An update from Nathan

Hello! Hello! Just to update you, guys... I can now stand up!

Philippines, here I come!!!

Happy Canada Day 2015!

A very happy Canada Day from our little Canadian!

Oh how time flies! Last year, my little boy was still on my tummy. And now, ayan sobrang kulit na!

Thank you, Canada! You've given me the best care when I was pregnant with my little boy and I'll be forever grateful!

I am proud to have a Canadian for a son! =)

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!

Random Chika # 1

1. Ligo Sardines. I never expected that one day I will get addicted to Ligo Sardines! Never nga akong kumain nito sa Pinas dati (except when we had a retreat in high school and they served it for breakfast, tinikman ko lang).

But because wala na akong maisip kainin dito, dagdag pa ang sobrang pagkamiss kong kumain ng isda, sinubukan kong tikman uli. Ayun, nagustuhan ko naman!

I've been eating sardines for several days now. Ako kasi yung taong ayaw ng isang ulam lang kaya perfect ito na second viand haha! I will try other variations next time (masarap daw ang fried sardines sabi ni Joy). By the way, a small can of Ligo Sardines costs $0.78 at T&T Supermarket. Mura na by Edmontonian standards.

2. Ice Cold Water. I am back to water huhu! Sad to say, may UTI na naman ako and the cause is my addiction to pop (pop ang tawag dito sa soda o softdrinks).

I couldn't drink water that's not super cold. That's why I am thankful that our refrigerator has an icemaker. Sahod lang ng sahod sa dispenser hehe. Hay, super init pa naman ngayon dito!

3. Pinoy Grill's Crispy Pata. The husband had no ulam last night so we ordered crispy pata from Pinoy Grill. Medyo sunog siya at hindi gaanong masarap. It's $14.95 + 5% tax.

Hay, if only I can imitate mamoosh's delicious crispy pata. Kaso wala ring mabilhan dito ng harapang pata ng baboy. Siguro pinapakyaw na ng mga Filipino restaurants.

4.  A UP graduate with 1.004 GWA. It's all over the internet -- a UP student with a near perfect grade average. I am not surprised though. I've studied and taught in UP Diliman for so many years, nothing surprises me anymore.

Anyway, I graduated with a "laude" title too (hindi nga lang summa kasi bobing ako sa math and natural sciences). And where am I now? Eto yaya ni Nathan haha!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy Ford!

As posted in my Facebook and Instagram:

This is the first of the many many father's days that Nathan will honor you as his dad. We couldn't thank you enough for being such a good provider and loving, patient, and responsible father and husband. You are indeed our superman! If our boy grows up to be even just half the man you are, I'll already be grateful!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy the Pooh! We love you to the moon and back! 

Sorry, veggies!

We recently attended a children's party in an indoor playground. Only the kids had snacks while we adults were to head at the nearby buffet restaurant after the party.

It was almost 7pm and we were naturally starving. There was this one platter (priced at $35, I think) that we oldies feasted on as pamatid-gutom.

Here's the BEFORE picture.

And the AFTER:

Haha, poor veggies! We Filipinos really are not into this raw vegetable thing! Akala ko ako lang ang may ayaw nito, marami rin pala.

Lesson learned. Next time, if you have Filipino guests, just order a meat platter.

Lucky Me Baked Mac in Edmonton!

I am a self-confessed 'instant noodles' addict. I know it's not healthy but now that I am living here in Edmonton, mas grumabe. Cheapest and easiest to prepare na hot merienda kasi.

Anyway, I've long been craving for Lucky Me Baked Mac. It's one of my favorites in Pinas (super sarap naman kasi talaga) kaya talagang malungkot na wala nito sa Edmonton. Nalibot ko na ang mga Filipino/Asian stores dito sa Edmonton, wala talaga.

Until recently.

We were in the South area two weeks ago and I asked Ford to drop me off at 3J Variety Store because I wanted to buy a bottle of efficascent oil. I knew na meron sila because whenever I am on a store, I mentally check on all their products para alam ko kung saan bibili just in case mangailangan ako.

I told Ford (who was left in the car with Nathan) I'll only buy the efficascent oil but of course I couldn't leave the store without checking on all the shelves first. Baka may bagong product eh. And lucky me, I my eyes spotted the shiny yellow pack of Mac & Cheez! Naisip ko agad, kung may Mac & Cheez, may Baked Mac tiyak! And yebaaah, meron nga!

Grabe, I was so happy! Sabi ko sa cashier na palagi sana silang magtinda nito haha!

I only bought 8 packs (at $0.80) because I am already going back to Pinas for a long vacation. Pero kung hindi, iho-hoard ko talaga. That's what I learned here eh, kapag may gusto kang Filipino grocery item, bumili ka na ng medyo marami kasi baka kapag kailangan mo ay walang available (malamang wala pang shipment) or kailanganin mo pang mag-ikot sa mga Filipino stores para makahanap.

Hay, it felt like heaven when I tasted that familiar instant baked mac again (although napansin ko na nag-iba na ang shape ng noodles). Ang huling kain ko pa nito ay last year, when Ford went home to the Philippines for the burial of his grandmother. I was pregnant then and I asked my mother to send me ten packs. Ten packs lang dahil masama nga ang mga ganitong pagkain sa buntis. I regretted it so badly, really. I should have requested for 100 packs!

As I have said in this post, I am happy whenever a new Filipino product becomes available here in Edmonton because it gives me hope. Who knows, baka Purefoods sizzling sisig naman next time o Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs (sana i-allow na ng Canada na makapasok ang mga canned meat products natin dito)! #asapa