vancouver lessons

25 things i have learned in the past 3 months:

1. just because it's raining, snowing, or 0 degrees outside, it doesn't mean you have to stay indoors.

2. knee-high boots are winter must-haves, not because they look pretty or cool.

3. vancouver fashion is pregnancy-figure-friendly because you are either in a thick jacket or wearing 2 sweaters all the time -- conveniently hiding the fact that you are gaining weight.

4. during winter, days go by pretty fast because the sun is out for an average of 8 hours only.

5. out here there is dust, only it's not grey but white and fibrous.

6. in thailand, shawls and scarves are worn as accents. in canada, you NEED them.

7. there is no such thing as a masungit canadian. all of them are friendly and jolly most of the time - which has it's irritating limits of course. when they seem nice and friendly, take what they say with a grain of salt.

8. there is nothing like soy sauce and vinegar from the philippines when cooking adobo.

9. that pink liquid substance essential to a manicure/pedicure costs lower than P30 in manila, but is absurdly sold in filipino stores here at $2.50 (approx. P90).

10. the best thai restaurant so far is Baan Wassana in 41st St. Boulevard.

11. sinigang is better in Galing-Galing Restaurant than in Goldilocks (both in Granville St.).

12. Winners is a good place for bargain hunters. leave men at home when shopping here.

13. there is nothing like Jesuit music sung in church.

14. some degree of assertiveness must be practiced at all times.

15. when you're pregnant, you don't see an OB-GYNE, but a GP with an obstetrics background. only women with sensitive reproductive systems see the specialists. (quite a bummer if you ask me, but then again, this just might need a bit of getting used to.)

16. stretching a painting into a new frame can be quite a learning experience for you and your new husband.

17. Sears is perpetually on sale.

18. for some reason, vegetables and fruits stay fresh longer here.

19. meat is boring as the cuts are always lean. i definitely miss the sinful, juicy fat part of pork adobo and inihaw na liempo!

20. the waffles in Denny's are better than the ones in White Spot.

21. people drink more beer than water on a friday night.

22. long lines outside restaurants or bars do not ensure the said establishment's quality.

23. there is no all-purpose cream in the grocery. i wonder if whipped cream will work just fine in fruit salad.

24. Swiffers are not handled like brooms.

and last but definitely not least...

25. having a husband around is oftentimes funny, challenging, full of adjustments, and more fun than all your boyfriend-girlfriend years put together.