Tuesday, March 31, 2009

NATO Summit Meeting

The North Atlantic Treat Organization (NATO) summit meetings of head of state and government is being jointly hosted by Germany and France. It will be held on April 3 & 4 in baden-baden and kehl, germany and strasbourg, france. Because of its limited duration, the meeting will concentrate on a restricted number of issues which will have a profound and durable impact on NATO.

Photo:DPA
The venue of the summit is very close to our place (20 min drive) thats why as early as last week, there are aerial and police control especially in Kehl, the border between the two countries. German police have also temporarily reintroduced border controls to travellers and they were advised to carry their passports till april 5. The checks aim to stop the travel of those who could be dangerous to the meeting in France and Germany.

It is also expected the arrival of thousands of demonstrators at this weeks NATO summit to be attended by heads of state including the american newly-elected president, President Barrack Obama. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and France President Sarkozy will jointly host the summit.

NATO Summit Meeting

The North Atlantic Treat Organization (NATO) summit meetings of head of state and government is being jointly hosted by Germany and France. It will be held on April 3 & 4 in baden-baden and kehl, germany and strasbourg, france. Because of its limited duration, the meeting will concentrate on a restricted number of issues which will have a profound and durable impact on NATO.

Photo:DPA
The venue of the summit is very close to our place (20 min drive) thats why as early as last week, there are aerial and police control especially in Kehl, the border between the two countries. German police have also temporarily reintroduced border controls to travellers and they were advised to carry their passports till april 5. The checks aim to stop the travel of those who could be dangerous to the meeting in France and Germany.

It is also expected the arrival of thousands of demonstrators at this weeks NATO summit to be attended by heads of state including the american newly-elected president, President Barrack Obama. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and France President Sarkozy will jointly host the summit.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Ready for Easter

Germany is ready for easter. Some people like to buy quality easter decorations and other who have a crafting skills like to make their own. What would easter be without colored easter eggs and easter icons such as bunnies, sheeps, ducks and flowers?

Department stores are also now decorated with cholocate bunnies and easter eggs. And with all these preparations, still the very important thing is the true meaning of easter in our life, the time for reflection and seek forgiveness for all our sins.

Ready for Easter

Germany is ready for easter. Some people like to buy quality easter decorations and other who have a crafting skills like to make their own. What would easter be without colored easter eggs and easter icons such as bunnies, sheeps, ducks and flowers?

Department stores are also now decorated with cholocate bunnies and easter eggs. And with all these preparations, still the very important thing is the true meaning of easter in our life, the time for reflection and seek forgiveness for all our sins.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Mixed-Race Babies

Interracial families with mixed race babies are amazing because it shows love knows no boundaries. It shows everyone that anybody can love one another, regardless of skin color, race and religion. Below is the picture of Lea, my filipina friend and another Lea (we called her matti) from west africa. I think its twice as fun to have twice as many heritages, customs and holidays to celebrate in life. Its really nice looking at the two babies, david and elissa, whose moms have different culture but share the same name.

Mixed-Race Babies

Interracial families with mixed race babies are amazing because it shows love knows no boundaries. It shows everyone that anybody can love one another, regardless of skin color, race and religion. Below is the picture of Lea, my filipina friend and another Lea (we called her matti) from west africa. I think its twice as fun to have twice as many heritages, customs and holidays to celebrate in life. Its really nice looking at the two babies, david and elissa, whose moms have different culture but share the same name.

Friday, March 27, 2009

The City's Stone and Metal Figures

Rain or shine, these sculpted stone and metal figures are part of offenburg's architectural design. Carving stone into sculpture is an activity older than the civilization itself. They were usually human forms and only in the later cultures that they devised animal and abstract form in stone.
The metal sculpture also create one of a kind amazing artworks. The artists works depicts of his own personal creative exploration and put an artistic touch in the city's main streets.

The City's Stone and Metal Figures

Rain or shine, these sculpted stone and metal figures are part of offenburg's architectural design. Carving stone into sculpture is an activity older than the civilization itself. They were usually human forms and only in the later cultures that they devised animal and abstract form in stone.
The metal sculpture also create one of a kind amazing artworks. The artists works depicts of his own personal creative exploration and put an artistic touch in the city's main streets.

LP 51- Sapatos

Ito ang aking unang lahok sa temang SAPATOS para Litratong Pinoy.
Dancing Shoes- Pangsayaw na sapatos

Naobserbahan nyo ba ang diperensya, sadyang malaki di ba? Sapagkat ang sapatos na panlalaki na pag aari ni dirk ay size 46 or size 13 samantalang yung sa akin ay size 37. Parang east meets west ang drama naming dalawa. Yan ang ginagamit naming pansayaw na sapatos kung kami ay umaattend ng mga parties dito sa Germany.
Have you notice the difference, its big right? Its because dirk's shoe size is 46 and mine is 37. As if its east meets west when it comes to size. That is our dancing shoes when we're attending parties here in Germany.

LP 51- Sapatos

Ito ang aking unang lahok sa temang SAPATOS para Litratong Pinoy.
Dancing Shoes- Pangsayaw na sapatos

Naobserbahan nyo ba ang diperensya, sadyang malaki di ba? Sapagkat ang sapatos na panlalaki na pag aari ni dirk ay size 46 or size 13 samantalang yung sa akin ay size 37. Parang east meets west ang drama naming dalawa. Yan ang ginagamit naming pansayaw na sapatos kung kami ay umaattend ng mga parties dito sa Germany.
Have you notice the difference, its big right? Its because dirk's shoe size is 46 and mine is 37. As if its east meets west when it comes to size. That is our dancing shoes when we're attending parties here in Germany.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Simple Living

The Philippines as a third world country is trying hard to improve its current state. There are millions of overseas workers around the world, and we only have one thing in mind, to help the family and to improve our living conditions. We need to sacrifice in exchange for their future. We work for our family, though remote, we still try to have a close family ties, as filipinos known for.
While Germany is among the most prominent and successful countries in the world, somehow with their success, the family togetherness suffer. They have a developed country wherein the standard of living is high. For us filipinos, we lead a simple life, especially those in the provinces with family and nature around.

Simple Living

The Philippines as a third world country is trying hard to improve its current state. There are millions of overseas workers around the world, and we only have one thing in mind, to help the family and to improve our living conditions. We need to sacrifice in exchange for their future. We work for our family, though remote, we still try to have a close family ties, as filipinos known for.
While Germany is among the most prominent and successful countries in the world, somehow with their success, the family togetherness suffer. They have a developed country wherein the standard of living is high. For us filipinos, we lead a simple life, especially those in the provinces with family and nature around.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

The Rain Clouds

Yesterday when we're driving back home after we pick up my treadmill, a rain clouds appear from a distance. It is common in schwarzwald or black forest which can lead to rainfall. Soon, when we reached the area a droplets of rain dropped in our car.
Our place is known as the black forest area. It is a wooded mountain range in baden-württemberg, which is south of germany. It is one of the popular tourist destination and it also the heart of germany's timber and woodworking industry that generates much of the region's economy beyond tourism.

The Rain Clouds

Yesterday when we're driving back home after we pick up my treadmill, a rain clouds appear from a distance. It is common in schwarzwald or black forest which can lead to rainfall. Soon, when we reached the area a droplets of rain dropped in our car.
Our place is known as the black forest area. It is a wooded mountain range in baden-württemberg, which is south of germany. It is one of the popular tourist destination and it also the heart of germany's timber and woodworking industry that generates much of the region's economy beyond tourism.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

The Changing German Cuisine and Habits

German cuisine today is now different compared to the old days. You will sometime finds international recipe book in a traditional german families kitchen. This is probably the effect of globalization, migration and the cheaper flights to other countries offered by different airline companies.
Nowadays, the market for convenience food products also continue to grow. The widespread reluctance to spend too much in cooking has increased the demand for time-saving food products. The eating habits somehow changed through the decade because of the demanding jobs and careers, childless household and the increasing food prices.
But that's life, we need to go with the times especially with the present global economic crisis. It's still a matter of choice, whether you want to sacrifice quality over convenience.

The Changing German Cuisine and Habits

German cuisine today is now different compared to the old days. You will sometime finds international recipe book in a traditional german families kitchen. This is probably the effect of globalization, migration and the cheaper flights to other countries offered by different airline companies.
Nowadays, the market for convenience food products also continue to grow. The widespread reluctance to spend too much in cooking has increased the demand for time-saving food products. The eating habits somehow changed through the decade because of the demanding jobs and careers, childless household and the increasing food prices.
But that's life, we need to go with the times especially with the present global economic crisis. It's still a matter of choice, whether you want to sacrifice quality over convenience.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Tiangge, German Style

Here in our place, tuesday and saturday is street market day. People from all walks of life go to the city's street market to shop for foods, decors, vegetables, flowers, fish and other house needs.


A lot of german people prefer to shop in the street market because fish and vegetables are fresh, breads are freshly baked and most of the products being sold there came from their own backyard.
Its also a bonding day for families because after shopping they can have coffee or lunch at the nearby coffee shops and restaurants.

Tiangge, German Style

Here in our place, tuesday and saturday is street market day. People from all walks of life go to the city's street market to shop for foods, decors, vegetables, flowers, fish and other house needs.


A lot of german people prefer to shop in the street market because fish and vegetables are fresh, breads are freshly baked and most of the products being sold there came from their own backyard.
Its also a bonding day for families because after shopping they can have coffee or lunch at the nearby coffee shops and restaurants.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Fessenbach Fountain

I am working in one of the hotels here in offenburg. In front of the hotel is a nice spot where a man is just like having shower in a lying position but the water is coming from his mouth. During summer, it is a favorite background view for wedding photos. In winter its full of ice so he became an iceman fountain. ´


From the hotel windows, i always notice that some cars stopped on this figure to take a picture. It is maintained properly by the city government by cleaning its surrounding and trimming the grass.

Fessenbach Fountain

I am working in one of the hotels here in offenburg. In front of the hotel is a nice spot where a man is just like having shower in a lying position but the water is coming from his mouth. During summer, it is a favorite background view for wedding photos. In winter its full of ice so he became an iceman fountain. ´


From the hotel windows, i always notice that some cars stopped on this figure to take a picture. It is maintained properly by the city government by cleaning its surrounding and trimming the grass.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Spring in Germany

Today is the beginning of spring in germany. But its still very cold that it reached minus 6 degrees this morning. Birds and flowers are a sure sign that spring is on its way. Here in germany, there is a designated time for cutting the trees. People are now allowed to cut the branches of the trees because there's still no leaves. This is to avoid killing the baby birds on the nest once leaves already grow on a tree.

Tulips also bloom best when planted in the autumn months typically october. They should be planted in the fall or early winter to bloom in spring because they require a long period of cool temperatures to spark the biochemical process that causes them to flower.