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 . . .

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!

42 days . . .

to go before Christmas and I haven't started any preparation. The kids were bugging me to have our Christmas decors put up for the past two weekends and up to now no decors were set up yet. Hopefully, all decors will be set this weekend. I also want to have my gift lists to family members, friends, officemates, relatives and friends of the two kids. I'm not yet sure if we'll go to Divi this weekend to buy some stuffs already. If not, hopefully in the next two weekends so that we won't resort to last minute Christmas shopping. Hubby and I are also looking forward to the St. James Bazaar which we have been regularly visiting for the past 3 or 4 years already. Hope we could find cool items there. Now, I'm beginning to feel Christmassy already. . . (is there such a word?) he he he . . . Hope to post more Christmas updates in the next few days . . .

What if . . .

we do get our visa approval in the next 6 months? What would be our next steps? To be honest, we are really hoping and waiting for this. It has been almost 3 months already since we have lodged our full application to the Canadian embassy and it's 7 months already from the time we have initially submitted our application to CIO in Nova Scotia, Canada. I really pray that their timeline of 9 to 12 months processing would be true for us. This means that Q1 of 2010 would be very crucial to us. I'm really keeping my fingers crossed that we were able to submit all the necessary documents and the visa officer handling our case wouldn't give us a hard time by requiring additional documents for submission.

When mom was here for a visit last month, we were already talking about our future plans. They are really excited for us to be there with them especially the two kids. I'm sure this will lessen the "homesickness"of my dad. We already have plans for work, our careers, education of the two kids as well as our future home there. I hope we could find a real estate broker like Commercial Real Estate Kentucky who would help us get an apartment or townhouse unit just in time when we get there.

Talking about this topic really gets me excited and I hope plans will all be realized in due time. In the meantime, we're just taking things one day at a time and I try not to consciously wait for the "next letter" so that I wouldn't get disappointed. As they say, things happen when you least expected it. I really hope it does in the next few more weeks . . .

Eyeglasses anyone ? ? ?

I've been having some terrible headaches lately. I'm not sure if this is due to stress or I might need to have my eyes checked. I also wonder if my prolonged exposure to the PC causes this headaches. Because of this, I again browsed $8 Prescription Zenni Glasses to look for their new arrivals especially their Holiday Fun Eyeglasses . These eyeglasses are very economical at the same time they are durable and lightweight. I am really considering buying this if in case I would need to have glasses already. You can check out their site for you to see their various designs and I'm sure you'll have you're choice that would fit in to your budget as well.

What's up with me?

So many things have happened for the past 3 months already . . . Mostly bad since there were quite a number of deaths in our family, friends and colleagues at work. But of course there are milestones already with our immigration application to Canada. I'll try to post more details on my next post. Kaila's already bugging me since she''ll be playing in our PC.

This is it . . .

Finally, school starts today for the two kids. Hubby and I are both on vacation leave today. We really make it a point to attend all the school activities of the kids. Kids will never be kids forever. They won't we needing us parents as much as they need us today. So, better make the most of it now than regret it in the future. It's important that we, as parents, spend quality time with our kids rather than spending quantitative time with them. Those quality time that we spend with them are those that they will remember and cherish as they grow up.

OMG, I'm been starting to write and write again! Writing is really addicting once you've started it. But I need to stop here for now since I need to prepare the things of the kids for school. I still have to cook pancakes as requested by Kaila.

Let's wait how the first day in school will turn out. :)

Random updates . . .

I haven't really blogged for the past months. I was so preoccupied with a lot of things. I'm still learning and adjusting with my new work. I still have to figure out how to do things more efficiently since my workload is actually for two positions. At home, I barely have time to blog since hubby is addicted to facebook and the kids are into PC games as well. I really have to find time to sneak out in between. he he he . . .

So, what are we up to lately? Well, we're still completing our documents for the submission of our complete application package to the embassy in Manila. We've been to San Beda already to get hubby's school records, been to BPI to get our employment certificates, been drafting letters and affidavits to support our documents.

School break is almost over for the two kids. JM will be going to school as well starting this Wednesday that's why hubby and I are so excited to see him in school. I wonder what he would be like as a student? Hopefully, we won't be called in the principal's office because of JM's naughtiness.

We had no major vacation this summer except for the two roadtrips that we had in Liliw. Weekends were mostly spent in malls for groceries and play time for the kids. I've also had several Friday night outs with my officemates wherein I've been struggling to improve my score in bowling. :) This weekend, we are heading off to Nasugbu for an overnight in Canyon Cove. At least habol pa rin sa summer. Summer pa nga ba? :)

Whew! It feels good to write again. Hopefully, this will be the start of my continous updates in this blog. For a more real time updates, just look for me in facebook. he he he . . .

The lazy me . . .

can't seem to find the urge to blog. It's not that I have nothing to blog but actually there's a lot of updates and even pictures to upload. It's just I'm not in the mood to blog. Should I blame it on facebook? he he he . . . I guess I'm just busy with a lot of things and I expect to become busier this month. The days are getting nearer . . . 120 days will be over soon. :)

The move . . .

As I have previously posted, I'll be moving to a different position within Finance by April 2009. There was a delay on this move and officially, today is my first day in my new position. I am the Profit Analyst for Ford Motor Company and two other entities within Ford. Since it's the month-end close I'm doing the close simulatenously in my new position and my former position. Hopefully, everything will be retained in my memory so that by next month I can do everything on my own. So far so good. Wish me luck on this new endeavor!

It's my birthday! ! !

How time flies really fast! I'm turning a year older again today. Though I'm celebrating it differently ( since I'm in the office ), I can say that I'm so happy with all the blessings I have received for the past year. I'm so thankful that I have my family with me and they are my source of strength and happiness as I journey through life. I'm looking forward for the next years to come and I pray for good health for all my family members and our loved ones. Happy birthday to me! he he he . . . :)

A quiet and simple day . . .

It has been a while when I just spent the whole day at home without worrying anything. For the past few weeks hubby and I have not spent a single weekend at home. As I have previously blogged, my FIL is battling the big "C" that's why we spend every free day at their home in Pacita. We also try to visit our house in Canlubang since my nephew is there already. Our weekends are spent shuttling from one house to another with groceries in between and other errands. We also try to balance our time with the kids as well.

Today, I just spent the whole day at home and I had the time to have enough sleep. Late in the afternoon, the kids just played outside with their bikes and balls. After a while, they started to water the plants and in no time the kids were already having their evening bath outside the house. I allowed them to play in the water for a while and they enjoyed it so much that they don't want to stop. These are just rare moments for the kids that's why I try to be lenient once in a while.

This is a perfect day well spent except for one. Hubby is still in the office and he missed all our adventures for the day. I'm hoping for more quiet and simple days like this . . . . :)

:) . . .

I'm so happy today ! ! !

APE . . .

I had my annual physical exam last week and so far the results are good. My vision is still at 20-20 though I think I need to have a more thorough eye check-up. My cholesterol and sugar level are within the normal limits. Other test results have yet to be known but I hope everything is fine. With all the health conditions of some of my family members, I am very thankful that I'm fit and healthy. I'm not getting any younger so I need to be cautious as well. I need to be healthy for the sake of my husband and my two kids. I still have to take care of them so I have to keep myself healthy all the time.

Some changes . . .

will happen by April 1. I will be moving on to a different position by Q2. I'm in the material cost section of Finance since June of 2005. By next month, I'll be in the profit forecasting section of Finance. I knew about this change about 2 or 3 weeks ago and I didn't blog about it immediately since it's confidential ( daw . . . . ) at that time. This will be a big change from my current work since I need to know and understand the whole operation of Ford Motor Company. This will be my second move since I started as an Accounts Payable Analyst with Ford 5 and a half years ago.

I'm excited, happy and sad at the same time. I'm sad because I have learned to love my work and I can say that it's my comfort zone already. I'm happy and excited because it'll be a new learning experience for me ( added points for my resume ) he he he . . . Less workload and stress as compared to my current job ( I hope so! ).

Wish me luck on this new development in my career.

A weekend get together . . .

Our college barkada had a get together last Saturday, February 28. We seldom see each other after our graduation so as much as I can I make it a point to attend every event of the barkada be it a wedding, baptismal or birthday of our kids. Last Saturday's get together was initiated by Maila who's now based in New Zealand with her hubby. They are here for a vacation for almost 2 months. We are so excited to see her because finally she's 5 months pregnant already.

It was difficult to set up the schedule since we can't find a date wherein everybody will be available so we just decided to push through with it last Saturday. Since they'll be here until April we'll just see if we can meet again before they leave. Venue was in Fazoli's in Eastwood. I was with my whole family and we arrived just in time for our lunch date.

We are seven in our group and three of them didn't make it last Saturday. Bing ( who I haven't seen since our graduation ) was sick, Kaye has a class ( she's taking up Nursing after her US vacation ) and Jody who has an event that day. Everybody was excited to see Bing so we made a phone patch to her after we had our lunch. We hope we can find another sched wherein the group will be complete for the first time again.

The afternoon was spent for non-stop tsikahan about our lives and of course our lives way back then in college and future plans as well. Syempre pinagusapan din ang mga "absent" kaya dapat wag mag-absent sa mga ganitong event. . . he he he . . .

Fortunately, the kids behaved well during our tsikahan. My friends are so fond of the kids that they are encouraging us to have more. Maganda daw ang lahi kaya dapat paramihin pa. he he he . . . I'm not sure what time we ended our tsikahan session. I think it was almost 4pm already.

Maila is inviting us for the 60th birthday celebration of his dad this coming Saturday, March 7. I'm not yet sure if we can come. We'll just see.

Here's our picture taken last Saturday:

Lotto update . . .

Nobody won the lotto draw last Thursay night. Only 2 of our numbers from system 11 was included and 1 from system 9. So, early yesterday morning it was again our discussion during breakfast. Initially, we said that we'll just pursue our system 9 betting which includes the Finance department only. Unexpectedly, our lotto members from the other departments were also inquiring if we'll continue to bet for our numbers. So, everybody agreed that we'll just use the same numbers and we'll see what will happen on the draw this coming Sunday. We're keeping our finger crossed . . .

Lotto Fever . . .

The 6/49 super lotto draw last night was awaited by a lot of people especially those who have placed their bets on their lucky numbers. The jackpot has gone up to P239M and unfortunately for them there was no winner. Lucky for those who have yet to place their bets since they have another chance for the next draw ( including me :) ).

This was our topic during our breakfast this morning so we decided to join the lotto fever. We agreed that we'll bet using the system 9 wherein we'll choose 9 numbers and we'll have the chance for all the possible combination using those 9 numbers. Our lead for the project emailed almost everybody within our department and everybody was excited to join. Each one gave their lucky numbers and ended up with about 11 numbers. So, we ended up generating the 9 numbers using their own system. When our lead emailed our 9 numbers, they were asking how we've come up with the numbers and what happened to their lucky numbers. We told them that we just used the system generated numbers so as not have difficulty on choosing among the numbers given by the participants. Funny thing is none of the lucky numbers given by the participants was generated. he he he . . .

Then, somebody from the group dared to bet using the system 11 since we have the numbers already. This would cost us another P440 if the same number of people will bet. We've made our computations and agreed to proceed with the bet with just about P200 per head so we need a total of 50 persons for this round. But this also means that our winnings will be down to about P4.7M each. ha ha ha . . . Of course, since we are in Finance everybody was fast in computing for their winnings.

The lotto fever spread all throughout the organization and other departments (HR, IT, Purchasing and MPL ) joined as well. Even our former officemates were able to join. Thanks to the advanced technology nowadays. The 50 slots were complete at around 4pm I guess. Some joined with high hopes that they'll win. Some joined not even knowing how it works. Some joined for the heck of just joining. Some joined with a lot of plans already for their winnings, if ever. We are all happy and excited!

What if we win? What will happen to Ford Philippines if everybody will resign from their posts? Everybody will be happy but not the Ford management. ha ha ha . . . On the other hand, we can lend our winnings to Ford and be a stakeholder since we are actually on the process of securing a loan from a local bank. he he he . . .

Good luck to all of us! ! !