Thursday Etcetera!

TGIF is almost here! Two more nights before Christmas Eve comes. I believed a lot of people are quite excited for this unique celebration. Some might be excited in opening their Christmas presents. Some might be partying and some might be simply enjoying the ambience of their homes.

As we went to Neumarkt today for some errands and shopping, we happened to pass-by a beauty parlor. I need to have a trim of my very long hair and also want to ask about eyelash growth. Since we don't have a lot of time and it might need us some hours to wait, I decided that I will be backed there next week. Girls need some beautification from time to time. Agree ladies?

Got a picture of some cute stuff toys in one of the stores we visited today.

Bonding with Sis in Vegas

Time truly pass-by so quickly now. Just last week, I was in Spain and now I am back in Germany. Where is the next?

It was over three years now since I had a bonding with my dearest sister and relatives in Las Vegas. It was a long two months vacation I had there. Now, I am just happy to see the travel photos I took from Vegas. Believe me, I have a thousand photos or two including California.

Last Thursday, I also had the chance to chat and speak with my sister via yahoo messenger. Some of the topics we talked about include medical uniforms, house in the Philippines, travels and about Christmas. She mentioned further that she brought with her some medical uniforms from the Philippines when she had her vacation last May of this year. She is hoping that we will see each other again next year in Las Vegas. I am hoping and praying for it.

Heard about Caesars Palace in Vegas? Here is an image taken during my vacation there last 2008. You feel like being in Rome when you are in Caesars Palace Hotel.

Driving to Poland

It was so far the most adventurous trip I had this year. Together with some friends, we planned to drive to Poland for a pottery shopping and sightseeing trip as well. I admire my friend's courage in driving there. I can drive too but not that far like that. Besides I am not comfortable driving around 500 km away from home. I am not use to it. Thanks to our gps truck tracking, we were able to arrive to Poland and nearby places in Czech Republic. It was a very exciting and interesting trip we had last October 2011.

I have a shield here as we were driving in Poland last time.

Grocery Shopping

It seems to be a busy and long day for me today. I woke-up earlier this morning to do some errands and go grocery shopping. I am always telling myself now "no more extras". This is the time to slowly save and spend money wisely. I bought some extras which are not in the shopping list but I have to buy it because I need it next month while it is still available and cheaper now.

I am still thinking of going back to retail and do again salesforce reporting. Being in retail for more than three years was nice but it requires hard work always. Actually if I have to sum-up I am already in retail industry for more than a decade now. I grew up in a family where my Mother always do some retail business. I am still thinking of going back to this industry. I still have to wait a little bit until the result of the job application that I will be sending this week. Wish me luck for this job.

Modern Communication

Can you imagine taking back time when you send letters that will last for months before it will reach the hand of the receiver? Can you imagine travelling a hundred or thousand miles and it takes long months before you reach your destination. Can you imagine if you don't have computers, internet, telephones or cellphones at the moment?

Thanks to our modern technology today that also provides us modern communications. Thus making our lives more easier and convenient. I, myself is benefited by these gadgets. Due to the conference calling service in the internet, I can communicate with my family and friends from all over the world. I can't imagine living during the stone age. How about you? Thanks to our genius who invented all these modern equipments and gadgets that we are using now.

Gift Ideas

There are a lot of parties and celebrations this month. Alone this coming weekend, we are invited to attend three parties. Two will be birthday parties and the other one is a wedding anniversary. The week after that will be a baby shower for a friend. Sometimes it is just difficult to find special gifts for special people. I am also thinking what unique christmas gift ideas for men that I will be giving to hubby. I already have something in my mind but I am still deciding whether to give it or not. Anyway, I need to slowly sign-off now. I need to slowly pack the gifts to friends this weekend.

Lastly, if you have a difficulty on what to give as presents to your friend, family, colleague, wife or husband on their special day or any celebration, it is quite easy now. Simply search it online. That's what I do sometimes and it helps.

Buffet Dining in Turkey

Vacation is over! I am back to reality again. It was another superb vacation we had especially that we saw a lot of historical ruins in Turkey. One of the things that I miss were the foods being served on the table. Our breakfast and dinner are always buffet. There were a lot of fresh fruits, vegetables salads, Turkish pastries and other delicacies on the tables.

There were dinners that are not included in our holiday package. Sometimes we go to a Turkish restaurant in Kumburgaz, Istanbul. Some of the restaurants along the road were already closed. Sometimes, you can find signs that says used restaurant equipment for sale. Of course this is in Turkish language. I sometimes asked our tour guide about some Turkish terms.

I wish I can go back again in Turkey in the future. The image you see here was taken in our 5-star hotel in Kumburgaz, the Artemis Princess Hotel.

A Friend Loves Art and Crafts

I had a lunch in a friend's house yesterday. I found out that she has already a table for her craft stuffs on her dining room. She is busy preparing some invitations for a friend's baby shower. Together with another friends, I am not quite sure if they save the date cards from invitationbox.com. I would love to give her stuffs for scrapbooking and other art and crafts items. I admire her having the patience of doing all those things. How I wish I am but I am always occupied with a lot of things. In fact, I already left my scrapbook for a year now. I hope to find time in finishing the one that I already started.

Take care folks and wishing everyone a wonderful month of October.

Shopping in Kadewe Berlin

Anyone going to Berlin soon? Do you plan to go shopping when visiting there? Kadewe in Berlin is a good place. Kadewe which stands for "Kaufhaus des Westens", Department Store of the West in English, is the second largest department store in Europe; trumped only by Harrods in London. Speaking of Harrods, I also had the chance to visit this department store. I saw Princess Diana's Memorial inside this store. Don't you know that there are lots of security guards in both of these departments stores? I am just wondering if they are using metal detectors gold. I remember that experience inside Kadewe, where I was taking images of Gucci store. The security guard told me that it is not allowed to take pictures inside. Sorry guard, I already got some like what you see here. I am already contented with my DKNY leather boots and Dolce and Gabanna bag from Kadewe.

Using Credit Cards

I believed credit card is not new to you. It is just a plastic card but credit cardholders can use it as a form of payment. It allows its holder to buy goods and services based on the holder's promise to pay for these goods and services. Using credit card is not bad at all as long as you know your limit and you can pay it back after using it.

In the US, most and maybe all people are using credit cards. I also heard that you cannot even rent a car there if don't use credit card as a payment. Using credit cards will also determine your credit standing and history. Without this again, as far as I heard from some friends, you cannot make a loan for a house or a car because this is where they will check your credit history.

There are also this so-called Visa reward card which will earn you some points when you use it. I heard from some friends that sometimes, they can earn as high as a thousand dollar because they are always using their plastics as form of payments. This is quite a good idea and I believed they are outstanding credit card users.

As a traveler, I find credit card very useful. I can use it especially in withdrawing money anywhere especially if the currency is different. It is actually safer for me to use it than exchanging monies from someone or elsewhere in a country that I am visiting. I can also use it as payment.

Don't judge a person who is using credit card. The main reason why they have it, its because merchants or card issuers are trusting these credit cardholders that they can pay it back. Besides, they will not issue one to you if you are not capable of paying it back. Also a reminder, you will not be one who will pay for their debts.

Lastly, you always have to remember, we already live in a modern and high technology world where plastics are very use often anywhere around the globe.

Special Gifts for Special People

Hello September! The first month of the BER months is finally here! There are special celebrations and occasions for this month. In every country for example, some festivals and events are taking place during this month.

For me, it is also special since there are friends and family members who will be celebrating their special day. I am even thinking of a girlfriend gift for an anniversary celebration. Our eldest sister will also be celebrating her birthday two weeks from now. For sure before her special day comes, the presents that I sent through Balikbayan box will already arrive. I have more bar of chocolates than before.

If you are still looking for a special gift for a special person and occasion, for sure you will find a perfect one for her/him.

Wishing everyone a lovely and safe month of September!

Memorable Vacation in Budapest

Hello folks! It is time to update this blog again. I was away for a couple of days for a short trip in Hungary and Austria. The highlight of the trip was the fireworks on the banks of Danube in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. It was again a wonderful and memorable trip. There is only a sad news after that trip. I noticed that I gained more weight again. I guess one of the best ways to eliminate those excess pounds is to take diet pills. The trip had good foods. Imagine a buffet breakfast and dinner which are all included in that trip. Those are the reasons why I gained extra pounds again. I also brought with me some snacks for everyday consumption especially when we go to different places. I thought I can lose weight everytime I go for a trip because I keep on walking but it is the other way around. At least, we had fun and truly had a nice trip that time.

panorama of Budapest taken from the Citadel. The Citadel was built as a military fortress on the highest point of Budapest’s city centre by Habsburg Austria, following the 1848-49 Revolution.

I finally had the chance to visit Budapest last weekend. It is quite an interesting city full of history.

Thanks To All Who Remembered my Special Day

It was a very memorable birthday celebration I had a week ago. A lot of our friends attended during my birthday and at the same time our thanksgiving party. Some neighbors and relatives were also present. I believed everybody was happy and contented. I would like to send Paper Culture thank you cards for those who attended but it seems that I was so busy the past days. I also can't find the right one. I was even very tired today and can't stopped to go for a quick nap. After taking a short I prepared a simple dinner. After taking our dinner I spent almost two hours working in our garden. It was quite a relaxing day despite being tired.

Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who took their time in celebrating with us my special day and our thanksgiving celebration. Most of all, thank you dear Lord for everything! You are always great!

some of the Filipino foods prepared during my birthday. Thanks to all friends who helped in preparing it.

Insurance Topic

I had a conversation with hubby yesterday while I was trimming his hair. I am his Friseur or hair cutter for some years now. I did it since the last time he went to the hair stylist and his hair was not cut good. While I was cutting his hair, our topic went to insurance especially about life insurance. He don't have one anymore because it already matured last year and from its proceeds we were able to pay our mortgage and other debts. I reminded him to get another one. I told him that term life insurance is also a form of investment. I hope he will get one soon.

Time for me to slowly sign-off. It is almost 1:00 am now. Goodnight and good morning too! Have a wonderful week also!

Shopping in Venice

I was happy to visit Venice for the third time last weekend. I am only sad because I made some damage in my wallet. I guess you what I mean with this. Don't forget to bring more money if you plan to visit Venice. Venice is also a major fashion and shopping center in Italy. It might not be as important as Milan, Florence, or Rome but shopping in Venice is also an interesting experience

We had been to a lot of shops here and sometimes I just need to close my eyes. Some vendors on the streets of Venice don't use barcode scanner. Unless you go inside a store or shop, then they are using one.

There are also designers and brand names in Venice like Louis Vuitton and Gucci. Many of the fashion boutiques and jewelry shops in the city are located in the Rialto Bridge and the Piazza San Marco.

Aahh Venice, you just made a whole in my pocket again!

Visit to the Appliance Store

We were forced to drive to the appliance and electronic store in the next town to buy new audio and video cables. We also bought a new digital satellite receiver for our Television. I bought other items for my laptop. I need a new mouse because I find browsing faster when using one. I want to buy a new external hard drive too but I can still wait until it will be on sale. I love electronic gadgets especially cameras. There are just a lot of things that we always wanted but we can be happy when we have the basic ones that we need daily like food, shelter and clothing. agree folks? Enjoy your weekend! Goodnight too!

Eight Years

Time truly passes-by so fast now! We are now in the month of July then comes August soon and the BER months. When I say BER months, I mean with these are the months of September, October, November and finally the holiday season of December. I almost forgot yesterday that it was my 8 years anniversary of living in Europe. July 8, 2003 was the day when I first landed in London Heathrow Airport to connect with my terminal flight to Frankfurt, Germany. Three months later, I got married with a wonderful, kind and loving husband. Until now, I am still wearing the promise ring finger hubby gave me.

I can't thank God enough for all the good things and blessings I received since living in Germany. We may not be rich but we have all the basic things we need in life. Most of all we live a happy and peaceful life. Lastly, I can say that 8 years of living in Germany is simply awesome! Cheers!

No Signal, No Cellphone

Happy Father's Day to all wonderful fathers out there! I almost forgot to greet you you here. Wishing you all the best of everything and hope that you are having a lovely one today. Of course, I would like to greet most especially my dearest Papa and my hubby for being great fathers! Back to main topic. This is the reason why hubby don't bring all the time his cellphone at work. There is no signal in their workplace most of the time. I also not sure if wilson electronics cell booster can help. I can suggest it to hubby if ever he really needs one.

I can't stay too long here. I am still not feeling 100% good. I hope I will be backed to normal health again soon. This summer influenza is just not good. Take care folks and have a lovely week ahead. Goodnight!

Hubby's Bike Accident

This is the reason why I don't go biking anymore. I used to four years ago. Since hubby's bike accident last 2007, I am already afraid of biking. Due to that accident hubby's ankle was broken and got operated. Weeks after that, it was found out that his right knee was also broken. He got one of those acl braces for sports that he used in his knee. It is very better now but sometimes he is still complaining of pain. The doctor actually suggested for an operation for his knee but hubby decided not to have it. He asked the doctor if he can guarantee that it will be better after the operation, but he answered it is not 100% guaranteed. Hubby said that maybe in the future, when he can no longer bear the pain, he might probably have it operated. Thanks to some medical gadgets like knee braces, hubby's knee is better now.

Special Greetings to Bro!

I almost forgot that today is the birthday of my brother. Yes, I have another brother who is celebrating his birthday in the month of May. This is quite a late greetings considering Philippine time but I still want to wish you Bro a wonderful and meaningful birthday! More blessings and good health always and most of all more days and years to come in your life. No birthday card this year but for sure, I will be sending some Christmas Cards and Christmas presents this coming holiday season.

I am also wishing everyone a great week ahead. Hope you enjoy the rest of you weekend especially to my friends in Europe and in the U.S. Have a safe and memorable celebration of the Memorial Day to all American friends out there!