A little update

It's almost 5am and I am still awake. I am feeling a little low. It's pouring outside and they say it'll rain straight till next week. Hell yah, welcome to Raincouver!

Just a little update after half a year of not blogging -- we are now living in Surrey, British Columbia! A lot of things have happened the past several months and I couldn't wait to write about it.

But first things first. I need to change my blog's description (or even title?). I'll do that soon.

Ahh, I miss blogging!

It's Pop!

In the Philippines, it's soft drinks.

In the US, it's soda.

Here in Canada, it's pop!

Haha, I've been living here in Canada for almost 17 months already yet I am still not used in referring to Coke or Pepsi as "pop." Is it because I associate the word pop with a brand of cola (i.e. Pop Cola) in the Philippines? Kaloka!

Both Ford and I use the term "soda." Americanized ha. Ford kasi lived in California for almost 8 years. Ako naman, nahawa na rin sa kakapanood ng US films and series. But I guess it's about time that we adopt the term "pop" na. I am tired of living in Canada yet 'not really' living in it. Gusto ko ng maka-adjust fully sa buhay dito. Ayaw ko ng maging parang isang isda sa disyerto.

So sige sige, from now on, it's pop na talaga!

------------------------
NOTE: Ford and I are both pop-addict!

I am strong, after all.

It's been exactly two months now since my parents-in-law went back to California. They came here in October to help us with my giving birth. They were scheduled to leave on December 2 but we thought they could extend should we still need their assistance. Unfortunately, they had to go back to the States on the said schedule because they have to fix their insurance and do some jury duty.

Honestly, I was disappointed. I delivered via c-section and we badly needed them. Ford went back to work on December 1 and I was so afraid to be left alone with the baby. I was still in so much pain then. I wanted to rest, to sleep. But we had no choice. They were not my parents in the first place. I cannot impose. We had no other people to help us out and I felt so helpless.

At eighteen days postpartum, I was already taking care of Nathan on my own. It wasn't easy. Why, I only started changing his nappy and feeding him on December 1 (Ford's first day back at work)! Prior to that, it was my husband who did everything for the baby.

The first few days were hell. I slept for an average of two hours on each day and I was almost screaming from pain in my incision. I have very low tolerance for pain, I am telling you. I am a coward whenever I feel aches on my body.

Aside from that, Nathan and I got stuck on our room upstairs for weeks. I was 'forbidden' to go up and down the stairs because of my ceasarian operation so I had no choice (we have no room nor bathroom in the main floor). Everything we needed - food, water, milk, etc. - were being brought to us by Ford. There were days when I had to content myself with instant noodles for lunch because that's the only hot food I could have when my husband was at work. I lost a lot of weight as a result.

On my third "night" of taking care of Nathan, I couldn't stop him from crying. I was so tired and I ended up weeping myself. Ford, who was sleeping on the other room so he could rest well, came in and saw me and the baby crying. I hysterically told him: "Hindi ko na kaya. Hindi ko na kaya!" But of course, after he pacified the baby, I resumed on my mommy duties.

When Ford went home after work the following day, he informed me that he asked their HR if he could just go to work for half a day in the next two weeks. He reasoned that I am having a 'breakdown.' People here are so used to postpartum depression so his request was easily granted. But since he already consumed all his vacation leave, his under time would result to salary deduction.

I felt bad. The reason why Ford didn't avail of the 3-month paternity leave is because the amount that he will get from EI (or Employment Insurance) won't be sufficient to pay our mortgages and bills. A salary deduction is a big deal, given that we have so many added expenses for the baby.

But Ford's half-day-only work helped a lot in my adjustment. I was able to rest for longer hours and eat better. And though I was still in pain, I told Ford he could go back to working full hours na kahit may one week pa. Nanghinayang talaga ko sa deduction.

Two months! Two months have passed and I survived! I would like to believe that I've already experienced the worst so everything else that follows is easier. The taking-care-of-the-baby-while-in-pain is over. Nathan is almost 12 weeks now and he's sleeping longer. We've bonded so much and I already know him - his moods, his habits. It is still difficult, of course, but I am feeling a lot better now.

Face of a tired but happy mom.

Looking back, I never thought that I will make it. Even my mother was skeptic. She knows me very well so she was so worried. If only she could send a baby sitter from Pinas, she kept on saying. But I am a mother now. A mother can do everything for her child. A mother has this unexplainable strength when it comes to taking care of her offspring. I never believed it until now.

But I would not have made it without my husband. To be honest, he's still doing more of the house and baby chores than me. I am also thankful to my little boy because even though he keeps on feeding often (every 1 1/2 - 2 hours), he didn't give me any problem. He's never been sick so far and he's such a happy baby - always smiling and laughing.

Two months. Just two months. I still have a lifetime of mommy duties. But if this smile is what I'll see every day, I'll be fine. I am strong, after all!

I love you, my Cheeky Boy! Mommy ang bahala sayo! =)

For our loved ones in heaven...

I've been going to cemeteries every November 1 to visit our dearly departed loved ones for the past 34 years. This is one tradition that I really looked forward to every year.

Sadly, I cannot do that anymore now that I am living in Canada. I cannot even visit the grave of my grandfather who passed away less than two weeks ago.

For our loved ones in heaven, especially our grandparents - Nanang Leona and Amang Felimon - who just left us this year...

All we can offer now is a lighted candle and prayers. May their souls rest in peace.

Craving for the real tender juicy hotdog

Migrating to another country entails a lot of sacrifices. Aside from being away from my family and friends, ang pinakamalaking adjustment ko na siguro ay sa food.

I am a very boring eater, I don't eat much variety. I always want to eat what's familiar. One of my favorites at home (i.e. in the Philippines) is Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs. Tsk, too bad bawal i-export ang mga meat products dito sa Canada. Kung meron lang sigurong TJ hotdogs dito, solved na solved na ako.

Yung dating taken-for-granted red hotdogs ko sa Pinas, miss na miss ko na talaga ngayon. Especially now that I am pregnant, grabe lalo ang pagkatakam ko.

We were at Lucky Supermarket last week and I grabbed a pack of this Pinoyfoods Tender Juicy Hotdog. I knew malayo sa lasang hinahanap ko (sa kulay pa lang iba na eh) but still, I gave it a try. Baka sakaling ma-satisfy ang cravings ko.

Pero syempre, BIGO ako. Imported sausage talaga ang lasa niya. Sana di na lang nila ginaya ang packaging ng Purefoods kasi medyo hopeful yung bumibili eh. Ganun ba talaga kahirap gayahin ang pulang hotdogs ng Pinas?

Anyway, after posting this hotdog thing in Instagram, my cousin Sarah from Illinois suggested that I look for Martin Purefoods Hotdogs. Haha, another so-called "purefoods hotdog." This one looks better though, pula na nga kasi talaga. And according to Cha, its taste is the 'nearest to the real thing.'

Photo taken from  http://www.philamfood.com/ (credits to the owner) 

The bad news is, I am sure we don't have it here in Edmonton. Kung meron nyan, matagal ko na sanang nakita. I always scout for Pinoy products in Asian supermarkets and Filipino stores eh.

My parents-in-law, who are based in California, are coming here soon to help us with the coming of Baby Chicklet. Ford said we could ask them to bring some of these hotdogs for us. Sana may makita sila. Since they will be coming from the US, they are allowed to bring some meat products here in Canada. 

Hay, pag-uwi ko sa Pinas kakain talaga ako ng TJ hotdogs every day. Promise yan!

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

For a follow-up post, please click ---> There are No Purefoods Hotdogs in Canada

From Edmonton with love

When you're a new immigrant, even the most mundane thing like sending a mail can result to some feelings of insecurity. Ahhhmm, paano nga ba uli maghulog ng sulat sa post office?

I've lived in the Philippines for 34 years and I, of course, have mastered the art of living there. Here, I'm like a child... I need to be socialized in every aspect of Canadian/ Edmontonian culture.

Anyway, Christmas is fast approaching so I decided to rekindle my love of sending greeting cards. Ford and I are so far far away from our family and friends so we really wanted to keep in touch. Sa panahon ngayon ng email,  Facebook at Instagram, I know many of our loved ones will still appreciate a tangible Christmas card.

It's still November but Ford reminded me to finish the ones we'll be sending to the Philippines, UAE, and Malaysia. Hay, medyo late na nga yata ang cards namin. Sana umabot sa Pasko.

Canada Post Offices are conveniently located in malls and pharmacies all over the city. For local mailing, you can buy stamps and just drop your letters at designated drop off areas.

There's a post office in West Edmonton Mall and we went there after Pod's work. I loved the idea that you can send mails up until 9pm. Sa Pilipinas kasi hanggang 5pm lang.

The post office shares a stall with a mini store. It's complete with any mailing paraphernalia that you might need - envelopes, boxes, pens, tapes, etc.

Edmonton postcards are also available there.

An elderly woman man the office. Isa pa ito sa gusto ko sa Canada, pwede kang magtrabaho kahit na ano pa ang edad mo basta kaya mo.

After receiving Pod's payment, the lady gave us the "Air Mail" stickers. Then the stamps. Self-service mode, sulat mo - dikit mo!

I enjoyed putting in the stickers and stamps onto the envelopes. Sana may ganung career, tagadikit lang.

I also noticed na stickers ang stamps nila. Hindi na kailangang dilaan para dumikit hehe!

The first batch of the Christmas cards we're sending.

From Edmonton with love!

We sent ten cards for this batch. I realized though that sending snail mail nowadays is no longer cheap. Or cheapskate lang talaga ako?

A stamp for each international mail costs $1.85 + 5% tax = $1.94 or around Php80.00. Whew!

I am keeping my fingers crossed that all these letters will land in the hands of their respective intended recipients before the year ends. I have no problem with the efficiency of Canada Post, sa Philpost ako diskumpiyado.

Happy birthday, Michiko!

My good friend Michelle (one of "my girls") celebrated her birthday last November 23.

Picture courtesy of Bitstrips

Though a birthday is always a happy occasion, I felt a bit sentimental that I am no longer in the Philippines to celebrate with her. Simula college, magkakasama na kasi kami sa lahat ng espesyal na araw ng buhay namin.

Oh well, cliche as it may sound, change is the only constant thing in this world. Siguro kailangan din namin maghiwa-hiwalay talaga for us to grow more (as fabulous individuals haha!).

Happy happy birthday, Michiko! I may be away but keep in mind that I'm always here for you. As in always. I love you, Friend! I miss you all so much!

Picture taken on October 5, 2013 @ Starbucks Landmark Trinoma

PS. I hope you had a fun birthday! Errr, sa Davao ba? =)

A visit to Empanada Convenience Store

There are two giant Asian supermarket chains here in Edmonton  (Lucky Supermarket and T&T Supermarket) and we buy most of our grocery items there. Around 80% perhaps.

However, this afternoon, I was so depressed with my flaky and dry skin that I told the Hubby I want a Safeguard soap. Believe me, I've tried so many "imported" (i.e. not Philippine brand) soaps in my lifetime and nothing beats Safeguard. I suddenly remembered my bestie Raxie who started working in Kuala Lumpur in 2007. The first time I visited her, she requested for Safeguard too!

Anyway, I have not seen any Philippine soap in Lucky and T&T Supermarkets so I thought of looking for Safeguard at 'smaller' Filipino stores. I googled and quite a few stores appeared. But since we were going to West Edmonton Mall, I chose the Empanada Convenience Store which was just along the way.

Ford already knew where it is located. I think he's been there once or twice.

The store looked small on the outside but it was quite spacious inside.

The moment I entered the store, I felt happy! At last, a place filled with familiar products!

More Pinoy grocery items of course can be found here than in Lucky or T&T.

In my opinion, better buy your condiments here. Mas marami.

Ford was so happy to have found Del Monte Spaghetti noodles. We cooked Pinoy spaghetti at home a couple of days ago but we were disappointed with the noodles eh. Though Del Monte costs more, sulit naman because it jives with our Filipino taste.

Ahhh! I am a certified junk lover and though I love Ruffles, Lay's, Chips Ahoy!, and other "imported" chocolates, I also love local Pinoy chichiryas syempre!

And I was so excited to discover that they sell Royal Tru-Orange! It was only when I was about to migrate that I learned that Royal is exclusively a Philippine product. Akala ko kasi parang Coke or Sprite siya, universal.

Ford loves adobong mani! We had to get a pack kahit mahal.

And we of course we also had to buy their "famous" empanada. Kaya nga Empanada Store eh.

Other than grocery items, Empanada Convenience Store also have frozen products. Sana lang may Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs noh? Ba't ba kasi bawal magpasok ng karne sa Canada mula sa Pilipinas.

Finally, Filipino toiletries! I wanted to grab all the Safeguard soaps kaso $3.25 + 5% tax = $3.41 (or Php140.00) ang isa. Shaiks! Dalawa na lang muna. Right there and then, I instructed my husband never to use MY soap. Akin lang ang Safeguard lol!

Empanada Convenience Store also sells ready to eat Filipino snacks and delicacies such as pancit palabok, sapin-sapin, leche flan, pandesal, etc. I wasn't able to take pictures though for fear that their staff might see me. I am new here in Edmonton and I am not if it is okay with store owners if I take pictures of their commodities.

Anyway, we only bought a few items because our pantry is still fully stocked. We just did some grocery shopping last Friday eh. But we'll surely be back at Empanada soon!

Now my next project would be to compare the prices of  Filipino grocery items in different stores. Para alam ko kung saan ako makakatipid.

But honestly, even if the price is a bit higher in small Filipino stores, I think I would still prefer to buy from them. To quote one person who reviewed this store at Yelp:

"In these days of big box stores and major chains, it is a miracle that Emapanada has survived."

We Filipinos living abroad need to support our "own" stores because these serve as an extension of our homes. Dito Pinoy ang nagtitinda at karamihang Pinoy lang ang namimili -- so para ka na ring nasa Pinas. The familiar is so comforting.

Migrants today are lucky because despite being thousands of miles away from the Philippines, they still get to feel and taste a bit of 'home' through the available Filipino products in the market. I am keeping my hopes up that with the cheaper shipping costs nowadays (dahil na rin sa competition), mas magiging affordable pa ang mga comfort items natin. =)


----------------------------------------------
Empanada Convenience Store
8746 149 St. NW, Edmonton, AB T5R 1B6
(780) 988-1124
Store Hours: 10am-8pm DAILY

Flu Shot

I am seeing a lot of FREE FLU SHOT ads everywhere, especially in pharmacies and supermarkets. This is what I like best in Canada - their health services.

I am contemplating though if I will get a flu shot. At 34, I am still scared of needles and injections. Unlike in the Philippines where my mother (or cousin Mylyn who is a doctor) would be with me in every medical procedure I take, I will have to do things on my own here. My husband, though supportive, can never understand my being a 'drama queen' in hospitals and clinics. No empathy nor sympathy whatsoever. Hay!

Anyway, I think I have a couple of days left to decide if I'll avail of my first ever health care privilege as a resident of Alberta. I am lucky because in this province, a newly landed immigrant like me is already eligible for coverage (you have to wait for three months in other provinces).

Courage, courage... where art thou?

Embracing the cold

I've been warned a million times by so many people that I should be "careful" when I get to Canada/ Alberta/ Edmonton because it is so cold in here. Others would even attempt to "scare" and "discourage" me into migrating, insisting that the winter weather is too harsh for a person like me who grew up in a tropical country.

November 17, 2013

To those who are wondering on how am I coping, I AM OK. I am very very much ok.

In fact, I am loving the weather. I AM EMBRACING THE COLD.

Winter isn't at all scary (though I have yet to experience the month of January). With proper gears and outfit, one's good to go.

I honestly loathe the Philippines' hot and humid weather. Extreme heat made me sick. Our monthly electricity bill soared up so high the past years because of my excessive use of air conditioner (and electricity in the Philippines costs more than here in Canada). I couldn't go out in the middle of the day for fear of sun burn and heat stroke.

Hence, being here in Edmonton is truly a blessing! And snow is beautiful!

If at times winter gets into me, I will always remember that this is what I've always wanted - to live in a cold, cold place. I shall always treat the cold as my ally, never a foe.

Minimalist (for now)

This basically describes my life now.

Picture courtesy of Bitstrips

I realized, kaya ko naman palang mag-survive with just a few stuff and a little space.

We are currently dwelling in a studio type building apartment here in the Downtown area. Ford has been living in this place (although he already changed rooms three times) ever since he landed in Canada in December 2009. We have actually already 'bought" (i.e. paid down payment) a town house last year but we are still waiting for advise as to when it will be turned over to us. We are hoping that we can move there by January 2014.

So now we have no choice but to stay in this small bachelor's suite. We even rented a storage just to free some space. Imagine, my bedroom in our Philippine home is a lot bigger than this. I am not complaining though, just saying. Hehe.

If truth be told, I was NEVER a minimalist. I am a collector, a shopper, a hoarder. I love to be surrounded with so many things. So this is a huge adjustment for me.

Hay, I can't wait to transfer in our new home so I can be myself again. Though minimalism is ok, I think I would still go by my old lifestyle.