The Filipino Channel

I have been surfing through my TV and from the 999 channels I couldn't find The Filipino Channel on it. I tried the channels with Pay Per View and searched the ones I need to subscribe to and I still don't see The Filipino Channel anywhere.

Oh well... but I sometimes ask myself why I want to have a subscription to the Filipino channel when I don't even watch Philippine shows even when I was back home at the Philippines. Well, maybe I'm getting a little bit of homesick. But I'm already home here. I'm an Edmontonian and a Canadian...

...but I am also a Filipino...

Library In a Mall?!

Yup I'm in a library right now and guess where it is located. The Mill Woods Town Center. It's a mall. But having a library in a mall is quite convenient really. So if you want to go to the mall you just tell your parents, "Mom, Dad... I'm going to the library!"

Well the library here has a huge collection of books, CD's, DVD's, magazines, and the sort. I haven't really browsed because I'm only here for the internet hehehe. Evil little me. Well this is just temporary though. I won't be visiting the library anytime again soon because this Monday we will finally have our internet connected. Well we still don't have our own phone and cable TV services connected yet but we already have access to the telephone and cable TV since the previous owner didn't have his utilities disconnected. If we were evil we could have called our friends over the Philippines and the cost would all go to him because his account is set to automatically deduct his fees from his bank account. How convenient (for us) right? But I'm going out of my topic right now.

Well I have ot go home and call my bank. I can't seem to enter my bank account through the internet.... I wonder if someone hacked my account already... oh no... That's why I have to hurry home.

I Hate Telus

Yup this is another episode of my rantings so you better stop reading right now but if you are intersted and want to hear (or read) my ranting then read on ahead.

Well I was so excited yesterday because Telus was supposedly scheduled to arrive at our apartment yesterday to install our Cable Tv, internet, and phone but they didn't come. it seems that they called us up at the lobby and since no one answered they just left with out even checking with the main office of our building to perfom the other installations outside our apartment. The thing is calling us would really not work because we first of all don't have a telephone line yet so the one they were calling was the previous owner. You see the door phone was programmed to call the previous owner and not us. My mom informed Telus about this and even gave her phone number so that we could let them in the building if they arrive but they didn't have the initiative to call 0r what so ever.

My mom called Telus today and they said that they were sorry and they would come again next week. NEXT WEEK??? We've been waiting for 2 weeks now and they want us to wait next week? The operator was not that even nice when we called the other day asking why the Telus installers weren't around.

So my mom terminated our account with Telus and set-up a new bundle with Shaw. Shaw is better indeed as it would only take them 1-3 days to set-up everything. It seems that the stupid previous owner didn't bother disconnecting his utilities so we used it for a while hehehe. Shaw said that they will contact the said owner and will take care of disconnecting and transfer of ownership or what so ever. I'm really impressed with Shaw.

And you kniw what Telus said when my mom said that she'll look for another service provider? "Customers always come back to us..." How cocky can you get?

I'm Going to QUIT

Well I'm not going to quit at my job at Tim Hortons anytime soon. But I am sure tempted to do so. There are so many reasons for me to quit but there are only a few reasons for me to stay (how melodramatic hehehe).

Ok here are my reasons to leave:

• I was placed at night shift (11 pm to 7 am) and the pay is bad (no premiums for me) and I'm the only one at the storefront and I do everything from sweeping, mopping, throwing away the garbage, dishes, restocking, and for again a bad pay. Why do I say bad? Well I used to work at 3-11 pm and I'm only assigned one task and there are more of us on the job so I could afford to goof off during my breaks.
• Morning is hell! There are so many nasty, cold-hearted, cocky, and hard-to-please customers! I honestly broke down and cried (but I hid of course).
• There's a job for me that's nearer to where I live with a higher pay and the job is less stressful.

Reasons for me to stay:

• I was "highly recommended" by a Filipino supervisor that's why I landed the job immediately.
• I love my co-workers during my 3-11 pm shift.
• I need to last longer so that this could serve as a good "Canadian Experience" for me.

But I have weighed things around and I have decided that if they still will place me on night shift next week even after my several talks with my manager showing my extreme discontent and unhappy self then I will quit.

I know that I should persever more and all but I love my self to much to go insane from working to hard! Imagine, whenever I fall asleep all my dreams includes working at Tim Hortons and serving customers. I have to remind my self several times that this is just a dream and there is no Tim Hortons at our house...

Google Adsense Move

I'm glad that my Google Adsense has earned me around $80 now and I am going to cash this out as soon as I reach the $100 mark. But I still have some issues regarding the payee address (my address) because I can't seem to change my Country in the Payee Information. But I've already sent a request form to Google about the change in address so I guess that everything will be ok for now.

I've been a very bad blogger these days since I'm always out of the house and all but once we get the internet connected I guess that everything will work out. I'm actually using the library public pc right now since my brother wanted to use my laptop instead and I wonder why...

Anyway, I'll leave blogging for another day.

The Blogger Police has Gone Bad

I have been tagged as a "Blogger Police" before but I guess that that name doesn't suit me anymore because I have gone to the opposite side of the force... the dark force...

I have become... an ABSENTEE BLOGGER! Yup I don't want to be absent all the time from the blogging world but I can't help it. Under difficult circumstances the blogging gods has cursed me and I don't have internet access at our new home still and I have to walk to the library to go online. It has been a long while (and I mean looong) since I've been online. It's because of my stupid job and such hehehe.

But here I am now blogging with an agitated brother because he wants to use the laptop because I guess he too had been long gone from the internet world. But since I am kind and understanding I will allow him to use my precious laptop and use the public pc which I don't know why he doesn't want to use... technology scare I guess.

Sleep Deprived

Oh my... I swear, if I continue to be on night shift (11 pm to 7 am) I will go insane! I am so sleep deprived and I feel like quitting. But since our money is still frozen and still in the process of being cleared by the Philippine bank (which will take very long as usual) I have to work so that our basic needs will be met. My parents do have jobs already but my brother and I have started working earlier so therefore we get our paychecks first. Oh we did already get our paychecks and it was because of my paycheck that we already got our magnetic key cards using my debit card (my first transaction too).

Oh well. I love working to earn money but I have to ask my manager if I get a premium or a higher pay during my night shift. If not then I'll request that my time slot be transferred to a 3 pm to 11 pm. If they don't let me then I'll just gracefully quit. Working alone in the wee hours of the day is no fun at all especially when grouchy newly-awakened customers start stampeding in.

Our New Apartment... Our Home

These are some pictures of our new apartment. It still has no furniture though... Just some Whirlpool Appliances like a dishwasher, stove & oven, microwave, refrigerator, and washing Machine & dryer which all came with the apartment. Hope we could move in this week already.

I really love our apartment, it seems so cozy and it's just near the mall and the transit center so life is pretty easy. I just hope that July 24 could come already so that our money from the Philippine banks could already be cleared so that we could fill our apartment up with more accessories and decorations so that we could truly call it our home... do you know what I mean?

Anyway I still have work so I'll cut it short here.

My First Pay Check

Canada Day was very memorable to me indeed. It was not only the very first Canadian Holiday that I have experienced but it was also the day that I received my very first paycheck! Yup all my hard work was finally paid off.

Although I still have thoughts of quiting my job, getting that paycheck is like a motivation to me. Besides, what else would I do at home? I'm an Out of School Youth so I'd rather do something more productive right?

Oh yeah, I also have my own debit card which I already used by the way. I used it to pay for the electronic key cards for our apartment. You see our money is still frozen as the bank is still waiting for the banks in the Philippines to clear our bank draft.

I just hate having no money. I feel so low that's why I'm working to supplement our income. Although my parents have jobs already it would take a while for them to get their paychecks so my brother and I are kind of the bread winners for now. We do have money that my mom brought but it's not that much because she didn't expect our bank drafts to clear that long.

My First Canada Day

Last July 1, 2008, I experienced my first Canada Day. Canada Day is Canada's Birthday as this was the day when Great Britain allowed the parts of Canada to join together and form one government.

At that time there were only four provinces (Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick). Today there are 10 provinces and 3 territories.

Canada Day was sure very busy as people were out watching the fireworks and guess where I was? I was at Tim Hortons working! And boy was it busy!

Anyway I'm starting to love Canada already and so as to pay tribute to my new home here is the Canada National Anthem:

Official Lyrics of O Canada!

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

If you want to listen to the mp3 of the song you can visit the page of the Government of Canada here.

***
Picture Credit to WikiPedia

High School Fashion Statement

I was told that fashion here in Canada is not that updated unlike here in the Philippines and I have seen the people here and it's quite true. Filipinos are more "kikay" or fashionistas than most Canadians here.

But we can't totally rule out that Canadians have no fashion statement. Because you know what's in with high school students now? It's wearing colorful pajamas to school! Yup! It's a hassle free fashion. You wake up, go to school, go home, and sleep. No hassle at all... hahaha!

But I don't think that I'll try that in thing with high school students because I don't go with the flow if I don't like it. I still believe in changing clothes and taking a shower.

But you know what? Those pajamas do look comfy. But I will never follow that trend hahaha.

MacEwan College: My Future School?

My Mom and I went to MacEwan to inquire about my future. Yup my future because if we didn't do anything my life would be stagnant and nothing would happen. Here you see a picture of the main MacEwan campus where I am going to take up nursing and start going to school this Winter Intake. That would be the January of next year, well hopefully.

They said that some of my subjects might be credited and I could be placed in second year (that's quite good) but definitely not third year (that's fair enough).

I have to come back this Tuesday for another meeting with an International Councilor so let's just see what happens to my life. I was going to visit NorQuest College too but NorQuest seemed to offer only education for License Practical Nursing/Licensed Vocational Nursing so I didn't bother entering the college to inquire.

I may not be able to enter University of Alberta since they can only accept me this September of next year and I cannot wait that long.

Saying NO to Safeway

What made me want to work was the fact that there are several job opportunities here in Canada and are high paying. With my current job I could afford to live decently and pay the household bills. I wanted to experience working and I wanted to earn money for myself.

I currently work at Tim Hortons as I have shared and I feel that I am doing well. I feel more comfortable going to work and I go home with a smile on my face, a light and happy chest, and some free donuts and coffee from work (hehehe).

Safeway Canada called me and asked me for an interview. I have faith and trust in my self that I could be accepted. But I thought and decided to refuse the offer because even though I want to earn my self money I also needed rest days and that's Thursday and Friday.

I was struggling because I was thinking what if Safeway had a higher pay and all? But I thought that I can't just leave my current job because a fellow Filipino, Ate Virgie, recommended us to the store owner so we can't just turn our backs on her.

So I'm currently happy with my job (it has free donuts!) and the pay is good so thank you safeway but I'm staying at Tim Hortons. And as my Tita told me, I don't want to kill myself by overworking.

My New Neighborhood

Welcome to Mill Woods, Edmonton, Alberta! This is our new home and we're already making our selves familiar with the place. Just don't ask me how to get to downtown because I only know how to get to the University of Alberta, other than that I really have no idea at all.

So thanks to Google Maps, our lives are made easier since we could easily find directions to the destinations that we want to go to. It really is so convenient. Anyway there's a map of the location near our going-to-be apartment. So the red x mark is The Madison that's where we're going to live hopefully. Our apartment is really nice but we're not going to move in until July 1. Our apartment is a two bedroom apartment with two bathrooms. It has a balcony, a laundry "room", and an underground parking so we don't have to worry about the car not starting up during winter.

Here's a picture that we took of the building:

Here's the picture of the transit center (it's the yellow cross onthe map) and a picture of the inside of the bus:

We're quite lucky to live near a transit center because from here we could go to everywhere in Edmonton that we would want to go to and the ticket is only for $2.10 and you get a transfer pass (which expires 1 and a half hour after you got on the bus) if you want to go back.

Plus life is so convenient because the Mill Woods Town Center (which you can't miss on the map) is there:

The shopping center is the largest one near our area and don't be mislead by it's country charm because this mall is very cool even for a one-level mall. Check out this touch screen interactive mall directory:

With mall directories like these you would never get lost. You can just browse through the stores or enter the store your looking for and the directory tells you where you are and directs you with walking feet display from where you are to the store you want to go to.

But most important of all is that the Tim Hortons where I work in, which is shown in the green line, so I don't have to worry about missing the bus or anything and it's also safer because I live so close and my shift is 3-11 pm.

I think I'm going to adjust here... hopefully.

Life as a Worker

Ok I was never the perfect worker. I sort of screw things up at the till (cash register) and I still don't know all the products at Tim Hortons. Oh well it was still my second day as a trainee (that was sent straight into the fire with out any manuals or references at all). I sure wished that they gave me a manual so that I could study it.

I feel like I'm always on duty in the hospital because the shift is 8 hours and I have to deal with different kind of people, I'm stressed, and the work is not for the lazy and for the weak at heart at mind (like me hehehe).

But life is made easier with fellow co-workers who help you on the way, customers who are friendly and understanding, and a fellow Filipino that makes you feel in place.

Working sure is difficult but I'll give it my best shot.

No Rice

Nope there's no rice shortage here in Canada if you're asking. And if ever there is people here won't really care hehehe. Woah I think I’m moving on with my diet well. I’m eating no rice and all I’m eating are veggies and some meat (the one’s with less fat like chicken). There’s actually lot of food choices over here for a lesser price too (because everything is bought by large quantities and containers and competition means lowering the prices).

I’m also working now and plan to walk to work so I think I’m getting there (hopefully) but if I won’t then it’s fine. The people here don’t care how I look anyway so no problem at all. And did I mention that the people here are nice? Yeah maybe too many times hehehe. I just have to remember to be nice and smile too. I don’t want to give Canadians the idea that Filipinos are unfriendly hehehe. But I’m still uneasy looking at people and smiling… it’s so not me hehehe. But if it gives people the cold shoulder so I’ll defreeze for a while. I won’t lose anything if people don’t smile back.

***
Photo credits to http://keetsa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/rice.jpg

Got a JOB!

Yup! I am so happy that I was able to get myself a job. I only applied yesterday and then today my brother and I got a call from Cathy, Tim Hortons’ Day Manager, and we signed a contract and we’re ready to work and train tomorrow. I work at 3 pm to 11 pm but it’s really no problem because the last bus is at 12 am. But if I do miss my bus walking is no problem because it’s really near where I live and that the sun would still be up.

My pay is at $9.50 per hour and it will increase if we stay at Tim Hortons longer. My brother’s pay is at $9/hour since he’s only a part timer and that his school starts this September. My school starts next year (hopefully) so working would sound good.

I haven’t got my work schedule yet because I haven’t seen my manager since I work at a different store but my brother works 4 days. And if he works a full month he’ll be earning Php 48,384! He’s earning more than most professionals in the Philippines and he’s just a part time worker! And if I begin working then I’m sure I’ll earn even more.

I’ve actually applied to other stores to like McDonalds, Safeway, Tokyo Express (which I won’t be accepted since most employees are Japanese hehehe, you know that means something). And if ever I’ll see a “we’re hiring” sign near my neighborhood then I’ll probably apply there too hehehe. My Tito had given me an advice that I should remember that I will still have to go to school because working and earning already is addicting and I may want to keep on working.

***
Picture credits go to www.biojobblog.com/JobSearchNewspaper.jpg

Exercising for Nothing

I was so thrilled when I burned 20 calories on the treadmill, well that's what the treadmill said anyway.

But I was also a bit frustrated because I was already sweaty and I felt tired so I decided to drink Gatorade so that the electrolytes that I loss will be replenished and that so that I could be rehydrated. But what really surprised me was that the energy drink had 130 calories in it and I was like staring at the bottle thinking why did I sweat on the treadmill for when what I lose was gained when I drank that energy drink?

Moral Lesson? Drink water! It has no calories!

But really I'm trying to lose weight here and take off some inches off my waist because I don't want to look like my father. Just thinking about it makes me want to run around the neighborhood even if it's freezing.

Well some people on the internet had rudely said that I was fat but instead of getting mad about it I'm doing something about it instead. So goodbye carbohydrates! That means goodbye rice! From now on I'm eating only vegetables, fruits, and proteins. No rice for me.

Plus I'm doing sit-ups every day and I've finally watched that $6 dollar abs workout I bought from the internet. Well back to exercising for me then!

Unstable Future

My gosh! I am really in a fix this time! My future is at risk here people so I'm really anxious right now.

This afternoon we're going to the University of Alberta to have an assessment as to where I stand as a student nurse. I really want to study nursing in Canada so I was willing to go back to first year college and I'm supposed to be a 4th year student back in the Philippines.

I was told by my mom's friend that University requirements are strict here in Canada unlike in the Philippines were education is mainly about business. She told me that I had to have at least three units of English here in Canada or something. So does that mean I have to go back to high school? Maybe in grade 8 (equivalent to 4th year high school in the Philippines)?

Or I was given another option.... which I don't want to take... GO BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES!!! It's not that I don't want to go back but it's because I feel ashamed if I go back because people expect me to be a here in Canada and all of the sudden *poof* I'm right back here. And my batch mates would already be ahead of me and I have to go back where I dropped off, third year nursing during summer.

I should have just stayed here in the Philippines if that's the case. I wanted to stay and finish in the Philippines but my mom didn't allow me because she doesn't want to worry about me. I know that it's sweet and all but it's my future that's in stake here. I had never took my education for granted (well in some occasions I had) and it pains me that I am getting behind in everything.

I hope that we could beat the system! I could just study as a Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse then go to University of Alberta to take Bachelor of Science in Nursing so that I could be an RN already. Ayayayayay! This is just some of the stress of moving... hope that we could all cope up with this.

My First Impressions of Canada

You can't really blame me if I compare the Philippines from Canada because I came from the Philippines and Canada is a new place and I like what I am seeing. So let me just share some of my thoughts about my first impressions of Canada and how the Philippines differ.

1. Canasa is so WIDE and OPEN! Unlike the Philippines which has a population of 90.5 million people, Canada only has 33.3 Million people and not to mention that Canada is the second largest country and the Philippines is so tiny as compared to the humongous Canada. The whole Philippines could fit into Alberta (the province where Edmonton is located) but Alberta only has 3.4 Million people.
2. In Canada, drivers are very responsible. Unlike the Philippines, drivers from Canada are responsible drivers and they give way and respect other drivers. Honking of horns is not common and considered very rude here in Canada. And pedestrians are given higher importance. So if you see me walking across the road, you have to stop for me hahaha! Even if I want to walk under the moonlight slowly.
   
3. The rights of the people are upheld. This is common knowledge already I guess. If my car brakes down because of some pots in the road then I can sue the government for the damages of my car and the government is liable for the repairs. In the Philippines, the government is corrupt and don't bother seeking for anything from the Philippine government like your fundamental rights. And if I were harassed by anyone let's say if I'm discriminated or some sort I could report this to the police and the culprits could be sanctioned but you know what? Canadians are really nice people so discrimination is not an issue here.
   
4. Government services are first class! You won't see a cheap looking government building here in Canada. When you enter any government owned offices and building, you have a feeling that you're in a five star hotel. The employees are very kind and approachable and they give justice to the term "public servant". Government transactions are quite fast. We got our Social Insurance Number (SIN) immediately on the spot processing. If we did have SIN in the Philippines the process would take months and you would have to bribe the government employees if you want your paperwork to be done faster... tsk tsk.
5. There are no poor people in Canada, just low income groups. By low income I mean families who can provide their family with everything they need they just don't live in luxury like driving a brand new BMW or living in a mansion or something. In the Philippines.... no comment! People who lost their jobs in Canada (because they were removed from their job and it wasn't their fault) are supported by the government with allowances until they get their own jobs.
6. Aside from the fact that Canada has four seasons (winter, spring, summer, fall), did you know that outside would still be bright and dandy even if it is 12 midnight during summer!? And when it's winter, it could already be dark when it's only 4 pm. I still need to get used to this.
7. Contrary to popular belief, Canadians (or people who live in cold places) do take showers in the morning! We do have hot showers here you know and every building and cars have heaters so it's not really cold inside the house.

There are still some more things that I want to share about Canada and I think I'll save that for my later posts.