Michi Photostory: March 2014

March 31, 2014

The Mind Museum Where Science Comes Alive

I’ve been meaning to visit Mind Museum because of my husband’s stories. Sobrang binibida nga niya na maganda yung museum. One of his projects in the office is Mind Museum kaya ganun na lang makabida pero when I asked him kung nasan yung ginawa nila, he said “Yung hindi mo nakikita” hehehe!

Update: We revisited this museum, you can also read my second visit here.

But it took us two years to finally visit the Mind Museum because I find it too expensive. P750 per head kasi so when my husband sent me an email from their office

“As their thank you to (name of office), The Mind Museum is offering - exclusive to employees - a 46 percent discount on museum all-day passes (from P750 to P405) for purchase until December 16.”

We took advantage of the discount and bought 3 tickets but since we are busy from December to February, it was only two weeks ago that we were able to use the ticket. I was hesitant at first to go to the museum kasi sayang naman kung ilang oras lang kami, e all day pass ticket namin but my husband said, “Yung Universal Studio nga nakaya natin ng one day lang, yan pa kaya na maliit lang”. So after my son’s Moving Up we went to the museum as my son’s reward for finishing Kinder Level. Hehehe!

As we all know, parking is difficult in BGC so my patience was being tested again.

Me: Mag 1 hour na tayo nakapila sa parking. Ilang oras na lang para makaikot sa Mind Museum.

Hubby: Mauna na nga kayo basta iwan mo ticket ko.

I’m a submissive wife so nauna na kami mag-ina. LOL Finally, we met Aedi. Click here for the video

There are different galleries that you can visit such as “Atom Gallery, Earth Gallery, Universe Gallery, Life Gallery, and Technology Gallery”. Don’t forget to watch the shows in Space Shell and Nature’s Hourglass.

Universal Gallery

We started our tour in Universe Gallery and watch the first show “Passport to the Universe: Take an unforgettable voyage from Earth to the edge of the universe. Fly beneath the rings of Saturn, travel into the heart of the Orion Nebula and return home via a black hole.”

Phases of the Moon

Spinning Tunnel, nakakahilo talaga

Earth Gallery

After getting through the spinning tunnel, we met Stan the T-rex at the Earth Gallery. Our favorite activity is checking the fossils parang “Jurassic Park” lang. hehehe!

Next stop is Life Gallery.

Then Atom Gallery, our favorite activity here is the static ball and shadow box.

Di makita shadow ni Ethan,

The last stop is Technology Gallery which is located on the second floor. Our favorite activity is Gutenberg Press.

We had a quick bite in Kyle’s Lab.

Before we left we watched the three remaining shows

“Back to the Moon: Immerse yourself in the story of how various teams around the world are competing to be the first to return to the Moon in more than 40 years. See how this global competition is reviving a desire for space exploration by challenging the citizens of the world. ”,

“Birthplace: Catch a visually spectacular journey through time. Witness key events since the Big Bang that set the stage for life. ”

and “Ang Simula”.

We were able to enjoy the museum in less than four hours including the four shows. I would definitely recommend this because it is the easiest way to teach science to your kids. My son had a great time, he discovered new things, experienced old and new stuff, and most of all he had fun. We bought a photo souvenir for PHP99.

Dislike:

No guided tour and no flyers or anything that will serve as a guide when you roam the museum. It is better if they provide flyers so visitors can plan their tour and immediately check the show's time, especially those who will not avail of an “all-day pass”.

I did not know that there’s Science in the Park outside the museum and we missed this when we went there two weeks ago. Sayang ang trip namin, we live outside Metro Manila pa naman.

The Mind Museum

JY Campos Park

3rd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City

Taguig

Tel No. 909-MIND

www.themindmuseum.org

Schedule: Tuesday - Friday (9am to 6pm);
Saturday - Sunday (9am to 9pm);
Museum is close every Monday.

Read: 10 Gift Ideas from the Mind Museum

March 30, 2014

Office Space For Every Business Need

There are many businesses that must invest their money in office space to ensure that they are able to be productive during the day. However, every business needs a different kind of office space and a different way to get work done. Businesses are situated in many different ways when they are moving into a new office, and they must have the chance to choose the office space that works the best for the company and the way that they operate.

There are businesses that need to be near the docks or new a port in order to manage all of the shipments that they have coming in and out of the country. There are other companies that need to be near the city center to make sure that they are near their other clients and businesses that they do business with. However, the business has to have the chance to pick one of many of these spaces to do its work.

With companies like Hi-Reit showing these office spaces, it is much easier for the company to find the spot that is going to work just right for them. The office could be in any space in the city, but it must work well with the way in which the company prefers to do business. Some companies simply need office space near where their shipments go out. Other businesses want to be near the airport, but there are still others that would prefer to be in a commercial office space near the center of the city. The environment in which the business works is very important to whether they can get their work done in an efficient and profitable manner.

Once the right office space is chosen, the business needs assistance in figuring out to utilize that space and make it work for their purposes. The business will find that it can make changes to the way they operate when they get into a new office simply because the office allows them to be more efficient. These changes can be discussed before the office space is even leased, and the business can plan to make changes that are going to profit their business over the long term.

The best office space for business comes in the form of a commercial space that suits their size, needs, and method of working. Otherwise, the business will end up in a space that does not suit them.

March 28, 2014

How to Get to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

After I booked Manila to Kuala Lumpur via Cebu Pacific, I visited Air Asia website to check Kuala Lumpur to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru flight schedules and prices. I know that we can go to Singapore via bus but since I dislike long travel by land and the plane ticket is not that expensive, I chose the plane.

But it took me a week to decide which flight will I take and I ended up booking Kuala Lumpur to Singapore since we will just visit Legoland Malaysia for one day. I paid P2,322.42 for 3 people.

We checked out early at Sky Hotel Bukit Bintang and took a taxi to KLCCT. We ate breakfast at the airport too.

Air Asia

It was not my first time riding Air Asia because I tried this when we went to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia so I know what to expect but the “self-check-in” thing is new to me. I don’t have no idea what to do but since I don’t want to pay a service fee for manual check-in, we tried it.

Well, it is not difficult to use, as long as you can read and follow instructions, everything will be easy.

1. Scan the barcode from your printed itinerary or type in your booking number.

2. Select guests you’d like to check-in. Scan the passport.

3. Print Boarding Pass.

4. Verify the documents and drop checked baggage at the baggage drop/document check counter.

KLCCT is not that big so you will not get lost. There’s free wifi too, I guess 1-2 hours free of use. It is just enough while waiting for your boarding time.

One thing that I dislike in Air Asia is we won’t be seated together even if we check in as a group but I was happy with my seat number because I was in the front row, I love the leg room. My husband and son were at my back.

In less than an hour of travel time, we landed at Changi Aiport. Hello Singapore!

Read: Air Asia Experience
Air Asia Declined Error
6 Days in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore

Ponds Pore Conditioning Toner and Cream

Ponds Toner and Cream are part of my beauty regimen. I started using the cream when I was still in college maybe because it is budget friendly for me. But when I got pregnant, I stop using any beauty products then I became lazy.

But when you reach the age of 30 and you will see yourself in the mirror, you realized that you need to do something so I started using the cream again. I recently bought this Ponds cream and it is very different from what I’m used too. I like the “Powder Finish Day Cream” as in para na ko may powder and no oily look. =)

According to packaging, Pond’s White Beauty

1. Purify skin layer by layer for a translucent pinkish white glow from within.

2. Lighten dark spots for clear even-toned skin.

3. Provide triple sun protection agents.

Time will tell if it will really lighten my skin.

I can’t remember the first time I tried the Ponds Pore Conditioning Toner but I know that I’ve been buying this for years because even my husband is using it. The pore conditioning toner cares for your pores to give you radiantly fair skin that is smooth and refined up close. It is enriched with vitamin B3, pore tightening essence and sunscreen.

March 27, 2014

Day 2: DIY Kuala Lumpur City Tour

We always travel on a shoestring so most of our trips are DIY because I know that we can save more money than availing tour packages. But when I’m doing our Kuala Lumpur itinerary, I got a little bit scared because of the news and stories that I’ve been reading like motorcycle riding in tandem and not so good taxi driver in Kuala Lumpur.

But there are two blogs that I’ve read that they always come back to Kuala Lumpur because they feel safe so I left comment to confirm and he said (not in exact words) “Parang Manila lang yan, kung sanay ka sa Manila parang ganun din sa KL”. I grew up in Metro Manila so it means I just need to be extra careful.

If you are in a budget, you can avail the “KL Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour Bus” or “Free Go KL City Buses”. But I decided to avail a KL City Tour because I only have one whole day and Kuala Lumpur is the first leg of our trip so I don’t want any bad experience. I searched, inquired and haggled for lowest rate. I dislike group tour because I have a kid in tow so private tour it is. I only avail half day city tour because I like to visit Batu Caves too.

while waiting for our service

Started our tour at 8AM so by lunch time we’re already in KL Sentral Station. First stop is Petronas Twin Towers for our morning shot.

Then National Monument

Istana Negara

Out of curiosity, I still included National Mosque in our itinerary but there’s nothing to see naman. I have to wear this robe and remove shoes. #rulesarerules. The Mosque is really clean, nakakadulas nga sa linis e.

Next stop is KL City Gallery, include this in your itinerary if you want to know more about Kuala Lumpur heritage, culture and history. You will be amazed with all the architecture models. Don’t worry admission is free.

Merdeka Square, pole is too high.

Sultan Abdul Samad Building, this building is so huge that I can’t take picture of the entire building.

We went to KL Tower but did not go in because the rate is too expensive for me.

Then we went to National Palace, do not forget to include this in your itinerary even there’s a fee of RM10 because it is rare opportunity for us to see a palace and have a glimpse of the life of royalties. No photos because taking picture is prohibited.

We’re supposed to go to Thean Hou Temple and Sri Marriaman Temple but my son was already in tears when we went back to the car, he’s so bored with our tour so we told the driver to drop us off in Mid Valley Mall and that will be the end of our tour.

We ate lunch and decided to go back to Sky Hotel because my son was not in the mood. Well, I can’t blame him so we have to let go the Batu Caves tour also.

If you’re thinking that you can only see Petronas Twin Towers in KL, then you are definitely wrong because there’s more and you can do it even if you have limited time, yes you can tour KL in one day.

Anyway, I booked our tour here

Raymond Estrella

kl.tourist@yahoo.com

www.facebook.com/klpinoytravel

http://kltraveldealsonline.webs.com/

Mobile No. Malaysia -+6017322-85-35

Mobile No Roaming (Sun Cellular) SMS only - +63943-4766-127

and our driver is Mr. Suhaimi, he is so nice and I learned few things about KL because of him.

March 26, 2014

Malaysia: Sky Hotel Bukit Bintang

When I book our plane ticket to Kuala Lumpur, I immediately search for possible accommodation that is near to Petronas Twin Towers and I found Sky Hotel Bukit Bintang. I checked the website and I was sold but I did not book immediately. A month before our trip, I reserved a room in their website and paid the 10% downpayment.

I printed the confirmation voucher and hotel map just in case I need it. I mentioned in my previous post that I availed the coupon taxi in the airport and the driver was not familiar with our hotel so I gave him the map but when we reached the city center, he asked if I have contact number and he called the hotel for direction. Well, Sky Hotel Bukit Bintang is quite new and it is tucked away in the city.

Upon arrival, I gave my passport and paid for the remaining 90% balance + RM50 key deposit fee.

Like

1. Room and toilet is clean. (looks new)

2. Rate is affordable.

3. Free Wi-Fi.

4. Located in the heart of the city where shopping mall, public transportation and entertainment district is within reach.

5. Blower is available.

Dislike

1. No free breakfast.

2. Information is very limited. I saw airport transfer on their website so I emailed them asking how much is the airport transfer and they answered “I have no idea.” Waah!

Sky Hotel Bukit Bintang

No 1A, Jalan Bintang,

55100 Kuala Lumpur,

Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

March 25, 2014

Day 1: Petronas Twin Towers

August last year, I asked my husband if I can book a flight to Singapore for our 8^th wedding anniversary which is February 2014. We had a travel ban last 2013 so I was so happy when he said yes. At that time, Cebu Pacific was having a seat sale so I booked Manila to Kuala Lumpur. One way trip for P3,625.50 for 3 persons.

I thought we could not pursue this trip because I had severe psoriasis last September and were spending so much money on my check-up, lab test, and phototherapy. But God is so good because we were able to make it.

Fast forward to February 15, 2014, we went to NAIA 3 for our much-awaited trip, I exchanged some Philippines Peso to Malaysian Ringgit, P14.70 = RM1 so if you have time try not to buy at the airport because the exchange rate is not so good.

As usual, we were so early so I spent my time reading “I Wish They Taught Money in High School” book while my husband and son played games in Ipad. The travel time is about four hours and I was expecting a dark sky but I was shocked because the sky looks like 5PM but it was almost 7PM when we got out of the airport.

We avail the coupon taxi for RM102.10 from airport to Sky Hotel Bukit Bintang. The airport is almost an hour of travel to the city. We checked-in and rest for a while.

After dinner, we went to Petronas Twin Towers, it was a long walk from the hotel but that was fine because it is still better than to be stuck in the traffic.

“From Sky Hotel just go to Lot 10 then walk straight to Pavillion Mall. Turn left and you can see coffee shops and other restaurants, at the end, you will see the walkway to Petronas Twin Towers and just follow the sign.”

Pavillion Mall and Walkway

Finally, we reached the Petronas Twin Towers and were just in time for the fountain show. As expected, there were so many tourists so diskarte na lang so you can take your picture. The tower is really beautiful, iba pa rin sa personal kaysa sa picture.

Few days before our trip napanood pa namin yung movie ni Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd na “Miss You Like Crazy” and I was telling my son that we will go to Petronas Twin Tower and he said, “No, panget yan e” but when we saw the Tower up close, my son said “Ganda building” hehehe!

March 24, 2014

Moving Up

Just like that, another school year had passed and my son is now ready to move up again to the last level of Pre School. I can still remember his first day of school, new friends, new experiences, and new adventures. But last Thursday was also the last day that he will see his classmates because most of them will transfer to the new school and some of his classmates chose to skip the Preparatory level and will be in Grade 1 already. Time will tell what will happen to these kids in the future.

As a parent, we will just be here to love and support you because it is you who will create your own future.

I got teary-eyed again when the kids sang the “Glowing Inside”. After that, my son went to me, hugged me, kissed me, and said: “I love you, mommy”.

Glowing Inside

Happy, to let you know

You make me glow I feel so good, it's true

So glad that I have you

You love me so

Now all is bright

I'll always thank you for the glow

And thank you for the joy

Thank you for the love you give to me

I'm glowing, glowing inside

With your love shining through

Thank you for everything you do

I'm glowing inside because of you

Remember, my growing years

They're filled with joy

Because you're there for me

You kiss my fears away

You wipe those tears

You gave me strength each day

I thank you for the glow

And thank you for the joy

Thank you for the love you give to me

I'm glowing, glowing inside

With your love shining through

Thank you for everything you do

I'm glowing inside because of you

Who knows what tomorrow brings

My glowing wings can make me fly

I'll reach and I will touch the sky

Because of you,

I'll soar up high

So I must

Thank you for the glow

And thank you for the joy

Thank you for the love you give to me

I'm glowing, glowing inside

With your love shining through

Thank you for everything you do

I'm glowing inside because of you

Well, to my one and only son, one day you will discover that I have a blog, and one day you will be able to read this. I just want you to know that I’m proud of you, I’ve seen your improvement from the first day of school and I’m happy that you are always excited to go to school. I want that passion more than the award. Always remember that “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish” and I hope that you will not stop learning, you will not stop dreaming and you will not stop believing in yourself.

“Develop a passion for learning, if you do, you will never cease to grow – Anthony D’Angelo”

Just do your best and study, not for an award, study not for your parents but study because you have a dream. I don’t want you to follow in our footsteps but take the path next to us and go farther than we ever reach and dream.

March 21, 2014

Must have Things when Travelling

Just like that summer is already here and I’m pretty sure that most of you are excited to plan for your summer getaways. Summer is the best time to hit the beach, pool or visit cold places like Baguio and Tagaytay, well it depends on your preferences.

We started our summer getaways after my son Moving Up, we immediately visited Mind Museum as my son’s reward for finishing his Kinder Level. But of course summer is not complete without family outing, so our family will have a day trip in Stilts Calatagan and Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. I’m so excited to visit these places. How about you what are your summer plans?

Our family loves to travel when time and budget permits and whenever I pack, I tend to bring the whole house but for ordinary day, whether short or long trip, I always bring this small pouch with me. It includes my must-have things when going out.

1. Toothbrush and toothpaste

2. Swish Mouthwash

3. Lip balm, lip gloss and lipstick

We know that brushing our teeth is not enough so don’t forget to bring Swish Mouthwash or Swish Breath Spray. Good thing that Swish Mouthwash is available in different sizes, there’s 250ml, 120ml, 60ml and 35ml. Honestly, I prefer Swish Breath Spray because you don’t need a sink but if there’s no available at home, 35ml will do.

Swish is a quality product of Unilab.

1) With Swish, they have assured fresh breath all day! Swish Mouthwash--used at home / inside the bathroom and Swish Breath Spray--for on the go!

2) Powered by Surefresh Technology that kills bad breath causing bacteria, plaque and gingivitis

3) Alcohol Free-- safe to use every day! and assures an enjoyable gargling experience

How about you, what are your must-have things when traveling?

A repost from my old blog Michi's Home Sweet Home

Cash Advances Give You Money When You Need It

Cash advance services get a bad rep oftentimes, but in some instances they can prove invaluable. Times might arise when you can’t or don’t want to ask friends or family members for a loan. You also might not be able to get one from the bank because you don’t have good enough credit, enough credit or for some other reason. You also might not have the time that it takes to get a traditional loan application approved. Whatever, the reason, there are plenty of cash advance services available that can allow you to get the cash that you need when you need it.

Thanks to modern technology, it is now easier than ever to get the cash that you need when you need it. A plethora of cash advance companies offer their services online and allow you to even apply for loans from them online from the comfort of your own home. An example of just one website that does this is USACashServices.com. These types of websites can be extremely advantageous for people who don’t live close to any physical cash advance locations, but still need fast cash now.

The way that most of these types of websites work is by requiring applicants to fill out and submit an application form online. Then, they might be required to call a toll free number and speak to a representative. In most cases, all you have to have is a job to get approved for a cash advance loan, which is simply designed to tide you over until your next payday when you can pay back the money.

Once your application is approved, the funds that you were approved for are usually deposited directly into your bank account with no hassle. Then, they are usually available for you to use the next day. Some online cash advance services even offer their customers debit cards that they can use to access their cash, which means people who are returning customers to the cash advance company can have access to their funds even earlier, sometimes within as little as an hour of their application approvals.

While cash advance services can come with high interest rates, they can also be lifesavers in emergency situations in which you simply don’t have the cash that you need when you need it and have no other way to get it. Plus, it is easier than ever to apply for cash advances thanks to the Internet.

March 19, 2014

Starting Over Again

I was so busy for the last few months and because of that, I was not able to renew my domain. Well, aside from this blog I have other blogs that I need to renew my domain and I can’t figure out how to renew it. I search and search but it is not working. I thought it would be easy because I have renewed Michi Photostory domain last December. Last year I did not have any problem because I just have to click the link on my email and pay the amount. But now, it is very different and I gave up.

Since I don’t have time because of our three consecutive weekend trips, my two domains expired. I accepted the fact that I will lose my two blogs because I don’t even know how to buy a new domain aside from Blogger. But thank God I was able to buy a domain in Go Daddy. I know I have to start all over again but I was still happy because I did not lose my two blogs.

Then few days after fixing my blog problems, I was having laptop problems, nagpaparamdam na talaga siya mapalitan. I was thankful that my husband bought me a new laptop na but the problem is, I don’t know how to use Windows 8, waah! It took me days to learn it.

But anyway, at least I can blog again and hopefully, I can finish my backlogs. I just realized that I haven’t started my Kuala Lumpur-Singapore series and malapit na matapos March. Lol.

March 17, 2014

Homemade Pizza

I can’t remember the last time that we’ve made homemade pizza but I know it’s been a while. When I say homemade, I did not make the dough from scratch, it’s either I used sliced bread or ready-made pizza dough. But I hope one day, I can make everything from scratch.

Two weeks ago, my son and I made homemade pizza using sliced bread, mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce and ham.

We’re so happy with the result so few days after I bought pizza dough and made my own version of supreme pizza ala pizza hut. Ham and cheese for my son since he doesn’t like bell pepper and onion.