Reunited with my former co-workers =)

I was happy to be reunited with my former co-workers. I actually had a very short work stint here in Edmonton. I started working on February 1, 2014 and ended up resigning six weeks later, March 17, 2014, because I found out that I am pregnant. I was in pain during that time (I also had UTI then) so the moment I confirmed from the lab that I was indeed expecting, I talked to my boss and explained to her my situation. She was very understanding. She needed me the most that time (there was a management transition going on) yet she gave me the most comforting hug. She even promised me that I can come back to work there again anytime.

In my six weeks of working there, I have of course made friends with my other Filipina co-workers. Yep, syempre kami-kaming mga Pinoy ang nagfa-flock together. Hindi naman sinasadya, kachika rin naman namin yung ibang mga lahi, kaya lang talagang iba ang work ethics ng Pinoy. Mas masipag, mas magaling (naks!) kaya madalas naiinis kami sa iba haha (kailangan ko talagang Tagalugin ito kasi baka may makabasa).

I wasn't able to properly say goodbye to my 'new friends' because of my urgent resignation so I kinda lost contact with them until recently, when Cristina found me on Facebook (we have common friends). I was thrilled! Through Cristina's account I was able to find the others as well. And when I saw pictures of their bonding activities together, I commented: "Isama nyo naman ako next time."

And it was fast. Before Thanksgiving, Bonivie messaged me and invited me to go watch the Sea Lion Show at West Edmonton Mall (WEM) with them and their kids on October 18, 2014. I agreed right away, despite the fact that I'd already be 36 weeks pregnant by then hehe.

It was a Saturday and I asked my husband to just drop me off at WEM. For the first time, nagka-gimik uli ako nang hindi kasama ang asawa ko yebaah! I felt like I need some "me time" naman syempre.

Baby Chicklet at 36 weeks and 2 days

WEM is "MY" mall (because we live less than 10 minutes away) so I always see the Sea Lion Show every time I am there. But it was my first time to see the show up close.

Thanks to Bonivie's free admission pass! Even Cristina has free ticket haha! I think they got it from some of their friends who are working at the mall. One of the perks of working there are free admission tickets to the mall's attractions.

Akala ko Sea Lion Show lang ang meron doon. Sa ibaba pala, may mga aquarium din.

Their main attractions are sharks.

Emma, Me, Cristina, and Bonievie (my first picture with them)

Photo courtesy of Bonivie

The three girls -- Athena (Emma's), Mika (Cristina's) and Hailey (Bonivie's). Haha, next time kasama ko na si Chicklet. Kaso siya lang pala ang boy!

Feeding of sharks

After, we proceeded to watching the Sea Lion Show na. The show was at 4pm so we waited in line for a few minutes.

Photo courtesy of Bonivie

OMG! I looked so huge!

Photo courtesy of Bonivie

I am glad I brought my monopod (which was sent to me by my cousin Mylyn last June). Haha, Pinoy lang ang may monopod dito kaya sikat kami sa mga puti!

Waiting for the show to start

I was no longer excited to see the penguin and the sea lions. I must have seen them hundred times from afar. It's the company of my friends and their kids that I really enjoyed.

The show is really just for kids. I've seen better shows in HongKong and Singapore so I wasn't impressed anymore. But someday, I will of course bring Chicklet here.

The three girls had their picture taken with the sea lions. So cute. Mahal lang ang print-out haha! But of course the three mommas were very much willing to indulge.

After the show, we ate at a Vietnamese restaurant near T&T.

Photo courtesy of Bonivie

We had Vietnamese chicken noodle soup...

And rice plates...

Another groufie before ending the night...

I spent just a total of five hours with them and I had so much fun. I invited them to come over to our house after I give birth and recovered and they agreed. I hope this was just the first of our many bonding activities together.

Forever 21 in Edmonton

Would you believe that there's only one Forever 21 store here in Edmonton? It's located near the ice skating rink of West Edmonton Mall.

I am not really a Forever 21 gal (I feel that I am too old for most of the stuff their selling) but every now and then, I would visit this store to look for some cheap (mostly 'on sale') clothing and accessories. Going there reminds me of home (i.e. the Philippines) because Forever 21 was my first stop whenever I would go to SM North EDSA. Aside from having financial 'autonomy,' I used to have a lot of gift certificates back then because of credit card promos.

I was feeling blue a few weeks ago and I wanted to buy something to appease myself. After my OB check-up, I went straight to Forever 21 only to find out that it's closed for renovation. I felt really bad because it's one of the few shops in WEM where I can really get a small something that will satisfy my itch to buy.

I searched for other Forever 21 branches and that's when I learned that there is indeed only one of this store in Edmonton. How could that be possible, I asked myself. Sa Pilipinas nga ang dami ng branches eh. I became thankful tuloy that we live in the west end, Forever 21 is accessible to me anytime.

The good thing though is that they put up a temporary store near one of the food courts. I entered but of course, the experience was not the same. It lacked 'glamour,' lol.

I wonder when will the renovation be over (they didn't specify the date of re-opening eh). I hope soon. I am excited about the changes they will make. I hope they'll include a plus size section because I don't know what my size will be after giving birth.

Bought another cardigan. 

Excited for Black Friday Sale

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

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

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

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

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

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

I am so excited!!!

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

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

A little celebration @ Tony Roma's

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

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

Picture courtesy of Bitstrips

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

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

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

selfie selfie

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

I love love love the giant poinsettia tree behind me. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

The busog-lusog couple...

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

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

Joel Ford G. Blanco, PEng

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