Michi Photostory

While we’re eating at Melissa restaurant, my aunt asked what is our plan for the approaching holiday. Apparently, May 1 is also Labor Day in Norway, I thought sa Pilipinas lang ang holiday. If the weather is nice, my mom planned to visit Åfjord or Mussels Picking.  

We experienced mussels picking during our first visit in Norway but according to my mom, hindi na siya season but we still tried our luck so we went to Bruholmen to check if there is mussels or crabs. Unfortunately, we did not see anything. 

Fast forward to May 1, it was sunny so my mom decided to pursue our trip to Åfjord. It is more or less one-hour scenic drive from Ørland, whenever we’re on the road we always check if we can see moose, venison or sheep. We’re lucky to see these animals even from afar. 





On our way to Åfjord, my mom pointed this mountain at the right side of the road. They have a painting of this mountain where you can see a side view face. Thanks to my mom's camera lens, nazoom ng bonnga. Hindi kita face sa camera ko. hehehe!



After one hour, we reached our destination. Ito na pala yung falls na sinasabi ng mom ko. I was expecting a different kind of waterfalls, yung nakita ko sa Pilipinas. Hehehe! We just parked the car and slowly go down to the platform. Part of the stairs was damaged maybe because of the heavy snow during the winter. 

Read: Amazing Waterfalls in the Philippines 



Nevertheless, the Støvelfossen view is still nice. We’re glad to see another beautiful nature in Norway. My stepdad mentioned that during summer, you can see a lot of salmons in the area and they are jumping into the waterfalls. Åfjord is known for salmon fishing but we did not see any salmon during our visit. 

Watch the video here. 




After several minutes, we went back to the city center to look for a place where we could eat. It was a holiday so establishments were closed. We saw a picnic table near the Åfjord church so we ate our snacks first before we went home.

I’ve been seeing the word Decathlon in different social media but I did not mind it because I’m not into sports so feeling ko, marathon or fun run ito, magkarhyme e. hehehe! But last Thursday, my friend asked me if I’ve been to Decathlon in Festival Mall.

I said “No, hindi naman ko mahilig sa sports so baka wala ko mabili”. She said, try mo ang dami mura and she mentioned the stuff that they bought in Decathlon. She said that the store is big but according to her brother, x3 daw nun ang Decathlon sa Singapore.

Out of curiosity, I searched for it. According to Wikipedia, Decathlon is one of the largest sporting goods retailers which founded by Michel Leclercq in Lille, France. It started its first store in 1976 and now there are more than 1100 stores around the world. So far there is only one store in the Phillippines and it is located in Festival Mall, Alabang, Muntinlupa. Wow, ang tagal na pala and wala ko kamalay-malay.


Last Sunday, on our way to Alabang, I informed my husband about Decathlon so before we went to the grocery, we paid a visit to the store. And we were surprised na ang laki nga niya and the price is really affordable.




I even saw a friend there and sabi ko talaga, “napadpad ka dito sa South”. He said “dumadayo talaga kami dito sa Decathlon”. Well, if you are really into sports, you will appreciate Decathlon because your money can go along way. You can buy a shirt for as low as P199.


Kinain ko yung sinabi ko na baka wala ko mabili, because we went home with these stuff. Now I know, where to buy affordable sports clothes and accessories. I’m so glad na malapit ang first store sa amin. There are 8 cashiers pero ang haba pa rin ng pila so expect long lines.


If you want to become a member, just register and it is FREE. You can also get a one-time reusable bag for free or buy it for P50. I don't know yet, what are the benefits of being a member. Have you been to Decathlon?

Update April 9, 2018

My aunt was looking for shirts (big sizes) and I recommend Decathlon baka may makita siya na malaking size. So after my mom bought pants at Landmark, off we went to the store. At the counter, out of the blue, my mom asked me kung nasan na daw yung bitbit niya. What! I remembered na umupo siya in one of the benches in Decathlon store. So I guess, nung tumayo siya naiwan niya yung shopping bag.

We checked the whole store and one staff also helped us in checking each aisle then she referred us to one of the staff. The guy went to their office to check their LOST AND FOUND, but unfortunately, no one returned the shopping bag. I asked for CCTV footage so we can see who took the shopping bag but the guy replied na hindi naman daw nakafocus dun yung CCTV. Lesson learned, be alert. Nafood coma yata nanay ko after magbuffet sa All4U at bigla nakalimutan na may bitbit siya. Goodbye pants!

Decathlon Alabang 
2F, Bridgeway Exit, Festival Mall
Alabang, Muntinlupa, City
Store Hours: 10AM–10PM

I’ve been meaning to replace my son’s cabinet but I’m choosing between built-in cabinet or ready-made one. My son’s cabinet is more than 8 years old and I bought it when he was still a baby. It is already old, sira na rin yung ibang part so it really needs a replacement.

A few weeks ago, I told my husband that I will just buy a clothes rack so he can disassemble the old cabinet. We went to the department store and I was surprised when I saw the price of the clothes rack. It ranges from P2000 - P4000. Eight years ago, my son’s cabinet was only P2900 so ngayon, pang clothes rack na lang pala ang presyo. (yes, nakadikit pa price sa cabinet) hehehe! I did not buy the rack kasi namamahalan ako.


Last Friday, I was browsing my newsfeeds then I saw an IKEA Mulig clothes rack for P1200 only. I decided to buy this clothes rack because it is cheaper compared sa nakita ko sa department store. Then all of a sudden, I checked the price of that clothes rack in IKEA and I was surprised na wala pa P300 yung rack na yun.

So I immediately searched if there is IKEA in Kuala Lumpur and I was so happy when I learned that there is IKEA Cheras. I browsed their online catalog and screenshot all the pictures that I want to buy and sent it to my husband. I asked him if he can drop by in IKEA before he went to the airport the following day.

After few hours, my husband messaged me that he is on its way to IKEA. Yey! Ang dali kausap, good thing that he read my message before going back to the hotel. He bought 1 Rigga clothes rack, 2 Skubb Storage with Compartment and 1 Skubb Organizer.


Rigga RM59
Skubb Storage with 6 compartments RM39.90
2 Skubb Box with compartments RM59.80 (RM29.90)
Total RM158.70 

Last Sunday, my husband disassembled the old cabinet and assembled the closet rack. Then I put all the Skubb organizer and box. The Skubb boxes are from IKEA Alexandra, 3 pcs in one pack kaso two boxes lang kasya. The Maximum load of the closet rack is 35kg which is just enough for my son’s clothes.

Skubb Box (3pcs) SGD19.60


At first, my son doesn’t like the idea of the open closet, gusto daw niya may door. I told him that he will have a closed cabinet in the future but for now, he will have an open closet because I’m still saving for the built-in cabinet. I know that there are disadvantages of open closet, una na diyan is dust. But I prefer this than using the old cabinet because I was able to maximize the space. It has more shelves and compartment so mas marami ko nailagay na clothes niya compared sa old cabinet.


After I finished his open closet, he liked it na. Yey! If I will compute everything, I only spent more or less P2500 which is a big saving compared to the P2-4k price of one clothes rack. If ever magawa na yung built-in cabinet,  I can also reuse the Skubb storage and the Rigga clothes rack, pwedeng sampayan. :)

Read: Decluttering Our Home 

IKEA Cheras
No.2A, Jalan Cochrane Taman Maluri
55100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Update: February 2018

As promised, I will have a built-in cabinet in my son's room. Finally, natapos na rin. It took them six days to build this floor to ceiling cabinet. And I was able to use the IKEA storage boxes that I bought before, pinasukat ko talaga para kasya lahat.

I took this after they built it, so hindi ko pa napunasan. hehehe!

Whenever my husband goes to Malaysia, I can’t help myself but worry because he always ride Malaysian Airlines. I can’t forget the news about the missing Malaysian Airlines flight 370 and the Malaysian Airlines flight 17 that was shot down a few years ago so nakakaparanoid talaga.

We were glad when Philippine Airlines announced that they already have flight from Manila to Kuala Lumpur so he chose this flight on his recent business trip. And because of that, he was able to stay in Plaza Premium Lounge in Kuala Lumpur International Airport.


Who has Access to Plaza Premium Lounge? 

You may relax in Plaza Premium Lounges if you are Mabuhay Miles Elite, Premier Elite and Million Miler. If you are not a member but you have a Business Class ticket you can access the lounge for FREE.

Domestic Lounges
International Lounges



The lounge is big and it offers comfortable seats, hot meals, hot and cold beverages, wifi, TV and even shower facilities. Like other airport lounges, the view is the airport runway. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Read: Mabuhay Lounge at NAIA 2





Read: 5 Ways to Get into Airport Lounges

Update January 2018: Cebu City Marriott Hotel is closed now and it is under renovation. Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corporation contract with Marriott came to an end last December 31, 2017. After the renovation, the hotel will be named Seda. 

We had a 3 days staycation at Cebu City Marriott Hotel last year but we only booked a “room only” package to save money. We were not able to try their restaurant or even their buffet breakfast. Good thing that the hotel is walking distance to Ayala Mall so we ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the mall.
Last week, my husband went to Cebu for a business trip and he stayed in Marriott Cebu Hotel too. I already blog about our experience here so let me just share their breakfast buffet at Marriott Garden Cafe. 

Read: Staycation at Cebu City Marriott Hotel



The location of the restaurant is nice because you have a garden and swimming pool view. According to him, the buffet spread is good because there are so many choices. There are different stations that you can visit like omelet station, curry station, cereals, and oats station, cold cuts and cheese station, and more. 





They even serve homemade dimsum and homemade bread. Of course, a buffet breakfast in Cebu is not complete without eating the famous chorizo longganisa, danggit and native delicacies. In addition, the service is good too. I can attest to that because when we were there last year, maasikaso talaga sila. 



Checking all the photos, they have more servings compared to my husband's experience in Marriott Residence Inn in Austin, Texas. Anyway, because of that trip, we had danggit and Cebu’s Lechon again. 

Scene after school

Ethan: Mommy, what did you cook?
Me: I did not cook.
Ethan: E, what is our ulam?
Me: Lechon
Ethan: Lechon? Where did you buy?
Me: It's daddy's pasalubong from Cebu.
Ethan: Huh! I did not see him.

Well, my husband went home from Cebu but my son was already sleeping and when he woke his daddy was already at the airport for another business trip. #thestruggleisreal. At least naramdaman niya ang pasalubong. hehehe!

Read: Pasalubong from Cebu



Cebu City Marriott Buffet Breakfast Rate

Buffet Breakfast P850 
Continental Breakfast P650 
Full American Breakfast P850 
Grab and Go Breakfast P200 
Hot Breakfast P850

Pregnancy boosts your appetite and because of this, you feel hungry all the time. Even you just ate your meal, you are craving for more food. It is a challenge to limit your calorie intake and it is a struggle to maintain a healthy diet.

Moms-to-be need to consider the baby inside the womb so they should eat foods that are packed with nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. But let’s admit that we also crave for something sweet or salty like chocolates and chips. Fret not, Unilab is now offering a healthy snack for moms-to-be.


Crave Healthy is the first snack product in the Philippines that is specifically designed for the pregnant woman by doctors and nutritionists. It’s nutritious because it contains essential nutrients – Folic Acid, Iron, and Calcium that are critical for both the mom and her growing baby. It also has reduced salt and just the right amount of calories that give the pregnant woman that extra energy she needs daily.

It’s delicious because it tastes just like her regular snack. Crave Healthy is currently available in Sweet Corn flavor and does not have any aftertaste of nutrient fortifications. It helps support the nutritional needs of pregnant women and their developing fetus. A healthy way to satisfy hunger and food cravings of pregnant women!

Crave Healthy Price

A pack of Crave is worth Php 25.00 at 30 grams each. It’s available online at www.cravehealthysnacks.com, select Med Express branches, and select Robinsons Supermarket outlets.

Women like men have a very active lifestyle, whether you are single, working mom or full-time mom. Most of the time we are so busy with our activities, routines or events in our life that we tend to forget to check our health. 

We all know that it is very important to have a balanced diet. According to study, women need to eat foods that provide energy, iron, folic acid, and calcium. Speaking of calcium, women need to drink milk in order to keep the bones strong and prevent osteoporosis. 



No Other Milk Understands you Better

Unilab offers Athena for women who are always on the go, seek to strike a balance between work and personal time to be able to enjoy life to the fullest. it will help you to stay fit and attractive, look good and feel good whenever you can. 

The first time I’ve learned about this product was five years ago. I got a coupon from my BDJ planner and of course, I did not waste my time and I immediately claimed my FREE gift pack. It comes in two flavors, which is milk and choco.

Athena Milk is specially formulated to meet your special nutritional needs. 

High Calcium - essential for optimum bone health. It is also a source of Vitamins D and K, Magnesium and Phosphorus - nutrients to help maintain strong bones. 

Low in Fat - so you can enjoy this beverage without the risk of high caloric intake. 

Source of Anti-Oxidants such as Vitamins A & E and Zinc to help maintain healthy skin and promote optimum immune function. 

Athena is available online at www.athena.com.ph and in store at Mercury Drugstore, Watsons, and Southstar. 

Athena Milk Price
Milk P130 - 180 grams P273 - 400 grams 
Choco P130 - 180 grams

When I was planning for our Summer in Norway trip, I really wanted to do the “Norway in Nutshell” tour in Bergen, Flam or Oslo. It is the famous tour if you want to see and experience Norway in very limited time. You have the chance to ride the train to see different scenery and boat to appreciate the beauty of Sognefjord or Hardanger Fjord. 

But Oslo, Flam and Bergen is very far, we need to take boat and plane from my mom’s place just to start the tour. The package tour is not cheap too so I just told myself, maybe next time when we have enough savings for that. 


Little did I know that Norway has so many fjords. According to Wikipedia, Norway has 1,190 fjords. Aside from Norway, you can also see fjords in Alaska, Iceland, New Zealand, Greenland and other countries. 

What is Fjord? 

A fjord or fiord is a deep, narrow, and long body of water with steep land on three sides, it is U-shaped inlet surrounded by mountains. It was formed by glacial erosion. 

Even though we did not experience Norway in a Nutshell tour, our trip to Norway is still worth it because we saw other fjords too like Trondheim Fjord and Bjugn Fjord. If you’ve been following my Norway series, you noticed that we frequent Bjugn because this is near Ørland. It is more or less 30 minutes drive so my mom allots time to tour us after her work. So far we have visited Vallersund Farm, Angel of Peace and Lake in Teksdal. 

Read: Vallersund Farm
Hiking at Angel of Peace
Teksdalsvatnet

Anyway, we went out for a walk in Bjugn. I noticed that there is no sign from the parking lot so I asked my mom kung paano niya nalaman yung pupuntahan namin. She said, she learned this place from her colleagues. Who would ever think that there is a hidden gem in that narrow road.

Watch the video here 



While walking you will notice some artwork in the trees and there are also benches where you can rest if you are already tired. My son always sits on the bench, pagod lang peg lagi. 



After several minutes, I was surprised to see the view. Wow! Just wow. There are waiting shed and picnic table where we ate our snacks. Yes, we always have baon. Hehehe! 




The fjord is really stunning, though my picture does not give justice because it is against the light and pagabi na rin. But I’m happy to see this beauty.

Two months ago my husband mentioned to me that they would be having a family day in Enchanted Kingdom so he asked me if I was interested. I just said yes because wala pa naman kami lakad sa July. There was no definite date for the event, sabi lang July so sa tagal, we already forgot about it. 


One week before the event, my husband received an email about Family Day and he was asking me kung nakapagregister daw ba siya dun. “Ako pa talaga ang tinanung” hehehe! Good thing my husband did not forget to register us. 


Few days before the event we received our passes. I was surprised when I saw the envelope, we have Park Plus Agila Ride Ticket, 2 Skills Game Passes, and P300 worth of Wizard Money (per person). I was expecting a Park Only ticket pero may pocket money pa. And because my husband was very quick in replying to the email, we got one of the 20 Free Car Passes too. Yey! For free parking.

Enchanted Kingdom Rates 

Park Only P700 
Park Plus Agila Ride P900 

To save money, buy your ticket at KLOOK. 
Read: How I Purchased my Tickets at Klook

Klook.com

Since high school, I’ve been to Enchanted Kingdom for the nth time already so when I had my own family, I make sure to visit this theme park with my son. It’s been years since the last time we visited EK so my son was a little bit excited when I told him that we will go back to the Enchanted Kingdom. #EKcited siya.

Read: Enchanted Kingdom 2011
Enchanted Kingdom 2013 

Fast forward to Family Day, we were there as early as 9:40AM because there was Magicalympics at 10AM. It was funny because prior to our trip, my husband said, “he would not ride Jungle Log Jam” but their first task is “Ride Jungle Log Jam”. hehehe! They needed to finish 5 Tasks and fortunately, their team won (1st Runner Up) so we had extra P200 Wizard Money. 


We ate lunch before starting our tour in Enchanted Kingdom. It was scorching hot but we had no choice but to explore because my son was itching to ride different rides. Watch the video here. 

Since there were no long lines at the Swan Lake, we went here first. It was not a good decision because my legs were aching kakapedal. Nakakapagod na ride ito pero lagi naman kami pumipila. Hehehe! 


We went back to Bump N’ Splash. We went here when my husband was busy doing their task at Anchor’s Away but the staff told me that we needed to wait for other people. I said, “Dalawa na kami” but she insisted na maghintay pa daw. 

So my son and I went back to Anchor’s Away. I don’t understand why we need to wait for other people pa, it is just a waste of time. I remember our trip to Legoland Malaysia, when we fell in line, the staff didn’t wait anymore and we rode different rides na kami lang ang sakay (as in kami lang). Ganun din naman, nagbasaan kaming dalawa ng anak ko. Kakadisappoint talaga.  

Anyway, I brought a raincoat so my son won’t get wet in Bump N’ Splash and Rio Grande Rapids. During the past visits, basang sisiw kami. We also rode Boulderville Express, trip lang. 

Since we’ve been to EK several times already, we decided to try the paid activities using our Wizard Money. So for the very first time, we went to 7D Interactive Motion Theater “Werewolves”. Entrance Fee is P100 per person.