A Jollibee party for me?

I am turning 40 this year (ouch!) and I told myself a couple of months back that should I be in the Philippines during that time, I will throw a party for myself in Jollibee. Yep, Jollibee!

You see, Jollibee Philippines has this Hello Kitty Fun Carnival theme and I love it! Everyone knows that I am a big fan of Hello Kitty. But I tell you, I am also very much a Jollibee girl so ang perfect lang, di ba?

(Picture taken from the net. Credits to the owner)

Sakto that we are going to Pinas again this April and we'll be staying there till mid-August. My birthday is on August 27 so sabi ko ia-advance ko na lang. I only plan on inviting my immediate relatives and barkada, maximum of 70 pax lang siguro.  I already asked my hubby for a budget at syempre game naman siya. Ang mura pa rin naman kasi kung tutuusin. Around Php20,000-Php23,000 siguro (we want to have two mascots), so less than Ca$600 lang. Yung pinakamahal na food package na yun ha. Included na rin ang cake.

I was super excited talaga. In fact, na-announce ko na nga sa mga pamangkin ko sa pinsan last Christmas ang plan ko. Nainvite ko na sila.

Picture courtesy of Laling

Kaso naman parang I am changing my mind now. You see, the primary reason why I really want a Jollibee party is my son. We've gone home in the Philippines thrice na and yet walang nag-invite sa amin ng Jollibee party. Ewan ko nga ba. Noong wala pa akong anak, ang dami-daming nagpapa-Jollibee party na dinededma ko lang. Ngayon namang may Nathan na, wala na. Favorite pa naman niya si Jollibee.

Actually noong first birthday-baptismal ni Nathan, nag-order din ako ng Jollibee food for the kids at syempre two mascots (Jollibee and Twirlie). The party was held in a pavilion at catered ang food. Nagdagdag lang talaga kami ng Jollibee para sa mga bata. Kaso naman my little boy was too young pa to remember that. Kaya sabi ko, bago ma-outgrow ni Nathan si Jollibee eh kelangan maka-experience siya ng Jollibee party.

So everything was planned na in my head. Kaso ba naman, I learned about three weeks ago that my friend Laling is also throwing a Hello Kitty Jollibee party for her youngest daughter in July. Waaah, so wala ng justification ang pagpapa-Jollibee party ko kasi nga makaka-attend na rin kami ni TanTan.

Our other friends were cool about it. Sabi nila ok lang if the same theme, different experience pa rin naman daw yun. Laling even asked me if I want her to change the theme para hindi kami magkamukha, pero syempre sabi ko hindi noh. Hello Kitty is a nice theme and her daughter deserves it.

So na-convince na nga ako na ok lang. Nakabili na nga ako ng ilang hello kitty activity kits (na on sale) na ilalagay ko sa lootbags ng kids. I was also planning on buying Bath and Body Works and/or Victoria's Secret merchandise for  adults. Pero ewan ko ba, lately eh I am having a change of heart. Parang ayaw ko na.

Naisip ko rin yung $600. I could use that money to treat my significant others separately (per group) na lang. At least makakapag-bonding pa kami nang matagal-tagal. Two hours lang kasi ang Jollibee party, medyo bitin. Syempre mahahati pa ang attention ko sa mga bisita. Madodoble-doble rin ang gastos ko kasi kailangan ko pang i-treat nang hiwalay ang mga girls ko (my core group) kasi lagi kaming may girls-day-out kapag birthday namin.

May point naman noh? But on the other hand, there's also a part of me who wants to experience a Jollibee party haha! Parang bata lang. Deprived kasi lol. I know I am not alone. May nabasa nga ako na maraming call center agents and nagpapabook ng morning parties (as in 7-8am kasi nga iba ang work hours nila) sa Jollibee for themselves. I've also seen a lot of adult FB friends na nagpa-Jollibee party.

Hay ang gulo ko! Ano ba talaga? Ayaw na tuloy akong seryosohin ng asawa ko. Bahala raw ako sa buhay ko. Oh well, I have a few weeks to decide. I blogged about this para lang kapag hindi natuloy eh maalala ko itong I-want-a-Jollibee-party-for-myself thingy ko.

Birthday Wish 2018

Good health for me and my loved ones. That's my only birthday wish this year.

Courtesy of Bitmoji

I am not the one who usually wish for good health during birthdays. Siguro kasi taken for granted ko talaga ang health matters na yan dati. But now that I am nearing 40 (I'll be 39 this year), iba na talaga ang pagtingin ko sa buhay.

It was around this time last year when I learned that I have diabetes. Tapos ang dami-dami ko pang ibang sakit, pinakyaw ko na yata lahat. Every day, I am living in fear na baka hindi ko na makitang lumaki ang anak ko kasi nga I feel so weak. Parang I have a body of a 70-year-old na (seriously).

I really am wishing and hoping now for a longer and healthier life for my husband and son.

I also wish good health for them syempre. At sa mga mahal namin sa buhay, most especially to our parents who are in their prime na. My father-in-law was recently diagnosed with a serious illness and we are praying that he'll get through this. My son needs his grandpa and we are hoping that they can spend more time together pa.

Baby Marco's First Birthday Party

Nathan only has three friends here in BC (and I got two) so imagine how excited we were because one of them celebrated his birthday with a party last Saturday, December 9.

Baby Marco's birthday is actually November 30 but his mom Tess was only able to get a slot at the Queensborough Community Centre (in New Westminster, BC) for December 9. They live in a townhouse so they opted for a bigger venue for the party.

Tess' invite said the party is at 1 to 5pm. We reached the place at around 2pm (we were so busy that morning plus she asked me to pick the cake up from Safeway) but they were still decorating the place. The food wasn't even there yet. It was perfectly understandable because they rented the place for 1-5pm and they could only start fixing the place by 1pm. Tess also lacked manpower who could help her full-time. That's the thing here in Canada, inasmuch as your friends would want to lend a helping hand, they are restricted by their own situations din. We either have work, other appointments, some familial/household obligations, etc. Like me, I couldn't come early because I had to take a language exam at 10am. Juris couldn't come early too because they have a scheduled heater cleaning at home. Tess only had herself, her husband, and mother-in-law to fully rely on that day so it was really challenging. I am glad though that some of her other friends arrived earlier than us and they helped her arrange the place.

As expected, Mommy Tess went overboard haha! Super dami ng handa and echos. In fact, Juris' Caucasian husband was so shocked, saying that it was so extravagant. In Canadian standard, talagang bongga na ito. Juris' reply to her husband was: "This is how we Filipinos do parties."  Haha!

The place itself was super expensive na for $400/4-hours, if I remember correctly.

The food was overwhelming. Canadians typically serve pica-pica lang for children's parties. Filipinos have it all -- from appetizers, to main dishes, to desserts, to kung anik-anik pa.

Such a long table for the food.

And what's a Pinoy party without a lechon? But yeah, ganito lang ang lechon dito sa Vancouver. Roasted pork na Chinese style/tasting. It costs around $240-280 siguro.

Most of the party decorations were from Pinas. Tess and her family went home last October so they were able to hoard a lot from Divisoria.

So many goodie bags, souvenir items, and prizes. The kids were so delighted!

I am a "cake person" though I generally don't eat cakes (except for plain chocolate ones). Baby Marco had two cakes that day.

This one is nice. It's hard to find a nice-looking fondant cake here in Canada. Very pricey pa. I forgot to ask Tess where she got this.

This is the cake that we picked up from Safeway (a grocery/supermarket). It's worth $30. Ganito lang talaga ang mga normal cakes dito, mas maganda pa ang cake sa Pinas na nabibili sa panaderya sa kanto (objectively). I guess Tess bought this for dessert. The main cake wasn't sliced eh.

At around 2:30, the party hasn't started yet and the kids were getting hungry. It's good that they had green grapes, may nakain ang picky-eater son ko.

Nathan loved his party hat haha!

Feel na feel niya. Bata na talaga siya.

I am now enoying kiddie parties because of this little guy.

It was almost 3pm when the party began with a prayer. Marco's dad wasn't there yet because he went home to take a shower. Sobrang nangarag siguro. But people were starving na so kelangan ng magpakain.

Here's two of my many many plates. It was a total cheat day for me. Aside from rice, I ate a lot of pancit, spaghetti, and puto. Carbs overload talaga. I was super hungry din kasi, my last meal was just a sausage and egg mc muffin from McDonald's.

I really loved the lumpiang shanghai. I must have eaten 20 pieces, seriously. Carbs din ang lumpia wrapper kaloka. But I didn't mind. It was the first time since I was diagnosed with diabetes that I splurged on carbs. I felt that  I deserved it din because the language test that I have just taken that morning stressed me out the past week (I'll blog about it later).

I was expecting a lot of guests, given the size of the venue, but not so many came. It's really hard for all people to be free at the same time, especially here in Canada. Everybody's busy. December na rin kasi so maraming ibang events and parties. Yung ibang friends ni Tess ay humabol na lang yata sa bahay that night.

Nevertheless, we had so much fun. This little tikes inflatable bouncer was a perfect entertainer to the kids. It was lent by Tess' friend.

 

Super enjoy si Nathan. First time niya, lol. If only we have space, I would consider getting one kasi for sure masusulit sa bagets.

While eating, Tess started the "bring me contest." Nathan didn't want to participate at first but when I took him in front with me to bring the Philippine peso that was asked, ayun natuwa sa prize. Nagready na sa mga susunod pero hindi na kami nanalo uli haha.

It was Nathan's first time to join party games. Clueless talaga siya haha.

But he learned fast!

I am glad that he has overcome his anti-social behavior. Though still a bit shy and reserved, hindi na siya takot sa tao, especially to those who he sees often.

His favorite part of the party was the blowing of the cake's candle. He enthusiastically sang the happy birthday song for Marco.

Kuya Nathan and the birthday boy. Nathan sincerely cares for Marco and treats him like a little brother.

Mommy Juris, Mommy Tess, Mommy Ces. I am glad to have met and made friends with these two.

 After much eating, time for endless selfies!

My face looks so thin haha! Anggulo lang yan. I naturally have malapad face and even though I've lost a couple of pounds already, malaki pa rin talaga in person.

Juris took this photo. It is very rare that there's someone who can take our family picture. Medyo pangit lang ang lighting that day.

We stayed until the end. We helped in the clean-up. This is actually the most difficult part of throwing a party here, you'll be the one to clean the mess. Walang waiters or waitresses, walang helpers. Kaya mostly disposable ang gamit -- from utensils to table cloths, etc.

Buti na lang we didn't have to clean the floor and fold the tables. Yung centre na raw ang in-charge dun.

I felt sad when they started bursting the balloons. Nakakapanghinayang. Ang daming bata sa Pinas ang gustung-gusto ng lobo. Though I am now living in a land of plenty, where kids are very much privileged, I still can't help but think of my less-fortunate kababayans in the Philippines. Ewan ko ba.

We were able to bring home a lot of food, sobrang dami nga kasing natira kaya lahat kami sangkatutak ang uwi.

The boy was so happy with his loots. He particularly liked the McQueen plushie.

I loved the Goldfish crackers naman. Ang cute! Sakto, hindi nako bibili nito pambaon sa Pinas.

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Thank you for inviting us, Baby Marco! I am sure that this is just the first of your many birthday parties that we'll be attending! =)

High EQ

I would like my son to take after his father. Objectively, sa aming dalawa, he's the better person kasi. He's simple, generous, and kind. Maganda rin ang disposisyon niya sa buhay, walang angst. At ang taas ng EQ (emotional quotient) ha, which is my exact opposite.

I am glad that at a very early age, nakikitaan ko na rin si TanTan ng traits ng tatay niya. Parang mataas din ang EQ.

When we saw this newly-released Paw Patrol lookout toy last August, syempre gusto niya. Palagi ba naman niyang napapanood sa mga toy reviews sa Youtube eh. Since then, whenever we would go to Walmart, Toys R Us or Superstore, talagang pupuntahan niya yan.

Basta ang palagi naming sinasabi: "Sige, sa birthday mo, gift namin sa iyo iyan."

Surprisingly, never siya nag-insist na bilhin namin yun agad. He just kept on saying, "Sa birthday." We were really impressed kasi talagang he was very willing to wait. Kung ako yan, matagal na akong nagmaktol haha.

Maraming beses na nga kaming na-tempt na bilhin yan. Haha naaawa kasi kami kapag nakikita naming nilalaro niya yan sa store (kami pa yata ang low EQ lol). Pero sige pinangatawanan na namin na ibigay yan sa birthday niya. He was happy na naman just looking at the toy eh.

And good things come to those who wait! Here's our finale gift for the birthday boy!

Haha, imagine how excited he was when dad was assembling it! Nagtatatalon sa tuwa. Ford and I were so happy just seeing his reaction...

... never mind that we were asar-talo for the price that we paid for it. Waaah!

You see, the original price of this toy was $150 (plus 12% tax). After a few weeks, nakita namin na nag-sale ito sa Superstore ng $120 kaya binili na namin. So happy na kami. Kaso after a month, nag-sale din ito sa Walmart ng $90! Kainis talaga! Oh well, lesson learned. Kagaya nga ng nasabi ko on this post, we just need TO WAIT first before buying toys (or kahit ano) kasi tiyak magse-sale. Taasan ang EQ haha!

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For Christmas, ito namang Fisher Price na barnyard set "main" request niya. Haha, matagal na namin itong nabili and we couldn't wait to give it to him!

Hay, sana anak ma-maintain mo yang ganyang attitude. Sana high EQ palagi ha. =)

First Uniqlo in (Metro) Vancouver

We were at Metropolis at Metrotown (or simply, Metrotown Mall) last Saturday (October 14) so we finally got to "experience" the hype on the newly opened, first ever Uniqlo in Vancouver.

This store is actually not in Vancouver but in Burnaby. But I read somewhere that they are looking na rin for a Downtown Vancouver location na may malaking space at di gaanong mataas ang rent (haha, meron kaya nun?).

Anyway, I like Uniqlo. I used to buy shirts and a lot of fleece jackets from there before. Gusto ko rin ang tela nila for kids' shirts. Kaya natuwa talaga ako nang malaman ko na magkakaroon na sila ng stores dito sa Vancouver. Ang alam ko may dalawa na silang naunang stores sa Greater Toronto Area eh.

I was so excited to look at their merchandise kaso sobrang dami talagang tao, nakakahilo! Kasama ko pa ang mag-ama ko kaya hindi ako makadiskarte. I want to compare prices din kasi, kung mas mura pa dito o sa Pinas. Ang hula ko ay sa Pinas, cheaper labor and business costs.

No doubt na dadagsain talaga ang Uniqlo kasi napakaraming chekwa and other Asians dito who are familiar with the brand. Parang wala akong gaanong napansin masyado na Caucasian.

Pinaikot ko lang ang mata ko sa prices and my conclusion -- MAHAL! Mahal sa standards ng Canadians/Westerners na sanay sa outlet stores at sale items. Kung taga-Pinas ka at gusto mo ng winter jacket kasi magta-travel ka, bibili ka sa Uniqlo kasi saan pa ba? Pero kung taga-dito ka, andami-daming pwedeng bilhan ng jacket noh. Nandyan pa ang pang-masang GAP at Old Navy.

Oh well, marami nga palang mayayamang chekwa dito. Siguro sa kanila, kebs lang ang presyo haha. pero sigurado ako, mamamahalan ang mga puti sa Uniqlo.

October 6 lang nagbukas ang store (one week pa lang when we visited) so talagang nandun pa rin yung hype. I wonder kung hanggang kailan kaya. Parang nung nag-open ang Muji, ilang weeks na pipila ka sa labas bago makapasok.

I'd probably go back on November na to further 'observe' lol. Maga-antay din muna ako ng sale bago bumili. As far as I know, ok naman ang prices nila kapag nagse-sale.

Victoria Trip 2017 -- Part 1

Ford insisted that we go to Victoria (the capital of British Columbia) on my birthday weekend. To be honest, tinatamad ako kasi ang init init pa. It's so difficult to stroll around when it's scorching hot. Kaso anong magagawa ko, summer natapat ang birthday ko dito. We see to it kasi na tinatapat namin sa may okasyon ang mga lakad/pasyal/kain-espesyal namin para justified ang gastos haha.

By the way, the island of Victoria is separated from the mainland. You need to cross the sea to get there.

After his thorough research, the husband has decided to get a package from BC Ferries that included a ferry ride (for the three of us and our vehicle) and one night hotel accommodation. He paid $395 for it. However, after printing the online voucher, he noticed from the fine prints that the hotel where were booked doesn't have air conditioner. Ceiling fan lang daw. What?!?! Meron bang hotel na walang aircon??? Kaloka! He called the customer service to change the hotel and had to pay an additional $24.50 for change booking. Nawala ang pagka-Ilokano niya (read: kuripot). Hindi kasi kami talaga makakatulog kapag walang aircon eh.

August 26, 2017 (Saturday). Anyway, we left our apartment's parking lot at exactly 6:15am. Medyo tinanghali kami, our original plan was to leave by 5:45am talaga. Kaso ang hirap gisingin ni Nathan, naawa talaga kami. Napuyat pa siya the night before so he only had around 5 hours of sleep.

We were so nervous that we won't make it to the 7am ferry trip. Ang saklap pag nalast-two minute kami. The next trip would be at 8am so ang tagal din naming maga-antay. Sayang ang oras.

Nakahinga kami nang marating namin ang terminal at makapasok kami sa parang toll booth. We showed our printed online voucher tapos go na.

 Dire-direcho na pala sa ferry yung lane na pinapuntahan samin.

The ferry was already almost full of vehicles. Halos panghuli na kami. First time kong maexperience na magsakay ng kotse sa ferry, ganun pala yun.

I wondered tuloy kung hindi ba magkakarambola ang mga kotse pag nagkataon? What if may hindi nakapag-hand brake?

I also noticed that they don't have any security check for the passengers and the vehicles. Pwedeng-pwedeng magdala ng bomba kung sakali.

We went up na to the passenger deck after. If you don't feel like leaving your car, you may stay. Hindi naman pala bawal.

The ferrry was huge. I wonder kung ilan ang capacity.

Since it was a morning trip, you have the option to dine in. At first my hubby was tempted to avail of the breakfast buffet. I declined kasi nga I am diabetic na, I need to watch my diet. Tinatamad naman siyang kumain magkain syempre. Then he later realized na mahal pala ang $19 na buffet lol.

Ford was so excited to explore the ferry. Ganun naman yun, gustong makita ang lahat ng parte mapa-eroplano, barko, train, o bus.

I grabbed one of these maps, very useful. Dati whenever I travel, I would get as much maps as I can. Hoarder nga kasi. Pero kalat lang pala, kaya nagbago na ako haha.

We had the perfect timing. Umandar na agad ang ferry pagkasakay namin.

The passengers are free to roam around. Syempre peechur peechur. Nakakagaan din talagang makakita ng dagat.

Ang dami-daming turista pero parang wala kaming makitang Pinoy na pwedeng mapakiusapang kumuha ng group picture namin. Kaya puro groufie lang kami.

Nang masatisfy na ang curiosity ng asawa ko, we went na inside. There's a small play area pala kaya tuwang-tuwa ang junakis ko. He played for a while pero nung marami nang batang dumating, umalis na rin kami.

We found some comfortable seats near the window. I wanted to get some sleep but I couldn't. Ewan ko ba, hirap na hirap akong kumuha ng tulog. Naiinggit ako sa asawa ko kasi ambilis niya makatulog.

Travel time to Victoria is around 1 1/2 hours.

Fifteen minutes before we dock, there was an announcement na that those with vehicles need go na to their respective cars.

Nang nakadaong na ang ferry, ayun go na. We were again so lucky because we were at the middle lane, parang nauna kaming pinaabante.

The ferry ride was so easy and convenient. Walang hassle. Kung sa Pinas ito, katakot-takot na hassle siguro. Sakay, baba, security check, etc.

This was the receipt pala that was given to us at  the booth. Mas mura nga yung package na nakuha namin kasi $73.95 lang pala ang amount na binayaran namin sa ferry. Ang normal fee would be $91.90 ($57.50 for the vehicle + 34.40 for two adults). Children under 5 years old can ride for free.