Cancelled Edmonton Visit

I am so glad that our supposedly Christmas trip to Edmonton didn't push through. Sobrang lamig daw doon ngayon.

My husband has a 10-day break this holiday season (their office shuts down from Christmas to New Year) so we had a chance sana to visit our friends (who we consider our Canadian family) in Edmonton. It's been 15 months since we left and we miss them all. Sobrang kinukulit din nila kami talagang magpunta doon kaya umabot sa "80% probability of going" na kami. My friend Mylene was so excited na bibili na talaga siya ng bagong mattress para sa room "namin" sa house nila.

But I sort of backed out the last minute. Nitong malapit nang mag-Christmas, napag-isip-isip ko na marami rin palang dapat inconsider sa pagpunta namin doon.

First, is it ok to drive during winter time? We've done several Edmonton-to-Vancouver trips before pero palaging summer. Parang nakakatakot kasi baka mag-snow habang bumabaybay kami sa bundok. Pero the weeks before Christmas, maganda ang weather dito at sa Alberta. "Mainit" nga daw doon at hindi nagi-snow so medyo nahikayat na rin ako.

Then came the budget issue. In my conservative estimate, we will be spending at least a thousand bucks (or Php40,000+) for a 5-day trip to Edmonton. My friend was insisting na gas lang naman ang gastos at sagot na niya ang pagkain kasi nga sa house naman nila kami mag-stay, pero syempre hindi naman pwede yun. We are not free-loaders noh. Saka I want to bring them pasalubong syempre (Purefoods hotdogs from Seafood City Seattle and siopao from Newtown Bakery). Tapos dahil Christmas, we have to buy gifts for the kids (and adults din). Aside from that, yung mga kain pa namin sa labas at contribution sa mga kainan at inuman. If the weather is bad pa, kailangan din naming mag-hotel in between our trip/s because Ford will have a hard time driving at may kasama pa kaming bata.

To add, wala nga pala kaming proper outfit for Edmonton weather. Well, kami ni hubby meron namang thick coats/jackets and boots/winter shoes kaso nabaon na sa storage. Kailangan pang sobrang kalkalin. Si Nathan ang wala so kailangan pang ibili, kaso nga hindi naman masusulit kasi hindi naman magagamit dito sa Vancouver dahil hindi ganun kalamig dito. At uuwi na rin kami sa Pinas sa January 8 kaya talagang masasayang lang.

Then Ford informed me that if we will go, kailangan na niyang pumunta sa casa para mapalitan ng winter tires yung kotse namin! What?!? Oo nga pala, di kami naka-winter tires dito kaloka. Meron naman kaming winter tires sa storage kaso dahil nasa open parking space kami ng apartment complex, walang lugar na pwedeng pagpalitan. Kaya kailangan pang dalhin sa casa at ibayad. Tapos papapalitan na naman ng regular tires after. Doble gastos pa!

That's when I finally decided na manahimik kami sa bahay. Yep, it was my SOLE decision kasi keri lang naman sa asawa ko kahit ano.

But of course, meron pa ring panghihinayang kasi nga sobrang miss ko na ang mga kaibigan namin. I am sure na mag-eenjoy din si Ford kasi makakainom siya nang todo. Kahit si Nathan matutuwa kasi marami siyang makakalarong bata for a couple of days. But $1,000 is $1,000. I mean, it may not mean that much now, pero by next year when we buy na a place of our own, makikita namin ang relevance ng amount na yan. Ang dami-daming nakaambang gastusin talaga. Saka nag-splurge na rin kasi kami sa California trip namin last November., tapos uuwi pa nga kami ni Nathan sa Pinas this January.

At this point, grateful na rin ako na hindi kami tumuloy dahil nga sa weather doon. Had we gone there, mag-stay lang din kami sa house ng friends namin dahil sa sobrang lamig. I planned on going to South Edmonton Common pa naman to shop (5% lang kasi ang sales tax sa Alberta) kaso open-air shopping area naman dun. Saka delikadong magdrive kung ganyan ka-extreme ang panahon.

Pic taken from a friends FB account

We miss Edmonton pero hindi pa nga siguro time na bumisita kami roon. Who knows, baka sa summer. Kung hindi pa rin (kasi nga balak na naming magstart maghanap ng house by April 2018), yung mga kaibigan na lang namin muna doon ang aantayin naming dumalaw dito.

Jollibee in Edmonton (Waaah!)

Six months before I migrated to Canada, I wrote this "wish" in my previous (private) blog:

I can still remember Ford laughing that time, "Haha, asa ka pa!"

Pero grabe, in four years nagkatotoo ang wish ko! Imagine, sa may tapat pa ng West Edmonton Mall siya tinatayo (na super lapit sa bahay namin) at magbubukas this 2017.

Yun nga lang, wala na kami sa Edmonton. Asar-talo tuloy ako!

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I have reasons to be bitter, I swear. When we were contemplating to move in BC, Jollibee in Seattle was put into consideration. As in seriously. Isa siya sa mga pros. Naisip namin na 3 hours lang na cross border, makakapag-Jollibee na kami. Hindi na kami made-deprive kasi pwede na nga kaming magdrive lang para makapag-chickenjoy. Iniinggit ko pa ang mga kaibigan ko, at tinatakam.

Who would have thought na kung nag-stay lang sana kami sa Edmonton, less than 10 minutes away na lang ang Jollibee! Ang saklap talaga!

As of now, wala pang balita kung kelan magkakaroon ng Jollibee sa Vancouver area. Mukhang matatagalan pa kung magkakaroon man. Kasi nga raw aside sa mataas ang business costs dun, meron naman sa Seattle kahit papano. Saka although maraming Pinoys sa BC, mas marami pa rin ang chekwa kaloka!

Pic taken from the net (credits to the owner)

Fine, sige I'll be happy na lang for my friends in Edmonton. At least sasaya ang buhay nila doon.

And for me, eto na lang uli:

             WISH: Jollibee in Surrey / Metro Vancouver

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NOTE: The first Jollibee in Canada opened in Winnipeg last December 2016.


 

I want to go back to Edmonton =(

Disclaimer: Please note that I recently moved here in Surrey from my comfort zone (Edmonton). My views are premature and may change in the coming days. I have no intention of putting Surrey/BC in a bad light. I guess I just miss Edmonton so much. 

Twenty-three days. We've been here in Surrey for twenty-three days. How are we doing? The husband is ok, he easily copes with things so wala siyang issue. Ako lang naman daw ang maraming hinaing sa buhay. To be honest, if I will only be given a chance, gusto ko ng bumalik Edmonton.

Funny, I used to call that place Deadmonton. Complain ako nang complain na boring dun, na walang masyadong magawa. I first visited British Columbia in 2012 at talagang pinangarap kong tumira dito. Ang ganda kasi ng impression ko dito, ideal place to live in talaga. Pero ngayon na nandito na ako, parang gusto ko ng magback-out. Hay buhay nga naman!

Anyway, ito ang mga disappointments ko as of now sa pagtira ko dito:

(1) I loathe our apartment. I hate hate hate our apartment! Ang hirap magdowngrade ng housing. We used to live comfortably in a brand new 3-bedroom town house kaya talagang sobrang adjustment ito. Even though I know that this is just a temporary thing, nahihirapan pa rin ako (#bourgeoisieproblems!).

Also, the other day, we received a complaint from our neighbor on the lower floor (we're on the second floor) that we are "too noisy." They even accused us of having a party. My husband got agitated. He reasoned that we have a toddler and some noise can't be avoided. We live in an old building so talagang konting galaw o ingay lang ng kapitbahay eh magkakarinigan na.

By the way, we ended up in this apartment because we had no choice. Ang hirap maghanap ng apartment na maayos dito sa BC, lalo na at nasa Edmonton pa kami that time. Grabe ang demand. We want to move to a different place kaso pauwi na kami ni Nathan sa Pinas on November 7. Also, magpepenalty kami ng $1200+ kapag umalis kami in less than a year. Hay saka ko na nga lang iisipin pagbalik namin. If there's any consolation, we live just across a mall at super ganda ng location kaya keri na rin.

(2) Edmontonians are "nicer." In Edmonton, almost everyone you see will say "hello," or "hi, how are you doing?" Dito hindi eh. Parang lahat me pinagdadaanan haha!

Drivers are somewhat rude, too. In Edmonton, pedestrians are the bosses. Pagtapak mo pa lang sa kalsada, hihinto talaga ang mga sasakyan kahit malayo pa. Dito takot ako lalo na for my son. Dire-direcho talaga ang andar ng mga kotse eh.

(3) There is no Lucky Supermarket here (or its equivalent, in my opinion). Akala ko talaga mas ok "mamalengke" dito, mas mura at mas madaming choices. But for me, the best pa rin mamili sa Lucky Supermaket (na sa Edmonton lang meron). I am not a fan of T&T eh. I never thought na mamomroblema ako sa presyo ng karne dito. At galunggong -- di ko alam kung saan ako hahanap ng matinong galunggong dito (na paborito namin ng anak ko). Pati calamansi, mas mura sa Edmonton. Waaah!

(4) There's too much rain. My husband "warned" me already that it's too rainy in BC. I told him it's ok, that I love the rain. Kaso sobrang hassle din pala, lalo na since we have no covered parking. Tapos may little boy pa kami, mahirap siya isakay at ibaba ng car kapag umuulan.

(5) There is no snow. Snow is so beautiful, nakakamangha talaga kapag puting-puti ang paligid. Feel na feel ko ang Canada dahil sa snow. Kaso sobrang minsan lang daw mag-snow dito, tapos tunaw agad kinabukasan. Less than 3 years pa lang ako sa Canada kaya hindi pa ako quota sa snow. Gusto ko pang maglaro ng yelo!

(6) I have a feeling it's harder to find good friends here. In my less than 3 years in Edmonton, I am happy to have found really good friends there. Barkada talaga. Dito mukhang mahirap. Sa Edmonton kasi karamihan ng Pinoy ay TFWs (Temporary Foreign Workers) na naging Permanent Residents. Mga walang kamag-anak, lahat open for friendships. Saka mas relaxed ang buhay doon, palaging may time for get-together.

(7) Ang dami-daming chekwa! Maaming nagsasabi na mukha daw akong chekwa at hate na hate ko ito. I know it's bad to generalize pero hindi talaga ok ang experience ko with our Asian neigbors. Ayaw ko sa ugali nila.

At this point, I have no choice but to embrace our life here in BC. Sana talaga maging masaya kami rito.

Why I hate Sundays

Sunday is over. Here are three reasons why I now hate Sundays:

No Pinoy telerserye to watch. I've become addicted to teleseryes the moment I became an immigrant here in Canada. I am no longer shy to admit that when I wake up in the morning, excited na agad ako sa new episodes ng mga teleseryeng sinusubaybayan ko.

Kaya parang kulang ang Sunday ko kasi nga wala akong mapanood. Boo!
 

My intellectual friends will surely laugh at me when I learn this. But I don't care. When you're living abroad, isa ang TFC sa koneksyon mo sa Pinas eh. I only watch teleseryes and news/current affairs though.


Malls and Stores close early. Hanggang ngayon, di ko pa rin matanggap na ang aga agang magsara ng mga malls dito kapag linggo. Hanggang 6pm lang ang West Edmonton Mall, yung smaller malls hanggang 5pm lang. Late din sila mag-open kaya maikli lang talaga ang mall hours. Ang sabi nila, the Canadian government put so much premium on family kaya ini-encourage nila ang mga tao na sa bahay mag-stay kapag linggo.

Picture taken from the internet (credits to the owner)

Hay, eh kaso Pinoy ako! Sundays = malling, yan ang idea ko haha!

We normally do not go to the mall anymore on Sundays. Nakakabitin lang kasi. We usually wake up at 11am-12noon, then we'll have lunch, tapos ligo at bihis, prepare pa ng gamit ni Nathan, kaya past 2pm na kami nakakaalis ng bahay. Parang naghahabol lang kami ng oras kapag nasa mall kami.

Other stores close early as well. Not that I always shop, ayaw ko lang talaga ng idea na maaga silang magsara. Feeling ko napaka-restricting. Buti na lang bukas ang Walmart at ibang supermarkets.


Ford has work the following day. Just the thought that Ford has to work the next day is enough to spoil my Sunday. Bilang na kasi ang oras ng "pahinga" ko. One week na naman akong mag-aantay para hindi lang kami ni Nathan ang magkasama the whole day. =(

Nathan kissing Dad to wake him up

Whew, Monday na naman! Ambilis ng araw.

Random Chika # 4

1. Siomai Addiction. Ford and I have been eating siomai for so many nights now. It started when I began craving for it last week and my friend Mylene suggested that we buy from T&T. Yung frozen.

At first I wanted to eat at Jumbo Dim Sum and Dining where we had lunch last Christmas and I tasted some delicious pork siomai. Pero ang mahal kasi doon, almost $5 for four pieces. Tapos tax and tip pa. Best option na nga ang mag-steam ka ng sarili mong siomai.

Funny because I never ate siomai in the Philippines. Dito sa Canada, marami akong pinag-aaralang kainin dahil wala akong choice. I have to broaden my palate or else wala akong makakain.

2. Starbucks Edmonton Mug. After dining at Tony Roma's last Tuesday, we proceeded to Starbucks for "dessert" (i.e. venti mocha frappucino). Ford had this Starbucks card that was given to him by a person who did some demo in their office. We've long been guessing kung magkano ang laman, $5 lang pala. I was taken aback when the barista told me that I still have to pay $0.72 for my frapp. Kaloka!

Anyway, while waiting for my drink, I noticed these mugs on the inside shelf. Aba, may Edmonton mug na, hindi nga lang yung old version.

Ford gave me an Edmonton city mug (like the one below) in 2010 noong unang uwi niya sa Pinas from Canada. Since 2012, naghahanap na ako ng ganito to give away to some friends who also collect kaso wala na. Na-discontinue na yata.

Picture taken from the net (credits to the owner)

I find the second version of city mugs nicer. I already have one, a Chicago mug, which was a pasalubong to me by my cousin Cha when they visited us last September 2014.

O sige na nga, kakaririn ko na ito. I left my Starbucks city mug collection (the older version) in the Philippines kaya gagawa ako ng bago dito sa Canada. I already asked my in-laws from Qatar who will be visiting us by the end of the month to bring me one.

3. Nathans' Haircut Certificate. Ang arte ng mga bata ngayon, may pa haircut-haircut certificate pa!

We had Nathan's hair cut last November 13 (Philippine time) at a kiddie hair salon in Trinoma. Pamahiin kasi na bawal pagupitan ang bata ng wala pang one year old so we followed that.

We were asked if we wanted a souvenir certificate for that "momentous event" and of course we excited parents willingly agreed. For an extra cost, syempre pa.

It will take two to three weeks daw before the certificate becomes available so hindi na namin nakuha. Binilin ko na lang kina Mamoosh na kunin. Joanne (our staff) was only able to claim it two days ago.


4. Dinner at Panda Express. I finally got to eat at Panda Express last Sunday (January 10). Ang tagal ko ng gustong kumain dito. Pero parang foodcourt food lang pala. I was disappointed because malamig na ang food at konti na lang ang choices nang dumating kasi (it was only around 6pm).

A plate with two entrees plus rice/noodle is almost $10. Plus tax pa. Not worth it.

5. Edmonchon. My brother-in-law, who is based in Qatar with his family, is requesting for a lechon when they come here by the end of the month. Hindi kasi sila nakakakain ng pork sa Qatar.

A whole lechon costs $250-300 at hindi naman namin mauubos yun (we're only 7 adults and 2 toddlers) so the best option is to buy a Cebu-style lechon belly na lang.  The one being sold by Jeepney Jaytee is "small" and pricey so I looked for an alternative.

Enter Edmonchon. Bago lang, wala pang feedback. I inquired for the price and immediately got a response. $80 daw, good for 10-15 pax. Haha, baka kulangin pa ang slab na ito sa Blanco siblings! Anyway, we'll try it. I'll post a review soon.

Picture taken from Edmonchon's FB page

6.  New Laptop. Ford bought me a new laptop last Black Friday. We disposed our hardly-used desktop (i.e. donated it to Roadlink) because it was so slow. Our other laptop is big and heavy and I couldn't bring it with me anywhere.

I've tried so many laptops before but I always go back to Acer. The very first laptop that Ford gave me so many years ago was an Acer and I loved it.

The color is so nice, noh? And it's a touchscreen! Maliit lang din siya (parang netbook size) so madaling bitbitin (lalo na sa Pinas). I wish though that I could maximize its use. Sa ngayon kasi bihira na akong makapag-computer kasi inaagaw ni Nathan (hay, toddler stage!).

Random Chika # 1

1. Ligo Sardines. I never expected that one day I will get addicted to Ligo Sardines! Never nga akong kumain nito sa Pinas dati (except when we had a retreat in high school and they served it for breakfast, tinikman ko lang).

But because wala na akong maisip kainin dito, dagdag pa ang sobrang pagkamiss kong kumain ng isda, sinubukan kong tikman uli. Ayun, nagustuhan ko naman!

I've been eating sardines for several days now. Ako kasi yung taong ayaw ng isang ulam lang kaya perfect ito na second viand haha! I will try other variations next time (masarap daw ang fried sardines sabi ni Joy). By the way, a small can of Ligo Sardines costs $0.78 at T&T Supermarket. Mura na by Edmontonian standards.

2. Ice Cold Water. I am back to water huhu! Sad to say, may UTI na naman ako and the cause is my addiction to pop (pop ang tawag dito sa soda o softdrinks).

I couldn't drink water that's not super cold. That's why I am thankful that our refrigerator has an icemaker. Sahod lang ng sahod sa dispenser hehe. Hay, super init pa naman ngayon dito!

3. Pinoy Grill's Crispy Pata. The husband had no ulam last night so we ordered crispy pata from Pinoy Grill. Medyo sunog siya at hindi gaanong masarap. It's $14.95 + 5% tax.

Hay, if only I can imitate mamoosh's delicious crispy pata. Kaso wala ring mabilhan dito ng harapang pata ng baboy. Siguro pinapakyaw na ng mga Filipino restaurants.

4.  A UP graduate with 1.004 GWA. It's all over the internet -- a UP student with a near perfect grade average. I am not surprised though. I've studied and taught in UP Diliman for so many years, nothing surprises me anymore.

Anyway, I graduated with a "laude" title too (hindi nga lang summa kasi bobing ako sa math and natural sciences). And where am I now? Eto yaya ni Nathan haha!

Thankful for the friendship

I miss my girls and I am so excited to be reunited with them again next month. You see, we've been friends since college and up until now, we consider our group as our "primary barkada." If I am to describe us, we are like the SATC (Sex and the City) girls - always talking/discussing, always eating lol!

It was so hard leaving them. I was already 34 when I immigrated here in Canada. I was skeptic kung makakahanap pa ako ng magiging malalapit na kaibigan. I prepared myself for a 'friendless existence.' I have to content myself with Ford, I convinced myself.

And then these ladies came into my life.

Joy, Mylene, and Cecil

I've actually known Cecil since college, She's my bestfriend Raxie's best cousin. Raxie lived with them (Cecil's family) for so many years so we would occasionally see each other. I was really happy na dito rin siya sa Edmonton napadpad dahil din sa asawa niya.

Through Cecil, I met Mylene. Cecil and Mylene's family temporarily share an apartment (Mylene and Cecil's husband Bal are relatives) so I would always see her whenever we would drop by their house. Mylene is super nice, pero syempre nagkakahiyaan pa.

And then one time, Mylene and her husband invited us to their baby's 7th month birthday. That's when I met Joy. She and Mylene are mag-kumares. All their husbands work in the same company in Fort McMurray nga pala.

Of course, closeness is a process. It took several get-togethers before we became really comfortable with each other.

But for me, the start of my meaningful friendship with them started when they visited us at the hospital a day after I gave birth to Nathan. Noon ko talaga sila na-appreciate. Noon ko na-realize na hindi na ako "mag-isa" sa Edmonton, na may karamay na ako. Cecil was already 8 months pregnant that time and Mylene just got back from Pinas. Joy took time to bake a banana cake for me (because she promised to do so after I commented on her FB that I'd love to taste that cake kaso may gestational diabetes ako). It was cold and snowing, yet they visited us.

I was really thankful. When you are in an alienating hospital at kayong dalawa lang ng asawa mo ang nandoon (and tired and exhausted because of the new baby), mata-touch ka talaga kapag may dumalaw sa inyo. I don't easily forget other people's kindness to me. Maaalala ko siguro iyon habambuhay.

Hay, enough of the drama! My point for this blog is: MAMI-MISS KO ANG TATLONG ITO!

I know na medyo sad din sila because I'll be away for four and a half months. Ngayon kasi mas masayang magkainan, magpicnic at gumala-gala kasi summer. Pagbalik namin, "winter" na. Medyo ma-stuck na naman kami sa bahay because of snow.

Di bale na, marami pa namang summer na susunod. Plus we'd probably be stuck with each other for as long as we're here in Edmonton hahaha!

I don't think these three girls will ever read this post (my family and friends are oblivious of this blog haha!) but someday if they do, I want them to know that I will treasure our friendship. Salamat talaga kasi pinasaya nila ang stay ko dito sa Canada. =)

Hello, Spring!

Just like last year, we welcomed spring last March 20 (Friday) with so much snow!

My husband was asar-talo. He already changed the tires of our car (from winter tires to normal tires) last March 14 eh. I was stopping him, telling him na magi-snow pa. Ayun, hindi nakinig! He was so excited magbutingting ng sasakyan kasi.

Anyway, I am happy that spring is here -- although mafi-feel pa namin yun in a couple more days. I wasn't able to enjoy last year's spring time kasi I was on my first trimester of my pregnancy (I found out I was pregnant mid-March) and I stayed mostly at home because I wasn't feeling well.

I really am excited! I am done with jackets and boots. I want to wear light and colorful clothing! I want to stroll around with my Nathan. I want to eat barbeques again!

Weather check

When you're living here in Edmonton (or in any Canadian province / town), you won't survive without constantly checking on the current weather / weather forecast. Mahirap manghula, weather can go extremes kasi in a matter of a day or two (or hours pa nga). Puwedeng masyadong malamig, pwede rin namang "positive" (or medyo 'mainit'). Hence, you have to be prepared in braving the outdoors, especially on winter time. There are days to avoid and days to enjoy. There are times when you need lots of layering and times when one jacket is enough.

I am only using the default weather app on my iPhone and so far, I am satisfied. Madalas accurate naman siya. Oh, how I love seeing positive numbers whenever I look at it! =)

A book for Chicklet

I felt so excited when the nurse at West Jasper Place Public Health Center (where Nathan got vaccinated last January 22) handed me this bag containing a book, a cd, and some library information for Nathan. This is what I love about having a child here in Canada, alagang-alaga talaga ng gobyerno. Ang suwerte ng mga bata dito!

Ooops, I realized that I haven't really bought any book yet for Chicklet. I would have to start buying soon. I am currently a stay-at-home mom so I do not have any excuse to not teach my son well. I was an educator once upon a time, actually. Sa college students nga lang. I know that teaching a child is different but I promise to do my best. I love my son and I will make him a smart boy.

I told Ford that we should pay a visit to the library soon. I've been here in Edmonton for almost 1 year and 3 months now but I haven't been to one. I love reading, but I admit that in the last couple of years I don't get to read a lot of books anymore. I still read a lot -- sa internet nga lang. So I guess if I want to instill the love of reading to Nathan, kailangang magbasa din uli ako ng libro.

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It was my first time to see an actual public last January 16 at Mill Woods Town Centre. I was surprised that it was located in a 'mall.' Kung wala siguro akong anak, madalas akong tatambay dun.

Nathan's first check

We received yesterday Nathan's first check from the Canadian government. This benefit is called Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB), a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help them with the cost of raising children under the age of 18.

Ford and I were so excited haha! The amount (which is for two months: December 2014 - January 2015) is not that big actually because it's computed based on the family's annual income. In fact, in can only buy a box of diapers. But it is still a benefit that we Canadian residents are entitled to nonetheless.

We are still waiting for another check, that of Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) which is given to families with children under the age of six years regardless of income. It is paid in installments of $100 ($160 starting January 2015) per month per child.

These child benefits are one reason why it's awesome living in Canada! =)

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POSTSCRIPT: We already received the UCCB check last January 23 (Friday)!

Goodbye, Target!

I woke up yesterday morning to this very sad news.

Just last Saturday, I was very happy with their Dollar Spot bins. It's one of my simple pleasures here in Edmonton eh -- checking on the dollar bins and hoarding cute stationery stuff.

I could not believe it that Target is leaving so soon! Imagine, they only came here in Canada in 2013! I can still remember Target replacing Zellers.

Though Target's shelves are empty most of the time, I still love going there. There are so many nice items in Target that you couldn't find anywhere else. And when they put their items on clearance, bagsak presyo talaga.

So what will my life now be without Target? Next to Walmart, it's my go-to place when I feel the itch to shop and all I can afford are cheap stuff. Hay!

My heart is really breaking! I wanna go to Target now and enjoy it while it's still here. =(

No snow shoveling for us

We live in a townhouse. We deliberately chose to live in one because it is practical -- i.e., we don't have to shovel snow.

November 28, 2014

Have you imagined living in a place with snow for at least 6 months? And very thick-and-lasting snow, mind you. Though having our own laned home with (front and back yard and all) is tempting, especially now that we have a son who could use the space, the recent heavy snowing the past days made me remember why we chose to buy a town home in the first place.

I've seen so many friends post on Facebook about their shoveling activities and I am not a bit envious haha! It's a chore that we would gladly skip. I've grown up in Pinas and I am not accustomed to removing chunks of snow from front and drive way in a negative 15+-degree weather. My husband already has too many tasks on his hand, he couldn't possibly accommodate another heavy house work. Home owners are obligated to 'clear' their areas from snow or they will be charged with penalty or worst, sued if someone accidentally slides within their vicinity.

Since we are townhouse residents, we just have to pay a monthly due of $135 to our Association then we can go sitting pretty. The Association is in charged of hiring people who will maintain our common spaces. We don't have to shovel during winter nor do gardening on summers. I am not an outdoor person so I don't mind not having a say on my garden anyway.

I am not sure if we'll be staying here "forever" but as of now, I am contented. Our house is big enough for the three of us and it's low maintenance.'  Again, I have no desire for shoveling snow any time lol!

A hair cut, finally!

Finally, my husband had his hair cut and beard shaven! Hallelujah!

This was his BEFORE look:

And the AFTER!

Looks very different, noh?

The last time he had his hair cut was last May pa in Pinas (when he went home to attend the burial of his grandmother). Ngayon lang uli naulit, imagine that!

I couldn't blame him though. Ang mahal magpagupit dito. He would spend around $30 (tip included) for a basic cut eh. My husband is an Ilocano so kuripot talaga (haha!). Despite my nagging for several months, talagang hindi siya nagpagupit. Kapag manganganak na lang daw ako para sulit, kaloka! Hindi na rin siya nag-shave kasi hindi bagay sa long hair niya ang ang bagong-ahit look.

Luckily, he saw an ad for a $12 men's cut near my OB's clinic. He went there last Saturday kaso $15 daw kapag weekend. Sige, pwede na rin. He didn't give tip anymore kasi yung naggupit daw ay yung owner din ng parlor. Plus under the table lang yata kasi walang tax. He paid in cash. Haha, me ganun din pala dito.

I am one happy wifey! My husband looks decent na uli. I remember last week, we were at Old Navy and I saw one of my former co-workers (Pinay din). I deliberately didn't introduce Ford kasi nga mukhang hoodlum. First impressions last pa naman haha! Nahiya talaga ako!

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And because he looks better now, I asked him to join me and Baby Chicklet in our powder room wefie yesterday!

Baby Chicklet at 39 weeks and 3 days

Ooops, I myself need a hair cut na. It's been more than a year since nagpagupit ako. I came here in Edmonton with a very short and newly rebonded hair. Ngayon mahaba na at buhaghag. Pero nahawa na yata ako sa kakuriputan ng asawa ko, mukhang sa Pinas na lang din ako magpapaayos ng buhok pag-uwi ko. I really don't wanna spend at least $50 for a trim haler.

I am glad kasi hindi naman talaga ako parlor-person kahit noong nasa Pilipinas pa ako. I am more of a shoes and bags gal so hindi naman ako feeling deprived kahit na hindi ako nakakapagpa-salon dito.

If only I'll learn how to cut a man's hair, malaki ang matitipid namin. Para pati kay Chicklet ako na rin ang gugupit. Hmmm, mag-aral nga kaya ako?

Hello, Winter!

I woke up this morning to this...

View from the second floor (master bedroom)

Nakakasilaw ang kaputian sa labas, kaloka! Ito yung snow na hindi na matutunaw. Hanggang March or April na na maputi ang paligid.

It was snowing the whole day. Ford and Daddy Jaime were able to change our car's tires na into winter tires. I wanted to go out and walk but I am afraid na baka madulas ako. I also do not like to wear winter boots yet (wearing socks and boots is tedious if you have an 8lb+ baby in your tummy).

According to Yahoo's weather forecast, it won't snow tomorrow and in the next few days -- but it will be a lot colder!

Oh well, what can I say but... hello, winter! Please don't be too harsh on us this year, oki?


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NOTE: Winter technically starts on December 21, 2014 pero talagang winter na winter na ngayon pa lang eh. Kaloka! 

TFC.TV subscription renewal

We had to renew our TFC.TV subscription today. Whew, time indeed flies! One year ago na nang dumating ako kaya one year na rin ang TFC namin.

Unlike others who have TFC installed on their televisions, ours is just internet based. I prefer it that way so that I can watch anywhere, kahit sa Ipad, desktop, o laptop. Ford is not into TFC naman kaya siya na lang ang manood sa TV namin noh.

We were just surprised though kasi $124.99  na pala ang 12-month premium. Dati parang less than $80 lang, walang movies included. Ngayon wala ng ganung option, kaso puro luma na naman ang movies. Parang di nila pinapalitan.

Anyway, I am happy na rin kasi tuloy ang ligaya sa panonood ng teleserye hehe! When you're living abroad, magiging "jologs" ka yata talaga. You want a piece of home kaya dapat updated ka sa Philippine TV shows and showbiz happenings!

Did I say expensive?

We went to Lucky Supermarket (one of the two biggest Asian supermarkets here in Edmonton) last night to buy some mauulam.

And to give you an idea of how expensive Asian/Filipino foods are here, take a look into our cart.

Not much, huh. At the bottom were just some vegetables and fruits.

This was our total bill:

Yep, almost Php8,500.00! Mind you, mostly pang-ulam lang yan ha (that will last for just a few days). We buy our other household necessities at Walmart.

Cliche as it may sound, we Filipinos may be earning dollars here but we also spend big time, especially on Filipino items that we need for survival.

After I recover from giving birth, I guess I really need to be mindful our grocery budget. That's what good housewives do, right? We couldn't go on like this, or else we won't have any savings at all.

Tawilis in Edmonton

We were at T&T Supermarket last Sunday and my eyes rolled in disbelief when I saw several packs of this...

Tawilis, is that really you???

I've been here in Edmonton for almost a year now and that was the first time I saw frozen tawilis in the supermarket.

You see, I am your typical promdi who grew up eating different types of fish. I love fish, yung mga non-sosyal fish daw sabi ng asawa ko like bangus, galunggong, dalagang-bukid, ayungin, hasa-hasa, tilapia, etc. I also love salmon and tuna but because I immigrated here, talagang yung mga Pinoy fish ang nami-miss ko. I even told my mother that when I go home next year, puro fresh fish ang ihanda niya for me. That is what we lack here in Edmonton eh, fresh seafoods. Lahat frozen.

Crispy fried tawilis is one of my favorites so talagang naatat ako nang makakita nito. I grabbed a pack and put it in our cart.

I was shocked though when I learned (after my husband has paid for it) that it costs $7.33 (or approximately Php300)! Waah, ang mahal naman pala! Around 20 pieces lang yun ha, kulang pa na kainin ko in one sitting. When I called my mother, ang sabi niya kabibili lang daw niya sa palengke nito... Php40 isang kilo! Asar-talo ako.

I mentally took note that this will probably be the last time na bibili ako nito, unless  i-sale ng 50% off haha! I just convinced myself that since I am pregnant, entitled akong kainin ang mga gusto kahit mahal (pampalubag-loob).

Hay, buhay-Canada! Filipinos here might be earning dollars pero sobrang taas din naman ng cost of living. Nasa disadvantage position ang mga Pinoy because of course, the food that we like to eat (i.e. Filipino products) are all "imported". Hence, doble o triple ang cost kumpara sa food ng Canadians.

Oh well, I guess kailangan na talagang mag-adjust soon. In order to save, we need to find cheaper, non-imported alternatives to some Filipino products that we like.

The parents-in-law are here!

When people learned that I am pregnant, most of them asked me: "Eh di pupunta ang nanay mo sa Canada kapag manganganak ka na?"

Sadly, my mother couldn't come for a variety of reasons:

• She is still very busy in the Philippines co-managing our family business. Our operations will be paralyzed without her. 
• She isn't exactly in a perfect state of health. At 68, she's diabetic and hypertensive. Mahirap na kasi baka dito pa siya abutan ng matinding sakit. 
• Edmonton is too far away from the Philippines. She couldn't possibly travel alone (as no one can accompany her).

I know that I need my mother the most during this time but I understand. Often, when we talk on Facetime or Magic Jack, she would tell me to just go home (in the Philippines). But we both know that I couldn't. Ford and I are just Canadian Permanent Residents and if I give birth in Pinas, we still need to sponsor the baby to be able to bring him back to Edmonton. That can take months or even a year. Also, we are talking about the child's future here. Citizenship is the keyword. 

Another thing, Canada has a very good health care system and giving birth here is "free" (well, not really free because we pay taxes). We don't have to worry about spending anything, especially if something not right happens to me or to the baby (wag naman po sana). 

I really miss my Mamoosh. She, of all people understands, what I am going through. She's the only person who can comfort me best, give the care I need. But what I can do, I "chose" to live far away from her.

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I am happy though that Ford's parents, who are American citizens and are based in California, volunteered to come over to help us in these challenging weeks of my pregnancy and upcoming childbirth. It's good that they are just a three-hour plane ride away and there's no need to apply for a Canadian tourist visa. They can come here anytime. They are also very excited cuddle a grandchild (they already have one -- Baby Ysabelle -- but they haven't personally seen her yet because she's in the Philippines) so I know that Baby Chicklet will be adored by them. 

I admit that I know nothing (as in absolutely nothing) in taking care of a child so it's comforting that Pod and I won't be "alone" during the first weeks of our son's life. 

Daddy and Mama arrived last Tuesday (October 21) and will be staying with us until Dec. 2. Of course they can still extend if we request them too.

October 22, 2014 - Lucky Supermarket

I am used to their presence actually. They already visited us last January-February (for three weeks, if I remember correctly) so I knew how they are at home. I feel more comfortable with them now. Sa una kasi siyempre nakakaaasiwa na makasama nang matagal sa isang bahay ang mga biyenan, especially since hindi naman ako domesticated na tao. I have so many flaws (haha) which I am afraid they'll find out. But Daddy and Mama are both nice and kind and non-judgmental. And they cook well, too! It's a breeze living with them.

I am so grateful because now I don't have to worry about our meals haha! They even do the dishes na rin kasi talagang masakit na ang tiyan ko palagi and I am afraid to move. Ang sarap. I can go into labor anytime now because I have companions na kahit nasa office si Ford.

Thank you Daddy and Mama for coming over to help us out. We can't thank you enough!

Autumn Trees

Our friends Joy and Mark invited us for dinner yesterday. It surprised us that their front tree has already transformed into this...

Beautiful, eh! ( in #canadianaccent )

Really, I love their tree! I wonder how old it is now.

Autumn is really nice. No wonder it's the favorite season of many people, including me. I'm here in Edmonton for almost a year now and I've already experienced the four seasons. Fall indeed is the loveliest of them all.

Baby Chicklet @ 36 weeks and 3 days / October 19, 2014

We live in a new community and a drawback in living in one is that all our trees are young and newly planted. "Baby trees," that's what they are lol!

We actually have just one tiny tree in our front yard. I don't know what it is but it is bald now haha! I have no idea if it will grow tall and thick but I wish it does.

October 20, 2014

Next year, we'll see the difference. =)