the whole world is busy.

no cheesy caption for this one, picture says it all, i am missing halo-halo!

Hi all,

This is resurrection. And this is the new year too.

Updates, yep, I am now a six month old immigrant on the fourth coldest place here on earth. Outside, the wind is blowing and wow, snow is falling! I light up when I see snow, you couldn’t blame me, I am a six month old giddy baby. However, i still havent done my first snow angel, nor tasted the snowflakes. That’s another story which I will share once things are confirmed and well.

So what have i been doing for the past six months. Let’s enumerate! I read a survey that people like to read things in bullets or in tabulated manner.

1. Cooking is like second nature to me now. Not! Hehe. But at least, I am more comfortable in the kitchen and in the supermarkets now than the first month I was here. I don’t think I will ever be a good cook; as long as my husband gets satisfied every meal, then I don’t think I should worry right? 🙂 I still cannot cook paella, or bake muffins, cakes, what have yous. But, basic Filipino recipes, I can. Lechon Kawali seems like a scary meal to prepare- imagine the hot, boiling, splashing canola oil – but, yeah, i can do it now. Fried Chicken ala Max’s Restaurant, home-made, crispy, golden brown, no breadings, yep, i serve it here in our cozy apartment. My Sinigang na Baboy is my in-laws favorite. They say they like how the broth gets really sour and refreshing at the same time. 😉

2. I got a job and lost that job! Well, it was only a seasonal job, just for the holidays. But during those months, I learned a lot, enjoyed every moment of it, and it was very nice to meet new people too, especially when you’re in a foreign country. I used to be really shy around them, I felt different, powerless, etc. Husband said, I should not see myself like that. So, I tried looking for a job ,to overcome that – and after some weeks, I got a call and they hired me. The greatest thing was, I got to do what i’ve been planning to do here – to be a photographer! Wish I could stay longer there, but, oh well, things happen for a reason.

3. I still havent taken my road test here. I was supposed to do that last december 4th, but i cancelled. It was snowing hard that day, and I am not, at all, experienced driving in snow. So, this spring, I am going to take my road test. Hopefully.

4. My birthday, christmas, and new year. They were all filled with love, fun, and gifts. But, the heart aches and misses familiar people. I remember, Christmas back in my island, it is always the busiest and the happiest. People from other towns go visit the city, riding their jeepneys; going to the market and doing some christmas shopping. Kids dressed in their Sunday dresses, wearing their new rubber shoes too! Traffic is not very common back there, so when there’s traffic, it’s probably the christmas season. Sidewalks are filled with vendors, from fruits to dresses to toys to firecrackers! (my favorite!). Some people might not like the hassle of long travel because of the traffic, but me and my family, oh we love to see the commotion! we love traffic! It sort of gives us a natural high. 😀

By the way, I still was able to complete the 9 Misa De Gallo (Christmas Night Masses). Online! 🙂

5. The picture above, yep, that’s a Filipino merienda or snack. Halo-Halo, that’s how we call it. I’d like to have some soon, and all the other Filipino foods I cannot seem to find here.

I miss you Pilipinas.

So far, that’s all i can think of. I am gonna write better soon.

Take care everyone.

And her new universe

Hello friends, meet me here at the other side of the world. 

That is correct, for more than a month now, I have been living here up north (see the picture for a more detailed location). And finally, I am reunited with my husband. After a year of separation, we are now together. My visa has finally been approved; after all the tedious paperworks submitted and processed, we finally got our go-signal from the embassy.

And what did we do next? Book a one way ticket!

No.More.Waiting. 🙂

Leaving is of course difficult. It is not as if I have a ready luggage and can jump to the next flight available. It has taken me a month and a half to digest that I am finally going to where the four seasons are and will actually leave my tropical island for a while. Leaving the only home I’ve only known, leaving the coolest family behind, leaving that exciting and stress-filled job. All these have made my move bittersweet.

Anyway, I wouldn’t fill up this entry with my ramblings, but instead, tips on how to get ready, what to do when you arrive, and then, well, what to do later 🙂 This is for you, future immigrants!

Warning: this post is a long read. Sit properly, rest your back.

tip #1. Before anything else, ask yourself this: “are you really ready to move? your heart, your mind, your pocket, your whole being?” If you have qualms, please think twice! thrice! and then over and over.  Go ahead, say your prayers. 🙂

tip #2. Be patient. Paperworks and requirement compliance are no joke. Take them seriously. Follow instructions. Be organized and file them neatly. Sometimes your papers will be handed back to you for different reasons (incomplete requirements, medical condition, wrong forms), please do not panic and work on it fast. Usually, submission of requirements has  a deadline and if you’re not sure you can submit the files on time, please call the embassy or write them an email notifying them about the delay. If you have questions, please call the embassy. However, sometimes, the embassy doesn’t have any customer hotlines for visa applicants. The best way to answer your confusion is to read through the information kit you can easily download through their website. All the answers are there. Again, don’t panic.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index-can.asp

tip#3. “Good things come to those who wait”. Well, after you have completely submitted all the necessary documents for your visa application, the only thing to do now is wait. And while you are waiting, please check your email all the time. The embassy won’t call you on your landline nor on your cellphone. They won’t send you a mail too. So please try to open your email from time to time, including your spam. Sometimes, they would ask for additional documents. In my case, they asked for an Advisory on Marriages or a Certificate of No Marriage. You can get this from the very reliable National Statistics Office. NSO is quite fast and organized now. At least in my island that is.

tip #4. When you finally have your VISA, the embassy will also enclose a short orientation on what else to do. This may include the things and money you are allowed to bring. It may also include a few reminders before your departure. You may have to attend Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars. If you are a Filipino Citizen, you are REQUIRED to attend the PDOS. Do no miss it. Click this link for more information: http://cfo.gov.ph . You may also attend orientations sponsored by the country you’re migrating to. If you have time, or please do make time, please attend. They’re very helpful. I attended the orientation sponsored by Canadian Orientation Abroad. It’s Free. Go attend, it’s very helpful. It would include everything – from country’s history to the things you need to do when you arrive.  Canadian Orientation Abroad site: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/partner/bpss/COA.asp

tip # 5. Prepare the things you are going to bring. Make a list. Do not forget your original documents. Keep them handy and dont file them inside your check in luggage. Make sure you have a duplicate copy of your documents and put them in your check in luggage. Do not overpack. Based from my experience, the most important things to pack are: jammies, jogging pants, socks, sweater, sweatshirts, thermal shirts, rubber shoes, slippers.

tip #6. Relax. When you have all your docs, especially your visa and your passport and that PDOS sticker, i think you are good to go. Bring some money too. Have them converted to dollars beforehand. Do not buy dollars from the airport as they’re a little higher compared to banks and money changers.

tip #7. Pray. Go to mass. Smile. Cry a little. or a lot.

Coming Soon: What to do upon arrival and what to do later! 🙂

and the heat is on

can you remember your favorite childhood summer memory?

Today is a sizzling, blistering, ovenbaked 33°C. Wow.

My thought — > Summer is now sitting comfortably under a colorful beach umbrella ; doing her job heating the island whilst sipping a cold lemonade . Ironically, Mr. Sun looks so cool doing just that.

Anyway… Now that school’s over, and the kids (and the nannies as well) are all engrossed with their tablets and all their other one-way-no-interaction-to-other-beings gadgets, I try to come up with some exciting and “memory-making” things to do during this season. Wouldn’t it be so nicer to grow up, looking back at one particular summer when you did something else, rather than using up all your time in front of your laptop, TV sets, tablets, the works… ?

Plus I think, Summer is the best time to create and build more memories with your kids and your families and your friends 🙂 .

What memories to create within 2 months of Summer vacation:

1. If you are a parent who is on a very tight budget, no need to book a flight to the most famous beaches. Aside from eating a huge chunk to your savings, those famous beaches will probably be too busy, too crowded and too noisy for you and your family. If you guys really want to go swimming, research and ask around about a nearby beach resort. Those resorts aren’t just cheaper, they’re also manned by the best staff; people who will have their 90% attention to you and your needs. These resorts also offer activities you and your family can do together (snorkeling, trekking to waterfalls, beach volleyball, island hopping, food trip) – a chance to make memories!

Top Beach Suggestions – Taramindu Beach, Laiya, San Juan Batangas ; El Canonero Resort, Talipanan, Pto. Galera (i’ve been to these two resorts before, they’re peaceful, they’re heavenly, they’re affordable, they have GREAT FOOD!)

2. To families who are adventurous and even to those who seek adventure, you should try to hike and climb up those beautiful northern mountains. Believe me, you and your family or friends will be talking about it for years and years to come. 🙂

I therefore suggest – Mt. Pulag / Sagada (nope, they’re not a walk in the park, but the sights you’ll see are far better than parks! hehe, corny i know) Take a lot of pictures!!!

3. Learn a new language. Do you watch movies and TV series in foreign language, with no subtitles, and still watch them??? Then this might interest you — > Language Learning Center of Miriam College

Admit it, there’s something really sophisticated with someone who speaks more than two languages, isn’t it?

4. Okay, so if you really do not want to spend some money this summer, then try this fourth tip:

“I want to ride my bicycle, i want to ride my biiiikke!” – Queen

Go get your old bicycles in your garage, give it some oil, call your friends and be like these young boys at a local plaza. They look like they are really having fun right? I’m envious. 😀

5. If you dont want your kids to bike around town, as you live in a really urban zone, read my fifth tip.

Make them do some household chores. Do them together. No, don’t let them carry your heavy pales nor let them mop your hornitex flooring. Make them do the dishes, or make their own beds, or arrange all their toys and organize which are to donate and keep. Sort out your numerous stuff – from clothes to toys. Keep some, lose some.

Doing chores together, not only improve your marriage (ehem), but can make your kids more competent and responsible. It would all boil down to them building their character, and making them independent and strong.

If all the chores were done, and two months of vacation stiil wasnt over yet, exercise. 🙂 Run. Be free. or climb up and down the stairs. Dance. Challenge the strength of your legs! 🙂 Believe me, not only this tip would make you feel stronger, more alive, but it would be so habitual, even during school days, your kids will squeeze in some time to exercise. 🙂 a much healthier you. great memory i suppose. 🙂 (ah this tip i should do more often!!!)

6. Cook. Or learn it. Careful with the knives and the stoves though. What a rewarding feeling it would be for the kids to host the dinner for your family. a beaming memory in the making.

 

So there goes my 6 tips. Remember, do something new every single day, no matter how petty it can be – or at least every other day. Let us try to break our and our kids’ “techie savvy” habit. We are a little bit more consumed now with technology, let’s try something new once in a while. By new, I mean something that can make your kids’ eyes off that tablet, and off that chair too 🙂

PS:

The child in the picture is my nephew. This summer, he will make hamburgers and paint aprons. But on regular days, he tries to be like Spiderman – wear his uncle’s socks on his hands as his gloves and an old bonnet on his face as his mask. He runs around like that. He doesn’t own a tablet, but he does play Fruit Shoot and Basketball using my sister’s phone.

 

and the never ending seasons

hello summer. 

From where my husband is, winter’s already over – based from his stories, it was a tiny bit longer winter than the past winters. He said winter could put a gloom into someone. I don’t know what he meant, I haven’t experienced winter before. Tropics and monsoon – that’s all i have.

But yes, another season is over. And yes, your guess is right, no visa yet pour moi. Hindi uso ang express passes at whirlwind romances sa mundo ng mga nasa embassy. In other words, there’s no word yet from them about our application.

I hate to be melodramatic, but, when you wait, it feels like you gather up all your power and your strength, put them in a jar and then afterwards, put a lid on it . Like most lids, they are going to expand after some time; all contents would come pushing and pushing, until there’s no more strength to push. But the lid still, and as always, remains shut. It exhausts us, and it breaks down our every spirit.

Have you felt that before?

And then all the seasons come and go — summer begins, and then it rains, and then it snows once again.

Here you are still– left with the thought of when.

you jump, i jump

Today feels like that giddy bus ride to Sagada. AJA!

Hi.

2013. Wow. I suddenly wonder, “how many bloggers and writers have started their posts with ‘2013”? A LOT probably. 🙂

Anyway, this year, my husband and I, plan to work on some serious income-generating projects. Right now, for us to fully grasp the idea and really “oil” this future machine, our skype and bbm conversations have turned into mini-brainstorming sessions. No more facebook for me now, as I “google search” everything there is to know about the project. Hubby does that too. Too many information you can find online. Thank you to the sources, hehe. Slowly, we are going to build an empire. 😀

In relation to this, one of the most important things I have learned from having my dad as my boss is, the love for your work. He said, when you love what you are doing, you will never get tired no matter how much effort and time you’ve poured into this job. True enough, the only thing that tires us is a poor sales performance or an efficient staff leaving her job.

So, when my husband told me about this project, I right away felt there’s going to be future in this. This is something that he loves, one of the many somethings that he does best. The only flaw would probably be time constraints. But as we all know, when you love something or someone, we all make time for it. Plus, there’s never going to be a time limit. Charot. 😀

I cannot wait for Step One to start. The “about-to-take-off” state, usually, is the most crucial – it’s when you gather up all your data, and back it up with a full blown marketing plan. But, we have done this before. This is, in a way, similar to planning a wedding, or opening a new branch.

Everything must start from scratch. 🙂 So that Steps 2 to  Steps 1000 will immediately follow 😀

So, year of the snake, please be nice to Mr. and Mrs. May luck be on our side this year.

Updates soon!

Cheers

When everybody writes the best (and worst) of their 2012, I would only like to say thanks to last year.
So 2012, thank you. You were very awesome 🙂
2013 is here now and I know you’re flashing a cute smile now, 2012. You’ve kind of paved the way and 2013 is going to continue what you have started.
Good luck to us 2013. 🙂 Be like the fireworks in the picture, colorful, striking, a little “jittery”, but yeah, that’s who we are. 🙂
Happy New Year everyone. 🙂

Glossy

This is for the helpless and the hopeless – for those who continue to try and struggle – for those who survive – for those who forever hope and believe and for those who always love.
Holiday season may be over, cheers and jeers ended as quickly as they began, routines are back, but we are still here — living and breathing and loving.

Keep the faith. Shine like this little red star. 🙂

Silly Walk Poem

who knows, maybe we can really knock out the moon

Hello,

I’d like to take some walks with you.
You know those quiet walks that don’t seem to be awkward at all.
Yeah, that kind of walk.
I’d like to have that with you.

We can hold hands,
I can cling onto your arm,
Or we can simply walk side by side.
I wouldn’t really mind.

Let’s just walk, please,
Let’s see what’s across the street together.

Let’s walk,
’til the sun starts to set,
and until the sky turns to my favorite orange.

yeah, that’d be awesome-great.

I miss you. I miss you so much.
Please come to me.
Walk with me.
You, you, you.
Now, now, now.

The Tales of Retail

for a product to sell, get the best sales person 🙂

Hello,

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of our retail business, i have listed below, not lessons and tips, but the most memorable stories — both good and bad — we have ever encountered. Enjoy reading 🙂

1. A week after we opened a branch in the farthest part of the island, we met a teacher from a private college there. she asked for our permission to let her class visit our store for a little “field trip”. we thought it was only one class, but lo and behold, there were batches! 🙂 they went around the store, looking at our displays, having a little picture moment, here and there. they said they loved the modern look of the store and the latest in audio video 🙂 that was the first time we held an educational field trip. 🙂 and it was fun 🙂

2. When my siblings and i were still in school, we didn’t have any service truck back then. if my father sold a refrigerator, he would call “mang kikoy”, the “cuchero” and would hire him to deliver the unit to our customer. Cuchero is a calesa driver. A calesa is a two wheeled carriage pulled by a horse. How sosyal, imagine a calesa parked outside your house. 🙂 It would seem like a clip from an 18th century movie. Yesssss.

3. A couple went to our store. Something about them told us they were from the island but were currently settling at a different country, somewhere in Europe. How did we know? They were talking in a foreign language when they entered the store. 🙂 My team followed them around, gave the best sales talk, smiled, followed again, sales talk. The routine. But the couple werent smiling, they were just looking around. Then they started opening the refrigerators, and then like someone who’s carefully studying if the fish were fresh, began to knock the doors of our displays, not that softly though! “Hindi ganito ang mga ref sa I__y! Hindi ito bakal!” (These are not like the ones from ____! These arent made of steel!) They went on saying things like that about our products the entire time they were there.

We didn’t like it. But we’re made of steel too, and people who look down on our products are a mere laughingstock as soon as they exit our store 🙂

To cut the story short, they purchased that fridge. Labo.

4. During one of our grand openings, as a gift to a purchasing customer, we gave her a free shirt. She exclaimed, “Wow! Pang Christmas Party ko na ‘to!” (Wow, I’ll wear this to our Christmas Party!)

While in another grand opening, we gave a customer a free shirt. The lady said, “Wag na lang.” (No thanks). Tossed the shirt back to our cashier.

There are plenty of instances with regard the free shirt!

Another story is when a customer bought a TV set. It was a very lean month, a dead month we call it. As a gift, we gave the lady a shirt. And then suddenly she began to recall the units she bought at our store. “Sa dinadami-dami ng binili ko dito, tshirt lang ang give-away ko???” (Ive purchased a lot from this store and all i got was a free shirt??)

Yes customers can sometimes be really choosy with the FREE gifts they bring home.

One more shirt story! We gave the customer, yes, a free shirt as a gift. She laid it down on the table and said, “Pano ko ‘to susuot? May logo ng tindahan nyo??” (How can i wear this when it bears your company logo?)

Hihi. I feel a smile on my face while writing these funny shirt stories. 🙂

5. Nothing beats the feeling of meeting a customer who would say, “Lahat ng appliances ko, dito ko binili. Buhay pa lahat ngayon! Wala pa kayo pwesto dito. Andun pa kayo sa lumang building ng Metrobank” (I purchased all of my home appliances here. And they’re all still working! You don’t have an outlet here yet then, you were still at the old building of Metrobank).

There, number 5 is a sure eye opener — let’s keep both feet on the ground, remember the beginning. That’s a note to myself by the way.

I, well, most of the time, get easily frustrated with the daily ops at work. Who am I to complain? The business is 40 years old, it’s withstood, possibly, the worst. Again, who am I to complain and act like a diva?

Like the old Pinoy saying, “Madami ka pang kakaining bigas!”  (You still ha ve a lot to learn; you still have  a long way to go). 

Anyway 🙂 Those were my top 5 Tales of Retail. I promise to come up with more.

Happy 40th Birthday dear store. I love you. Thank you for being a huge part of my life – and my family’s too.

 

The Picture above! That’s Tristan, Tel and me holding the camera. It was taken last summer of 2011 by my husband during one of our stopovers in Quezon – the land of longganiza (chorizo).

low days, high days

Festival is a time of celebration to commemorate a particular event or the life of a saint or an important person, that usually occurs once in a year.

Hello,

Lately, things have been tough at work. Every single day, every single morning I start my day, problems and more cases flood my table. Here you are, trying to be the best you can be, but as expected, nothing comes close to victory. Sucks. Frustration. Wrinkles. Frowns.

Anyway, to battle the frustration and re-energize, I have listed down the things I should do:

1. End the day with a thank you prayer.

2. Let go of the bad news of the day.

3. Turn on the TV, or watch a feel good movie.

4. Have the cleanest and most comfortable pillows. Sleep.

5. In the morning, say your prayer. Mine is oftentimes like this:

“Lord, thank You for this day, thank You for waking me up. I pray dear Lord that today will be a better day than yesterday, that today will be a good day at work. Thank you for the wonderful weather, thank you for the people I work with. May You guide and bless me, my husband, and my family always. Kayo na po ang bahala sa amin Lord.”

This is not the perfect prayer (well, is there a perfect one?) And to be honest, I sometimes forget to say my prayers; but when I do say them, things really get bright and sunny at work or even here at home. So I really shouldnt forget praying.

6. Drink plenty of water. Eat healthy. Don’t starve! Starvation makes you think ill of others, makes you lose your focus and dulls your sharpness!

7. At work, smile. Smile is contagious, makes the mood at work lighter and happier.

8. Pray.

9. Count your blessings, stop complaining. Focus on your own work.

10. Pray some more. Smile some more.

I should follow these simple steps religiously. Mauubos ka rin bad news, hindi lagi ikaw ang bida.

As my title goes, there are low days, there are high days. Lately it’s been really low for me, but like this festive photo i have inserted here, high days will surely occur– if not now or if not tomorrow, they will one day arrive —  drums, fireworks, masquerades, the works.

Tomorrow, I’ll try to be happier; maybe I will be able to attract some good news and end this sappy cycle I am currently in.

Or maybe, I’ll just keep on looking at this picture. This girl seems to be enjoying the parade. Who wouldnt? You’re wearing the brightest color of green and blue and you’re made up artistically.

Till then.

Love,

J.