Reunited with my former co-workers =)

I was happy to be reunited with my former co-workers. I actually had a very short work stint here in Edmonton. I started working on February 1, 2014 and ended up resigning six weeks later, March 17, 2014, because I found out that I am pregnant. I was in pain during that time (I also had UTI then) so the moment I confirmed from the lab that I was indeed expecting, I talked to my boss and explained to her my situation. She was very understanding. She needed me the most that time (there was a management transition going on) yet she gave me the most comforting hug. She even promised me that I can come back to work there again anytime.

In my six weeks of working there, I have of course made friends with my other Filipina co-workers. Yep, syempre kami-kaming mga Pinoy ang nagfa-flock together. Hindi naman sinasadya, kachika rin naman namin yung ibang mga lahi, kaya lang talagang iba ang work ethics ng Pinoy. Mas masipag, mas magaling (naks!) kaya madalas naiinis kami sa iba haha (kailangan ko talagang Tagalugin ito kasi baka may makabasa).

I wasn't able to properly say goodbye to my 'new friends' because of my urgent resignation so I kinda lost contact with them until recently, when Cristina found me on Facebook (we have common friends). I was thrilled! Through Cristina's account I was able to find the others as well. And when I saw pictures of their bonding activities together, I commented: "Isama nyo naman ako next time."

And it was fast. Before Thanksgiving, Bonivie messaged me and invited me to go watch the Sea Lion Show at West Edmonton Mall (WEM) with them and their kids on October 18, 2014. I agreed right away, despite the fact that I'd already be 36 weeks pregnant by then hehe.

It was a Saturday and I asked my husband to just drop me off at WEM. For the first time, nagka-gimik uli ako nang hindi kasama ang asawa ko yebaah! I felt like I need some "me time" naman syempre.

Baby Chicklet at 36 weeks and 2 days

WEM is "MY" mall (because we live less than 10 minutes away) so I always see the Sea Lion Show every time I am there. But it was my first time to see the show up close.

Thanks to Bonivie's free admission pass! Even Cristina has free ticket haha! I think they got it from some of their friends who are working at the mall. One of the perks of working there are free admission tickets to the mall's attractions.

Akala ko Sea Lion Show lang ang meron doon. Sa ibaba pala, may mga aquarium din.

Their main attractions are sharks.

Emma, Me, Cristina, and Bonievie (my first picture with them)

Photo courtesy of Bonivie

The three girls -- Athena (Emma's), Mika (Cristina's) and Hailey (Bonivie's). Haha, next time kasama ko na si Chicklet. Kaso siya lang pala ang boy!

Feeding of sharks

After, we proceeded to watching the Sea Lion Show na. The show was at 4pm so we waited in line for a few minutes.

Photo courtesy of Bonivie

OMG! I looked so huge!

Photo courtesy of Bonivie

I am glad I brought my monopod (which was sent to me by my cousin Mylyn last June). Haha, Pinoy lang ang may monopod dito kaya sikat kami sa mga puti!

Waiting for the show to start

I was no longer excited to see the penguin and the sea lions. I must have seen them hundred times from afar. It's the company of my friends and their kids that I really enjoyed.

The show is really just for kids. I've seen better shows in HongKong and Singapore so I wasn't impressed anymore. But someday, I will of course bring Chicklet here.

The three girls had their picture taken with the sea lions. So cute. Mahal lang ang print-out haha! But of course the three mommas were very much willing to indulge.

After the show, we ate at a Vietnamese restaurant near T&T.

Photo courtesy of Bonivie

We had Vietnamese chicken noodle soup...

And rice plates...

Another groufie before ending the night...

I spent just a total of five hours with them and I had so much fun. I invited them to come over to our house after I give birth and recovered and they agreed. I hope this was just the first of our many bonding activities together.

Labor Day 2014

This is again something new to me. So Canada pala celebrates Labour Day on the first Monday of September and it is a federal and statutory holiday. At sabay din sila ng United States. Sa Pilipinas kasi, tuwing May 1 ang "Araw ng Mangagagawa."

Picture taken from the net (credits to the owner)

Anyway, I was very excited since long weekend ito. I really wanted to spend more time with Ford. You see, since June, pumapasok siya ng half day sa office kada weekend (either Saturday or Sunday) para bayaran yung "utang" niyang absences last May. He went home to Pinas kasi to attend his grandmother's funeral. He talked to his boss (the owner of the company) and they agreed na papasok na lang siya every weekend so that he can take a few weeks leave this November para sa panganganak ko.

This long weekend was a chance for us to be together longer. However, mukhang palpak haha! As of this very moment, Ford's at work. And he's spent many hours this Saturday and Sunday test driving our new car. Umaga pa lang, gumagala na. Ayaw ko namang sumama kasi ang aga pa. We just went out in the afternoon. Kakaloka!

Admittedly, I am not a "laborer" at this point so walang masyadong relevance sa akin ang araw na ito. Just another ordinary Monday for me. But I am really looking forward to joining the workforce again. Kelan kaya?

#sabogangpostnaito

Desperately needing workers

Many people are asking me: "Marami ba talagang trabaho sa Edmonton?"

I guess that instead of a simple "yes," I should show them this...

I myself was surprised when my husband told me that there's a job ad near his workplace that advertises this!

This is how desperate employers are in finding workers here in Edmonton/Alberta. With the recent changes in the Temporary Workers (TFW) Program, I bet it will be harder in the coming months.

This is actually the best time to look for work. In almost every big establishment I see, there's a "We're Hiring" sign - which is good only for citizens and permanent residents, take note. For those who are hoping to find work here on a tourist visa, think a million times. Do your research, ask people who will be truthful and will tell you the real situation here. It is no longer easy to get a job here if you are merely a visitor.

A little celebration @ Tony Roma's

Ford comes home every lunch time to eat with me. Yesterday, he told me he needs to get back to the office early because their HR Officer has scheduled a talk with him.

At 2pm, he texted me and told me he got promoted! With a salary increase, of course! We were very happy and grateful!

Picture courtesy of Bitstrips

And so we had to celebrate! This would be the first time that we'll be celebrating 'real time' a milestone in his career. I was so excited! Nagsink in na rin sa akin, hindi na kami LDR! Yebaaah!

He picked me up at around 6pm and we went straight to West Edmonton Mall. I realized that we are typically very Pinoy. The first thing that came to our mind with the word celebrate is "mall." Lol!

West Edmonton Mall (WEM) is around 20 minutes drive from the downtown area (where we live). It's the biggest mall in North America actually. Pero di ako masyadong impressed. Mas bongga pa ang mga malls sa Pilipinas noh. Meron lang siyang indoor swimming pool, casino, at hotel kaya siya malaki.

selfie selfie

The thing with just being the two of us, walang tagakuha ng picture. Kaya ayan, pagsamahin na lang. :)

I love love love the giant poinsettia tree behind me. 

I was so happy with the Christmas decors. At least nafeel ko na magpapasko na. 

Anyway, unlike sa malls sa atin sa Pinas na sangkaterba at nagkalat ang mga kainan, WEM only has three areas for eating. Two food courts and one for a bit high-end dining.

We ended up at Tony Roma's because we were both starving and wanted to eat something familiar.

Niloloko ko siya na magpa-burger naman siya so he really ordered burgers for us. Funny, because when we got home, he asked me why burger. Bakit daw hindi steak. Kaloka, I then realized na hindi nga pala niya alam yung commercial na "pa-cheeseburger ka naman" ng McDonald's. He's been living in North America (California then Alberta) for the past twelve years kaya hindi siya aware. Haha, sineryoso niya talaga ang burger!

Aside from burgers, we also ordered a rib sampler. But when these three plates were served on our table, napalunok kami. Shaiks, we were hungry but there was no way we could eat everything! Ang laki ng serving! We should have ordered only one burger.

Roma Burger, Bacon Swiss Burger, and Star Studded Rib Sampler

The busog-lusog couple...

We loved the food and we enjoyed our little celebration. I was so glad that for the first time, I got to be with my husband in an important event in his life.

To my dear Pod, congratulations! You make me proud as always! I love you! =)

Joel Ford G. Blanco, PEng

PS. At exactly my second week here in Edmonton, the Husband got promoted. Hmm, ako nga yata talaga ang lucky charm niya hehe!