Michi Photostory

I can definitely say that this is the most stressful Christmas season for me because we tried to squeeze our “to do list” in our limited schedule, hubby was on leave last Thursday and Friday, but it didn’t happen again because he needs to go to Cainta just to check something (baka siya daw masisi pag nawalan ng telepono ang Ortigas extension). 

Thursday

Staff cannot follow his instructions over the phone so we have no choice but to go there. (so pumasok din kami sa work). Good thing that we only stayed for almost two hours, kakainip kaya maghintay.
From Cainta, we went to MOA to get my Skin Food free sample then we had our early dinner at Gotti’s.

another favorite from Red Ribbon

A restaurant in Pennsylvania, USA, has recently banned children below 6 years of age from entering their doors. The reason? Younger kids are often difficult to control and end up disturbing other customers’ dining experiences.

Whether you agree with the action or not, you have to admit that as a parent, there have been times when you were unable to stop your child from misbehaving in restaurants. As you know, it can be quite embarrassing. Some parents might not even be aware that their kids' actions affect others.

Well, because it’s Christmas and people are making their own Christmas wish list, I also listed down my wish list on my blog. I started blogging just this year, to be specific February 2011. Actually, I’ve been meaning to have my own blog since 2008 so I registered my first blog using Wordpress, but my first post is also my last post. I was having a hard time exploring and using Wordpress so I stopped. And now, I can’t even remember my user id and password.




Checked:  Finally, I bought my own domain last Tuesday. Tee-hee! For the past few months, I keep on asking, searching and reading information about buying own domain but I’m still scared to try even I’ve seen some promos, I did not grab it. Sayang! Anyway, I have my own domain na, dotcom (sosyal! sana may pang renew ako noh. hehe!). The only disadvantage is my stats are back to zero.  

It’s pretty obvious that I’m a meat eater so diet is not really my thing, though I know that it is not good for our health but I cannot give up on meat yet, not now. =) Steak is one of my favorite food and in fact my comfort food but this was the first time that I cook my steak in an oven. I usually grill my steak because I find it easy but after I’ve tried baking it, I’m now a convert. I can prepare two dishes at the same time so less hassle for me.

I’m trying to practice minimalist living in my life because I love the idea of “living with less but only with the best”. But I’m not on the extreme side, I consider myself as simple to moderate minimalists. I talked to a friend before and he said that he only has three shirts, one pants and so forth. I asked him why? He said he donated all his clothes because he wants to live simple. I love this idea but I know that I cannot live in less than 10 pieces of clothes because I love variations.

I’m not sure if my “Milenyo” experience is the start of my minimalist living but it helped me in downsizing our stuff. When I was still young I love to collect stuff including my first airline ticket, entrance fee tickets of my travel, membership cards or any cute stuff that has sentimental value which will serve as souvenirs but after our bungalow apartment submerged into chest deep flood everything change.

We lost almost everything and I bid goodbye to all cards, love letters, magazines, books and stuff that I have collected. That’s when I realized that I can live without it. So when we move out to our own house, we did not have a hard time moving our stuff, everything fits in one truck van. Living in a new home helped me more in simplifying my life.


Minimalist living doesn’t happen overnight, it takes time to embrace the true meaning of it and I’m still in the process. But I want to share five benefits of minimalist living from everyday minimalist.

1. Less stress 

I love the first benefit because stress is not really good for my health. I have a skin condition called psoriasis and stress is not good for psoriasis patient because it triggers our flare-up.

How to achieve less stress? 

The answer is living a simple life by cutting back your commitments and downsizing your stuff. Do not say yes to all invitations, parties, and events if you think that is not really necessary. Christmas is a very busy month and I’m sure you have a lot of parties, occasions, and events that you need to attend but do not stress yourself, learn to prioritize.

Minimize your stuff so you have less to take care of. As everyday minimalist say “The less you have and do, the more you will FREE”

2. Less impact on the environment 

Minimalist living is like practicing green living because in some way you are helping the environment. Minimalists tend to buy less and useless. Before, I used to buy stuff if I find it cute or if it is on sale but now I think before I buy. I always ask myself “Do I really need this?”

3. Less money is spent 

Less money is spent because you will buy less and save your money. Saved money can be used for future needs or future wants like travel. Minimalist doesn’t mean you are cheap but it means buying quality items so you can use them for long period of time. Quality items are not always expensive; there are quality items that are affordable.

Do not buy new stuff just because it is “in” or everyone has it and you feel less if you don’t have the latest gadgets, bags and so forth.

4. Less cleaning to do 

Being a minimalist is a great help especially for a full-time mom like me who has no helper and nanny. Imagine the stress if I have more stuff and furniture that I have to clean, polish and maintain every day.

5. Less time wasted 

If we learn to simplify, prioritize and organize less time is wasted. We have more time to focus on things that are more valuable and significant. December is a busy month for me because this is the month when I weed out our closets, I put away our paper bills, I delete some files, email and phone numbers that I will no longer need and let go unnecessary stuff.

How about you, are you a minimalist or not?

Last Wednesday we went to SM to have our second oral prophylaxis but the dental clinic does not accept HMO card during holiday and weekends. I was shocked because last April we had our oral prophylaxis at the same clinic and it was Saturday. Well, what can I do if they have changed their policy.



Knowing my son who always wants to scribble and doodle, he immediately asks for a pen so he can scribble and doodle on the paper mat. Good thing that I always have a pen wherever I go but next time I will write it in their comments and suggestions paper to offer crayons for kids. Other restaurants like Burgoo, Pancake House, and Pizza Hut give crayons or simple game so you have something to do while waiting for your order.

And because my son loves mojo’s and dip, I tried to make potato chips at home but he only ate 1-2 pieces so I finished everything. hehe! I am looking for mojo’s recipe, please share it to me.

Exactly 25 days before Christmas we put up our Christmas tree, it is the same tree and decorations that we’ve used last year. I know it’s a little bit late but I really decorate our home few weeks before Christmas because my son always removes the decors and no gifts under the tree until Christmas Eve because my son will open the gifts when I’m not around.