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Travel is one thing that makes me happy, it is something that I always look forward to whether a domestic or international trip. Even though the preparation and planning stage is somewhat stressful, I don’t mind at all because I know vacation time is approaching.

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Looking back at my past travels, I’m aware that not all were smooth and there were some mishaps along the way but those experiences taught me a lot. Always remember that there are important things that we need to consider when we are traveling and I’m sharing with you my own list. 

1. Documents 

Make sure that you bring all the documents that you need such as ticket, ID, hotel confirmation and passport. See to it that you have a photocopy of your passport, ID’s or credit card. I always have a hard copy or soft copy so just in case something happen. 

I had an experience when my son was 3 years old and the airline staff was asking for his ID or birth certificate to prove that I’m the mother but I don’t have any. That was not our first domestic trip but that was the first time that I was asked for my son’s ID. Good thing they allow us to board but after that incident I always bring a photocopy of his birth certificate. 


2. Money

Money is very significant when traveling so it is very important that you have the right amount with you to pay for airport fees, transportation, food, and accommodation. I always go to the bank or FOREX to buy foreign currency and if it is not available I buy few US dollars. Remember we’re not allowed to bring more than P10,000 outside the Philippines. 

Aside from cash, I always bring my atm and credit card, just in case I run out of money. In addition, you need to check if your ATM is internationally activated. If you have BPI atm card, you need to call to confirm if your card is good for international use. BDO is fine, I was able to use it when I was in Hongkong. Regarding credit card, luckily we’re able to use BPI and HSBC card.

3. Gadgets 

I’m pretty sure that you always bring a laptop, iPad, camera, and cellphones whenever you travel so don’t forget to bring the charger and universal adapter because not all sockets are the same.

4. Phone 

If you are a postpaid subscriber, make sure that you can use the phone abroad. It happened to me again when we went to Hongkong and Macau, my phone was useless because I can’t use it while my husband was able to use his phone, by the way, we have the same network.

I felt so discriminated, “Is it because I only have Plan 299?” Again, I was advised to activate my international roaming before traveling.

5. Weather

Sometimes due to our excitement, we forget to check the weather. I experienced this when we went to Hongkong and Macau. I have no idea that there will be rainshower so we ended up buying raincoats and additional clothes to keep us warm. 

6. Itinerary

Don’t forget your itinerary and maps so you won’t be lost. You can check advisor traveling news to give you an idea and advice on your destination. 

Feel free to add if you think I’m missing something on my list.

I mentioned in one of my posts that I enrolled my son in swimming lessons last April and when we finished the 10 + 2 (free) sessions I did not enroll him again kasi naaawa na ko sa kulay niya at baka hindi na bumalik. Hehehe!

Then last Friday night, I received a text that there will be a graduation on May 25, Saturday at 8AM and bring money for the T-shirt. Kaloka, super late notification and I asked if it is still swimming attire or not. I did not receive a reply but the following morning I received another text that we should bring potluck. Hello! You will inform me at 7:30AM, I have no time to prepare for food and I don’t know if there’s a bakeshop or store that is already open at that time so I did not bother to bring anything.

So off we went to the venue and I was surprised that every student is wearing a swimsuit and rashguard, good thing that I brought his swimming stuff but I forgot to bring his slippers.


Anyway, there’s a friendly swimming competition according to age and my son was in 3rd place (5 kids) which is not bad kasi may age 5 siya na kalaban. I was not expecting from him because he’s not really good at using the kickboard. What is more important to me is he finished the race and he’s indeed happy.

I don’t want to post the video at baka mairita kayo sa boses ko na super cheer ng “Go Ethan” and “Kick your legs”. Like I said, it is a friendly competition so everybody is a winner. Each student receives a medal and certificate for completing the swimming class. #proudparents Since I did not bring any potluck, we just went to McDonalds to celebrate. I’m not the only one who did not bring food so di naman nakakahiya.

I enjoy planning for future trips. I have a long list of “dream destination” so searching and planning will never stop. I’m not a full-pledged traveler but I will share with you how I plan our travel trips.


1. Destination 

Since I already have a bucket list I’ll just check my list and choose which destination we want to go, domestic or international. 

 2. Date 

It is important to know the date of our vacation so it would be easy for me to book just in case there is seat sale. Most of the time I choose those special dates like birthday and anniversary so we have reason to spend. 

3. Days of Vacation 

Overnight? 3days? or 1 week? This will help you in planning your itinerary. You have to list the “must visit places”, “must try food” and possible places that you can visit just in case you have spare time.

4. Budget 

We always have a budget whenever we travel to avoid overspending. The budget is not that strict because sometimes we splurge too. Of course, we want to enjoy our travel.

5. Accommodation 

Hostel or hotels? Sometimes choosing for accommodation is not easy because there are several choices but take your time to read reviews, blogs, and forums. Consider the location and budget.

6. Plan your itinerary 

Planning an itinerary is very personal because it depends on your preference and lifestyle. Some prefer luxury trip and some prefer traveling on a shoestring. Whatever you prefer it is best to search and read, you can check tripandtravelblog to help you in planning a trip. Hope this helps.

Click here to know how to plan an itinerary

I’m a full time mom without nanny or helper so time is very precious to me. Preparing meals for my family is my everyday role and to make my life easier I always have weekly menu. My menu is not that strict. I just write menu for the whole week without specific day. If I’m busy I will cook the easiest meal listed on my weekly menu just like yesterday. I cooked Oven-Baked Salmon.

Yesterday, my husband picked us up after his office and we went to the hospital for another lab test but the medical staff did not allow me because according to her, morning pee is needed for urine culture. My UTI is not yet clear and it seems that the antibiotic that I took last week did not respond to me so urine culture is needed. We just went to SM Sta Rosa to have our dinner.

We’re looking for a restaurant and we saw Razon’s. We tried Razon’s for a change because according to my husband masarap ang pork binagoongan and kaldereta nila but too bad, it is not available in Sta Rosa branch. So he ordered Sizzling Sisig meal P158, Dinuguan P98 and Ensaymada P45. Extra rice is P25.

If you notice most of the time we have bread or dessert because that’s the order of my son. He’s not fond of eating rice meal so we just allow him if we’re outside to avoid tantrums but if we’re at home he has no choice but to eat rice meal.
Anyway, we liked the food and my husband even ordered additional rice. He suggested that I should try Razon’s Halo-Halo because it is good but I told him I tried it before when we went to Hot Air Balloon Festival and I didn’t like it. He said, “kiosk lang kasi yun kaya di masarap, dito pino yung ice nila”. So I ordered Halo-Halo P96 and I agree that this Halo-Halo is really good.  Now, I love Razon’s Halo-Halo. =)
We’ve been eating at Razon’s of Guagua at SM Sta Rosa since 2013 because we love their halo-halo. Last Sunday, we were in Paseo de Sta Rosa and decided to eat lunch here. My usual order here is Dinuguan with Puto P160 but since it was lunchtime I added Plain Rice P28. My husband ordered Lutong Toyo with Ebun (egg) P130 and my son ordered Tocilog P160. 





As I mentioned, I always order dinuguan and I don’t know why their dinuguan is so bland that time. My husband’s food is just ok, he even said, mas type pa niya luto ko. In fairness, when we tried the tocino it was good. 



Since we’re not satisfied with our meal, we just ordered our favorite Halo-Halo P105. I was glad that the taste is still the same. I love the very fine crushed ice and flavorful ingredients.

Razon's of Guagua Mall of Asia
October 29, 2019

We went to the 4th World Travel Expo last weekend. We visited different booths and we can’t decide kung saan kami magbabakasyon and kung anong package ang kukunin so we decided to eat lunch first. There are food stalls at the World Travel Expo but the options are limited so we went to Mall of Asia. It was time for lunch so halos puno lahat ng restaurant.


I don’t want to eat heavy meals so I suggested Razon’s of Guagua so I can eat their Halo-halo. So we ordered Sisig Meal PHP199, Tocilog PHP168 and Halo halo PHP120. I just noticed na sa dami ng meals ng Razon’s, ito lagi ang order nami. Hehehe! The only thing na nagbago is yung presyo. As usual, nakalimutan ko kunan ng picture ng sisig meal at kinain agad ni hubby.

Last week, I was checking my husband’s phone and I read a message from my MIL (mother-in-law). Yes, from time to time I do check my husband’s phone not to spy but to delete my messages and other messages because he has this habit of not deleting messages for months.

Klook.com


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Yesterday, I was browsing my Facebook and I’ve learned that there was Sanuk Summer Hangover in Solenad so I immediately told my husband about it. Since last year I was convincing my husband to buy Sanuk Sandals but the price is not that cheap so of course the answer is always no.

Finally, I was able to convince him yesterday so off we went to Solenad even it was raining. I registered to join the raffle.

Dads, Saisaki and Kamayan is one of our choices if we have a get-together or reunion because we need a place where we could share stories while eating. #kwentuhanatkainan We are all aware that it is an “eat all you can” restaurant and they really have a wide array of food choices but most of the time we chose Kamayan only because it is cheaper.

Lechon, Steak, Lamb Chop and Turkey

My first plate. Obvious na carnivore. Lechon, steak, lengua estofado, roast porkloin and paella.

Grilled Salmon. I tried sea urchin too, not my type.

Flu vaccine is one vaccine that we need every year to protect us against influenza virus. It is highly recommended to everyone from 6 months old up to elderly people. People with weak immune systems and has chronic illness should get flu vaccine too.

Read: What is Flu?

I mentioned in my other post that I spent Mother’s Day waiting for my OB-Gyne and to kill time we went to Kiddy’s Art Town. Actually, we always see this kiosk but never dare to try this activity because we’re always in a hurry to finish our errands which is grocery and bills payment.

Exactly five years ago when I’ve learned the gender of my baby, I was only four months pregnant when my doctor told me that we will have a baby boy. From that moment I started buying baby stuff listed on my “Newborn Checklist” such as baby clothes, bibs, towels, socks, mittens and many more.

Mother’s Day is not something that we really celebrate, most of the time we will just eat out depending on our time and budget. Last year, I was blessed because we celebrated Mother’s Day in Taal Vista Hotel but last weekend I spent my day waiting for my OB-Gyne. I have to see my OB because for the third time UTI attacks again.

Last Friday, I cooked Grilled Liempo for our dinner and my husband went home holding a plastic bag with lechon. He asked me if we I wanted to eat the lechon or grilled liempo. Ahh, hello tinatanung pa ba yun!?! Of course I chose Cebu’s lechon. Thanks Mel of Mel’s Hidden Passions for the pasalubong. =)

Deep in the heart of British Columbia is the magical city of Vancouver, one of the most spectacular places to visit in Canada. Not only does it embrace children with the countless recreational parks and activities throughout the city, but the fantastic museums and monument landscapes are an excellent backdrop for tourists too. Let’s take a look at some of the best attractions to keep kids amused this summer in Vancouver.

Just like that, we already finished the first month of summer vacation and few weeks from now the school year will start again. Last Thursday was Ethan’s last day in swimming lesson and first day of summer class so we’re still in busy mode.