Repost: 34 Signs You Grew Up Filipino by Ashley Perez

This is hilarious and true! I just had to repost this.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ashleyperez/signs-you-grew-up-filipino

34 Signs You Grew Up Filipino

by Ashley Perez

 

1. This was a perfectly normal breakfast.

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Spam, good. Eggs, good. Rice, obviously good.

Source: kristmasday.tumblr.com

 

2. But this was your actual favorite breakfast.

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MMMM TAPSILOG. Nom nom.

Source: excursionista.net

3. And when all else failed there was always this.

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Sweet bread for breakfast? Yes, please...

Source: gemmae.com

4. You have no idea how to make rice on the stove, only in a flowery rice cooker.

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Source: inelectricappliance.com

5. This was your "ketchup."

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The spicy kind was the best.

Source: bonappetit.com

6. You had a hundred pairs of "tsinelas" spread around your house.

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Because you immediately took off your shoes when you entered the house.

7. The only name you were ever called by was:

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Like, you're not even sure your parents know your real name.

Source: youtube.com

8. Their names are lolo and lola, not grandpa and grandma.

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Source: Lora Capule  /  via: cooking-in-small-spaces.blogspot.com

9. You know you had to "mano" every adult in the house before you were allowed to go play.

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Source: davaocitybybattad.blogspot.com

10. Which was no easy task because you had approximately 15 "titas" and "titos" growing up.

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And half of them weren't actually related to you.

Source: albertsays.wordpress.com

11. Every year you sent a giant cardboard box to your relatives in the Philippines.

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The contents of which were 99% Spam.

Source: tripwow.tripadvisor.com

12. You immediately turn your head when you hear these phrases.

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Source: zazzle.com

13. This is how your mom points.

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Hand me the "ano."

Source: youtu.be

14. Your Thanksgiving includes a few unconventional items.

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Note the lumpia, rice, kare kare, pancit, etc...

Source: bicoastally.blogspot.com

15. Nothing makes your mouth water faster than the sight of pan de sal.

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Source: turningboholano.blogspot.com

16. Your family does most of its grocery shopping here.

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Or the local "Asian food store."

Source: seafoodcity.com

17. And this was your bakery.

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Source: gabrielwoo.com

18. You could really go for an ice-cold halo halo right now.

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Source: viajesaventurayexpediciones.blogspot.com

19. All of your relatives came over every time this guy was fighting.

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Manny Pacquiao. Represent.

Image by AFP/Jewel Samad

20. Your family car definitely has one of these hanging somewhere.

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Source: pipimps.com

21. You call this an "air-con" not an A/C.

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Source: blog.timesunion.com

22. You were constantly being asked if you had finished your Kumon.

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Source: kitchentablemath.net

23. You played at least one musical instrument growing up.

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And you had to learn the Suzuki method.

Source: youtube.com

24. Your parents were always particularly creative when it came to saving money.

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Source: HappySlip  /  via: youtube.com

25. Adobo is your love language.

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Source: americanfoodroots.com

26. You know your mom didn't know what to cook when you saw this was what you were eating for dinner.

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Source: walmart.com

27. You never threw away your plastic silverware.

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Because you know, "sayang"...

Source: blog.greengear.info

28. But let's be honest, half the time you didn't actually eat with silverware.

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Source: flipinayweeblether.blogspot.com

29. This looks very familiar.

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Aunties getting craaaazy!

Source: youtube.com

30. Every family gathering ends with a rousing round of karaoke.

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Source: jonpchan.com

31. You were always looking for ways to rep the Filipino flag.

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Source: facebook.com

32. You love joking about being a FOB, but the second anyone else calls you one, you're like:

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DA HELL? Not cool.

Source: activedayton.com

33. Taglish was your native tongue.

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Source: pblob.com

34. Watching this is like watching your life.

More Fun in the Philippines Ad in Canada

A few office mates has approached me (individually) over the last few weeks and asked if I was from the Philippines.  Obviously, I looked like a Filipino and of course, I proudly said YES! After all, out of the minorities, there are only 2 Filipinos in our corporate office.

The logical response after confirming that I am a Filipino is "why you asked?"  and then they started talking about Survivor Caramoan (which is in fact in the Philippines) and the TV commercial of "It's more fun in the Philippines".  And then followed by questions, have you been to Caramoan?  Can you really swim with the whale? Was the Philippines under the Spanish for some years? When did the US took over?...and so on...

I am embarrassed when I tell them that I haven't been to Caramoan or that I have not seen the whales...and I just tell them that I have friends who've been there, done that, but I haven't.  And when it comes to Philippine history...I fail (lol!) How embarrassing...I'm not a very good ambassador for the Philippines.

This is the TVC being shown here in Canada.  I've seen it a few times during Survivor time slot.
I think the TVC has been effective so far.  The questions I received meant that the commercial has raised curiosity about the Philippines.

But when people talk about the duration and the cost of the flight..it kills the excitement.

Sayang...I wish Philippines was just near. 

I caught the Toronto Maple Leaf fever!

You are not from Toronto if you do not know by now that the Toronto Maple Leaf has made it to the NHL playoff  this season.  It has been 9 years since the team made it to the playoffs and 46 years since they won the Stanley Cup (I did some research).  So as you can imagine, fans are going wild and the fever is on.

Even at the workplace, people got so excited when they were asked to wear their favorite NHL team jersey because we will be having an NHL Celebration day in support of the Toronto Maple Leaf.  How awesome?!

I got starstruck by Carlton, the bear and TML's mascot!  I can't resist and I need to have a photo with him, not just once.....


with Carlton, the bear while lining up for lunch (lol! I'm still holding my tray)

  but twice....

with Carlton, take 2!

 

There were also some Alumni Maple Leaf players present to sign autographs.  I was so embarrassed I did not know them.  But I still lined up to ask for their autograph...who knows, they might be in the Hall of Fame someday and the autograph might be worth a fortune in the future :)

I had to google their names...to know who they are.

Ric Nattress, former NHL Defenceman.  Played in 536 games, recorded 29 goals and 135 assists. He also appeared in 67 playoff games, scoring five goals and adding ten assists.


I'm pointing out to his 1989 Stanley Cup Ring

Bob Nevin, former ice hockey right wing.  Played 1128 career NHL games, recording 307 goals and 419 assists for 726 points.  He was with TML when they won Stanley cup in 1962 (side comment: OMG! I'm starstruck right now...I have no idea when I met him)

I am so happy!!
Today was a great "Canadian" experience. 

 (side comment: after seeing the photos...I am so annoyed, I keep on doing the #1 sign - very Filipino lol!)

My credit card has been compromised

Just this morning, I received a call from a 1-800 number (1-800-711-9946).  Typically, I would ignore these calls because they are either a scam, a promotional ad, or a product offer.  But because I am home-alone and working from home, I answered the call thinking it might be someone from the office.  It was an automated operator saying that the call is urgent and important and I need to call back the number blah blah blah...and all I heard was credit card and Royal Bank Security.  I thought, if it was urgent and important, then it would be a customer service representative who should have called me not a robotic-sounding operator.  

I googled the number (just because I love googling). Found a few hits and read through some forum discussions.  I found out the the number was legit and most people who received a call from this number, didn't call back but instead called the number found at the back of the credit card just to confirm.  How wise...I would not have thought of that and instead would have ignored everything.

And so, I called the number found at the back of the card.  I was asked tons of security questions, forwarded to different operator, then to a supervisor, then again tons of questions.  I was getting anxious and not to mention the phone line was breaking.   

Fast forward...they told me that one of my credit card was compromised.  I immediately checked my credit card balance online and found $1,000+++ purchase from online stores, future shops, urban outfitters, etc.  It was all purchases in the same day and in USD.  I was shocked but at the same time relieved that this was discovered sooner.  Obviously, the purchases are not mine.  The bank said they will cancel the purchases, cancel the card and investigate (phew!).

So what are my learnings from this experience?

1. Do not ignore this number: 1-800-711-9946 it is legit!

2. If possible, check your online banking everyday at your home computer.

3. Be careful where you put your credit card details.  It was good that this particular credit card have a very very low limit (this might be the reason why it was flagged immediately).  I refused to have the credit limit increased just because I use this particular card for low value purchases and for online purchases (if needed).  I have been very scared of online purchases but with the advent of vouchers and discounts, I needed to do so.  So just as a pre-caution, I only use 1 credit card for all online purchase.

My last purchase was a voucher from Wag Jag, 4 days ago.  Then this happened.  I couldn't help but make a connection.

I talked to an office mate to de-stressed. She told me it happened to her, her sister and her brother - with $20K fraudulent transaction.  The incident was investigated and a man was caught and put into jail.  It was a relief....not because it happens to everyone, but because some people are doing their job and evil will never prevail (sigh!).

Spring is in full swing!

Did you know that it has been 180 something days (I think 186) since Toronto had a 20+ degrees weather?  I heard this from the news today and finally, oh finally I see a glim of hope that my longest winter is about to end. (my mom laughs at me when I say this, to think I'm only on my second winter experience).

The first sign that spring is coming is when I saw these little plants growing in our front lawn.  I didn't even know we have these!

Then in the mornings, I hear the chirping of the birds from my window, and they just really brighten up my day!

And today, my daughter and husband went out for a stroll. 

I would have loved to join them but I have other life issues I needed to deal with --- CGA (which has sucked out the life of me.  I will write about this when I get my life back). 

I'm just really, really happy that spring has finally arrived.

I need another March Break

Happy Easter everyone!

I apologize for the lack of post, as I have been on blogging abstinence for the past holy week.  I wanted to give up a few things that I love to do during the lenten season and during the holy week as a form of sacrifice.   First, I gave up on Coke, in which I failed miserably (sorry God!), then I also promised to go on Internet abstinence for the holy week, I tried, I did but still failed except in updating this blog.

It has been an exhausting week, my daughter has been very sick and I am trying to catch-up on my CGA class (yes I enrolled in another CGA course this season, will write about it later).  All of these while I am so busy at work and I still have my motherly duties to do.  Why does it all have to happen at the same time? Thank God for the long weekend, now I feel energize again, but then I think long weekends are not that long enough, another March break would be great.

March break is like "Spring Break" except that it doesn't happen during spring.  It is a week long break from school, and I say, why not take a week long break from work too??  And so I took the entire March break week off with the plan of doing nothing but spend time with my mini-me.  I should have known...the plan of doing nothing means doing a hundred things except for nothing.

I ended up experimenting on my cooking abilities:



L:R Parmesa Crusted Chicken, Leche Flan, Banana Nutella Bread


Brought my daughter to her dance camp in a community center while I do errands and chores.

My daughter Shakin' It!

Can you tell which one is my daughters Lol! She was wearing running shoes the entire time!

And a bunch of other small things that didn't really matter.  By the end of the week, I was so tired and felt like I needed another break. Just like week after week after week.

Disney on Ice: Rockin' Ever After

It's the time of the year again for Disney on Ice!  If you remember same month last year, we watched Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream at Roger's Center.  This year, Disney presents Rockin' Ever After.  We are not by the way making this an annual family tradition but because I've seen all kinds of Disney on Ice show in a 'tropical country', I might as well provide the same 'experience' to my mini-me while she's at her Disney Princess stage.

I am not writing a review on this show, after all it is the same routine year after year after year.  I just wanted to share the high light of this experience.

First, we did not learn from last years’ experience.  We brought our car to downtown and we were again ripped off by Roger's Center parking - which costs us $25.   Then I promised my daughter to get her a Disney Princess dress or shirt which she can wear for the show.  I did not have time to go to the mall or Walmart prior to the event to get her one.  I knew that prices of merchandise at the event would be twice the original price, but then again, I did not do my mommy duty, hence I was forced to buy at the venue.

As I’ve said, the sequence of the show has been the same for the past 30 years.  Mickey and Minnie will open the show and their friends Donald and Goofy will join them in a dance routine before introducing the first princess.  However, for this year they have added something new which I don’t really see the connection to the rest of the presentation – Pinocchio.  I guess Pinocchio was the ‘opening-act’ for the princesses.

I love Minnie Mouse!!!

The first princess to hit the ice was Ariel, the little mermaid, my daughter’s favorite princess.  My favorite part of Ariel’s presentation was the “Under the Sea” sequence which had glow in the dark under the sea creatures.

Glow in the Dark Sea Horses

Then came my favorite princess, Rapunzel of Tangled.  My favorite part of course was when Maximus the horse with the face appeared and the floating lanterns.

I see the light!

The third princess to hit the ice was Princess Merida from the movie Brave.  I was least familiar with her story since I have not seen the movie.  I was surprise to see that she was the only princess without a real love-team or prince to save her.  I like it because not every princess needs a prince.  The only problem with the presentation was that the lady playing Merida stumbled so bad in her dance routine…it was so bad that when she tripped she fell right outside the skating rink near the audience.  After that fall, she was all over the place.  It was so bad, I pitied the performer.  Sorry I don't have good pictures from this presentation.  I only had my point and shoot and it wasn't easy taking from afar.

 Then the last show was Beauty and the Beast.  At this time, my husband was right about to fall asleep (haha!)

Belle and her Beast (i mean) Prince

As always, Disney on Ice is a ‘feel good’ event to watch.  It never fails to bring back memories from my childhood and it never fails to make my daughter uber-happy.  I guess, I’ll be watching this for the next 10 years.

our "minnie mouse' headband tradition