Coffee Time

Yesterday, i have a very nice afternoon with Marissa and Nicki in Offenburg. In between our hot coffee at Dolomiti, we update each others lives and talked about family life. I admired their determination in shaping the future of their family back home. Nicki and me are classmates at Hochschule Gengenbach where we studied Master in Business Administration -Internationa Business Consulting (MBA-IBC). We have lots of memories during our student days and she's the woman version of the Jack of all trades. With Marissa, she's a multitasker and we shared the same passion for business, we're into buy and sell and both owned water stations in the Philippines. Though we're all of different backgrounds and personalities, we find fulfillment in our role as mother to our children and wife to our partners.







The LV Ladies

Back at Palazzo

Yesterday, we're back at Palazzo restaurant for our favorite hot waffle with vanilla ice cream. I missed very much their waffles, a dough based cake cooked in a waffle iron patterned to give a distinctive shape. If i am with Lucy, there's really no dull moment because we have many things in common and shared the same principles and passion.

Breakfast and Lunch

I'm really fortunate to be surrounded by good friends. Yesterday, we have a luxury breakfast at Rammersweier Hof. Thanks to Elena for preparing a delicious omelet with shinken. Our late lunch was consist of grilled chicken, french fries and wienerle.

A Sunny Saturday

Every tuesday and saturday is market day in Offenburg. Its just like a tiangge version in the Philippines where you can buy fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers and other household items. The sun also came out yesterday thats why many people are enjoying shopping and spending family bonding time in coffee/ice cream shops. I am also one of those enjoying the nice weather with a very good friend Madam Jo. We have lunch at Engel Restaurant and ordered schnitzels with french fries, our favorite.

Pollen Allergy

After my bout with fever and flu, its now the turn of pollen allergy. Its an allergic reaction due to pollen or tiny particles released from tweeds, trees and grasses. For the past days i'm experiencing runny nose, sneezing and itching eyes. My reel medical degree from the University of Google doesnt help, maybe i really need a real doctor for treatment. In the meantime i'm taking antihistamine tablets and try to stay indoor as much as possible.

Project- Pens and Pencils for Kids

Pens, pencils or ballpens. Think about it.
These are probably very simple items to you, ignored and taken for granted, but for kids in need, these are very special items.
Give them the tools to write, so they can draw their future and a colorful life.
Would you care to join us in our small, little project?
We are starting a small project this year, providing free pens and pencils to kids. Should you wish to donate writing pads, crayons and other items, do feel free. The success of our solicitation drive will determine the coverage of our project.
Since this is the first year we are doing this project, we are initially targeting an estimated 700 kinder and elementary school pupils, starting with the Castilla East Central School.
In the future, we hope to cover as many schools as we can, especially those schools along the coastal areas and the inner barrios.

If you would like to help these kids and support our project, you may:
1.) Send pens, ballpens, crayons to:

In Manila:
CARESMA c/o Mr. Steve Samboa
7 M. Flores Street, Bagong Ilog
Pasig City 1600
Metro Manila
Tel: 671-42-82 / 09993785933
In Castilla:
Mr. Jessie Arce
Castilla, Sorsogon
In the US:
Ms. Arlet Arce
584 Parkwood Drive
San Diego CA 92139

Good Friends, Good Foods

I would say i'm blessed with a best friend that lives just two kilometer from our house. We often joked that we have a very long kitchen because of food sharing and eating together. Just like today, i'm supposed to cooked pasta for Dirk when Joy called that we're going to cook Ginataang Sugpo with kalabasa, one of the most popular and well-loved Pinoy comfort food. While we're busy removing the shells of the shrimps, the big boys are also enjoying the german foods, gulash with noodles.

Lunch with Friends

Just came back after a sumptuous lunch at Siony's place in Gengenbach. By the way, the town of Gengenbach in the district of Ortenau, Baden Württemberg is a popular tourist destination on the western edge of the black forest. The place is very close to my heart because i did studied Master in Business Administration-International Business Consulting (MBA-IBC)in Gengenbach campus of the Hochschule Offenburg. I have lots of nice memories there together with my international classmates/friends. Anyway, I enjoyed very much our potluck lunch today and it really boost my appetite because i am surrounded by good friends and delicious pinoy foods.







Food shopping at Thai shop in Gengenbach




A Glimpse of Gengenbach

An Afternoon at Müllheim

Together with my sister, we did go to Buggingen today to visit our relatives and friends. We then drive to Müllheim and i was surprised of the changes because of the of the presence of more stores and other establishments. We do some small shopping, visit the hair salon and browsed around the area. We were also able to have some cofee time for more bonding moments and life updates.