Saturday, January 31, 2009

Asianovelas

I just love watching Asianovelas (a Filipino term for Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese Dramas/Movies)! I love them because the stories are very unique and that they have this certain taste that I love.

There's something very memorable in every movie and there are always a message in every movie unlike some of the other Western movies where the plot is shallow.

And on the plus side, Asians are so cute (hahaha!). So if you want to watch Asianovelas, I recommend visiting mysoju.com.

Financial Headaches...

I hate having to worry about money. Ever since I've started earning my own money I started having troubles with my financial profile. I mean now I have to worry about paying bills, saving for future expenses, and keeping my credit score and credit history clean so that I can get future loans for my university (and maybe a car).

I wish we could live without having to worry about money.... but I have learned some things during these past few days and they are:

> Never lend anyone money unless you're willing to accept that you'll never get it back.
> Be thrifty... Spending a few dollars here and there could lead to several hundreds of dollars at the end of the month.
> Use your credit card wisely... you have to pay for it at the end of the month.

But I guess that I have been pretty good at keeping my financial profile clean because my bank just gave me a $250 increase on my credit limit so this gives me more spending money during rainy days (emergencies).

Well I still have 7 months before I get to go back to University, so until then I'm going to work hard so that I can earn more money.



Friday, January 30, 2009

TOEFL Exam: I PASSED!!!

No words can fully express how happy, joyful, thankful, lucky I am to be able to pass my TOEFL exam. Well there is really no passing or failing mark in the TOEFL exam but I did have to meet the University of Alberta's requirement of having a minimum of 26 points (out oi 30) in the speaking category of the TOEFL exam. I really don't need the reading, listening, and writing part because these were waived since I studied for 3 years at Xavier University, which of course is an institution where English proficiency is a norm.

I'm not sure if I passed because I speak English well or if I passed only out of pure luck. But all I can say is my results are quite good. I just have to wait for University of Alberta to receive my results and finally accept me into the fall term... hopefully.

Here are my test results:

Test Test Date Reading Listening Speaking Writing Total
TELXML January 10, 2009 29 30 26 28 113

Reading Skills Level Your Performance
Reading High(22-30)

Test takers who receive a score at the HIGH level, as you did, typically understand academic texts in English that require a wide range of reading abilities regardless of the difficulty of the texts.

Test takers who score at the HIGH level, typically

  • have a very good command of academic vocabulary and grammatical structure;
  • can understand and connect information, make appropriate inferences, and synthesize ideas, even when the text is conceptually dense and the language is complex;
  • can recognize the expository organization of a text and the role that specific information serves within the larger text, even when the text is conceptually dense; and
  • can abstract major ideas from a text, even when the text is conceptually dense and contains complex language.
Listening Skills Level Your Performance
Listening High(22-30)

Test takers who receive a score at the HIGH level, as you did, typically understand conversations and lectures in English that present a wide range of listening demands. These demands can include difficult vocabulary (uncommon terms, or colloquial or figurative language), complex grammatical structures, abstract or complex ideas, and/or making sense of unexpected or seemingly contradictory information.

When listening to lectures and conversations like these, test takers at the HIGH level typically can

  • understand main ideas and important details, whether they are stated or implied;
  • distinguish more important ideas from less important ones;
  • understand how information is being used (for example, to provide evidence for a claim or describe a step in a complex process);
  • recognize how pieces of information are connected (for example, in a cause-and-effect relationship);
  • understand many different ways that speakers use language for purposes other than to give information (for example, to emphasize a point, express agreement or disagreement, or convey intentions indirectly); and
  • synthesize information, even when it is not presented in sequence, and make correct inferences on the basis of that information.
Speaking Skills Level Your Performance
Speaking about familiar topics Good(3.5 - 4.0)

Your responses indicate an ability to communicate your personal experiences and opinions effectively in English. Overall, your speech is clear and fluent. Your use of vocabulary and grammar is effective with only minor errors. Your ideas are generally well developed and expressed coherently.

Speaking about campus situations Fair(2.5 - 3.0)

Your responses demonstrate an ability to speak in English about reading material and experiences typically encountered by university students. You are able to convey relevant information about conversations, newspaper articles, and campus bulletins; however, some details are missing or inaccurate. Limitations of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation at times cause difficulty for the listener. However, they do not seriously interfere with overall communication.

Speaking about academic course content Good(3.5 - 4.0)

Your responses demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively in English about academic topics typical of first-year university studies. Your speech is mostly clear and fluent. You are able to use appropriate vocabulary and grammar to explain concepts and ideas from reading or lecture material. You are able to talk about key information and relevant details with only minor inaccuracies.

Writing Skills Level Your Performance
Writing based on reading and listening Good(4.0 - 5.0)

You responded well to the task, relating the lecture to the reading. Weaknesses, if you have any, might have to do with

  • slight imprecision in your summary of some of the main points and/or
  • use of English that is occasionally ungrammatical or unclear.
Writing based on knowledge and experience Good(4.0 - 5.0)

You responded with a well-organized and developed essay. Weaknesses, if you have any, might have to do with

  • use of English that is occasionally ungrammatical, unclear, or unidiomatic and/or
  • elaboration of ideas or connection of ideas that could have been stronger.

I'd love to talk about the contents of the exam but I sort of written a promissory note that I will never talk about the contents of the exam unless I want to face legal prosecution.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Preparing For Valentine's Day

I'm not actually the one preparing for Valentine's Day. It's actually my friend who is having a hard time deciding what to give his "special someone" for Valentine's Day. He kept nagging me on and on today at work about what I thought would be a great idea for a gift. I got so tired of him asking that I finally caved in and told him just to give her flowers. Every girl loves flowers right? I told him just to get a Valentines Day Flower Delivery and I'm sure that his "special someone" would be happy.

Flowers are a must for Valentine's Day! Flowers can be given along side any gift like chocolates, jewelry, or whatever special but flowers by itself is a great gift as well! Flowers are amazing and beautiful and they have this great impact to any girl who receives them no matter how many times she has received flowers in her entire lifetime.

But if you ask me, if I was to be given a Valentine gift I'd want something edible like chocolates, cakes, or cookies because I love food hahaha! Some cute things like the traditional I Love You bears would be cute too. But I guess any gift that is sent by someone you love would be great, it's the thought that counts and the emotion that accompanies it: L-O-V-E!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Sorry... Just Bored...



What can I say... I was bored so I made this video of me hahaha! Actually I didn't really make the video I just used the Made Up Memories website to make this video. I have nothing better to do with my spare time so this is what I thought of doing.

My violin hasn't arrived yet, my TOEFL results are coming this Friday, and my friend who I lent $500 (PHP 20,000) hasn't paid me back yet... so those are the things going on in my mind as I live my oh boring life....

So... on with the show!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Being One With Nature

I really love nature and all it's beauty. That's why I'm glad to live in a neighborhood with so many plants and trees. The color of green just relaxes me and clears my mind of all the stress and worries in my mind.

That's why I really want to get some indoor planters so that I can feel more relaxed when I'm at home. I really envy our family friend for they have such a great home and what made their home even more beautiful are their plants that added beauty and elegance to their home. And I really mean elegance because they had these gorgeous decorative planters that not only emphasized the plant's beauty but the planter by itself is enough to accentuate the home's beauty.

Speaking of planters, I never knew that there were different kinds and types. If you don't know what a planter is, it's a box or pot that holds plants and it's also called a jardiniere. There are planters comes in different, shapes, sizes, color, material, and even features like self-watering and frost-resistant.

I'm not into gardening but I really want to have plants or flowers in the house so maybe I'll get my self a window box planter to make our home a little bit more inviting.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Just Bought A Violin!

After hearing the anime Shingetsutan Tsukihime's music, I was more hyped into learning the violin. I find the music made by the violin as something soothing, mysterious, and just plain beautiful. I'd always wanted to learn to play the violin and how can I learn to play the violin if I didn't have my own violin right? Well so I got myself a violin today and I can't wait for it to arrive. I was going to buy this violin that cost only around $75 CAN but it had no carrying case or anything but then I decided to buy the violin that cost only $195 US from another store. I bought it because it seemed worth it for a begginner violin as it had all the accessories plus it was originaly priced at $800 US. I wanted to look for a cheaper starter violin since I might not be that good or I might not even learn violin so I didn't want to waste my money. But I failed to consider that the US $ is stronger than the Canadian $ so instead of paying $195, I actually paid for $250 Canadian. This factor even made me want to learn violin more as I don't intend to waste my money. I really hope that I do get to learn violin. I know that it would take patience, time, and practice, practice, and more practice.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Shopping the Smart Way

I used to judge other people for always wanting to go to the mall and shop because I thought it was a waste of money and what would you do with all those clothes anyway? But I finally changed my opinion towards shopping when I already earned my own money and when I go out with my friends we usually go shopping.

I realized that there is nothing wrong with shopping especially for clothes because when I go to university this September (fingers crossed) I would need lots of clothes because they don't require uniforms. Now I miss my school uniform... Also we have 4 seasons here in Canada so our clothing must be appropriate for each season.

The key to smart shopping is to always look for special deals like 50% to 70% discounts and stuff. What I like here in Canada is that when they have sales they do it to attract more customers or they are changing seasons unlike back home in the Philippines when they have sales because the items are either old or have defects on them or if they are perishable goods, they are close to their expiry date.

So my friends and I had no plans to shop, but since this very nice Filipino gentleman we met at the Filipino store offered us a ride to the Cineplex at Edmonton South Common as he was headed that way too. He was going to buy shoes at the Nike store at the strip mall near the Cineplex so we decided to look around. That is when we wear surprised that Guess, Buffalo by David Bitton, and Espirit where all having sales. I usually just walk away from temptations but my friends wanted to shop so we went in and I made an awesome discovery. I have a severe weakness for coats and jackets and I saw this awesome looking black jacket by Buffalo which was normally sold for $200 something and now was $160. And then Guess had an even more big surprise as I found this brown fall jacket which was now only $45 from $160. Ofcourse I checked if there was somwthing wrong with the jacket to make them want to give this jacket such a huge drop in price but it was in perfectly good shape and the style was unique. So I bought them and I was surprised that I saved so much. I can say that I have saved because after the sale, the discounted items will return to their original price so my $45 dollar jacket will be $160 again.

So my friends and I walked away with these bags from these designer stores with smiles on our faces. I can't wait for the next sale event.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Midnight Food Trip at McDonalds

Today was the last day of my 4 straight days of work until my day-off tomorrow so my Filipino co-workers/friends decided to spend it by stopping over at McDonalds to visit our old colleague. Who would have guessed that the majority of the McDonalds staff would be Filipinos including the on-duty managers and supervisors.

It was great how they practiced the Filipino characteristic of being hospitable. I was really amazed how accommodating they were to me and my companions. They personally came to our table and introduced themselves and told us to ask whatever we wanted. They gave us a 50% discount and they even gave us a huge slice of their ice cream birthday cake which I loved of course.

I just am happy to meet fellow Filipinos who are very friendly. I like contract workers better than some immigrant Filipinos because Filipinos who become citizens of Canada or are immigrants think of themselves as superior than those who are contract workers which I personally think is so wrong.

Anyway I am really glad that I went to McDonalds this midnight. I got to eat and I got to meet new people. Great day! I'm hoping tomorrow's movie day with the guys would turn out great as well.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Still Snowing...


My gosh... it's still snowing in Edmonton! Well Winter will officially end in March 21 so it's no surprise why the outside is still a walk-in freezer. I hate winter and the cold! The snow was fun at first because it was my first time to see and touch snow but after several flurries and having walked in knee-deep snow the glamor of snow faded away.

But even if it's freezing I still love to eat ice cream and I've learned to love hot instant noodles. The instant noodles I love are the ones imported from the Philippines: Lucky Me Instant Cup Noodles. Like they're sold here at the Filipino store for $2. That's like Php 80! But I have learned to stop converting dollars to pesos because I won't be able to buy anything if I do. I just love Filipino products and I prefer them over the locally made Canadian and US imported goods here.

I just received my paycheck this week and boy was I disappointed. Having to miss four days of work took a big toll on my paycheck that's why I'm going to work 1 hour and 30 minutes extra tomorrow so that I can get more money in my next paycheck, Lol! I'm now really more concerned in saving money because I've realized how much money I've wasted already but I think I can forgive myself because we really didn't have anything yet when we first arrived here in Canada so investing in our home and stuff is not really a waste of money right?

Today was a great day! It wasn't that busy at work and the customers where 80% good. I loved it when one regular customer gave me a chocolate again. He knew how I loved chocolates! I'd just make sure that I get on his good side because the next time he gives me chocolate it might be poisoned! Lol! The customers kept praising us how fast and efficient we were today. They just didn't take into account that there were no one else when they ordered their food.

I wonder how tomorrow would turn out. Well I'm the baker tomorow and the co-worker that's ultra slow and is of no use at all is off tomorrow so everything seems good.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Lost For Words

It's been a while since I last created a post in my blog. It seems that I have nothing to say at the moment. Nothing really interesting has happened to me lately. Well there are things that I would love to rant and rave about but I'm so fed up with ranting and complaining. There's nothing that I would get from it. Instead of releasing my frustration and anger I just relive the whole experience once again and it's not a great feeling to have.

Well something interesting did happen to me today and that is my Test of English as a Foreign Language Exam (TOEFL). I took the exam downtown and boy am I disappointed at myself. You see the most crucial port of the exam that I really needed was the speaking test but I have to commit a huge blunder at that part of the exam. In the middle of the part of the exam where I have to listen to a conversation and talk about the conversation, I was daydreaming and I was thinking of how I did in the past sections of the exam. By the time I realized that I was suppose to listen to the conversation, the conversation had already ended. So by the time that I snapped out of my day dream I was already babbling not knowing what to say... I'm doomed.

I wish for a miracle... and that miracle would be me getting a score pf 26 out of 30... ok I'm doomed.



Wednesday, January 7, 2009

I'm Back to Baking!


I'm so glad that they've finally placed me on baking. Well they do rotate us to baking, which is great! I just enjoy making donuts and I'm so proud if they get sold out because it makes me feel that my donuts is making someone happy and "fulfilled" somewhere.

Well one other reason why I love being baker because I get to stay at the back and I don't have to take anyone's orders hehehe. Well I'm so fed up taking orders that even when I sleep I have to remind myself that I'm not working at Tim Hortons so I can't make anyone a large double double (that's Tim Horton Language for a Large Coffee with 2 shots of sugar and 2 shots of cream).

Anyway, I'm off to bed! I have to wake up early tomorrow so that I can prepare for my upcoming TOEFL exam this Saturday. If I pass this test, my future as a Nursing Student at University of Alberta will be guaranteed!



Saturday, January 3, 2009

Sharing Memories

Year 2008 has passed but we shouldn't forget all those happy memories that we had and those exciting events that occurred during 2008. We should always cherish those days because we only live our lives once.

And what a better way to treasure memories and preserve them is by taking pictures of those unforgettable events and make a scrapbook! Yup scrapbooking is an undying art that brings a smile upon our faces once we open one and reminisce about the good old times.

Some may find making scrapbooks time consuming and difficult, but with SmileBox.com you have absolutely no excuse not to start making your own scrapbook. It`s easy, fun, and absolutely free to use SmileBox.com to make your very own bundle of memories. Just choose from several scrapbooking layouts and designs and share these memories with friends and loved ones by sending them Free Ecards.

I'm going to start making my own scrapbook right now and send it back to my friends in the Philippines so hope you guys start making yours too!


Thursday, January 1, 2009

As Time Passed By

"Tick... Tock... Tick... Tock...," These are the sounds that I hear as I laid down alone in our living room. Everything is so quiet except for the deafening ticking of our clocks. Yes we have a clock in every part of our home and they all tick in consortium as if to warn me of the coming future.

My heart beats faster as if it wanted to outpace the clock's ticking. I'm afraid of what the future holds and as I lay there listening to the ticking of our clocks I somehow feel an impending doom falling upon me. Just laying still simply drives me insane because I realize how fast time is passing by and how much time I waste as I just lay there doing nothing.

The Year 2008 left and the Year 2009 came with great fears and excitement because I know that this year has several new events that I will have to encounter. This year will be the time when I will know if I'm qualified to go to University of Alberta, the year when I will take my driving exam for my driver's license, and they year when I will break free from the monotony and harships of working a blue collared job.

I know that more headaches and obstacles are ahead... that's why I ask God's divine intervention to strengthen me and aide me along the way. Things won't be easy, but it is these problems that makes life more exciting.