Something Green

Taken in Kleve Tier Park by Michael J.

Volunteering

I've proven that volunteering is not for the weakling.

Bakit?

Kahapon may sinamahan akong outreach program para sa mga lolo at lolang napabayaan o inabanduna o di mahanap ang kaanak. Karamihan sa kanila wala na sa katinuan. Sila'y nangungulila at sabik sa dalaw.

Nang dumating kami, sobrang tuwa sila. Ako'y naiyak, di mapigilang lumuha. Ang sabi ko sa sarili, "I will do my best to take care of my parents, both mama and papa.

Sorry but I don't want to come back there anymore. It's stressful. Or maybe I will change my mind after some time. It just breaks my heart to see them there. I pray they will have hope and peace from Lord.

Urlaub-ing

Urlaub is a German word that means vacation. There are a lot of beautiful vacation spots in the Philippines and several medium of transportation to tour around. Boyfriend and I have tried almost all of them: plane, ship, boat, bus, car, jeepney, tricycle and single motorcycle and kalesa. Oh well except for bicycle, I hope someday we can.

By air, mostly we booked our tickets with Cebu Pacific because of special seat sales. I booked about six months before our flight and we got really affordable seats, as low as 900 pesos per person, one way. There were no delayed flights with Cebu Pacific, it's was okay. I have tried Air Asia with Mama and was impressed as they were very prompt and we even arrived 30 minutes earlier to our destination. Currently, they are in Diosdado Macapagal Airport in Pampanga, I just wish they will have Air Asia in Ninoy Aquino Airport soon.

It's not allowed to take a photo upon landing but I coaxed him to take one anyway. This is the first Urlaub we had together and if my memory is right, this was taken in Puerto Princesa airport in Palawan.

We took a Supercat from Cebu to Bohol, it's pretty fast. However, when we went back to Bohol, we tried a different ferry called Oceanjet and it's super slow. The Ferry came late hence we were not able to catch our flight. Lesson learned: just take the Supercat next time.

This was the boat trip inside the famous Underground River in Palawan, it lasted for three hours and the tourguide was German who's been living there for 17 years. He speaks Tagalog to locals there, how cool is that.

Someday we'll go fishing and boat sailing for real.

That's the Kalesa in Manila, it's a horse drawn carriage.

If you look like a foreign person, just be extra careful. The kotchero will initially say the ride is only 50 pesos but after the trip he will ask for Php 2,050 or something ridiculously higher than that. It's a true story.

Boyfriend is quite flexible... we took a tricycle ride about two or three times. This one was in Puerto Princesa.

Jeepney ride too!

Travelling and sitting for long hours is never boring when you have a camera with you :p

King and I

 A long time ago when I was 16, I was given the privellege to teach in a Sunday School at our church in Quezon City. There I taught kids about God and that's how I met King. King was a smart student. He easily memorizes the Bible verses. I will always remember him as a young boy who's eager to know God.


Last Sunday evening, my sister told me the news that he passed away due to acute Leukemia. In the  last Funeral Service tonight, I was asked to say something about him. I didn't write down what I want to say and when I stood there I just broke down to tears. I forgot to quote the Bible verse found in 2 Corintians 3:5: "To be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord."

I know he's with our Lord and Saviour now.

Whenever there's a death, it reminds us that life here on earth is very short. One thing that is certain in life is death, but it is also uncertain as we don't know when we will die. Pastor Jun would always say in funeral services that Christians don't die, they just merely sleep and on the second coming of Jesus Christ, the dead in Christ shall rise. We will all have glorified bodies.

If you want to have that everlasting life, then all you have to do is say this prayer:
"Father in the name of Jesus Christ, please forgive me for all my sins. I invite Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and to rule my heart. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You and to convict me when I sin. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen"

I welcome you to the Christian family! Go out and find a full gospel Christian church to help you grow.

Driving 101

My husband-to-be sent me to a driving school. Awesome. That's one of the coolest thing he said after "Will you marry me?" I was so happy and excited to get on the wheels. But yesterday.... it didn't meet my expectations. I thought it's easy.

He said it's just my first day and after three to four practices I should be okay. In my mind I was asking myself, "Why do I need to learn it?". He will drive for me anyway. Driving is driving me nuts! I need to look at my left side and right side, need to mind the gas and make sure it's 1.5 or 2. Tricycles and pedestrians, deep sigh. It's just too much thinking while driving. Why do I see the manong taxi drivers and jeepney driving looking very calm while driving? And why not me? Always in a panic state. I'm starting to hate driving.

I told my boyfriend everything I feel about this task. He said I will be okay, just needs practice. The reason why he wants me to learn is because it's good to know how to drive in case he's not around and I need to get something from somewhere. That's very nice of him. He empowers me and I like it.

I'm giving myself a chance. Today will be a better day and it will be a different instructor. I don't like yesterday's instructor because I think he lost his patience yesterday. I mistakenly shifted to gear four instead of two.

This is the photo my sister took while she was on the back seat. She's my chaperone.

Mein erste Blog auf Deutsch

Im Flughafen:

Der Mann kommt.
Die Frau winkt.


Sie sind verliebt.

Er sagt:,, Auf wiedersehen"
Sie weint.

Hunting for Wedding Dress

My colleague recently asked me how my wedding dress will look like. I haven't really thought about it til she asked. Ok so I checked out some designs online.

It's going to be a civil wedding and all I want is a simple short wedding dress with not too many details, short and vintage.
I like it short just below my knees. I showed this photo to my boyfriend and he said it suits my skin color.

I'd definitely go for a vintage wedding dress like this, just a bit shorter. 

I'd need a wedding shrug if it will be very cold.

So schmeckt der Sommer

View of our balcony from outside. I love love the flowers.

Screenshot of one of our skype calls

It's summer in Germany! Love the trees outside and the fresh air and his smile.
This time next year, I shall be with him sitting at the balcony having coffee and a good conversation with him. Perfect place to chill, read a book and dream. Can't wait to be with him!

White beach near Metro Manila

I can't swim but I enjoy going to the beach. I'm thankful to have been able to see God's beautiful creation in my country.


Two years ago, our company outing was in Canyon Cove Beach Resort in Batangas. White sand beach and clear water and pools. (Photo by Fiona W.)

And this is in Palm Beach in Laiya Batangas. There are lot of rocks and corals and they hurt my feet. The infinity pool is a good alternative. My other colleagues went kayaking and they enjoyed it.

Tiramindu beach has a nice beach but didn't like the shower rooms, just not nice.

At Palm Beach  where showerooms are clean, just rocky beach.

Deutsch Lernen -- sehr leicht

I need to get Level A1 certificate in six months. I won't enroll in Goethe Institute because 4 hours a day is not possible as I keep a full time job and it's a bit expensive. I heard from someone it costs Php20,00. Das ist sehr teuer. 

So here's my plan on my self-study German Language learning:
1. One Lesson from the Audio Tutor.
2. One Lesson from the Warum Nicht.  


There are so many free websites for  learning German. My favorite websites:
Deutsche Welle
Learn German Easily
Goethe Institute 

Someone recommended this website but I don't like it to be honest. I hate reading rules and grammar points. I like to learn by listening and talking to German people.
Here's the website anyway and see it for yourself:
Toms Deutschseite


Mostly I learn from reading, listening and talking to my boyfriend. I'm open for suggestions and may update this list from time to time.

Tips:
1. Listen and watch German people speaking.
2. Get a notebook to take note of useful words and phrases.
3. Get an MP3 player, Ipod or anything that can store and play audio files. Download the files from Deutche Welle. Pause and say out loud the words.
4. Talk to your boyfriend and surprise him with some crazy German words.LOL
5. Listen to German songs. My favorite is Xavier Naidoo, I can sing this song almost perfectly :)

Alles kann besser werden

by Xavier Naidoo

Alles kann besser werden
Holen wir uns den Himmel auf Erden
Alles soll besser werden
Holen wir uns den Himmel auf Erden

Alles soll besser werden
Wir Holen  uns den Himmel auf Erden
Und keiner muss sein Leben mehr gefährden
Einer der kostbarsten
Schätze auf Erden

Ich will raus aus dieser Sch*iße hier,
doch ich Weiß nicht, wie das gehen soll
Raus aud diesem sch*iß Revier
doch ich weiß nicht wie das gehen soll

Mann spertt mich hier in diesen Bezirk,
Weil ich den Rest de Welt nicht sehen soll
Ich werd aus diesem Knast heraus spazieren
Wenn ich Weiß, wohin ich gehen soll

Alles kann besser werden
Holen wir uns den Himmel auf Erden
Alles soll besser werden
Holen wir uns den Himmel auf Erden

Alles wird besser werden
Wir holen uns den Himmel Auf Erden
Und keiner muss sein
Leben mehr gefährden
Einer der kostbarsten
Schätze auf Erden

Auch wenn du jetzt bitterlich weinst
Bitte gib nicht auf
Auch wenn du grad das Leben verneinst
Bitte gib nicht auf
Auch wenn du dir verstorben scheinst
Bitte gib nicht auf
Auch wenn Alles verdorben scheint
Gib nicht auf (Yeah)

I can see beyond the borders of here
And I know there's more for me
I'm not afraid to face what they fear
If it means I can be free
Discourage me if you think you can,
But I won't stop till I'm out of here
Yeah, I just don't give a damn
Not afraid to face what they fear