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.

Goodbye, Amang. =(

A very sad news woke me up this morning. My paternal grandfather, AMANG as we all call him, passed away just a few hours ago.

Kuya, Amang, and Me (Father's Day 2013)

I knew it's bound to happen, but still no amount of emotional preparation can spare you from the pain of losing your last surviving grandparent. I last saw him almost a year ago, before I left for Canada. How I wish inantay niya akong makauwi.

I feel so helpless. I want to go home to pay my last respects but it's impossible since I am about to give birth already. But if there's any consolation, at least some of my titas and titos were there during his last days.

We love you, Amang. We will truly miss you. Enjoy your journey to heaven. And please say hello to Inang for us. =(

And they visited us for 15 hours!

My cousin Sarah (aka Cha) sort of 'promised' me a few months ago that she would come visit me here in Edmonton. She's Illinois-based and working in an airlines company that gives free plane rides to its employees as part of the benefit package.

Last September 22 (Monday), she messaged me on Facebook and asked if we are available on September 25 (Thursday) because she might come already - and she's bringing along her parents Tito Ric and Tita Lita. I was shocked when she told me that they'd only stay here for a couple of hours. They'll be arriving Thursday afternoon and leaving early Friday morning!

I haggled and asked her if they could stay a bit longer. Subok lang muna daw kasi day off niya. They can't extend until the weekend because flights by then would be fully booked. Alrighty, a few hours with them is better than none at all!

Ford had to take a half day off that Thursday because we were picking them at 2pm.

It was my first time to be at Edmonton airport again after my arrival here in November 2013. I couldn't help but wish that it is me who'll "use" the airport (i.e. in going home to the Philippines).

Anyway, we parked our car and saw them just a few minutes after. I was so happy to see them!

I asked them if they would like to have late lunch. They said they ate at around 10am and would just want to try Tim Hortons for 'merienda.' Tita Che, our Vancouver-based aunt, vacationed with them last July and she kept on mentioning Tim Hortons so they became curious. It wasn't their first time in Canada but they haven't tasted Tim Hortons coffee yet.

Cha and a fellow-Bulakenyo Barista haha!

I am glad they liked Tim Hortons! They are from the beautiful Chicago area and I was afraid I could not offer them anything interesting here in Edmonton haha!

They even bought a lot of Take Home Tim Hortons Coffee as pasalubong for their friends!

It felt surreal, having them here in Edmonton (albeit for only a few hours!).

Because of limited time, we already toured them around, specifically in the downtown area, before going home. I kept on telling them that Edmonton is "boring" but booming lol!

We stayed at home to show them our humble abode and rest a bit. I am glad they liked our house.

At around 6pm, we were all starving so we headed to Max's Restaurant (they know I don't cook!). Again, I was grateful because there is no Max's in Illinois. At least we were able to feed them something that they miss.

We ordered Fried Chicken, Bangus Sinigang, Sizzling Tofu, Sizzling Pork Sisig, and Pancit Palabok. They enjoyed the food, so they said.

It's happy to be with happy people!

Cha requested for a Tim Hortons coffee again after dinner. We went home after and spent the rest of night with lots of chikahan.

We just stayed in the living room because they refused to use the guest room na.

I almost didn't sleep. At 4pm, I started making breakfast for them - just bacon and eggs.

And then they left at 5am. It was only Ford who dropped them at the airport because I needed a bit of rest for my ultrasound at 9am.

And that was it. They were here for merely 15 hours! It was really "bitin" but I am grateful because they took time to visit us before I give birth. I wish they could come back again.

Thanks so much, Tito Ric, Tita Litz, and Ate Chanitz! Salamat din sa pasalubong! =)

Get well, Amang... =(

My 90-year old grandfather Amang (in the Philippines) is in the hospital again. I heard he's been asking for me and I feel awful not being by his side during this time that he needs his family the most.

Picture taken from Tita Lulu Cera-Garcia's Facebook account

Seven of his eight children are living in North America and couldn't be with him as well. It is only my father who 'takes care' of him now. My mother and brother, because of some conflict with my father, could not even visit him. Tsk, he's very close pa naman to Mamoosh and has been constantly looking for her.

 Amang actually is an American citizen but he preferred to spend the last years of his life in Malolos. With no one to really take care of him in the US (because everybody's working), he felt better staying in Pinas with Boying and Neng (a longtime helper of the family) as his sole companions.

Getting sick in the Philippines is so difficult especially for the elderly. The costs of hospitalization alone is so difficult to bear. It is sad because not all his children are willing to shell out money for his health needs. Majority are dedma talaga, nakaka-disappoint. I know that life here in North America is not exactly a bed of roses but there are expenses that we cannot avoid and should do something about. One of them is the care for your father. If only I am working, I won't hesitate to regularly send some money for him, if only to make his remaining days comfortable.

My grandfather is a fighter. He's got a very good disposition. He's got cancer and was given six months to live a decade ago but look at him now, still alive and smiling. But of course, at almost 91, his body is deteriorating.

I just wish that he could "wait" for me. If anything happens to him now, I cannot go home. I want him to still see Baby Chicklet. Please get well, Amang. We love you!

Marlone Miguel's First Month Birthday

My new nephew Marlone Miguel just turned one month!



This is such a day for celebration because Baby Miggy has just proven himself a fighter. He was born prematurely at 33 weeks and stayed at the ICU for three weeks. Somehow, we were afraid that he wouldn't make it. But here he is now!

Too bad his parents weren't there on his 'first birthday.' His mom went home to the province to attend her mother's burial (talk about timing huh) while his dad (my brother) was on a 'business trip.'

I felt bad for Baby Miggy so I asked Mamoosh to buy some handa for him. My mother was a bit surprised because she isn't aware na pinaghahanda na pala ngayon ang monthly birthday ng babies haha!

I specifically requested for a cake and a candle. Every celebration ought to have a cake, right? And Baby Miggy deserves one after all. Sa dami ba naman ng pinaghirapan ng bata sa ICU.

Grrrr! It should be MARLONE!

Tita Oya (my mother's sister) came to celebrate, too! Too bad there weren't much characters in Pinas anymore. Apat lang silang nag-celebrate, together with Dyrin (our house help) and Joanne (our secretary).

Happy first month birthday, Baby Miggy! Though I am not exactly happy on the 'circumstances' of your birth, you are my nephew and I love you! We can't wait to see you. You and Chicklet will be like brothers, I know.

Stay strong and get bigger and bigger pa ha!

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! :)