Jernie's Hub

With this short period of time that I’ve been here, it’s very interesting to observe the ways of life and the way things are.


What I like in this place is its diverse community which gives that feeling that nobody is a stranger/foreigner. The first time we went to the Eaton Center (a huge shopping mall), I couldn’t stop saying, “I feel like I’m in Dubai”. While walking around I was having the impression that all nationalities must be here and everybody speaks the same language.
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Canada, land of opportunities? That’s what I heard from some people I know here. I think so. If one is not picky, job is always there. I heard that job opportunities in the retail industry and care-giving are not difficult to find. But to be for example in the healthcare industry, business, technical field etc…; one is required to study again and gain working experience here.
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We went to buy myself a pre-paid simm card. For the first time, I havn't encountered a system as complicated as here. I was presented with a brochure of plans for me to choose from. I insisted that I want a pre-paid card. For me, a pre-paid simm card means buying the card and topping-up an amount to make calls. Well the Assistant started to take us through the steps. First I had to choose which phone I’m going to get. But I want to use mine. Second I have to choose the price plans: 1 ct EVENINGS & WEEKENDS PLAN; $1 A DAY UNLIMITED EVENINGS & WEEKENDS PLAN; ALL DAY PLAN; ANYTIME PLAN. Huh! Guess which one I should take. To try to understand each plan, the Assistant needed to explain to us the mechanics… calling timings, minimum top-ups, charges for daily, 5 mins, 30 mins for 60 mins and last but not the least the expiration of the simm card per plan. Third step is to choose add-on facilities/features: voicemail, various types of charging txt messages, etc... And finally step 4, how to manage the account. When I decided what to take, I thought we were through. Then came the registration and payment. A good one hour was not even enough to finish the process. Really interesting huh!

When I got the bill, there was something new again. The plan was costing $100, the simm card costs $25 how come I have to pay $142.50? Then I learned that the VAT is not included in their pricing. Ooopppsss! I realized that I have to reset my calculator. I was told that for everything I’m buying I have to add 14% VAT. So, we went to a shop to see. I picked-up an item for $100, it means I have calculate 14% on top of its price making it $114. Is it a marketing strategy? In Germany, when I pick-up an item for Euro 100, it means I will pay a Euro 100 no more no less. It’s simple, isn’t it?
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Since we are living in downtown, most of the important/touristic sites are not far away, can be reached by foot or by street cars. I got a map and plan to visit these places during week days. On weekends, we normally drive out of town to see more interesting places.

While walking around, I bumped into a signage “Shopping Concourse / Food Court” towards underground. I was curious so I went down. It was a vast shopping complex underground Toronto Downtown. I didn’t know about it. It is a very good place to wander around because it’s warm. After a good hour wandering around, I started to think where should I exit? I didn’t even know where I am. Had to sit down and look at the map. I just hope I will find my way back to the apartment. Hehehehe. But with the structure of the streets here, it is easy to locate places.




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Around the streets, I have seen few homeless people. They sleep on the streets; I can’t imagine how cold it is for them. There are some individuals approaching people soliciting money. I was told that the crime rate here is high, that I have to take extra care when roaming around.

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Christmas spirit is very much in the air. The shopping malls, streets and buildings are showcasing Christmas decorations especially the Eaton Center and the Bay St.







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I had the pleasure to meet a friend and an ex-colleague back in Dubai. It was wonderful to be together again. We enjoyed catching-up on so many things and had a great time reminiscing our time back in Dubai. I was so happy to meet her friend too, who technically shared to us some info on living here. They were so kind enough to introduce me to the subway transit. I had my first ride then.



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Last weekend, we drove to Barrie (a residential area about 1 hour and half from downtown Toronto). On our way, we were enjoying the landscape, the sights - an ocean of white fields, snow everywhere. Beautiful!

November 23, I was finally on board the Lufthansa flight to Toronto, Canada. My visa came earlier than expected and booked my flight right away. I packed my suitcase having in mind the allowed baggage will be 20 kg, so I had 26 kg. While at the check-in counter I was advised that my suitcase is too heavy, that I should have 2 suitcases; each one weighing 23 kg which make 46 kg in total. But the travel agency didn’t tell me about it. Anyway, I was given a Lufthansa box to take 3 kg out from my suitcase otherwise; I had to pay for it. I was not particularly happy about it. Can you imagine me fiddling with my suitcase in the open? I hate it! Had I known this, I should have brought more stuff with me. Anyway, we (with my parents-in-law) proceeded then to the coffee shop.

After 30 minutes, I had to say goodbye as I was thinking about the security checks and the queue at the immigration counters. I was at the boarding gate on time but had to queue for the passport/visa check. I was surprised that the passengers have to go through document check and questioning: particularly what we’re going to do in Toronto, how long are we going to stay etc.... quite ironic.

During the flight, I had a long chat with the lady sitting beside me. She’s 81 years old but still travelling a lot and alone. After almost 9 hours flight, we started to see the mostly white landscape of Toronto, covered with snow.

As we were getting out of the airplane, we had to queue again for another round of document check and questioning. I was just wondering how many more checks we have to go through. The queue was quite long at the Passport control area but it was quite quick. On my way out to the arrival area, I was bracing myself because it was so cold. I was so happy to be in Toronto finally.

As we were approaching the downtown Toronto which will be our home for a couple of months, I was so amused looking at the skyline at dusk. Based on what I have read, Toronto offers a lot of places to see and things to do.

We opted to take a suite in the downtown Toronto so I could go around town on foot or street cars/buses. We are more than happy to stay in the furnished suite mainly for us to be able to prepare our own food and to have bigger space. The proximity of the building is excellent: opposite is a big supermarket, below our floor is a line of coffee shops (Starbucks), fast food shops, restaurants, bookshop and most importantly the famous St. Lawrence Market is just next to the building. Many important/touristic sites are just close by: CN Tower, Rogers Center, Eaton Center, Sony Performing Arts Theater, Opera Theater, even the venue for the Miss Canada Universe pageant is just few meters away.





The building we are living in is actually one of the three buildings named as St. Lawrence Lofts. This is owned by Thomas Clarkson (founder of Jim Clarkson & Gordon), built in 1857 and 1858. As mentioned in the documentation, the warehouse included the general offices and commercial activities of a wholesale grocery, handling produce, wheat, hides and leather. These buildings with their monumental pilasters and intended symmetry reflect elementary Georgian classical design principles. The Georgian Corporation’s reclamation of these buildings ensures that they will continue to be a living landmark in Toronto’s history.





The ambiance inside the building somehow gives that feeling of stepping back in time. The pipes along the corridors and even inside the suites, the beams and the brick walls somehow give the suite a strong and unique character. Of course, the building is equipped with up-to-date security facilities: door lock, fire alarm, burglar alarm with well kept exit paths. Likewise, the equipments especially in the kitchen are modern and new. Since the furniture and some decorations are movable, I had the opportunity of re-arranging some of them that same night when I arrived.

We drove off to the Neuemessplatz at 7:15pm. It was a Friday night-out with my mother-in-law and Leyla. Well, my first time in real circus show. Although I was told that it will be warm inside the venue, I still wore enough warm clothes to make sure I won’t freeze.

As we arrived at the venue, there was already a queue at the entrance: quite many small children, young people, middle-aged and older couples. Since, we have the tickets already; we saved the time queuing at the ticket booth. I was excited then because I only have seen this kind of show on TV. We first stepped into a hall with stalls of beverages, sausages, sandwiches etc. I was glad that it was warm, i have othing to worry at all. We were even joking that we will be in the Island of Boracay (Philippines) for 4 hours. As we got into the sitting area, there was a number of circus staff who guided the people to their respective seats. For me, the place was heated enough that we have to take off our jackets but for the others they said it was too warm. Some were even saying that they can take off as well their trousers (lol). I was amused with the children in front of us. They were having fun with their luminous toys which were being sold inside.



Exactly at 8pm the show started with a very interactive activity with the audience. The circus team has their own orchestra, over a hundred staff and a hundred animals on site. By the way, they are on tour for their 25th anniversary. In Mannheim, the show is on from Nov. 9 to 19. (http://www.circusbarelli.de/)




With all the spotlights on, the orchestra started to play Arabic song then a rush of beautiful and good looking camels came out with a beautiful belly dancer. I was telling my mother-in-law that the camels look so healthy and clean, contrary to the ones I used to ride in Dubai when we went to Desert Safari (lol).




(During our Dunes Bashing/Desert Safari in Dubai)


Then the sexy and beautiful horses came out running with grace. Beautiful!


As they switch from one number to another, at times they had to set-up/change the props. I was so keen on observing how efficiently these people do their job in just a matter of few seconds. Of course, I do know that they have been in this business for years but it’s really interesting to know and see how organized and efficient people can be.


After two hours they announced a 20 minute break. During this time, the audience will have a chance to see and touch the animals backstage. The entry fee was Euro 5 per person. It was explained that the proceeds will be spent for the animals: food, shelter and medical needs etc. We decided not to go, to avoid the crowd. We went instead to the get ourselves something to drink. Then we headed back to our seats. While waiting, I was watching the staff setting-up steel fences around the stage, put the net above and set the steel pathways of the animals from their cage to the stage. Wow! The system is really impressive, few minutes after all was set. I had the impression that every step and move has been calculated, no time wasted. It’s like a plug and play concept with computers. Then started the show with the parade of the tigers. They look scary! I was just thinking that if things go wrong, it will be a disaster. I was already mapping where the Exit is (lol). Anyway, the show went on with acrobatic stunts, comical stints and more animals in showcase. It was amazing!










The cute baby horse.

One thing which really made me in awe is that the way the Masters communicate with the animals. It’s really amazing to see that the Master just looks at the eyes of the tigers and somehow they understood what they’re supposed to do. Nevertheless, I have no inclination to rearing animals let alone I’m not a good care provider.
After an hour, the show has culminated. Over all, it was wonderful show.

A plan to watch another circus show is already on the shelf. We’ll see when and where.

A series of gloomy, windy, wet and cold days kept me grounded at home. At times like this , I do appreciate so much the weather we enjoy in the tropical countries.

When we drive out , I always keep my eyes on the trees around. The used to be green trees turned yellow and orange. Beautiful sight! Fallen leaves covered many of the streets and gardens. Raking the dry leaves in the garden has become my regular chore nowadays.

It is very interesting to know how people here prepare for the cold season. The garden alone requires a load of things to be done. All the plants in the pots have to be kept indoor. Those ones on the ground, some of them have to wrapped so it won’t be frozen and some of them we have to cut short and cover completely with the soil. Then it’s time to shop for winter plants and flowers. The cars’ summer tires have to be replaced with winter tires. At home, the wardrobe cabinets have to re-organised, the winter clothes and shoes out and the summer ones will be kept.

Have to say bye to these flowers in the garden.

The other day, with my mother-in-law, we went strolling around the city shopping complex. I had to keep myself warm enough. How I wish I could just grab a shirt, jeans and a step-in instead of wrapping myself with layers and layers of clothes (hehehehe). We had a great time shopping and strolling around. I took pictures of few interesting subjects.

November 10,2007, I was invited to watch the musical concert being held at the Eberthalle in Ludwigshafen. On my way to meet a Filipina friend, I met three Chinese students who are studying in Heidelberg. We had a short chat about their experience in Germany. Funny enough, when I was at the tram to the Berliner Platz station, a group of Chinese men were on board. They were talking so loud, I was asking myself, “Am I still in China?” (lol). My friend picked me up at the tram station and we drove to the Eberthalle.


When we got to the entrance area, there was a big crowd - mostly families. I must say that everyone was sitted orderly: no rushing, no pushing, no shouting. We were joined by another Filipina and her 4 year old son. We were sitted at the balcony giving us a good view of the stage.

The concert was divided in two parts: the first part was performed by the children (Grundschule) and the second part was performed by the middle school students (Hauptschule).The first part showcased musical renditions and dance performances featuring different countries. My friend’s 8 year old daughter is one of those who performed the ballet dance. I was very much amused with the children. The small ones were guided all through-out their performance.







The second part features the middle school orchestra. Awesome performance!
(This video was taken from Nokia N72)




After the show, my friend droved me home. But on our way it was quite of an adventure as we lost our way. Oh! I thought I can be a good navigator but unfortunately we found ourselves somewhere else. Luckily, she has a navigation system. After a few wrong turns, we finally arrived home.