Death of a brother

I only have one brother, a kuya. I've loved him so dearly.

But he died today.

Not literally though.

I hate any negativity on this blog. But I just have to post this to remember the day that I am now without a sibling.

Sadness envelopes my life at this point. But I am choosing to move forward.

Hello from the Philippines!

Hello! Hello! We're still alive!

Sorry if it appears that I neglected this blog. You see, my greatest mistake in coming here in Pinas for a long vacation is not bringing my own laptop. I thought I could use the old one that I left here but for some reason, it's just not here anymore. Right now, I am just using Ford's old netbook (that he dumped onto me in 2012) and it's sooooo slow!

Anyway, I'll be back in Edmonton in less than a month and I am hoping that I could blog often again (is that possible if you have a very active toddler?)

Whew, Nathan's first birthday is fast-approaching and I am in toxic mode. But we are very excited of course!

Oh, here he is now! So cute, I know!

Oops, I've got to go back to party preps.You'll hear from me again soon!

Random Chika # 3

1. Dinner at Pinoy Grill. We went to Walmart yesterday to buy some more stuff that we need in the Philippines. Then we had dinner at Pinoy Grill because Ford was craving for bulalo and crispy pata. As expected, the food was so-so and we paid $35 I think. The husband didn't give a tip anymore, hindi naman masyadong ok ang service eh.

2. Benadryl for Nathan. Please do not judge us, but after so much contemplation, nag-decide na kaming painumin si Nathan ng Benadryl para sa flight namin sa Pinas (pumayag din naman ang pedia niya). At 7 3/4 months, our son is overly active. Hindi ko talaga kakayanin kung hindi siya matutulog nang maayos kahit ilang oras lang. Vancouver to Manila alone is already 14 hours, eh yung Edmonton to Vancouver pa plus yung layover?

We had a test run last night and effective siya! Around 40 minutes after taking it, tulog na.

By the way, I am happy because I got to use my Benadryl coupon! From $8.99, naging $6.99 na lang (plus 5% tax).

NOTE: Sorry, Nathan. We will try not to do this again. Ngayong uwi lang talaga natin kasi hindi kaya ng Mommy. =(

3.  A Retirement Home in Pinas. I was surprised when I saw my aunt's new house in Pinas. Whoaah, it's so big! She and her husband are US citizens and have been living there for decades now. They retired last year and decided to build a house in Pinas, para raw may matutuluyan sila kapag umuuwi sila.

They must really have lots of money! Hmm, ano kaya ang gagawin nila sa napakalaking bahay na ito? Their four children are busy with their lives at hindi naman bumibisita sa Pinas. Wala na rin kaming kamag-anak sa Malolos because almost everybody's in North America na. Oh well, it's their money to spend hehe!

Picture taken from a relative's Facebook account 

4. Little Ceasars Pizza. Pod and I were hungry last Saturday (late) night at wala na kaming maisip kainin kundi pizza. He wanted to buy cheese-stuffed crust pizza sana from Pizza Hut but I objected. $22+ kasi at namamahalan ako. Sa Little Ceasars kami bumagsak. First time kong makakain nito, very ordinary lang ang lasa. Sabagay, what can you expect from $8+ lol! 

5.  Dresses for Girls. It's so exciting to buy gifts for girls, ang dami kasing choices! Sa damit pa lang, nakakaaliw ng mamili. Since it's summer, I chose some florals (mahilig naman talaga ako sa flowery things hehe). 

I always buy at Gap Outlet. Super mura kasi talaga. 

6. Sofia Paper Bag. I found this super cute paper bag at Dollarama. Pero tama ang instinct ko, dapat hindi na ito ang binili ko. Kasi naman may kapareho sa pinagbigyan ko. Nakakahiya tuloy! =(

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!