Preparing for Winter

On the way to Lidl for our weekly food shopping, i noticed green bundles on the side of the street. I asked Dirk what are those things. He answered that those are grass collected by a machine and its the cows food for winter.

The farmers here also stored their harvested apples in a cool room for utilization in winter.

Mama Mary's Visit

Mama Mary visited Elena's house for a week and everyday my friends are praying the rosary. I was able to join them last thursday and after the prayers we have our lunch together. Mama Mary's visit to houses is a filipino catholic tradition and usually after the prayers, the host prepare foods to share.

Tagaytay Adventure

While we're exploring the wine festival here in Offenburg, my family back home went to Tagaytay for some adventure. They bring along Jaimee, my youngest grandaughter who was taken cared of by my eldest sister.


Our Bulingling (Jaimeee) is now three month old

The Cheerdance Champions

The Far Eastern University (FEU) Pep Squad bagged the 2009 UAAP Samsung Cheerdance Competition. Let's take a look at their winning breathtaking performance.

A sarimanok-inspired routine highlighted by acrobatic stunts propelled FEU on top of the competition!

A Foggy Tuesday

Dirk was supposed to play golf but it was too foggy. Fog forms when the air-cools to a point at which water vapor in it begins to condense into tiny water droplets. Its really hard to drive on this kind of weather much more playing golf.

Though there's still some fog, i decided to drive to the city to buy some stuff. Every tuesday is market day and most of the stalls are gone. Only the street cleaners are there to do their job. What amazed me here is the government's concern for cleanliness.

Offenburg Energy Day

An Energy Day is an action that is targetted to increase an awareness in the general public and to involve them in a wide range of activities related to the production or use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.

The highlight of the energy day in Offenburg are: Open door days, during which the general public visits organisations to learn more about energy efficient and renewable energy measures on the premises and exhibitions and fairs, where public and private organisations demonstrate and explain their energy technologies to the wider public

There's also live music to entertain the people

Dance as Part of Rehabilitation

Cebu's Internet fame has prompted other Philippine prisons to pay heed. By the end of 2007, eight others correctional institution also adopt this rehabilitation method of dancing. Filipinos like to dance and so are the inmates, it is a way we to show the world that even if they ended up in prison, they are not totally damaged people.

Below are the manila city jail inmates

Below are the Cebu City prisoners

Of course the original CPDRC, the world renowned dancing inmates of cebu with their performance to express their support in the fight against osteoporosis

It's Herbst and Cold

It's a very cold day, the herbst or autumn start and i'm starting to chill. Gone are the nice sunny days and more outdoor activities. Despite the cold weather, Dirk was still able to play golf and he played a birdie.

We were also able to take advantage of the end season sale at Kaufland where we bought some house stuff and christmas gifts.

I also bought our favorite grilled chicken for dinner, that complete my kaufland shopping.

Sunday Detour

Because of the bike race in Fessenbach today, most of the roads around that area were blocked. I want to take picture of the racers but they're soooo fast and when finally i was able to capture one, its so blurred, i'm really not a good photographer. Instead, i just took the picture of some watchers and race assistant along the road.

Along the racing area, i noticed that there are bed mattresses on the road. I'm clueless on what's the use of those mattress in the race.

On the way home, we took the mountain road and the view is really nice, look at the picture below

The vineyard

Simply the Best

Germany's woman's soccer team has cemented its reputation as the "unbeatable squad" by winning the European Championships for the fifth time in a row. Germany dealt England a resounding 6-2 defeat in the final of the Women's European Championships in Helsinki, Finland.

A warm welcome awaits the team upon arrival at Frankfurt

Lunch with Friends

We have a very sumptuous lunch today at Handrack residence. Siony and Madam Jo cooked sinigang na hipon and my share is adobo and leche plan.

We really have a good appetite when we eat together. In between eating, we talked about our life here in germany and family life back home. We seldom see Siony so we always make the most out of it when we're together.

While watching kiddie channel, rainer, siony's two-year old son fall into power nap.

Thai Bamboo Shoot

When i shopped at Thai store this afternoon, Oratay, the owner is very busy arranging Naw Mai. She said it is a bamboo shoot which is the start of a young bamboo plant that, if not harvested, will grow into a tall bamboo plant.

In Thailand, bamboo shoots are available fresh during the rainy season, May through October. Otherwise, they are available in cans and jars. Though i don't eat bamboo shoots, it's fascinating to learn how it turned yellow and a lot of people like it as salads or curry dishes with chicken, meat and beef.

Mama Mary's Birthday

Today, September 8 is the birthday of Mama Mary. It's the feast day for the nativity of our Blessed Virgin Mother. She is the greatest mother on earth to whom i cling on when i am down and she never fails me.

To you Mama Mary, Happy Birthday and thank you very much for all the wonderfull blessings and guidance you have given to me and my family. We love you very much.

Election Watch- Germany

There are lots of mixed opinions from observers of the german economy for its showed signs of the effects of global economic crisis. It also suffer the inevitable shedding of jobs and resort to downsizing to weather the storm. In the coming election, german politicians argue over ways to tackle problems in the labor market, social security and the banking system.

However, Chancellor Merkel said she won't change tack and she will portray a center-right coalition with the pro-business Free Democrats as the safest combination to nurture Germany's recovery from a deep recession. She further states that it is the variant that will bring Germany back out of the crisis fastest, create the most growth and can secure and create the most jobs.

MY NEW WATCH

And speaking of watch, this watch is not related to the above post. It's my new Dolce & Gabbana watch that Dirk gave to me as a gift. I really love it. Thanks a lot schatz, i appreciated very much your generosity.

Mom's Pride

My eldest daughter finished yesterday her basic management training at McDonalds together with other restaurant and assistant managers.

In the course of their studies, she was considered a dean's lister for her exemplary performance during their training course.

The McDonald Philippines have a continuing education and training programs for the management level to improve its services.

Household Shopping

The other day, we started buying household items for our retirement house in the Philippines. Our first stop is at Roller where we bought 2 clothes hanger and other stuff


Nearby is the cash and carry store of Edeka where we bought some toiletries and cleaning detergents


Our next stop is at Obi where we bought some household tools.

We bought 35 meters of curtain material and table cloth at Afelt in Oberkirch

The Gas of Life

Gasoline is the bloodline that keeps the world moving, and tracking gas prices can feel like a roller coaster ride. Price increases generally occur when the world crude-oil market tightens and lowers inventories. And because of the increase in gasoline price, we converted our car to LPG for the same reason as others: LPG is cheaper.

Look at the price of LPG gas compared to the normal gasoline prices. Our full tank is just more than 20 euro, and with the present economic crisis, whatever we save is a big help for our other household expenses.

Dorf Fest with Duck Race

The small village near our place also have a dorf fest last weekend. There's also some food, beer and cake stalls but not as big as the nussbach and nesselried fest.


The highlight of the feast is the annual duck race wherein 1000 yellow plastic ducks
with numbers were thrown into the small river.

On the stage are musicians entertaining the locals.

The weather is nice and the kids enjoyed playing under the bridge