While on the last few days before Mom Violy and Carmina are set to leave the United States just out of curiousty I wanted to know how someone not being in the Philippines can make an appointment at the DFA located in your home town. Carmina went to  Passport appointment  to schedule Mom Violy while filling her application online having her Filipino Passport and birth certificate with me. I was able to schedule her the month of August. The only problem is the payment became an issue not having access to pay through credit card the one used in the Philippines. Since we're consider roaming the OTP couldn't be retrieve since we put our international phone on flight mode to prevent excess charges on our trip. Mom Violy didn't want to use the credit card in the United States there will be a foreign exchange rate charge. I decided to go on off the counter payment and paying it when returning back to the Philippines since it gave me enough time until my deadline was due on July 14 ...

Carmina is about to order her dinner when Joanie had mention she has order some pizza. Carmina decided to order the same thing but at Pizza Hut. Carmina notice Pizza Hut had a promo that free cheese crust was on sale. Carmina asked Mom Violy if she wanted to eat pizza for dinner explaining her cheese crust was free when you purchase a pizza. Mom Violy said yes making Carmina decide what pizza she wanted. Carmina had ordered the Hawaiian Supreme size large which is 12". Carmina had ordered her favorite solo lasagna now is in a different container. Mom Violy is just not use to ordering food through online just a click away. Carmina is doing it at her condo and actually seeing her carry the food coming from the lobby. Her face seem to be unsure how Carmina is able to do it. Life is easy when you want to eat food just order it online through Grab Food. The easiest way no handling cash is doing it through Grab pay the service is faster. Everyone is happy enjoy the food you eat with you...

Mom Violy was craving for her favorite Elar's Lechon this time rather asking Sonny to buy her food. We decided to go inside Fishermall to find it at the Lower Ground where the Food Court is located. Here is Mom Violy in the picture purchasing her lechon good a new batch came out. Mary Ann says they run out after three hours later best to go once they open to get a share of what you want to eat. To find the full price of their menu click here: Elar's Fishermall . There is also lechon sauce provided when you have made your purchase. NOT SPONSORED. Subscribe @ Carmina Lifestyle YouTube Channel  a place to look, discover and share. Thank you for your support!

Carmina's new favorite drink that she was able to find at Uni Mart located in Greenhills Shopping Center. Chin Chin Lychee Juice Drink with Nata de Coco taste better when chilled before consuming it. Each can is sold for PHP 89.00 ($1.59) made from Taiwan. Carmina love eating fresh lychees but since the fruit are not avaible fresh she has an option to drink it in a can. Ingredients: Check it out if you live in the Philippines or outside to see where it can be available for you to try it yourself. NOTE: Carmina is not selling or advertising for Chin Chin Lychee Juice Drink with Nata de Coco made in Taiwan.

Carmina never had a problem with exceeding her data on her postpaid plan. She usually has access using internet at her home being unlimited. After staying with Mom Violy at her home Carmina had received a notification she had exceeded 2 gigabytes after two days without watching any videos online. Carmina thought since she didn't use her data on her phone for two months. Globe cellular data will just be comsumable when you use it. It was strange for Carmina and asked around how can you add data to a postpaid plan. Or how can you escape having unlimited data on your phone without running out. Sonny and Becka had informed Carmina they have purchased a sim card adding data that doesn't expire. Carmina asked what the name was and was told it was "Gogo". I began searching online didn't quite see what they have mentioned to me. The following day Carmina typed data sim card and what popped out was " Gomo". Carmina clicked on it checking if it sounded the samethi...

One week later after your arrival to the Philippines staying at a home that you feel uneasy. Even though your living with any family member each one of them have their own house rules. The life they live in particular once you touch or move something they feel you’ve enter inside their comfort zone. The family member starts to feel uneasy not telling you directly to your face but to make a story out of it to someone else yet at your presence your there to hear it. Carmina and Mom Violy have been traveling together since May 4, 2022. Spending quite a time together and sleeping in same bedroom just like anyone we want our own space. During our stay at my sister’s home while family members were out of town. Carmina had transferred to another bedroom across from Mom Violy. Two weeks later Carmina moved back to the same room where we didn’t clash or hit each other nerves because we had time to ourselves. Even if Carmina was driving Mom Violy to her doctor’s appointment her stories were repe...

Carmina’s observation from able to travel and stay in the United States for two months. There are people who don’t wear a face mask when there are a lot of people in their homes. Not like living in the Philippines we wear a face mask going downstairs. We have families coming over from different homes we are all required to wear a face mask. Families from the outside don’t eat at our homes they prefer to have it take out cooked by Manang V. Shopping: Carmina notice even if there are sign on the doors no face mask no entry. I sometimes see people shop with no face mask they may have it inside their pocket and only wear it upon entering the store. Sometimes it is not only customers fault I’ve seen employees who are also not wearing one when it is required in some area. Not like in the Philippines we are required to wear one at all times and stores check our temperature through our palm of the hands or forehead. Restaurant: Customers prefer outdoor dining or restaurants that has doors wide...

Every time Carmina would travel to her hometown in California she prefer having some instant coffee to drink for her breakfast. Carmina decided to try something new for a change where she had made her purchase at the Uni Mart in Greenhills Shopping Mall. Our first breakfast in my sister's home Mom Violy and Carmina had a cup of Gold Choice White Coffee Durian flavor. At first Mom Violy was complaining about the smell of durian once she sipped her coffee she liked it a lot. Too bad Carmina only brought one pack only having 15 sticks inside.  Carmina also liked the taste and couldn't wait to return back to the Philippines and purchase some more. Gold Choice White Coffee Durian Flavor sells for PHP 236.25 ($4.22) made in Malaysia. Mom Violy and Carmina can reunite with our favorite durian coffee. 😋 NOTE: Carmina is not selling or advertising for Gold Choice White Coffee Durian Flavor made in Malaysia.

People we're notified to get a Real ID before year of 2023 since Mom Violy had no plans to visit next year. Carmina made sure that Mom Violy will get her's. The requirement is to make an online appointment by filling up Start Application  Real ID for California . Tip: Make sure you're enrolled under the DMV of California by giving your full information with email address. Those who decide to WALK IN must line up outside of DMV office in the line which falls for your bracket. Upon entering wear a face mask and have two idenification with you giving address listed down on your California driver's license. A paper will be handed to you by the employer with your full name and where to go to wait until someone calls your number. If you don't have an application there will be portals to use a computer to fill up same form that you see online. Only difference you won't able to print your application you'll be writing down your confirmation number in a piece of pape...

After being locked down in the Philippines for three years watching family and friends going out freely during the pandemic. Make you wonder when you’ll be able to do the same. On May 4, 2022 Mom Violy and Carmina had arrived in San Francisco on a flight coming from Manila, Philippines. We saw our family members pick us up at the airport, reunited with relatives over the weekend. Mom Violy had scheduled all her medical appointments one month ahead. Carmina drove Mom Violy to her doctor’s appointment on a one hour commute. The days of Mom Violy’s doctor appointment Carmina had schedule meet up with our friends living in the area of Fremont, Hayward and San Leandro making it easy for everyone. We did our shopping on items that was listed down to bring back to the Philippines.  Mom Violy had best friends who wasn’t interested in seeing in person just call or text Carmina on her temporary phone loan by her Uncle Ando. Many friends of Mom Violy prefer to just keep in touch with Carmina....

Over the weekend when the homes are full of guest you've decided to check yourself in at The Hilton Garden Inn giving you places to walk and shop around. A place you're most familiar  The Hilton Garden Inn  is located at 510 Lewelling Blvd., San Leandro, California off the 880 freeway.  The tip from a family member is always order Today's Special when ordering your meals by looking at the billboard posted on the wall. Breakfast is free served from 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM on the weekends. Food is served at The Garden where you pick which table you would like to sit down, and a waiter will approach you at the counter asking you for your name and room number. The person will hand you a form to fill up for me I was supposed to get the Continental Breakfast however I had asked if I can get the Special Pancake with Strawberry and Cream Topping. Mom Violy request for scramble egg, sausage and potatoes for her breakfast. Every morning Mom Violy and Carmina explored trying different ty...

People living in the United States always have a iHealth Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test home kit laying around in their home. They use iHealth purchased online having supplies ready just in case they are not feeling well. It doesn't necessary mean they are exposed to covid-19. They just want to make aware no one in their family will not be expose to them especially those with medical condition or elderly living with you. Carmina has learned not to be afraid of the word "covid-19" you won't necessary die from it if you're fully vaccinated from it. Where can you order iHealth Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test home kit? You can order it online at  ihealthlabs  having it delivered to your location. Family and friends I know use the same product and it is fully accurate. In each box includes two pieces that has instructions how to use it and it is very easy. Sample: Positive Sample: Negative NOTE: Carmina is not selling or advertising for iHealth Test Kits used at home.

Most parties are held at a restaurant, hotel and so on yet having to experience it is a cruise is one in a million. Something we often don't get invited too. Charina had informed Mom Violy and Carmina months ago before we had just booked our trip for the United States that her son will be graduating the celebration will be in a cruise for the evening. Those who have money can conquered this type of experience in their daily life although those who are like me it is something you can say "wow".   It is a shocking and exciting feeling when it has approached to where Carmina's friend said to take a video and pictures to capture it on your own. Becky had informed Carmina to drink some alcohol to remove the cold feeling while floating in the water during a cruise having dinner to make you relax a bit. Carmina is not used to drinking and won't want to jump ship being tipsy. Some of Carmina's friend said just enjoy the scenery making sure there is no accidents. You b...