New Town's Siopao

We are going to Edmonton to visit our friends this tomorrow so we went to New Town Bakery last Tuesday to buy some siopao for pasalubong. I don't eat siopao but everyone pero sabi nga ng asawa ko, masarap daw talaga ito. Request din ito ng mga kaibigan namin kasi nga dati nakakapagdala na rin kami nito sa Edmonton kapag pumupunta kami dito sa BC for a visit.

New Town Bakery has two branches -- one in Vancouver (China Town area) and another one here in Surrey (near the Central Station). Maaga silang magsara, 7:30pm lang, kaya pumunta kami kaagad pagdating ni Ford from work.

I went directly to the freezer for the frozen siopao. And my first reaction --- Syet, ang mahal na!!!

$15 na ang 6-pc pork asado.

Tapos almost $20 ang chicken bola-bola!

I kept on uttering "ang mahal na grabe, ang mahal na grabe..." kaya pinagtitinginan na siguro ako ng mga Pinoy na nakapila sa cashier. Di ko kasi talaga mapigilan ang sarili ko, naiiyak talaga ako. We were planning to buy at least 16 packs kaya imagine kung magkano ang aabutin nun.

If I remember it correctly, parang $12 lang yung asado at less than $14 ang bola-bola eh nung huli kami bumili eh. Wala pang one year yun. Baka around November o December lang last year. Bakit sobrang laki naman ng itinaas?

Ang sabi ko nga kay Ford wag na kaming bumili. Pero ang sabi niya, ano raw ang ipapasalubong namin sa Edmonton? Sige na nga kako, pero babawasan ko na lang yung ibibigay namin. 

We bought a total of 13 packs (13 x 6 pieces = 78 siopaos) for $204.00. Dalawang packs lang ang bola-bola kasi nga $20 yun. Tapos may additional $12.25 pa for the sauce.

Whew, $216.25 (or Php8,650.00) para lang sa ganitong siopao! I apologize if I appear so kuripot ha. Siguro ganito lang talaga ang walang trabaho hehe. Ang mistake ko rin daw kasi sabi ng asawa ko eh convert ako ng convert. But I really can't help it eh, lalo na at kagagaling ko lang uli sa Pilipinas.

New Town sell other Chinese and Filipino pastries, too. Kaso yung mga puto at palitaw nila, hindi naman lasang Pinoy.

Same lang pala ang presyo ng steamed asado nila sa frozen, $2.50 per bun. Pero ang weird kasi yung sa chicken bola-bola, $19.80 ang frozen so pumapatak na $3.30 ang isa, samantalang $2.75 lang yung luto na. Nakakaloka.

Cash basis nga lang pala sila kaya we were worried na baka hindi kumasya ang cash namin kasi nga nagtaas na sila ng presyo. $200 lang kasi ang winithdraw ng asawa ko. Maraming Chinese restaurants dito ang di tumatanggap ng credit o debit cards kaya dapat palaging me dalang cash.

Two Balikbayan Boxes: Check!

It's still a month before we go home to Pinas but we're already done (as of December 10) with the two balikbayan boxes that we'll be bringing there.

Since there's two of us who are flying (Nathan and me), we are allowed a total of 4 baggages of 23kgs each. I always use balikbayan boxes, kahit jologs haha, because they are lightweight and could contain big items that would not fit in a trolley luggage. The disadvantage though is that when you've already closed it, hassle ng buksan uli.

I actually promised myself that I won't be bringing any pasalubong this time pero hindi rin talaga maiwasan. Syempre masarap magbigay. Hindi lang ako makapag-all out because I am not working and solely dependent on my husband financially. Buti na lang he's a good man, wala namang reklamo haha.

We brought the boxes in the storage muna because our place is small and cramped already.

Actually, nanay ko lang naman ang immediate family ko na dapat pasalubungan. But she always tells me na wag ng bumili ng kahit ano. She's the most unmaterialistic person I know at talagang wala lang sa kanya yang mga yan. Enough na na umuwi kami (naks!). Kaya isang grilling pan at decaffeinated coffee lang ang uwi ko sa kanya haha. The rest of the boxes' contents are just small items for my tita, our kasambahay, our secretary, my cousins, my barkada (for exchange gift), and some kids (nephew, godchildren, children of employees, etc). Puro mga sale lang yan at good deals. Nothing big, really.

I also included sa box nga pala yung mga gifts na binigay samin na hindi naman namin magagamit. Bahala na kung kanino ibibigay.

I also anticipated yung mga children's parties na aattendan namin in 3 months that we'll be there so I also bought toys which were on sale. Grabe ang mahal ng branded toys sa Pinas eh, dito mura lang talaga kapag naka-sale.

Ayan, nakaka-excite na talaga! The two trolley luggages that we'll also be bringing will contain most of our personal stuff na lang like clothes, toiletries, shoes, and bags. I am glad tapos ng iempake ang 1/2 ng bagahe namin para less hassle this holiday. Ayaw kong mag-cram. I want to enjoy the remaining days that we'll be spending with Daddy Ford before Nathan and I go on a long vacation.

Padala from Pinas

I got so lucky! Last week, I saw in Facebook that Ate Lody was in Pinas and will be coming back here in a couple of days. Ate Lody was our neighbor Lolomboy (my mother's home barangay) and she used to sell lutong-ulam at suki niya si Mamoosh. I was actually surprised because their family just went home last June for her mother-in-law's funeral. Their son got married pala this time and they really kept their return a secret because many would expect (or rather, demand) that they'd be invited to the wedding lol.

Anyway, I messaged her quickly and asked if they could carry a tarpaulin for me. She willingly agreed and I was so happy. Nagre-regret kasi ako na hindi ako nakipadala sa kanya ng tarpaulin last June for Nathan's birthday. I never expected that I'll have a chance again! Unlike in the Philippines, hindi uso ang tarpaulin dito for birthday parties. Kung meron mang gumagawa, sobrang mahal for sure. Mataas ang labor costs dito kaya pricey magpa-personalize.

I excitedly called Mamoosh about the tarpaulin. Joanne (our very reliable secretary / Mamoosh's assistant) and I made the design. It's very simple actually because it was rush na. Saka ayaw ko din ng tarpaulin na nagsusumigaw ang mukha ni Nathan lol.

I asked them to bring the tarpaulin to Ate Lody's house immediately after printing, para maka-secure na ng baggage space haha.

Picture sent by Joanne

About two days after that, Joanne messaged me and asked what else I want because Mamoosh saw Ate Lody pala in the market and she (Ate Lody) asked her kung bakit tarpaulin lang daw ang ipapadala. Pwede pa raw magdagdag.  Mamoosh knew that I am running out of conditioner so she asked Ate Lody kung pwede raw yun. Ok daw!

So here's what I requested:

The four bottles of conditioner should last me until January (kasi ng uuwi kami uli sa January 9), kasi meron pa naman akong konti dito. The hot oil treatment cream (in orange tub) is so good, pinabaunan ako noon ng BFF ko eh. Tamang-tama kasi ang dry na ng hair ko dahil na rin sa hot water. The small bottles of shampoo and body wash are for our California trip this November. Para hindi mabigat (I still have a small bottle of conditioner here).

One friend in Australia asked me kung wala raw bang Filipino store dito (she saw my post of the picture above in Instagram). Well, marami. Meron namang nabibili ditong mga Sunsilk at Creamsilk (and other Pinoy toiletries) pero masyadong mahal. Around $10 (plus tax pa) ang isang 200ml bottle. Hindi siya sustainable bilhin, especially kung malakas kang gumamit. Tayong mga Pinoy pa naman ay naliligo araw-araw lol. That's why palagi akong nagdadala ng supplies pagbalik ko rito (including facial wash, feminine wash, Safeguard soap, etc). Yun nga lang, syempre mauubos din. And by that time, no choice na but to use "local" products here that are way way cheaper and come in uber big bottles.

Now why am I still using Pinoy toiletries? Kasi talagang ibang gamitin ang Filipino products, Asian nga kasi tayo. The first time I showered in Pinas after living here in Canada, ay grabe ang sarap sa pakiramdam! Kaya every chance I get, I will really use the products na nakasanayan ko na. Natatapangan nga kasi ako talaga sa mga shampoo nila dito.

**********

Aside from an aunt (and her family), si Ate Lody lang ang talagang kilala ko rito sa Metro Vancouver before we moved. That is why I am grateful kasi iba pa rin ang feeling na may kababayan ka na nandito. At ako lang naman din daw ang kilala niya rito na taga-samin. Most of our barangay-mates are in Saskatchewan kasi.

Ay she gave me these three red ribbon slice cakes nga pala.

A taste of home

Thanks so muchie, Ate Lody and family!

Random Chika # 8

1. Kidzoona in SM Marilao. OMG! As in OMG! Magkaka-Kidzoona na pala sa SM Marilao! I only learned about it last January 28 (Chinese New Year) kasi hindi ako nagagawi sa parteng iyon ng SM. I am so happy! Imagine, hindi ko na dadalhin si Nathan sa Robinson's Malolos para maglaro.

Akala ko exclusive lang sa Robinson Malls ang Kidzoona. Ini-invade na rin pala nila ang SM.

Too bad sa March 4 pa ang opening. Kung kelan malapit na kaming umalis. Grrr.

2.  Happy Chinese New Year! I urged my mother to buy this. Mahilig siya sa mga ganyan eh.

CES -- Mamoosh, kain naman tayo sa labas to celebrate Chinese New Year.

MAMOOSH -- Bakit, Chinese ka ba?

CES -- Hindi po. Pero lagi akong napagkakamalang Intsik! (Which is true!)

We ended up eating dinner at Chowking (plus Master Siomai!).

3. Jollibee Supermeal. I am glad Jollibee came up with this. Para sa mga katulad kong matakaw haha! Php125 only!

4.  Kiddie Meal Toy Set. I've completed this set in 3 days. Pero mas natuwa pa yata ako kaysa sa anak ko haha!

There was a time in my life when I collected ALL happy and kiddie meal toys that were released in the market. Hoarder lang ang peg. But I am happier now kasi may anak na akong makikinabang haha!

5. My cousin's funeral. Another first cousin of mine died last January 25. The last time I came home, may namatay din akong pinsan (November 2015). Both were in their 50s. Hay, maikli lang yata talaga ang buhay ng mga miyembro ng pamilya namin.

We had to drive to Hagonoy for the funeral. Konti lang ang nakipaglibing because it was too far.

We were all hungry after the libing so we dropped by Pat's Palabok House in Guiguinto before going home. There were 15 of us.

We had palabok and lugaw.

6.  Miss Universe in Pinas. Sa wakas, natapos na rin last January 30 ang Miss Universe. Umay na umay na rin kasi ako talaga. Miss France won.

Naalala ko pa nung unang ginanap sa Pinas ang Miss Universe (1994). Grabe ang hype, Parang sobrang big deal talaga. Parang sa event na yun umikot ang mundo ng mga Pinoy for several weeks. Ngayon parang ordinaryong pageant lang ang dating sakin nito. Baka sa akin lang naman, kasi nga KJ ako.

7.  Balatski's visit. Balatski and her two kids came over to our house for a few hours to visit me and Nathan. They were just here in the Philippines for a week kasi may kailangan silang lakarin.

Balat is like a sister to me and I've missed her so much! The last time we saw each other was in January 2013 pa.

Too bad we weren't able to make chika talaga because of our kids! Ang gugulo nila haha! Sana makapagkwentuhan na kami nang maayos next time.

Pic courtesy of Balatski (It was so hot that day kaya hulas na hulas ako huhu!)

8. Fruit and Nut Chocolate. I am a very boring chocolate-eater. I only eat those plain ones. Yung secretary na lang namin ang nag-enjoy hehe. Balatski never fails to bring me some pasalubong whenever she comes home (they're based in UAE).

9.  Jollibee at 12:30am. I am so thankful that we have a 24-Hour Jollibee and McDonald's nearby. May nakakainan ako kapag tulog na si TanTan hehe.

Sakto one night that I was so hungry, pauwi from work ang pinsan ko. Nalibre tuloy!

Thanks, MackyMacMac!

10. Ten-Peso Ride. I was so happy when I discovered this "ride" in SM Marilao (near the foodcourt). Imagine, two 5-peso coins lang ang kelangan para umandar. At matagal siya ha, around 3 minutes yata.

My little boy was so happy the first time. Naka-two rides siya. Nung bumalik kami after a few days, di na siya ganun ka-happy. Saglit pa lang siya sa second ride niya eh umayaw na.

Nung huling punta namin, nakita nya yung rides pero dedma na. Nahilo yata siya noon kaya ganun.

Sayang. Akala ko nakatagpo na ako ng cheap entertainment for my son. Tsk.

Ate June's Pasalubong

Ford's cousin, Ate June, went home in Pinas again to attend the wedding of his brother. It was a sudden vacation, we only knew that she's already in Baguio through Facebook.

Pod vibered her and asked if she could buy some mittens for Nathan. There are no baby mittens here (kung meron man, bihira o kaya kasama sa isang set ng baby clothes). One time, all of Nathan's mittens have yet to be washed so Pod had to use booties for his hands (poor Chicklet!).

Ate June brought quite a lot of pairs but too bad, hindi na masusuot ni Nathan. My cousin Jennifer told me to "free" Nathan's hands already. Mittens hinder the baby's hands' growth, her pedia said.  And so on the night of Nathan's second month (January 13), he stopped wearing mittens na.

Anyway, Ate June also brought one small pillow for the little boy. Ayos, because there are no baby pillows here.

While she was in the Philippines, I got the chance to briefly chat with her. I requested if she could bring us din some Goldilocks ensaymada and brownies. Namimiss ko talaga. Huli kong kain nito ay June last year pa, when Ford went home to Pinas for his grandmother's funeral. I asked my mother to send me some. The drawback though is that madaling ma-expire. At sa haba ba naman ng biyahe pabalik dito sa Edmonton, mga 1-2 days na lang ang itatagal.

There is also a Goldilocks brand here pero hindi masarap. Dito lang kasi gawa at hindi galing sa Philippines.

I really couldn't think of any other food na irerequest galing Pilipinas. Karamihan naman kasing gusto kong chichirya ay meron na dito. Actually ang gusto ko lang ay meat products - sisig in can at Purefoods hotdogs - kaso hindi naman puwede.

I'll try to make a list of common Filipino items na wala dito at magandang hinging pasalubong from Pinas. Sana lang magka-time ako.

Thanks for the pasalubong, Ate June! Sa uulitin! Mwah! =)

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! =)