IS Series: Getting OHIP Coverage

Ola from newly covered TRs! :P

 So I just got back from Service Ontario with spanking brand new OHIP coverage :) Sadly it doesn't cover Mr. A's prescriptions but at least consultations are free. We'll have to research more on additional coverage but at least we're one tick off our settlement list.

If you're like us and you don't know where TH to start, here's what we did:

1. GETTING OUR DOCS READY

For the full list of accepted documents, you can refer to this link: OHIP Documents

There are three (3) required supporting documents to present to Service Ontario, and everything should either be original or printed out (if electronic documents). Since we were new residents and we didn't have much paperwork yet, what we prepared were as follows:

• Originals of OWP (for Mr. A) and my SP and WP along with Mr. A's Certificate of Employment. The COE stated that he's working full time, position, start date and that he will be employed for a minimum of 6 months on his company's letterhead. (Proof of OHIP-eligible status)
• Mr. A's and mine's most recent paystub, printed, and with our address (Proof of residency in Ontario)
• Original PHL passports (Proof of identity)
• Completed OHIP registration forms with our signatures.

We actually brought original and stamped bank statements from RBC but the officer said they cannot honor it (maybe only for credit card statements where it's mailed to you). Good thing I received a paystub a day before our appointment or else we would have to go back.

2.  SET AN APPOINTMENT

Not all Service Ontario locations entertain new OHIP applications especially for temporary residents so we went all the way to Westdale Mall to process ours. People can actually walk in since there was no line but you do have the option to book an appointment so you're guaranteed service. To do so, just click on this link to set it: Service Ontario Westdale Mall.

Service Ontario exterior (Westdale Mall)

If you're applying with a dependent, you only have to book one appointment for the both of you. Good thing the office is located inside the mall = no outdoor lines! When we got our SIN, we had to line up for 4 hours outside a Service Canada Center and we both got really sick afterwards! We had to spend NYE in bed with a sore throat and cough when we should've been doing photo ops in Blue Mountain Resort T_T

And THAT'S IT FOLKS! Temporary slips will be issued with your OHIP numbers while your actual cards will come in the mail about a month after. Travel time back and forth from Eglinton to Westdale Mall was almost an hour but the actual application process took less than 10 minutes.

view from Mr. A's workplace

Mr. A had to go back to work right after so I dropped him off before going home. 

The weather was -14 but felt like -20 (it rained and snowed the night before). I had to brisk walk home because it felt like my nails were about to come off my toes and I can't feel my fingers anymore -_-

'Til the next post!

3.2.2022

 I don't really care much at this point.

Everything feels exhausting, I feel like I've worked myself to the bone for almost 9 years and now manual labor coupled with studies made me think I've bitten off more than I can chew.

I'm supposed to study for an Econ and OB test but my mind's off a-wandering. I actually want to study and I've been listening to IU's Gloomy Clock to set the mood. Just made me more restless and think of less desirable things.

Juggling Work & School

A/N : Created on 09/2021, published on 01/2022

Update: We moved to Dubai again for school so no more rent! #FREEDOM

At first, I was trying to figure out how to juggle everything since my first class starts at 3:00 p.m. while my work ends at 5:30 p.m. It was a good thing classes were only held three times a week and I'm still working from home so I can listen to my lectures and participate in class discussions.

To those who want to be supergirls and accomplish both at the same time, below are my go-to apps to keep track of everything and anything: 

• MS OneNote - for digital notes
• MS Office 365 To Do - to list out all my due assignments with dates and tick them off once I'm done
• MS Teams - for group meetings and discussions
• MS Outlook - for all school correspondence (linked this to my Gmail for push notifications) 
• Zoom - for backups in case nobody else wanted to do Teams
• Google Calendar - connected this to our Moodle calendar for notifications

Good luck to us!

Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi

To lift our spirits from everything that's been happening and maka YOLO, we decided to take a little trip again to Yas Island and try Yas Waterworld for the first time in almost 9 years HEHEHE (me lang because he already tried it back in 2015 -_-)

Thank you ADCB for the B1G1 promo

 To get there we took the 102 Bus from the stop right across the main bus station on Muroor Road. It was a 30-45 minute trip through scenic Saadiyat and we alighted at the Ferrari World section of Yas Mall.

We wanted to eat first before going there as theme park restaurants are hella expensive. I didn't want to eat fast food also so we steered clear of the food court pero all restaurants were full T_T kasi merienda hour.

After almost 30 minutes of going round in circles, we came to find Urban Eats - the food was filling and affordable. We ate chicken katsu curry and chicken ramen.

From Urban Eats, we went down to the bus stop again thinking to catch a cab to Yas Waterworld. However, after checking the map, it was actually within walking distance so we decided to just go there directly instead of dropping 12 AED on a cab ride.

We followed the directions below up until the Yas Mall Tryano carpark. After that we just went across the signal to Warner Brothers and there was a little shortcut there towards the entrance so you don't have to go all the way down to Ansam Bldg 4.

Once you're there, you don't have to rent a locker to store all your stuff. You can bring it with you and place it on any vacant sunlounger - but if you want peace of mind while running to and fro between the rides, you can rent a locker for 45 (small) 55 AED (medium). Forgot what the large locker costs but the medium suited us just fine (1 backpack, 1 bodybag, 2 shoes and enough space left over to hang some clothes).

I'd definitely return and without the anxiety attack sa rides :) see you back in August!

 I'll be starting class registrations this July 12th and I'm equal parts excited, nervous, sad, sepanx, you name it! We'll still be here in AUH for the first term though, but we'll be flying out in December to start our new adventure.

To chronicle it, I'll be more active in posting HEHEHE to show what it's like juggling everything -_- but I'll do the DIY process first so I can do a proper intro to it #prayingforasmoothtransition

Not to say that I don't wanna stay here in UAE - I'm actually very thankful to still be here after almost 9 years and it'll be really hard to be away from my older sister with everything that's happened to our family - but I guess the time's ripe for our next step. 

Thank you Nanay and pao as this will always be the fruit of our collective effort and success. Watch over us always. See you soon Kuya Jo in our hearts.

#FuckYouCOVID

Getting an IELTS Band 8 in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Early on this year, I already had plans to take the IELTS - I even bought a full set of reviewers in March but it went untouched till early November :( Kakaiba ang katam! I did not even book my exam yet until I saw Nurse Even's youtube channel (on OSCE) in October and spontaneously booked mine the following month.

Tip #1 on prepping for a goal: Surprise yourself with deadlines HEHEHEHEHE

Since my test date in CPC back in 2015 was November 21st, I decided on the same for my IELTS exam for extra luck. Booked a pen and paper Academic test initially but changed to GT at the last minute.

After booking the test, I dawdled with work and webnovels until I suddenly realized that it was already November! I still had to:

1. Change my module to General;
2. It's been 9 years since my last IELTS exam and there might be new changes. Haven't started reviewing yet for LRW sections nor prepping for the speaking test (Iba ang confidence!)
3. Was there a dress code? What should I bring? 
4. I should've scheduled it earlier because my school mandated me to take an extra English assessment test (for free thank you Lord) to process my LOA. Good thing I scored high :) pero extra tense moment there!

LRW Test at Park Rotana, Nov 21st

School English Assessment Test, Nov 25th (Toronto time)

Speaking Test, Nov 27th

With all these thoughts swirling in my head almost giving me a second panic attack (char), I started to act systematically to minimize the pressure I was feeling.

1. Change my module to General - I emailed British Council for revision and they responded 3 days before my actual test date. Good thing they had extra papers for the GT so I didn't have to reschedule :) 
2. It's been 9 years since my last IELTS exam and there might be new changes. Haven't started reviewing yet for LRW sections nor prepping for the speaking test - Started reviewing in coffee shops round Muroor & Al Wahda Mall kasi I can't review at home (ended up sleeping most of the time). Focused on writing & reading comprehension mostly though. 
• Listening - I did 4 sample tests back to back with Crack IELTS with Rob's Youtube channel and whenever I got stuck on a question, I googled my mistakes and how to improve it. My target timing per question improved per test, so I was able to finish both Listening & Reading tests at least 20 minutes before schedule.
• Reading - practiced my reading comprehension with my IELTS reviewer. Brushed up on my skimming & context clue skills as well to improve my timings per question.
• Speaking - watched a few Youtube videos on my target Band 8-9 tests and timed my responses within 2 minutes. Read up on additional vocab tips on FB and IG as well.
• Writing - did a few exercises on my IELTS reviewer while making sure that all my exercises reached the word limit for both Test 1 & Test 2.
3. Was there a dress code? What should I bring? -  Dress up in casual, comfortable and in my case, conservative attire. I brought a cardigan as well in case I get cold. I even saw some wearing slippers as in Islander levels so there's no actual dress code. On the speaking test I was dressed more formally so I won't feel self-conscious. We were mandated to take the exam with a mask throughout and were only allowed a pen, pencil, eraser and our registered IDs on the table. For me, I used only a pencil for my LRW tests.

So without further ado, here are my scores:

Even if I did not go to a review center, I wanted to set a personal goal of 9 per section so in case I fell short, it would hopefully be within 7.5-8 (too bad for writing). At least I know where to improve on next time :)

EXTRA: I have this tradition where I go to Church to have all my stuff blessed right before a major exam or event (back in Manila, I always go to Mount Carmel in Quezon City and offer eggs and prayers). Good thing that St. Joseph's Church was now open, though all churchgoers need to socially distance inside (only 2 per pew with 1 empty row in between) and been registered beforehand. Since I can't exactly go up to the presiding priest, I just brought my pencils, erasers & sharpener and placed it in front of me all throughout the mass.

Also, since I took the pen and paper test kasi #oldskul, my exam results were released exactly 13 calendar days after the LRW section (my speaking was moved to November 27th), on the eve of December 4th. Got the hard copy 4 days later via Emirates Post. If you will be taking the computer-based one, I think around 3-5 or 5-7 calendar days you'll be able to get your provisional scores already.

If you're taking yours soon, best of luck and God Bless!

PHL Passport Renewal at VFS Global WTC AUH

 Just renewed my passport today!

My initial schedule at PHL embassy was supposed to be on January 28th and my UAE residence visa was up for renewal ALSO on the 28th :( --- I had to think of an alternative because I need a renewed passport for my Feb-March plans!!!

Ok, panic attack aside - I was really glad I chanced upon an FB post regarding passport renewals at VFS Global. I was hesitant at first because I didn't want to pay extra for an appointment but when I e-mailed them for the earliest one they can provide - they told me I can come in on the next day! 

Convenience fee is TRULY worth it. 

BTW, it's an additional 91.75 AED for it (not bad). Passport release, as per their e-mail, will be 4-8 weeks. If you want to be notified via SMS of process updates, you can opt for their SMS service for an extra 8 AED. Actual fee for renewal is 240 AED.

To book your own appointment, send an email to info.philippinespptauh@vfsglobal.com with your preferred date and time. They will respond in a very timely fashion, with the link to the online application form which you will need to print out and sign. Make sure to save a PDF copy on your mobile as well just in case the QR code is blurry on your print-out.

In addition to your original passport, make sure to bring:

• Copy of passport bio page and residence visa
• Print out of completely filled out passport application form which was emailed to you upon appt. confirmation. Make sure all info is correct so you won't have to go through re-registration (will cost you an extra 20 aed for the typing fee).
• Copy of your appointment
• Exact fee (passport + appt fee) if you'll be paying in cash but if you're paying by card, then kaliwali.

Also, can I just say just how lovely it is not to queue up in a mall vs. in a villa somewhere remote? I didn't have any breakfast yet and once I was finished with the renewal all I had to do is to go opposite VFS to Spinneys for brunch.

How to go there if you're coming from Al Wahda Area:

• Bus - Take the 041 bus (if from Airport Road)
• Taxi - 12 AED

Once you're inside WTC, just go down to the basement. VFS is right across Caribou Coffee and Spinney's. Walk-ins are welcome as well, I believe.

Update: 26 days still no sms for release. Last youtube vid I watched, he got it 48 days after renewal so good luck T_T

Update as of 21-Dec, passport now ready for release. A day after I renewed my EID. Yyyyyyyy