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.

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.

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.

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.