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I Didn't Even Notice the Cold

My favourite season in Edmonton is winter because that's when I can watch hockey. It's my favourite sport. I've been a fan since the Cup run in 2006. Since then I've always watched Edmonton hockey games even if it's pay-per-view. The guys at work are amazed that I can talk hockey non-stop with them. They ask me how I know what I know. I'm a big fan. Every time I watch I wear my pink Oilers jersey with matching hat. The team doesn't do better when I wear them though.

When they opened the Rexall drug store on the south side last year I waited 45 minutes in -32 weather to get autographs from Cogliano and Gagner. I got autographs and a picture, and now that picture is my screen saver. I didn't even notice the cold.

I had a deal with my parents when I came here. I said I'd work and pay for them to come here, or else build them a house in the Philippines. When they decided to stay I built them a house similar to what we have in Canada. I wanted them to have the Canada experience, the comfortable living that we have here. Their house is like a tourist spot now. People go to see the flush toilet and the water tank since my parents' house was the very first one in their neighborhood to have them. I had to show my parents how to use the flush toilet, and they still didn't use it for a month. I said, "If I come home and you haven’t used it yet, you'll get in trouble!" So they started using it and now they love it.

Thanks to Edmonton they're living a comfortable life. Life in the Philippines was very hard.

Where Next?

Tita Francisco

Photo of Tita Francisco

Tita Francisco first came to Canada on a work permit as a live-in caregiver. She worked 2 full-time jobs for 5 years to finance her parents' home before settling into her current position as a sales coordinator with Citytv.

Comments about this Story

Aare u crazy? Try working outside and then you will mind the cold!!!! Dont get me wrong money making is one beautiful aspect of this city. But one day when the oil runs out this place is uninhabital!!!!! Its sad us truckers have to bring most of our produce from the U.S because we cannot grow our own food in thir impossible cold!!!!
20-May-09 by Alex

Yes, Edmonton, like most major Canadian centres, does bring in some produce from the U.S. But, Edmontonians also benefit from great locally-grown produce. Check out Ivor’s story about living the 100 mile diet (http://www.edmontonstories.ca/story/edmonton-100-mile-diet) or Eva’s story about eating locally (http://www.edmontonstories.ca/story/edmonton-from-scratch).
28-May-09 by Edmontonstories

I think you're a great daughter Tita. To work 2 f/t jobs and provide such comfort for your parents. I've been to the Philippines and I am so thankful that you got to come live here (& that you like it!) as well as make your parents comfortable back home.
13-Jul-09 by Kristi Tencarre

Tita's story illustrates what a huge economic and cultural gulf many immigrants cross when they come to Canada. For this reason, the "generation gap" between parents and Canadian born children is often formidable in immigrant families.
26-Aug-09 by Ken Erickson

Bravo Tita! Thank you for sharing your story. Us Edmontonians love to complain about the weather, but it is what it is -- and it's not all that bad. Once it dips below -20, it's just plain cold and we eventually get used to it. Where else in the world can one honestly say that when it warms up in the winter to -10, people don their shorts and t-shirts proudly welcoming the “warmth”. Your story certainly warmed my heart – so keep on cheering on our Oilers and keep warm. Cheers!
26-Feb-10 by Penny

& that's what it's all about. Well done Tita! & about those Oilers...
12-Sep-09 by Nancy C.

My sincerest thanks to all the people who shared their comments to my story. 'Greatly appreciated.
25-Feb-10 by Tita

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