Michi Photostory

May 23, 2014

Back to School

Few more weeks left and summer vacation will end and honestly, I haven’t felt the vacation yet. Hehehe! I’ve been so busy and it is obvious because I seldom post on my blog unlike before. Well, I became busy last week because I started preparing for this school year.

After two months, I went back to the school only to find out that there was a price increase in tuition, books, supplies, and uniform. Waah! I have to readjust my budget again. I mentioned in my post before, click here that we transferred our son to a traditional school so we need new school uniforms. We went to school to fit in his uniform and buy some school supplies.

I have to go back yesterday just to buy books because they did not let me last week because there’s a schedule for that. It took me an hour just to buy books. #firsttime #welcometobigschool I went there before 8AM and I was already in the 3rd row, #habangpila But I’m still happy because my friend spent almost 3 hours when she bought books.

May Computer na Preschool.

I started putting labels on my son’s stuff, and now I can feel that I really have a school kid because for the past two years I did not experience this. Life is so easy before, I just enrolled my kid and bought books, uniforms, and a portfolio (includes folder, clearbook, and notebook). Cover the books and that’s it. No trip to National Bookstore or Department Store.

Click here for DIY School Labels

Click here for DIY Scratch pad

Now, my preparation is not yet over and I even told my husband “ni pencil case wala anak ko” He said “Ang laki ng problem ko” hehehe! Well, in Montessori School, everything is provided, no school supplies list and no school bag. Yes, my son only brings a snack bag every day. So I’m adjusting now to traditional school and I can't believe when I learned that school bags cost PHP3000 above. Waah! #butasbulsa

Anyway, I already have my ‘’Things to Buy” list and hopefully, I can finish everything this weekend. How about you, are you ready for this school year?

Click here for my "Back to School Checklist"

May 21, 2014

YouTube Dilemma

For more than a year I did not have any problem with my son using the iPad because he just played a game and after that, he stopped using it. My husband and I can still use the iPad without borrowing from him because he prefers watching movies or cartoons.

Last February, we said goodbye to our broadband and hello to our PLDT DSL/FIBR. We’re so happy because of the fast connection but we have no idea that it will also start our YouTube Dilemma.

My son learned to use the YouTube app and enjoys it because no more buffering. I just let him because he is just watching and listening to “Frozen” theme songs.

But a few weeks had passed and we were noticing changes in behavior. Such as

1. He always wanted to stay at home. As if he can stay at home, we don’t have yaya nor helper so wherever we go, he goes.

Me: Ethan, take a bath now. We will go to the grocery (lola’s house, school etc.)
Ethan: I’ll stay.

2. He always says “Let’s go home”. Whenever we’re out he always says, mommy let’s go home or daddy let’s go home.

3. He is so much affected when there is a slow connection, intermittent connection or no internet.

Ex. My husband was driving and when we were 5 to 7 houses away from our place, my son cried and we asked why and he said.

Ethan: No YouTube
Me: There’s no internet in the car.

4. He is so addicted. He can stay for hours watching YouTube if you will not stop him. He doesn’t want to share the iPad anymore.

One time, I was busy doing household chores and I heard my five-year-old son said Oh my g*sh, sh*t and motherf*cker. I was really shocked and I asked him, “What did you say?” and he said “Nothing”. I asked again “What did you say?”. He did not answer anymore and I told him that I don’t want him to say those bad words.

I checked YouTube and he is watching Minecraft Tutorial video. Waah! We don’t have Minecraft games so why he is watching it. He learned those bad words in that video. I told my son “Do not watch this video again”

I’m happy that he obeyed me and I no longer hear those bad words but still, we’re finding ways to stop or at least lessen his addiction to YouTube.

1. We hid the YouTube apps but he cried. My husband even said “Grabe iyak nito, daig pa pag umaalis ako (out of town or out of the country)”

2. I declared no YouTube days.

3. Lastly, my husband brings the iPad to the office so he can’t use it.

Kids are smart, one time I saw him watching YouTube using my phone. I told him he can’t use my phone. He said, watch sa computer (Laptop), of course, I said no. He said, watch YouTube sa TV. I said no internet sa room. (His dad showed him before that he can watch YouTube on our TV), again I said no.

It’s been more than two or three weeks already since my husband brought the iPad to the office and until now whenever he wakes up he will say.

Ethan: Mommy, I’m sad.
Me: Why?
Ethan: I can’t watch YouTube.

Well, at least now he is so excited to see his daddy, of course, he is waiting for the iPad. He always says whenever I call his dad.

Ethan: Daddy go home na, drive fast ha.

Or

Ethan: Tagal man Daddy.

I hope someday the addiction will stop and I pray that he won’t be like this when school day starts.

Care to share some tips.

Update: YouTube is no longer my problem. My son follows our rules, no iPad during weekdays. No iPad if he did something not nice. We are using a YouTube app for kids.

May 20, 2014

Inang’s Pansit Malabon

If I will choose between pasta and pansit, I prefer pansit but I don’t cook pansit at home except for instant pansit canton. Maybe because I feel that my home cooked pansit is not yummy, minsan matabang and minsan maalat. Hehehe! So I prefer buying pansit if I want one.

A couple of weeks ago before our home renovation, I saw ‘’Inang’s Pansit Malabon” so we ate pansit malabon and pichi-pichi for lunch. It is good to know that we can buy Pansit Malabon in Binan, Laguna. It is something that I really missed because I used to eat this if there’s celebration when we live in Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela. The price is not expensive too and it is available in different sizes.

Inang’s Pansit Malabon
122A Nepa Highway San Vicente Binan, Laguna

Nanay’s Pansit Malabon
37 Gov. Pascual Ave. Concepcion, Malabon City

May 14, 2014

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day or Father’s Day is not really a big deal for us because we don’t really plan anything for this day and I don’t expect anything from my husband and son. I don’t assume that they will treat me, give me a gift or I could have a day off. Even they will not greet me, it is fine because I believe that Mother’s Day is not only every second Sunday of May. The truth is, not everyone in the world celebrate Mother’s Day on the same day but I believe most of the countries celebrate every second Sunday of May.

Honestly, I can’t even remember how I celebrated my first Mother’s Day, all I can remember is from 2011 to 2013 because of this blog.

I received my first Mother’s Day card last 2011 from my son.

I received my second Mother’s Day card last 2012 and we spent Mother’s Day in Taal Vista Hotel. #staycation

Last 2013, I spent Mother’s day in my OB’s clinic due to UTI and this year, I was supposed to be in my OB’s clinic again for my follow up check-up due to UTI again but I missed my check-up and I did not attend Asian Psorclub outing because we’re so busy at home. We’re having mini home improvement so we need to stay at home and supervise it.

But I’m happy it was already finished though I still have a pile of work to do such as cleaning the mess of our home improvement, decluttering the house, finishing my laundry and ironing the clothes. Hay, iisipin ko pa lang napapagod na, hehehe!

Though I wasn’t really expecting anything because I know we’re all busy, my son gave me his third Mother’s Day card and my husband gave me a book “A Wife after God’s Own Heart.” We had an early celebration last Saturday at D’Banquet, sort of celebration but the truth is we don’t have food at home because I can’t cook because of the home improvement. #hehehe

As I posted in my Instagram “Thank you for the love and thank you for making my life more meaningful and beautiful. I would be forever thankful to God for giving me the privilege to be a wife and mom. Having you in my life is enough to complete me and I could not ask for more”

It is better to be late than never, I would like to thank those people who remembered me last Sunday and Belated Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers.

May 09, 2014

Dinner at LZM Restaurant Solenad

If you still remember my post, I tried LZM Restaurant just this year and we enjoyed our bulalo order. When we visited Solenad 2 last March, we saw the LZM restaurant so we tried it too.

We ordered Pork Binagoongan P270, Sizzling Squid P310 and Rice P110. As I was checking the menu, I noticed that the price is not the same or I don’t know if there’s price increase already.

My husband enjoyed the sizzling squid but I was disappointed with my pork binagoongan, I can really taste the garlic and it makes the dish bitter. The interiors are very different from the Cavite branch but the place is much smaller. I like the service here because it is fast and efficient.

May 08, 2014

DIY Clock

My son’s lesson in his summer class is “Telling Time” and I heard his teacher reminding them to study their lesson. So when we got home, I checked his notebook and I saw his seatwork 5/10. My son got only 5 correct answer and I can’t blame him because he is not really familiar with clock.

When he was in Nursery, they learned how to tell time per hour. This school year, they taught how to tell time per 30 minutes. I always tell him that 1 = 5 minutes, 2 = 10 minutes and so on. But he is still having a hard time so I made a DIY clock yesterday so it will be easy for him to remember.

I checked whatever materials I can use at home.

2 paper plates
Numbers from scrapbook materials.
Sharpie Pen Fastener
Glue
Paper and Washi Tape

1.Pasted all the numbers at the side of the paper plate.
2.I made 2 clock hands, one short and one long and cover it with washi tape to make it colorful.
3.Fasten the clock hands and paper plate.
4.Cut the side of the paper plate per number and write the conversion at the back.

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

May 07, 2014

Don Henrico’s

It’s been almost a week of not blogging because I was not feeling well since Wednesday, good thing that May 1 was a holiday and my husband was on leave last May 2 so I was able to rest. Anyway, I was checking my photos on my phone and I saw food photos when we ate in Don Henrico’s two months ago. Hehehe! It was not my first time in Don Henrico’s, my first time was when I was still in College. My Baguio trip will not be complete without eating in Don Henrico’s at Session Road.

It was really nice revisiting this restaurant again but this time not in Baguio but in Festival Mall. Of course, I ordered my favorite which is Lasagna P290 and Don Henrico’s Supreme Pizza P310. We always visit Festival Mall but I did not know that they have a branch here medyo tago kasi yung location nila.

Update: September 2017

We had a staycation at Makati Shangri-la Hotel and since hotel foods are expensive we went to the mall for our lunch. We ate at Don Henrico's and ordered lasagna, pizza and iced tea. I just noticed na iba ang presentation ng lasagna sa Glorietta branch. But taste is the same, lasagna is my favorite pasta.

April 29, 2014

Teaching Kids How to Save

Teaching kids how to save is one thing that we should teach our children as early as possible so they will know the value of money. Nobody taught me how to save and nobody told me to save but I learned it through experience and through reading. You can read more here.

I have a five-year-old kid who is not familiar with coins and paper bills. Well, they have money lesson in school where they introduce different coins and paper bills. But of course he doesn’t know how to use it, I never gave him money to buy something in store or grocery. He has no allowance in school so I was having dilemma before on how to teach my son to save money. I shared that story here.

If you remember my Smurfs 2 post, my son and I watched a movie together with his classmates. Yes, we had fun but after watching a movie and waiting for his daddy to pick us up, we stroll around the mall. One of his friends wanted to buy Minion so his mom bought the toy. Another friend wanted to buy the same toy and his mom bought it too. They were having fun with the stuffed toy and suddenly one kid said to my son “Kami meron nito, bakit ikaw wala?”

At that moment, my son was sad and felt that he is missing something. He is not saying anything to me but I can see in his eyes and I feel that he wanted me to buy the toy. But I did not buy it. I received a call from his daddy that he was already in the parking lot so I said goodbye to my friends and we left. While walking to the parking lot, my son was walking so slow and I told him to walk fast because his daddy is waiting then when I looked at him, he was already in tears. I asked him, why he is crying?. He said “I want Minion”. I told him that we don’t have money for Minion so I just carried him all the way to the car.

Of course, his daddy asked me why my son was crying and I told him the story. He asked me “Magkano ba yun?”, I said the price and he said: “Mura lang pala bakit di mo binili, kawawa naman Tantan ko (Ethan)”. I can’t remember the exact price but range is P120-170 for mini Minion stuff toy which is not expensive. But I did not buy it because we went to the mall to watch Smurfs 2 and not to buy anything.

I want my son to learn...

1. That we are not rich

We don't come from rich family, we live from paycheck to paycheck and we cannot buy everything for him.

2. Not because his friends have it, he will have it too.

Ex. His friend has a minion toy. My son asks for a minion toy and I will buy a minion toy. What if his friend has an iPad and my son wanted an iPad?

3. If he wants something, he needs to save.

So few days before his birthday, we bought a piggy bank. I told him to save so we can buy Minion and last weekend we opened the piggy bank and he was able to save P702.55. Since he has no allowance he got coins from loose change, sukli sa pinamalengke, sukli sa tolgate and coins from his daddy’s pocket.

I asked him, what he wanted to buy and he said: “I want Minion”.

Deep inside I can still feel the pain “di pala nakalimutan ng anak ko yung time na hindi ko siya binili ng minion” but on the other hand I feel happy because he still remembers what I’ve said. “If you want to buy minion, save for it”. This is just the start of teaching him how to save, I know we have a long way to go.

Care to share some tips.

April 28, 2014

Creamy Lengua in Mushroom Sauce Recipe

I was in High School when I first tasted a lengua dish and I liked it at first taste. The meat is so soft compared to other parts of beef or pork. I don’t want to imagine that I’m eating tongue so I can enjoy my food. Since then Creamy Lengua in Mushroom Sauce has become one of my favorite dishes so I was really happy if I saw this on the menu in any restaurant. There are times that I buy frozen lengua in Contis.

Actually cooking this dish is easy, the only thing I dislike is it took me 5 hours to cook the dish, that is the main reason why I seldom cook this at home. I have to boil the meat for 4 hours or until tender then I have to clean and slice it. You can check youtube on how to clean beef/pork tongue.

Sharing with you my recipe

1 beef tongue (lengua)
1 tbsp garlic minced
Oil to toast the garlic
2 tbsp butter
1 onion
1 pack of all-purpose cream
1 small can of sliced mushroom
1 can of cream of mushroom
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: Dried Parsley

1. Clean, boil and slice the tongue.
2. Toast the garlic. Set aside. I
3. In the same pan, add the butter and pan-fry the sliced beef tongue for 3-4 minutes on each side. Set aside.
4. In the same pan, saute the onion and slice the mushroom.
5. Add the all-purpose cream and cream of mushroom. Cook for 5 minutes.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Put the sliced beef tongue in the sauce and simmer for 5-10 minutes on low fire.
8. Transfer to the serving dish and add the toasted garlic.
9. Serve.

April 24, 2014

Day 4: Universal Studio Singapore

When we first visited Singapore, Universal Studio was not yet there so it is the main reason why I wanted to go back again. We celebrated our 8th Wedding Anniversary in Universal Studio Singapore. Yes, no fancy dinner nor an expensive gift but I was indeed happy because we’re in Singapore again and my son will enjoy USS. Traveling makes me happy.

We rode MRT to VivoCity Shopping mall and take a leisure stroll to Resorts World Sentosa where USS is located. The Sentosa Boardwalk is 700 meters long but you won’t get tired because there are travelators and you will enjoy the panoramic view of the bay. Take a quick stop for pictures. Click here for the video

At the end, you will see a booth where you can buy tickets and pay $SG1 for Sentosa entrance fee. The waiting time is long so if you have time, make sure you have your tickets already. Book your tickets here. Adult $SG74 Kid $SG54

Upon entering the theme park, we secured a map and schedule of shows and we immediately look for New York Zone to watch the Sesame Street Stage Show.

Then we moved to Sci-Fi City Zone to ride Transformers The Ride: Ultimate 3D Battle and Accelerator. Next stop is the Ancient Egypt Zone, my husband rode the Revenge of the Mummy and after that, we tried the Treasure Hunters.

We ate our lunch in Discovery Food Court, my husband ordered a set meal at $SG11.50 each and 1 Jura Cup Coke for $19.80 ($SG2 for refill).

After eating our lunch we went to The Lost World Zone, my husband rode the Canopy Flyer while I accompany my son in Dino-Soarin. Since we don’t want to get wet yet we moved to the next zone which is Far, Far Away.

We rode Shrek 4D Adventure, Magic Potion Spin, and watched Donkey Interactive Live Show.

Next stop is Madagascar Zone, we rode Madagascar: A Crate Adventure and King Julien’s Beach Party-Go-Round. We missed the Madagascar Boogie show.

We went back to New York Zone to watch the Rockafellas and moved back to The Lost World Zone for WaterWorld Show. Be ready to get wet here and if you don’t want to get wet, make sure you will not sit in front rows.

We watched the Lights, Camera, Action and I was really amazed by how they produced and create light and sound effects. Then rode the Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase.

We explore the Hollywood Zone and watched the Mel’s Dinettes and The Cruisers. Our tour is not complete without riding the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure. My son got scared at the end of the ride where the dinosaur will eat us. Hehehe! Fortunately, we did not get wet except for my husband.

Finally, we watched the Monster Rock Show and went back to the hotel.

Universal Studio Singapore is not that big compared to Hongkong Disneyland so you can enjoy the park even for a day.

Buy or Book Your Ticket
Klook Exclusive: Universal Studios Singapore Ticket 1 Day Pass
Universal Studios Singapore Express Pass
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April 22, 2014

Buko Tart in Tagaytay

Though we frequently visit Tagaytay, we don’t always visit the pasalubong store especially if we are always in a hurry to go home or if we don’t want to eat sweets. We love buying Spanish Bread from Sonya’s Garden, Cassava Cake, or Sylvannas from Rowena’s and Tawilis from a vendor outside Rowena’s. But we haven’t tried buko tart or maybe because I’m not fond of buko pie.

When we went to Stilts Calatagan, we went home early because my friend wanted to buy a buko tart. We went to Amira’s Buko Tart but unfortunately, all tarts were sold out so we went to Loumars.

I bought 1 box for P160, one box contains 9 pieces of buko tart. I tried it and I love it because it is not sweet and you can really taste the buko. Now, I prefer buko tart than buko pie because it is smaller. #madalingkainin

Then last Good Friday, I went back to Amira’s Buko Tart to try their famous buko tart that was featured on Kris TV. One box is P170 for 9 pieces of buko tart. I tried it and I liked it too.

Update: October 2019

It's been a long time since we went to Tagaytay. My husband paid a visit last month and he asked me kung ano gusto ko pasalubong. I told him to buy Buko Tart, I did not mention any store and this time he bought at Rowena's. Like the other stores, one box contains 9 pieces of Buko Tart for P230. I noticed the price increase since 3 years ago na rin yung last na bili namin. The buko tart tastes good too.

If you'll ask me which is my favorite, honestly, I can’t tell the difference, they all taste good. Nagkakatalo na lang sa price. Hehehe! You can comment below regarding the updated price.

April 21, 2014

Seattle’s Best: Buy 1 Get 1 on Javakula

We stopped at Caltex SLEX to gas up and we received this coupon of “Buy 1 Get 1 on Javakula”. I’m not a coffee lover but from time to time I drink expensive coffee if it is free or if there is promo just like last Saturday, we took advantage of this coupon.

My husband ordered Javachip Javakula “A deliciously rich classic mocha blended with ice and chocolate chips and smothered with whipped cream” and Mocha Javakula “A deliciously rich classic mocha blended with ice and generously covered with whipped cream.” Between the two I prefer the Mocha Javakula because there’s no chocolate chips. #lesssweet

1. Buy any Javakula with this voucher and get another one (of equal or lesser value for free).

2. The free Javakula must be availed at the same time the purchase is made.

3. The free Javakula is not convertible to cash or discount.

4. This promo is not valid in conjunction with other on-going promos and discounts.

5. This promo is valid in all SBC cafes nationwide.

6. Promo period is April 15, 2014 to May 15, 2014.

A repost from my old blog My Other Nook

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.