Hello Kitty at 88-Peso Stores

I went to Trinoma last May 5, 2019 to meet with my girl friends. I intentionally came early for two reasons: (1) I commuted lang so kailangan umalis ako ng maaga pa para hindi pa masyadong mainit, and (2) I wanted window shop and visit my favorite stores na wala sa SM Marilao (lol). First time ko kasing lumuwas noon sa Manila simula nang dumating ako noong April 9, would you believe?

On top of my list ng stores na gusto kong puntahan ay ang dalawang 88-peso stores syempre:

Japan Home. Oh how I wish mayroong Japan Home sa Canada!

Their branch in Trinoma is not that big. I wonder kung saan kaya yung talagang malaki at nang madayo ko.

I was surprised na ang dami-dami na nilang hello kitty items! Sobra-sobrang pagpipigil ang ginawa ko kasi nga maliit lang naman ang bahay namin at wala akong paglalagyan sa kanila. Sinabi ko talaga sa sarili ko na ang mga bibilhin ko lang sa Pinas ay yung talagang magagamit ko.

Saka syempre, budget na rin. Pahamak kasi ang mga stores na ganito. Akala mo mura lang pero kapag medyo napadami ka ng dampot eh wasak din ang wallet mo. Php88 x 5 items = Php440 na rin!

Pero pag-iisipan ko pa rin kung bibili ako ng ilang kitchen items para maaliw naman ako sa pagluluto lol.

Daiso. Ahhhh, Daiso! You never fail to thrill me! Medyo pangit lang ang location mo sa Trinoma (nasa loob ng True Value) kaya hindi ka masyadong napapasok ng tao.

I was shocked na may isa na rin silang wall dedicated to Hello Kitty. I mean, may mga kitty na dati sa Daiso pero hindi ganito kadami. Sana may ganito rin sa Daiso Canada waaaah!

Ito yung cosmetics line nila na nakikita ko dati pa sa mga vlogs.

Hmm, pagi-isipan ko kung bibili ako later on ng kahit isang piraso lang. Try ko rin pumunta sa mas malaking branch ng Daiso.

I was such a good girl. Isa lang ang nabili ko. I am very happy kasi magagamit ko talaga ito! I got this for Php188.

I love love love Hello Kitty! I am almost 40 pero talagang gusto ko pa rin siya hehe. I'll do a haul later of all the Hello Kitty stuff na mabibili ko this Pinas vacation ko. =)

Daiso Addict

Family Day last Monday, February 18, 2019, so walang pasok si Hubby. Nag-crave kami pareho sa crispy fried squid kaya nagkayayaan sa Richmond Public Market. At syempre dahil nasa Richmond na rin lang kami, kailangang idaan niya ako sa Daiso hehe.

Nag-concede na ang husband ako. He knows na mahilig talaga ako sa kung anik-anik kaya pinababayaan na rin niya ako kahit na para sa kanya ay "kalat" lang ang pinagbibili ko. Well, totoo naman. Pero ewan ko ba, grabe talaga ang saya ko kapag nasa mga dollar stores ako. Lalo na sa Daiso kasi nga kaisa-isang branch lang ito sa buong Canada, tapos super layo pa sa amin (one-hour drive). Feeling ko tuloy sobrang deprived ako.

Pero kung tutuusin, hindi naman talaga. In fact, simula ng lumipat kami dito sa bahay last November ay medyo napadalas na nga kami sa Daiso.

Nag-addict nga kasi ako sa organizers lol.

Buti na lang talaga nga at kunsintidor ang asawa ko haha! Saka in fairness, nakita rin naman niya na useful yung mga white organizers na nabili ko.

November 27, 2018

February 2, 2019

I checked my records and we've been to Daiso five times na pala simula nga nang maglipat kami. At nakakaloka ha, $318.12 (or Php12,724.80) na pala ang nagagastos namin waaah! Shookt ako!

November 27, 2018 -- $88.48
December 1, 2018 -- 75.62
January 12, 2019 -- 77.29
February 2, 2019 -- 47.04
February 18, 2019 -- 29.69
__________________________

Total ------------ $318.12 

To be honest, marami rin naman akong nabili talaga na hindi para sa bahay. Hala, bigla naman akong na-guilty! Sabi ko pa naman eh titigil nako sa kakabili ng mga walang katutuwang bagay.

January 12, 2019

Itong ngang recent Daiso trip namin eh wala na talaga akong maisipang bilhin, pero bumili pa rin ako for the sake of buying. I know, there's really something wrong with me.

I keep on telling myself na magtitipid na ako blah blah pero kapag nasa store naman ako eh nagpa-palpitate ako. Ganun din ba kayo? This is something that my Ilocano husband won't understand haha. Pero aaminin ko, mukhang malabo akong magbago lol. Buti na nga lang din at malayo kami sa Daiso.

By the way, ang base price ng Daiso dito ay $2.00 (or around Php80). Pero dahil may additional 12% tax pa, papatak na $2.24 (or Php89.60). Halos kapareho lang ng presyo sa Pinas na Php88.00.


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

My only wish from my husband on our 7th year wedding anniversary was for him to take me to Daiso lol. Talk about addiction. Panay kasi ang nood ko ng Youtube lately at puro Daiso haul ang nakikita ko hehe.

Php2,000-worth of boy's clothes

Ano ang mabibili ng Php2,000 mo na boy's clothes dito sa Canada?

Osh Kosh

Mountain Warehouse

Old Navy

Costco

Ang mura noh? $49.00 lang lahat yan o Php1,960.36. And take note, branded ang mga yan ha. Pero hindi pa rin yan yung masasabing super mura dito kasi mabilisan lang ang pagkabili namin niyan. Kailangan lang kasi ni Nathan ng new pairs of shorts for our forthcoming Edmonton trip kaya namili kami agad-agad. Normally kasi talagang naghahanap lang ako ng talagang sale kapag binibilhan ko siya mga damit.

That's one thing I like here in Canada, nasusuotan ko ng 'branded' clothes ang anak ko kahit para sa pang-araw-araw lang. Parang artista ba, laging maganda ang suot hehe. Kung sa Pinas kasi, I doubt kung mabibilhan ko siya ng Gap o Osh Kosh all the time. Baka kapag birthday lang o Pasko. Kuripot kasi ako sa damit haha, ayaw ko ng paulit-ulit lalo na kapag may picturan kaya nanghihinayang ako bumili ng mahal tapos isa o dalawang beses lang gagamitin. On the other hand, ayaw ko rin naman na Divisoria clothes lang ang ipapasuot ko sa only child ko haha. Ano ba talaga, ateng?  Problematic noh?

Sa SM Department Store pa lang kasi eh sobrang mahal na ng damit. Ang mga shorts, parang Php800 na. Ang mamahal din ng mga t-shirts na local brands lang din naman, tapos hindi pa ganun kaganda ang quality. Kaya kapag umuuwi kami sa Pinas, mga pajamas at pantulog shirts lang ang binibili ko kay Nathan. Nagdadala talaga ako ng maraming damit galing dito.

I'll post more of my cheap buys soon!

Best Black Friday Deal

Nathan and I are going 'home' in the Philippines this January and I was searching for a perfect gift for my nephew who I haven't seen (except in FB and IG) in more than five years. He'll turn 7 na in April 2018. I know that he's into toy cars / trucks but I still asked his mom if there's any particular toy that he likes. Wala naman daw, basta any toy vehicle will make the little boy happy.

To be honest, mahirap hanapan ng gift ang batang yun because he seem to have everything na naman. Maraming nagi-spoil sa kanya. Kaya challenge talaga na makahanap ng something na mapapa-wow siya.

Anyway, we were at Walmart last Monday (November 20) and I saw this Mack's Mobile Tool Center toy. It's actually big and heavy pero kasya sa balikbayan box. Hmmm, pwede. Bagong labas lang ito kasi noon ko lang nakita. And believe me, kabisado ko lahat ng toys sa Walmart at Toys R Us kasi lagi kaming nandun.

The price was $79.97 (+ 9.59 tax = $89.57 / Php3,600.00 - final price) and it was ok. Mura pa rin kumpara sa mga toys sa Pinas.

We were at Walmart again yesterday and I showed it to Ford. He gave me the go signal to buy it. Sabi ko later na lang, tutal sa January pa naman kami uuwi. Saka baka may makita pa akong iba. Marami kasing new toy releases ngayon kasi nga magpapasko. Pero convinced na rin talaga ako na this is what I want to get for my nephew.

***********

But just tonight, we proceeded to Walmart again after a little black Friday shopping at Guildford Town Centre to buy a blanket for Nathan. Yeah, we are obviously Walmart people, we buy everything we need from Walmart lol.

As expected, the little boy geared us toward the toys section. Bumungad sa akin ito and I couldn't believe it at first. Kaloka, $39.97 na lang siya?!?! Bale $44.77 / Php1,800.00 with tax.

Grabe ang saya ko haha! Imagine saving 50% of what I already conditioned myself to shed off for the toy! Ok talaga dito pag nag-sale haha!

We instantly grabbed one and put it in our cart. Nagcontemplate pa nga ako kung bibilhan ko rin si Nathan, kasi nga sobrang mura na (it looks nicer and pricier in actual ha). But Nathan showed no interest on it eh. And when I told him that he will give it to Kuya Luc as a gift, he excitedly said yes. Walang inggit o question man lang kung bakit wala siya (he's a good boy and inasmuch as he loves receiving gifts, sanay din siyang magbigay kasi talagang tinuturan namin).

Ayan, problem solved na! I got what I wanted at a very reasonable price. Yung natipid ko, I might use na lang in buying other toys/clothes for Kuya Luc kasi nga ang dami-dami naming utang sa kanya. Or pwede kong ibigay ng cash kapag nagkita kami so he could buy what he wants pa.

*************

If there's one thing we learned about toy-buying here in Canada, it's TO WAIT. Tiyak kasi na magse-sale, lalo na yung mga mahal.

A bitter confession of a mom

I have a confession to make. I am a stay-at-home mom but I am not a good one.

First, let me lay down a context. I am turning 38 next month. In all the years before I had my son, I've never taken care of a child. I am the youngest in the brood of two. I didn't grow up with my younger cousins. Puro adults ang nakasalamuha ko sa buhay ko.

I am also not fond of kids (hanggang ngayon, admittedly). Sure, there are kids that I like/d, pero hanggang ganun lang yun. I thought motherhood would change me, hindi pala. Nagka-soft spot naman ako kahit papano sa mga bata, pero hindi ko pa rin masasabi na "mahilig na ako sa bata." Wala nga raw akong pasensya sabi ni tita ko.

I love Nathan, that is why I am enduring this kind of life (i.e. being a stay-at-home mom) because of him. Honestly, if I have a choice, I would like to continue working. In my more than three years of living here in Canada, I realized na hindi ako talaga domesticated. At this point, iniisip ko na lang na hindi naman permanente ang sitwasyon ko. When my son is older, I can work again.

But as of the moment, I feel that I am a failure as a stay-at-home mom kasi hindi ko natuturuan talaga nang maayos ang anak ko. Sure, I feed him, change his nappies, buy him toys, play with him (a bit)... but that's it. Kulang ako sa effort na turuan siyang humawak ng pencil, mag-color, magmemorize ng alphabet and numbers, etc. And to think naging teacher pa ako dati ha (sa college nga lang).

My son is a very smart boy (I can really say that objectively). Early on, I noticed that he was very self -sufficient. He learned colors, letters, and numbers by himself. Sa kakapanood ng youtube lang. Ang dali nyang pumick-up, ang galing nyang mag-recognize at mag-memorize. Kaya yumabang ako. Naisip ko na kaya niya na yun. Konting chika chika lang with him, ayos na.

Lagi ko rin kasing naiisip that both his dad and I were good in school. So kanino pa ba siya magmamana? I don't remember being pushed hard to study. Sariling sikap lang din ako noon. I see myself in Nathan so confident ako that he'll be ok. Naniniwala rin kasi kami ng asawa ko na "kung matalino ang bata, matalino talaga kahit anong mangyari."

But the other day, when Nathan and I were 'practicing' some letters (mahilig siyang magtuturo ng letters kapag nakakakita siya), I noticed na marami-rami siyang na-miss. I was disappointed, not to him but to myself. Bakit ganun? Halos memorized na niya ang alphabet dati pa, nasa Pinas pa kami. How come hindi na niya alam ngayon yung iba? Kahit sa colors, palagi niyang naiinterchange ang black and brown samantalang alam na alam na niya yun matagal na.

I knew my mother would scold me for this. Siya kasi ang very patient noon na makipaglaro at makipagturuan kay Nathan. Oh, what have I done (or haven't done)?

Since we came back here in Canada (from our 5 1/2 months stay in the Philippines), I dwell on my misery so much that I forgot to 'really' take care of my little boy. The boy who loves and adores me and whose world revolves around me. Ang selfish ko. Puro sarili kong frustrations ang iniisip ko, napabayaan ko talaga ang anak ko. Ang tamad tamad kong makipaglaro sa kanya, siguro kasi nga we are together 24/7. I took him for granted.

My son is already 2 years and 8 months. Ang bilis niyang lumaki. Gusto kong bumawi. From now on, I will make his childhood extra special. I will become a fun mom. Sasamantalahin ko ang time na ito na magkasama kami all the time.

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

I had a bad dream yesterday. My mother died in my dream. I knew that I shouldn't take dreams literally so I googled for an interpretation.

I found this:

"To dream about the death of a loved one suggests that you are lacking a certain aspect or quality that the loved one embodies."

This is probably true. My mother is very caring and nurturing. Ang layo ko sa pagiging nanay niya. Wake up call na nga ito siguro para magbago ako. Grade 6 lang ang natapos ng nanay ko, so I grew up resenting the fact that she couldn't teach me (or talk to me in) English or Algebra. Pero nang makita ko kung paano niya turuan ng ABC ang anak ko, alam kong ganun din ang ginawa niya sa akin noong bata pa ako. Kaya pala ang ganda ng foundation ko. Kaya pala magaling ako sa school. I am so ashamed of myself. Cum Laude graduate pa naman ako sa UP. 

Nay, sorry po. I will become a better mother to your grandson. Pangako po. 

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

We've been buying a lot of toys for Nathan lately, pero kulang na kulang siya sa educational materials. Kaya inaya ko kaagad si husband sa mall after his work para masimulan ko na ang project ko. My plan is to allot one-hour a day for Nathan to "study." 

Here's what I bought at Dollarama and Walmart:

Dollarama

Crayons = 1.50
Oblong container = 1.25
Paw Patrol Play Pack = 1.50
Flash Cards = 1.50
Sketch Pad = 1.50
Coloring Book = 1.50
------------------------------
TOTAL = 8.75 + 12% tax = 9.80


Walmart

Pencils = 0.97
Markers = 1.70 (discounted)
Coloring book = 2.97
----------------------------------
TOTAL = 5.64 + 12% tax = 6.32


Whew, I spent a grand total of CAD16.12 for all of these. Kailangang masulit.

#CessieShops: Disney Summer Tote Bag

I chanced upon this nice super nice summer tote bag at the Disney Store last night. I was instantly drawn to its colors. I love the color pink. Bagay din pala si Mickey Mouse sa kulay pink.

Hindi mura ang mga tinda sa Disney Store so I had no intention of buying it. Pero teka, I saw a "special label" (at the shelf where it was displayed) that states $5.99. I wasn't really sure if it pertains to the tote bag, pero katapat talaga eh. Sumimple ako sa harap para sipatin. Ang ganda talaga ng bag, pero ang tag price ay CAD31.95. Hmm, so baka hindi nga siya $5.99 na lang.

But to satisfy my curiosity, I inquired from the sales clerk na rin. And voila, $5.99 nga raw talaga! I then asked if I had to buy something from the store to be able to avail it at that very much discounted price. Hindi raw. I excitedly said: "Ok, I'll take one!"

The bag is much prettier (and sosyal) in actual

What I really like here in North America is that pag nagdiscount sila, discount talaga. Sa Pinas kasi 10 o 20 percent off lang karaniwan. Bihira yung ganito na halos ipamigay na lang. Imagine, I was able to score this tote for merely 18% of the original price. Sobrang good deal talaga!

Oops by the way, I paid a total of CAD6.70 pala. Syempre may additional 12% tax pa (na kinasasamaan pa rin ng loob ko kasi 5% lang sa Alberta).

I am just hoping na may mapaggamitan ako nito. Haha, hoarder lang kasi ako. Cheap thrills ang hanap ko. Pero sabi nga ng asawa ko, sa dami ng pinagbibili ko na mura, madaming pera rin ang katumbas pag sinuma. Eeek, guilty.

The cashier gave me pa a coupon that I could use until this weekend. Hala, my coupon-addicted self is itching to use it. Patay na naman si Coblancs.

Chicklet's first Christmas tree ornament

I found this Precious Moments' Baby's First Christmas tree ornament  the other day at Walmart. It only costs $4 (+5% tax) so I instantly grabbed it.

Every year, I'll get a tree decor that will commemorate my son's life. Oh, I am so excited!

I've always felt that Christmas is only for kids. This year, I am finally gonna have one -- exciting, eh! I will make sure that all the Christmases of Chicklet's childhood will be special and memorable. As a new family, we'll build lots of Christmas traditions together. We will all have fun, I promise!

The start of Chicklet invasion

Baby Chicklet is not even here yet but his things are quickly invading the house. How can a small baby need so much stuff?

We temporarily stored some of the baby things in the guest bedroom.

These baby things are the result of the countless shopping trips that we did the past weeks at Walmart, Babies "R" Us, Target, Carter's / OshKosh. We almost hit the deadline I set last August. Yesterday, we were able to finally buy the last in my list of essential things to buy - health and grooming kit.

We decided not to get a baby monitor yet. We'll just get one later on if we feel that we need it.

I believe we are now ready for Chicklet's arrival. Lucky boy, his daddy has spent a fortune for him to have a nice and comfortable life outside my womb. Thanks, Daddy the Pooh! You're the best!

Unang sweldo

I started working on February 1 (Saturday) and was surprised to have received my first ever Canadian salary on February 6. Yep, that was fast. Apparently, February 2 (Sunday) ang cut-off nila kaya nakasweldo agad ako ng pang-two days.

I was very happy. For the first time in three months, I felt a bit of 'independence.' Sa wakas makakabili na ako ng gusto ko nang hindi hihingi sa asawa ko.

My husband naman has been very generous to me. Hindi naman ako na-deprive sa mga gusto ko simula nang dumating ako dito. But deep inside, syempre nakakahiya na umasa lang nang umasa hindi ba? I am a self-confessed shopaholic pa naman kaya walang katigilan ang paggastos ko.

And so, for my very first day off, I had to excuse myself from my in-laws (I told them I had some bank errands haha!) and went to the mall for some 'Me' time.

My good husband gave me a go signal to shop and spend my unang sweldo. I was so happy - feeling emancipated talaga hahaha!

And I even ate at KFC kahit hindi Tuesday!

Ang resulta -- NEGATIVE na! I've overspent!

Plus meron pa nga pala akong naunang binili na inadvance ko mula kay Pod haha! Kaloka!

Oh well, keri lang. Eh kasi naman two days work lang ang included sa first salary ko. Maganda sana kung full na two weeks tapos uubusin kong lahat! Ang sarap siguro nun! #asapa

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

By the way, to commemorate my first ever salary here in Canada, I of course bought myself a new Pandora charm.

I originally wanted a horse charm (since Year of the Horse ang 2014 at masipag sa hanapbuhay ang kabayo) pero parang wala sila. I ended up with this Stilleto charm -- to symbolize the fact that I now have my own money to buy my own shoes. Mas ok sana yung Bag charm (I love bags better than shoes) pero dangling kasi ang Stilleto kaya iyon ang pinili ko haha! I promise to buy the Bag charm next time.

Snippets of Our 2014 Valentine

We are living a relatively boring life here in Edmonton (haha!) so I wanted to inject a bit of spice this Valentine season. I've always had a thing for knick knacks so please let me indulge.

I wasn't really able to hoard much Vday stuff this year because my in-laws are here (I'm still 'nangangapa' in having them around). I also started working last February 1 so I got busy.

But anyways, here are some snippets of our Valentine Day 2014:

Heart-shaped pillow. I asked hubby to buy this for me at Walmart. It's perfect for my white-with-pink-themed "Me" room.

Heart-printed socks. Aren't these the cutest? I got them from Dollarama. I think I have more, I just wasn't able to take pictures.

Kisses Chocolates. Nice pink packaging noh? I bought it on sale at Target.

Heart-printed bowl. I saw this last piece of bowl at Target and grabbed it. Perfect for my chocolates.

Chocolate Bouquets. These were last-minute purchase at Dollarama. I wanted to give something for my mother-in-law and sister-in law. How I wish I had the time and money to find something better haha!

A Welcome and Vday Note for Cecille. My sister-in-law arrived on the night of Vday while I was at work so I had to do something to welcome her.

My Feb. 14 socks. This is what I wore on hearts day itself.

Ford's gift for me. Wow! Thank you, Dear! I love it!

My gift for Ford. Again, I am a proletariat wife so please excuse my Dollarama-purchased huge greeting card and XOXO Hershey's chocolates for the husband. It's the thought that counts naman, ayt?

Next year, I'll try to do better.