M A P L E

I've been in Canada for four days already. The last time I was here was about 16 years ago. I barely remember the places we visited. Of course I couldn't forget Niagara Falls... but other than that, I don't remember much. Although I recall my brother dialing 911 when he saw the numbers written down beside the phone. Then we got a call back from them asking if we were okay.

I haven't seen much of Canada yet, just a little of Mississauga where I live with family friends. And a little of downtown Toronto. I'm taking my time going around since I'll be staying for quite sometime here anyway.

From the fast paced lives of my relatives in America, I find Canada relaxing and quite slow. It's a nice change. And I like the weather right now. It can get hot but not as hot as back home... aaahhh... home... it feels like a million miles away. Hmmm... getting a little bit homesick already.

A wedding, a camping trip, a long drive to Montreal, a visit to a Filipino bar, and Canada Day celebration are just a few things planned in the coming weeks.

Oh Granny!

Grandmothers can be adorably crazy! I spent the last two days with my mom's mom and other grandaunts. It drove me crazy whenever they try to feed me... like I never got fed when I was in the Philippines. No matter how many times I tell them I'm full, they still insist on feeding me. So, just to shut them up I'd try to eat. But it doesn't stop there! They would then insist I try everything on the table! After that, they try to make me take a nap. They insist I have jetlag even if it's been three days since I arrived! Crazy!

But of course, I love them. My grandmother loves to shop... for me!!! Even though she prefers discount stores, she brought me to Macy's and told me to get a pair of pants and blouse... which I did, of course!

It's natural for a grandma to dote on her apos. I have a special bond with her, being her first grandchild. I'm also the luckiest one since I got to spend more time with her before she migrated her. I'm also named after her... well, at least half of it.

Cold in San Francisco

Finally here in San Francisco. Arrived here last night around 7pm. Had big slab of ribs for dinner at Sizzler's after and spent the rest of the time in a high school party in school. Waited for one of my cousins... as usual... her friends think I was also just a high school student! Stroke my ego! Today we went to mass, my other cousin was the server. And then had lunch at Fuddruckers. Some sort of burger resto but with arcade inside. Reminds me of Friday's only more fun. Hmmm... the entrepreneur inside me of course wondered how much it costs to franchise it! The rest of the day was spent going around Daly City. Right now I'm waiting for dinner... Igado... an Ilocano dish! One of my faves actually.

The next few days I'll be visiting my relatives in the other side of San Francisco. My Grandma will pick me up. And being her first and most adorable grandchild... she will take me shopping!

Well... more travel stories in the next few days...

Adieu...

I should've been in Cologne right now, waiting for my flight to Copenhagen. Instead, tonight, I will be flying to San Francisco. Well, I shouldn't really be complaining. At least I'm still traveling. Next week I have a flight to Toronto where I'll be staying for a month before moving on to St. Louis.

Although I won't be having the big adventure with Alisa in Europe, maybe I can find my own adventure wherever I'll go. After all, this won't just be a simple trip for me since I'm also hoping to find a job in Canada or US.

Alisa and I promised to each other that we will still travel together... we're hoping to visit Rahul in India.

I haven't started my trip and I'm already planning another one!

See you all in August!

Season Finale

The wonders of technology keeps me up to date with my favorite tv shows.

I just finished watching the season finale of The OC... death in the Cohen family... alcohol addiction... secrets revealed... and lastly, brothers trying to kill each other.

I also saw the season finale of CSI:Las Vegas... one of the agents will be buried alive. The others will try to solve the clues the killer left behind to find him.

Two months in Canada and US. I will be a certified couch potato for sure!