Michi Photostory

September 16, 2013

Stories + Mochi Cream

Honestly, I have so many stories to tell but I just can’t find time because my life is getting busier every day and if I have time my internet connection is not cooperating at all.

Well, just to give an update, I just started my phototherapy last Saturday, we have approaching World Psoriasis Day next month so we need to practice for our presentation, I’m preparing for my son’s 5^th birthday, I need to review my son for first trimester exam next week, I need to help my son memorize his poem for poem recitation this Wednesday and I was looking for costume for community helper activity today and next Monday. Wala pa diyan ang household errands chores and personal challenges.

Anyway, as I was saying I started my phototherapy last Saturday so I will be in Asian Hospital thrice a week and hoping my psoriasis will clear up. My psoriasis is getting worse again due to super stress.

Then after my therapy we went to Festival Mall to pay bills and scout for my son’s costume. Before going home I saw Mochi Cream kiosk, I’ve been meaning to try these Japanese Sweet Deli but the branches are too far so when I saw the kiosk I immediately checked the prices.

As usual, I was having second thoughts because it is so expensive. The price ranges from P75 - P100. But because I was curious I bought 2 pieces, I wanted to try three flavors para tig-isa kami pero di ko type yung available. I bought Mango P90 and Caramel Pudding P75.

Thaw 10-15 minutes before eating

The taste is good and we prefer the caramel pudding than mango. My son and I liked it but my husband prefers macarons. We’re cheapskates so this mochi cream is too expensive for us; it is not something that we will buy every mall visit but I still want to try the chocolate flavors.

Washi Tape Project

When I finally received my washi tape, I immediately tried it and check how it works. So I got my ipad charger and phone charger to start my easy project. A simple white charger turned into kikay charger. Washi tape can really enhance the look of simple stuff.

1. Charger

Update: Posting other washi project

2. Binder Clipper

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

September 09, 2013

Coins vs Candies

We went to my friend’s house blessing last Saturday, our timing was really perfect because we’re just in time sa paghagis ng coins. #hehehe! My son was picking all the candies and I told him don’t get the candies; you must get all the coins. I stopped taking pictures and helped my son. #stagemother.

My son doesn’t know the value of money yet. If someone gave him money, he will give it to me and he forgets about it. He doesn’t even know that he has savings and time deposit account. I opened his savings account when I got his birth certificate; I think he was only 1 month old. So all the money he got from birthday, Christmas, earnings from junk shop goes straight to his account. Then just this year, I transferred part of his savings in time deposit but this one is under my name, I’m not sure if he can open his own time deposit. I just applied online.

fruit of our labor

I don’t know how and when the right time to teach him about money. any suggestions?

How to Get and Renew Happyplus Card

How to Get Happyplus Card

Jollibee staffs went to school, they gave us some flyers and convincing us to avail the Happy Plus Card and I was sold. I paid P100 for the card. The card includes one-time discount coupons.

P50 off Jollibee Coupon
P50 off Chowking Coupon
P50 off Greenwich Coupon
P100 off Red Ribbon Coupon

Happyplus Card is JFC’s loyalty card that rewards members to earn points every time they eat in Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich and Red Ribbon. Membership is valid for three years from the date of application. P100 for the renewal fee.

You have to take care of the card because it is good as cash. If you lost it, points and load will be lost as well. If the card is damaged, points and load will be forfeited.

Card Benefits

1. Earn points when you use your card and you can use the points to get free food. P50 = 1 point, 1 point = P1.

2. Register and reload for a chance to win up to P100,000 every month til December 2013.

P100 = 1 raffle entry

P300 = 5 raffle entries

P500 = 10 raffle entries

P1000 = 25 raffle entries

3. Cashless Payment System

No need for cash or wait for change. Just tap the happyplüs card to pay for your food. When you run out of load, simply reload your card for a minimum of P 100.

I’m planning to use this card for my son’s birthday.

Read: Happyplus Points

Update: March 2017

How to Renew Happyplus Card

I received an email notifying me that my Happy Plus card is about to expire and gave me the steps on how to renew my card.

As of March 1, you still have a remaining balance of:

HAPPYLOAD : XXXX
HAPPYPOINTS : XXXX

Your happyload and happypoints can be transferred to your new card once you renew.

Happyplüs Renewal Envelopes

1. Go to any participating Jollibee store and buy a new Happyplüs Card for P100.
2. Ask for a Renewal Envelope at the Cashier.
3. Completely fill-out the Envelope, place the expired Happyplüs Card inside and submit to the store.
4. Processing Period is 15 days from the date of submission.
5. The cardholder will receive SMS Notification when happyload and happypoints are ready for HP Transfer.

Happyplüs Renewal Devices

1. Go to selected Jollibee stores with Renewal Devices.
2. See the list of selected Jollibee stores here.
3. Buy a new Happyplüs Card for P100.
4. Request to transfer your balance from the Old card to the new card and surrender your old card to the store.
Note: Available at selected stores only. Applicable before the expiration date.

Happyplüs Online Renewal

1. Buy a new Happyplüs Card for P100.
2. Log in to your account at www.happyplus.com.ph.
3. Go to My Accounts and click on Card Renewal.
4. Fill up the necessary details and click on Submit.
5. After 48 hours, go to any participating store and request for HP Transfer/HP Charge.
Note: Applicable after the expiration date.

September 02, 2013

Birthday Staycation: Acacia Hotel

If you still remember, last year I celebrated my birthday in Acaci and this year we had staycation in Acacia Hotel.

Read: Acaci

I saw the “The Long Weekend” promo in their Facebook page so I inquired and asked if they have promo for Friday since my birthday falls on Friday. Fortunately they have Friday Madness so I immediately reserved the date.

Days before my birthday, I’ve been contemplating whether to cancel or not my reservation because of the Typhoon Maring and Habagat but my husband insisted that we will celebrate my birthday in Acacia Hotel rain or shine.

But God is so good because He gave me good weather last August 23, 2013. We had lunch in Outback Steakhouse and I bought my birthday cake in Contis and off we went to Acacia Hotel.

As expected, the service was good from parking, reservation and they even ushered us up to our room while informing us the facilities, amenities and location of the pool, gym, restaurant and others. You have to tap your key card every time you use the elevator.

I can see the pool from our window so my son was so excited to plunge but my husband didn’t want to swim, “mainit pa daw” so my son swims in the bathtub muna. At 4PM, we went to the swimming pool and stayed there for almost two hours. There’s a complimentary drink so no worries if you’re thirsty.

At 8PM, we received free cookies.

The most exciting part of staycation is the buffet breakfast. Upon seated, they will ask you if you want hot chocolate or coffee. Good thing that my son has no charge yet because he only ate one roll and silken tofu aka taho. We took our time in eating our food para sulit. =)

Then my son had last minute swimming before we check-out. Actually, my son doesn’t want to go home anymore. He wanted us to extend our staycation but of course we have to go home at baka mapambayad ko pa pang tuition niya. Hehehe!

Like

1. Service is good.

2. Bed and pillows are comfortable.

3. Location is good because there’s fastfood, grocery and restaurants around the area.
4. If you want to go to malls, there are free shuttles.

5. Free wifi.
6. There's bath tub in the bathroom.

Dislike

1. No bidet and exhaust fan in the bathroom.

2. Children swimming pool is too small.

Related Post

Lunch Buffet at Acaci Restaurant
Staycation in Alabang

Acacia Hotel Manila

5400 East Asia Drive corner Commerce Avenue,

Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang,

Muntinlupa City 1781

Telephone: 720 2000 / 588 5888

Email: enquiry@acaciahotelsmanila.com

Klook.com

August 30, 2013

Birthday Celebration at Outback Steakhouse

When I started working, my ex-bf (now husband) and I always eat out every payday and we wanted to try different restaurant that we haven’t tried when we’re still students. Since I work in Makati we went straight to Glorietta after office.

We always see the Outback Steakhouse outside the mall building so we tried it out of curiosity. I can still remember while browsing the menu, lumalaki mata ko sa nakikita ko presyo. But since we wanted to try the food, we still order, pikit mata na lang sa pag-order. Ending we paid almost P3000 for our meal; it was too steep for us but charged it to experience. Since then never na kami bumalik. hehehe!

After 10 years, we tried this restaurant again because we saw the 30% discount promo if you will use your Citibank card and since it was my birthday, we have reason to splurge.

We’re the first customers, upon seated the staff gave us the menu and asked if there’s any occasion. I said, it’s my birthday and she greeted me “happy birthday”. I thought meron slice of cake or presentation pa like other restaurants pero wala. #feelingkolang.

yummy complimentary bread

Anyway, I did not order steak anymore; we ordered Grilled Pork Chop P599, Baby Back Ribs P699 and Kid’s Pasta and Fingers Combo P249.

The serving was big, my son just ate one piece of chicken and I only ate one slice of pork chop so my husband has no choice but to help me. Take-out na lang namin food ni Ethan because he was busy coloring and playing in this corner.

Well, the taste is just ok, you can eat this meal in other restaurants at a lower price.

Outback Steakhouse

Parking 6 Theater Drive

Alabang Town Center

Ayala Muntinlupa City

August 28, 2013

Washi Tape Holder

I’ve been seeing washi tapes all over the web and since then I became curious but it took me so long before I decided to buy. According to Wikipedia, washi is a style of paper that was first made in Japan. Washi comes from “wa” meaning Japanese and “shi” meaning paper.

I received my washi tapes order yesterday and I put them all here including the two fabric tape. I bought this glass holder seven years ago but I did not use it. Good thing that I did not throw this away because it is now my washi tape holder. I guess, I need to buy more washi tapes.

I can’t wait to start my own washi tape project.

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

Lemon Cupcake

I baked lemon cupcake last week using the recipe of calamansi cupcake. I don’t have calamansi so I used lemon instead. But I think, the recipe needs ½ cup lemon juice because the taste is not lemony.

Lemon Cupcake Recipe

1 cup softened butter

1 cup granulated sugar

4 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup lemon juice

Lemon zest from 3 lemons that I used

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 350F

Line muffin pan with paper cups

Sift flour and baking powder

Cream butter and sugar until light and smooth

Add eggs one at a time to the cream mixture

Add the flour mixture a little at a time

Add the vanilla slowly

Add lemon juice and lemon zest

Incorporate all ingredients

Pour batter into muffin pans

Bake for 20 minutes

August 23, 2013

10 Foods to Avoid Before Going to Sleep

Many people enjoy preparing a snack before they drift off to dreamland each night. Some individuals enjoy the ritual of enjoying their favorite beverage or snack as they prepare for bedtime. But if you want to enjoy a deep and restful night's sleep, Bunkers Melbourne, the bunk bed specialist, recommends that you avoid snacking on any of the following 10 foods that can interfere with your body's ability to get a deep sleep it deserves in order for you to wake up feeling rested and refreshed the next morning.

Candy and Sugary Foods

Foods loaded with sugar may provide your body with plenty of energy during the day, but you want your body to slow down and not speed up right before going to sleep.

Fried Foods

Take a pass on that fried chicken leg or plate of French fries right before retiring. Fried foods are difficult to digest and may cause you to wake up in the middle of the night with abdominal cramps, stomach aches or heartburn.

Alcoholic Beverages

Many people assume that since a drink or two often makes them feel sleepy, an alcoholic drink is a great before bedtime tonic. But alcohol actually makes your body dehydrated and causes a more shallow sleep pattern that wakes people up several times throughout the night.

Spicy Foods

That bowl of chili or chips dipped in taco sauce create an abundance of excess stomach acid. Instead of experiencing sweet dreams, consuming spicy foods before bedtime may have you waking up and reaching for an antacid to calm a rumbling stomach or uncomfortable feelings of heartburn.

Foods and Beverages with Caffeine

A steaming hot cup of coffee is a great pick me upper at the start of your day, but coffee and any other foods and beverages with large doses of caffeine won't do you any favors when it's lights out at the end of your day. The same goes for that piece of dark chocolate you've been saving, which is also loaded with caffeine that is counterproductive to a good night's rest.

Red Meat

Grabbing a hamburger or fixing a roast beef sandwich as a bedtime snack will prove to be a bad idea because red meat is high in both protein and fat, two ingredients that make your digestive system work all the harder. Putting extra stress on your digestive system right before falling to sleep will result in a much less restful and shallower sleep pattern that will have you groaning the next morning that you still feel tired.

Celery

Snacking on celery might seem like a good idea for those feeling slightly hungry before bedtime and want a low-calorie snack. But celery works as a diuretic, which means that it will irritate your kidneys and cause you to wake up in the middle of the night with the urge to urinate.

Ice Cream

Just like red meat, ice cream will place more stress on your digestive tract all through the night and it's loaded with fats and sugars. Research has also shown that snacking on sugary and fatty snacks before bedtime increases bad dreams.

Pizza

Save that extra slice of pizza pie for tomorrow's lunch rather than gulping it down before bedtime. In addition to the acid in the tomato sauce, pizza also contains high levels of grease, fat, and carbohydrates which will keep your stomach churning busily all evening.

Cereal

Most breakfast cereals are coated with a load of sugar, so even though the milk you pour into the bowl may have a calming effect, the sugar content will make your blood sugar level spike, not at all conducive to sweet dreams and a restful night in a Bunkers Melbourne bunk bed!

August 22, 2013

Disappearing Comments in Facebook

90% of my comments in Instagram were still disappearing and I already accepted the fact that I can’t connect and communicate with my few followers. But just this week, my comments and friends’ comments in Facebook were disappearing too. I was receiving notification that someone commented but when I check, I can’t read anything even my comments.

It is really frustrating! I search again for possible solution but the only choice is “report it to Facebook”. I did not do anything because I don’t think it will really solve the problem. There are several comments there and no one testified that it solved the problem. I hope this won’t happen again.

August 20, 2013

Hampas ni Habagat

No classes again today because of Habagat. Our province is already in state of calamity because of flood. I’m still thankful because despite the nonstop raining, we’re still safe and dry, though some parts of the subdivision have ankle deep flood.

It is hard to cook, wash dishes and use toilet because the water wasn’t draining fast but still no reason to complain because other people are experiencing worst situation.

FYI:

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

- Water (one gallon per person a day enough for 3 days).

- Flashlight with extra batteries.

- Fully charged mobile phone

- Food (non-perishable food enough for 3 days)

- Whistle to signal for help

- Can opener

- First aid kit

- Radio (battery operated with extra batteries

- Garbage bags with tape and plastic ties for sanitation.

Official Government Twitter Accounts

PAGASA @dost_pagasa

PAGASA FLOOD WARNING @PAGASAFFWS

PEOPLE’S TELEVISION @PTVph

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION @DepEd_PH

COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION @phCHED

DOTC @DOTC_Philippines

MMDA @MMDA

NLEX @NLEXtraffic

SKYWAY @SkywaySOMCO

NDRRMC @NDRRMC-OpCen

DSDW @dswdserves

PHILIPPINE RED CROSS @philredcross

OFFICIAL GAZETTE @govph

Emergency Numbers

MMDA Flood Control – 8820925

NDRRMC 9111406, 9122665

Red Cross – 143, 5278385 to 95

Philippines Coast Guard – 5273877, 5278481

PNP -117

August 19, 2013

Ghirardelli: Walnut Brownie Mix

Classes have been suspended so I was able to blog today. Well, nothing much to share I just miss posting in my blog. After two months of not baking; yesterday, I baked Walnut Brownies from Ghirardelli.

After trying the triple chocolate brownie and cookie mix, I became hooked so I kept on buying their instant mix. Oh yes, now I feel so lazy to bake especially baking from scratch so I was really thankful for instant mixes.

My husband and son were both happy because I baked again. They missed my pastries kahit instant pa yan. Hehehe! As expected we love the walnut brownies.

August 09, 2013

How to Have an Amazing Family Getaway in Amsterdam

Amsterdam may not seem an obvious holiday for families to choose given some of the activities you can get up to in the city, but it is actually a children’s paradise should you give it a chance. From the lack of traffic, quirky buildings and beautiful winding canals, it can be a captivating place for the small ones. There are also some great attractions for you to visit as a family in the city, and here is a guide to some of the best ones on offer.

NEMO

On the outside, you might think this odd green, ship like building couldn’t possibly be a museum but NEMO is a brilliant attraction to keep the kids entertained. Located on the eastern harbor, the science museum has lots of interactive exhibits which children love. If you’re flying the whole family out also, it’s a great idea to search for flights to Amsterdam online.

They can attempt to draw pictures with a laser, work out the anti-gravity trick with mirrors or visit the labs around the site where they can discover the answers to questions such as how do you make cheese? There is also the summer terrace on the top of the building which offers visitors some fantastic views of the medieval center of Amsterdam.

Anne Frank

If you have teens traveling with you and they have read the Diary of Anne Frank, then you can stop in at the Anne Frank House for them to explore where the literature was created. The museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Netherlands, meaning that the adults will appreciate the exhibits focusing on how the Jewish community hid from Nazis during World War II.

Tropenmuseum

One of the star attractions of Amsterdam, the Tropenmuseum is home to three floors of colonial artifacts that are presented with some great imagination and a fair bit of multimedia. Certain sections of the museum are recreated in their original environment such as the African Market or the Central Asian Yurts.

Kids will love the displays in their colorful settings and ritual masks on display as well as the section dedicated to educating children. The museum also houses two cafes serving international food and a gift shop that the young ones can explore.

VondelPark

If you find that the kids have too much energy for you to bring them around some of the attractions on offer in the city, then you can head over to VondelPark where the wide open green spaces will be the perfect location for them to run around and play. Head over to the Het Groot Melkhuis cafe where you can sit and enjoy some refreshments while you watch over the children playing in the adjoining playground.

Amsterdamse Bos

Another great way to spend the day is to head over to the Amsterdamse Bos where you will find a vast range of lakes, woods, and meadows for the kids to explore. There is also a small goat farm here where the children can come and feed and pet the cute animals.

August 06, 2013

He Loves to Draw

If you’ve been a regular reader of this blog, you are aware that my son loves to scribble. He scribbles everywhere, even on our walls, furniture, and appliances. He also scribbles on his clothes and different body parts. Click here and here to read the story. Thank God that he already graduated, and he only uses paper now, so I always make a scratch pad. Click here to learn my DIY scratch pad.

I cannot say that he has talent in drawing, but all I know is that he loves to draw. So I just let him, and he even posts it on our walls. He will get scotch tape and stick his own artwork on our walls or just post it if he is using “Post It” paper just like this.

He dislikes reading and writing, but he enjoys doing his assignment if it is “read, copy, and draw the word”. Last month, he drew this and said, “Mommy, I want Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Birthday Party”. Two months to go pa birthday niya pero may theme na siya. =)

August 05, 2013

Twenty Things That Parents Should Teach Their Child

Nice post that I’ve found from FB.

1. Play a sport. It will teach you how to win honorably, lose gracefully, respect authority, work with others, manage your time and stay out of trouble. And maybe even throw or catch.

2. It is better to be kind than to be right.

3. Save money when you're young because you're going to need it someday.

4. Allow me to introduce you to the dishwasher, oven, washing machine, iron, vacuum, mop and broom. Now please go use them.

5. Pray and be a spiritual leader.

6. Don't ever be a bully and don't ever start a fight, but if some idiot clocks you, please defend yourself.

7. Use careful aim when you pee. Somebody's got to clean that up, you know.

8. Your knowledge and education is something that nobody can take away from you.

9. Treat your partner kindly. Forever is a long time to live alone and it's even longer to live with somebody who hates your guts.

10. Take pride in your appearance.

11. Be strong and tender at the same time.

12. A woman can do everything that you can do. This includes her having a successful career and you changing diapers at 3 A.M. Mutual respect is the key to a good relationship.

13. "Yes ma'am" and "yes sir" still go a long way.

14. The reason that they're called "private parts" is because they're "private". Please do not scratch them in public.

15. Peer pressure is a scary thing. Be a good leader and others will follow.

16. Bringing her flowers for no reason is always a good idea.

17. You will set the tone for the sexual relationship, so don't take something away from her that you can't give back.

18. A sense of humor goes a long way in the healing process.

19. Please choose your spouse wisely. My daughter-in-law will be the gatekeeper for me spending time with you and my grandchildren.

20. Remember to call your mother and father because they might be missing you.

August 03, 2013

Travel Inexpensively and Live Like a Local with AirBnB

Caroline is a writer on OnBetterTerms, AvantCredit’s blog. Avant is a personal loan provider operating in the United States.

I’m writing to you from Prague right now. Yesterday, I was in Vienna, and before that Budapest, Athens, and Chania on the island of Crete. I didn’t win the lottery to be able to afford this European trip. I just took advantage of the website AirBnB.

AirBnB is a service where regular people can list their apartments, extra rooms, or full homes for travelers to book. I’ve stayed in AirBnBs all over Europe and North America. Here’s what I’ve learned…

You save a lot of money when staying at an AirBnB

The average cost per night that I’ve spent on this trip has been around $50 USD per room. That means that since I travel with my partner, it’s only $25 a night per person. If you’ve ever tried to travel cheaply at hostels, you’ll probably know that the price is per person, not per room — meaning the AirBnBs are not only more comfortable but more affordable. When you compare the AirBnBs to hotels in the area, you’re probably only paying a fifth of the hotel price. The same great location for much less than a hotel — plus, more amenities…

You save a lot of money by eating at your AirBnB

Because most AirBnBs give you access to a kitchen, I’ve saved a lot of money on food by cooking some meals at home and preparing lunches to take during the day’s sight-seeing. Being able to keep food in a fridge and make my own coffee in the morning means I’m not buying inflated convenience food in the tourist areas. Often our hosts share in their meal preparations too, further diminishing the costs. This leads me to my next point…

Your hosts are locals, so you live like locals

My travel style is to try to get immersed in the new culture and avoid tourist traps. Hotels are the same all over the world and you may never speak to a local if you stay in one. Your AirBnB host lives where you’re visiting and can give great tips about local spots that you’d never find in a travel guide. They’ll help you save money by telling you about the fantastic little restaurant off the beaten path so you can avoid the inflated prices on the main drag. They’ll know what entertainment is worth it, and they can help you navigate the public transit so you can save money on taxis.

With AirBnB, I’ve been able to afford to see some of the world’s most beautiful places. What’s more is that I met some lovely people and really experienced what living in these cities was like. What are your tips for frugal and authentic travel?