Beautiful Sunday!

I am just thankful that I had a very wonderful weekend. Last Saturday, I had the chance to visit again for the third time the famous Neuschwanstein castle of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Thanks to my friends for the invitation to go with them. Yesterday, I had a relaxing and nice day too. I had a walk with hubby in the winter wonderland. It was simply a beautiful Sunday. Thanks God for everything!

the tower of the Castle ruins in Hohenfels. It seems that the snow is slowly melting. I love the blue sky here. This was taken during our walk yesterday.

Watching the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas

It is always nice to remember a beautiful place we visited in the past. It is more nicer when we have some photographs taken during our trip or visit. These travel images are keeping us to always remember and look back those times. That is always the reason why I always have a camera in my bag. lol!

I have here an image taken during my vacation in Las Vegas. One of the shows that I love to watch is the dancing fountain in front of Bellagio. Don't you know that this fountain is estimated to cost around $75 million to build. I was amazed by it. It is also built with network of pipes with more than 1,200 nozzles that make it possible to stage fountain displays coordinated with more than 4,500 lights. Never forget to watch this free show once you visit Las Vegas.

I am also signing-off earlier tonight. I need to browse savoy house lighting before signing-off. I also need to wake-up tomorrow very early for a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle with friends. Thanks in advance for the ride.

somebody's striking a pose in front of the Fountains of Bellagio

The Fountains of Bellagio is a vast, choreographed water feature with performances set to light and music. (See musical fountain.) The performances take place in front of the Bellagio hotel and are visible from numerous vantage points on the Strip, both from the street and neighboring structures. The show takes place every 30 minutes in the afternoons and early evenings, and every 15 minutes from 8 p.m. to midnight. Before a water show starts, the nozzles break the water surface and the lights illuminating the hotel tower turn to a purple hue (usually), or red-white-and-blue for certain music. Shows may be cancelled without warning because of wind, although shows usually run with less power in face of wind. A single show may be skipped to avoid interference with a planned event. The fountain display is choreographed to various pieces of music, including songs by Andrea Bocelli, Frank Sinatra, and Gene Kelly. wikipedia

Incoming Event

After I went a bit grocery shopping this afternoon, I stopped-by in a friend's house and had a dinner. The foods she prepared on the table were all delicious. I indeed up eating a lot again. We also had a good conversation. Before I went home, she handed a flyer about an incoming event this April. The event will be having a lot of activities. It include singing in karaoke machines and who will be the winners will receive prizes. It means that there will be a karaoke contest. I am thinking of joining..lol!

Actually, the event is called Pinoy Dance Night. Of course dancing all night will take place. There will also be a raffle draw and the first winner will receive a free plane ticket to the Philippines. The best part I think, will be the dinner wherein lechon and other Filipino dishes will be served. Don't forget to bring 20.00 Euros for your entrance fee. I guess this is not too bad for your pocket. More infos to come soon!

Sightseeing in Stuttgart, Germany

Stuttgart is the 6th largest city in Germany. It is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg. We had a sightseeing in this city last October 2010. Like any other big German cities, it is full of historical buildings, architecture and monuments that are worthy to see and experience.

striking a pose at the Schlossplatz or the castle square in Stuttgart, Germany. The buildings on the background is the Neues Schloss (the New Castle), completed in 1807. It has a Baroque/Classicism architecture ; reconstructed with modern interior. It currently houses government offices.

Simple But Happy Life

I have quite a simple but happy life. We don't have a luxurious living but we have all the basic things we need. We just live according to our means. Hubby works to pay our monthly bills and all the things we need in our day to day living. When there are extra finances, we buy some things that we need. I am happy to get a new laptop and DSLR camera as Christmas presents. I would love to have a blackberry storm but it is not anymore in our budget..lol!

Sometimes life is just so simple. It is the simpliest thing that makes a person happy. I am thankful that I have quite a good life right now. Trials and problems might be always along the way but these are only challenges which test us how strong and determined we are to face it. Besides, God sees everything and He won't give us crosses that we cannot carry.

Have a blessed weekend!

Wish I'm Home

I always believed in the saying, "There is no place like home". A lot of people had been asking me if I want to go back again in my home country in the future. I already found my second home here in Europe but I always believed, that one day, I will find my way back home.

How I just wish that I am home this time...even just to give comfort especially to a loveone. Sometimes it is just difficult to be away from your loveones but there are always ways where you can meet again....and again!

One of the beautiful scenes I miss from my home country. There is where I used to sit especially in the afternoon watching the beauty as the sun goes down....what a priceless view of nature and I truly miss it!

Vegas Vacation

2008, 2009, 2010 and now we are in 2011. I am trying to remember how many years had passed since I spent a two-months vacation in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. It was one of the most memorable and fabulous vacation I ever had. I am hoping to visit again United States in the near future and wishes to stay in any hotels on 5th ave. It is a luxury hotel but an affordable one. Here I am and Portia inside The Forum Shops in Caesars Palace Hotel in Las Vegas. She is one of the good people I met in this city. Thanks a lot my friend for the company you gave me while in Vegas. I hope you are doing great wherever you are now.

Life's Burden

"Be assured beyond all doubting,
In the trial you're passing through,
That the Lord's great love and mercy
Is at work for good in you."

-Anon.

I miss this sunset in the Philippines!

Beef Broccoli Recipe

It seems that I am talking about food again here. This is not really a good idea. Anyway, I just miss cooking this recipe and after a year of not preparing it, I cooked it again last week. I wish to read about lipozene reviews when I am talking about food.

This beef brocoli recipe w came from a very good friend of mine. I only made my own style. You can see in the image here that there are brocoli, carrots, green pepper and beef that are mixed all together. I just don't have enough time to write the complete recipe of this and how to prepare it. I will see if I can do it in my future post. Watch it out!

This is a good food because it has a lot of vegetables like carrots and brocoli which are high in fibers and vitamins. I love this food!

Sinulog Festival in Cebu

The Sinulog festival in Cebu is a famous celebration in this city. It is an annual festival held every third Sunday of January. It has become a tourists magnet which attracts visitors from all parts of the Philippines and even from the whole world. The festival features a street parade with participants in bright colored costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets and native gongs.

Here are some images taken during our visit last January 2010.

The Sinulog contest is always held in Cebu City Sports Complex

SINULOG TODAY:

Since 1521, devotion to the Santo Niño has grown and has taken root in Philippine popular piety, particularly in the Visayas; pilgrims from different parts of Cebu and the rest of the Philippines make their yearly journey to the church to take part in the procession and festival. Starting in 1980, the Cebu City government organized the Sinulog Mardi Gras and eventually gave incentives to tribal dance groups. The first Sinulog parade was held in 1980, organized by Dávid Odilao, then Regional Director of the Ministry of Sports, and Youth Development. The parade was composed of students dressed in Moro costumes, dancing the Sinulog to the beating of drums.

The idea caught and thus, under the direction of the Cebu City Mayor Florentino Solon with the help of several influential Cebuanos, Odilao turned over the Sinulog project to the Cebu City Historical Committee under Kagawad Jesus Garcia. It was the task of the Committee to conceptualize the Sinulog festival and make it into a yearly event from then on.

In 1981 the following year, the concept of the Sinulog Parade was actualized, involving practically every sector in the Cebuano community. Marking its difference from another popular festival, the Ati-Atihan in Aklan, the Sinulog focuses not on the ritual itself but on the historical aspects of the dance, which, as it has been said, represents the link the country's embrace of Christian faith.

The Sinulog dance steps were believed to originate from Rajah Humabon's adviser, Baladhay. It was during Humabon's grief when Baladhay was driven sick. He then ordered his native tribe to bring Baladhay into a chapel where the Santo Niño was enthroned. Moments later, surprisingly, Baldhay was heard shouting and was found dancing with outmost alertness. Baladhay was questioned as to whether why was he awake and was shouting. Baladhay explained that he found a small child, pointing to the image of the Santo Niño, on top of him and trying to wake him up. He, at great astonishment, scared the child away by shouting but couldn't explain why he was dancing the movements of the river. Up to this day, the two-steps forward, and the one-step backward movement dance is still used by the Santo Niño devotees believing that it was the Santo Niño's choice to have Baladhay dance. more Sinulog infos here

More Fruits This Time

Anybody who don't like to eat fruits out there? I believed most if not all of you know that fruits have a lot of nutritional value. It is rich in fiber, vitamin C, water and sugar. I consider it as the best colon cleanse product that works. Fruits are also low in calories which would help lower ones calorie intake as part of a weight loss diet.

Hubby said that we will eat more fruits and vegetables this time. It is good for our health and for the body. The fruits that I especially love are mangoes, oranges, grapes, apples, bananas, pears, melons, papaya...I guess I love all fruits!

See you later guys. I am going down to eat some grapefruits. This image was taken in Wiesbaden Market. I love their fresh fruits here!

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Paris

This is the The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Paris, commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica. This was taken in August 2010 during my second visit in Paris, France. It is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Paris, France.

I am letting you know that taking pictures are forbidden inside the Basilica.

It is a popular landmark of Paris. The basilica is located at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city. is built of travertine stone quarried in Château-Landon (Seine-et-Marne), France. This stone constantly exudes calcite, which ensures that the basilica remains white even with weathering and pollution.

Weekend Etc.

I am quite tired and sleepy now. I guess it is time to slowly sign-off. My Sunday was quite good compared to yesterday. I was so tired almost the whole day yesterday because I did not sleep good for around two days. There are just some things that are bothering me. Not really so bad but I can't avoid to worry. Last night, I had quite a good sleep after a very tiring day. Anyway guys, I have a question for you, do diet pills work? Is anybody out there who tried it successfully. I told hubby that I really wanted to lose weight but everytime I see food, my carvings are just uncontrollable. I am still trying to fight this problem until now. I have a good news today. I only cook some vegetables and hubby love it too. I am also thankful that we had a lovely weather today....blue sky and sunshine, it was truly a wonderful day! Goddnight folks! See you all tomorrow again.