My Canadian VISA application experience

The first step in getting to Canada to visit my partner is to get a VISA. I have never applied for a VISA before so I did not know what to expect. The first thing I did was go online, open Google, and keyed in Canadian VISA application. I noticed that the popular website is the CIC website so I clicked and explored it. As of writing this post, the link http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/apply-who.asp says that to visit Canada (as a tourist), you need to:

• have a valid travel document, such as passport,
• be in good health
• have no criminal or immigration-related convictions,
• convince an immigration officer that you have ties - such as a job, home, financial assets or family - that will take you back to your country,
• convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit, and
• have enough money for your stay (The amount of money you will need can vary. It depends on things such as how long you will stay, and whether you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives)

You may also need:

• medical exam and
• letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada

After reading some of the FAQs in the page, I downloaded the IMM5257 F or Application for Visitor VISA (Temporary Resident VISA). The form is pretty self explanatory and easy to fill out. Please remember to VALIDATE after filling out the PDF file and PRINT THE BARCODES on the last page. You will need this when you submit your application.

Apart from this, I included the following:

• Passport 
• Manager's check for Php 3,450 for the application fee, made payable to VFS Services Phils. Pvt. Inc. (Upon checking the website, there are new rules now in paying the fees and I think they have additional fees. Please check their website for more information)
• Plane tickets
• Confirmation of hotel reservations
• Bank statements showing the money I have in my savings account
• Credit card statement - to prove that I have enough line of credit to accomodate expenses
• Letter of invitation from my partner
• My partner's scanned copy of her birth certificate
• Itinerary of my two weeks stay in Canada
• Certificate of Employment
• NBI Clearance
• NSO certified birth certificate
• Letter of request addressed to my boss asking for permission to be on leave for two weeks. My boss signed this as a proof that she gave me permission and that I will be coming back.

I know that some will say I went overboard but it's better than not getting approved because I lack documents right? Now I submitted the above mentioned documents to VFS Global and you can find their address here. I got there at around 10 am and there was a lot of people because they receive application not just for Canada but for different countries as well. Now please remember that you are not allowed to carry anything with you inside - repeat, anything. Good thing I had my friend with me and she was willing to look after my stuff. The process was pretty fast once your number gets called. They went through my documents one by one and that was it!

I was notified through text a few days after that my application was received by the embassy and was being processed. And as you know, I got approved and spend two weeks last September 2015 here in Canada.

Disclaimer.

REVIEW: LOVATICS BY DEMI EYESHADOW PALETTE in Natural

Kamusta!?

Today I would like to share my thoughts about NYC Lovatics palette in Natural. Now as you may probably know, NYC makeup are very affordable. I think, like some other makeup brands, there are hits and misses but since they're affordable, I do not feel too bad when I get a 'miss'. Now according to the website, The Lovatics by Demi Eyeshadow Palette is inspired by Demi's beautiful natural look, and includes a full range of shades to achieve the perfect day or evening look. I bought it at Walmart for around $8.

The packaging looks sturdy, it is made or plastic, and it has two sponge tip applicators that is secured to its place. I like that because even though I do not use it, I'd like to keep those tiny makeup brushes/sponges in the container. I don't know, it makes it look new. Anyway, here are the swatches of each shade:

The payoff of some shades were gorgeous while others would be just okay. You may have to wet your brush a little for you to get more of the brighter shades. Fallouts was a problem though, at least for the shades that I used. I found myself blowing on the palette every time I took a swipe. Here is a look I came up with:

Overall, if you are looking for an everyday palette, go for it. I'm imagining just patting on some of the bright colors using your fingers then putting some eyeliner (or falsies, if you still have time) and you are good to go. Then at night if you need to go out, you blend in some darker shades at the outer corner and on your lower lash line and you're all set. I definitely would recommend this to someone who is just learning to put on eyeshadows, those starting to play with makeup. Plus, like what I said, it is so affordable it wouldn't hurt if it does not work out.

REVIEW: Lash Hero Eyelash and Eyebrow Grower

For those who were asleep when the goddess of beauty decided to grant human beings with long eyelashes, for those who, no matter how much mascara you put, still makes no difference on your eyelashes, I want to share a gem that I found.

Before I go on any further, I just want to get it out there that I was not paid to test this product nor write this blog. I am doing this because I want to share what worked for me.

Now I bought Lash Hero back home in PH through an app I love - Shoppee for 170PHP. I just recently found out that they have an FB page. I think I bought this on a promotion and that was months ago so please visit their page at https://www.facebook.com/hankleinbeautysupplies/ for more information. Here is what it looks like:

The product is like oil so be careful that it does not get onto your eyes. Remove contact lenses before applying it. It does not have any harsh smell and it is an a small container with a spoolie type cap just like that of a regular mascara. The brush was little too hard for me and I felt that less product gets to the roots so I decided to cut it and use an eyeliner brush I rarely use. This gives me more control of the product too. Now before you do the same, I suggest you first find a brush that will fit inside the container.

Anyway, you are supposed to apply it on before you sleep but I put it on every morning. I sometimes forget so I put it on at night although I find it wasteful since the product all goes on the pillow. It claims that you should notice a change in two weeks so your sistah took note. And below is the result:

Not bad! Not bad at all!

It's not like you will have super long lashes but I notice that my lashes are thicker! I am happy. I have been using it for a while now and it has not made a lot of difference from what it was two weeks after I first used Lash Hero. That's fine. I am happy that now, I can put on mascara and you can really see a difference. 

Please remember: What works for me may not work for you. And vice versa. 

REVIEW: Maybelline Fit Me® Matte+Poreless Foundation in 235 Pure Beige

I'm in a tight budget. However, I like makeup. So when I see something I like on sale, my eyes light up! That's what happened when I saw Maybelline Fit Me foundation on sale. I have been hearing a lot of good things about this product but I have a number of liquid foundation so I never thought of buying it. In Shoppers, this goes for about $12 but in Walmart, about $9. I know, I do not get it too. When I got this, it was on sale for about $6.  It has 1 fl. oz, just like most of the drugstore liquid foundation, and it comes in a glass bottle without a pump.

I read somewhere that the shades ending in 5 have cool undertone while the ones ending in 0 have warm. This one is a little off because it looks okay on me when I have warm undertone. So I guess it is neutral. It says it is fit for normal to oily skin. 

Claims:

• Mattifies and refines pores
• Matches natural tone
• Natural, seamless finish

Here is how it looks swatched and blended a little:

It is liquidy so be careful when you pour it on the back of your hand or something. A little goes a long way for this product. It does not dry fast so you can just put the product on your whole face and blend it later. I think a liquid foundation brush or sponge are both okay to use with this product although I prefer the latter. Here is what my skin looks like bare:

Below shows one layer:

Then two layers (I decided to see how it looks like with a little more):

Then below, with Maybelline powder foundation:

For a clearer comparison (so you can see the blurred pores):

It lasted more than eight hours in my face and it did not make me oil up, given that I was out most of the time the day I tested it. It does transfer a tiny, tiny bit but that's okay. 

Final thoughts: Don't be like me - buy this product. It is worth every money. If you are somebody who wants to put on something in the morning but has not time, try this. This bad boy delivers! Let us just hope and pray to the beauty gods that they change the packaging and release one with a pump. 

PROs

√ blendable

√ lightweight

√ buildable, ligh to medium coverage

√ has a good range of colors

√ available in a lot of stores

CONs

√ no pump

REVIEW: Rimmel London Professional Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown

Since my go to eyebrow pencil is ready to say goodbye, I decided to go and try a new one. This pencil was on sale for a little over $5 (I forgot how much the actual price is) so I decided to try it out. It is not retractable but I still wanted to try it because the last one I had was retractable and it keeps breaking on me. I like that it includes a brush making it perfect for traveling and retouch. Other than that, it looks like a regular eyebrow pencil.

So here's what my eyebrows look like without the product:

Here's what it looks like on me:

I like that it glides smoothly but I do not know if it is that way just because it is new. It does not feel dry. The brush was a little hard but it is okay, although I still prefer a spoolie. It lasted pretty long given that I have super oily T-zone and it was hot today.

Overall, I think it is worth the price. It is perfect to keep in your makeup pouch for a quick retouch. I see myself using this when I just want to fill in my brows and when I'm in a hurry.












PROs:
√ cheap
√ easily available in drugstores
√ applies smoothly
√ comes with a brush
√ long lasting
√ pigmented

CON:
x hard brush

Products used:
SanSan HD Foundation in Olive
Maybelline FitMe concealer in Fair
Menow Lipstick in 005

Running out of English

I worked for a BPO for more than 10 years. We interact with clients in the US and Canada so the management wanted us to speak in English all the time. We use to call it JEP as in Just English Please. I appreciate this rule because it makes a second language more natural in you, or at least you become more comfortable with it. I do not claim to be perfect with my English and I know I am not but I can say I’m pretty okay with it. I talk to clients and customers without having a problem.

So I thought I will be okay in an English speaking country. I was wrong. A few months after I got here, I feel like I am running out of English.

‘Nauubusan na ako ng bala’ is what we use to say back home. We also associate speaking in English to ‘nosebleeds.’ I find myself using words/phrases I did not usually use before such as like or it’s like ah, you know what I mean?, something like that. Cringe! I didn’t know it was possible and I don’t know why it’s happening!

A friend recently posted a link on my FB page wall about Filipino words that have no direct English translation. You can find the Buzzfeed article here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/isabellelaureta/basta-yung-ano?utm_term=.jlrkOwnnJ#.kbwAQYNNB. I don’t know how if I should feel better that there are just some words I won’t be able to say to my partner unless I use ten thousand words. Imagine saying “Oh you’re so nakakagigil!” and she will ask me what I mean and I will explain to her (as explained in the article) “It means you are so cute and I want to pinch you but it can also mean I am a little upset with you." Eyes rolling.

Intro to Leafs and Pearls

Yeah I know it sounds like a subject that you take in the first year of school but hey, it's my first entry so give me a break. I want to briefly describe what this blog is about. Leafs - because my partner is Canadian. Pearls - because I am a Filipino. This will document my journey visiting another country, my thoughts and observations, and things I go through as I achieve my goal to be with the love of my life. Uh huh, it can get a little mushy on some parts. 

I like makeup and I like trying out new products so there might be a makeup review here and there. I may also share thoughts about current events here and back home. 

So yeah, I am obviously not good at titles so it would be pretty straight forward. I am also not an expert on grammar so there will be a lot of mistakes along the way that will surely make my English teachers cringe. 

Okay, that's about it. Told you it's brief. 

DISCLAIMER: Everything that I will share here were based on my experiences. I am writing my experiences for entertainment and for other people in the same situation as I am to get an idea of what I went and is still going through. This is not a blog that will advice you on what to do to get to Canada. i am just hoping that you get entertained and inspired. That's all! Cheers!