I'm so Happy today!!!!

I woke up so early this morning. I usually wake up late, since 7:00 am here in Germany is still dark especially during winter time. Besides that, I always go to sleep late already. Not that because, I stay too long in the computer but sometimes doing somethings like scrapbooking or just simply reading or watching TV.

Around 8:15 this morning, the telephone rang. I heard a very familiar voice. That was the official from the Landratsamt or Embassy here in our province. She said that my "Einbuergerungsurkunde (German citizenship certificate) is already there. I was really surprised. She ask me, when can I have time to get the certificate. Having been surprised, I told her that I will pick it up the next day. Then, we said goodbye.

I realized that the next day, I have to do some cooking since my friend will be visiting me. So immediately, I dialled the Official's number that I want to pick it up today before noon time. I am also really planning to buy some stuff/gifts for Christmas. I am just very lucky that she is very accommodating, friendly and really nice.

So I have to get hurry, since I have to drive around 45 minutes in going there. I was really very excited and was really very happy. Finally, I made it. I am just very thankful for these Government officials who helped me during the paper works. I am finally a European citizen now. This is my greatest gift in this Christmas season.

Lastly, I am very thankful to God who always knows what's best for me and the one who plans for my life. I also want to express my gratitude for ever loving and supportive husband. The only thing, I can say is that, although I am a German citizen now, I am and will always be proud that I am still a Filipino.

Taxes in Germany

As me and my husband sat down for dinner tonight, I was able to mention to him about eating ice cream. Last August 2007, we visited a friend in Kaiserslautern, Germany. As we went walking in that city, we happened to pass by at Dolomite, a coffee shop that also sales ice cream . While me and my husband were eating at dinner, I told him that the shop charged us for 19% tax for the ice cream we ordered. I asked him why 19%, when that is food. He said that ice cream, chocolates, some junk foods are considered not basic food for living, that's why it is charged at 19% tax. In Germany basic food like bread, meat, milk etc are charged only 7% tax. Non-food goods or merchandise and services are tax last year at 16%. But now, it is already charged 19% including other services in shops like beauty shops, auto repair, insurances and a lot more. Germany is one of Europe's expensive country. Even sometimes when you go shopping plastic bags are not for free. You have to buy it self. This is just for info to everyone who always go shopping especially to women who always love shopping. Besides that now is Christmas time, one of the busiest time where almost everyone go for shopping. Just be wise in spending your money and be sure to have the right price for the right product.



p.s. these were the ice cream we ordered..sorry wrong cam date...

A VeRy ToUcHiNg StOrY

EXPENSIVE GOLD WRAPPING PAPER

The story goes that some time ago a mother punished her five year old daughter for wasting a roll of expensive gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and she became even more upset when the child used the gold paper to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree.

Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift box to her mother the next morning and then said,

"This is for you, Momma." The mother was embarrassed by her earlier over reaction, but her anger flared again when she opened the box and found it was empty. She spoke to her daughter in a harsh manner.

"Don' t you know, young lady, when you give someone a present there's supposed to be something inside the package?"

She had tears in her eyes and said, "Oh, Momma, it's not empty! I blew kisses into it until it was full."

The mother was crushed. She fell on her knees and put her arms around her little girl, and she begged her forgiveness for her thoughtless anger.

An accident took the life of the child only a short time later, and it is told that the mother kept that gold box by her bed for all the years of her life. Whenever she was discouraged or
faced difficult problems she would open the box and take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

In a very real sense, each of us, as human beings, have been given a Golden box filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, family, friends and GOD. There is no more

precious possession anyone could hold.

My TyPiCaL SuNdAy

My Sunday is fast over. As usual, I am having a typical Sunday...went walking with my husband around our place. We passed by in the small Weinachtsmarkt or Christmas market near our church. Some people were there. A group of women performed line dance. Small kiosks selling hamburgers, bratwurst, kebap, gluhwein (a warm wine especially during christmas) , etc. were also there. We did not stayed too long, since I have to talk to my family to the Philippines.

It is a relaxing Sunday, but I still felt a little bit tired. I guessed, this is from the weather. Today, here in my place is sometimes sunny, then comes rain, sunny again...I really find it sometimes very uncomfortable and tiring for going out. I am just happy that while walking with my husband, we were not caught by rain. As the time that we were already home, the rain started pouring already. It is still a blessed Sunday.

Do you know what day today is???

Let me share to you about the story of the Immaculate Conception..

HER NAME

When Bernadette Soubirous asked the beautiful lady who was appearing to her at Lourdes, France, in 1858, who she was, the lady answered, “I am the Immaculate Conception.”

The Immaculate Conception – Mama Mary wanted us to remember God more than herself. The Immaculate Conception – this is what we celebrate today. On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX defined the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, making this feast celebrated in the East since the 8th century a part of the article of faith of the Universal Church. The dogma states that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, from the first moment of her conception, in view of her unique vocation as mother of the Son of God, has been free from the stain of original sin.

The Immaculate Conception was because of the Divine Motherhood. It was God’s work just as her becoming the mother of His Son was purely God’s unique grace given her. We celebrate the Immaculate Conception to remember three things and so live by it.

First, the Immaculate Conception was the triumph of good over evil, of grace over sin. Eve, the first woman, though called “mother of all the living”, became the “mother of all the dead” because of her disobedience. God reversed the effect of Eve’s disobedience by the obedience of Mama Mary. The Immaculate Conception was God’s victory even before the ultimate battle on the cross was won by His Son.

Second, the Immaculate Conception affirmed that Mariology is a function of Christology. Her preservation from all sin had a definite orientation: her Divine Motherhood. She was given this unique privilege not for her own sake.

Third, the Immaculate Conception assured us that God supplies the grace needed for the vocation He calls us to. While it was true that she remained free as to what response she would give to God’s calling, Mama Mary was nonetheless readied, nurtured, and supported by God’s grace. Without it, she would not have responded to God’s calling the way she did. Without a prior grace from God, Mama Mary would not have been able to accept and fulfill her vocation.

“The Immaculate Conception” – this is the name of Mama Mary by which all generations call her “blessed”. Fr. Bobby T.

REFLECTION QUESTION: “Mary is blessed among all women because she conceived the Word in her heart before she conceived Him in her womb” (St. Augustine of Hippo).

“O Mary, conceived without original sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee” (Traditional Marian ejaculatory prayer).

adapted from Kerygma...

LiFe's LiTtLe InTrUcTiOnS ...Part 5

I got some more little reminders that we might find useful in our day to day living!!


***** Learn to save on even the most modest salary. If you do, you're the most assured of financial success.
***** Hold yourself to the highest standards.
***** Don't confuse comfort with happiness.
***** Don't confuse wealth with success.
***** Be the first to forgive.
***** When talking to your doctor, don't let him or her interrupt or end the session early. It's your body and your money. Stay until all your questions are answered to your satisfaction.
***** Check for toilet paper before sitting down.
***** Make a habit of reading something inspiring and cheerful just before going to sleep.
***** Marry a woman you love to talk to. As you get older, her conversational skills will be as important as any other.
***** Turn enemies into friends by doing something nice to them. (guess this is quiet difficult...what can you say??? or else you can try..)

have to sign off now....till next time..

My Germany!!! My New Home...

Let me tell you a little bit of my Germany. A country where I considered now my new home. I had been living in Germany for more that four years now since I am married to a German guy. I am proud of him being so humble, considerate, understanding, supporting and loving husband. He is always there for me. I have nothing to ask for.

Now back to Germany!! I can say that it is one of the richest, modern and cleanest country of Europe. I had already been to some cities and places in Germany. These include Cologne, Munich, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Wuerzburg, Kaiserslautern and a lot more to mention. Munich, the capital city of Bavaria is Germany's third largest city. Cologne is the fourth largest city, next to Munich. Cologne is the largest city both in the German Federal state of North Rhein Westphalia and within the Rhine Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than 10 million inhabitants.

Berlin is Germany's largest city, seconded by Hamburg. Berlin is the capital city and one of the sixteen states of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has a population of 3.4 million in its city limits. It is the second most populous city proper and the ninth most populous urban area in the the European Union. Located in northeastern Germany, it is the center of the Berlin- Brandenburg metropolitan area, comprising 4.9 million people from over 180 nations.

I am really fascinated about Germany especially when I attended the German Integrations' Course. In this course, I was able to meet a lot people from different countries with different cultures and traditions. This course offers German language at the same time knowing Germany's culture and history. Learning German language might be a little bit difficult but I really find it very interesting. I also found it's culture and history great and amazing.

So, I guess that's enough for today's little information about Germany. Next time again!!