O Canada!

For some odd reason, Canada was not included in my dream destination but fate had other plans for me. I might not have understood it before but slowly, I started to connect the dots.

At any rate, the road to Canadian citizenship is not as easy as people think. Gathering the required documents alone was an extremely painful process.  

Steps-Canadian
Steps

applicationpackage
Paperwork

It took  me months to gather the documents and fill out the paperwork and the processing time took roughly a year. In short, the experience was very stressful and costly.

Thankfully, I managed to pass the required tests (English Language Tests and Citizenship test) as well as the short interview. Otherwise, I’d be a goner. :p

Celpip
English Language Test

DiscoverCanada
Citizenship Test

The excitement was starting to turn into uneasiness when the  wait for the Oath-taking ceremony reached almost four months! It took longer than I had expected. 😦

 20150915_092537  20150915_093303
 20150915_104056  20150915_111003

Anyhow, I was pretty pumped when the day finally came and I even agreed to give a brief message on stage as a new Canadian citizen.

 20150915_105924

I was under the impression that there would be few of us lining up to deliver a message but to my surprise, I was the only attendee that got called on the stage. It was pretty nerve-racking but at the same time, an unforgettable experience.

A local newspaper even interviewed me after the  event. It was definitely the day’s icing on the cake! 🙂

 20150915_112144

snippet
snippet of the newspaper article

Oh… Did I mention that the oath-taking ceremony happened on my birthday? It’s indeed one of the best gifts that I’ve ever received!  Woot! 😀

O Canada… Our home and native land…                Until next time! :p

tequilla +

So… Am I a drunkard now? Nah… Just wanting to spice up my life. Ha! :p

“the oldies”

“the kiddies”

The 7th birthday party of Zane Matthew (A’s son) turned into “oldies” soiree! As usual, I was oblivious about the details of the affair. Shhhhh… my attire was kinda out of place. Anyhow, I did manage to pull it off. Thanks to the Lia Sophia bling-bling. I must admit, it did give a “classy” impact on my chic rocker (a.k.a. rakista) babe look.    Come on Chris W., I know you agree. 😉

chillaxin!

cutee 🙂

The after party left a feeling of deja vu! (click here to read related article -> “paralyzer”). I think, I should change my name from “the curious me” to “the clueless me”? The after party was held in A’s residence. It was lightened up by her gorgeous “Pakistani” daughter, S. Whoa! S is so fond of Pakistan and sure has a talent in mimicking the Pakistani accent (no pun intended). She’s totally amazing!

In no time, the tequilla (+ bacardi) session started rolling! And what do you know, the topic was directed to my single status!  It can’t be helped… they all have partners and I was the “lonesome” spinster in the group. Ha! All I can say is, most of the time, it pays to enjoy “singleblessedness” before converting to “couple trouble” status.   (click here to read related article -> wedding)

Thank goodness! The hoopla about my single status got diverted when they all started doing the videoke. Filipinos love to sing and can definitely carry a tune more than anyone else in the whole Universe (Ignore me. It’s innate for me to be patriotic!  ). And Ellen DeGeneres surely  agreed! :p

However, there’s always an exemption. I’m one of them.  I can do some “jiggy moves” but I can’t really sing (click here to read related article -> “singing”). It drives me nuts! Arghhhh! :p

Conclusion:
Tequilla + Videoke + Light Bantering + Excellent Company = Super Duper Mega Over Stress Free Night!!!

Love it!!!!!!!!

P.S. I love tequilla! Promise!

atta kids!

My nephew, James, birthday party just ended. And we, the “old folks”, shared hearty laughter with regards to their funny antics. Check this out:

 Ysa (3-year old kid)

Cheska & Ysa

Ysa: Do you wanna slide?

Cheska: Yes.
(Cheska is roughly 12 – 13 years old)

Ysa: I’ll catch you!

We were not able to control our laughters because Ysa is so tiny while Cheska is very tall.

Jedd (7-year old kid)

Jedd

Jedd: Dad, I broke the TV.

Dad: This is the second time Jedd!

Jedd: Don’t worry, I can pay for that Dad. How much is it?

Dad: $500

Jedd: Is it including tax?

A 7-year old kid is very much aware about tax ey?

James  (7-year old kid)

James

James: Tita, what’s your birthday gift for me?

Me: What do you want James?

James: Don’t give me money, I have lots of money.

Me: Why do you need a gift then?

Then he just ran off.  I ended up giving him an Apple magic mouse for his new MacBook Pro! Ha!

———-
Gotta snooze now. I’m absolutely bone-weary. See ya laytah! 😉

birthday

The class captain (Juvy) was conducting the regular weekly meeting when I went down to get some documents. When I returned to the class room, I overheard their plan to surprise me on my birthday. I pretended be oblivious so as not to spoil their plan. Juvy summarized what they have tackled and of course, she left out the birthday surprise portion.

The “big day” came and it was business as usual. I reached the laboratory room five minutes before our schedule, so I waited outside and had a chitchat with the other creatures. Although, I already knew that they were planning something for my birthday, I never thought that they would have the guts to connive with the one in charge of the laboratory before our class. They decorated it with balloons and posted a very looooooong paper with their handwritten messages for me.

I was at the door when the students from the previous class came out from the room and they all had this funny look on their face but I pretended to be clueless. Ha! When I entered the room, they switched on the light and all greeted me a happy birthday. I gamely exclaimed, “What a surprise!” but my facial expression says otherwise. The class captain freaked out and asked if I knew it all along and I answered “yes” with a matching laugh.

She’s a bit upset but we were all in a jovial mood that we ended up teasing her.  It was a birthday celebration worth remembering.  I still get in touch with them from time to time and Juvy became my “adopted” sister and perennial buddy whenever I teleport to the land of the morning.

Now is the day after my birthday. Birthdays are celebration of life. And living life to the fullest is the name of the game. My heartfelt thank you to all those who remembered my big day! May May God bless you all!

Aja!