Sign of the Times

While browsing along the city, i came accross some beggars in the street. Though Germany is a rich and developed country, there are still some people that are poor. Compared to our country, the poor here are really not that poor for they got some kind of government support.

Its sign of the times that poverty is on the rise. The badly affected are families with either lower incomes and reduced subsidies or suffering from long term unemployment. While more and more people are being affected by the global economic crisis, there's also an increasing number of rich here who are getting richer and can afford to spend on luxus things.

The Yearly Street Market

Its already spring but its too cold. But the cold weather didnt dampen our spirit to go the jahrmarkt or yearly street market. People from all walks of life and even the residents of the neighboring town dropped by at our place to shop, dine and enjoy.

The kids enjoyed it very much because of the rides and games.

There are lot of stalls selling foods, sweets, bags, accessories, clothes, tools and even big underwear below, but sorry its not for sale, its mine (joke)


Dirk with his big german sausage sandwich

Multi Culti Night

Yesterday, we visited a family friend lea and rainer with their newborn son. David is now two and half months old and he took both the parents physical features. The Englisch family is very thrilled with their firstborn and david is very lucky to have an adorable parents.

Later charlie and his wife from west africa came with their 5 weeks old baby girl. The baby's complexion is brown and her face is more of her father's features.


We cooked together, sharing mommyhood tips and somehow understand each other when it comes to parenting issues though we came from different culture. The two are first time mothers so i am the one who give them motherly advices.

Below is the result of our combined effort of cooking glasnudeln or pansit. It really taste good especially when you share it with real friends.

Scrap Mountain

Here in germany, we also have a mountain of scraps. Recycling metal waste or scrap provide works for many people and also addressed environmental concern. While steel is an indispensable material of our modern technology- driven society, it has a high rate of recycling aspects.

Steel scrap and metals is essential in the process of making new steel and can be recycled indefinitely without losing its quality. Hope that Philippines will learned from the germans when it comes to waste management and recycling.

The German Bread

There are different german breads (brot) for all tastes and budget available here in germany. While Rice is our staple food, for the germans its either brot or potatoes. Each region in germany is very proud of its own specialties when it comes to bread. Here in the black forest, we have bauernbrot and crusty bread.

All german breads boast in abundance of vitamins, mineral, protein and carbohydrates regardless of whether they are baked out of rye or wheat flour. But for me, i still dont like their bread, i like our pandesal more. My heart goes for this great tasting filipino bread and i really miss it.

LP No. 51 - SAPATOS

Ito ang aking lahok sa Litratong Pinoy sa temang SAPATOS para sa huling huwebes ng buwang ito.

Sa aking paglalakad sa siyudad ng offenburg, nakatawag pansin sa akin ang manikin na ito na may mga sapatos na nakabitin. While i am browsing around offenburg, this mannequin caught my attention because of the shoes that hang in her.

Ito naman ang paborito kong sandalyas na mula sa bansang Tsina. Nabighani ako sa hugis pusong design sa may takong nito at napapalibutan ng mga crystals.This is my favorite sandals that i bought in China. I like very much the heart design of the shoes with crystals around it.

My Own Fitness Center

True to his promise, dirk bought me my own treadmill, an exercise machine for running or walking in one place. Its an effective way to work out to increase endurance.

It also have a special feature such as step count, heart monitor, speed & slope options and the number of calories expended.

My new gym is also equipped with television, DVD player and a stereo. So while working out, its not boring because i can watch a movie while on a treadmill. Thanks a lot schatz, you really spoiled and pampered me always.

A Happy and Sad Note

With our neighbors wedding the other day, daphne is one of the flower girls. I'm glad that my cute grandaughter behaved during the ceremony unlike before that she sometime displayed her tantrums.

She is four years old and is growing to be a nice little lady


On a sad note, my children's other sister mai mai,is suffering from leukemia. To all my cool mom readers, bloggers and friends, please help me pray for her recovery. She is just 8 years old and its really very heartbreaking to see her suffer from all those needle pains and the chemotherapy. Your prayers will help us a lot in this trying times and many thanks in advance.

Maimai with her ate astrid

My daughter astrid, grandkids and mai mai

She is very happy to be with her siblings

Please always include her in your daily prayers

My Fitness Appointment

Today, i have an appointment with a fitness trainer in offenburg. The problem is i only wanted to use their treadmill and i dont want to sign any yearly contract. If i decide to sign the fitness contract, it will be hard to get out and they will just deduct and deduct money from my account. Besides we're not here the whole year so its not practical and it doesnt makes sense.

She suggest that i can get a ten session card for 90 euro or 9 euro everytime i use the treadmill. Haller, its very expensive and its a waste of money for one hour usage. My sweetheart's solution is that he's going to buy a treadmill for me and convert one of our rooms to be my fitness room. I already have a cardio bike and a stepper and tonight we have an appointment with a treadmill seller.

My other trip for today

Media Markt Offenburg, an electronic shop

A danish household store where i bought 24 easter eggs

Bauhaus, just like wilcon or home depot in the Philippines

My Other Blog

To all my cool mom readers, i have a new blog, The A and B Lifestyle. Hope you will find time to visit it as well and many thanks to all for the continued support.

The website is http://www.2nettestyle.blogspot.com

Easter Decorations

Easter is one of the most popular holidays here in germany; after a looooong and cold winter, easter marks the eagerly anticipated spring season.

In the weeks prior to easter, deutschland is now ready for a new season. You will see a lot of traditional easter trees with decorated eggs. Next to the easter eggs, the rabbit is probably the most popular easter icon just like the photo above taken at karstadt, a chain of department stores in germany.

These are cool mom's easter eggs and decors

Easter decors at Bauhaus

An Afternoon with Carmen

Today, carmen invited us for a get together at her house in offenburg. Before, she live close to our house and now that her children are older, she now have her own flat and leave the family house to her son and daughter.

This week, she will be going on a three week treatment somewhere in Bad Kozingen. She had some problem with her reflex in her hands and her doctor advised her a close monitoring treatment. Anyway, her health insurance will shoulder all the costs.

We enjoyed each others company, exchanging girly talks and future plans. She is just like a big sister to us, always extending help if we need one.

Above is my best friend joy enjoying carmen's fried chicken

It's spring but cold

After an unpredictable and snowy winter, spring has arrived in germany. It is a time for transition not only for plant and animal life but it can also mean weather extremes. Just like this morning, the temperature is minus 6 degrees.

Eventhough its cold, my friend imelda wear no stocking and she also use sandals in winter. While the rest of us is freezing in cold temperature, her tolerance level in coldness is higher.

Also today, madam jo and me had lunch at Gugglhuf in offenburg. I really miss eating schnitzel and french fries. Its market day so there are lots of vendors but they are already cleaning up because they are just allowed to sell their wares till 1pm.

Even the street clown is already in the pause or tired mode.

The balloon vendor is already bored, very few kids are in the city because of the cold weather and besides in germany there are lots of oldies than newborn.

LP No. 50- Paboritong Alahas

Ito ang aking lahok sa Litratong Pinoy sa temang paboritong alahas para sa araw na ito

Sa totoo lang isa ako sa mga kababaihan na hindi talaga mahilig sa alahas. Nabibilang sa daliri ang aking mga jewelries at karamihan ay pawang regalo ni dirk sa akin. Hindi rin ako mahilig sa ginto mas gusto ko pa ang pilak na makikita sa larawan at ito'y nililok upang maging bulaklak na rosas. Bale ito ang paborito kong alahas sa mga pormal na pagtitipon. Ito ay mula sa pilak at mahalaga sa akin ang alahas na ito sapagkat binili ito ni dirk sa akin nung kami'y nagbakasyon sa shenzhen, bansang tsina.

The truth is i'm probably one of the girls who is not fond of jewelries. I have few girls accessories and most of it are dirk's presents to me. I prefer silver than gold just like the one in the picture which is curved to form a rose. This is my favorite when attending formal parties. It is made of silver and its very important to me because dirk bought it when we have our vacation in shenzhen, china.

Mabel and Me in the City

Mabel and me met today in the city for some niece and aunt bonding moment. She lived 35 kilometers away from me but we talk regularly by phone. We dine, shop and the never ending talk about family.

Annika, her daughter is now one year and 3 months old and a second child is due in june. Our family is growing fast and a baby is a wonderful blessing. My own daughter is also due in july but we never know yet the gender.



While browsing the city, we saw imelda and rose at mcdonalds.

Oma tonette and annika at the ice cream parlor