Michi Photostory

I can bake cupcakes and cakes by following the recipes that I’ve found on different websites but when it comes to bread (with yeast), I don’t have a successful experience. So whenever I see the yeast in the list of ingredients, I will no longer try it. 



Four years ago, I tried to make a 30 Minute Roll but it was not successful, I don’t know what’s wrong with the recipe or maybe I don’t have the skill to roll a dough. I always buy yeast so I can make bread but I’m just wasting money kasi nag-expire na lang yeast ko hindi pa ulit ko nagtry magbake ng bread or pizza dough. Trauma?

Read: 30 Minute Roll

Since then, I’ve been contemplating in enrolling myself in baking class but I was hesitant to pay the fee. Nagkukuripot lang but one of my goals this year is to learn something new so last March, I decided to enroll in Bake Your Own Bread Class of Feed Studio Kitchen Studio. 

But it did not happen because my son has Saturday class on that date so I patiently waited for the next schedule. So when I received their email, I immediately told my husband about it. I was happy that my husband has no business trip so I can attend a class. 

I just inquired through email and I was advised to pay 50% downpayment and email the copy of deposit slip. The fee is P1600, inclusive of all the ingredients and recipe so all you have to do is attend the class from 9AM to 3PM. 



Last July 9, rain or shine off we went to Feed 5000 Kitchen Studio. I was there 30 minutes before class, early bird lang ang peg. It was our first time kasi so I make sure may allowance ako if ever maligaw kami. Hehehe!



The class started at past 9AM, we waited for other students pa kasi. Chef Len Santos-Ding taught us how to make ensaimada, cheeseroll, cinnamon roll, easy French baguettes and Italian breadsticks!



I enjoyed the baking class because we were only four students, I don’t know if that is always the scenario. But I think 6-8 students pwede sa isang class if I will consider the space. 



It was my first time attending a baking class and I was happy with my experience because of the student participation, hands-on experience and you can ask questions during lessons. Chef Len is very approachable and kind to answer all our questions. 



Making bread is not easy because you need to mix, knead and roll. We’ve been doing those activities during our lessons. Unfortunately, I don’t have pictures of myself in action. I took a video of my partner while waiting for my turn to roll the dough. 

Most of the time, I always think na meron naman niyan sa You Tube or you can read it in books but after attending the class, I realized that there are really things that you will not learn by just watching videos or reading books. It is also nice to attend classes because you will learn more and may slow motion on how to do the things the right way. Sharing the quote that I’ve learned in From Depressed to Determined ebook.

Spending at home during weekends can be a bit boring for an only child so I need to have a lot of interesting activities for my son to entertain him. He can use Ipad during weekends but of course battery won’t last. Hehehe! 



I’ve been seeing a lot of posts about beads last year but I’m not sure if my son is patient enough to put it one by one so I did not bother to buy one. But we got Beados at home, one of the toys that he got from Bellevue Kids Grand Launch loot bag. 

Read: Bellevue Kids Grand Launch



The pack includes spray, plastic tray, beads and guide. My son just followed the pattern and sprayed water. We let it rest overnight and it seems magic because once it is dry, everything was connected already without using glue. Amazing beads!

There are so many restaurants nowadays and I still have a long list of places to visit for food trip but we cannot deny that there are times you just want to revisit your go-to restaurants.

For Filipino restaurants, we like Max’s. We dined here two weeks ago, my husband just came back from Brunei that time and namiss niyang kumain. Hehehe! Brunei was very strict in following Ramadan so even tourists or visitors need to follow, so bawal din mag-eat and drink or else you will pay penalty. Pwede siguro but not in public and if you can find restaurants that will serve food. 



Anyway, we ordered Kare-Kare, Lumpiang Shanghai, Rice, Leche Flan and Mango Cream Dessert. It was our first time to try Mango Cream Dessert, it is like eating mango float with different texture. My husband liked it but I still prefer the Leche Flan na habang tumatagal, lumiliit ang serving size. lol

Update October 2019

Two weeks ago, my husband and I went to SM to do some errands. I need to buy some school supplies and I used the PHP50 discount coupon from Donate a Book Drive that I got a few months ago. After doing our errands, it was time for lunch so we ate at Max’s because we have PHP500 Max’s Gift Certificate. It was part of the freebies when we bought our gas range last July.


Tipid Tips: Keep and don’t forget to use your free coupons or gift certificate. This is a big help lalo na pag wala ka na budget pero nagugutom ka.

It’s been a while since the last time we ate here so we were checking the menu to see if there is something new. And voila, aside from the usual combo meals, they are now offering rice bowls. Parang hindi ko ito napansin last February. Anyway, we ordered Platter Meal, Max’s Spicy Tofu Rice Bowl and Dessert Sampler.




Platter Meal - A quarter of a fried chicken, rice, pancit canton, caramel bar and drinks.
Max’s Spicy Tofu Rice Bowl - Deep fried tofu cubes tossed in spicy cream sauce.
Dessert Sampler - buko pandan, ube creme decadence, leche flan and cream cheese brownie a la mode.

For the longest time, I’ve been using a separate notebook to record the debit and credit of my Current Account because the pages in the checkbook is very limited. I only use it if I need to issue a check but of course there are bills to pay every month so I really need more pages.



So when I saw this Cashbook in Daiso Japan, I immediately bought it. There are more choices of this but there is no English version so hindi ko alam kung ano yung nakasulat sa column. Hehehe!


Read: The Daiso


The cashbook is very simple, it is like having a passbook where you put the income, expense and balance. I only bought two pieces for 108 yen each and I hope by the time na maubos ito, e available na siya sa Daiso here in the Philippines.

With Stickers

If you’re planning a trip to California’s coastal area Big Sur, you’re definitely in for a treat when it comes to things to see and do. With stunningly breathtaking views of the ocean from the dramatically high cliffs, a number of state parks where you can explore wildlife and natural beauty, forests and rivers which make for wonderful walks and picnics and a whole range of places to stay whether you’re looking for a luxury hotel room or a glamping site, this area has it made for those looking for a relaxing, nature-oriented and peaceful break away. Of course, it’s always good to know where’s nice to eat when you’re traveling, which is why we’ve put together some of the best dining places in Big Sur. 



Sierra Mar 

Whether you’re planning to spend the week in Big Sur or are taking a day trip to the area, Sierra Mar is a restaurant which simply cannot be missed. An experience of dining ‘on the edge of the world’ is rare to find, but this beautiful, unique restaurant which is located at the Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, delivers it perfectly. Serving spectacular dishes that you won’t forget for a long time, you’re also met with stunning views out of the floor to ceiling windows that look out onto the Pacific Ocean. If dinner at Sierra Mar isn’t in your budget, they also serve a range of drinks and cocktails at the bar. 

Nepenthe 

Serving lunch every day of the year from 11:30AM through till 4:30PM, Nepenthe is the perfect choice of eatery to get light bites for lunch as you enjoy the amazing surrounding views. A family business which has been passed down through generations, Nepenthe boasts excellent hospitality, a relaxed environment, and of course fantastic food and drinks. Once you’ve finished your lunch, don’t forget to pay a visit to the on-site Phoenix shop, where you can find souvenirs in the form of Nepenthe logo items or unique, lovingly hand-crafted jewelry and personal care items which make great gifts for both yourself and others! 

Big Sur Bakery 

The Big Sur Bakery is located in a picturesque spot and serves a range of dishes throughout the day to cater to all of your needs. The perfect choice for breakfast to start the day on a great note, the Bakery has outdoor seating where you can take in the sounds, sights and smells of the morning whilst eating your first meal of the day. Later on in the day, you can return to the bakery for lunch, with a selection of pizzas and other savory foods to choose from. This converted ranch house is a perfect choice of dining place no matter the time of day, with a range of home-cooked, wholesome meals to choose from for your evening meal. There’s also a bar which serves wines and a selection of other drinks. 

When it comes to dining in Big Sur, you’re definitely spoilt for choice. Whether you’re looking for a breathtaking view of the ocean with your food or a relaxing outdoor experience, this area has it all to offer.

No classes last Wednesday because of Eid’l Ftr so we have no homework. Even it was a holiday, my son cannot use the Ipad because we have rules in the house “No Ipad from Monday to Friday” so even it is holiday, sembreak or summer vacation, he is not allowed to use it.

And because of this rule, I have to make sure that my son has something to do at home so he will not complain, “I have nothing to do”or “I’m bored”.



Last Wednesday, he finally uses the Clay Tools and Clay Sheet that I bought in Japan last summer. I was glad I found the clay sheet so no more sticky floors. My son can roll his clay or play dough on this clay sheet. The clay tools are easy to store because the rolling pin serves as a tool case.

Read: The Daiso



If you want to know how to make your own play dough or if you want to print play dough mats, check my post below. 

DIY: Homemade Play Dough
Play Dough Mats  
Fun with Clay or Play Dough 

If Disneyland is my son’s happy place, IKEA is my happy place. When I was a kid, whenever I visit my aunt’s house, I always checked her IKEA magazine collection. I enjoy browsing IKEA magazine and dreaming that I will have my own house someday. 

Since then, I’ve been meaning to visit IKEA and I even included that in my itinerary when we went to Singapore two years ago. But unfortunately, after getting off the train, I can’t find the shuttle bus going to IKEA Tampines. I don’t want to take a taxi because taxi in SG is expensive so we just went back to hotel ng sawi. 


So I was really surprised when I saw IKEA on our way to Showa Kinen Park, a part of me wants to cancel our trip in the park and just spend our time in IKEA. Hahaha! But I have to fulfill my promise to my son so we went to the park first and rode a pedal boat. 

Read: Showa Kinen Park  


After our trip to the park, even my feet and legs were aching, I will not miss the opportunity of visiting the store. So while my husband and son were relaxing on the couch, I explore IKEA. I wanted to buy a lot like a cabinet, bookshelves and storage bins but I know na mahihirapan ko iuwi yun at baka may tax pa pagdating ng Pinas.





How I wish we have IKEA here in the country, I’ve been checking one local store here in the Philippines that has IKEA products but of course, mahal na siya and medyo malayo din sa amin so I’m just browsing their products online. I will visit if my budget permits. 





 Anyway, I still bought few stuff na maisisingit ko sa luggage. The Kalas spoon and fork, bowl, plates, and glasses are 199 yen per pack lang. The Istad 299 yen (storage bag), Graddsas Cream Sauce is 245 yen, Choklad Ljus (milk chocolate 97 yen and with nuts is 130 yen). The chocolate is yummy, sayang I only bought few pieces. Do the math and you will know that it is affordable.


I’m not prepared so I don’t have an eco-bag with me and nakabili na ko when I realized na di pala uso dun ang plastic, bring your own bag pala ang peg. So I just wrapped my stuff in the paper and pilit namin pinagkasya sa bag namin. Hahaha! Lesson learned, always bring eco-bag. 


After shopping, hmmm, parang ang daming pinamili. Hehehe! I was excited to eat Swedish meatball for dinner so I was really disappointed when I saw that there is no Swedish meatball. Waah! Anyway, we still ate snacks because their meal is very affordable. 


For the last few days, I’ve been buying ice cream cone/cup for 300 yen and I can’t believe na 50 yen lang sa IKEA. The hotdog with unlimited drinks 150 yen lang, Oh my goodness, ilipat nga ito sa Tama Center. Hehehe! Take note, you have to order in their food vending machine, get your food, drinks and condiments and clean before you leave.

IKEA Tachikawa 
6, Midori-cho, 
Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-0014 

7 minutes walk from Takamatsu station for Tama monorail.
Estimated time to Takamatsu station 
25 min from Tama center station 
15 min from Takahatafudo station 
7 min from Tamagawajyosui

As promised to my son, we will ride a boat at Showa Kinen Park so after our trip to Takahata Fudoson Temple we went straight to the park. We went back to the train station, ate a quick lunch, and rode the train to Tachikawa-Kita Station.

Read: Takahata Fudoson Temple

Directions: Ride the train in Tama Monorail for Kamikitadai and get off at Tachikawa-Kita Station (260 yen adult and 130 yen child). Fifth station from Takahatafudo Station. It is still a long walk from the train station, and your landmarks is Isetan, Takashimaya, and Akari Cafe. You can see a map near Akari Cafe and we just followed it. 

On our way to the park, my husband called me and he said he was on his way back to the hotel, tapos na training niya. He doesn’t have the key so I said, sunod na lang siya sa min sa park and I gave him the directions.


It took him almost two hours just to get to Akira Cafe, sobrang inip na yung anak ko because he really wanted to ride the boat. He was suggesting na sa park na namin i-meet daddy niya but I said no because the park is huge so mas mahirap magkita. 


From Akira Cafe, we walked to the park. We passed the Akebono Entrance where Green Cultural Zone is located. Green Cultural Zone is a free area so if you don’t want to spend money, you can just stay in this zone for free and it is open as early as 8:30AM. 


We proceeded to Tachikawa Gate, where we bought ice cream at Tachikawa Gate Shop at 300 yen. My husband bought tickets at the ticket vending machine and when we entered the park, they gave us a guide map (English version). 


We only have 2 hours and the park is really huge. For two hours, I think we only explored 1/3 of the park. You can rent a bike or ride a train so you won’t get tired easily. I wish I knew how to ride a bike, hehehe! Sayang, we were not able to ride the train. 



I like the park, it is really a nice place to relax and unwind. The place is clean and well-maintained. There are vending machines and restaurants if you want to eat and drink. 


Finally, we reached the Boat House. Again, we purchased the ticket at the ticket vending machine. The ride is good for 30 minutes only so you are responsible for going back to the dock. When you dock, the staff will check your ticket where the return time was printed.



I was convincing my son to choose the rowing boat and not the pedal boat but he wanted the pedal boat. It’s been a long day for us and our feet were really tired and aching already. Kung pwede lang magreklamo ng paa ko. My husband was wearing leather shoes pa. Waah! In the name of love, sige push natin ang pagpepedal. 

Waterfowl Lake

This is the Waterfowl Lake, parang Burnham Park lang in Baguio City. There are more attractions inside the park but due to limited time, we need to end our trip. If ever we will go back again to Japan, I will include this again in our itinerary. It is a good place to bond with your friends and family. Pwedeng magpicnic. 


The next stop is IKEA.  

Park Opening Hours 

3/1-10/31(*1) 9:30 17:00 
11/1-2/end 9:30 16:30 

*The park is closed on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day (Dec.31,Jan.1) and the fourth Monday/the following day of February. 

NOTE: Opening and closing hours may be altered due to public events.etc., so please confirm with the Park Administration Center. 
(*1)4/1~9/30 (Saturday·Sunday·Public Holiday) 9:30~18:00 

Park Entrance Fee 

                                     General    Groups 

Adult (over 15 years old)   410 yen      290 yen 
Child(6 to 14)                   80 yen       50 yen 
over 65                           210 yen     210 yen   

NOTE: Children under 6 years of age are free. 
A group is considered as 20 or more people over 6 years of age. 

Park Train 


Adult 310 yen 
Children 150 yen (4 years old to JH) 
All-day passes are available for children ages 4 and higher at 510 yen. 

Bicycle and Unicycle Rental Fees (3 hours) 
Adult 410 yen 
Children 260 yen (under JH) 

Showa Kinen Park 
3173, Midori-cho, 
Tachikawa-shi, Tokyo 
Tel. 042 524 1516

Pasalubong is a Filipino tradition wherein we buy something from our destination so we have something to give to our family and friends. It is very common to balikbayans, OFW, or even travelers. 

My husband is not an OFW but he is always out of the country twice or thrice a month because of work and because of this, may pasalubong kami lagi. Lol Though I don’t really demand pasalubong at magastos ito. Mamumulubi kami because 2-3 times na gastos ito.

But there are times I asked something especially if I’m interested in trying delicacies or food from that country or place like lechon in Cebu, Kaya Spread in Singapore, and Royce in Brunei or Japan. Most of the time my husband will buy chocolates especially if there is a sale. 

Sharing with you some pasalubong that we’ve got during the last business trips.

Pasalubong from Singapore 

When he went to Singapore, I asked him to buy Kaya Spread so I can make Kaya Toast. I tried it before when someone gave me a bottle of this coconut jam and I liked it. He bought some at the Changi Airport and unfortunately I didn’t like it, it is not sweet and parang walang lasa. 


I just can’t remember the brand that I’ve tried before na ok ang lasa. Let me know if you know the best brand of Kaya Spread. Sayang, this is expensive pa naman, parang P1k+ itong Kaya Spread.


So I told him, don’t buy pasalubong na from Singapore kasi ang mahal, even the chocolates are expensive mas mura pa sa Pinas. 

Pasalubong from Thailand 


The famous pasalubong in Thailand is tamarind so he bought a few packs only since we will be going to Japan in a few days na rin. 

Pasalubong from Indonesia 

Every time he goes to Indonesia, I don’t ask anything because I don’t know what is the best pasalubong from Indonesia. So I was surprised when he bought this Monica original layer cake 55,000 rupiah. 


In Indonesia “lapis” means layer and this is a traditional snack which can also be found in Netherland because of colonial links. The taste is just okay.

Pasalubong from Brunei

He just came back from Brunei, initially I asked for Royce chocolate but before he left, I told him wag na lang para tipid but still, he brought something home kasi may tira pa daw siya Brunei dollar, hehehe! 

Read: Royce Chocolate 
           Royce Nama Chocolate



In fairness, we liked the Munchy’s Oat Krunch cookie and Loacker “Rose of the Dolomites”chocolate. Ubos agad. Hehehe! The Munchy’s are made in Johor Malaysia and of course, Loacker is an Italian company.