi silang tenants na Filipino. Gusto siguro nila ang Pinoy kasi maayos sa bahay.

The only problem though was that we could only move by October 1. The only solution was to rent a huge storage in Surrey (hay, gastos!) and dump our things there at least a week before September ends kasi we needed to clean the townhouse pa before the turnover.

My parents-in-law came over in September and helped us pack the house. I quit from my job na rin (my last day was September 17). Then Ford rented a truck and they brought all our things in the storage on September 21.

We stayed at our good friend's (Mylene and Obet) house for a couple of days before the townhouse's turnover. We spent those days with our distant cousins and closest friends who became our family in Edmonton. It was bitter sweet. We were excited because a new adventure awaits us, but it wasn't easy to leave the life that we've built in Edmonton.

With a heavy heart, we left on the night of October 1st.

---- To Be Continued ----

Two Years Ago in Edmonton (Part 1)

Want to know why we left Edmonton?

It's because my husband lost his job there two years ago.

January 26, 2016 (Tuesday). Ford went home on lunch time, as usual. But when he mentioned that two officers from their Saskatoon head office were in their office, I suddenly felt nervous. Alam ko may male-layoff na naman. Marami-rami na rin kasing nalay-off the past months, yung iba matatagal na sa company saka matataas din ang puwesto.

In less than an hour after he left the house to go back to work, I received a shocking message from him: "na-lay off ako." Biglang umakyat ang dugo ko sa ulo. I was hoping na nagbibiro lang siya, pero alam kong hindi. Hindi siya nagbibiro ng mga ganyang bagay. Saka alam kong may problema na sa office nila, wala na silang masyadong projects. I just didn't expect na male-layoff siya ahead of other employees. You see, he's the MOE (most valuable employee) in the office. He's the owner's "right hand" in Edmonton Office (that owner unfortunately died just four months prior). Akala ko mala-last man standing talaga siya sa opisinang yun. Yun din ang akala niya.

It was a world-shattering text message. Sobra ang takot ko. Ang nareply ko lang: "Paano na tayo?" I remember crying so hard while waiting for him to come home. My then one-year old son was somewhat aware of what's happening. He quietly sat on my lap and hugged me while I was sobbing.

What made the situation worse was that my parents-in-law were already in our house that time and in three days, Ford's sister from California and brother from Qatar (and his family) are also coming for vacation. Ang gara talaga ng timing.

Ewan ko ba pero parang nase-sense ko na rin na mawawalan ng work ang asawa ko. Just a week before it happened, nag-blog pa ako on how scary the Canadian economy was na that time. Alberta was badly hit by recession because the prices of oil continued to drop in the world market. Fully dependent ang economy ng Alberta sa oil kaya talagang bagsak na bagsak ang probinsya.

My husband is a licensed Professional Engineer (a Geotechnical Engineer to be exact) at talagang apektado ang industry nila. Bagsak ang ekonomiya kaya no new projects, no new constructions. Many engineers, who were being paid well, were laid off.

Ganun pala yun. Uso pala talaga ang lay-off lay-off na yan sa North America. At yung recession na nababasa ko lang dati, na-experience talaga namin.

I was so scared that time. Paano na lahat ng bayarin namin? I suddenly looked around and regretted buying so many things that I didn't really need. Bigla akong nanghinayang sa pera. To be honest, hindi na ako sanay maghirap. When I came to Canada, everything has been served to me on a silver platter. Hindi ako nahirapan. My husband has been a very good provider, naibigay niya talaga lahat ng gusto ko. Ang komportable ng buhay namin and I took pride on that. Imagine, we were living comfortably on a single income. Not many families in Canada could afford that.

Then I realized na kung mabigat para sa akin ang nangyari, mas mahirap para sa asawa ko who has taken pride in being a good provider as well. Mas mabigat ang dalahin niya, sa balikat niya nakasalalay ang pamilya namin eh. Of course hindi niya pinakita pero alam ko na sobrang naga-alala rin siya. Sino ba naman ang hindi?

As a wife, all I could do was give him words of encouragement. That everything will be ok. That we will get through that difficult situation. But as two realistic individuals, we knew that it might take some time. Again, recession eh. Hindi naman basta nagclose lang ang company at nawalan siya ng work. Kung ganun lang kasi ang nangyari, ang bilis niyang makakahanap ng bago given his credentials.

I mentally assessed our finances. Kahit paano medyo kumalma ang pakiramdam ko kasi aside from our savings, meron naman siyang makukuhang severance pay from his company tapos may Employment Insurance (o EI) naman where he paid the highest contribution so he'll get the highest benefit din.

I called my mother that night and cried on her virtual shoulder. She said she'd send us money (initial reaction syempre) but I assured her that we're still financially ok, that we could manage in the coming months.

The following day, I remember modifying my husband's resume. Di ko talaga maisip na balik na naman kami sa paggawa ng resume. Nag-apply na rin siya agad sa mga nakita niyang openings online (na parang mga old posts na) tutal wala namang mawawala.

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The next three weeks was extra difficult because we had a put up a brave front in front of my husband's family. It wasn't easy to smile and laugh when all you wanted that time was mourn and wallow. We also became cautious na of spending siyempre. Before his siblings came, sinabi na niya that he's lost his job kaya sila na muna ang bahala sa gastos. Syempre as the manong (or kuya) and host, that was so hard on his ego. Kaso no choice, we had to preserve whatever money we had for the rainy days ahead. Biglang naging mahalaga every dollar. Buti na lang nakapamili na kami ng groceries and other things bago nga ang lay-off.

Thankfully, money was no problem naman with his family. His siblings generously shouldered all the expenses sa mga trips and dine-outs namin. They also offered us financial help just in case we need it (na sobrang na-appreciate namin siyempre).

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Even before my in-laws left, I already toyed with this idea na ako na muna ang magtrabaho while Ford is under EI. You see, when you're receiving insurance benefits, lahat ng magiging sweldo mo from any other part-time job ay ide-deduct. My husband that time had a part-time job in Lowe's (he applied when Nathan and I were in Pinas for our first long vacation and he got bored) but he had to quit dahil nga ang useless lang kung yung kikitain niya doon ay ibabawas pa sa monthly cash benefit na makukuha niya sa EI. Parang nag-aksaya lang siya ng pagod at gasolina.

The best solution was really for me to work muna para may pandagdag kami sa EI at nang hindi maubos ang savings namin. Nang sabihin  ko yun sa asawa ko, I felt his hesitation. Syempre pride pa rin kahit papano. But after explaining to him na susubukan ko lang bumalik doon sa dati kong work at talagang gusto kong makatulong sa finances namin, he gave in.

I immediately contacted my former co-worker-turned-good-friend Cristy and asked her if there's an opening in the store (I worked there pala for only six weeks in 2014 kasi I got pregnant na). She excitedly said yes, kulang daw talaga sila ng keyholder/supervisor kaya mag-apply na ako agad. Sabi ko pagkaalis ng in-laws ko, pupunta ako agad doon.

After Ford's siblings left, sumunod na rin ang mga biyenan ko. They rebooked their flight a week earlier, probably para makapagsimula na kaming makadiskarte sa bagong sitwasyon namin. Before taking them to the airport, hinatid muna nila ako sa store early morning so I could submit my resume.

Cristy accompanied me to the assistant manager (the manager wasn't there that time) so I could personally hand to her my resume.

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To cut the story short, I got rehired and started working on February 29 (just over a month after Ford lost his job). It wasn't easy at first kasi nasanay na ako na pahiga-higa lang sa bahay but I got used to it eventually. After all, sabi ko nga kay Ford, I may not be masipag in the house pero masipag akong magtrabaho. Lahat ng extra hours kinuha ko. Kapag may absent, willing na willing akong sumalo ng shift.

Ford became a house husband for several months haha. Tapos personal driver ko pa kasi hatid-sundo niya (nila ni Nathan) sa trabaho. Sa totoo lang, nag-enjoy pa nga ako. Finally, I was able to work again!

Ang drawback lang siyempre is the salary. Maliit lang ang sweldo sa retail. Saka hindi naman ako full-time kaya hindi malaki ang take-home pay ko. Pero ayos na rin kasi at least nakukuha na ang pang-grocery at gas namin. Yung insurance ni Ford ang naging pambayad ng house mortgage, car, and other bills namin. Saktong-sakto lang talaga.

I am telling you, it was the most humbling time of our married/family life. Kinailangan din talaga naming magtipid kasi we weren't comfortable na mabawasan ang savings namin. Kung dati panay ang kain namin sa labas, syempre hindi na pwede. Walang shopping (except for essentials), walang luho, wala lahat ng nakasanayan namin. Nanahimik kami sa bahay. Buti nga one year old lang si Nathan noon, hindi pa demanding sa toys at McDonald's.

Kapag inisiip ko na minsan yung isang araw na sweldo ko ay isang oras lang dati ng asawa ko, napapailing ako. Malalaman mo talaga ang importance ng isang bagay kapag wala na sayo. Basta, nakaka-humble. Nakakawala ng yabang. It took a while pa nga before we informed our closest friends in Edmonton about our situation. Syempre ayaw namin ng "awa" o kahit na anong judgment. Pero hindi naman sila ganun. They, of all people, will understand our situation kasi nga taga-Alberta rin sila at nakaka-experience ng impact ng recession.

Ford continued to apply pero wala talagang hiring (yung mga nakapost online ay parang joke lang talaga).  He's had one job interview from a relatively "new" company pero sobrang weird daw ng owner. Ang taas ng vision, ang daming demands, pero $18 lang ang offer sa isang professional engineer. Sobrang shocking, really. It's expected na given the bad economy, hindi talaga makakapag-offer ng malaki pero $18 per hour lang talaga? Mataas pa ang sweldo ng cleaner? Big joke talaga kaloka.

Then one time, he contacted his former officemate who was then employed in a bigger engineering firm. That officemate promised to help him, tutulungan daw siyang makapasok kapag may opening. Sadly, only after two weeks, he got laid-off, too. More than half na pala of professional engineers in Alberta have lost their jobs.

Fortunately for us, may trabaho ako kahit papano kaya hindi na masyadong nakakapressure on my husband's part. But for his ex-officemate, grabe ang pressure because he just had a baby and the wife couldn't work. And because it was futile to look for work in Edmonton, he tried applying in Vancouver where he received an instant request for interview.

That's how we got the idea na lumipat sa BC. Mukhang madaling makahanap ng trabaho doon.

---- To Be Continued ----

Dad's Christmas Party 2017

Hello, hello! Sorry for the lack of posts this December. Sobrang naging busy lang the past days, ang daming ganap! Sana magkaroon ako ng time na makuwento lahat dito haha.

Anyway, let me start by posting about Daddy Ford's company Christmas party last December 7, 2017. I am not posting the party per se, kasi hindi ko naman business yun lol. Haha gusto ko lang ikuwento how bitter I was! HINDI KASI AKO NAKASAMA, waaah!

This was Ford's second Christmas party in that company and like last year, he went alone. This year, the party was held in a high-end steakhouse and cocktail bar in Downtown Vancouver. As usual, employees were asked to bring their respective spouses/partners. Sayang, chance ko na sanang maka-attend ng party. I've never been to any of my husband's work-related events (be it oath-taking, etc.) kasi natataong hindi kami magkasama pag may mga ganyan (we used to be in a very long LDR). Kaso nga this time na nandito ako at magkasama kami, we have no one to leave our son Nathan with naman. Ang hirap dito kasi kaming tatlo lang.

Hay, naging bitter talaga ako! Aside from the chance to eat a very expensive steak (I love steak!!!), opportunity na rin sana ito to dress up and mingle with adults. Ikaw ba naman makipagchika sa toddler 24/7, masasabik ka rin makakausap ng matatanda noh. Sayang nga lang kasi strictly adult-affair yung party, hindi puwedeng magsama ng bata. Bar nga rin kasi yun.

I am sure that next year, absent na naman ako. Four years old pa lang si Nathan by that time kaya hindi pa rin pwedeng iwan, unless bumisita samin ang in-laws ko.

I also felt bad for hubby, kasi dalawa lang daw sila na walang kasama. He works in an engineering consulting firm so most of the employees were males. Yung isa daw na walang kasama ay single at bata pa. Everyone asked him about his wife, sinasabi niya na lang na walang baby sitter.

Before he left, kinunan ko na lang siya ng pictures. I knew na hindi siya magte-take ng pictures during the party kaya ito na lang.

Haha, ID picture daw.

The attire was semi-formal. Semi-formal na ba ito? Nagulat daw siya kasi talagang mga naka-tie pa ang nagdi-dine in sa restaurant na yun. They were served with a 4-course meal saka on-the-house and wine. Too bad he couldn't drink because he has to drive pa.

He later asked me kung gusto ko raw ba kumain doon some other time, I uttered a loud "NO!" Sayang ang pera. I am not into high-end dining kasi. Mas nakaka-high sakin ang shopping haha!

He's lost a lot of weight na rin talaga =)

In fairness, before he left that night, iniwanan nya naman ako ng famous steak niya para steak din ang dinner ko. Ang sweet, di ba?

Ooops, here's his pang-exchange gift nga pala. Worth $20 raw.

Ang corny niya, gift card na lang daw ang bilhin. But I insisted that we buy (kasi gusto kong mag-gift wrap haha!).

We got something similar to this one. Admittedly, medyo under-valued yung gift haha. Kasi it was worth $15.99 lang. Original price was $24.99 but there was a $9-off coupon available ka naging mura. Tapos no-tax day pa that time sa Superstore kaya we were able to save an additional $3 pa. Sabi ko ke Ford hanap ka kami ng pang-dagdag kaso tinamad na. Kunwari raw nabili namin sa original price haha.

(Pic taken from net, credits to the owner)

Here's what he received naman. Kaloka, "malas" talaga kami sa exchange gifts. This is something that we couldn't use/consume eh. Nilagay ko na lang sa balikbayan box at ipamimigay sa Pinas.

Pic taken by Daddy Ford

Some thoughts, why can't people just choose tangible objects for gifts? House/kitchen items are always a safe choice. Kung hindi man type ng receiver, at least walang shelf life at pwedeng ipamigay later on. Mahirap kasing magbigay ng chocolates (and foods in general) kasi nga iba-iba ang preference ng mga tao (unless kilala mo talaga ha) at concerns. Katulad namin, very picky kami sa food tapos diabetic pa. Kung hindi kami uuwi sa Pinas next month, I wonder ko paano ko madi-dispose yang Godiva na yan.

I also do not like receiving toiletries (unless the brands that I use), for the same reason that we have different preferences when it comes to products that we use on our skin and body. Maikli lang din ang shelf life ng mga lotion, body wash, etc. kaya kailangan mai-dispose agad.

TanTan: Ang Masayahing Bata

Yesterday afternoon before we left for the mall, I asked Ford a question.

CES -- Kung bibigyan ka ng chance, papalitan mo ba si TanTan bilang anak mo?

Of course, I was expecting a "no" answer. I was just curious on his reason.

FORD -- No. Eh kasi hindi siya malungkutin. Tingnan mo palagi siyang masaya, palaging nakangiti. 

Haha, natawa talaga ako! Ayaw pala niya ng malungkuting bata lol!

But seriously, I love it that my son is one happy boy. Nakangiti ang default face niya (unlike me na nakasimangot). Palagi siyang humahalaklak, palaging bumubungisngis. Born comedian pa. Naiisip ko talaga, kanino ba ito nagmana? Mas sa tatay niya definitely.

My wish is for him to stay that way. Hope he continues to be a ray of sunshine not just to us his parents but to others as well.

Ang hirap magpalaki ng bata, pero kung ganito ba naman ka-cute at ka-bibo ang aalagaan mo, sulit! #proudmomlangpo

The Boys' Haircut

Daddy's Haircut -- $12 ($10 + 2 tip) @ a shop inside T&T Supermarket in Surrey Central City

October 8, 2017 

Ford is so happy because there's $10 haircut here in Metro Vancouver (no tax pa ha, baka included na). Sa Edmonton, sobrang mahal ang services eh. Twice a year lang siya kung magpagupit doon. Dito every three months pwede.

By the way, there's a Filipina hair cutter in this shop. Akala ko nga noong una pang-lalaki lang dito eh, yun pala pwede rin ang babae. Susubukan ko next time tutal hindi naman ako maarte sa gupit. Matabasan lang ay ok na.

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Nathan's Haircut -- $28.75 ($25 + 12% tax + 2.50 tip) @ Sparky's Kut for Kidz

October 13, 2017

We've tried to convince Nathan to get his haircut on a regular barber shop / salon na lang para cheaper but he's not ready yet. "No" daw. Kahit i-bribe namin siya na ibibili namin ng toy yung matitipid namin. Kaya no choice kami kundi bumalik sa Sparky's (where he had his last buzz cut last June 25) kasi aliw siya sa mga "cars" doon. And true enough, when he saw the cars, sobrang na-excite agad umupo at magpa-"massage" ng hair.

Pero naman ha, masakit sa loob gumastos ng $28.75 for a 5-minute (or less pa nga yata) buzz cut. So I swear, this will be the last time that we'll be spending that much on his haircut. Kailangan ma-train ko siya sa Pinas pag-uwi namin na magpagupit sa cheap na barber shop. If he resists, Ako na mismo ang magre-razor sa kanya. It is one skill that I ought to learn because my son's hair grows so very fast, mamumulubi talaga kami sa kakapagupit. Uso yun dito eh, kanya-kanyang gupit sa anak / asawa.

Dad's 39th Birthday Dinner @ Kyo (Vancouver)

September 6, 2017. Dad's birthday this year fell on a Wednesday so there's nothing else to do but eat dinner out after his work. Nagkataon pa na ang dami niyang load so past 6pm na siya nakauwi. Buti na lang it's still summer kaya maliwanag pa.

Oops by the way, he was given a cake daw in the office and his officemates sang for him. Ayos, at least may cake na siya kasi hindi na ako bumili (#hellodiabetes). I asked him to take a picture of his cake pero ayaw, nakakahiya raw haha.

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We drove to Granville Street in Vancouver because I found a restaurant that serves my husband's favorites -- sushi and korean BBQ. Maganda ang review sa Yelp so I suggested it to Ford. Game siya, lalo na at buffet. #cheatdayagain!

Buffet dinner is $30.95 + drinks + 5% tax + tip. Mas mura pa rin kesa kakain kami sa Tony Roma's or Old Spaghetti Factory. And no, we are not fond of fine dining. Kahit dati pa lang, hindi na (mga simpleng tao lang kami lol). Lalo na ngayon na may anak na kaming bitbit.

There's a similar buffet restaurant Il Uk Jo in Surrey (near our place) that we frequently go to if  we want to pig out pero mas sossy dito syempre kasi mas mahal at mas maraming food options.

 The ambience of the was was nice and cozy. Medyo madilim nga lang kaya pangit ang pictures.

Unlike in traditional buffets na nakalatag na ang food, usually ang korean BBQ dito ay per order. You will be given a paper where you can check what you want (and put the quantity too). Maximum of 1.5 hours lang daw ang eating pero hindi naman siguro nila inoorasan haha.

I don't eat sushi (or anything raw) but I love BBQ and tempura and teriyaki and tonkatsu.

Here's some of what we ate:

We asked for 10 pieces of mussels pero 6 lang ang sinerve. Ginto kasi ang tahong dito.

All protein, I know. Meat lovers kami talaga. No salad, no kimchi, no soup, no noodles. We just asked for plain steamed rice. Thankfully, hindi tumaas ang sugar ko after kasi nga low carbs. Kaso patay naman sa liver kalurkey!

 My very picky eater son (mana sa amin kanino pa ba?) only had rice and chicken wings.

Keri lang naman ang service. I was expecting more from the food though, pero parang mas ok pa ang sa Il Uk Jo.

We asked one server to take our family picture, parang hesitant siya. Hindi ba talaga uso ang makipicture dito? I didn't like the said picture kaya di ko na ipopost. Itong groufie ko na lang. Again, pangit ang lighting eh.

Ford had a small strawberry pudding for dessert and then we asked for the bill. He paid $75.73 all in all.

We had nowhere else to go after that. It was past 9pm, wala ng mapuntahan. Di na rin pwedeng mag-frappucino sa Starbucks.

Bigla tuloy namin namiss ang Manila! Yung area kasi ng Kyo ay parang street sa Manila, busier-looking lang sa Manila syempre. Saka marami pang bukas na establishments kahit alas onse na ng gabi.

Kyo has an underground parking nga pala na ayos sa reviews sa Yelp ay very steep kaya ayaw kong magpark dun. But we were left with no choice kasi wala na talagang available na street parking kahit nakailang ikot na kami.

My hubby laughed at me nang makita ang sinasabing "steep." Maluwag naman pala, sa standards nating Pinoy ha. Kahit ako hindi mahihirapang mag-park doon noh. Isa yan sa advantage nating Pinoy drivers eh, sanay sa masisikip. Masyadong spoiled ang mga taga-first world lol.

Ay nga pala, when we were in the car na, we saw the server who hesitated to take our picture. He went to his car to get something eh. Nagkatinginan kami ni Coblancs, brand new BMW ang kotse nya ha! Naloka talaga kami.

CES -- Baka naman sila ang may-ari ng restaurant? Tapos gusto lang siyang i-train ng tatay nya.
FORD -- Ano yun, koreanovela?
CES -- Haha, asar talo ka lang kasi yung nag-serve sayo eh naka-BMW!

Oh well, common naman dito talaga na naka-magarang sasakyan ang blue collar worker. I know pa nga one person na sa McDonald's nagwowork pero naka-Mercedez Benz. Ay correction, isa ang McDonald's sa mga work kasi triple job nga pala siya. Kanya-kanyang trip talaga yan. Kapag mahilig ka sa kotse, you will do everything para mabayaran ang montly or bi-weekly amortization.

I remember just a few weeks ago, I asked my husband if he's not envious of those with 'magarang' kotse. He simply answered: "Mi, kung gusto ko ng mamahaling sasakyan, sana bumili na ako noong binata pa ako noh." 

Oo nga naman. Modesty aside, he could afford a really flashy car naman (lalo na noong hindi pa niya ako asawa at binubuhay haha) pero hindi niya talaga trip. Kaya ngayon we're happy na with our  reliable Subaru. Hindi ko rin naman din kasi type ang mahal na sasakyan.

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We just went home after dinner. Pagod na rin kasi si Dad and he still has work the following day. Corny nga eh. Di bale, next year when he turns 40, I'll make sure to prepare something special na talaga.

I was sad nga kasi we had no gift for him except for this card (na pinasulatan ko rin kay TanTan ang loob). Eh kasi wala naman akong makitang magugustuhan niya. I am telling you, Ford is the simplest guy you'll ever meet. Walang mga kiyeme sa katawan. Binilhan ko na nga lang ng card sa Dollarama (no cute happy-birthday-daddy card kaya itong pang-hubby na lang) para may maiabot sa kanya si Nathan. I want our son to grow up kasi nang nagbibigay, nang thoughtful at caring at generous.

Happy 39th birthday, Daddy! Everyday we thank the heavens for giving you to us. We love you very much!

This song is for you!