j a n s e n. i. s. m.

Five days ago

“…is approved”, the middle-aged stocky lady behind the counter told me at the US Consulate in downtown Vancouver at the end of the interview. She asked me to return on Tuesday. The butterflies I’ve been having since Mike’s application got approved two days earlier has gone. I left the Consul building with a semi-permanent smile, I pinched my arm and reminded myself that some dreams may take a while but they happen in reality.

Yesterday

“Please check your passport outside”, the friendly looking woman said politely for the nth time one visitor after another as she handed me my passport. I scanned its pages and there I found the addition, a US visa. I looked at my fat face on the accompanying picture and compared it with the one in the passport. I felt a bit disgusted by my now round cheeks. I placed the passport carefully on my left chest pocket, guarded it with my life for this will be my key to the the gates of Uncle Sam tomorrow.

November 11, 6am Filipino time

Mike woke up late thinking Marc and Anne will be late too. I was all dressed up by the time Marc has ‘broken in’ to our house (someone has left the door unlocked). Anne, who Mark spoke to on the phone, was ready and waiting for us at their house.

About half an hour later

We are at Anne’s place in Patterson when we realized we don’t have US dollars to pay at the Canada-US border. We made an early emergency morning call to Rico, who wasn’t able to go with us on this trip because his new work permit has not been issued yet. We went back home and the great trip planner/long- hour driver/official photographer handed us the dollar bills that we need.

Around 7am

While in our rented car on our way to the border, Anne and i noticed how many times the driver and the navigator said the vernacular “P” curse to Maggie, in disappointment. If GPS had feelings, I’m sure we are not getting to our destination but finally, a few turns later, we reached a highway.

8am

At the border’s office, Mike asked about what CBP means. These letters are printed in bold yellow on the border police’s caps. Canada Border Police was his guess. Customs and Border Protection, the correct answer as I read each words posted in a wall.

Around 820am

Without a plane ride, a luggage or an airport, I find it hard to believe that we are actually in another country already. Welcome to Seattle, Washington, USA.

930am

I love big breakfast at McDonald’s, the US version looks almost the same as with the Canadian except for the muffin I think. By the way, it’s my first USD purchase in the US, and using borrowed money. Haha.

After that big breakfast

We’re ready to hit the shops at Seattle Premium Outlets. I was excited at first seeing how many shops are  found here but my enthusiasm wore off the moment i realized outlet shopping isn’t just for me. It was hard to find my sizes and I couldn’t seem to find anything fancy except for underwear. Plus, I’m not exactly fond of shopping for other people either except for Christmas.

In the end, I only bought: two new pairs of Calvin Klein undies, a coin purse and small perfume bottle and four Nike printed tees. Marc and Mike who were shopping buddies today seemed like they were on a bargain shopping spree and were purchasing like there’s no USD-CAD-PHP conversion involved. When we returned to the car, we found the trunk filled with their shopping bags already. Anne, on the other hand, who finished last was having some regrets for not being able to buy a new coat, a new pair of shoes, a cocktail dress for an upcoming Christmas party or enough watches like she has hoped for.

Around 230pm

After four hours of shopping around the outlet stores, we moved to another shopping area called the University Village. The sight of H&M and Barnes&Noble made me realize that “lunch” could wait a bit more and so I went solo and explored the place. Didn’t find anything fancy at H&M, I guess because I frequent the store often in Vancouver. It was a different story though at Barnes&Noble which is a memorable for me because I have received a few books bought in this bookstore from my friend Sarita when she was assigned in US. The bookstore’s ambience felt like a library that has no tables and chairs but instead has  payment counters and price labels. It’s probably the largest bookstore I’ve been to.

415pm

I found myself back at H&M with Anne, at the fitting room helping her choose a dress for the upcoming formal Christmas party she’ll be attending. Picked her a dress i thought was nice and surprised that she liked it and she bought. My thought bubble says “How come women’s clothes are a lot cheaper than men’s

550pm

Lunch-and-dinner-in-1 happened at Johnny Rockets, a nice American diner located inside the University Village. The waiter who I thought looks like a good looking cartoon character, took our orders one by one: Rocket Single burger and iced tea  for me. The burger came with fries and was made rather special when the waiter drew a smiley face out of ketchup on the saucer. I sipped the iced tea and tasted a strong tea flavor with a hint of lemon and the shortage of sweetener.

After that lunch-and-dinner-in-1

We drove to Seattle downtown, parked and walked in the streets. Finally I felt like a tourist looking at familiar shops I’ve only seen in print or have only heard of but have now come to life. The downtown here seems more busy and alive but lesser safe than in Vancouver, and the fall weather is just almost the same cold one. We passed about three Starbucks Coffee shops before we reached our destination– the very first Starbucks store located at Pike Market Place. After purchasing some memorabilia and waiting for our coffee orders, entertainment was in the form of a clash right inside the store between two  different class of vagrants fighting for territory.

Around 7 pm

If you watch Grey’s Anatomy, the picture below would seem familiar to you. It was early in the evening    and it started to drizzle when we arrived in Space Needle, perhaps the most popular landmark here in Seattle (rapping~rhyme). Marc and Anne who have gone on the top of the tower on their previous visit asked Mike and I to just go ahead, but I gave them their Christmas gifts in advanced and treated them tickets to see the observation deck once more. Standing more than 500 feet above ground on a rainy evening, I wouldn’t say i had maximized what the16 USD entrance fee. I was acrophobic and we couldn’t even get a decent picture with the Seattle skyline as background.

About an hour and a half later

We return where we parked our car only to find out that after Marc’s several attempts to open the doors, it just won’t open. Something must have gone wrong with the automatic button keys. We were almost ready to panic and ask for help, me imagining spending the night at Seattle hotel already and being stuck in the US for a day… when Mike remembered where the emergency manual key is. Our heartbeats returned to normal rate, we hopped into the car and we’re ready to go home.

The rest of the evening

There was a long line going to the Canada border and the four of us have already rehearsed what are common answers would be in case the border police asks or doubts that we did too much shopping in Seattle. Luckily, there were only a few, we made it back to Canada and called ourselves “balikbayans”.

5 minutes passed midnight

We reached home safe and called it the end of my first US trip.

It’s the first time I’ll be helping in hosting a dinner here in Dow Avenue and it’s for my first ever Thanksgiving. A few weeks back, we received a whole turkey for free from our last grocery shopping that Rico decided that he’d cook it for dinner and invite the rest of the group for an advanced Thanksgiving celebration on Sunday. Anne volunteered that she’ll cook Pinoy-style spaghetti, while her housemate Mitzelle will bake the apple-dates crisp cake she presented for Grace’s surprise dinner a few days back. Excitingly, I said that I’d prepare the appetizers and was determined to impress the group as if i joined myself in a cooking fest and they are judges or as if am looking at a new career opportunity and they are my potential employers.

Preparation is a key to achieve this goal, so I spent quality time in a recipe site, watched how-to-videos, list down the ingredients then went to a solo trip to a grocery the day before only to find out that most of the ingredients i needed are already in the fridge. I’d be cooking two variants of deviled eggs and a simple appetizer i’d like to call ‘gafts’ — gastronomic alternative for serving toothpick.

Sharing an apartment with two other boys, house cleaning is not something we do together on a regular basis. We are expecting about 4-5 visitors for this day and i knew this was enough motivation for us to do some tidying up in our little abode. To accomplish this, we hired a domestic helper  in the morning– who swept the floors, washed the dishes, cleaned the living and dining area, threw away the trashes that’s been hanging around for quite some time. Let’s hide the DH’s ID with the initials JC who did a decent job in transforming the house to something the residents don’t recognize for a while.

Spending a few more hours of labor in the afternoon, my little kitchen project is finished:

During the festive dinner which started late because the turkey-cooking-time and Anne-with-her pasta are late, the diners all agreed that the appetizers tasted as good as they looked and they didn’t seem forced with their comments just because they were in our house. Anne’s spaghetti and Rico’s turkey are also treats to the taste buds. The apple-dates crisp cake could have been a great dessert but it never came to the dining table and so as the absentee baker, so we made the most of what we had: months-old ice cream, leftover grapes, and chocolates.

Over dinner, discussion included topics ranging from scoliosis, human and turkey anatomy and that three letter word that rhymes with ‘text’. Twit’s Wii and Mike’s Xbox provided the rest of the entertainment and proved how short span my attention is with video games in general. We didn’t do the traditional thanksgiving blah-blah. In conclusion, it was a fun, successful and long thanksgiving day (we wrapped up past 1am).

*Photos taken by Rico

1235pm

It’s been an hour since i abandoned my desk. There’s a team building activity organized this afternoon, so yay, work is half-day. I’m sitting at the backseat of a car parked outside the office building with Mike and Rey, waiting for Marc and Grace who will be hitching a ride with us for a lunch out at what would be my third visit at Goto King in Joyce. A few more minutes and I know that patience and hunger are two words that don’t go well in one sentence. I can hear my stomach starting to talk and you don’t wanna hear what it’s saying.

1250pm

Patience is a five letter word that starts with a b. We’re still waiting for the two and it occurred to me that maybe for some, 1pm is the new lunchtime. Earlier I called up Marc and he said that he’ll still take some time so we can go ahead but Mike intended to be their saviour and went back inside to check on how they’re doing with the work they have to finish, only to stay there for longer than he should.

Past 1pm

Mike still returned alone and much to my disappointment, he and Rey decided to have lunch at the hub instead and I was dragged to save myself from a potential lunch suicide. While ordering the pork ribs, the server said I had to wait for two minutes. I said to myself, hey, I waited for more than an hour for this lunch so what difference an extra two minutes make. So at the counter, I paid $6.25 to the cheerful lady and i faked a smile back, bummed that I’d be eating pork ribs instead of the ‘sizzling bangus’ I’d been fantasizing for lunch.

Minutes after the late and disappointing lunch

The two finally came. I rather be silent and gulp my Coke than give a lengthy explanation on the spot, why I (or my appetite) seemed upset.

Quarter to 2 in the afternoon

Inside the car going to Richmond, the boys were picking on my frustration while Grace was apologizing when she really shouldn’t be redundant. When they got tired, someone started talking about work as if that’s not the reason why we’re late. Then there’s the joke about Marc borrowing the car on Sunday. Haha.

Around 2pm

We missed a turn on the road despite the aid of Maggie, the GPS, so instead of just 300m we had to take a long 7 km drive in the highway on to our destination: Richmond Go-Kart Track.

Before 3pm

Finally we arrived, the line for the Go-Kart was long but thankfully the waiting time was forgiving. I was anxious the moment I hopped in the pale violet kart with the black helmet fixed on my head. I haven’t tried this before and the driving experiences i have had were always inside amusement parks. In my head, I was memorizing that the left pedal on left in red is for stop and the right pedal on right in green is for go, that I hadn’t realize I missed the right strap of the seatbelt until the checker pointed it out. Then merely five seconds after my engine was set, I had my first bump on another kart, quickly turned the steering wheel on right and I bumped on the side track. I thought a personnel would come forward and tell me that “sir, you’re neither safe for this track or for your fellow drivers… get out!”. When no one did, my right foot hit the gas, the kart picked up speed, released the gas a little upon seeing a sharp turn and I made it without crashing or having to raise my hands up and wave in the air to ask or help. Driving go-kart felt like being on an open-air bump car inside actual track but with less intention of bumping. I made it to my first round and was relieved that I was safe and not endangering anyone else. This continued for I-don’t-recall-how-many rounds, and i was waiting when the Slow Down signboard will be raised to signify that we have to stop and park the karts already. When the time finally came, parking seemed to be a trouble for me, oops, i bumped to the kart on my front. I removed my helmet and I said to myself, not bad for a first timer. I did better than I thought.

There are the short and easy farewells… like when someone flies to India for a short term assignment, when a princess moves to a new apartment, when an officemate resigns for a better opportunity, when a relative you’re not exactly close with passed away, when old clothes are donated to charity or when the old couch is sold in a garage sale. Then there are the farewells that are long and difficult… like when another family member leaves for abroad, when you want to forget someone for ignoring you at times but you just can’t so you don’t and when the white hoodie jacket you’ve been waiting to wear this fall is passed to the one leaving.

08.30.09. Bang’s short visit in Canada ended today. We’re driving her off for the fourth time to the YVR airport in a span of two weeks but somehow we seem to still need help from Maggie (the GPS) to either get there in time or to get to the correct airport and back. I think she holds the record for most things done in two weeks for any Manila resource assigned here – this included tracking a missing baggage, emergency outlet store and mall shopping just a few hours after landing, presenting the offshore teams to onshore teams with local food pasalubongs, delivering the good and bad news to the assignees, joining team meetings, weekend visit to her relatives in Toronto, shopping at Costco, IKEA and Richmond night market, potluck dinner at Emily’s and Rock Band jamming, picture taking at Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver, road trip to Whistler and more last minute shopping.

Just hours later, we’re returning to the airport not because Bang is back so soon or her flight was delayed or that her luggage was missing again. Jell, my roommate for two months was about to leave and return to her true home. Her extended one year assignment is over and will definitely be missing an important figure in the blue and white house, her cooking, her over-all presence and TJ’s.

09.01.09. I called home and Mom announced that kuya will be leaving already for Saudi Arabia this weekend. I found this surreal, realizing that it was just two months ago when I left and last saw my brother who wasn’t able to go with us to the airport because he has an interview on a different job and now, he is about to make his first airplane ride, work his ass off for his first job in a long time, and I’m not sure when are we seeing each other again. I’m not super close with my siblings but we share the same blood and I’m starting to feel anxious and nostalgic about his leaving.

09.04.09. At 3pm, there’s a cake in the hub (canteen) waiting and it’s for the one leaving. Before going, I skimmed through his farewell message email and I was having a hard time searching names. Later in the evening, we arrived at the domestic terminal of YVR airport for Benj’s flight to Toronto where he serendipitously bumped into a former classmate. This doesn’t feel like a true farewell yet, since he’ll still be in another part of Canada for another week and next Friday, Rey, Mike and I will still see him at this same airport, spend with him his last few hours here and that wraps up his bittersweet two-month stay here.

I’m changing home address soon. The offer came to me a few days ago, to transfer to a high-rise apartment after one of its occupant decided to join a downtown girl in her nth house here. In exchange, a returning assignee is said to take over my spot in the blue and white house according to his agent. The bedroom which is good for two will now be good for one since my roommate is ending her assignment in a week time. So the fact that my room could offer the privacy the returning assignee might need and the rent is the cheapest among the houses I’ve set foot to here in Canada, make it as his best option. The only setback I can think is if returning assignee is a total neat freak. He might not survive the normal clutter in this house, the once-a-day dishwashing, the leftover food that stays left over for longer than a week sometimes, and the bathroom which is only clean an hour after a laborious general cleaning, all of which I have become used to in my almost two months of stay.

I had overnight to decide so the next morning, I popped the agent and told her that I’m willing to move to the apartment but I have to get the reactions of my housemates first — Mr. Chef and Mr. Pudgy. I thought about just emailing the two for a lengthy explanation or writing them a short  note the way I did when I requested Mr. Pudgy to wash the dishes recently (“Will wash the dishes later in case Mr. Pudgy won’t…“) and he did. Another option is breaking the news over beer. but some might forgot the topic after a bad HO. So instead, it happened so casually, I got over the nerves and told Mr. Chef when he returned home late that evening then the next morning, while doing the dishes, I said my piece to Mr. Pudgy. I told him that I’m not leaving the blue and white house unless assured that the returning assignee will guarantee his stay no matter what.

I revisited my option, as if the decision I told the agent was easily revocable. Part of me doesn’t want to leave the blue and white house– I’ll miss Mr. Chef’s homecook meals, Mr. Pudgy’s *ssholiness, the creaking sound my bed makes, the closet I inherited, the rice cooking and dishwashing with view of the backyard, the food and drinks shared in the dining table, the familiar walk from house to shuttle station. Part of me feels anxious about transferring– the normal adjustment, the new roommate/housemates, the documented house rules, the brown rice, the new bigger space and the slightly higher rent. What I find weird about this whole thing is that it shouldn’t feel like it’s a sacrifice on my end but it doesn’t quite feel like seeking convenience either. Then as the days leading to month end become fewer, I have to pinch myself more often and accept that my hours staying in the blue and white house are getting shorter. Unless of course, the returning assignee decides not to live here or Mr. Chef and Mr. Pudgy suffer depression in the next few days or the landlord begs me to stay which is least likely.

July 31, between 10:00-11:00pm

The three-days-worth-of-clothes duffle bag is ready. Also packed inside are toiletries, several gadget cables, and passport. A good-enough-for-travelling pillow is tucked on my arm, my netbook-which-im not-sure-is-smart-to-bring on the other hand. Also brought something to read—The Time Traveller’s Wife. I’m ready to embark on a seriously long road trip to Alberta: with my housemates Rico, Jell, Mike along with fellow assignees Grace and Anne then I just met Myrna, who also works at CHQ and Dan, her Canadian boyfriend. I’m wearing polo shirt and denim jeans while everyone else is on their t-shirts and shorts. About an hour earlier I was preparing the sandwiches and cooking hard-boiled eggs that we’ll bring on this trip, asking the true chefs in the house, how to know if the egg is already hard boiled. I hate rushing and I’m worried that I might have forgotten to pack something important. We’re about to leave now, and I’m leaving behind dirty dishes.

Minutes later

MJ music is pumping inside the car as we started traversing the highway. I noticed Anne was talking to someone on the phone. I realized it was Benj, she was talking to. I looked at my phone and there was a missed call.

August 1, a few hours later

Eating McDonald’s chicken nuggets. The Canadian version is thinner, lesser oily, easier to eat and didn’t come with a sauce unless you asked for it. I began with the first few pages of the book I brought and I got the inspiration on how to write my next blog entry.

A few more hours later

The road is dark. I don’t think I’ll ever get a driver license or learn to drive. Me to self: “Are we there yet?”.

Minutes after

Finally, we pulled over and took pictures in the welcome sign for Alberta. The first rays of sunlight kissing my skin. We continued driving and found ourselves staring at endless patterns of mountains, bodies of water, and pine trees. My system is craving for coffee the way the car engine needed gasoline, and soon we reached Jasper, Alberta. Had breakfast inside the car (this sandwich is good, who made this?) and a much needed break most especially for the designated drivers. We’re ready to explore the town and take more pictures before heading to Banff.

Around lunch time

Mike mocked that I’m the only one not wearing sunglasses in the group while walking in the streets of Jasper to find a place to have lunch at. As if I had to explain myself on court, I reasoned out that it was hard to put sunnies on when I’m already wearing eyeglasses and between protecting my eyes with a pair of shades from sunlight and protecting myself from being hit by a car because without eyeglasses everything is a blur, I chose the latter. Had Greek food for lunch — beef souvlaki.

Some time after the lunch

On our way to Banff, we stopped at several places and were amazed by the glaciers of the Alberta rockies. They seem surreal from afar, as if someone had just handpainted them on the background or you’re looking at a ginromous Windows desktop minus the icons.

Later in the afternoon

Finally, we’ll be resting on actual beds and be taking a shower. We checked in at Ptarmigan Inn which Rico made reservations for. The room was nice but much to my disappointment, I’ll be sharing the bed again with the one who snores like a fax machine.

Later in the evening

I enjoy walking on downtown, watching people pass by, looking at shops and waiting for turn to cross streets. It’s the thrill in walking and not knowing exactly where you are heading and the unplanned pauses in between. How about Korean food for dinner? I was hesitant at first but after trying ‘bulgogi”, my tongue betrayed me, “a-ju ma-si-sseo-sseo-yo”

Almost midnight

The wi-fi connection inside room 113 was intermittent and the person I was expecting to be online is there but been idle for more than a day. Anyway, it doesn’t matter because I declared pride.  I had a chat with Andrei, a former officemate from Manila but is now based here in Alberta. We were talking about weather and Canadian geography until the connection gave up. I borrowed Mike’s call card after realizing mine’s already empty. I called mom to inform about my whereabouts which has become a weekend habit. Afterwhich, I was ready to sleep… z z Z Z

August 2, the next morning

It felt better not to be wakened up by the sound of an alarm clock. Instead, I heard Rico’s voice announcing it’s my turn on the shower. The dream which starred the “idle person” has been cut off but knowing I survived the snoring of my sleeping mate, it wasn’t’ that bad sleep after all. I grabbed a cereal bar as pre-breakfast and took a bath, then got dressed in what can be called as “the Mexican goes to a BBQ party”.

Approximately 10:30 AM

After a half-hour trekking in Johnston Canyon Trail (we saw squirrels upclose and the lower falls), we’re driving off to Lake Louise in Banff. I lost track of the number of lakes we’ve seen on this trip. I was seating on the backseat with Anne. Incubus playlist on the background, Anne gave an interesting trivia of what the word “incubus” means. I felt like I’m not being a good seatmate because I was continuing reading “The Time Traveler’s Wife” while i was munching potato chips from a big bag. I felt like I’m betraying my other travelmates, because at the moment my thought belongs elsewhere, on a different place and timezone.

1:30pm

Lake Louise was probably the best lake with the best view I’ve seen of the glaciers. After several photo ops, we went canoeing, splitting the group into two: Rico, Jell, Anne versus Grace, Mike and I. All the paddling, taking instructions from captain Grace which direction to paddle and checking if Mike is paddling as hard I am, exhausted me. The first five minutes of the boating was fun, the next 55 minutes was torture– I deserved a good lunch.

2:30pm

Waiting for the calamari and spring rolls for lunch at The Lake Louise Village Grill & Bar.

3:40pm

Heading to Calgary… but that meal got me full and I’m now lethargic.

4:40pm

We’re still on the road… Rico is still driving.

6:00pm

We reached Calgary Zoo but it’s already closed for the day.

 

6:45pm

After several minutes of exploring downtown Calgary while in the car, and not getting much out of Calgary, we’re heading back to Banff. And everyone agreed.

8:00pm

Back in Banff and heading to Gondola. This isn’t the Gondola I know (think Venice).

9:40pm

Enjoyed the Banff Gondola, the view was excellent and the sunset was beautiful. We had a short stop at a hot spring but it was a disappointment.

Past 10:00pm

We met up with Myrna and Dan for dinner after them missing our activities during the day. We’re at an Italian restaurant and since it was late, there isn’t much to choose from the menu than what is actually listed. Basically it’s pasta or pizza but Grace got lucky with her Caesar salad. While waiting, I took advantage of the wifi and researched about the word “gondola” and proved a point. I managed to make the Canadian laugh.

Past midnight

We went on a pub to drink. As strictly required by law here, one needs to show an ID to prove that they are not minor. I didn’t have one with me and I left my passport in the hotel room. I’m not drinking coke tonight or worse settling for milk so Grace went with me back to the hotel.

About ten minutes after

We’re back in the pub and shot glasses were distributed among each. I later learned that the cocktail is called “snake bite” (tequila with pepper in it). The gents behaved while the ladies were in the loose, posing while lying on the street. When good girls gone bad.

August 3, Monday morning

Sleep was shorter and like yesterday I realized the need to wake up after seeing Rico getting ready. After a quick shower, moustache shave and hair style, I gathered my things back to my duffle bag careful not to miss a thing before we checked out of the hotel. Rico instructed me to go ahead and meet Myrna and Dan in the lobby and tell them the plan. We’re skipping Drumheller or the Icefield Parkway tour or the caving in Banff, and will instead go to Kelowna since it seems the shortest and the route is on the way home.

Before lunchtime

Souvenir shopping before leaving Banff: keychains, magnets, S shirt, M shirt, Canadian moose dropping. We haven’t had an actual breakfast or an actual lunch, and we headed off to Kelowna.

The afternoon

Had read 150 pages of the book already, lunch was drive thru at A&W. Had a bit of regret from the Mama burger and fries I had because it didn’t satisfy my hunger fully. I ate potato chips again and Jell shared her fries.

Around 4:00pm

Short stop at a barn. Got an ice cream treat from Anne. I missed the goat feeding because I was in the wash room removing the stain I got from the ice cream.

Minutes before 6:00pm

We reached a winery at Kelowna and ready for wine tasting. Ice wine is my fave.

An hour later

Went to another winery not because we haven’t had enough wine for the day but because some wanted to see an actual tour.

Around 8:00pm

I’ve been craving for the real spring roll and to my appetite delight, we had dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant. Cravings solved.

Past midnight

… We’re still on the road. I don’t know exactly where in BC we are now but we are expecting to arrive in Burnaby in about an hour. I’m feeling restless inside the car. I dunno if it’s the awkward silence or it’s the darkness outside and the seemingly endless road ahead… but somehow I found comfort in knowing that every journey has its end… and every moment in this travel we had already has a spot in my archive.

August 4. around 1:30 am

We arrived safely home. Unpacking my duffle bag, i realized i’m missing something: iPod charger.

Minutes later

Dishwashing. Shower. Bed. z z Z Z.

• You wouldn’t find anything in a bookstore that tells you exactly how to survive living in a foreign country, and if you were like me who lived 25 years with family yet never considered himself domestic, you’d need hands-on training and not just reference materials from someone who has been there and has done that. Thankfully, my housemates here offer their help: Laundry 101 (how to operate a washing machine/dryer and appreciate liquid detergent), Commuting 101 (with basic how-to-cross-a-street and how-to-ride Sky Train and public buses) and Shopping 101 (actual price is equal to tag price multiplied by 1.12 where peso conversion, is ‘cannot be’), the list goes on.

• One of my mother’s advices to her children growing up was not to take a bath at night. She’s neither a doctor nor a witch doctor but she told us that this will decrease blood pressure level and could cause “pasma”. The bathroom in our current apartment here is small but has bright lights on top of the mirror (think celebrity make up rooms), has warm and cold shower (the control is annoying at times), a tub (except that it doesn’t have a stopper for bubble bath). Nonetheless, it was just hard to pass on taking baths at nights. Here, I learned to appreciate toiletries better. I enjoyed citrus scented body wash at nights, nut-flavored scrubs or cream soaps during day baths. Undeniably, this bathroom inspires me to be more hygienic and makes it worth disobeying my own mother’s advice.

• I rarely wash the dishes back home, but here since I don’t cook meals and I don’t want to eat on the same dirty plate everyday, I volunteered that I’ll do the dishwashing and befriended Palmolive (yes the shampoo brand is a dishwashing liquid brand here). This is the household chore I enjoy the most, my hands are busy yet it gives my mind free time to think, reminisce and travel. I have tried cleaning the bathroom as well. Although this was more laboriou, it gave me a sense of fulfillment a regular dishwashing can’t whenever I’m able to get rid of a difficult stain.

• There’s a tradition amongst the Filipino IT employees at CHQ– the ice cream treat. I was lucky to be oriented about this before coming here, it could be a form of celebrating a birthday, a milestone or as trivial as random peer pressure, but the subtle kind. I have not seen an ice cream that says on its label “No therapeutic claim” the way most food supplements do, but I eat ice cream almost everynight (Bryers, Haagen Dasz, Nestle, Ben&Jerry), both for comfort (in the absence of good friends) and belief (that eating lots of them will make me gain weight).

• I was able to take a break from suburbia and experience city living for 5 days and 4 nights. I accompanied a fellow assignee here who moved into a high rise condo unit along Cambie St. in Vancouver about 20 minute drive form Burnaby. I must say that I enjoyed my stay (the bathroom is bigger and better than ours, the bed was nicer) but I was careful not to make my stay too comfortable because I knew every moment was fleeting. Highlights: getting lost in the parking area, entering a fire exit of the building and almost getting trapped, buying groceries in SaveOnMore without a shopping list, exploring the city streets by foot and finding a place to have dinner at, the Bento meal at that Japanese restaurant, being on a passenger seat with Maggie (short for Magellan the GPS).

Day One.06.27.09.Sat

I was relieved to see a familiar face in a sea of strangers as I exited towards the greeting area of the Vancouver International Airport. The tall and nice Rico, an officemate back in Manila, here on assignment as well, called out my name and a few minutes later I was greeted also by Agnes, one of our counterparts here, who was kind enough to drive out here to the airport and fetch me. Summer “here”, the sun was shining high above but the feel of wind against the skin reminded me of my recent visit in Baguio while the lack of traffic made me realize one thing I don’t miss in Manila.

In the car, Agnes and Rico did a little chitchat with me while I was trying to absorb the reality of my new surroundings and the fact that I am now in a foreign country. I was trying to shake off the weird feeling that I arrived in Vancouver two hours earlier than the time I left Manila even after the 12-hour flight. It was like spending the longest Saturday of my life.

Minutes after driving, we reached the blue and white house, second from the corner of an avenue. Finally got to see again some of the other assignees who have been here in a while: Jell (who will be my housemate slash roommate), then there’s Twit and Mitzelle who received “pasalubongs” from me, mostly “pancit canton” that they requested.

As if I didn’t have any jetlag, we left the house and searched for a place to eat. I had my first try of Canadian meal at Tim Horton’s – i.e. sandwich and soup. Afterwards, Twit and Mitzelle invited me to their high-rise apartment and taught me Crossing Streets 101. Upon reaching their flat, they were cordial enough to let me borrow their phone and card for me to call mom at home.

Mom and I usually don’t speak long on the phone, that’s why it felt strange hearing her voice again and knowing how distant home is from where I am at now. I could feel the worry in her cracking voice and soon I felt warm tears flowing on my cold cheeks. I tried to call dad as well who is on another part of the world, but he must be asleep as no one’s picking the phone.

Back at our apartment, I opted not to go watch Transformers 2 with my new housemates and Grace, another assignee. I hope Shia and Megan won’t mind but I had to arrange my clothes in the closet and rest myself on the bed (both closet and bed I inherited from Mel, the assignee I replaced). I had the house all for myself and I took advantage of it by video chatting with family, relatives at home.

I went to bed before midnight but I felt like I was cheating on myself because I was half-awake the whole time. I was aware when Jell and Rico arrived home past 12. Then at 4am, I felt hungry, rolled out of bed, dug out some food in the pantry area and even opened my laptop wishing there would be people awake that I could still chat with.

Returning to bed, I was missing the familiar structure of my own bedroom, the feel of my own pillows, the peace that comes with knowing that your family members are just on the other bedroom. I wasn’t sure if this is nostalgia or what they call the jetlag but one thing for sure, one day has gone in the one year that I will stay here. And so far, it’s been good.

Day Two.06.28.09.Sun

The blue and white house is just a 15-minute walk from the mall called Metrotown, which I find quite convenient and a potential danger financially wise. Jell volunteered to accompany me to the mall and made sure that I won’t get lost. It was sale mall wide: the upside is that branded clothes are in great discounts. The downside is that searching for XS size clothes for me is like finding collector item pieces.

Day Three.06.29.09.Mon

Rico accompanied me on my first day to work, it felt like an elder brother (just because he is taller) accompanying me to first day of school. He taught me how to ride the public bus, the bus stops, the weird bus schedule.

The office is located in what seems to be like a business park. Rico signed me in as his guest and led me to my cube where Mel used to sit. It’s definitely my seat as read in the nameplate located above the cubicle next to Mel’s nameplate. The high ceiling and high cube dividers were a bit overwhelming but no one was there yet in the team when I arrived. Shortly, my onshore lead/supervisor dropped by and gave me a little tour of the two-floor building. It’s like walking in a United Nations office. All races seems to be well-represented and working harmoniously.

There was a town hall meeting after lunch and even if I gulped many times my coffee, I was super sleepy and it seemed that the jetlag was just kicking in late. The rest of the day seemed to have ended fast. I didn’t feel exactly productive but I guess I have that first day excuse.

After work, Rico accompanied me to buy a cheap phone and a 16GB iPod touch which I purchased guilt- free with the assurance of reimbursing them in my relocation allowance. Afterwards, we met up with Jell for some serious grocery shopping.

Day Four.06.30.09.Tue

At the office, there’s a welcome party for me. Sort of, since it’s an advanced celebration of Canada day. Lunch was free taco bowl, MJ music was on the background and there were lots of games prepared in the parking lot. Free cotton candies and snow cones were being served and even if there’s a long line ahead, we managed to be patient just to have ourselves caricatured. Jell said mine looked like Archie.

Back at home, there’s the regular household chore I have been getting used to: dishwashing. Leave the cooking to my other housemates and I think we all will get along well. Then there’s the lesson for today with teacher Rico on Laundry 101. My first attempt was quite successful. Clothes were clean and dry, best of all, still wearable.

Day Five.07.01.09.Wed

My first sightseeing happened today with Rico in Downtown Vancouver, had to take the Sky Train to get there. Various activities were going on simultaneously and continuously throughout the day at Canada Place. One of the performers is named Elise Estrada, who happens to be full-Filipina and a famous pop star here in Canada. Reminded me of Miley Cyrus in disco mode.

Day Six.07.02.09.Thu

I’ve been quite dependent (but very thankful) to Rico for the past few days, so today it’s time to apply what I learned from the teacher and do stuffs on my own. Took the shuttle to office solo, met the other counterpart who was back from vacation, attended first team meeting here. Then after a quick lunch I took a cab (which in here you have to book either by calling or online) and went to Canada Way to get my social insurance number. Taxi fare is expensive, well transportation in general is costly especially if you do the conversion. So I rather not make currency conversion a habit.

Day Seven.07.03.09.Fri

Agnes is off today but made an early invitation for the Saturday field trip – we’re going hiking. I felt like I needed the right kind of shoes for this activity so I went to Metrotown solo, entered several shops and tried several running shoes on. But then I realized, some things are just not meant for me: running shoes.

Day Eight.07.04.09.Sat

I ended up looking like a tennis player going on hiking (lilac collared shirt, above knee indigo shorts, comfy grey sneakers). We were in Baden Powell hiking trail that I noticed there were people dressed more inappropriately than I was – there were some on denim jeans, a lady in a sundress and there were even few-month old babies dressed in regular infant clothes and diapers.
I wasn’t exactly sporty but I enjoyed this hiking. Plus, I guess I have overcome my fear of heights a little bit, because I was able to stand up straight in the finish line of the Baden Powell trail several feet above the ground and it didn’t take me an hour to cross the suspension bridge at Lynn Canyon Park.

As a bonus, Agnes drive us off to Queensburough (spelling checker this please). Enjoyed the fresh raspberry cheesecake ice cream at Marble Slab Creamery and was ready to go shopping but unfortunately, shops were closing early on weekends.

One week has passed and so far I’ve been adjusting here well although undeniably I miss a lot of things and people back home –mom waking me up on weekday mornings, instant coffee, niece making ‘kulit’ if ever I come home early in the evening, dinners with Shen and Arem, chatting with my cousin Sheena, boneless bangus, lunchouts at office, ice cream and/or beer on Saturdays with friends and the list of things and people goes on… and on. Till the next blog, take care.

Minutes after the plane departed the local airport, thousands of feet now above ground level, I was in awe with the sight of clouds. It was my first time on a plane flying during daytime and my first flight on my own. From the grounds, when we look at them, they look like cotton waiting to be pinched, but from above, they seem like a big mass of pure white smoke waiting to be sniffed. I was kinda wishing the clouds could hinder the plane navigation, confusing the pilot to return the plane back to base for a few more minutes so I can hug and say a better farewell to the people I left on the ground. But it continued flying to its destination, the mass of pure white smoke getting fewer, and several hours later a new temporary home awaits.

From Canada

I had some prejudice going to a zoo for a team building activity with officemates and a couple of high-profile visitors from Canada. I’m not exactly an animal lover, my parents did not support animal care at home, and growing up I prefer reading animal trivia and staring at their pictures in encyclopedias than looking at them behind cages. I also thought zoo visits are not exactly for grown-ups, I’m passed the stage of second childhood and  I generally don’t like the zoo-smell because it prevents me from breathing deeply.

After almost three hours in the road, we reached Zoobic Safari. The safari-feel of the place is what sets this zoo apart from Manila zoo and reading their brochure which our tour guide handed us, it boasted that it’s the only tiger safari in the Philippines. Sounds exciting after all, and if I may add to that, it’s the only place I’ve been to that exaggeratingly used letter Z, as in zummer, zoovenir, and zooper to name a few of those “wordz”.

After having lunch in which they served freshly cut and grilled tiger-meat (kidding), we braced the heat of “zummer” and the safari tour began.

Examining my complete set of fingers and my unripped shirt, the zoo trip wasn’t as bad as I thought it be. Another place added to my “places-I-have-been-to”, a better suggestion for the kids than the Manila zoo.