The Journey to our new home . . .

What a better way to relieve those moments than posting our pictures as we travelled from our native home to our new home - Canada. We left the Philippines last June 17, 2010 at exactly 5:55pm and had our 7 hours stop-over in Hong Kong. From HK, we had a 15-hour flight going to Toronto. We arrived Pearson International Airport on June 18, 2010 at 5:49am.

Checking in at the Manila International Airport

Our flight details to Hong Kong

Waiting for boarding time

Stop-over in HK International Airport

Dinner time in HK

Waiting for boarding time

Flight details to Toronto

Getting ready for the loooonggggg flight

Sarap tulog ni JM with his favorite pillow

Breakfast just before our landing

Finally arriving in the City of Toronto

Just a perfect weather

And we have arrived at Pearson International Airport

Too bad our motif wasn't exactly captured in the pictures

'Til my next update . . .

What happened since . . .

my last post in May 2010? So many major things have already happened in the past year especially after my last post. Right now, my family and I have already moved in to Canada since June 18, 2010 to be exact. Exactly one year ago! Don't know where to start or how to back track all the things that has been happening since then.

I'll try to use this blog again to update the major and the not so major incidents in our everyday lives.

To be honest, I'm having a difficult time blogging again. Hope to get back my passion for writing and not just writing a sentence or two in my facebook account. :)

I2C update # 11 . . .

Finally, we already got our VISAS yesterday! ! ! Just before lunchtime, I was already informed by our yaya that DHL already called up our house. They informed her that the documents will be delivered in the afternoon. So, while working up on our month-end close, I was already excited to go home and see the visas for myself.

While in the shuttle, I texted our yaya if the documents were delivered already. She told me that no delivery have taken place yet. I was getting worried already when after about 5 or 10 minutes she texted me back and told me that DHL have just delivered the docs.

I was home just before 7pm and I immediately looked for the package and opened it ASAP. Of course I was so happy to see all our visas. This is it! We've been waiting for this day to come. Time to seriously pack our stuffs already.

Hay . . . . time for our countdown already?

I2C update #10 . . .

Finally, we have received our passport request the other day, April 8. This means that VISA will be coming in the next few weeks and we'll be very busy for our preparation for this major trip.

We've actually started buying some stuffs everytime we go out but not yet seriously buying for all the stuffs that we'd be bringing. This needs a major inventory of what we already have and what we need to buy. This would be another challenge for my organizational skills. he he he . . .

Hope to organize everything properly including the budget for the stuffs that we still need to buy. ha ha ha . . .

'Til the next update . . .

I2C update # 9 . . .

We are now in another phase of this immigration thing . . . Since I have submitted my IELTS result last December 23 it was a very loooooooooooonnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggg wait for the next step. Finally, last February 15, we have received the medical request from the Canadian embassy. Too bad that I was down with a bad cough as well as the two kids that's why we were not able to undergo the medical exam right away. I consulted our company doctor first if my cough would affect the result of the x-ray. She told me that it wouldn't have any negative impact on the x-ray since it's just a normal cough.

Last Saturday, February 20, the whole family went to Nationwide Clinic in Makati to have our medical exam. We were accompanied by my mother in law so that she can help us with the two kids while hubby and I are undergoing our respective medical exams. We were in the clinic before 9am and there were quite a number of people already.

We immediately went to get our forms and it was a lot! Specially for me that I have to fill up the forms for the two kids as well. The medical exam was the usual thing except that they have different parameters. They are looking into the more serious illnesses like AIDS, syphilis, hepatitis and tuberculosis. We were asked to wait for the result of the laboratory tests before we were cleared to leave the clinic.

We had our sighs of relief when our numbers were called and told us that we can go home already. We were indeed lucky! Some of the applicants were asked for repeat urinalysis while others were asked for additional tests like ECG. Good thing that we are really into healthy living except for the occasional coffees and some food tripping . . . he he he . . .

We are now into the next waiting game. This time for the passport request from the embassy for the visa stamping. I hope this will come before end of March so that we can avail of the promo from Cathay Pacific since it is really a good deal. 'Til my next I2C update . . .

It has been . . .

2 months since my last post. Blame it on our internet provider for I have lost the momentum of updating this blog during the holidays. Two months is such a long time and so many things have already transpired . . . I'll try to update this blog as much as I can specially now that it seems so near and yet so far . . . ha ha ha . . .

Myspace Comments @ 123glitter.com

An early Christmas gift . . .

I already got my IELTS result last Tuesday, December 22. Congratulations to me ! ! ! He he he . .. I got an over-all bandscore of 7. I only need a 6.5 as a requirement by the Canadian embassy. I immediately went to Makati after I got the results and sent the IELTS report form to the embassy thru courier. This is indeed a Merry Christmas to me and my family since we are moving closer to our dream. Hopefully, we'll be receiving our medical request by January. I thank God for all the blessings He has given me and family all throughout the year. Happy birthday baby Jesus ! ! !

I'm done . . .

with my IELTS! ! ! Yipee! I had my speak test last Thursday, December 10, at Richmonde Hotel in Ortigas. My schedule was at 1:40 pm so the whole family was with me. We were in Ortigas already by 11:00 am. We still had time to go around Megamall and Shangrila for a while. We let the kids ate first so that they won't get hungry while waiting for me. Hubby and I ate our brunch before we left so we decided just to eat afterwards.

I was already in the Richmonde Business Centre by 12:20 cause examinees were requested to be there at least an hour ahead of the schedule since most of the time the interview is really earlier than the schedule. True enough, I was called at around 1:20pm and I'm thru by 1:35pm. I can say that I did fairly well in the interview. I was able to answer what is asked of me including follow-up questions by the examiner. I just hope I was able to convince the examiner that I am proficient with the language.

Last Saturday, December 12, I had my listening, reading and writing tests at the SMX Convention Center in Mall of Asia. The test was scheduled at 9am so I left home as early as 6:15am so that I'll have enough time just in case there will be some unexpected happenings on my way to MOA. I went alone this time since it's too early for my family to come with me plus they'll have to wait for more than 3 hours if they came along with me. I was already in MOA at around 7:30am but I have to walk for several minutes because SMX was exactly on the opposite side where the jeepney stop is. I was in the testing area at around 8:00am and the test promptly started at exactly 9am.

The exam was exactly the same as how it was done during the review. Actually, the tests are easier as compared to the materials used in the review center. Honestly, I could have taken the exam even without the review. :) But of course, I really appreciate the tips on how to go about the exam. I may not have a 9 on my tests but I'm quite confident that I'll be getting the bandscore I need.

The results will be available on the 22nd so I need to go to 9Niners again then go to Makati on the same day so that I can submit it to the embassy before the Christmas break.

Good thing I was able to accomplish all of these before the 45th day of the request by the embassy. Whew! It was a nerve wracking and stressful 2 weeks. Thanks to my ever supportive family, friends and colleagues at work!

Christmas spirit . . .

can now be felt in our home. Finally, we were able to put up our Christmas decors two weeks ago. But I'm still looking for the Santa decor we bought just last year. I can't remember where I stocked up some of our stuffs. Need to do some cleaning during the Christmas break. he he he . . .

I2C update # 8 . . .

Last week, we have already received another letter from the Canadian embassy. I am requested to submit a proof of my English proficiency from an approved organization. This means that I need to take the IELTS ! ! ! With barely a month to accomplish this, I was quite nervous and paranoid at the same time. Too many questions are cropping on my mind. "Will I pass the exams?" "When will be the next testing date?" "When will I get the results?" Will I make it on time on the deadline given by the embassy?"

Last Friday, I went to 9Niners, the leading IELTS review center, to process my application form to the British Council and to enroll at their crash course at the same time. My testing date is on December 12 and the results will be out by the 22nd. I still need to confirm if I can just pick-up the results or this will still be mailed thru the postal office. Our deadline to submit to the embassy is on the 27th so I really need to verify this with the Bristish Council by tomorrow.

I'm really praying that everything turns out fine. I don't need a take two for this very expensive exam. I know that I am proficient with the English language but I hope I get lucky for the speaking and writing exam since this is subject to the evaluation of the examiner.

Wish me luck folks! ! !

Our timeline . . .

What does our status mean at this point? Hopefully, it means we're barely waiting for a few more months before we finally get our visa ! ! !

Client Application Status

Application for Permanent Residence - Federal Skilled Worker submitted to the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) Sydney, Nova Scotia

This diagram explains each step in the application process.
Status of your application
Explanation

APPLICATION RECEIVED
Application Received by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)We have received your application. After checking for completeness, a file has been created and the information from the application form was entered.

Centralized Intake Office Sydney (CIO-S) ELIGIBILITY REVIEW COMPLETE
Centralized Intake Office Sydney (CIO-S) - Eligibility Review CompleteThe review at the CIO-Sydney has been completed. A letter with additional information has been mailed.

RECEIVED BY VISA OFFICE
Received by Visa Office The application and documents have been received by the visa office.

VISA OFFICE ELIGIBILITY REVIEW COMPLETE
Visa Office - Eligibility Review CompleteThe review of the application and supporting documents has been completed at the visa office. A letter with additional information has been mailed.

WITHDRAWN
Application Withdrawn We withdrew your application and your file has been closed.

This is where we are right now . . .

IN PROCESS
In Process Based on review of your complete application package, it has been determined that your application is eligible for processing. Processing has begun.

DECISION MADE (A decision has been made at this point.)

Medical Results Received by CIC We have received your medical results. We will contact you only if additional tests are needed.

Approval Status Determined Your application will be either approved or rejected. We will inform you of the decision in writing.

Permanent Residence Status Determined If your application is approved, we will send you your permanent resident documentation and a letter saying what we need to finalize your permanent residence.

COMPLETE (This is the last step in the processing of your application.)
Applicant Arrives in Canada and is Granted Permanent ResidenceYou will need to meet with an Immigration Officer who will verify your documents and grant you permanent residence if all is in order.

I2C update # 7 . . .

Finally, after three months since we have lodged our full application package to the Manila embassy, our e-cas has changed from "received by visa office"to ïn process". This means we'll be receiving our medical request in a few weeks time. Here's the status of our application:

Client Application Status

Permanent Residence
We received your application for permanent residence on March 31, 2009.

We reviewed your application and sent you a letter on April 21, 2009. Please consider delays in mail delivery before contacting us.

Your application and supporting documents were received by the Manila office. They are pending review.

We transferred your application to the Manila office on April 29, 2009. The Manila office may contact you.

Your application was reviewed and we started processing on November 12, 2009.

A shocking news . . .

came to us Saturday evening. "Friends and colleagues of my sister - Anne, she is now confined at Manila Doctors. She had an Ischemic attack yesterday afternoon. Please pray for her quick recovery". The text came from Anna, my HS bestfriend. I was quite confused the first time I read the message so I asked hubby to read it for me. He immediately called the number to verify what happened. Indeed, it was Anna who suffered the attack and still confined at the hospital. I immediately called or texted the rest of my HS buddies who are still here in the Philippines. Of course we were all worried about her since we don't really know her condition. They were asking me if she's in ICU and other questions which I can't answer myself as well.

Hubby asked me if I wanted to go and visit her right there and then but luckily we were in our right state of mind and decided to go the following day since it's past the hospital's visiting hours already. So the following day, our whole family visited Anna in Manila Doctors Hospital. Honestly, I was quite nervous and I don't know what to expect. Fortunately, Anna is healthy from the outside. Her speech was not affected so we were all laughing while having our usual tsikahans with hubby. It was the left side of her body which was affected. She's still under medication and is undergoing a therapy. Don't know until when she's staying in the hospital but I'm sure it'll take a while before everything gets back to normal. We are all praying for her quick recovery and I hope she remains to be healthy after this incident.

This is another wake up call for us. We are too young for this kind of illness but what happened? It can happen to anyone and at any age for that matter. We are just 33 y/o. Who would have thought that one of us will be inflicted with this illness. It's really important to live a healthy lifestyle and most importantly have a stress free environment.

SJWMS's Children's Day Celebration . . .

St. John's Wort Montessori School had their "Children's Day Celebration" last Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 2pm to 6pm. This replaced their annual trick or treat celebration so the kids were also in costume but no more scary costumes this time. Most of the kids were in their favorite fairy tale character costumes and super hero costumes. Each level prepared their special dance numbers and even the parents and teachers performed this time.

I was a proud mommy to my two little kids who performed well during their respective presentations. Kaila's performance was getting better and better after each of their presentations. She has really built up her self confidence in performing to a big crowd. Click on the link to see her video. For JM, this is just his second time to perform. It was really better than his first performance during their Linggo ng Wika celebration. I really enjoyed watching him. Click on this link to see his performance. See more of the pictures below and see how the kids enjoyed the party:

Ate Kaila in her fairy costume . . .

JM in his spiderman costume . . .

The kids while waiting for the program to start . . .

The kids lining up for the parade of costumes . . .

Ate Kaila with Marcus . . .

Kaila with her "new friend"

Kaila's having her butterfly face painting . . .

Here's the final outcome . . .

JM's turn this time . . .

Can you guess what it is?

Of course it's a car!

The kids getting theit loots in the different booths . . .

JM likes her facepainting very much that he asked me to take pictures several times . . .

Another shot of JM's car . . .