Mainit sa Metro Vancouver

Ang init! Ilang araw ng ganito. Hay, bakit nga ba sinalo ko ang lahat ng summer ngayong taon?

Kung tutuusin, no match ang init dito sa init sa Pilipinas kaso hindi ko pa rin talaga ma-take. Dati na akong mainitin, mas grumabe pa nang matira ako dito sa Canada syempre. Mas nasasanay na kasi lalo ang katawan ko sa lamig.

Hindi ko masyadong nadama ang init the previous summers kasi nag-stay lang ako sa airconditioned room the whole day. Pero ngayon kasi ayaw na ni Nathan sa kwarto, gusto niya sa may sala kasi nandun most of his toys. Hindi naman namin pwedeng dalhin sa room kasi ang lalaki at wala ng space. Extra warm din dito sa apartment kasi kulang sa ventilation. Yung sliding door lang ang pinaka-window namin. Kaya sobrang parusa kapag nagluluto kasi kulob sa kusina.

I can't wait na matapos ang summer. I hate, hate, hate it. It is predicted na medyo lalamig-lamig this weekend, sana nga.

People here in Metro Vancouver were given extreme heat warnings. Concerned na concerned talaga sila sa mga tao, lalo na kapag 30+ (o feels like 30+ na ang weather). Ang government nagse-set up na ng cooling areas. Pet owners are being reminded din not to leave their pets in their vehicles. Basta alarmed na alarmed sila. Nevertheless, enjoy na enjoy ang mga puti sa sikat ng araw. Mega-sun bathing pa ang mga yan. Exact opposite ng mga Pinoy (tulad ko) na takot na takot maarawan haha.

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.

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 love autumn!

The weather is getting cooler now. Hay salamat. Just nine more days and it's officially fall.

Among the four seasons, it's autumn that I love the most (summer being the loathed one). Aside from the cool and refreshing temperature, it's really the orange leaves that make this season beautiful - especially to us Filipinos who aren't used to this wonderful sight. Ang ganda kasi talaga seeing those leaves turn orange then slowly fall off on the ground. The assembly of big piles of reds, oranges, and browns is perfect for instagram photos lol!

There's so many happy events to look forward to on fall -- halloween (my favorite holdiday since I love all things spooky!), thanksgiving (as a Canadian resident, dapat maki-in din ako dito) and of course, my son's birthday (November 13). Autumn also means that Christmas is just around the corner.

It was fall last year when we moved here in BC. I wasn't able to enjoy the season because we were busy and occupied with so many things. Unlike in Edmonton, there is an abundance of maple trees here. I will make sure to take beautiful photographs this time.

Nowhere to go

We are planning to go to Portland, Oregon this coming long weekend (August 5-7). Unlike in Pinas na sangkatutak ang holidays, konting-konti lang ang mga araw na walang pasok dito sa Canada kaya dapat samantalahin.

Since it's summer, for sure everyone would go camping. Mapupuno ang mga parks and camping sites. Kaya sa US na lang sana kami maglo-long drive. Portland is approximately 4 hours away lang. Balak namin mag-stay there for two nights.

Ang kaso, sobrang init naman pala. I am sure hindi namin kakayanin ang any outdoor activity kung ganyan ang temperature. Ngayon pa nga lang eh hindi na kami lumalabas sa airconditioned room kasi init na init talaga kami.

So now, we have nowhere to go. And I am sad. Kung kelan nasa pasyal-mode pa naman ako. Napag-usapan kasi naming mag-asawa a couple of days ago na gawin na ang mga dapat gawin. Puntahan na ang mga dapat puntahan, kasi baka di mo na magawa. Just like last year, when we were still living in Edmonton. Gusto naming magcrossborder to Montana pero hindi namin pinursue. Ayan, wala na tuloy chance kasi malayo na kami dun ngayon.

Now that we are here in BC, naisip naming puntahan na lahat ng malapit. Kasi who knows, baka bumalik uli kami sa Edmonton haha.

But how can we travel in this weather? Lahat ng lugar mainit. Parang sa Pinas lang, never akong umaalis kapag summer.

I really do not want to waste this precious long weekend. Bahala na nga kung saan mapunta.

Random Chika # 2

1. Cecil's 34th Birthday. Napilit namin si Cecilia na magpa-pancit sa birthday niya. Wala talagang plano because her husband's still in Fort McMurray working (20 days work, 10 days off). Pero dahil bored kami, kailangan may kainan.

Joy and I ordered a chocolate cake from Julie's Bakeshop. It costs $20.99 + 5% tax. Ayaw namin ng ibang cake kasi masasayang lang. Iba talaga ang cake ng Pinoy eh.

Gusto kong himatayin when I saw the writing! Ang pangit ng sulat kalurkey! Too bad it was an impromptu celebration kaya wala akong time mag-customize ng decor. Buti na lang may candles akong stock.

I was so full! Simple ang handa pero ang sarap! We had mais con hielo too because it was too hot.

Happy happy birthday, Cecilia!

2. Cooking Pancit. I promised myself that I will learn how to cook pancit in the Philippines. I think it's a must. Masyadong mahal ang pancit kung palaging oorderin lalo na kung may celebration.

Obet's pancit canton

3. Canada knocked out by England at FIFA Women's World Cup. Not that I am interested on this sport but Ford was watching this early tonight. I felt sad for Canada. Little by little, nagiging Canadian at heart na rin ako.

4. It's so hot! Today is Saturday and I never had an inkling to go out. I stayed in our airconditioned bedroom and just went out to cook, eat, and clean the dishes.

I made lambing to Ford, sabi ko nagke-crave ako sa Starbucks frappucino. He went out and bought a venti for me. Thanks, dear!

5. It'll be hotter tomorrow! Oh my! We'll fetch Ate June pa naman from the airport tomorrow noon (she vacationed in Toronto) and we'll have lunch. Then we're going to a barbeque party in the park in the afternoon. Allan, one of the Noralta pips, invited us eh. Goodluck samin sa init!

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! =)

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!

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! 

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!

Go away, summer!

I was never fond of summer. And although summer here is no match as compared to Pinas' humid all-year-round weather, I still find it hard to deal with the 'heat.'

The hottest weather I've experienced here is far is 31 degrees. Yep, not that hot. Plus it's not malagkit ha. But my pregnant self who's gotten accustomed to the cold was reacting. I really wish summer is over! Hinding-hindi ko talaga mami-miss ang init ever!

Our town house has no centralized air conditioning system. When it was still being built, my husband asked me if I want one installed (priced at $5,000 if I remember correctly). I said no, sayang sa kuryente noh! Dalawa lang kami sa bahay tapos naka-aircon lahat ng sulok? I will just feel guilty using it.

The only solution was buying a portable aircon na lang. We cannot put in a wall type airconditioner because our "Association" forbids us to do so. Ayaw nila ng may nakalawit sa mga bintana.

I've noticed na malaki talaga ang demand sa portable aircon dito. I guess very few houses here in Edmonton have centralized air conditioning. Parang hindi naman kasi nga kailangan. Aside from the cost, sandali lang naman kasi talaga ang init dito. Canadians, I believe, are also tired of the cold weather that's why they enjoy the heat to the fullest. Andami ngang nagsa-sunbathing sa mga balcony nila kaloka!

It's already mid-August. Time flies. Malapit na ang fall. I am excited to wear jackets again.

Some rainy day sentiments

It's a cold and rainy Thursday. I am loving the weather. Parang nakikisama ang panahon, nakikisabay sa maulang lagay ng Pilipinas sa ngayon.

But unlike in the Philippines, there will be no dreadful typhoons here. No destructive winds. No deep floods. Just mere rain showers.

According to my husband, there is hardly any natural calamity here in Edmonton. An earthquake is in fact very unlikely to happen. Whoaah, so ganito pala sa ibang panig ng mundo. While we Filipinos are getting so used to regular calamities and natural disasters (Philippines daw is the 3rd most disaster-prone countries in the world, next to Tonga and Vanuatu), other countries and people are enjoying hassle-free lives. Ni hindi uso ang brownout dito.

Life is really not fair noh?

I am grateful that at 34, I was given the chance to move into a developed country where life is much better and easier. But I am not selfish.  Inasmuch as I am having a good time here, I couldn't help but feel the hardships that my fellow Filipinos are experiencing in our home country right now. I get heart-broken whenever I watch the news, seeing homeless families and hungry children is just too much painful to bear. If only there's something I can do.

Let's just all pray for our beloved Philippines.

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NOTE: Due to strong winds of Typhoon Glenda last July 16 (Philippine time), the huge gate of our garage hit the windshield of one of our buses. My brother also incurred a minor knee injury because he was trying to control the said gate. But other than that, we are thankful that all our family, relatives and friends (and our other properties) are safe. 

Opposing Weather

Haha, not so long ago I was in Manila experiencing a 30+c weather.

And now I am in the opposite side of the earth haha!

I am not sure if I will ever miss the Philippine non-summer weather (summer weather will definitely not be missed!). But I sure miss wearing sandals and shoes! Imagine, I've only worn boots the past two months!

One month

Time flies. I can't believe I am here for exactly one month already.

It's been super cold since Monday and I wasn't able to roam around on my own. The Husband never failed to ask me if I wanna go out (after his work) and we went out every other day. But aside from the usual West Edmonton Mall and supermarkets, there is nowhere else to go.

I am not complaining though. I am choosing to be grateful because many people here, especially those who are on a temporary stay like OFWs, have to endure the cold and publicly commute just to be able to do some grocery shopping. I never experienced the "real" cold yet because Ford wouldn't let me. He patiently warms up the car for me and drops me off directly to the door of the mall so I wouldn't have to walk from the parking lot anymore.

I am lucky too because I am now with my husband who I dreamt of being with permanently since 2003. I am now living this dream.

Yes, there are times when boredom (and a bit of homesickness) hits me. But I guess I just have to be patient with things. Time will come when I'll be busy and productive again.

So far, so good. Thank you Edmonton for being nice to me the past month. I am looking forward more of our happy times together.

PS. Please make it warmer on weekends so we can explore the city better, oki?

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.