Category Archives: Photography

My first snowfall… this year!

Remembering life in the Philippines: Sentiments triggered by the fresh snow powder that I woke up to this morning.

Mahirap na talaga baguhin ang mga bagay bagay na kina lakihan ng isang tao. Ika nga – “old habits die hard!”

Noong nasa Pilipinas pa ako, sa probinsiya at pati na rin sa Maynila, natu-tulog akong bukas ang bintana. Masarap kasing matulog na may preskong hangin na dumadaloy sa loob ng kuwarto. *Echos*…, wala lang kaming aircon noon at dahil mainit ang klima sa Pilipinas, isa sa mga magagandang alaala ko noong akoy bata pa, ang bentilador or electric fan! Sa sala, sa kuwarto pati na din sa hapag kainan dapat merong bentilador. Sa kuwarto, nakasanayan naming matulog na bukas/umaandar sa buong mag damaga ang bentilador.

Lumaki ako sa isang extended family environment. Ibig sabihin, bukod sa magka-kapatid, kasama din namin sa bahay ang mga pinsan, mga tito at mga tita. Madalas, kung  nagpapang abot ang buong pamilya, ay siksikan kaming mga magpi-pinsan at magka- kapatid ko sa isang kuwarto. Parang kaming mga isdang kinilaw – na babad sa pawis dahil dikit dikit kami sa higaan. (Kinilaw -Filipino fish receipe wherein fish is washed several times with vinegar and prepared as salad with plenty of red onion, spring onion, calamansi, chili and tomato.) – I digress!

Going back to the bentilador (electric fan) story: Madalas, ang ikot ng bentilador ay hindi na umaabot sa pwesto ko. Kaya, ini-iwan naming bukas ang bintana sa gabi pag natutulog para kahit pa paano ay may hangin na dumaloy sa loob ng kwarto.

Here in Europe, I sleep with my windows kipped. I don’t even turn on the heating in my bedroom. I used to before, but then I noticed that I would wake up with a headache whenever the heating is left on all night. I tried sleeping with windows wide open one Summer night (since i also don’t have a cooling system, just like when I was in the Philippines.. old habits die hard!! *wink* ). I did it again in Autumn, just to be sure … finally, when Winter came, I did the same. VoilĂ … ever since, I always wake up refreshed and headache free. Salamat sa karanasan, natutunan kong iakma ang aking sarili sa maraming bagay-pati na rin sa buhay at klima dito sa Alemanya.

Today, I woke up to a powder white covered window edges.*yeheyyy— snow is back!”

It is my first snow fall this year… quickly, I searched for my Goblin and grab his sword!!! (oh, I just realized that bit sounded kinky, *wink*)…

I meant, I quickly went to the next room, to get my camera to take a picture of … the neighbor’s backyard… hahaha! I live on the second floor, hence the backyard does not belong to my rented area. But It’s a  free country, so I can take pictures without having to pay for the piece of land, mow the lawn and plant flowers to maintain it. “lol”.

The grand part of it is, looking forward to spring and summer, I can also use the lawn on a hot day, if I need to.. just to relax  or grill some good meat at dusk. Otherwise, I just use my terrace, which is also not bad.

Today, on a cold snnowy wintzer 🙂 day, I just enjoy the view from my second floor window… with freshly brewed coffee and some pleasant thoughts in my mind… I am happy!

Related Images:

Sa trabaho ko…

Sa trabaho ko, usapan  between me and my Filipino Guest (“guest”– not passenger and not customer.) 

Standard na sa akin na  sa bawat tanong meron na akong parang naka handang kasagutan. Yung sinasabi ko at yung sagot ko sa utak ko. Yes… minsan may pagka obnoxious ako… pasensiya po! Sa isip ko lang, either talagang interested ang tao o gusto lang maging polite para hindi ko isispin na “snobs” sila…I don’t really care! Actually trabaho lang po ito. Either i am really happy at magaan ang loob ko sa Pinoy guest ko or I don’t really mind and just do my usual routine.

Ang problema, para sa akin kasi, pagsasayang ng oras ang small talk na ganito ang takbo…. hehehe.

Pinoy guest:  san ka dito nakatira?

Me:  malapit po sa Frankfurt  (answer in mind: ahhmm, sa China? hello nasa Frankfurt tayo!)

Pinoy guest:  matagal ka na dito sa Europa?

Me:  hindi naman po masyado… (mga 2 dekada… interesado ka nga ba talaga?)

Pinoy guest:  san ka nagta trabaho?

Me:  ahhhmmm… (guest kaya kita sa trabaho ko? tanungin pa ba??)

Pinoy guest:  may asawa ka? Ilan ang mga anak mo? 

Me:   opo… wala po.

tapos…  

Pinoy guest:  ahhh… so matagal ka na pala dito???

Me:  taas kilay , nanlaki mata at napa nga-nga– …like… huh?? anyare?

Ok, inaamin ko passive naman kasi ang mga sagot ko sa mga tanong niya, kasi medyo obvious naman talaga.

Kala ko nga medyo stating facts nalang siya at hindi na asking question, hahaha!

 

 

 

Related Images:

A Tulip for May

Last weekend, hubby and I were invited the 60th birthday of hubby’s cousin. They live like 300 kms away from us but it didn’t matter. Anyway, It was a good time to travel since the weather has warmed up a bit.

Also, I thought I should try to abuse my new cam… hehehe. Thing is, I read it somewhere, unless I am invited as the official camera man (woman) for the party, I should not bring my camera to parties. I did anyway, but decided not to take so much photos from the party.

As a photogapher wanna-be, the best place to practice? Where else but at mother-in-law’s garden. I decided to to take advantage the early morning light las Sunday. I like these best.

Related Images: