April 11th, 2008
Imagine, I got two weeks left and I am done school. As in done. As in I graduate from Hospitality Management. As in I can be a hotelier or restaurateur. Whoa!
4 more projects, 3 final exams and 1 cooking practical exam to go. I just finished my major paper which I had to submit to the hotel. I dida parking study for a popular hotel chain. Hope they found my recommendations helpful. They even gave me a gift certificate for writing the paper. Sweet!
Time flies when you’re having fun and these past two years were indeed a blast! It seemed like yesterday, well 8 years ago when I felt I was the most stupid person on earth. Imagine going to school everyday surrounded by the smartest bunch in the Philippines? Out of 118 students graduating the University of the Philippines School of Business in 2000, I was ranked 113! Very competitive. Very steep competition. We were just separated by .00001 per student. I felt so inadequate and as if I wasn’t really good enough.
Then we all went our separate ways but remained in close touch. Some became consultants, others IT professionals, theatre performers and bankers. We celebrated each other’s successes and dreamed about our respective futures. 2 years ago I decided to seek greener pastures. I felt in the Philippines, I was like a seedling that didn’t have enough room to grow in the rich soils of my motherland. Moving to Edmonton, not knowing what kind of soil conditions they had (frigid and frozen!) proved to be a good decision for a dormant seedling like myself. In 2 years, I have achieved so much and I could not believe I was capable of doing so many things! If placed in the proper environment, you could realize your full potential. Just believe.
So in a few weeks I will be graduating. My parents are coming over from the Philippinesto see me walk across the stage to receive my diploma. By that time, I would have finished moving my stuff to my new apartment which I will be sharing with my sister’s friend. Hopefully, I will be working full-time, earning enoughto buy groceries, furnish the apartment and buy that occasional sexy pair of shoes or gorgeous chandelier earrings. Hopefully I pass my road test so that I would not have to take the bus all the time, as I am a constant victim of creepy and psychotic passengers. Oh, and have enough money to buy a car. Kind of fascinated with smart cars and small hatchbacks right now.My simple life will change in a matter of weeks and I AM SOOO EXCITED!
In life, all we have to do is find our place under the sun. I think I have found my place. At last.
The Philippines will always be my home. I may live here but home will always be there.
This will be my very last entry in this blog. Thank you for being a part of this story that is my life as a NAIT International student. I have learned a lot and have shared a part of me through this blog. Our term as student bloggers will end soon and a new batch of students will be sharing their exciting lives with you all next school year. May our experiences lead you to starting your own memorable journey to post-secondary education here at NAIT.
Life is short. You owe it to yourself to hone your skills and get good quality education. It may be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make in your life.
Goodbye or should I say see you around Edmonton? 
Posted in Life, NAIT, Student Life |
April 7th, 2008
Got this postcard from a good friend at work in the Philippines.
This is exactly what I did.
It seemed like yesterday when I was emailing my student advisor at NAIT from my office computer in the Philippines to follow-up on the status of my application. Now, I have two weeks left and I am done with my Hospitality Management program! Time flies so fast.
I have learned a lot hereat NAIT both on and off campus. Edmonton was very kind to me. NAIT made me realize I was capable of doing more and achieving greater heights. It provided me an environment where I could showcase my talents and share it with others. Going back to school made me try new things. Starting anew here in Canada never felt this refreshing!
Life is good. And life will change once more after school.
Exciting times ahead.
Posted in Life, NAIT |
April 1st, 2008
Everyday, we should be thankful of our blessings.
I have a classmatewho knows he is blessed and shares whatever he has with others. Such a selfless man. He has earned my respect and I applaud him.
Do you know Kyle Lillo?
Check this link out and let his inspiring story touch your hearts.
http://www.canada.com/globaltv/edmonton/video/index.html
Click on the link, go to Global Edmonton Newscasts on the menu to the left and click on News Hour March 31. It was a feature on Kyle Lillo who, despite his disability, will graduate with us this May.I was in cooking class when they filmed him. My instructor requested that I be his assistant. The full clip is towards the 16-18 minute portion of the news.
Be inspired. His storyleft me teary-eyed.
Seriously, impossible is NOTHING.
Posted in Life, NAIT, Student Life |
March 24th, 2008
I’ve got one month until I graduate (hopefully!), yet I don’t feel any excitement. Seems like all my creative juices have run dry and there’s nothing left to say. The once positive, upbeat and energetic Kristine has been drained of all positive energy and life. I feel so beaten up and tired. Things weren’t as fun as they used to. A rain cloud hovers on top of my head, not wanting to leave. That’s my life right now. I am in a slump and I am not proud of it.
Before I end up ranting and venting my problems (which honestly are mostly petty), I have decided to just take a deep breath and go with the flow. Let the days take me to my graduation day. Let every sunrise and sunset lead me to my future. Got this cool quote from a friend: “The darkest hour is the hourbefore sunrise, your victory has yet to come!”
Like a surfer waiting for that perfect wave, I await for that wave of inspiration to come and take me away. I’ve got papers to write, projects to submit. I NEED TO BE INSPIRED! The Energizer bunny in me needs to be jumpstarted. I guess it is good that I am going to the Zen Retreat at Fairmont Hot Springs BC. I need to RELAX and UNWIND.
Ok, I am fine. Just tired. Needed an outlet and I chose this blog. Being a student, you should be able to strike a balance. And I know I will be able to get there. Just give me time.
Breathe in, breathe out. SMILE. Life is still good.
Posted in Life, Student Life |
March 17th, 2008
I recently found out that what makes baking so different from cooking is that the former is a science — everything should be precise and in the correct quantities. Too little or too much will affect the outcome of the baked product.
Accuracy is key. With accuracy comes wonderful results.
Presenting, my APPLE PIE I baked from scratch! From the pie crust to the filling…yummy!
Cooking made me realize you can learn a new skill if you put your mind and heart to it. As managers, we should know how the kitchen works so that should we decide to manage a restaurant or a hotel dining outlet, we understand the processes in the back of the house, at the same time know exactly what the chefs are talking about when it comes to food.
Move over Martha Stewart! Ha!
Posted in Food, Life, Student Life |
March 15th, 2008
Amidst the chaos,pressures and major decisions I would have to endure these coming weeks, I wish I was near the sea. I am missing the beach…badly.
Here are my pics in Cancun, Mexico. Can’t help but reminisce.
See them HERE.
Posted in Uncategorized |
March 15th, 2008
Being a daughter of a shoemaker makes me love footwear even more. I love SHOES!
My dad and I tend to comment on people’s choices for footwear. We tend to look at people’s feet more often to see what they’re wearing. Call it Market Research!11 pairs -My aunt countedmy shoes lined up by the door ofour house. I’m guilty, Istill have a few more pairs in my closet. I love shoes and bags.I’m not a clothes person — I aman accessory freak!
Well, look what I found on eluxury:
Marc Jacobs Collection
Runway Patent Peep Toe with Misplaced Heel
Shoes are like works of art — which you can actually wear! Talk about form and function.
If only I could afford a pair! 
Posted in Life, Shoes |
March 12th, 2008
I was tagged by my cousin Margaux.
The rules are easy, just post 10 things that recently made you happy!
1. sleep
2. the Zara business jacket I bought in Mexico
3. Jordin Sparks’ and Chris Brown’s song “No Air”
4. KitKat singles (1 stick=80 calories)
5. my tanlines
6. my morning coffee
7. Zen Retreat to the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort end of March
8. phoneconversation with mom
9. the Edmonton Oilers’ game last night. They won!
10. learning how to make apple pies from scratch in cooking class
How about you? What made you happy lately?
After the Mexico trip, life suddenly became toxic and stressful. All work/school and no play makesKristine a tired girl.
Posted in Life, Student Life |
March 6th, 2008
I love ethnic cuisines probably because I grew up in Asia and was exposed to more flavorful and spicy dishes.
I amquite excited about the GrubCrawlNAITSA isplanning on March 13. Food is my passion and to be able to go to3 ethnic restaurants for $20 is a treat!
A bus will pick us up from the Nest at 4:30 PM. We are going to sample flavors from around the world in one evening by taking a bus tounique restaurants feasting on Greek, Ethiopian, and Central American cuisine. $20 will include the cost of the food and the transportation, returning to NAIT at approximately 9pm.
Visit the NAITSA office to get your tickets to this fun-filled gastronomic event!
Next week, NAITSA will be celebrating International Awareness Week and we have a line-up of activities that will surely bring any international student closer to home:
March 10 - Tea and Coffee of the World
11am-1pm – International Office – HP Centre- W301
Enjoy free coffee and tea from all over the world at the International Office!
March 11 – International Beer Night – 3pm-7pm – The Nest
Leave that bottle of Canadian for once and sample some strong brews from different countries.
March 11 – Movie Night – Crash - Shaw Theatre
March 12 - Grub Crawl
$20 for a trip to several of Edmonton’s finest ethnic restaurants
4:00pm- Leaving fom the Nest – Tickets available at NAITSA office
March 13 - Multicultural Performances + Egg Colouring Competition:
11am-1pm – South Lobby
Posted in Events, Food |
March 6th, 2008
To those who really know me, cooking is NOT one of my talents. I hardly cooked in the Philippines! I love eating though. Eating and traveling are my favorite things to do.
This semester, we were required to cook. Meet Chef Kristine:
So far so good. I haven’t burned the school’s state-of-the-art kitchen down, no major accidents and the people at home actuallyate the food I prepared athome. Now, I seem to enjoy cooking and I am more open to trying new things in the kitchen. Cooking isn’t that bad after all…although I still love EATING more. haha
There, I could join Iron Chef America. Hahaha…yeah right.
Posted in Uncategorized |
