Walang Forever

We used to live in a place where there's snow six months (almost) in a year. Hence, I've taken it for granted. Wala akong masyadong pictures sa snow, feeling ko kasi 'nandyan lang yan,' makakasama ko forever.

The last time I wore these boots was three years ago.

Who would have thought na lilipat kami in this part of Canada that seldom gets snow. In fact, nitong February 3 lang kami unang nagka-snow this winter season. Natunaw agad. Tapos last Sunday (February 10) lang uli naulit. Kaya sabik na sabik talaga kami.

Tsk, wala talagang forever. Kaya dapat seize the day na talaga. Huwag ng ipagpabukas ang magagawa naman sa ngayon. Because you'll never really know where life will take you.

Reunited with snow

December 20, 2017. Before going to the mall, I let the little boy play with snow first.

He was so thrilled! Noon lang siya nakapaglaro sa snow eh.

Nathan was born in Edmonton, where there's snow for at least six months. But we left that place before he even turned two so he had no memories of snow. Last winter naman, nasa Pinas kami kaya hindi niya rin na-experience.

The last few weeks, he's been begging me to take him to 'snow." Nakikita niya kasi sa youtube at akala niya lugar iyon. I silently prayed na sana mag-snow dito sa Vancouver para maranasan niya naman before we leave again for Pinas this January 8. Kaya super happy talaga kami the other day kasi nag-unexpected snowfall nga. Unlike in Alberta, bihirang-bihira raw mag-snow dito eh (tapos mabilis din matunaw). Kaya nga many people prefer to live here kasi hindi ganun kalamig.

The snow's not that thick pero keri na rin haha.

___________________

We actually experienced the first snowfall of the season here in Vancouver last November 3, 2017. Nathan wasn't able to play nga lang that time because we were rushing to his cardio doctor's appointment. I just let him touch the snow sa isa sa mga kotse sa parking lot haha.

Paglabas namin ng clinic (mga 2 hours din kami inside), wala na kaming naabutan. Tunaw na lol!

Totally unexpected snow

One of the first things I do the moment I wake up is to check the weather. It helps me plan my activities for the day kasi (haha, akala mo naman marami), like kung lalabas ba kami ni Nathan o hindi at kung ano ang isusuot namin.

This morning, I was so happy seeing the snow icon on next Thursday's weather prediction. I remembered that my husband mentioned yesterday that it will snow nga daw next week. Ang tagal na kasi naming naga-antay ng snow, my son is so excited to play with it. I was worried nga na baka hanggang sa umalis na kami sa January eh hindi pa rin nagi-snow uli.

I posted this on IG:

Two hours later, I was busy in the kitchen when my son excitedly called me. "Mommy, look!" I thought it was just another papansin thing that he always does whenever I am doing something.

But no. It ang bumungad sakin!

I was in awe! OMG, nagi-snow!!!

I was so happy (still am!). Snow really has this calming effect on me. For a moment, I felt some peace (may wino-worry kasi ako na mga "problema" sa Pinas ngayon).

I sat down ang quietly watched the snow falling. Even Nathan couldn't take his eyes off this beautiful sight. He's as mesmerized as I am.

Snow is truly magical. It's so beautiful! Thank you, Lord, for granting my wish so easily!

I miss Edmonton.

Tama sila, mas maaappreciate mo ang isang tao o bagay pag wala na siya sa iyo.

Picture taken by my friend Bonivie and posted in her FB account)

Oh how I badly miss Edmonton and all its winter beauty! Kung makakabalik lang sana talaga kami. =(

Winter at Unit #99

It's winter time and this is how our humble town house looks like now...

February 1, 2015

It's been a year since we moved in here and we are grateful. This is home.

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!

First October Snow

The snow made its appearance again last Sunday afternoon...

...until Monday morning...

our porch

Thankfully, the ice already melted in the afternoon.

No prediction of snow pours this week. I am hoping for a good, dry weather in the coming days for I still have lots of check-ups and ultrasounds to attend to. Hope snow comes into full blast after I give birth.

Hello again, snow!

We woke up to a very chilly morning. At talagang nag-snow nga ngayon!

I am having mixed emotions. Snow really is beautiful. Sometimes I still couldn't believe it, na parte na talaga ng buhay ko ang snow. Someday I know I'll take the snow for granted, kapag matagal na siguro ako dito sa Canada. But for now, ieenjoy ko muna. Sana lang talaga mag-full blast na lang ang winter after kong manganak.

Snow in September?

As far as I know, it is still summer and that fall will officially make its entrance by September 23.
So how come na mag-snow na daw bukas???

Now I am worried. What if winter will really come early? I love winter -- but not in my pregnant condition. I still have a lot of doctor and clinic visits to do ALONE. It's also quite difficult to put on winter socks and boots with a bulging tummy.

Oh weather, please be cooperative!

Christmas Cards 2013

And now that Christmas is over, I can finally show you the Christmas cards I sent to some family and friends this year.

I have to admit that I am feeling so much guilt right now. You see, I wasn't able the second batch of cards because of some personal circumstances that I cannot disclose here. We were supposed to send cards to our family in the US around second week of December pero hindi ko na nagawa. Tsk, I am so sorry. I promise to really make it up next year. I'll start preparing as early as October na talaga.

Anyway, I had a hard time choosing for the "right" Christmas card this year. I ended up choosing this design kasi this is the first time I've seen and experienced snow. Para memorable. We bought a pack of these cards at Michaels (my new favorite store).

In buying cards, I learned that you only need to choose those regular-sized ones. Para hindi overweight and you won't be charged extra. Ok lang sana kung isa lang ang papadalhan, pero kung marami it would be too costly. As I have mentioned in my previous post, around Php80.00 na pala ang pagpapadala ng card sa Pinas (and other countries). It's not cheap if you'd be sending 10 or 20 or 30 card. Mabigat din sa bulsa.

I am happy na nakarating before Christmas ang mga cards.

If I remember correctly, my cousin Jennifer who's in UAE received their card first. She gratefully posted this on my FB timeline.

Then it was Raxie's turn to receive.

My cousins also posted these on Instagram. Haha, nakakatuwa naman!

Then my friend Lalin...

As for the rest of my friends, I have no idea if they already received theirs. I haven't heard from them eh. I really wish they did!

I really enjoyed sending out cards (hindi ko nga lang nakumpleto). This will be a yearly thing na I hope. In this day and age of online social networking, I know that many people will still appreciate a traditional card with personalized handwritten greeting.

Embracing the cold

I've been warned a million times by so many people that I should be "careful" when I get to Canada/ Alberta/ Edmonton because it is so cold in here. Others would even attempt to "scare" and "discourage" me into migrating, insisting that the winter weather is too harsh for a person like me who grew up in a tropical country.

November 17, 2013

To those who are wondering on how am I coping, I AM OK. I am very very much ok.

In fact, I am loving the weather. I AM EMBRACING THE COLD.

Winter isn't at all scary (though I have yet to experience the month of January). With proper gears and outfit, one's good to go.

I honestly loathe the Philippines' hot and humid weather. Extreme heat made me sick. Our monthly electricity bill soared up so high the past years because of my excessive use of air conditioner (and electricity in the Philippines costs more than here in Canada). I couldn't go out in the middle of the day for fear of sun burn and heat stroke.

Hence, being here in Edmonton is truly a blessing! And snow is beautiful!

If at times winter gets into me, I will always remember that this is what I've always wanted - to live in a cold, cold place. I shall always treat the cold as my ally, never a foe.

Beautiful Edmonton

It was my first time to see this much snow. And I was in awe!

Over the weekend, the whole city turned into white!

What a beauty!

Ohh, so picturesque! Parang pang-postcard talaga!

Edmonton is so beautiful! I couldn't wait to explore it more.