THEY'RE FINALLY HERE

Back in December of 2016, I got married to a wonderful Filipina named Janet and in the process adopted her equally wonderful daughter Raianne.  I blogged about it at the time here.  However, that ceremony took place in the Philippines because she's a Philippines citizen.  So after that wedding, I had to leave her behind and fly back to Canada to simply carry on with my life.  She and Raianne had to do the same thing with their lives as well.  Long distance relationships never feel good.  Sending and receiving messages to each other online is certainly fun and lifts the spirits, but there's still an emptiness felt throughout simply because this person is so far away.
But, in that time since then, we all completed the necessary paperwork for my wife and daughter to achieve permission to immigrate to Canada to be with me.  This passed January, they were both accepted!!! They were both sad to leave friends and family behind, but at the same time they were also excited to meet the new family and friends that awaited them in Canada.  April 8, one both ago today, was the big day when they finally made the journey.  My wife documented their trip in this video:



 Lots has happened in the first month since they've arrived.  Yes, they've both applied for things that every Canadian citizen needs like SIN numbers and health cards.  Our daughter has also been enrolled in school and is already doing quite well.

Here she is getting a guided tour of the school by some of her new friends.

But it's not just been laboriously filling out forms or listening to stuffy seminars about citizenship.  We've managed to have some fun too.  We went to the Saskatchewan Natural History Museum where Raianne got to look at some real dinosaur bones.

I know that she's interested in science, especially dinosaurs, so I knew this would be a big treat for her.  With that in mind, we also went to the Science Centre.  Raianne enjoyed herself there too.  We watched an IMAX movie about rescue dogs that was quite enjoyable and informative.
However, there was one attraction there that I had particular interest in.  There's something at the Science Centre called a 'zoetrope'.  For those who don't know, that's the device that was used to view animated drawing and/or photographs before film was invented.  Patrons can make their own animations on a slip of paper, put it into the device, then give it a spin and watch it move.  I tried creating what's known in animation circles as a 'walk cycle'.  I brought it home, scanned it into my computer ad put those pictures into Flash so that I could show you fine people on the vast internet my meagre accomplishment.  Here it is embedded below:



On April 28, there was a freak spring snow storm that made it look and feel like winter for just that one day.  Most people from hot climates like the Philippines tend not function well right away in snowy conditions.  They either try to stay inside as much as possible, or they just shiver profusely no matter how many layers of jackets and sweaters they're wearing.  Raianne however took to it naturally.  She sang Elsa's "Let It Go" song the entire time and could've frolicked in that snow all day.  I showed her how to make a snow angel and she did that many times.  Also, at one point she taught herself how to make snow balls and throw them.  One of those snow balls hit me right in the face.  She said "sorry, daddy" but I wasn't mad at all.  If anything I was proud.  In just a short time, she taught herself to throw snowballs at people's faces like a Canadian pro.  That's impressive.  The next snow fall won't be for several months, but I'm sure she will not have forgotten her newfound skills by then.  So look out anyone who's within throwing distance of my daughter next winter.  Your face might be getting cold and wet very quickly.

Oh yes, Raianne is having fun with her new family members as well as you can see.

It's not just the cousins close to her own age she's having fun with.  She enjoys spending time with her new grandmother too.  While we were playing cribbage together, Raianne drew this picture of grandma (who insists on being called 'babchi').

She loves to draw and draws often.  It shouldn't be hard to steer her in an artistic direction.

"Yes, we know your daughter is having fun.  But what about you and your wife??"

'What are I and my wife doing for fun since her arrival into Canada' you ask oh hypothetical person that I've concocted just for this blogpost.  Well, I won't post any grizzly details.  I'll just leave this here.



Skyrockets in flight indeed.

So anyway, that's been their first month in Canada.  I know there will be many many more great months and years to come.  I'll end this post with another of my wife's videos showing her and our daughter having fun in Rochdale Park.  Enjoy!

A Philippines Vacation

I just recently got back from a wonderful trip to visit my wife on our 1year anniversary of marriage.  First, the two of us had a wonderful 4 day honeymoon at the Watergate Hotel in downtown Butuan.

This was the view from our room.  I won't 'bore' anyone with the intricate details of our vacation.  I will just say that within the 4 days we stayed there, we couldn't find time to use the pool.

I know this blog was initially set up to display any artwork I've done. Sadly there was;t much time for that on this trip.  The only actual art work I managed to get done was a picture drawn on my wife's new guitar.  Her niece broke her old guitar by accident so, as a good Christmas-ie gesture, I bought her a new one.  Here's the artwork I blessed the guitar with:

Everything put on that guitar is absolutely the truth. Here's hoping it makes whatever music she plays on it that much sweeter.

One other fun event on this trip was an opportunity my wife's aunt provided for us.  We got to sit in on her class as they performed some Christmas carols they were preparing to do for a Christmas party that was happening only days later.  I was allowed to take video footage of that and I've provided it below.  Listen for a part where some of the kids sing something unintentionally dirty.  It's around the 13 minute mark. You can easily tell when that part is because you'll hear me and my wife laughing hysterically over it.  Anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone except Censor Monkeys.  Enjoy the carols!

My Philippines wedding

On December 11, 2016 I got married to the loveliest lady and my best friend of all time, Janet Alaan.

It was a fun ceremony that I wish the entire world could have been there to witness.  Since that would be impossible without petroleum jelly and a shoehorn, the next best thing would be for me to post some pictures here and give a brief overview on the event.  There are some similarities to the basic wedding format most people are used to but in the Philippine wedding some things are uniquely their own.

  It starts with the groom walking down the aisle first to take his place in front of the alter.

Then here comes the bride accompanied by her own father.

While the two of us are at the alter, the pastor says some stuff about marriage.

Then we sit down while the pastor says more stuff about marriage.

Then we stand up again while he says more stuff about marriage.  That's always fun.

The bride and groom are once again seated so that the family and the pastor can bestow blessings upon them both.

They further emphasize that blessing by throwing flowers at us.  There's some in my hair and on my sleeve in this picture.

Next, the witness sign their names on the marriage license.

Then the bride and groom add their much needed signatures to the license.


wedding_kiss by Daffyduckandthedinosaur
And finally, they are married!!!

Family photos are taken immediately afterwards of course.

There's a funny story about this picture.  The little boy you see there thought I was Captain America.  His aunt tried to correct him saying "No no! He's from Canada."  But that little boy wouldn't hear it.  To him I was Captain America.  Okay!

Then it's the bride and groom's first dance together.


We danced to this song by the way.

While we're dancing, members of the family come up to us and pin money to our clothes.  My wife has since gathered up that money and put it into a bank account.  That's very smart of her.

Next the bride and groom do some schtick with the wedding cake.  Before the ceremony I had no idea we were supposed to feed it to each other.  Needless to say, I messed this part up.  DOH!

Then we do this thing where we lock arms and drink a glass of wine while the bride's teenage cousin photobombs us.  It's a sacred tradition that goes back before Magellan even.

Then speeches are given.  The bride's father(pictured) and mother and aunt all gave their speeches.  Then the groom and the bride got our opportunity to speak as well.

Next..........................PRESEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENTSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!

And finally the entire ceremony ends with a hearty feast.

The main component of the meal is the lechen baboy or 'roast pig'.  In the Philippines, a celebration is not complete without it.

Yeah! Then there was this little asshole.  I and my bride to be were just relaxing in front of our hotel enjoying our little electronic devices when this turkey starts getting all up in our faces.  If he's the hotel's manager then he really sucks at his job.  But if he's just some random turkey then he has no business being there and needs to go someplace where he'll be appreciated (like in a big plate stuffed with loads of soggy bread.  I know I shouldn't encourage cyberbullying or dog piling in any way but I don't care.  Everybody go find this creature's social media accounts and make his life hell.  Do it now.

And that was my wedding in the Philippines.  I'm sure fun was had by all who could attend.  Even though my Canadian family was unable to attend, I'm glad that I can give them all a great Christmas present: a new daughter-in-law/sister-in-law/aunt as well as a new grand daughter/niece/cousin!

I'm getting married!!!!

Yep! Sorry, lady ma'am.  It's true.  I am officially off the market and unavailable.

Yes yes I know.  It's truly breaking your heart but it's got to be this way.  There can only be one woman in my life and......

Whoa whoa whoa!!! Ladies!!! Calm yourselves!!!  My goodness I never meant to cause so much grief.  But you have to understand that I........

Rihanna?  Really?  You're distraught about this too.  I had no idea you had these feelings about me.  I'm flattered and touched by this but at the same time I have to.........

Philippines acting superstar Angel Locsin????  You too???  Ladies, please!  Simmer it down.  I need to get on with this post.

Yes, cupid's arrow has struck both me and the lady of my dreams right into our hearts.  I just got back from a trip to the Philippines where the two of us got the paperwork started for our marriage to happen.  My bride-to-be is a lovely and amazing filippina named Janet Alaan.

She and I have found happiness in each other's company because we...........

Oh hey, what now?  Come on, dude.  Janet is betrothed to me and thus no longer available to you.  You need to get over this.....

Quit your blubbering, Mr. Dawson's Creek guy.  I know Janet is gorgeous and amazing and so would be a great partner for any man.  I happen to be the man she has chosen so you need to.....

Guys! Guys! Guys!  You need to get a grip!  Maybe try to approach some of the crying ladies at the top.  They could use some comforting right now.

Okay, Adam Levine.  You stay right there and have a good cry about this.  Janet and I will be over here appreciating each other's bodies and souls.

Janet and have known each other for a few years mostly through the internet.  But, last November I took a trip to the Philippines to visit her in person.  It turns out we hit it off better than either one of us could possibly imagine.  We share a similar sense of humour too which is always a plus.
(A little side note to any and all Hells Angels reading this post.  At some point on this recent trip to visit, I earned the red wings.  I won't be indelicate and give any details into how that happened but I assure you it did happen.  So, Angels, if I ever decide to join your little gang, you'll know which jacket to pull out of your wardrobe dept. for me).

Besides a deep love for each other, we also share an equally deep love and affection for her little girl.

Her name is Raianne and is a very smart 7 year old.  Normally on this blog I only feature artwork that I have drawn.  Well this time I'm going to showcase some wok that Raianne made for me as a gift.

It's a little card she made for me.  It wasn't my birthday at all, but I enjoyed the sentiment.

Inside the card has some nice artwork too.  At the bottom left is a depiction of me, her mom, herself, and the little sister she hopes we make for her someday.

OOP!  I lied.  I will be posting artwork of mine in this post after all.

While I was there, I made a hastily-constructed drawing of one of my Censor Monkeys.  The American Monkey to be exact.  She then took the time to fully colour it.  She even added the little box that says who the monkey is and what his censorship agenda is.

This part right here.

Well, that was my most recent trip to the Philippines.  Like I said earlier, Janet is absolutely wonderful.  The rest of her family is also very friendly and have graciously accepted me into their circle.  I'm hoping this union lasts for at least 10 million years passed forever.

Now I'll end this post with something mushy.  Every couple has a song.  This is our song.  I sang it into the karaoke machine at her Aunt's birthday party and it was a beautiful moment.  So here is that same song embedded below.  Whether your a fan of early 80's Chicago or not, feel free to enjoy the song.



Janet Alaan, I love you!!!