Few Updates

Flight

I took home a few items from my Cathay flight from Hong Kong to Vancouver. The strawberry jam was part of the brunch while the small box – that’s actually chocolate from my dinner there.

Cathay had a pretty good menu (might be because I booked then Premium Economy). Not only were the utensils silverware, but my dinner menu had an option for Australian Prime Beef with Haagen Dazs as dessert! The overall experience was not too bad. Apart from the menu, the main difference I noticed from the premium economy as compared to economy was the leg space. The space disparity is very much noticeable.

SIN

I went to Canada Services to have my SIN # (Social Identification Number). It wasn’t very far so I decided to just walk. It was a 20 minute walk one way, so all in all, took 40 minutes back and forth. The problem was though it was sunny outside, but it was so windy! Sumakit ulo ko pag uwi.

I was only asked to wait for about an hour before I was called. I was there at around 11 AM, and was out around 12 noon. The person who assisted me was very friendly too. How I wish we have a similar system like this in Manila. Everyone won’t be grumpy anymore when it comes to government services.

Cooking

I was tasked by my aunt to cook dinner for us today. I did all the chopping and preps, I just don’t know if I did it right, but hopefully I did. The food’s currently sitting in the cooking pot for about 30 minutes now. I think I started it up a little early because it’s only 4:30 PM and the food’s almost done. haha. I was afraid it would take an hour or so to prepare it, apparently not. It smells good though!! I think it’ll be another 20 minutes. I put in salt and pepper too, I just don’t know if seasoned it right, we’ll know later. 

 

Starting a new chapter

Around 5 and a half years ago, I got a call (or was it an IM message) from a guy named Gerald asking me if I was interested in applying for an opening in their company for a Java developer. Unfortunately at that time, I couldn’t entertain it because I still had a few months left in my contract. I told him that and he said, ok, I will give you a call back in a few months.

A few months later, around March 2008, he did call me back and asked if I was open already to apply for the job, and I said yes.

Fast forward 5 years later, a new change. I’m now moving to Vancouver to continue working there.

Around July last year, my boss offered me a permanent job in Vancouver. It took me a week or so to even decide on it and say yes. I used to say that I am happy with the way things are right now, but then again, as I thought about it more and more, an opportunity like this is not often offered to anyone, anytime. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity that has been given to me – more of a blessing. I think God made sure that I stay put here, just because he has something bigger planned to me, and lo and behold, two years after my attempted escape from that company, I’m about to start something new.

To be honest, my mom was hesitant (but supportive), while my dad said go (considering that he used to be an immigrant there decades ago and went back here to Manila). A few friends said go, a few friends asked why. I think hesitations are normal when making a decision like this. Aside from telling them that this is a great opportunity, I also let them know, that it’s always better to have tried, than never to have tried at all. I say that in the most sincerest way that I can (even though sigurista ako pagdating sa pag-ibig).

So the time has come for me to pack. I am flying off to start this new chapter of my life this coming Saturday. An event like this brings about a mixture of excitement and sadness. Excited because it’s a start of something new. And sadness because I am leaving the place I’ve called home for the past 29 years. I will miss my family and friends the most. I will miss Grant and the twins. I will miss having my mom and dad who are always there when I need something. I will miss my friends who has always been there for me through my ups and downs. However, I will definitely not miss the traffic and the very very very hot summers here. 

Amidst all the anxieties and troubles of preparing for the move, I found out that I am just about the most blessed person in the planet because I have my family and friends who loves me so much. So much so that they even surprised me with free lunches and a few memorabilia for me to bring to Canada.

Parting Gifts

My wonderful friends threw me a wonderful Tong Yang despedida party a few weeks back. I thought it would only be the ladies, but I was surprised that my wonderful friend Leda invited a few more folks to join us for our hotpot lunch. Not only did they treat me for lunch (my favorite place, by the way), but they even surprised me with a beautiful scrapbook of various pictures and letters that symbolize our friendship over the years. It was so much fun looking at those pictures. I love it so much that I couldn’t keep the smile off my face every time I open it and sift through it. My mom said that I am very blessed to have such wonderful friends.

And my brother and sister in law also surprised me with a nice little sling travel pouch (not in the picture) for my future travels, plus a beautiful Holy Rosary and a framed picture of the whole family taken during their wedding last February.

My parents and sister surprised me too - with a new cellphone! This has a funny story attached to it. I was going to buy a new cellphone just so I can bring it over to Canada and I can go on roaming for my globe number. My current Nokia phone is too cheap, thus not a tri-band phone. I told my mom I was going to buy it on Tuesday. That same day, my brother sends me a text message telling me that I don’t need to buy a new cellphone, he will just give his old phone to me… for free. Yehey! I was so happy that I wanted to get it from him that same day. When I came home that night, I saw a paper bag in my desk with… notes and words that said that it’s a gift from my mom, dad, and sister. And to my surprise, it’s a new galaxy phone! Yey!! Apparently, my mom went on panic mode after I told her that I was really going to buy a new phone that day and quickly called my brother to do everything he can to stop me from doing that. They ended up going to SM Annex to look for a cellphone – no model in mind, which is probably why it took them forever to get the one they gave me. 3 hours I think. Haha they went back and forth to various models. Nahilo na daw sila.

Nevertheless, I would’ve been very happy already with the time I got to spend with my family and friends before I leave. But having these thoughtful gifts showered upon me is such a blessing indeed.

I may be far away geographically, but my family and friends will always be in my heart all the time. And with technology these days, it’s very easy to keep in touch! Sabi nga ni Leda, pwedeng pwede mag “E-numan”!

Di-e + Nephew and Nieces

 

Two weeks ago, my sister asked us to babysit her three kids because she was going on a week long vacation to South Korea. Naturally, we said yes, and my mom couldn’t have been more excited!

The twins are now walking! We brought them out of the house every afternoon and we try to do walks around the village. Grant joins us too. At least that way they get some exercise outside. After the first time we went walking outside, the next day, Grant already looks forward to our afternoon “pasyal”.

And, we also got Grant to go with us during Bisita Iglesia! We went to visit 7 churches all in all!

So that one week was spent taking care of the kids. They took over most of the house as they had along 4 maids with them! LOL! Grant took over the computer every night and watches youtube videos about transformers and all other cartoons.

I tried carrying the twins (quite heavy now!) together, hence the picture. Poor Gail had this red mark in her forehead the whole week!