Dirk's Collections

Dirk became fascinated with the concept of collecting old camera. It's very dear to him because his first apprenticeship was at a photo store. Each camera has a story that enriches his collecting experience.

Experts says that the age of a camera has no bearing upon its value whatsoever. There is no correlation between a camera being old and a camera being valuable. It’s not about what makes it expensive, it’s about what makes you happy.

Through the years, Dirk was also able to collect several laptops from smallest to the bigger ones, from old to new model. It is the nature of his business that he was able to collect those electronic gadgets. Aside from laptops, he also have several computer monitors also in different sizes. His latest acquisition is a 58 cm Dell brand, good for my small eyes.

LP- Proteksyon (Protection)

Magandang Huwebes sa lahat ng kasapi, LP day na naman. Ang tema para sa araw na ito ay proteksyon. Atin ding tingnan ang mga proteksyong lahok ng ibang miyembro ng litratong pinoy.
Ang unang lahok ko ay sinelas, ito ay proteksyon ng ating paa sa mga matutulis na bagay at sa nakakapasong init ng ating nilalakaran. The slippers protect our feet from heat and harmful objects.

Pagkatapos ng maoperahan sa appendicitis ang aking shatzi Dirk, nilagyan iyon ng gasa upang proteksyon sa infection. Nagkamali ang mga doktor sa operasyon na yan wala silang nakuha, nagkaron lamang ng impeksyon ang kanyang tiyan na pwedeng gamutin ng antibiotics.

Nasa larawan ang aking best friend na si Joy na may plastik na guwantes sa kanyang kamay, proteksyon iyon sa nahuli niyang palaka na pumasok sa aming work station.

Si Mama Mary ang masasaabi kong pinakamahalagang proteksyon sa buhay ko. Araw araw niya kaming pinagpapala at pinoproteksunan. Sa kanya ako kumukuha ng lakas upang harapin ang araw araw na pakikibaka sa buhay.

The Dancing Inmates

For Filipinos, music and dancing is said to be a way of life, even to those behind bars. The Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) is a maximum security prison in Cebu, Philippines. The center is run by Warden Byron F. Garcia, and its inmates are either facing trial or are serving sentences for crimes ranging from shoplifting, to murder and rape. He initiated the idea of exercising as an enjoyable way of keeping the prisoners mentally and physically fit.

The inmates monthly performance is also a way of a non-violent approach to rehabilitation and eventual reintegration. Garcia also wanted the music workouts to be a way in which to break down gang factions amongst prison inmates. He claimed that his prison showed that negative inmates could be turned into positive individuals, through the concept of a "revolutionized penology".

In 2007, Garcia posted several videos of his inmates' performances on YouTube, a video sharing website where users can upload, view and share video clips. He uploaded them in hopes of inspiring other prisons to learn from the experience. The clips became some of the most talked about in cyberspace.

I really like this rehabilitation concept much as i like their monthly dance performance. Training the inmates how to make bags and other handicrafts and teaching them how to dance as part of their rehabilitation should also be implemented around the country.

I really admired the effort of Warden Garcia, kudos to you Sir. Their dance routine is also my way of exercising inside my computer room.

Baby Jaimee

My youngest grandaughter, Jaimee Antonie turned a month old last July 23. She's turning to be a splitting image of her father. My daughter Arianne is very lucky because, we were there during her wedding and last month, we're there as well to witness the birth of her baby.

Just like other newborn, she's just sleeping most of the day. She looked like a princess in her play pen which is a gift from us.

In the Philippines, when you're a new mother, you have the support of family members, taking turns to take care of the baby and all your needs, unlike here in germany, you do it by yourself and make it worst if you gave birth by ceasearean section.

Hidden Camera

Driving in Germany can be a delight: the scenery is beautiful and the roads are well maintained. But there are many rules and regulations to observe.

The other day, while dirk is driving to a friends' house, we saw this hidden camera for motorists nicely hiding in the bushes. We don't need to worry because our speed is just within the limit. Instead of getting blitz from the hidden camera, its the other way around. The reason for installing cameras that monitor speeds along the roads is of course that it will bring speeds down and as an effect of that, save lives. Also, fining motorists for driving too fast is a lucrative source of income for the region. Speed cameras probably do decrease the average speed a bit at the spot where the camera is, but i think they really make driving much more stressful and unsafe because you tend to focus on the speedometer than on other cars on the road. Many people also tend to use the brake whether they actually need to or not.

Lani's Despedida Party

Yesterday, we attended the despedida grill party of a very good friend, Lani. She is leaving again for the nth time to the Philippines to attend to some important matters. Since the death of her husband two years ago, Davao becomes her second home.

I saw her rise from her depression because of the loss of a loving husband. She is now recovering because of a newfound happiness.

It was attended by our common friends and its a good opportunity for our respective partners for life updates

As usual, my bestfriend joy is the grill queen

The Victims of Hell Drivers

While browsing around the city of Frankfurt yesterday, i saw these support group putting shoes and other things of the victims of vehicular accidents. Despite improvements in road conditions, vehicle safety and driver education, over 3 million persons are injured in motor vehicle accidents each year.

Vehicle Accidents are the most common sort of personal injury cases. From the harmless fender bender to the most brutal highway collisions, vehicle accidents happen every day. We really need to be careful and the most important thing, always PRAY.

Frankfurt Adventure

Frankfurt, a well-rounded city is recognized as germany's financial hub, as well as a dynamic cultural center with many fine museums, theaters and galleries.

It also have a significant number of skycrapers.

Frankfurt has an excellent transportation infrastructure and the international airport is a major european aviation hub. Its central location at the heart of europe and its accessibility by air, rail and road make Frankfurt Airport city attractive.

Dirk at the train station where we parked our car

And while dirk is conducting a meeting with a customer, i browsed around the shopping centers. While he is working to earn a living, i am spending (joke), remember, i'm shopaholic no more.

Frankfurt is a multi cultural city, home to people of 180 nationalities. They came from all walks of life, rich, poor, different skin color, religion etc.

There are thousand of shops, including erotic shop

A rare color of a car

Fine dining with historical ambience

Our late lunch at chinese restaurant

In honor of the king of pop, michael jackson, people lighted candles and offered prayers and flowers

I really like Frankfurt, a city full of action. I've been here many times, but i love to keep coming back.

A Package Tale

A few days before our flight to the Philippines last month, a blogger/family friend asked me if i can bring her package to her virtual friends. I readily agreed for it will be a good opportunity to meet her web friends belonging to other social networking site. Sad to say, the package didn't reach me in time because the day before is a holiday.

I told her that we're going to leave without her package. The next day, she talked to our staff if the package already arrive and she's just going to pick it up any day. She then decided to send another box with the same content to her web friend based in manila. She instructed her friend that when she receive the box, there is a thing there that she should give to me. Three weeks passed and the box also didn't reach her web friend hands. With her other package lying there at home, we just dropped one day at their place and bring the box, return to sender.

Shopaholic

Oh! i should congratulate myself, i'm close to being shopaholic no more or rather a reformed shopper. Before i have this uncontrollable urge to shop, buying items and forget about them. Gone are the days that i have bouts of shoppingitis everytime i'm online or in the shopping centers.

Just like yesterday, most of the stores in offenburg had this summer sale. I kept on telling myself just browse but don't buy and i'm successful with it.

The good thing is that when i shopped, i never use my ATM or credit card for my shopping spree so i don't have to worry on future billings. With the present economic crisis, i learned to focus on priorities. I'm not anymore an impulsive shopper but a wise buyer.

Litratong Pinoy- Basa (Dry)

Maligayang LP sa lahat ng miyembro. Huwebes na naman at ang ating tema para sa araw na ito ay basa o dry. Atin ding silipin ang lahok ng mga ka-LP sa litratong pinoy

Kahapon ay may mangilan ngilan ang lumahok sa floh markt or flea market dito sa aming lugar sa offenburg. Kahit na masama ang panahon, ako ay nakapaglibot pa rin at ito ang aking nakita, ang pinatuyong fox, ang uri ng hayop na napapabilang sa mga aso at wolves. ito rin ay tinatawag nilang hayop na sora o alamid, asong lobo and asong wild or ligaw. Nakakaawa ang mga hayop na ito na parang buhay na buhay.

Yesterday, though the weather is not promising as it should be, there is a flea market along the marktplatz in offenburg. There are just few stalls because of the rain. While browsing around the area, i came across a dried animal which is related to the dogs and wolves kingdom. The fox looks as if its still alive.
Eto naman ang pinatuyong maliit na puno at nililok upang maging anyo ng tao

In the picture is the dried small trunk of a tree and sculpted to make a human figure

Our New Toy

Last week, dirk bought a new LG KM 900 Arena which is the most recently launched handset of LG and is equipped with latest features. This attractive piece of design comes with a touch screen display and 3D UI system which make it more user friendly.

Probably some people will claim that this is an Apple I-phone copy but its not. No doubt dirk like very much this multimedia monster with its gigantic screen and support for a variety of media file types. Dirk also bought a very small phone which he used for calls only.

Thomas' Birthday

Thomas, the husband of mabel celebrated his birthday yesterday. It was attended by his family and close friends. The celebrant himself was the one who cooked and its really delicious.

The proud and doting grandparents of Annika and Alexis

Baby Alexis with Oma Monika

Alexis, thomas and mabel's second daughter is now one month old

Annika is very much in the protesting mode in this picture, she wanted to run around the house with the other kids.

Ouch!!!! i'm partly hidden in this picture

To you Thomas, Happy Birthday again and wishing you and your family a wonderful and blessed life!!!

Back in Germany

We're finally back here after a month of stay in the Philippines. We supervise the construction of our retirement house and so far dirk is very satisfied with the way our contractor built our house.

Though there are lots of small turbulence during our flight and being deprive of sleep, thank God we arrive here safely.

We left with a heavy heart because we really wanted to stay there longer but we need to return here because of dirk's work.

We arrived midnight so the first thing we did in the morning is returned the rented car.

Then we shopped for our foods consumption

Last Minute Pampering

The day before our flight back here in Germany, my daughter and me decided to have a last minute pampering on ourselves. Astrid had pedicure and manicure, pedicure and foot spa for me.

While being pampered, dirk was very busy in the construction site. He gave last minute instructions to our contractors and also tried the roll-up door.

We also visited our friendly neighbor steve and lani for a small talk. They are accommodating and very supportive with regards to our house construction by giving tips and suggestions.

LP- Basa (wet)

LP day na naman, maligayang huwebes sa lahat ng kasapi. Silipin din natin ang lahok ng ibang miyembro ng litratong pinoy. Ito naman ang aking lahok sa temang basa (wet) para sa araw na ito.

Makikita sa larawan ang aking kabiyak na nagpapahinga sa swimming pool ng aming clubhouse sa southforbes. Siya ay basang basa at sa kanyang power nap, doon siya nakakapagisip isip ng mabuti sa mga bagay bagay. Sinasabi ko sa kanya na delikado ang matulog sa pool, mababaw lang naman daw tulog niya, sabagay may tatlong lifeguard na nakatingin sa kanya at isang german shepherd na nagbabantay at ako yon, ready anytime na sumalakay (hindi nga pala ako marunong lumangoy),kaya nga dinadaan ko na lang sa pagkuha ng picture.

Binibiro ko rin siya na siya ay slim sa tubig, mala adonis ang kanyang dating. Pero kahit na kulang ang timbangan sa kanya, napakabait naman ng aking esposo at utang ko sa kanya ang lahat ng pagbabagong nagaganap sa buhay naming mag- iina.

The clubhouse villas pool is the extended bedroom of my better half. I'm always telling him that sleeping there is dangerous. He's always taking his power nap in the pool and its there that he's conceptualizing things. Anyway, there are three lifeguards ready to help him anytime. In the pool, he looked so slim far from his overweight figure. But for me, weight doesnt matter, its the love that bind us together and my family owe a lot of gratitude to him.