The Warehouse Hotel in Singapore

For the past two years, my husband always stays at Four Points by Sheraton Singapore Riverview if he has a business trip in Singapore but last week, he stayed at The Warehouse Hotel. Their company has a big event before the Chinese New Year so Four Points by Sheraton was already fully booked so his company booked them to the next nearest hotel.

Read: Four Points by Sheraton Singapore Riverview Hotel Review

The Warehouse Hotel

According to my research, The Warehouse Hotel is already an old hub in Singapore River that was built in 1895. During those times, the area was a breeding ground of liquor distilleries, underground activity, and secret societies but of course, the notorious past has disappeared. Now, Singapore River is one of the favorite neighborhoods where you can do food trips and sightseeing tours.

The Warehouse Hotel is a modern boutique hotel that has been restored and opened last January 2017. The hotel is not that big, it only has 37 rooms, one restaurant, one bar, and a swimming pool. If you want to do some workout, you have to walk several minutes to reach their partner gym.

The Warehouse Hotel Room 

The room has a modern and industrial design, it quite unique compared to other hotels that he tried in the past. All rooms have FREE wifi, Ashely & Co Bath Amenities, Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth Speakers, Minibar and Artisanal Tea & Coffee.

My husband loves the bed and pillows. There were complimentary bottled water, dessert and a personal note on my husband’s room to welcome him.

The bathroom is small and no bathtub.

His room is located on the second floor and facing the busy street so he doesn’t open his window curtain at kitang-kita siya kapag may dumaan na double-decker bus. Hehehe!

Breakfast at Po 

The room package includes breakfast at Po, it is not the usual type of hotel buffet breakfast because the choices are limited but my husband loves their breakfast because the foods are delicious. The breakfast spread offers cereals, baked viennoiseries, seasonal fruits, salad, cold cuts, and cheese. Fresh Milk and cold-pressed juices are available.

Aside from the buffet spread, you can also order classic Singaporean specialty foods from the kitchen like Herbal Pork Bone Broth, Classic Singaporean Congee, Colonial Chicken Curry, Hearty English Breakfast or Classic Buttermilk Pancakes. For drinks, you can order Mimosa or Bloody Mary.

One more thing, kids 12 years old and below can dine for FREE.

Since this is a boutique hotel, the rate is not cheap but if you are looking for a quiet place and privacy, this is a good choice. The hospitality of the staff is very good.

Read: Where to Stay in Singapore

The Warehouse Hotel 
320 Havelock Road Robertson Quay,
Singapore 169628

60th Birthday Celebration at Yakimix SM Sta Rosa

I’m swamped with backlogs and I don’t know where will I start or do I need to blog it pa ba? 2020 na pero hindi pa rin ako tapos sa 2019 backlogs, the struggle is real. Anyway, let us start with the food blog series to remind me of all the calories that I took for the last 3 months.

Last November, we celebrated my mother-in-law’s 60th birthday at Yakimix. The initial plan of my MIL is magcelebrate na lang sa bahay but my husband and BIL decided to celebrate it at the restaurant. The nearest buffet restaurant in their place is Yakimix SM Sta Rosa. We don’t have any reservation and it was a holiday so we were there as early as 10AM para magpalista.

It’s been six years since the last time I ate at Yakimix because my experience was just okay. So when we ate at Yakimix SM Sta Rosa, I managed my expectations. We are a group of 13 persons, 9 adults, 3 kids, and 1 baby but because the kids are over 4ft, adult rate na rin sila. Waah! This is one thing na ayaw ko sa mga restaurant na based sa height ang buffet rate. Six years ago, the drinks are not yet included sa buffet rate so I’m glad na may kasama na drinks sa rate nila ngayon.

Read: Dinner at Yakimix

The Yakimix SM Sta Rosa branch is small and the majority of the tables are good for 4 persons. They have limited tables for bigger groups so in our case, we squeezed ourselves in 2 tables. Ang sikip sa table and share pa kami sa isang grilling pan.

When it comes to food choices, since the restaurant is small, konti din ang food choices. The food that I like are pork belly, mushroom, salmon, bangus, shrimp and leche flan. I’ve been waiting for the ebi tempura pero wala ko maabutan, the serving plate is always empty.

We stayed at the restaurant for almost two hours pero wala man lang pabirthday greetings ang Yakimix. Alam ko meron sa ibang branch so I was surprised na wala man lang sa SM Sta Rosa or umalis kami agad? Kung alam lang namin na wala pabirthday greetings, December 1 na kami nagpunta para 2 FREE birthday celebrants ang FREE instead of 1. hehehe!

Overall, our buffet experience is just okay. As I've said before, ang sikip sa table and ang tagal nila kumuha ng used plate. When we asked kung may butter for grilling, wala daw but they will give us olive oil daw pero nakaalis na lang kami, walang olive oil na dumating.

Read: List of Buffet Restaurants in the Philippines
Watch the video

Yakimix SM Sta Rosa Buffet Rate 

Lunch Buffet 

Monday to Friday (Public Holiday not Included) P568
Saturday P699
Sunday and Holiday P699

Dinner Buffet 

Monday to Friday (Public Holiday not Included) P678
Saturday, Sunday and Holiday P699

Children below 3ft FREE
Children below 4ft P318
Additional leftover charge P400

Opening Hours 

Monday to Friday
Lunch 11:30AM to 3PM
Dinner 5PM to 10:30PM

Saturday, Sunday and Holiday
Lunch 11AM to 3PM
Dinner 5PM to 10:30PM

Birthday Promo 

1. Birthday celebrant can avail the Birthday Promo for 1 whole month as long as it is within the month of his/her birthday.
2. Birthday celebrant may eat for (1) free buffet at Yakimix SM City Sta Rosa.
3. To avail the birthday promo, the celebrant must be accompanied by a minimum of 3 full paying adult rates without any discount/s. Rate is (1) celebrant with (3) regular rate to avail the promo.
4. Celebrant must fill out the information sheet.
5. Celebrant must bring an original ID and valid government-issued picture ID with the birthdate imprinted on it, both local and foreign ID for proof.
6. This promo can’t be used in conjunction with any in-house existing promotions. Mandated 20% off for senior citizens may either avail whichever is higher.

Taal Volcano Ashfall in the House

The start of the year 2020 is not good because of the Taal Volcano ashfall and I lost my father last January 12, 2020. My sister messaged me around 7AM about my father so we rushed to Manila where my father resided. We stayed there until my father was picked up by the funeral service then we went straight to Valenzuela because we decided to hold the wake there. We stayed there until my sister finished processing the documents needed and we went home so I can pack my things for the wake and internment.

Taal Volcano Ashfall 

It was past 7PM already, I checked my phone and I was surprised when I’ve read that we have no classes because of Taal Volcano Ashfall. I felt relieved because we have no classes so no exams. When we reached SLEX, we can already see the ashfall and mas shocking when we reached our house. Ganun pala kakapal ang ashfall, may shoe print nga pagbaba namin ng garage and nagpayong pa kami pagbaba ng kotse papunta sa bahay. Kahit ilang hakbang lang ang layo.

In my mind, baka katulad lang ng Mount Pinatubo na okay na rin kinabukasan. I experienced the Mt Pinatubo eruption when we still live in Manila. As far as I can remember, nagwalis lang sa lugar namin ng ashfall. But I was wrong, the following morning, mas dumami pa ang ashfall at natabunan na rin ang sasakyan namin at ng kapitbahay.

We were rushing pa naman because we need to go to Dangwa to buy funeral flowers and groceries to buy food and drinks for the wake. Pero inabot din ng ilang oras si hubby para sa pagtanggal ng ashfall sa car at sa tapat namin.

And because of the ashfall, my family can’t stay with me sa lamay at need nila bumalik sa bahay. My husband needs to clean the roof at mas mahirap kapag umulan. Ilang araw din hindi gumagana solar panel namin dahil natabunan ng ashfall. My husband even hired someone to help him clean the roof. According to him, naka-apat na sako sila ng abo sa bubong pa lang.

I was not happy with the ashfall but because of the ashfall, we have no classes for one week. Hindi absent ang anak ko during the wake and internment of my father. Nabawasan ang worry ko kasi hindi ko siya marereview at nasa lamay ako.

I’m not really updated kung ano nangyayari sa Taal Volcano because last week I was grieving and focus sa lamay at libing. But after interment, dun ko lang nakita na grabe yung nangyari sa mga malapit sa Taal Volcano. Even I was physically and emotionally stressed since January 12, I should be grateful na one-week lang sarado bahay namin, one-week lang tambak ang labahan namin and one-week lang kami naglinis ng ashfall. I hope and pray na manahimik na ang Taal Volcano.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. ” Psalm 46:1-3

Goodbye Papa

When my sister messaged me that my father passed away, I was shocked. In a span of 11 months, I lost my grandmother, my sister-in-law, and just last week, I lost my father. Slowly, we’re losing someone we love and my heart is crying “Lord, I can’t take this anymore, this is too much”. I don’t know how much my heart can take because the pain of losing someone is not easy to bear.

I wish I was just dreaming but I know that I have to accept the fact that my father is gone. It happened so fast and I have no idea that our last visit would be the last time. Yes, my father died a week after we visited him.

Excerpt from Missing You Always Poem

My father has COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, it is a chronic progressive lung disease that is not curable but can be treated to slow down the progression of the illness. It has a life expectancy of 5 years and for severe COPD, the survival rate is 2 years.

It was only September when we found out that he has COPD, he was confined in the Philippine Lung Center for more than a week. Ito yung time na nag-overnight ako sa Emergency Room para makapahinga sister ko sa pagbabantay. When he was discharged, we hired someone to be with him because we know na hindi na niya magagawa yung mga dati niya nagagawa at hihingalin lang siya.

Who would ever think that after four months, mawawala na siya. When we visited him, a week before he died, hindi ko alam na yun na pala yung last. Wala man lang farewell words. Our last goodbye is a reminder of the words unsaid. So many words to say but I lost my chance.

A part of us is wishing if he can come back even for just a few minutes. So we would have time to tell him, the things that we needed to say. But we don’t want him to suffer again because we know how much he suffered. God also knew that he was struggling and he would never get well on earth so He called him home. Lord, is our papa beside you? Will you tell him that we’re sorry. Will you tell him that he is forgiven. Will you tell him that we care. Will you tell him that we love him too.

If you’ve been a regular reader of this blog, you knew that I did not grow up with my father. I was raised by my grandmother since I was 10 years old. I’m used to living my life without a father beside me and I have never looked for a father figure.

So I thought I have prepared myself for this situation because I know that his illness has no cure and we are not close. But when I lost him I was affected, hindi pala madali and masakit mawalan ng tatay. Sanay naman ako na hindi siya kasama pero yung thought na hindi na kami talaga magkikita, iba ang feeling. No more birthday greetings and text during special occasion like Mother's day, Christmas and New Year.

I have learned to let go of the past and I have learned to forgive my father even I did not hear any sorry. I knew that I also have my own shortcomings as his daughter and I wish naparamdam ko ang pagiging anak during his last days. Goodbye Papa. I know you are in a better place now.

Highlights of Year 2019

As expected I’m always late in posting my year-end post but it is better to be late than never. To be honest I’m having a hard time finding the right words to describe my year 2019. If 2017 is a rollercoaster ride, 2018 is a challenging year, ano pa ba ang pwede sa 2019?

2019 is not an easy year too, it was overwhelming. My emotion is on the extreme level, kung hindi ka super happy, super sad naman. Sa totoo lang, nakakabaliw kung iisipin ang never ending up and down ng feeling. Ganito ba talaga kapag tumatanda ka na? I know that writing this year-end post would bring back the tears of pain and tears of joy.

2019 is a year when we started a family business and we were able to cross out some places on our travel bucket list. We were able to visit Batanes, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, The Farm at San Benito, and some hotels and resorts. Remembering those moments and experiences makes me happy so I’m really thankful for God’s provision to be able to visit these places.

But 2019 is also a year when I felt so sad because we lost two family members, I lost my grandmother and sister-in-law. She was not only my grandmother but also my mother because she raised me since I was 10 years old. I’m forever thankful to her for taking care of us because we don’t have a mother nor father beside us.

Then several months after, my sister-in-law was gone too soon. She was so young and we all know that she has a bright future but God called her home. Cancer taught me that life is short, don’t just focus on the future but learn to enjoy the present. Don’t forget to create moments and memories with your loved ones. We really need to take care of our health, if we can spend money on material things, invest also for our health needs.

"I promise myself that I will enjoy every minute of the day that is given to me to live" Thich Nhat Hanh

Lastly, after our summer vacation, I don't know why and I don't understand but I felt so bored. I’ve been a full-time mom since 2008 and I feel that my life is a routine. I want to do something for myself so I enrolled in two courses. These courses will help me to look for a part-time job so at least I have something to do aside from this blog. This is also the reason why I have fewer posts this year because I’m enjoying living my life “offline” and exploring my new hobbies. You can check my page here.

So what happened last year?

January 

We started our year in Batanes so for the first few days we’re preoccupied with our North Batan Tour, Sabtang Tour, and South Batan Tour. It was a short but memorable vacation because finally, I was able to cross-out Batanes on my travel bucket list.

Start of the year and we had a series of check-ups again, yung mga naiwan ko last 2018 that I need to finish before summer vacation. My husband experienced Colon Cleansing for the very first time. It is also the time that I started completing our Schengen visa requirements. We need to apply for visa before my husband’s flight to the USA.

Read: How to Apply for Schengen Visa for your Europe Trip 
One Day of Colon Cleansing 
4 Days in Batanes with Kid 

February 

February is a rollercoaster of emotion, I was so happy during the first week of February because our Schengen Visa application was approved, we were able to buy plane tickets and luggage for our Norway trip and my husband was here during my son’s Field Trip, so may tagahatid at sundo siya.

Read: Philippines Travel Expo Experience and Tips
School Field Trip 

But I was sad because my husband went to the USA for a business trip so for the first time in 13 years, absent siya sa wedding anniversary namin. No wedding anniversary celebration for us. I was sad na nga then I received the bad news that my grandmother passed away. It is hard to accept but I have no choice but let go because God called her home. Good thing that my husband was on his way back to the Philippines so we were able to attend my Lola's wake and internment.

We took advantage of my husband’s bereavement leave and I was able to do some of my lab tests. My husband underwent surgical tooth extraction too so nakapahinga pa after the extraction.

March 

And because my Lola passed away last month, our family is almost complete so we had an early summer getaway at Palm Beach Resort. Then my mom celebrated her birthday at The Alley by Vikings.

Read: Weekend Getaway at Palm Beach Resort 
Birthday Celebration at The Alley by Vikings 

When my mom went back to Norway, life became busy again because of my son’s final exam, I need to finish my laboratory, check-up, and surgical tooth extraction before our summer vacation and I’m trying my best to finish our Copenhagen - Stockholm - Oslo itinerary. It was hard to plan when you have less than a month to book for boat, train, bus, and hotel. And sa dami ng pwede puntahan sa Scandinavia, ang hirap pumili ng attractions.

Read: My Surgical Tooth Extraction Experience 

We attended my son’s recognition and he got a Gold Eagle Award again this school year. We had a simple celebration at Cafe Mary Grace and we went back to Kidzania Manila for his reward. We had dinner at Cabalen for my Father-in-law’s birthday celebration.

Read:  Birthday Celebration at Cabalen 
19 Activities in One Day at Kidzania Manila 
Cafe Mary Grace   

April 

First week of April, we were busy with the Annual Physical Exam, planning for our Scandinavia Trip and packing for our 2 months summer vacation. It was a happy month because we did not imagine that we can go back to Europe after two years. We visited Elverum, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo. I know that I haven’t finished blogging about our Europe trip but hopefully, I can finish everything this year.

Read: Day Trip in Elverum Norway
4 Days in Copenhagen Denmark with Kid 
5 Days in Stockholm Sweden with Kid 
4 Days in Oslo Norway with Kid 

My husband went back to the Philippines after our Scandinavia Trip and thank God because he arrived the day before the Earthquake happened. Kasi yung time ng earthquake, for sure nasa Clark International Airport pa siya nun and we all know kung gaano nasira ang airport that time.

We spent Easter in Norway and for the very first time, we watched a movie abroad. Of course, we don’t want to miss Avengers Endgame.

May 

For the month of May, we’re glad that we were able to visit Kristiansund and Atlantic Ocean Road. It was a short weekend getaway but I’m happy na natuloy din because of the unpredictable weather in Norway. And because of the weather, most of the time we just stayed at home. It was also the time when I learned how to crochet so I was able to make some crochet projects before going back to the Philippines.

Read: Weekend Getaway at Kristiansund Norway 
Atlantic Ocean Road: The Best Road Trip in the World 
The Day I Learned How to Crochet 

We attended two Confirmation events and May 17 Celebration. We visited Torrem, Garten, and Home for the Aged where my mom works. We had a fishing adventure too and caught a lot of fishes.

Read: Confirmation in Norway 
Fishing Adventure in Norway 
May 17th Celebration   

June 

After two months of vacation in Norway, we’re back to reality so I was preoccupied with household chores and back to school duties. We arrived just in time for my husband’s birthday so we celebrated it at Buffet 101. It is also the start of our family business so if you are planning to install CCTV cameras in your home, go to this page.

Read: Flying Back Home 
Birthday Celebration at Buffet 101 

July

We went to the Dentist for my second surgical tooth extraction, my son’s tooth extraction, and tooth filling. After two years, I am back to baking because finally, we bought a new gas range oven. This was the time when I felt bored; blogging, baking, crocheting and watching Korean Drama don't excite me anymore so I enrolled in an online course.

August 

We started the August month low because my sister-in-law passed away so after the interment I was cramming because I need to catch up with my online lessons and finish my project before graduation. After my course, I celebrated my birthday in Yurakuen and Sheraton Manila.

Read: Birthday Celebration at Yurakuen 
Birthday Staycation at Sheraton Manila 

September 

Our passport is due for renewal so we went to DFA NCR South to renew, medyo nakakstress pa nga kasi nakailang balik kami.

Read: How to Renew your Passport via DFA Courtesy Lane 
How to Book and Pay for your DFA Appointment Online 

October 

It was the birthday month of my son and he doesn’t want to celebrate his birthday. Ayaw niya magparty, magtravel or magstaycation. He wants a gift. This is a moment of realization that my son is no longer a kid and nagsawa na siya sa staycation which is a good thing kasi several months from now, hindi na siya FREE sa hotel and considered adult na rin siya.

We went back to the Dentist for my braces, after so many years I finally have the courage to do it. Ayaw ko kasi ng pain and ayaw ko na maraming bawal na food. Food is life pa naman. Hehehe! My son had 2 weeks of sembreak and hindi kami prepared so we went to Travel Expo to score a budget getaway. 

Read: 4th World Travel Expo Experience

November 

We had a staycation at The Farm at San Benito with my in-laws, we celebrated my mother-in-law’s 60th birthday at Yakimix and we visited my sister-in-law and grandmother in the cemetery. We went to Madison Galeries for my husband’s KARADA session. 

Read: What to Eat at The Farm at San Benito
Sweet Escape at The Farm at San Benito
Birthday Celebration at Yakimix
Pain, Pain Go Away at KARADA

December 

It was a busy month because I enrolled in an online class again so 3 weeks of lessons and at the same time I was preparing for the Christmas Holidays. I was so stressed so I intentionally took a break and focus my time on what really mattered “my family”. We went to Tagaytay and Caleruega during the holiday break.

Read: Holiday 2019

As I’ve mentioned, the year 2019 was overwhelming but I’m thankful that we survived. I don’t know what will happen this year 2020 but I’m looking forward to new travel adventures, new opportunities, and new memories.

“Forget what happened before, and do not think about the past. Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening, don’t you see it?” Isaiah 43:18-19

Holiday 2019

Happy New Year! Welcome year 2020 and new decade. I’m enjoying the holiday break and until now; my body, mind, and soul are still on holiday mood. The Christmas vacation flies so fast and I feel that two weeks are not enough to finish my to-do list but I’m hoping that I can finish everything before the end of January. I was checking my blog and my last post is December 11, 2019 (not including the guest post). Waah!

I was missing in action for so long but that is okay because it means I’m enjoying my offline life. December is always a busy month and I intentionally took a break from my blog so I can devote my time with my family. I’m thankful for my scheduled post because my social media looks updated. So what happened last month, we finished some errands, ate a lot and had a hotel staycation. If we're just home, we're busy decluttering and cleaning our home.

December 19 

Last day of my son’s exam so we went to Landers and Landmark for our holiday groceries, bago pa maging crowded ang supermarket. We bought some last-minute Christmas gifts.

December 20 

We paid bills, went to the bank and wrap gifts. My son Christmas party so we picked him up and we went to Southwoods Mall. We had lunch at Romantic Baboy, it was our first-time experience. It was also my graduation day or should I say the last day of my online class. Yey!

Read: Lunch at Romantic Baboy
Watch the video here

December 21 

We’re busy buying gifts for other people but we forgot na wala pa kami gifts sa aming family of three. So we went to Southmall and Festival Mall to look and buy gifts. We had lunch at Zubuchon.

Read: Lunch at Zubuchon

December 22 

Start of my decluttering, I’m cleaning one room at a time para kahit papano makita ang improvement. I scheduled posts for my social media and prepared for our Christmas Party Get Together with my mommy friends.

December 23 

My grandmother-in-law was in Laguna for vacation so pinasyal namin siya sa Tagaytay and Caleruega. We had a buffet breakfast at Balay Dako and we went to Caleruega and Sonya’s Garden. We dropped by at the bank for last-minute banking transactions.

Read: Breakfast Buffet at Balay Dako
Watch the video here
Day Trip in Caleruega

Read:

December 24 

It was our annual Christmas get together with my husband’s family. I cooked sausage and baked spaghetti, toasted garlic bread, and bought Contis Pistachio cake for our potluck. It was also the first time na hindi na namin kasama sister-in-law ko who passed away last August 2019. We always have Christmas picture every year but during that time, wala kami picture. Nakalimutan or wala sa mood?

December 25 

We went to Tagaytay to attend 7AM mass and we had a buffet breakfast at Discovery Country Suites. It was past 8AM and sobrang traffic na sa Tagaytay, good thing umabot pa kami sa breakfast sa Verbena. After eating we went home na because I’m not feeling well so I just took a rest. Thank God for Christmas leftover foods, hindi na kelangan magluto pa.

Read: Breakfast Buffet at Restaurant Verbena
Watch the video here

December 26

I got a mail a few months ago that I can already claim my Living Cash Benefits so I was preparing my documents so I can submit it already. I was only 22 when I bought my Memorial Plan and because I’m still alive, I can enjoy the Living Cash Benefits.

December 27 

We submitted my documents at the insurance company, we had a check-up due to dry cough and colds. Finally, my husband bought an Air Purifier. I’ve been meaning to buy Air Purifier but it is so expensive, good thing my husband saw Imarflex Air Purifier so we bought one small for our room and one big for our living room.

Read: A Busy Day in Makati

December 28 

Off we went to Valenzuela to deliver and pick-up my gifts from my siblings.

December 29 

My sister and I were busy planning for our trip and finally, we bought our plane ticket. I’m happy and excited because that would be my first JUNK trip or solo travel without my two boys.

December 31 

If last year, we were in Batanes to celebrate New Year. This year we just celebrate New Year’s Eve at home. For our family of three, we had a roast lechon belly, lengua estofado, baked spaghetti, ube halaya, cassava cake, cake, and fruits.

January 2 

We went to Indang Cavite because my husband wanted to plant dragon fruit, I hope mabuhay yung dragon fruit sa bahay. Hehehe! We had lunch at Cafe Voi La.

Read: Cafe Voi La

January 4 to 5 

 At last, bago pa mag back to school and work, we had a staycation at Sheraton Manila Bay. It was a last-minute booking and I will share our experience in a separate post.

Read: Staycation at Sheraton Manila Bay Hotel
Watch the video here

Now back to reality, my two boys are now back to school and work.