Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts

Friday, May 22, 2020

A reminder for someday of today

I saw something like this in IG kaya ginaya ko. Just a simple reminder for someday of today.


We are still in the midst of Corona virus pandemic. Sana pwedeng ifast forward na lang ang mga araw at buwan, para pwede ng ilook-back na lang ito.

Stay safe, everyone! Unti-unti na uling binubuksan ang mga lugar at establishments not because the virus is gone but to save the dwindling economy. Let's all remember na nandyan pa rin sa Covid, patuloy na umaatake. The first wave is not even done yet pero nandyan na ang banta ng second and third wave. Basta let's be vigilant. This too shall pass.

#stayathome
#practicephysicaldistancing
#wereallinthistogether

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Mother's Day 2020 Celebration

May 9, 2020 (Saturday). To continue our previous Mother's Day steak tradition, syempre nagpa-steak si Mayor Coblancs noong Mother's Day weekend. Walang steak for the past two years kasi nasa Pinas kami. Ngayon lang uli naulit.


I would normally prefer to eat out na lang when we need to celebrate para iwas-luto at ligpit na (saka masarap kumain ng hindi mo niluto, aminin!) kaso naman... nasa kalagitnaan tayo ng pandemya! Sarado ang mga restaurants.

But still,  dahil may okasyon nga, sa "labas" pa rin kami kumain lol. Thankfully, maganda ang weather. By the way, Sabado night na kami nagcelebrate para walang pasok si Dad kinabukasan.


My only request to Dad this Mother's Day was that chocolate cake. Ilang weeks na nga kasi akong nagke-crave sa cake na yan. Hindi siya mura at $40 (I bought it from my suking Pinay baker) pero keri lang... Mother's Day naman eh! Mother's Day! Haha!

Aside from (well-done) steak, we also had mussels, macaroni salad, and buttered veggies. Busog na busog na kami at sobrang sulit. Mas mura talaga kapag sa bahay lang kakain.


Sa totoo lang, sanay naman kami sa social/physical distancing haha. Lagi namang kaming tatlo lang ang magkakasama. Pero talaga, I am grateful kasi I am blessed with a small but happy family.

Thank you, Daddy Ford and Nathan! I love you so so much!


My 6th Mother's Day! I am far from being a perfect mom pero alam kong alam ng anak ko na mahal na mahal ko siya. Mama's boy nga yan eh! =)


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Here's the 'steak tradition' I am talking about:



Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Goodbye, Auntie Nen. =(

Ford's 88-year-old aunt passed away yesterday (June 19, 2018 - Philippine time). She recently had a pacemaker insertion and we thought she'll be ok na. Kaso dahil medyo may edad na talaga, marami na ring ibang sakit ang dumapo sa kanya.

Auntie Nen is so special to my husband. She acted like his second mother when he was growing up kasi nga kasama nila sa bahay. She was his math teacher and mentor. Siya nga raw ang favorite among the nephews and nieces.

December 2016

If there's one thing I regret, it's that Nathan and I weren't able to visit her during our 5-month stay in Pinas. She was looking for Nathan daw. Kaso they live in Luna, La Union and I don't go there without Ford kasi nga ang layo. Hindi ko kayang dalhin ang bata doon mag-isa. Wala na rin kasing tao masyado sa probinsya, my immediate family-in-law are all based abroad. Kaya walang maga-aasikaso sa amin doon, given na may sakit na nga si Auntie Nen. Siya na lang kasi ang naiwan mag-isa sa ancestral house nila (with some helpers, of course).

Sayang nga, she passed away just merely 10-days after namin umalis ng Pinas. Sana nandoon kami to pay our last respects.

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Anyway, my husband is in a dilemma. Uuwi ba siya ng Pilipinas o hindi? There's a part of him na gustong-gustong umuwi (lalo na at tinawag ang name niya bago mamatay nang makita pa namin sa Facetime), pero given our current situation, parang hindi feasible. Ang daming dapat i-consider eh:

BUDGET -- Ang mahal ng plane ticket na mabilisan. Mahina ang Ca$1,600 (o Php65,000) kung uuwi siya. Idagdag pa ang additional expenses like airport parking (for at least a week), expenses sa Pinas, contribution sa hospital bills and burial, etc. Aabutin siguro ng around Ca$3,000 (Php120,000). To be honest, dati madali lang sa aming gastusin ang ganyang amount. Pero dahil kabibili lang namin ng bahay at maraming naka-ambang gastos sa mgas susunod na buwan, malaki na iyon. Sobrang bigat, actually.

VACATION LEAVE -- Isa pa ito sa major concern kapag kailangang umuwi ng Pinas agad-agad -- may leave credits ka pa ba at/o papayagan ka ba ng boss/company mo? Sa case ni Ford, madali lang para sa kanya ang magpaalam (yung mga bosses na yata niya ang pinaka-compassionate employers sa mundo) pero he was alloting sana all his remaining leaves sa paglipat namin sa bahay. Medyo matagal din kasi maghakot at magsettle sa new house kaya kailangan niya umabsent ng matagal-tagal kasi wala naman kaming ibang aasahang tutulong sa amin. With a very clingy toddler, malamang siya lang ang gagawa ng bulk ng trabaho by that time.

By the way, may 3-day bereavement leave dito sa Canada pero it only applies to deaths of immediate family members eh.

LONG AND TIRING TRAVEL TIME -- We need at least 24-hours para makauwi sa Pinas (including na yung commuting time to/from airport, waiting times, plane rides, layovers, etc.). Mas matagal pa ang kakailanganin niya since sa La Union siya uuwi at malamang walang susundo sa kanya kasi nga nasa probinsya na lahat ng tao. So we're seeing na 3-4 whole days lang siya sa Pinas tapos babalik na sa Canada. Tapos back to work na rin agad. Talagang parusa sa katawan yun.

SOME FAMILY CONCERNS -- I am actually hesistant na payagan siyang umuwi kasi natatakot ako maiwan dito mag-isa with Nathan. I am useless here, if something happens, matutulala lang ako. I also feel so alone here, pakiramdam ko wala akong ibang maaasahan in case of emergency. Buti sana kung nasa Edmonton pa kami at maraming kaibigan. Saka physically, hindi ko kaya si Nathan mag-isa ng 24/7. By body is too weak at mentally, nakakabaliw kapag kaming dalawa lang. Kaya sobrang takot din ang asawa ko na iwan kami (haha) kasi kawawa daw ang anak niya dahil baka masigawan ko lang pag na-stress ako.

Pero dahil ayokong maging KJ, I told Ford that he could go. I told him that the decision is up to him. Tingin ko gusto nya rin umuwi dahil uuwi ang parents at sister niya from California. Yung brother niya from Qatar, nagpa-plano rin. Ang sabi ko lang sa kanya, timbangin niya nang maayos. Wag kakong magpa-peer pressure (lol) kasi iba-iba naman ang circumstances ng mga tao.

His grandmother passed away in May (2014) and he was able to decide to go home kaagad kasi nga madali that time. I was pregnant with Nathan that time at thankfully nasa second trimester na kaya I was feeling better. Tapos nasa Edmonton pa kami noon, marami kaming kaibigan na matatakbuhan. Wala ring problema sa budget kasi talagang settled na kami that time with a house na hindi kasing laki ang mortgage ng tulad ng magiging mortgage namin dito sa BC.

Hay, ito talaga ang isang malungkot when you are living abroad. Hindi ka basta-basta makakauwi kung may mga ganitong pangyayari. Naexperience ko na ito when my grandfather naman died in October 2014. I wasn't able to go home kasi nga manganganak na ako.

Anyway, whatever the husband decides, alam ko naman na maiintindihan yun ni Auntie Nen.

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Reunited with Tito Ninong Ryan

If there's one thing I feel bad for Nathan, it's the fact that he will grow up without a 'family' around. Kami lang kasing tatlo ng Daddy niya sa Canada eh. That is why I am happy whenever he gets reunited with the closest members of our family.

March 22, 2018 (Thursday). It was an unexpected meet-up actually. Ford's only brother, who is based in Qatar, came home here in Pinas to pay respects to his father-in-law who suddenly passed away. We, of course, went to the wake so TanTan was able to see his Tito Ninong Yanyan  after more than two years.

I was totally surprised because the little boy was instantly comfortable with his uncle. He's normally shy kasi to boys and it takes time before he adjusts to their presence. Pero sa Tito Ninong niya, sumunod agad siya nang kinandong siya. Walang resistance. It probably helped that I explained to him long before pa that Tito Ryan is Belle's dad (he knows his cousin Belle so well). Wala pa kasi siyang concept ng sibling kaya hindi niya ma-gets na kapatid ng daddy niya iyon.


It probably helped also that Tito Ryan resembles his dad! When I asked him kung kamukha ba ng daddy niya si Tito Ryan, yes daw.


The last time they saw each other was in February 2016, when Ryan and his family (plus Ford's parents and sister who are based in California) came over to our place in Edmonton for a 3-weeek vacation.


It was a short reunion that only lasted for two hours but I am glad that my boy now has a memory of Tito Ryan. One year old pa lang kasi nga siya noong huli silang magkita. Ngayon maaalala na niya at hindi makakalimutan (he never forgets, I am telling you). Sayang nga kasi once lang sila nagkita because Ryan had to go back to Qatar na after the funeral. Anyway, I am hoping na matuloy ang pinaplanong family reunion soon.

Minsan nga lang I wonder, ang saya siguro kung nandito lang kaming lahat sa Pinas. Ang dalas siguro naming magkita-kita and Nathan and his cousin Belle will constantly be surrounded by grandparents and uncles and aunts who love them. Nakakainggit din kasi kapag nakakakita ako sa Facebook ng malalaking families na palaging may outings o celebrations. How come may families na walang naga-abroad? Haha.

Cousins born two months apart

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Thanksgiving Dinner 2017

Our original plan for the Thanksgiving weekend was to do a staycation somewhere. Naaliw yata ang husband ko sa Victoria trip namin last August kaya gusto niyang umulit, pero dapat daw two nights na para hindi nakakapagod. Ang mga choices naming puntahan were Kelowna, Seattle (again!), Oregon, and Whistler. But after giving it much thought, I convinced him na huwag na lang. Hindi rin naman kasi biro ang gagastusin sa plano niya. We are scheduled to go back to California this November 4 to 14 na to celebrate Nathan's third birthday kaya sabi ko masyadong maraming gastos na. Buti at pumayag naman (as if may choice siya haha).

Around mid-September, my aunt invited us to join them for the Thanksgiving dinner on October 9. Ayun, problem solved. May gagawin na kami for the weekend lol. Ford was just a bit "sad" though because the dinner was on a Monday, may pasok kinabukasan. Technically kasi, second Monday of October talaga ang Thanksgiving day dito but Canadians may celebrate on any day of the long weekend. So pwedeng Sabado o Linggo.

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The dinner was at 6pm so we spend the afternoon at Guildford Mall muna. Then we went to Henlong Supermarket to buy some fish (haha, namalengke pa talaga). After that, we picked up the cake that I ordered from a homebased Pinay baker. I couldn't think of anything else to bring eh.


We arrived at Tita Che's house at 6:25pm. Maganda ang weather, buti hindi umulan.



Kami na lang pala ang inaantay so start na agad ng appetizer pagdating namin.

Trust my aunt to always have the best food presentation. Very impressive.


Instagram-worthy talaga. No filter needed.


This is the 4-in-1 cake that we brought. Haha, napadpad sa table ng appetizers.


Peechur peechur before eating.

Picture taken from Tita Che's Facebook account
And look at the long table that they set up para kasya kaming lahat. Bigla ko tulog na-feel ang essence ng Thanksgiving.


My aunt is currently into all things dainty. And she's started collecting pretty teacups since a few years back.


There were just 13 of us -- I, Ford, Nathan, Tita Che, Tito Harold, Angel (my cousin), Raf (Angel's husband), Blessi (my cousin), BF of Blessi (I forgot his name), Johnny (my cousin), Tita Bing (Tita Che's bestfriend), Rosabella (Tita Bing's daughter), and Allison (Tita Che's ward).


Very western ang dinner namin that night.


My cousin Angel cooked everything. She took her cooking skills from Tita Che. Too bad she forgot to bring out the soup from the basement!


This is my first Thanksgiving with a whole Turkey. Sumaya talaga ako, feel na feel ko.


The turkey was soooooo good (even the gravy)! I loved the pasta too kaso nga Ford and I are watching our carbs-intake.

Pero nang dessert time na, di na ako nakapagpigil sa cake. Ang tagal ko ng gustong tikman yun eh. Ang sarap nga grabe! Thankfully, hindi naman tumaas ang blood sugar ko (kasi nga turkey lang naman ang dinner). The chocolate cake was perfect, kung wala lang kaming diabetes eh oorder ako uli agad ng one whole cake at uubusin namin ni Ford.

Picture taken from Tita Che's Facebook account
I love nice table settings talaga. When we have our own place again, mag-iipon ako ng maraming gamit.

Picture taken from Tita Che's Facebook account

Thank you for having us, Tita Che and family!

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Oops, I would have to commend this little boy nga pala for being so behaved the whole time. Nakakain kami nang maayos ng daddy niya.


Dahil yan sa toys that Tito Harold always lends to him whenever we are at their house.


I am extra grateful to Tito Harold for being so nice to my son.


Nathan has loosen up na rin. Hindi na siya shy and intimidated to other people. Ayan nga oh, nagpapapicture na with his titas and titos.


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What are we grateful for this year?

  • Our son is healthy and happy
  • Our parents are ok (despite their respective health issues kasi syempre may mga edad na)
  • We are living comfortably (thanks to Ford's new job!)
  • We have gotten used to living here in Metro Vancouver (naka-adjust na kami kahit papano) 
  • We were able to travel (California, Seattle, Victoria)
  • We have more scheduled travels (California, Whistler, Philippines, etc)
  • We've met new friends -- Juris and Tess and their families
  • We've managed to maintain our friendships with our Edmonton family
  • Though we got diagnosed with diabetes, at least our disease is manageable 

Ang dami-daming challenges as usual, pero kinakaya naman. My major wish for now is to have our own home so we can have a place to celebrate Thanksgiving day na. =)


Monday, February 27, 2017

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.


Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Hello, 2017!

Happy New Year!!!

Sorry for my nanggigitata look. Init na init talaga ako lol!
 
I can't believe it's 2017 already! Geez, I am so happy that I got to celebrate the coming of a new year with my mother in Pinas! At kumpleto talaga kami. Ford was able to come here (albeit for only 11 days) to spend the holiday with us.

We've had a very tough 2016. Up to its last days, talagang chinallenge pa rin kami (read: Nathan was hospitalized tapos nagkasakit pa si Pod during media noche). Pero sige, keri lang. A new year signifies hope. Ahh basta, optimistic ako na magiging  ok ang 2017 namin. Nating lahat!

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At eto na naman ang promise ko na magiging active uli ako sa pagdo-document ng buhay namin through blogging. Haha, sana lang matupad!


Friday, October 30, 2015

Death of a brother

I only have one brother, a kuya. I've loved him so dearly.

But he died today.

Not literally though.


I hate any negativity on this blog. But I just have to post this to remember the day that I am now without a sibling.

Sadness envelopes my life at this point. But I am choosing to move forward.


Monday, June 8, 2015

#Grateful

I will be going home in the Philippines next month and I am taking Nathan with me (Ford only has two weeks vacation so he'll just follow us in November).  But I am glad that we're be taking him back with us when we return here in Canada.

Nasabi ko ito kasi may kakilala akong taga-dito (she's a receptionist in a clinic who eventually became my FB friend) na nasa Pilipinas ngayon dala ang dalawang anak (ages 3 and 11 months). I really thought umuwi lang sila para magbakasyon. But then I saw in FB this morning na nag-start ng mag-aral ang panganay niya sa daycare. She told me iiwan muna niya ang mga bata temporarily. Oo nga pala, kasi her one-year maternity leave is almost over and she has to go back to work. Walang mag-aalaga sa mga anak niya kasi may trabaho rin ang asawa niya.

It's a common situation actually sa mga nasa Canada. The cost of daycare or having a nanny is so high that only high-paying people could afford it. Kung average lang ang salary mo, better to just quit your job and personally take full time care of your children.

But then again, mahirap mabuhay sa Canada ang isang pamilya na isa lang ang nagtatrabaho. Kaya normal na na iniiwan muna sa Pilipinas ng ilang magulang ang mga anak nila para makapagtrabaho. Kukunin na lang uli kapag medyo malaki na at hindi na gaanong alagain.

Just after I gave birth, my brother in the Philippines suggested na iwanan na lang muna namin sa kanila si Nathan so that I can work here. They know me, they know that I am not domesticated (and motherly?) enough to survive here given na may anak na ako. They know that I want to work, na ayaw kong matali lang sa bahay.

Syempre hindi papayag si Ford. Kahit ako din naman. The moment I learned that I am pregnant, I began to condition myself na sa bahay lang ako in the next few years. No choice eh.

I admit that every now and then, nabuburyo rin ako. I never dreamt of being a stay-at-home wife and mom. Modesty aside, I was an academic achiever. I always saw myself working and earning.

But this day, I am choosing to be grateful. Grateful that I have a husband who provides well for us, na hindi na namin kailangan pang iuwi sa Pinas si Nathan.


I am thankful because I won't miss any milestone in my child's life. Just last Saturday, Nathan began sitting on his own. I wanted to cry. Kung nagtatrabaho ako, hindi ko maeexperience ang kakaibang saya na naramdaman ko nung araw na yun.

My cousin and her husband, who works in UAE, are also in the Philippines now. Umuwi sila para iwanan din ang dalawang anak nila. They reasoned that they want to save up and they couldn't do that when their children are with them. Sa taas ba naman ng cost of living. School age na yung panganay nila at sobrang mahal ng tuition fee. I am not sure kung makakayanan ng pinsan ko na mawalay sa mga anak niya. I myself couldn't imagine being away from my son. Ikamamatay ko yata.

We are living a very simple life here in Edmonton. Simple yet comfortable. Again, I want to thank my husband for giving us a good life. For giving me the chance to be always there for Nathan. Not every one is as privileged as me.



Friday, December 19, 2014

Goodbye, Tita Mareng! =(

Another very sad news from home. Tita Mareng, one of two surviving sisters of my mother, passed away last December 16, 2014.


I cried hard. It was a sudden death. Her family just brought her to the hospital because she couldn't breathe. But just after two days, she passed away because of pneumonia and heart attack.

I feel for my cousins Jemma and Mac Mac. I can't imagine losing my own mother so I know how tragic this must be for them.

I also feel sad for my Mamoosh and Tita Oya. They love their sister very much. Now it's just the two of them left.

I am full of regrets. The last time I saw Tita Mareng was on the day I left the Philippines for Canada (November 5, 2013). Together with my Nanay, she and Tita Oya sent me off. I will always remember na pinagbalat pa niya talaga ako ng hipon sa huling lunch ko noon because I was already in a hurry and didn't want to get my hands dirty. I hugged her before I left, asked her to take care of my mother while I am away.


She was "arboring" one of my bags but I told her na koleksyon ko iyon. Na bibigyan ko siya ng bago pag-uwi ko. I meant it talaga. Sayang hindi ko natupad. Sayang din hindi na niya nakita si Nathan.

Again, one of the saddest things that can happen to a person while he/she's abroad is to be told that a loved one from back home passed away. I felt so helpless. I want to see her for the last time and thank her for all the good things that she's done for me but I couldn't. Ang nagawa ko na lang ay magpadala ng kaunting halaga para makatulong sa burial expenses niya (thanks to Ford).

Rest in peace, Tita Mareng. I may never have told you this ever, but I love you. And I will miss you.


Wednesday, December 10, 2014

They who came to visit

If there's one person who I wanted to visit me when I gave birth, that would be my mother. But she was so far away and I had no choice but to deal with giving birth with just my husband around.

Ford was very reliable and I am more than grateful. Sa totoo lang, I am proud na nakaya namin ang difficult ordeal ng pregnancy ko na kaming dalawa lang. But syempre, we were so happy that when I gave birth to Nathan, may mga taong bumisita sa amin.

November 14 -- Daddy and Mama

Pod fetched Daddy and Mama at home the morning after I gave birth. They were very happy and excited to see their grand son. I am glad that Chicklet was able to meet them on his very first day on earth.


November 15 -- Cecil, Joy, and Mylene 

Joy posted on Facebook a banana cake which she baked a couple of days before I gave birth. When I commented on that post, she replied that she will bake me one as soon as nakapanganak na ako. And she fulfilled that promise! Joy is a new friend and I wasn't expecting that she will take time to visit me. She even brought Cecil and Mylene (who just got back from a five-month 'vacation' in Pinas) along! I am happy to have found new girl friends here in Edmonton.


November 16 -- Ate Celina and Kuya Lito

Ate Celina found out in Facebook that I gave birth already and she messaged me that she will come by to visit. I was so touched. We've recently just met her (through the Noralta peeps) imagine that! She came with her husband Kuya Lito na bagong dating lang din from the Philippines.



November 18 -- The Casanovas (Ate Marina, Kuya Aldo, Alyanna, Cassandrea, and Katrina)

Ate Marina is my second cousin (from my father's side) who I just met last June through Tita Che. Nakapunta na sila dito sa bahay noong pumunta dito sina Tita Che at Tatay.

Sa bahay na nakabisita ang mga Casanovas because they found it hard to find a common available free time. Talagang buong pamilya silang pumunta at nakipagkuwentuhan for more than three hours and we really appreciated that. It's so nice to have found some relatives here in Edmonton.


They even brought pancit and goto for me.


November 21 -- The Cuencas (Bal, Cel, Claire, and Mago)

The Cuencas also visited us at home. Bal will become Nathan's Ninong, by the way.

All our beloved visitors came bearing gifts for our little boy so we are extra thankful. They all made us feel loved! Maraming maraming salamat talaga sa kanila!

I don't remember visiting any one who has just given birth so this experience made me take note that the next time I have a friend or relative na nanganak, I will return the kindness and generosity. I realized na kahit kaya naman namin ni Ford na kaming dalawa lang, iba pa rin kapag may ibang taong 'dumamay' sa inyo. Nakaka-touch.



Wednesday, October 8, 2014

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! =)