The fear is real

It may seem shallow, but one of my greatest fears right now is 'losing' my Instagram account.

You see, my cousin's IG account recently got hacked and she couldn't retrieve it anymore. What if it happens to me?! Good for her, all her IG posts are linked on Facebook. Yung sa akin, konting pics lang ang shine-share ko sa FB.

I started instagramming in May 2013. Medyo late na nga kasi late na ako nag-Iphone. But since then, I have put everything (as in my life!) in IG. Mas gusto ko kasi ang Instagram kesa FB because I love taking pictures. I love posting too kaso ayaw ko namang maging overexposed ako to everyone, including former students/colleagues, insignificant people, enemies (lol!), etc. Instagram is perfect for me kasi I get to document my everyday nang konti lang ang nakakaalam.

I really can't imagine losing my IG. I sure have copies of all my pictures posted there pero syempre iba yung nakapost kasi may captions, dates, likes, at comments. Lalo na sa mga #NathanJamesLevin posts ko, na documentation ng buhay ng anak ko.

Up to now, I still don't know how to back up my IG. I tried 'Instaport' but it seems to be not working. I don't want to link din naman all my posts to FB kasi nga hindi ko ma-private ang IG album dun. I tried linking it to Flickr pero di naman din gumagana.

To be honest, I am tempted to screenshot all my posts na lang (including the comments) kaso I have 5,645 pics as of today, makaya ko kaya? ang hirap pa naman mag-start from the bottom. Tsk.

That's one thing with free social media accounts, wala kang control talaga. I wish makahanap ako ng solution soon. Basta sa ngayon, mananalangin muna ako na sana walang masamang mangyari sa account ko. =(

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NOTE: I've experienced losing all my posts in Multiply dati (I was quite a popular hello kitty collector/blogger then) kaya alam ko ang feeling nang 'mawalan.' Kaya nga may trauma ako. Hope it doesn't happen again.

Ford's 11 Days in Pinas (Holidays 2016)

It wasn't planned. But because his new office has holiday shut down pala from Dec. 23 to January 2, he's decided to come here in Pinas to be with us. Never mind the cost (ang mahal ng plane fare grrr!), kikitain din naman uli yun. Ang importante, magkakasama kami ng Pasko at Bagong Taon.

Here's a short recap of what we did on the 11 days that Daddy Ford was here:

Day 1 (December 24, 2016). Daddy's here! I didn't pick him up at the airport anymore. We had a bus that dropped off passengers in Pasay City on the night of the 23rd so I just asked our driver to fetch Ford in NAIA 2. Haha, naloka si Manong Coblancs kasi bus talaga ang sumundo sa kanya!

I was expecting them to arrive a bit late kasi nga uwian ng mga tao sa probinsya. Pero super bilis ng naging biyahe nila pauwi.

TanTan was so surprised upon seeing his dad. Super happy ang bagets!

We immediately went to SM Marilao because I wanted to buy Crema de Fruta from Goldilocks for Noche Buena. Unahan pa naman doon kaya dapat maaga.

We were supposed to attend the 9am mass but Mamoosh was feeling sleepy (note: we had no househelp that time) so hindi na rin kami tumuloy. We just had a simple noche buena at home with Tita Oya and my cousin MacMac.

Day 2 (December 25, 2016). We weren't able to attend the mass because we woke up late. Nagchill-chill pa ang mag-daddy before and after lunch.

We proceeded to Meycauayan to visit Auntie Doc Ely (Ford's aunt) in the afternoon.

We had early dinner at Kenny Roger's Petron NLEX Marilao before heading home. Saka Starbucks.

Day 3 (December 26, 2016). My aunt who lives in Surrey requested Ford for some quezo de bola for pasalubong kaya inuna na namin para matapos na. Walang Marca Pina brand sa SM Marilao (at wala ring malaki) so we went to Landmark Supermarket in Trinoma.

We did a mini shopping at Trinoma na rin and some food trip.

Day 4 (December 26, 2017). I had a quick agreement with Raxie the previous night for a meet-up. Kaya ayun, dahil madalian, nakalimutan na namin ni Ford na coding ang sasakyan namin. We were already in Camachile when we realized that. We were so nervous. Ford's Philippine driver's license was expired pa naman (though he can use naman his Canadian license). Awa ng Diyos, nakalusot naman kasi early afternoon noon at walang nanghuhuli sa kalsada.

We ate at Pizza Hut because sobrang miss ko na ang sausage stuffed crust pizza! Then we had desserts at Iceberg's.

Day 5 (December 28, 2016). The original plan was to visit Luna then spend a night or two in Baguio. Kaso hindi natuloy kasi nga nawalan kami ng kasambahay and we couldn't leave Mamoosh alone nang matagal.

We left for Luna at around 5:30am and around 3pm na yata kami nakarating. Super traffic anywhere grrr. Less than 4 hours lang kami sa Luna.

But at least we were able to visit Auntie Nen, Uncle Sicing and Auntie Celina (who passed away last January 1), Auntie Eden and Uncle Romy, and Auntie Grace. Past 1am of the following day na kami nakarating ng Marilao.

Day 6 (December 29, 2016). Raxie brought us at Chef Laudico Guevarra's for a sumptuous buffet dinner. We were there as early as 5pm because we had no reservation (puno na raw kasi). We waited for more than 2 hours but it was worth it. Masarap ang food grabe at ang ganda ng ambience.

Thanks for the treat, BFF!

We had coffee pa muna at Starbucks syempre. Ayun, nakakuha na rin ako ng planner sa wakas.

Day 7 (December 30, 2016). For the nth time, tinreat uli kami sa buffet dinner ni Tita Dap (Ford's favorite cousin) sa Manila Peninsula. Sobrang busog na naman as in!
.

I am thankful because Nathan was so "nice" to his Ninang Daphne. Sumama talaga siya, nakipaglaro at nakipagkulitan

We took Tita Dap home to her new condo in Muntinlupa. 

Super enjoy ang bagets sa playground. 

Day 8 (December 31, 2016). We just stayed in Bulacan kasi magpuputukan na. We Went to SM Marilao to buy some for food for media noche kaso ang haba ng pila sa Hypermarket. Nag-Rosalie's na lang kami for some pastries. Then we proceeded to Bocaue to get some paputok and pailaw.

Ok na sana ang set-up namin kaso masama na pala ang pakiramdam ni Daddy the Pooh. Ayun di tuloy nakapagpaputok.

Except for some luces nung midnight na.

We were really thankful to be together that night. Magkakasama kaming sumalubong sa bagong taon.

Day 9 (January 1, 2017). We went to Lolomboy after lunch to watch the annual new year's day parade. Haha, jologs na parade lang naman. Pero part talaga ito ng childhood ko.

Sa wakas, nakainom din si Coblancs kahit papano.

Then we had dinner at where else -- Jollibee! 

Day 10 (January 2, 2017). We went to SM Megamall to buy some Philippine mugs for Ford's officemates. Meron naman sa SM North pero nag-Mega kami para maiba naman. I planned on having a nice family photo kasi last chance na namin noon kaso di ako pinalad. Hay, sa Canada na nga lang!

Day 11 (January 3, 2017). Ford just went to Meycauayan for a short ride in the morning, then to the dentist in SM Marilao for teeth cleaning. Tapos before we knew it, bye bye time na.

Our Navara pick-up truck is 'coding' so Pod had to use their old Fuego. Sumama na rin sa paghahatid sina Doc Ely and Manang Loleng. Buti na lang me nakuha siyang driver kasi I hate bringing people to the airport hehe.

It was sad, of course. Pero we'll see him in 3 months naman so keri lang.

So there. Eleven short days. Not that exciting sa totoo lang kasi wala naman kaming interesting na nagawa o napuntahan. Pero happy na rin kasi kahit sobrang pagod kasi nga nagkasama kami during the holidays. We spent quite a fortune sa 11 days na ito pero sige lang, it was worth it naman.

We miss you, Daddy!

Amazing five years!

Whew, I honestly can't still believe it! Five years ago na nga ba talaga nang mag-"I do" kami sa simbahan?!? Parang kelan lang talaga.

This is actually the first anniversary that we are not together physically. It's a bit sad, considering na milestone year ang five. But at least we were together just 9 days prior to our special day so keri na rin.

As what I have posted on Instagram: "Our marriage isn't perfect, but we are truly happy and blessed." Marami kaming ups and downs na naranasan in the last five years. Maraming happy moments, marami ring challenges. Masaya lang kasi eto, ganun pa rin kami. Same old Ford and Ces. Nadagdagan lang ng Nathan hehe.

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To my husband of five years (and counting), thank you for everything. Salamat lalo sa pagtitiyaga sa mga shortcomings ko. Ang layo ko sa pagiging perfect wife but you constantly assure me na never tayong magdi-divorce (haha!) kaya suwerte talaga ako. Basta, salamat sa lahat.

At mahal na mahal kita. Walang nabago. Walang magbabago.

Happy fifth wedding anniversary satin! =)

Hello, 2017!

Happy New Year!!!

Sorry for my nanggigitata look. Init na init talaga ako lol!

 
I can't believe it's 2017 already! Geez, I am so happy that I got to celebrate the coming of a new year with my mother in Pinas! At kumpleto talaga kami. Ford was able to come here (albeit for only 11 days) to spend the holiday with us.

We've had a very tough 2016. Up to its last days, talagang chinallenge pa rin kami (read: Nathan was hospitalized tapos nagkasakit pa si Pod during media noche). Pero sige, keri lang. A new year signifies hope. Ahh basta, optimistic ako na magiging  ok ang 2017 namin. Nating lahat!

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At eto na naman ang promise ko na magiging active uli ako sa pagdo-document ng buhay namin through blogging. Haha, sana lang matupad!

A beautiful morning

It was a beautiful, beautiful morning. Our hearts were full of gratitude.

October 21, 2016

Finally, everything is falling into place. Maraming salamat Po.

I want to go back to Edmonton =(

Disclaimer: Please note that I recently moved here in Surrey from my comfort zone (Edmonton). My views are premature and may change in the coming days. I have no intention of putting Surrey/BC in a bad light. I guess I just miss Edmonton so much. 

Twenty-three days. We've been here in Surrey for twenty-three days. How are we doing? The husband is ok, he easily copes with things so wala siyang issue. Ako lang naman daw ang maraming hinaing sa buhay. To be honest, if I will only be given a chance, gusto ko ng bumalik Edmonton.

Funny, I used to call that place Deadmonton. Complain ako nang complain na boring dun, na walang masyadong magawa. I first visited British Columbia in 2012 at talagang pinangarap kong tumira dito. Ang ganda kasi ng impression ko dito, ideal place to live in talaga. Pero ngayon na nandito na ako, parang gusto ko ng magback-out. Hay buhay nga naman!

Anyway, ito ang mga disappointments ko as of now sa pagtira ko dito:

(1) I loathe our apartment. I hate hate hate our apartment! Ang hirap magdowngrade ng housing. We used to live comfortably in a brand new 3-bedroom town house kaya talagang sobrang adjustment ito. Even though I know that this is just a temporary thing, nahihirapan pa rin ako (#bourgeoisieproblems!).

Also, the other day, we received a complaint from our neighbor on the lower floor (we're on the second floor) that we are "too noisy." They even accused us of having a party. My husband got agitated. He reasoned that we have a toddler and some noise can't be avoided. We live in an old building so talagang konting galaw o ingay lang ng kapitbahay eh magkakarinigan na.

By the way, we ended up in this apartment because we had no choice. Ang hirap maghanap ng apartment na maayos dito sa BC, lalo na at nasa Edmonton pa kami that time. Grabe ang demand. We want to move to a different place kaso pauwi na kami ni Nathan sa Pinas on November 7. Also, magpepenalty kami ng $1200+ kapag umalis kami in less than a year. Hay saka ko na nga lang iisipin pagbalik namin. If there's any consolation, we live just across a mall at super ganda ng location kaya keri na rin.

(2) Edmontonians are "nicer." In Edmonton, almost everyone you see will say "hello," or "hi, how are you doing?" Dito hindi eh. Parang lahat me pinagdadaanan haha!

Drivers are somewhat rude, too. In Edmonton, pedestrians are the bosses. Pagtapak mo pa lang sa kalsada, hihinto talaga ang mga sasakyan kahit malayo pa. Dito takot ako lalo na for my son. Dire-direcho talaga ang andar ng mga kotse eh.

(3) There is no Lucky Supermarket here (or its equivalent, in my opinion). Akala ko talaga mas ok "mamalengke" dito, mas mura at mas madaming choices. But for me, the best pa rin mamili sa Lucky Supermaket (na sa Edmonton lang meron). I am not a fan of T&T eh. I never thought na mamomroblema ako sa presyo ng karne dito. At galunggong -- di ko alam kung saan ako hahanap ng matinong galunggong dito (na paborito namin ng anak ko). Pati calamansi, mas mura sa Edmonton. Waaah!

(4) There's too much rain. My husband "warned" me already that it's too rainy in BC. I told him it's ok, that I love the rain. Kaso sobrang hassle din pala, lalo na since we have no covered parking. Tapos may little boy pa kami, mahirap siya isakay at ibaba ng car kapag umuulan.

(5) There is no snow. Snow is so beautiful, nakakamangha talaga kapag puting-puti ang paligid. Feel na feel ko ang Canada dahil sa snow. Kaso sobrang minsan lang daw mag-snow dito, tapos tunaw agad kinabukasan. Less than 3 years pa lang ako sa Canada kaya hindi pa ako quota sa snow. Gusto ko pang maglaro ng yelo!

(6) I have a feeling it's harder to find good friends here. In my less than 3 years in Edmonton, I am happy to have found really good friends there. Barkada talaga. Dito mukhang mahirap. Sa Edmonton kasi karamihan ng Pinoy ay TFWs (Temporary Foreign Workers) na naging Permanent Residents. Mga walang kamag-anak, lahat open for friendships. Saka mas relaxed ang buhay doon, palaging may time for get-together.

(7) Ang dami-daming chekwa! Maaming nagsasabi na mukha daw akong chekwa at hate na hate ko ito. I know it's bad to generalize pero hindi talaga ok ang experience ko with our Asian neigbors. Ayaw ko sa ugali nila.

At this point, I have no choice but to embrace our life here in BC. Sana talaga maging masaya kami rito.

Random Chika # 7

1. Buck or Two Plus! I discovered this store last week at the Surrey Central Mall. Matalas talaga ang mata ko sa mga dollar stores. I went inside to survey their items. Ok naman, lalo na yung mga balloons nila. Ang daming klase talaga!

When I googled this store, I learned na may ganito rin pala sa Edmonton. Meron yata sa Londonderry Mall! Kaloka, bakit hindi ko alam?!?

Anyway, happy na rin ako. Another wasteland for me!

2. Happy Meal. Whenever Nathan would see McDonald's, ayun magtuturo na. Hindi titigil hanggang hindi kami bumibili ng french fries.

Kaso mas mabisyo si Mommy. Di mapakali pag nakakita ng cute na happy meal toys.

I used to collect happy meal toys when I was in college. As in lahat talaga ng lumalabas eh binibili ko. Now that I have a child, may legitimate reason na ako na mag-happy meal uli haha! Pero mas magandang bumili ng happy meal kapag may coupon, mahal din kasi kapag regular price.

It's my mom who likes/loves Snoopy!

3. Fried Squid Again. We didn't know where to eat dinner last Wednesday night so rushed to the Richmond Public Market again for some cheap Chinese fix. But it was past 7pm already and there's no more fried squid in the stall where we get it. Buti na lang meron pang natira doon sa isa (Captain Wa) or else maglulupasay talaga ako. Masarap naman din, pero mas masarap talaga sa Asian Foods.

4.  Filipino Version. I got so kilig when I saw a Filipino text version of PC Plus' (Real Canadian Superstore's rewards card) ads. Nakakatuwa kasi acknowledged nila ang malaking Filipino community dito.

5. Motorcycle Accident. It was my first time to see a motorcycle accident here in Canada. Kapag summer lang kasi may motor sa Edmonton, kasi nga sobrang lamig doon at ma-snow.

When we were planning to move here in BC, Ford kept on telling me that he would buy a motorcycle because he can use it here all year round. Wala nga kasing snow at hindi kalamigan. Ako man, I want to get a small motorcyle, a Vespa perhaps. Haha, asa pa.

But I am amazed talaga sa rescue system dito sa Canada. Kung sa Pinas ka nadisgrasya, goodluck na lang sa iyo.

By the way, first to rescue daw ang bumbero dito basta tumawag ka ng emergency. Kahit ano pa mang kaso, mauuna ang bumbero kasi trained sila for first aid. It didn't make sense to me, sabi ko sayang ang resources at manpower. Tsk, third world mentality pa rin talaga.