Valentine's Day 2018 (in Pinas again!)

Time flies so fast! I can't believe it's almost a week now since Valentine's Day. Kaloka, malapit na naman kaming bumalik sa Canada!

February 14, 2018. We went to Malolos after lunch because I promised my balikbayan aunt-ninang that I will help her fix her SSS pension that was stopped in 2014 pa because she failed to update with SSS. But before we left, we Facetimed Daddy for our mandatory VDay family picture lol.

I haven't been to Malolos (my father's hometown) in a long time. The last time I visited was in November 2013, a few days before I migrated to Canada, to say goodbye to my grandfather. That was the last time I saw him because he died three weeks before I gave birth to Nathan. I deliberately avoided going there na after because of some familial issues. I chose to stay away because I wanted peace.

Hindi ko lang talaga matiis ang ninang ko (who's been so good to us when I was still a baby) kaya bumalik ako to help her. Kaso hindi pa rin namin naayos ang SSS niya kasi ang dami pang kailangang gawin. Hay, bureaucracy!

After going to the SSS, ayun simula na ng drama. Sabi ko na nga ba magkaka-issue na naman. My cousin kasi is getting married in church this February 25 (kaya nagdadatingan ang mga balikbayan kong kamag-anak from the US) and I opted not to attend to avoid some people. I don't want to be put in an awkward situation sa event na dapat happy happy lang. Basta ang seryoso ng sitwasyon kasi. I explained myself to my cousin and asked for his understanding (which he gave naman when we chatted). Pero ayun,  isyu pala sa tito ko. Basta me dramahan pang nangyari. Napunta pa sa "invitation" issue kasi hindi nabigyan ang nanay ko. But I am glad I was able to air my side. Bahala na sila dun.

Before going home, we dropped by another aunt's new house beside my grandparent's. Retired na yung tita ko na yun (pati asawa niya syempre) sa California kaya pabalik-balik na lang sila sa Pilipinas. Among all my aunts and uncles (my parents included), they are the luckiest. They have lots of money (and houses!), their 4 children are all educated and successful, they are in good health, they have inheritance, they have so many friends, and they love each other dearly. Napaka-ideal talaga. #Relationshipgoals kumbaga.

My aunt (the one I helped with SSS) just recently divorced and is in currently in limbo on what to do with her life. She said the formula for my lucky aunt's good life is that he found a good and responsible man who truly loves and adores her. That's my opinion, too. Madaling maging successful ang marriage ng Pinoy kung devoted ang lalaki kasi culturally, hindi naman magloloko ang babae kung maayos ang pamilya niya (although this trend is probably changing na rin haha).

We went home a few minutes before 5pm at nagsisimula ng maging busy ang paligid. Valentine's Day nga kasi. When we reached the Bocaue exit (of NLEX), I called Mamoosh and asked her to get ready because I wanted to eat out to celebrate the day. Haha, like what I keep on mentioning on this blog, I like all occasions to be celebrated kahit simple lang.

And because of traffic, I was afraid to go far na. Puno na rin ang SM Marilao for sure kaya ayaw ko ng makipagsiksikan. Ayaw ko rin naman mag-Jollibee o McDonald's kasi umay na umay na kami dun. I am glad there's a newly opened diner sa kanto namin (along McAurthur Highway), pwede na dun. Super lapit lang niya, lalakarin nga lang haha.

It was only past 6pm so hindi pa gaanong maraming tao when we came. Marami pang vacant tables. Self-service pala sila.

Medyo malaki yung diner (dati itong bar) at may segregated areas. My booths sa gilid, merong parang pang-Japanese style na upo lang sa sahig, merong bar-type tables, at meron ding 'normal' tables.

I realized, sana may ganito na 2 years ago when we threw a grand party for Nathan's baptism and first birthday. I would seriously consider this place for reception kasi nga enclosed, may aircon, at may play area pa ang kids. Ang laki pa sana ng natipid namin.

By the way, meron din silang area for kawaii merchandise. I was surprised kasi ang cheap ng items nila. May pagka-Korean fanatic yata yung dalawang girls na may-ari ng place.

Here's their simple menu:

I find the prices ok, pero syempre dito sa probinsya eh mahal na yan hehe. Lalo na kapag di ka sanay kumain sa labas (like my Mamoosh lol).

My mother let me do the ordering. And I made bad choices.

I order calamares (na favorite ko)...

Sweet and sour pork...

And fried chicken (because di ko matiis na hindi i-order si Tantan).

Waaah, puro may balat! Yung 3 dishes na yan plus 3 cups of plain rice and 1 can of coke zero already cost us Php930. Mahal kasi di kami nabusog haha! Sana nag-Kenny na lang kami (kaso nga lang malayo at punuan).

The diner was self-service so I paid right after I ordered. Mano-mano lang sila (parang soft-opening pa lang kasi sila) and I forgot to ask if they honor the senior citizen discount.

The owner-cashier handed this to me together with my change. Oh at least nagka-flower pa rin ako ng Valentine's haha.

Mamoosh and me.

I made the greatest mistake of ordering fried chicken. Php365 for 10 pieces. Small pieces lang talaga sila na may makakapal na breading na sobrang tigas.

Hindi rin gaanong nakakain si Nathan because he was so distracted. He wanted to go back to the play area na.

Failed man ang food, at least happy naman ang bata! This play area was actually the main reason why I wanted to eat there. Nakikita ko kasi palagi sa labas.

Seeing them like this gave me so much happiness. I love my mother and my son dearly and equally. Sabi ng marami, ang pinakamamahalin mo raw na tao sa mundo ay ang anak mo. Ewan ko, pero parang pantay ang pagmamahal ko sa kanila, I swear.

Pero dahil sya ang bata, every occasion is now for him.

For his happiness.

Buti na lang may batang sobrang likot na dumating at natamaan ng balls si Nathan sa ulo kaya when Mamoosh told him (Nathan) na aalis na kami, dali-dali namang sumunod ang bagets. Ayaw niya ng batang magulo eh haha. Si Mamoosh naman medyo "napikon" din sa kalikutan nung bata kaya ayaw ng pag-stay-in pa dun ang apo niya.

By the time we left, sobrang punong-puno na ang diner. May mga umalis na nga rin dahil wala ng tables. Konti lang ang servers nila so sobrang ngarag na sila (wala pang tip kasi nga pay as you order nga). Wait time for food was at least an hour already. Marami talagang nagse-celebrate ng Valentine's hehe.

I ordered mocha frappe pero paalis na kami ay wala pa rin. I cancelled na lang. TanTan was expecting it so I just suggested that we buy ice cream at Jollibee na lang (nag-drive thru kami). Gustong-gusto kong magpunta sa Starbucks kaso nga ang dami namang tao siguro.

I texted my husband that night and demanded that they (he and Nathan) give me gifts na next Valentine's. Mahirap na lumaki si Nathan na hindi ako nireregaluhan haha! Sayang kasi nga dalawang Valentine's Day na kaming nagcelebrate dito sa Pinas. My husband jokingly said na dapat may gift din ako sa kanya. I argued na girls lang naman usually ang binibigyan ng gifts sa family. Uso lang bigyan ng gift ang lalaki pag bf-gf pa lang. Pero as I observe sa FB news feed, puro wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters lang naman ang may gift from their family members.

We were about to sleep na when I realized na wala pala kaming selfie ng favorite boylet ko. Game na game talaga siya sa peechuran. =)

And just like that, natapos na naman ang isang araw ng mga puso. Pang-apat na Valentine's Day ko na ito with TanTan. =)

Celebrating Mamoosh's 71st Birthday

My mother (who is in the Philippines) turned 71 last June 25. Sa tuwing sumasapit ang birthday niya, nagkaka-mixed emotions ako. I am happy and grateful kasi binigyan na naman siya ng panibagong taon, pero nandun din yung fear. Syempre mas tumatanda ang isang tao, mas nagiging 'fragile' ang buhay niya. Mas humihina ang katawan. Sa edad kong ito, hindi pa rin ako handa na mawalan ng nanay. Siguro nga never akong magiging handa.

Aside from fear, I am also feel guilty. I left her in the Philippines. And she's there alone. Siguro isa na ito sa pinaka-pagsisisihan ko sa buhay ko, ang iwan siya sa mga huling taon ng buhay niya.

But my mother never demanded anything from me. Ang bait niya, pinabayaan niya akong bumuo ng sarili kong buhay sa malayong lugar. She let me be. She's selfless, ni minsan hindi ko naramdamang nagtampo siya sa akin kasi umalis ako kahit ako na lang ang meron siya.

Kaya nga gustung-gusto kong bumawi sa kanya. I am lucky because my husband is very understanding and selfless din. Pinapayagan niya kami ni Nathan na umuwi sa Pinas nang madalas at matagal. Nagpapasalamat talaga ako. I promised myself na haggang nandyan ang nanay ko, pipilitin kong umuwi sa Pinas as often as I can.

Pero dahil wala ako ngayon doon to be with her, I had to do something for her naman kahit papano.

---------------------------------------

My mother is the simplest person I know. Her birthday is just an ordinary day for her, hindi big deal.

But I couldn't let her birthday pass nga nang wala lang. I wanted her to have a bit of celebration kahit wala ako / kami ni TanTan. So I sent money to Joanne (our trusted secretary) so she could buy a simple handa lunch for Mamoosh. June 25 fell on a Sunday kaya super thankful ako kay Joanne kasi kahit wala siyang pasok that day, willing na willing siya na magpunta kay Mamoosh. Parang sila na kasi ang mag-ina ngayong wala ako doon. Parang younger sister ko na rin siya.

I specifically instructed Joanne to buy a cake syempre. My mother never celebrated her birthday noong bata ako. Kelan lang siya nakapag-cake, nitong matanda na ako at binibilhan ko siya.

Her cake was bought over the counter lang but it was beautiful. Ang gaganda talaga ng cake sa Pinas. Masarap pa. Even the greeting was well-written.

Mamoosh didn't know about Joanne and I's arrangement so she was surprised. Medyo tahimik pa nga when we were talking sa Facetime. Haha, she's not really into parties, no matter how simple it is. Dun kami opposites. Hindi rin naman ako mahilig sa parties talaga, but I want all occasions to be celebrated kahit simple lang.

Tita Oya, Mamoosh's only surviving sibling, was of course present. Nathan was so excited to see her again after 2 1/2 months. Super close kasi sila sa Pinas. I don't know what I'll do without my Tita Oya, siya na lang kasi talaga ang tumitingin kay Mamoosh eh.

So there, kahit papano may nakasama naman ang nanay ko sa birthday niya -- Tita Oya, Charry (our househelp), Joanne (and her husband and daughter), and Nante (one of our bus drivers). I could have made her birthday "big" by inviting all our employees and some of my cousins but I knew she wouldn't like it. Ayaw niya talaga ng ganun eh.

By the way, I also bought a cake for her here in Canada. Sa Goldilocks din. Pero reserve ko na lang ang kuwentong-cake in a separate post.

Nathan was so excited to sing "happy birthday" for his Lola Lucy. First time nya rin kasing magbo-blow talaga ng cake.

I know this made Mamoosh very happy...

Oh, and I cooked spaghetti rin pala for my nanay's long life. 

Wala naman talaga akong wish kundi humaba pa ang buhay niya. Alam ko marami pa siyang gustong gawin, marami pa siyang gustong maabutan.

I love you, Mamoosh ko! Alam kong wala po akong pwedeng gawin para matapatan ang lahat ng pag-aalaga at pagmamahal mo sa amin. Basta, maraming salamat po. Miss na miss ka na namin ni TanTan. See you po again in January. 

-----------------------------------------------

A birthday won't be complete nga pala without a gift...

So presenting... our very "expensive" present for Mamoosh! Lol!

When I learned a couple of months ago that Nokia is relaunching 3310, I got so happy. Si Mamoosh talaga ang naisip ko kasi ito yung pinaka-unang cellphone niya ever (although hindi na raw niya maalala). My 71-year old mother is of course non-techie and she's using an old and unreliable Nokia-something din. Kaya I asked Joanne to buy a 3310. Sakto naman na last week ng June din naging available sa Pinas ang phone na ito. Parang Php2,470 lang yata ang price kaya very affordable.

My mother could afford even the most expensive phone in the market pero di nga siya mahilig bumili (saka di niya nga rin alam gamitin). She wouldn't even replace the one she's using hanggang gumagana pa. I am glad I was able to give her something that she could really use. =)

This is love

A lot of people are wondering why I am staying in Pinas for so long. Nathan and I have been here since November 8, 2016. We are scheduled to return to Canada on Easter Sunday (April 16, 2017).

This is my answer.

Mamoosh is the sole reason why I cannot fully live in Canada. She's living alone here in the Philippines at hindi ko siya matiis. Right now I have two homes -- one in Canada, with my husband and son, and one in the Philippines, with my mother.

I am grateful for an understanding husband. He is willing to sacrifice his own time with us (me and Nathan) so that I could be with Mamoosh.

I pretty have everything right now. My only wish is for my mother to have a longer life so she could see Nathan grow up. And I need her, I will never stop needing her.

A bit of birthday in Pinas

It was my first time to celebrate my birthday outside the Philippines and I am glad that though I am not there physically, my family still celebrated it for me.

My Tita Oya offered mass for me in the morning (she does this every year) with special prayers for my safe delivery this November. She and Mamoosh attended the mass and I am thankful.

Then in the afternoon, Mamoosh and her angels (Dyrin and Joanne) munched over this pancit for 'my long life.'

Oh, how I miss this pancit from Tapsi!

My cousins SanDoc/Mylyn and Cricket/Jim also bought Starbucks mocha frappucino for me (my favorite!).

Thank you, guys! You made my birthday extra special! I miss you and I can't wait to see you all again! :)

Shopping Deadline (for Chicklet's Stuff)

Yehey! I won't be buying any more clothes for Baby Chicklet because Mamoosh sent a new batch of infant wear for him! Ford's aunt from the Philippines came over last week for a short visit so pinakidala na lang namin.

I am so happy! I am finding it hard to find a variety of baby boy clothing here. Pare-parehas lang ang eh. I wanted clothes na bukas sa harap para madaling isuot sa baby kaya puro ganun ang pinabili ko. Thank you so much, Mamoosh! You've already spent so much for us haha!

I am currently on my 27th week and time is running out. We still haven't bought anything for Chicklet, except for five clothes haha!  We have yet to buy those big items -- crib/s, stroller, car seat, baby bath tub, etc. And then those blankets, jackets, towels, comforters, pillows, diaper bag, and more! OMG, I feel like we're going to cram again!

I have to set a deadline. We should complete everything by September 30 (and that's 1 1/2 months from now). I am due on November so I need my October to already be hassle-free. I just want to rest fully by then.

Coblancs, let's stick to this deadline ok???

My attempts in making the best crispy pata in Edmonton

Modesty aside, my mother cooks the best crispy pata in the world. And as her only daughter, she has to pass onto me this great gift of cooking crispy pata, right?

Her recipe is actually very simple. Just boil the pata with salt and garlic.

Which I did last night.

Unfortunately, my version tasted bland. It looked appetizing though. Plus I never had a hard time frying. To my surprise, there was no dreadful 'tilamsik' at all!

This was actually my second attempt in mimicking my Mamoosh' crispy pata. My first was last January. But instead of frying, we oven-cooked it.

Matabang din siya. Saka di ko nahiwa para mas mabilis maluto at mas lumutong ang balat. And though cooking via oven is safer and healthier (no more cooking oil plus the pork's fat will drip pa), nothing beats a crispy pata that's traditionally cooked syempre.

But I won't give up! I bought two more pork hocks the other day from Lucky 97 and I will try again. This time, I won't be scared in putting more salt. That's the problem with me, I am so afraid to use salt (obviously not a risk-taker haha!). I wish my mother knows the exact measurements of all her recipes. That would make my life easier hay!

Someday I will come up with the best crispy pata in Edmonton. Can't wait!