Nica met Hannah Montana!

Nica was invited to attend her classmate, Ariana’s 6th birthday. They hired an impersonator to host the party. She sang a song, did the girl’s make-up, asked some questions (to give out bracelet to winners), taught them how to dance as a rockstar all for a $200 fee.
For snacks I missed the spaghetti and pancit back in the Phils. It’s a good thing we had heavy lunch at KFC before going to the party. They had healthy “alternatives” such as fruits on barbeque sticks (actually a good idea!), crackers, cheese cubes, marshmallows, popcorn, cake, hotdog sandwich, carrots and cucumber with dip.
Instead of parlor games the kids get to enjoy the toys in the Daycare where the party was held. I think it was a different & fun way of celebrating! Here’s a video of the dance.. enjoy!

Tim is Ten

We celebrated Tim’s 10th birthday differently. He expected it to be sad because we did not have many relatives here who will be giving him gifts.

So his Dad surprised him with an MP4 (which I found to be expensive!) while I gave him a CD-ROM (computer game). His Nanny gave him $10 as gift which he spent to buy pizza. We also bought Ice cream and he ordered 2 types of cake slices to replace the usual birthday cake.

That still did not make his day so the next day we had breakfast at MR. SUB before hearing mass, went swimming in the afternoon and had Swiss Chalet dinner (this was his wish for his birthday) of chicken, ribs, mashed potato and corn c/o Tita Poch. But I know he is already looking forward to Christmas when he can open more than 2 gifts

Everyday should be Thanksgiving Day

We had a pre-thanksgiving lunch in the office. Good eats, interesting conversation and fun trivia game.

It made me think what are the things we should be thankful for… here are some

1. Gift of LIFE – for seeing a new day

2. Gift of the SENSES

· to SEE Nica do her balance in her ballet shoes

· to HEAR Daniele say her prayers in French

· to TASTE how delicious Ralph’s cooking is compared to mine L

· to FEEL my loved one’s embrace

· to SMELL Tim’s “stinky” hair

3. to know my PURPOSE – to enjoy God (His creation) and do His will

Come to think of it. Everday should be Thanksgiving Day.

Small Talk

Here in Canada they have what they call "small talk" (sa atin "chika"). These are statements that do not require long answers.

Fridays they say " Have a nice weekend."

Mondays they say "How was your weekend?"

On the phone after you say good morning the person on the other asks you

"How are you?" or "How is your day?"

Before getting off the bus you say to the driver "Have a nice day."

Ang guess what I've learned here, when you are shown something nice you are supposed to say "that's awesome!" or that's great!"

Well, it's something good. Because sometimes it's good to hear that someone cares right. So let's all have a GREAT day!

Landing a Job in 21 Days

This is the testimonial I sent to my Coach so she can post it in class. I hope my story will inspire others like me.

My family and I arrived in Canada on August 4 and one week later I joined the CAN (Career Action for Newcomers) program.

On the second week of the program, my Mock Interview was scheduled for 1 o’clock, but before I could even go to it, I was asked to interview for a real job. This was at 10 a.m., the same morning as the Mock Interview. Imagine having an interview with an employer before the practice one was even scheduled!

I was more nervous in the Mock Interview – knowing it would be shown in Class –than during the real one. In the real panel interview I attended, it seemed as if they had taken all the questions from the hand-outs given to us on our 5th day at CAN, so I was well prepared and had no difficulty in answering them.

Four days after the interview, the Employer phoned informing me that because of my past work experience, the Company had decided to increase the salary package that had been offered to me.

So here I am, 21 days after landing in Canada, with a job.

Alin ang Naiba?

On Public Transport Drivers
Pilipinas
Pinoy : Mama, bababa na ako ang sukli ko sa P10 (P 8.00 fare).
Driver : Wala ka bang BARYA?
Pinoy : Wala e. Sige di bale na! (keep the change)
Canada
Pinoy : I do not have CAD 5.50 (fare for 5)but I have 6, is it alright to give you this?
Street Car Driver : No, I need exact fare. You get off on the next stop and to have it changed in a store or buy a card.
In other words : No thank you! I don’t want to keep the change.
Lesson No. 1 : Importante ang BARYA!Syempre bumaba ang Lola mo to get change!

On Getting Off
Pilipinas
Pinoy : Mama para na po dito!
Driver : Di pwede dito may nanghuhuli!
Canada
Pinoy : (Pull the string to stop, looks at the driver before getting off) Have a nice day!
Street car driver : You too.
Pinoy : I will!

On opening a savings account
Pilipinas
Teller : Min. of P5,000 to open with less than 1% interest. P200 charge for going below the Min. daily balance.
Canada
Financial Advisor : min. of CAD 5 with 2% interest, no maintaining balance!

On Fares
Pilipinas MRT: Pay fare from Baclaran to Taft get off after 1hr ride from Taft to Quirino you have to pay again.

Canada : Pay a standard fee - whether you get off Stop 1 or 3 , then later from stop 3 to 5 just show your transfer ticket so you do not have to pay - as long as it is used within the same day.

For us we got the monthly card worth CAD 109 so it gives us unlimited use of the subway, bus and streetcar for 1 month! Lugi na sila sa amin ngayon pa lang sa dalas namin lumabas!

the best thing for me is that di ka maliligaw (salamat naman!) because you just call a number, tell the person (not a machine!)exactly where you are and where you want to go and they will teach you exactly how you can get there! Galing di ba?

Welcome to Canada!

PAIN x 3

Binata na si Tim!

Everyone is so supportive of Tim yesterday. At 8 AM we were already in a clinic 3 blocks away from my in-laws house. While waiting for his turn, his Lola Viring delivered hotdog sandwich and bibingka for him. Then 20 min. later came bottled water w/ 5 pcs of Yakult.

Tim : Pwede ba Lola next time na lang ako magpatuli?
Lola : Balong (little boy? in Ilocano), nandito ka na, kaya mo yan. Si David (circumcised 30 min. ago) nasa bahay na, di naman daw masakit.

I can still recall how he screamed - Jolibeeeeeeeee..... ayoko na.... ayoko na. (the doctor asked him to shout Jolibee)

Upon exit at the doctor's room ......

Tim : Mommy pano ako iihi?
Tita Cora : E di ganun pa din katulad ng dati!

Upon reaching Lola's house, while getting off the car.....
Tim : Naipit Mom..................naipit
Me : Ang alin?
Tim : kamay ko naipit sa pinto!!!!!

The scene
Lola : massaging Tim's injured fingers
Me : Pinapaypayan ang bagong tuli.
Tita Angelica : Ang cute mo pa rin Kuya Tim kahit masungit ka!

Tim to me : Mommy sabihin mo nga sa kanila bawal ako patawanin kasi nangangati yung "t_t_" ko pag natatawa.
David : Di naman masakit sa akin ah.
Tim : Masakit yung injection no'
David : Bakit ilan beses ka ba tinusok?
Tim : Isa!
David : Ako nga 3 e, kasi malikot daw ako.
Tim : Pero ako nasaktan kasi nahirapan Doktor kasi mataba daw ako.
Everyone started smiling but controlling not to laugh.

Tim : Ayan na naman kayo, sabi ko bawal tumawa e. Mommy sabihin mo nga sa kanila!

At 3PM, his Dad brought him to the hospital again due to continuous bleeding. Accdg. to the doctor na stress daw dahil sa pagkakaipit ng kamay. He had to be operated on AGAIN!

This AM, I asked him if I can take his picture for my blog and he agreed.
I asked him if I can use - PAIN x 3 as title to my blog?

Tim : Anong x 3, Tuli... Ipit.... Galit..... Dugo... Tahi..... dapat x5 pa nga eh!

Here's Tim with disposable tupperware to protect his TUTUY. I'm so proud of you son!

Opo sold at P1

I brought my kids to Sunday School two weeks ago. One of the things they learned is to always use "Opo" when talking to adults.

Mommy to Daniele : Ang ganda naman nyan Daniele.
Daniele : OO nga e.
Nica : Ate Daniele, di ka ba nakabili ng OPO? kasi ako nakabili na!
Paz (our hairstylist) : San ba nabibili ang OPO?
Nica : Sa SM piso lang gusto mo ibili kita Ate Daniele?
Daniele : Wala akong piso!

Bakit di sya masaya?

We went swimming at Volet's Resort in Dasmariñas, Cavite last March 22, 2008.

Me to Cleo (2 yr old, pamangkin) : Hi Cleo! Smile ka naman I'll take your picture....
Nica to Me : Mommy, bakit si Cleo ayaw mag smile?
Me : Tatawa yan patawanin nyo.
Mom-in-law : O sige kung sino makapagpatawa kay Cleo may prize!!!
After taking Cleo's picture (shown here)

Nica to Me : Bakit di ba sya masaya?
Me : Masaya
Nica : Bakit ganyan smile nya?
Cleo's Mom : Naka smile na yan! Ganyan na talaga smile nya kasi under bite sya.
Me to Nica : Ah pareho pala kayo, remember nung graduation mo ayaw mo mag-smile sa photographer?
Nica : E syempre bungi ako eh!

Oo nga naman - walang bakod eh. Di bale I'm still proud of her, she will be in Grade 1 at 5 y.o.... way to go Nica