Michi Photostory

April 18, 2014

DIY Back to School Labels

It is summer vacation so I have extra time to finish my backlogs and surf the net. I was checking Pinterest for free printables and I saw this cute school label.

I know it is too early to prepare because summer vacation has just started but I still printed this for my son. Good thing I still have available sticker paper and I gave one copy too for his friend.

Click here to download the file.

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

April 17, 2014

Celeteque: Clarifying Shampoo

A couple of weeks ago we went to Mind Museum and I’ve tried the Van de Graaf Static Ball that makes your hair stand and I noticed that only few strands of my hair were standing.

It made me think that my hair was so heavy so I decided to try the Celeteque Dermoscience Clarifying Shampoo. I bought this at Watson for P200.

“Celeteque Dermoscience Clarifying Shampoo is a once a week shampoo that helps remove residue build up from shampoo, conditioner and hair styling products, which makes the hair look unhealthy, dull and difficult to manage and style. ”

Imagine for thirty one years, this will be my first time to try clarifying shampoo. For several years my hair and scalp has been carrying those residue build up from my shampoo, conditioner, hot oil and even my scalp solution medicine for my psoriasis.

Directions: Wet hair thoroughly and massage clarifying shampoo on to hair and scalp. Lather and rinse well with water. Go back to using your favourite shampoo for the rest of the week.

Like

1. I tried it a while ago and true enough my hair feels clean and lighter. "ang gaan-gaan ng feeling"

2. I love the scent.

3. Since you will only use this once a week, P200 for 250ml bottle is worth it.

Since this is a shampoo and no conditioner, I expected that my hair will be dry and not easy to comb but still I’m happy with the result. So this will be included in my weekly routine. I will tell my hubby to use this also because he always put gel in his hair.

A repost from my old blog Mrs Ugly Duckling

April 16, 2014

Bataan Road Trip

Our college friend messaged me last February to inform me about his son’s 7^th birthday party. The last time that we saw each other was 3 or 4 years ago during his daughter’s baptism. I told my husband about it and he said yes.

We all know that Bataan is too far from Cavite, it is more or less 4 hours trip depending on the traffic so to maximize our trip, I checked which tourist spots we could visit before attending the birthday party in Limay, Bataan.

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is listed in my bucket list so I emailed them 2 weeks before the trip but they replied to call instead. My husband called to reserve a room but the studio room is already fully booked so we decided to have a day trip instead. #paguran

Last Sunday, we left as early as 4AM to avoid the traffic but I forgot that it was the last day of Hot Air Balloon Festival so we experienced traffic jam as early as 6:30AM. It used to be in Clark, Pampanga but now it was held in Lubao, Pampanga and it used to be on February but now April. We’ve experienced it last 2009 but we missed the flying Hot Air Balloon so we’ve made a quick stop just to take picture.

Then off we went to Dambana ng Kagitingan situated in Mt. Samat. My husband and I were just friends when we first went here and now we’re back with our son. =) We reached the top before 8AM so the elevator going up to the cross is still closed. I don’t want to wait anymore because the line is already long. We checked the museum and left.

P20 – entrance fee

P20 – parking

P10 – elevator fee

On your way to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, you will see the Zero Kilometer Death March Marker “It is the starting point of the Bataan Death March in April 9, 1942 where 60,000 to 80,000 prisoners of war were transferred to Camp O’Donell. Many Filipino and American prisoners of war died in the 128 km march. ”

And Philippine-Japan Friendship Tower, “A monument symbolizing the renewed friendship between Philippines and Japan after the World War II event. ”

Then finally we reached the Heritage Resort, “built by Jose “Gerry”Acuzar, the resort is a collection of different Spanish colonial buildings and stone house from different time and parts of the Philippines.” Will share our day trip experience on my next post.

April 15, 2014

Day 3: DIY Singapore City Tour

Seven years ago when we first visited Singapore, we availed travel packages because I didn’t have any itinerary, I only had a list of tourist spots that I wanted to visit. But now, I have extra time to research so no more travel packages. I’m thankful for gothere.sg site because it made our commuting life easier.

After our check-in at South East Asia Hotel we started our DIY Singapore City Tour, from Bugis we went to Clark Quay for our walking tour.

Asian Civilization --> Fullerton Hotel --> Merlion --> Esplanade --> Makansutra --> Helix bridge --> Gardens by the Bay --> Marina Bay Sands

Tired! Tired! Tired!

Well, this walking tour is really tiring especially since we have a kid in tow who doesn’t want to walk so we let go of the Gardens by the Bay and Helix Bridge. After taking pictures we decided to go to IKEA Tampines but unfortunately, I couldn’t find the shuttle bus going to IKEA so we just ate our dinner and went back to the hotel. Huhuhu!

April 10, 2014

Day Trip at Stilts Calatagan

Honestly, we’re not planning for any summer outings because we dislike crowded resorts. We know that Peak Season = Expensive Rates so as much as possible we plan our family outings during the offseason. But when my friend suggested na “mag-outing naman tayo”, I did not have any second thoughts because it will be our first family outing with friends so I immediately checked my bucket list.

For the last two years, I’ve been meaning to visit Stilts Calatagan but every time I compute the expenses, napapadalawang isip ako. Well, if we can’t afford the overnight trip yet, we can avail of the Day Trip instead. I invited other friends, reserved the trip on April 9, 2014 (Araw ng Kagitingan), and paid the 50% downpayment.

Reception

Stilts Day Trip Rates

P385 – 7 yrs old above (P300 lang two years ago)

Free of Charge – 6 years old below

P1800 – Discovery Pavillion Cottage

Inclusions:

- Welcome refreshment at the resort

- Free use of pool and beach area

- 8AM to 6PM

Our Cottage

We left yesterday at 5AM and hoping to reach the resort at 8AM para sulit day trip. We’ve been to Calatagan before when we had a day trip at Golden Sunset so at least we had an idea of travel time but Stilts Calatagan is much farther than Golden Sunset.

When we reach the resort proper, the guard stopped us to confirm our reservation and we drove again till we reached the gate. Another guard confirmed our reservation and counted the number of persons inside the car. #strict

At the parking lot, Stilts personnel went to our cars and assisted us with our things. They will deliver our stuff to our cottage. Then we went to the reception and our welcome drinks were served. I filled out a form and paid the remaining balance. Staff ushered us to our cottage and our things were there safe.

We rested for a while and check the beach but my son prefers a swimming pool so off we went to the swimming pool. I was expecting a crowded resort because yesterday was a holiday and of course the summer season, but it wasn’t so we really enjoyed the place.

We decided not to bring any heavy meals so we just ordered at the restaurant and dahil tatlong tumbling lang layo ng restaurant sa aming cottage, they granted our request na sa cottage na lang iserve ang food. #goodservice

We ordered 2 grilled liempo, bulalong batangas and light of fire. Sorry but I forgot the exact price of the meal but the range is P200-P500. The food is good but the serving of grilled liempo is good for one person only.

My friend ordered two pizzas for our merienda and then we decided to go home before 5PM.

Like

1. They are very quick in replying to all my emails and in less than five days, we’re all set for our trip.

2. I like the service because they ushered us from parking to cottage and cottage to parking.

3. Good facilities and amenities.

4. Clean restroom and bathroom for the day-tripper.

We had a great time at Stilts Calatagan and we even want to go back to experience the room. So if you are looking for a resort in Batangas, I recommend that you try Stilts Calatagan.

Note: You have to pay the number of persons that you reserved, whether present or not. In our case, one of my friends did not join our outing because her son got sick so we have no choice but to pay for her reservation.

If you will have a day trip, I recommend Discovery Pavillion Cottage because it is near the restaurant, pool, beach, and bathroom.

Read: List of Batangas Resorts

Stilts Calatagan Resort

(+632) 511-8120

Brgy. Sta. Ana, Calatagan
stilts.sales@gmail.com

sales@stiltscalataganbeachresort.net

http://www.stiltscalataganbeachresort.net/

April 08, 2014

Singapore: South East Asia Hotel

We know that cost of living in Singapore is high so looking for affordable accommodation in Singapore is not easy. It took me so long to find cheap accommodation that has a good location and good reviews. We just need a decent room with a private bathroom where we could sleep after our tour.

Read: Sheraton Towers Singapore

I stumbled upon South East Asia Hotel which is located in the Bugis area. This is the cheapest accommodation that I’ve seen so I told my husband about it and he approved it. I was hesitant at first because the rate is only $100 and I was afraid that in the end, I will regret scrimping. A month before the trip I emailed them and asked if there’s still an available room and fortunately there’s still one room left so I immediately reserved the room.

I received a simple confirmation letter stating

“Thank you for your email. We are pleased to confirm your reservation of one Standard Room (queen) at S$100 nett per night for 3 nights from ...” and other information.

There are three ways to get to South East Asia Hotel but since we avail of the Singapore Pass, we took MRT. From the Bugis Station, you will not see the SEA Hotel immediately, good thing they provided direction, or else we will really get lost. I checked the Ibis Hotel building and walk towards it.

The hotel is located near shopping malls and markets, you can see vendors in front of the hotel. As expected the building is quite old since it is operating for more than four decades already.

At the reception, they asked for our passport and I paid for my reservation. (cash only). They returned our passport and handed me the receipt and key. The lady informed me that complimentary breakfast starts at 8:30AM. I was shocked because as far as I know, they emailed me

“4. The room rate is not inclusive of breakfast. Food & drinks are readily available at the neighborhood food center & fast food outlets. Our hotel also operates a popular Chinese Vegetarian restaurant.”

But of course, we were happy that we have complimentary breakfast.

Borrowed from their website

The room looks nice and new on their website but in reality, it is already old and really needs an improvement. Poor lighting and carpet need to be vacuumed. We just came from Kuala Lumpur and our hotel there is much better and cheaper. Wifi is available but not free. Anyway, the rate is just SGD100 and this is very cheap already when you are in Singapore.

You can choose between Continental Breakfast and Vegetarian Buffet, knowing me as a meat lover I ate continental breakfast for 3 days while my husband chose the vegetarian buffet. The continental breakfast consists of 2 slices of toasted bread with jam and butter, 1 coffee and 1 orange juice.

Like

1. I like the location because it is near MRT, shopping malls and markets, you can buy 1 liter of bottled water at SGD1 only. There are souvenirs shops within the area and even Money Changer.

2. Though the hotel and room are old, I can still recommend this if you are looking for cheap accommodation.

3. Since we will be arriving before 3PM, they did not require us to make a downpayment.

4. Complimentary breakfast including my son,

5. They change the bedding and towels every day. They also replenish the toiletries and coffee/tea.

6. Service is ok but don’t expect a happy and smiling face staff.

Dislike

1. Breakfast starts at 8:30AM which I’m not used to, I prefer 7AM for breakfast so we can start out tour early. (free na nga nagrereklamo pa) hehehe!

How to get to South East Asia Hotel

The airport-to-hotels shuttle service operates at 15/30 minute intervals. The fare is S$9 per person.

Taxis are always convenient & readily available. The fare to the hotel is less than S$30 and the ride takes 20minutes. If taking the taxi or the shuttle, please have the driver let you alight at Bencoolen Link, behind Ibis Hotel. The hotel is on Waterloo Street which is a pedestrian mall - located beside the famous Kwan Im Temple and behind the Ibis Hotel.

The Mass Rapid Transit System (MRT) also serves the airport. The closest
MRT station to the hotel is Bugis (6 minutes walk away) The fare is only
about S$2 per person.

Read: Where to Stay in Singapore

South East Asia Hotel

190 Waterloo Street
Singapore 187965
Tel: (65) 6338 2394
Fax: (65) 6338 3480
URL: www.seahotel.com.sg

April 06, 2014

Hello Singapore

In less than an hour trip from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia we finally reached Singapore. The first time that we visited Singapore was seven years ago when we celebrated our first anniversary and this year we went back just in time for our 8^th wedding anniversary and we already have son. =)

First time to see Changi Airport because seven years ago we landed in Budget Terminal via Cebu Pacific. Just like in HKIA, the airport is big and we have to ride Sky Train too.

After getting our baggage we went to Foreign Exchange first so we could exchange our money to Singapore Dollar then we had lunch at Pizza Hut. I was happy that two of the staffs are Filipina so it feels like home. Since the airport has three terminals, we can’t locate the MRT so we asked help from them. Hehehe!

I don’t know if I’m only hungry pero masarap pizza ng Pizza Hut Singapore, hindi tipid sa ingredients. Hehehe!

We immediately went to MRT to avail the Singapore Tourist Pass x 2 ($SG30 for 3 days) and 1 regular EZ Link for my son because it is much cheaper.

“The Singapore Tourist Pass is a special ez-link card that offers tourist unlimited travel on Singapore's basic bus services, MRT and LRT trains for the duration that it is valid.” – Source

Then off we went to South East Asia Hotel.

April 04, 2014

Purple Oven: Classic Sansrival

A couple of weeks ago we went to Nuvali just to buy a cake, yes, I’ve been craving for sweets and I told my son that I will buy him a cake “Congatulations Cake” hehehe! So off we went to Purple Oven, I wanted to try the “Pistachio Stardust Cake” but it was not available so we chose the “Classic Sansrival” for P720.

We love sansrival and I was happy because Purple Oven did not disappoint us. We love the cake and would you believe that my son can finish one slice of this 1/8. I also brought a few slices in school and my mommy friends love it too. #simutsarap.

April 03, 2014

Cupcakes by Sonja

The first time I tried Cupcakes by Sonja was year 2007, my college friends and I had reunion in Serendra. Back then it was quite new and was really popular because I think it is the first cupcake store in the Philippines. I bought three different cupcakes which I can’t remember the names anymore before going home. #pasalubongforhubby

Fast forward to March 20, I bought Cookie Monster Cupcake P90 because my son was already hungry and we’re still looking for restaurant where to eat our dinner. At the counter, the cashier asked me if I have P10 so I checked my wallet, at the same time my son was talking to me then suddenly I heard

Cashier: “hay, ayaw sumagot” (sharp tone)

Waah, can’t she wait and can’t she see that I was checking my wallet. First time to experience this, so I gave her the P10, get the box and left. #feelingirritated. Ako lang naman customer niya, nagmamadali masyado. #poorcustomerservice

While waiting for our food in Nanbantei of Tokyo, I’ll let my son eat the cupcake and after two bites he said “Mommy, ayaw na”.

My son loves dessert, remember our Vanilla Cupcake Bakery experience, ayaw nga pashare. Of course, I ate the leftover and understood why my son didn’t like it. It is overly sweet, as in too sweet for our taste even without the frosting.

Nice and Comfortable Hotels Will Help You Enjoy Your Stay

People throughout the world travel for many different reasons, many travel for work, leisure, family, friends, and for several other reasons. While some people travel often, other people travel seldom. In both instances, it is important that you are comfortable during your vacation. One of the biggest components of your vacation is the hotel that you stay in. There are many options for hotels to stay in, but not all of them are nice as well as clean. When you are in need of hotels in Houston, MO, only go to the best. To have the confidence needed that you are getting a nice hotel, you can look on their website to see pictures of the room and other amenities.

When you go to a hotel in Houston, you will quickly find that it has been updated and remodeled. Each room has been updated with new and comfortable mattresses, bathroom features, LCD televisions, and many other luxuries. Each room has a fresh new look and a clean feel to it. As you stay in the hotel, you will have confidence that your room will provide you with a comfortable stay.

People travel to certain locations because of different landmarks. When you go to Houston, MO, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery and The Big Piney River that offers many recreational activities. Houston is also located just a few minutes away from the Mark Twain National Forest where you can horseback, bike, hike, fish, tube, and enjoy scenic drives. As you enjoy the nature, you will gain a greater appreciation of the beautiful scenery. There are also great restaurants and entertainment for any age.

When you want to enjoy a great vacation, do not let your hotel ruin your stay. By reserving a comfortable hotel, you will enjoy your vacation to its fullest. Hotels in Houston, MO, offer many amenities to give you the best stay possible. There are many beautiful places throughout the hotel where you can relax and enjoy nature. If you want to enjoy nature to its fullest, you can trust that you can by staying in a hotel in Houston.

April 02, 2014

Dinner at Nanbantei of Tokyo

After our tour in Mind Museum, we were looking for restaurant where to eat our dinner, hmm, sa dami ng restaurant sa BGC, it is really hard to choose. We’re supposed to eat in Elias but the only available seats were outside so we moved to the next restaurant which is Nanbantei of Tokyo. It is a Yakitori restaurant, “yakitori” refers to skewered food both poultry and non-poultry.

We’re first timers so it took us time to browse the menu then we saw the P888 promo which is good for three persons. Correct me if I’m wrong but as far as I can remember there were three sets and we chose the Samurai Set A. The set includes 3 Miso Soup, 3 Gohan, 3 Tebasaki, 3 Poteti Maki, 3 Negima, 3 Aspara Maki, 3 Pork Yakiniku and Ebi Tempura. My husband ordered additional appetizer which is Tamago Sashimi P85

While waiting for our order, they gave an activity for my son, complimentary vegetable sticks and wet towels.

Then one by one, they served our food. If you look at the plate and serving, it seems that it is enough to fill our tummy but I was wrong, we were not able to finish those sticks.