Michi Photostory

I was searching for Courtyard by Marriott in Dallas and I was surprised when I saw the long list of the hotel and I asked my husband the name of his hotel and he said Fort Worth and when I searched for it, Google is giving me 10 Courtyard Fort Worth hotels. Waah! There are so many Marriott hotels in Dallas.

Two years ago my husband went to Austin, Texas and stayed at Marriott Residence Inn but this year since he is already working with a new company and he stayed at Courtyard Fort Worth University Drive.

Read: Marriott Residence Inn Austin Lake

It was supposed to be a one-week business trip only in the USA but few weeks before my husband’s trip, his boss advised him to attend one-day training in Dallas, Texas. And because of this, he was not able to attend their company anniversary in Singapore and he was not home during our wedding anniversary.

It was last minute changed so he was not able to get a direct flight from Greensboro, North Carolina to Dallas, Texas.

Greensboro to Charlotte via American Airlines
Charlotte to Dallas/Fort Worth via American Airlines


For their transportation, they just rented a car at the airport “Avis”. Two years ago my husband applied for an International Driving License but this year, he was able to drive in the USA even without the International Driving License. As far as I can remember, as long as English yung details nung driving license mo at naiintindihan nila, okay na yun.

Read: How to Apply for International Driving License  
Glimpse of Austin Texas


Courtyard Fort Worth University Drive is a 3-star hotel under Marriott Hotel. According to my husband, the hotel is beautiful, well-designed and looks new. This hotel is near Fort Worth Zoo, Texas Christian University, Amon G. Carter Stadium, and Will Rogers Memorial Center.



This is the room, although the room is smaller compared to Austin Texas hotel, it is clean and comfortable. The water from the faucet is potable too and you can get a free water bottle at the reception area.







There are only few hotel staff in the hotel but the service is good. You have the option to eat your breakfast at the hotel for additional USD10 or you can eat outside. Fortunately, there are nearby restaurants where you can eat breakfast, lunch or dinner.


The hotel offers a fitness area and an outdoor swimming pool but it was so cold so my husband did not check the swimming pool.


If you want to wash clothes, there is a laundry room too and the machines are coin-operated. You need quarter coins to buy detergent soap, fabric conditioner, dryer sheet and of course to wash and dry your clothes.


The only thing I liked for my husband extended business trip is “Outlet time”. Yey! He has two days two visit Outlet Stores and buys stuff at a discounted price. I will upload a video on my YouTube channel so you will get an idea kung Gaano ba talaga Kamura sa Outlet Store.



Courtyard Fort Worth University Drive by Marriott 
3150 Riverfront Drive,
Fort Worth, Texas 76107 USA

Last year, my husband informed me that he will go to the USA in February and because of that, wala kami wedding anniversary celebration. I don’t understand kung anong meron sa February at lagi na lang sa month na ito pinapupunta si hubby sa USA. It happened two years ago but I was fortunate that he arrived the day before our wedding anniversary. But this year, no celebration talaga, walang pre or post-wedding anniversary celebration.

Moving on, hubby went to North Carolina, USA and there is no direct flight from Manila so he took two plane rides.

Manila to New York (15hrs and 15 mins) via Philippine Airlines
New York to Charlotte (2hrs and 4 mins) via American Airlines


He stayed at Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons also known as Koury Convention Center. The hotel is big and it can accommodate big groups. Actually, their company reserved the whole hotel for their one-week event so most of the time, they just stayed inside the hotel. The hotel is adjacent to a shopping mall, my husband was able to visit the mall since it is just walking distance or you can take the complimentary shuttle.



The hotel has a casual restaurant, 2 cafes and 2 bars. It offers a gym, business center, hot tub, and indoor and outdoor pool. But because of the busy schedule, my husband was not able to visit these facilities.


If you are staying in Sheraton hotels, expect for a good room and comfortable bed. The room offers free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and desks with ergonomic chairs, minifridges, and coffeemakers.


For food, taste is just okay. According to my husband, most of the foods taste bland so you need to add salt and pepper. Overall, my husband was satisfied with the service and hotel rooms.





Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons 
3121 W Gate City Blvd,
Greensboro, NC 27407, USA

Yesterday was the last day of my husband’s Bereavement Leave so we took advantage of it and went to the shopping mall to buy some stuff that we need for our upcoming summer vacation. It was lunchtime but the restaurants were not crowded, maybe because it was a weekday.

My husband suggested Banapple Pies & Cheesecakes. It’s been years since the last time that we ate here. Wala naman nagbago, maliit pa rin table nila at masikip pa rin restaurant. Last year, my husband ate at Banapple and he told me, “Masarap pala lasagna dun”. Natawa na lang ko kasi that was our order before and as far as I remember, yung bread ang nagustuhan niya.


Anyway, we ordered Bacon Fried Chicken Steaks with Milk Mushroom Gravy P275, Lasagna Roll-Ups P280 and Banoffee Pie P135. I was reading my old post, and I noticed na ang laki na ng price increase. Well, price inflation after 6 years. Banoffee Pie from P95 to P135 and Lasagna Roll-ups from P180 to P280.


My son and I shared on Bacon Fried Chicken Steaks with Milk Mushroom Gravy meal. The meal has crisp chicken fillets topped with creamy milk and mushroom gravy and bacon pieces. It has corn too for side dish. I thought bacon pieces na malalaki, bacon bits lang pala kasi halos hindi ko nga napansin. Taste is just okay for me.


I tried the Lasagna Roll-Ups; a herbed cream and parmesan cheese fill al dente lasagna strips, rolled up and smothered in classic tomato meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. The pasta is indeed good and of course, we won’t leave without eating the Banoffee Pie. My son said, he won’t eat that pie but after tasting it nakalimutan na niya na share kami. Hehehe!


Update September 2019

After our passport renewal at DFA NCR South (Metro) we ate at Banapple for our early dinner. We know that they have big serving so my son and I always share food and we were not able to finish our order. For a change, we ordered Hickory Smoked Barbecued Country Ribs at P345, Trio of Sausages Pasta P325, and Banoffee Pie P160. As expected, we finished the pie in few minutes. The ribs and pasta are just okay so we won't order this again.




It’s been more than two years already since the last time we ate at Banapple. It is one of our go-to restaurants if ever we are in Alabang Town Center. But because of the COVID19 restrictions, we cannot just go to the mall whenever we want. We just celebrated my son’s 13th birthday so we had reason to buy a cake so my husband bought 1 whole banoffee pie for PHP1,225.

I went to Healthway Clinic last week for my 2 ultrasound but the staff informed me that I need fasting for the second ultrasound so I have no choice but to go back. I scheduled the ultrasound after four days because I need to attend my lola’s wake and internment. The staff gave me instructions.

1. Light fat-free evening meal the night before examination.
2. Nothing by mouth after midnight (food, drinks or even candy). No smoking. Avoid eating for 8-12 hours before the test.
3. Omit breakfast. If there is one thing that I dislike in laboratory test is fasting, I can’t eat and I can’t drink tapos yung waiting time pa sa clinic, nakakahina.

We were there past 7AM and since I’m not the only patient, I have to wait for my turn. It was almost 9AM when they advised me that I can eat and drink na. I need to go back pag naiihi na daw ako.


It was only 9AM so majority of the restaurants were still closed. We went to Starbucks but choices were very limited so my husband suggested Seattle’s Best. I’m not fond of coffee shops so it was my first time there. My husband ordered Latte P135, Hot Choco P140 and Big Breakfast 2 P250.



Finally, after fasting, it is time to feast. The Big Breakfast plate includes egg, cocktail sausages, bacon strips, pancakes and wheat bread. I enjoyed my hot choco and breakfast plate, the serving is huge so I asked my husband to finish my leftover pancake. Hehehe!

February is always a special month for me because it is my bf/gf anniversary, my blog anniversary, and my wedding anniversary. I was planning for our post-wedding anniversary celebration kasi may long weekend naman but something happened last week. My grandmother passed away so we have to cancel our plan. Good thing that I was still in the planning stage at wala pa ko nabobook.

My lola’s wake was in Malolos, Bulacan and it is too far from where I live so I was looking for an affordable hotel where we could stay. Since Malolos is not a tourist destination, it is hard to look for a hotel or hostel and I’m not even sure if there is an Airbnb. My cousin suggested BarCIE International Center, I have no idea that there is a hotel inside the La Consolacion University. They offer rooms, a function hall, and a restaurant. The place is a Hospitality Management Training Facility so don’t expect that much.


Honestly, I find the rate expensive because this is room only and no free breakfast. We have stayed in affordable hotels and hostels in the past kaya nacocompare ko siya. But we still booked because this is just one tricycle away from St. Peter Chapel. Limited din kasi ang parking sa Chapel so pahirapan din ang pagpark. My cousin is the one who booked for us and she was able to get a 10% discount for the 4 rooms that we booked.


BarCIE International Center Room Rates 

Twin (2 pax) P1850
Triple Occupancy (3 pax) P2400
Quad Occupancy (4 pax) P2800
Suite (2 pax) P2,750
Penthouse (4pax) P5,500
Dorm/Transient P6000/month

Check-in time is 2PM but we went there around 3PM. We just fill out the form and pay the room + P500 for the key deposit. When we entered the room, I was shocked kasi mas luma pa pala siya personal compared sa pictures. It reminds me of our Zoobic Lodge room pero mas okay itong BarCIE kasi hindi naman siya creepy.


The room is outdated and really needs improvement, out of 4 rooms na nireserve namin, isa lang ang maayos. Yung room ng mother ko, my sister and our room puro may sira. Tiis na lang since kailangan namin ng tutulugan and liliguan. In fairness, the aircon is working fine and hindi naman siya mukhang luma. There is water dispenser too where you can refill water.


This is the Twin Room, it has two beds and a bathroom. There is a cabinet, TV, and fridge but we did not use them so I’m not sure if it is working. They provided towels and basic toiletries like shampoo, soap, toothbrush, and toothpaste.





For breakfast, my cousin said may restaurant naman daw doon but we decided to eat na lang sa fastfood. The service is okay naman, luma lang talaga yung room. I’m not sure if all rooms are like that since may nakita naman ko na nag wedding pictorial pa dun.

BarCIE International Center 
La Consolacion University Philippines Main Campus,
Valenzuela St. Capitol View Park
Bulihan, City of Malolos, Bulacan

For the last few days, I was having a hard time sleeping at night. It started when I had nightmares for two consecutive nights and I can’t explain it but it makes me so scared. So since then, I’m sleeping with lights on even though my son was complaining. I just always tell him, he has a choice, he can sleep in his room but he still chose to sleep beside me.

Then yesterday, I was shocked when my sister messaged me that my grandmother passed away already. I have no idea that her 80th birthday would be the last time that I will see her. Although it is hard to accept, we know that we could not make her stay. She was more than just a grandmother to me because she raised me since I was 10 years old.

Yes, I grew up with my grandmother since I was ten years old so we’ve been together for a very long time. Even when I had my own family, we always visit her every month when she still lives in Victoria, Laguna. It was our regular routine from 2008 till 2015 and we always accompany her in the grocery. The time came that she doesn’t want to go to grocery anymore because she was having a hard time walking so she just gave a list and I will buy it for her.

I witnessed how hard for her to move in the kitchen so whenever we visit, I always tell her not to prepare any meals. Even though I miss her food, nakakamiss yung mga ginataan na luto niya, yung pansit pag may occasion and yung ube halaya pag Pasko. I can’t really remember the exact time na nakita ko na nginginig kamay niya, feeling niya pasmado lang. The doctor prescribed her medicine pero lagi niya sinasabi, wala naman nangayayari kahit inumin niya.

September 2015 came, my grandmother was rushed to the nearest hospital and after that, my mom’s siblings decided to transfer my grandmother to my aunt’s place. My grandmother doesn’t want to live with her daughters, mas gusto talaga niya na may sarili siyang place kahit ang layo ng Victoria, Laguna sa amin.

But she has no choice, the caregiver informed my aunt na hindi na rin niya kaya mag-isa mag-alaga and the doctor also advised them na mas okay talaga sa family tumira. And because of that, our regular monthly visits stopped. I just visit my grandmother if my mom was here for vacation, during birthdays and before Christmas.

My grandmother has Parkinson’s Disease so yun pala reason kung bakit from time to time nanginginig kamay niya dati. She was having a hard time to control her hands and then the time came that she can’t stand, sit or walk on her own. It pains me to see my grandmother like that, yung nag-aalaga at nag-aasikaso sa amin dati, suddenly biglang nagkaganoon.

But my grandmother is a fighter, ilang beses din siya nahospital after 2015 incident but she always survived. Parkinson’s Disease has no cure, medicines and therapy may help but you cannot predict how fast or how slow it will get worse. So as the years go by, the disease progress and yesterday, God called her home.

I don't know who is the author of this poem.

To my lola, even though we have our own differences when I was growing up. Even though you are not affectionate nor expressive. I know deep inside you really care. I might not say it but I’m blessed having a grandmother like you. I’m forever grateful to you, for taking care of us, for the sacrifices you’ve done and for all the times that you were there. As you close your eyes in rest, may all your pain be lost forever. You are now in a better place lola. We love you and we will miss you.

If you love adventure and you love bringing your pet in your hiking, camping or any travel adventures, don't forget to bring their own travel essentials. Yes, our four-legged friend has their own needs and these are some must-have items for your adventurous pet.


1. Leash 

A leash is very important when going on an outdoor adventure with your pet. This is because the leash enables you to always be in control so that the pet will not run off and not come back. It is especially necessary with dogs since they are more susceptible to run off in the woods when they spot squirrels or hares. The leash is also helpful if you are going to do some trail running or cycling since you can do those two exercises with your dog. In addition to the leash, it is essential that you get a collar on your pet with the pet's name and your contact information in case you get separated.

2. First aid kit 

When going outdoors with your pet, it is very important to have a first aid kit close since the animals are an adventurous lot and they may get into situations that may cause them bodily harm. The first aid kit should have these items; gauze, antiseptic cleaner, styptic swabs, heavy-duty bandages, tweezers to remove ticks or thorns, antihistamine in case of snake bites, liquid bandage in case of split paw pads and an antibiotic ointment. Other medical items can also be included in the first aid kit depending on the location of the adventure as well as in case of serious injury. Also, remember to carry gloves for you to use while treating the animal. In addition to the first aid box, you can also buy a heat stroke prevention kit in case you are traveling to a really hot location or a warmer in case you are going to a cold region.

3. Sleeping equipment 

When out on an adventure with your pet, it is more likely than not that you will be spending some time out in nature and you will be sleeping in tents or similar outdoor structures. It may be interesting to sleep with your pet in your bed but most often or not it may be uncomfortable sharing that space because you may have been out in the sun for long and both you and the animal may not be clean. Having to sleep in the resulting odor may be difficult therefore it is wise to invest in some sleeping equipment for your pet. Consider buying a small sleeping pad for them to sleep in as well as a blanket. You can also buy a pet-sized Hurtta sleeping bag instead or even a wool, feather or fleece blanket.

4. Utensils

Your pet will need additional equipment when you are out for your adventure. Some of these are utensils like a bowl for serving food in and a water bottle for carrying clean, pathogen-free water. Carrying your own utensils will ensure that the pet will consume clean safe food and water that you serve them rather than any scraps they may scavenge on your trip. Monitoring what they eat and drink will ensure that you can keep them from contracting any food or water-based illnesses. Other things you can carry for your pet include clean towels to dry them off after you clean them or if they happen to wander off and get into water bodies.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Before, Valentine's Day is just an ordinary day to me because I was single and I never thought that this day would become a special day to me. When I was young, I was not looking for love because I want to reserve my heart for the one who deserves it. I’m ready to wait even it will take so long. Coming from a broken family, I don’t want to experience being broken hearted. I know that waiting for the right one is never easy but I rather wait than have regrets later.

When I was still single, one of my favorite songs is “I promise” of Jaci Velasquez so this serves as my reminder to wait.

“So I promise to be true to you
To live my life in purity
As unto you
Waiting for the day
When I hear you say
Here is the one I have created
Just for you

Until then, oh Lord
I will be content
Knowing that true love
Will come someday
It will only come from you”

God makes all things beautiful in His time. I did not look for love but I met my “THE ONE”on an island. We’re schoolmates but we never cross our path inside our University, sa dinadami ng lugar sa Pilipinas sa island pa kami unang nagmeet. It was not "love at first sight" but after 10 months I said yes to my first boyfriend, ex-boyfriend and now husband on Valentine's day.

That was 16 years ago, it is true that “Everything comes to you at the right time. Be patient and trust in the process. Anong Feb-ibig story mo?


“Someday someone is going to look at you with a light in their eyes you’ve never seen. They’ll look at you like you’re everything they’ve been looking for their entire lives. Wait for it”

Last Monday, I’ve read my son’s assignment notebook and he needs to bring chocolates or flowers on Valentine’s Day. We have chocolates in the fridge but that was our pasalubong from the USA so ayaw ko i-giveaway. Hehehe! So yesterday I just went to the nearest convenience store and bought a pack of chocolate. Of course, I bought our favorite local chocolate which is Flat Tops.

There is no note what they are going to do with those chocolates or flowers but since it is Valentine’s Day, I think they are going to give it away just like last Christmas holiday. They sing Christmas carols and give candies. So since I was in the mood to do some craft, I decided to make DIY Valentine’s Gift Bag.

Just in time, Designer Blog sent me FREE Valentine Printables so I immediately downloaded the Valentine Bag Topper. I bought a Blog Template from their site before and from time to time, I received freebies. Anyway, you can do this project in less than 30 minutes.


Printable Valentine’s Bag Toppers
Small clear plastic or ziplock bag
Chocolates or candies
Stapler Scissors

1. Download, print and cut the Valentine Bag Topper.
2. Divide the chocolates and fill the clear plastic bag. I bought the ziplock bag at Daiso Japan.


3. Fold the Valentine Bag Topper


4. Put the bag topper on top of the ziplock and staple it. Don’t forget to write the name at the back of the bag topper.




That’s it! A simple Valentine gift idea that you can give to your kid’s friends, classmates or teachers.