Category: Vacations/Travel

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Mini Vacation Gone Wrong

So we just got back from our mini – vacation to the city – and boy! was it a worrisome vacation. Our friend said I’m a worrywart but how can I not be – when the car was having trouble and our safety was in question. I was so looking forward to this mini-vacation because it had been 6 months since I had gone up to the city to savor my Japanese food and dim sum. And even though I did get to eat one meal sit down dinner at a Japanese restaurant and some dim sum – I know that PB wasn’t really enjoying it – nor was Chloe – because all the time during our mini-vacation – she said she wanted fish and chips *slap forehead*. We also lost some shopping time because we were out searching for a garage to look at our car – and our hotel room wasn’t the best at first but the hotel staff were excellent and tried their best to make our stay a great one. I had wanted to stay for another day – to get the car looked at first and also to get some more shopping done – but in the end – PB decided to come back on the schedule date *sigh*. So I rushed to get a few things done and get as much chinese food as I can get and then came back. All the way – praying for journey mercy from God. What a vacation!

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Birthday Plans & Travel

I told PB that when my birthday comes – I want to celebrate it in Halifax – although after visiting NC’s website , I would very much like to spend my birthday in North Carolina instead – with the beach and the son. I know it’s going to be warmer in North Carolina and my best friend lived there – but because we own our own business – me being only owner by association, we can’t just close shop and leave. So yes ! we do have travel plans in the near future for my birthday and as much as I would like to fly on an airplane – that would just have to wait for a bit longer. For those who’ve never been to North Carolina – you have to visit it sometime and if we did go – we are going to get one of those vacation homes instead of staying in a hotel. So much cheaper and a lot more convenient if you want to cook or do your laundry int he meantime. But for this birthday trip, I’m going to visit Annie’s Cafe in Halifax – so stay tuned – while i tell you about this little cafe in Queens Street.

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How To Get A 6 Months Visa Into Canada?

I’ve been asked many a times – how do one get thru’ custom and get your 6 months chop on your passport without any trouble. So when i received an email this morning from a fellow Singaporean – i decided to write it out here instead. First of all, don’t go to the embassy and tell them you are staying for 6 months – as soon as you do that – they might send in the information to Canadian custom to look out for you ( i think they are required by law to do so). Canadian custom frown upon people who are planning to stay this long. But having said that Canadian custom are not evil – they are just doing their job and don’t want over stayers and people who intend to stay in Canada illegally or work here illegally.

So here is what you do – if you want to enter into Canada without any problems and be granted a 6 months visit legally. You have to have enough cash with you – you have to tell them you have family and friends and a job waiting for you back home. You have to have a return ticket – showing when you are going home – but note – that you should not have your air ticket printing it 6 months from your date of arrival. Always buy a ticket that allows you to change your date of flight – that way – you can book for 2 months from date of arrival and then change it when you arrive and have gotten your 6 months visa.

If possible – bring a business card with you if you are working – if you are still in school – make sure you have school papers showing when you are supposed to be back for school. The whole idea is to show them that you have no intention of staying longer than you should – and that you are just here for a visit and sightseeing around Canada. And by the way – if you are coming to Canada in February – it is the coldest month here – make sure you are dressed warmly. Do not spend a lot of money buying winter clothes in Singapore – safe your money and buy one when you arrive – in the meantime – just buy something as warm as you can in Singapore. I hope the above helps – and like I said before – i never had any trouble with immigration Canada – and you shouldn’t too – because Immigration Canada is not out to get you – they are only out to get those who have ill intentions.

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Good Hotel Rates & Good Weather

Good hotel rates and good weather = to a quick trip up to the city. Yes ! it was last minute decision – but we saw some good hotel rates for downtown halifax – and the weather was not too cold – so we packed and headed up to the city for 2 days and 1 night. Short notice – but I had to get up and get my sushi, sashimi and Asian groceries. Woohoo!!

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Trip To The City With A Girlfriend

Many years ago – before coming to Canada – I would be in search for a girlfriend to go for trips to the city – for shopping or just a short vacation, but none to be found – because they were either too busy – or they had to bring along their boyfriends. Now in Canada – I had never gone out with my girlfriends – because I have Chloe and a spouse – so it’s different. So when a girlfriend who just got her new car asked if I wanted to do a day trip with her to the city – I jumped at the chance. Her car insurance will be finalized within the next day and she is all set to make her maiden trip with her new car to the city.

I’m kinda excited because I never go anywhere without PB for the last 11 yrs – so a day trip by car is a great way to start becoming independent again. Plus I’m sure PB can handle both the store and Chloe for a day – maybe will ask Grammie to come help, I’m pretty excited actually – hahah! silly me eh. For someone who had traveled the world for work – this to some may be amusing – but yes ! it’s the first time I’m going outta the town without PB or Chloe.

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Why Do People Migrate?

I asked PB – the other day – why do you think people migrate? is it because they think it’s better quality of life? or a change of life? or is it love? or better future – as they call it – as in better work environment and better opportunity? I’ve often been emailed by people from all over the world asking about the quality of life in Canada and how do one get migrated to Canada? Can you find jobs easily?

These are just a few questions I’ve been asked pretty often – what they also failed to ask is the weather, the food! the people acceptance of someone from another country. I too, never thought about this – when I first arrived in Canada. For me – it’s all in the name of love – after having Chloe – i didn’t feel it was right – to move her back to Singapore – because she has grandparents and extended family here. I am hoping to give her a “real” family – alas, we work too much and so does her grandparents. The extended family we rarely see – nor keep in touch – because they have their own life and so do we. I don’t have many friends here and those that I’ve come to call friends – are actually customers of the store that turned into friends. I can’t just up and take a public transport here for a quarter and head for the mall – because public transport is only one bus – and it cost like $2 to take a ride to designated spots. Cab rides are expensive – and even if it was a 5 minutes ride – it would cost me $6.50 – which I’m too el cheapo to pay. So I wait for PB to be available to send me to the mall – which is usually in a hurry to get the necessities.

We haven’t gone to the city for months now – because the store is so busy – and to think of going home – without some trustworthy help – is almost impossible. The winter is long here – and if you are thinking of looking for a job here – that might be better than home – you have to really think long and hard. Depending on where you are from – yes ! some jobs could be better – but then you are also giving up on your food and all sorts of entertainment that you can get cheap back home. There are pros and cons of course in everything – the grass is not always greener on the other side. My advice to anyone who wants to migrate – is to make sure you can get the kind of food you need in the province you are staying in. Be prepared to wait for a job as long as a year – and make sure you have family and friends around you or nearby. Unlike myself, I have no one to turn to – except PB – when I was ill or needed help with Chloe. So yes! having Asian family and friends nearby is very important – and so is the food.

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Road Accidents

We have been hearing a lot about road accidents of late – and how Texas truck accident lawyer helped some of victims get compensated for their damages. Any accidents is hard on victims – who incidentally may lose their ability to work again – or lose their property or car – so yes – a good accident lawyer is important. I, too think that money cannot compensate everything – but one most definitely need to make the responsible party accountable. It would be sad to see someone get away for hurting another – even if it was not by choice. So yes! if you have a road accident – make sure you get the right lawyers to help and nope not all lawyers are equal.

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Welcome Fall 2010

Well, the fall is here – the weather is getting colder in this small little town and Chloe had been in school for almost 3 weeks now. She settled into school this year – a lot quicker than we expected. In fact, this year – we see more changes in my little princess – no more teddy at school and no more sippy cup and no more fussing about school.

While Chloe is settling into school – we all got sick last week – and with no help at the store – and Chloe’s grammie couldn’t take her on Saturdays – it was definitely hard on us – but as usual – we survived and feel a lot better now. I also took a bad fall at the store last week – while playing with Chloe – because I didn’t wanna leave her to play on her own for too long. So because of the fall – I couldn’t do very much – knees with rug burn and the entire hand from shoulder to wrist all bruised and unable to do much either – but we survived the week.

The store had been busy – and people are already shopping for Christmas – and us – we are making the most of our new routines and new school year but most importantly – we continue to focus on our health and and my fitness routine. Also, I’ve come to a new resolution and will think first for myself and Chloe before any other things – from this day on – I will strive to do one thing – and that is to bring Chloe and myself home to visit family and friends. Soon everyone – soon – I will be able to travel – on my own with Chloe and go home for a much needed break.

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Making Time To Take Care Of Myself

Certainly not easy – and I’m sure every mom out there can agree with me. But today – I went for a regular check up with my family doctor – and she too agree that I have to take time to take care of myself and my needs. She said I should go and take a short break – I agreed with her totally – didn’t do nothing this summer – because PB was too busy with the store. 11 yrs in Canada and when i left my watch at the store last night – i realized the rest of it 4 of them that i have – all didn’t have working batteries. If I were home – it would certainly have been different – i could bring it to a watch store and get them replaced. Here I have to depend on PB to get the batteries and do it for me – no watch store here *sigh*. So yes! I believe my health problems stems from not being able to do thing for myself and being efficient. Time to make some changes – and first step already been taken – losing weight and eating right. The next a short vacation – soon. Stay tuned !

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U2

U2 is coming to Toronto !!! yes ! you heard me right! Ahhh..! talking about U2 brings back so many good memories. Yes ! I grew up listening to U2! and yes ! they have been around for a long time – 30 yrs. I was in my teens too when they started the band. Irish guys and so handsome ! we all went ga-ga over all of them. So who do I liked? Bono of course!! and he still looks so good now – at 50. Wished they were coming to Halifax in November instead of Toronto but for those who are in Toronto and want some U2 tickets, make sure get yours really early – coz’ i hear they are sold out on every concert. Dreamy, dreamy I am now – and plotting to get to Toronto if I can in November – afterall, you don’t get to go for U2 concerts every other month eh. And I leave you with this you-tube of one of their many good songs – bringing you back to yesteryear.