SSS #134: Herzlichen Dank!

…is yet another ”trying hard” attempt from me to express my heartfelt gratitude (in German – the dominant language in Austria – of course!) to online buddy, G Mirage, for her invaluable help in making our recent Vienna sidetrip all the more enjoyable and hassle-free!

Just when we thought we already “abused” her enough with all her useful tips on the easiest train routes to take, which places to go to, what to eat, etc, etc, we were warmly welcomed by this when we reached our hotel after a full day’s worth of sightseeing…

A very Viennese-y-looking, adorable, teddy bear card inside a “loot bag” containing these…

Truly sweet mementoes of Vienna (not in photo: girlie-pink blouse for our diva-lette )!

With an equally (short and) sweet note from G!

Yes, G, we did enjoy Vienna – very much!  And we couldn’t have done so without all your help.  

Lastly, since we unfortunately did not have the chance to personally meet up, we hope you accept this “virtual bouquet” as a token of our appreciation for your warm hospitality and friendship (pardon the price…I know it’s a bit “tacky” to have it there but I couldn’t edit it out without “destroying” the flowers…I’m sure you’ll understand).

Again, maraming, maraming salamat! God bless you for your kindness and generosity!

SSS #133: Giving Thanks

As our friends in the States celebrate Thanksgiving today, I thought it nice to “ride the thankfulness wave” as well with this post…

For all of you who have been regularly dropping by, I’m sure you’re aware of our recent “surprise holiday” (aka Keith’s overseas training ).  Looking back to this most recent blessing, I can’t help but see the hand of a very loving and generous God who has allowed us to:

…entrust our two sons to equally generous kingdom-based relatives who have opened their home, shared their time and resources and looked after our boys while we were away

…remain “sickness-free” during our trip even with the sub-zero temperatures which our “tropical-based” bodies are hardly used to

…see and visit such wonderful and historical places which almost always took our breath away and reflected the presence of an even greater and more magnificent Creator (if you will kindly allow me to share some favorite snapshots to “support my claim” )

View of the river Vlatava and a wooden water wheel from Charles Bridge (Prague)

At the Little Quarter (Mala Strana) end of Charles Bridge with a view of the dome and cupola of the Church of St Nicholas (Prague)

Astronomical Clock and Calendar (1490) on the Old Town Hall Tower (Prague)

Old Town Square with a view of the gothic steeples of the Church of Our Lady before Tyn (Prague)

Evening view of the Prague Castle and Hradcany from the Charles Bridge (Prague)

Trinity Column or Plague Monument (1693) in Vienna, Austria

Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens (Austria)

Schonbrunn Palace Gardens with the Gloriette, a large Neoclassical arcade crowning the hill behind the palace, as background (Austria)

At the entrance of the Hofburg Palace (Vienna)

The Heldenplatz by night (Vienna)

…experience snow (the type which actually falls from the sky!) for the very first time – this was on our last day on holiday

The snow-topped roofs of Prague

On our uphill trek to the Loreto pilgrimage site (Prague)

…be enriched with the kindness of friends (even those whom we have not actually met personally – you know who you are! ) who have wished us well and were sometimes as excited as we were for having taken this trip

I’ve read and been told a lot of times that happiness stems from a grateful heart.  In all honesty, I do believe this is true.

Let’s all count our blessings, shall we? Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

LP #35: Ang Pagwawagi

Marahil, mananatiling isang palaisipan sa mga di naniniwala ngunit para sa mga Kristiyanong katulad ko, ang kabalintunaan (irony) ng pinakong Kristo bilang sagisag ng tunay na pagwawagi mula sa kasalanan at kamatayan ay patuloy na magiging matibay na batayan ng aking pananampalataya at paniniwala sa isang mapagmahal at mapagpatawad na Diyos.

Ang istatwang ito ay isa lamang sa maraming “baroque statues” na matatagpuan sa magkabilang panig ng Charles Bridge sa siyudad ng Praha (Prague) sa bansang Czech Republic. 

Ang Charles Bridge ang nag-uugnay ng lumang bayan (Old Town) ng Praha sa Mala Strana (Little Quarter), ang parte ng siyudad na may pinakamaraming gusali, simbahan at palasyo na nakatayo pa rin hanggang sa kasalukuyang panahon – ang iba mula pa sa ika-labindalawang siglo (12th century)!  Ang tulay ay ipinagawa ni Charles IV noong 1357 bilang kapalit ng naunang Judith Bridge na winasak ng baha.

Nagawi kami dito kamakailan ng palarin ang aking kabiyak na magkaroon ng “training” doon para sa kanyang trabaho.

 

LP #34: Madumi

 

 Huli na nang mapansin

mga sulat sa dingding

Ang inakalang kay gandang tanawin

Nabawasan ng rikit at ningning

Dahil sa duming walang saysay

at lamat sa paningin.

Kuha ito sa isang kalye sa Prague, Czech Republic, habang iniikot namin ang lugar ilang araw pa lamang ang nakakaraan.

Maligayang LP sa lahat!

SSS #132: Nero and The Knight

Probably one of the more exciting parts of the school year not only for the boys but for me as well would be their annual Fall Festival.  This is when they get to wear their chosen costumes to school for the costume parade and when they spend the whole day in fun and games.

Unlike last year when I had to rummage through odds and ends from the boys’ wardrobe and old halloween stuff to come up with “presentable” costumes (click here to see what they had on), we made sure we were much better prepared this year by choosing their costumes in advance so they were “good to go” come this fun event.

Without further ado, may I present…

“Nero” – sans the “arsonist/killer tendencies”, of course!  Being the “pre-teen” that he is, Luigi had some reservations on the “coolness factor” of his outfit that we had to assure him repeatedly – it’s not really what you wear but more how you wear it!

…and the “gallant knight” Hmmm…wonder if he’ll get to save a damsel in distress today? Rafa, on the other hand, had some trouble with his head piece in the beginning (he looked like an iguana waiting to attack – hahaha!) but was quickly able to “overcome” and add the much needed “pogi points” to his ensemble.

All set to go – Fall Festival, here we come!

And this wraps up yet another year’s Fall Festival Highlights! Wonder what they’ll want to wear next year? Your guess is as good as mine… Abangan!

 

LP #33: Kinagisnan

Malamig na simoy ng banayad na hangin

Dumadampi ng marahan sa aking pisngi

Sabay ang paghigop ng mainit na tsokolate

Habang nakatitig sa kumukutitap na ilaw at makukulay na palamuti

Ng aming binuong ”Christmas Tree”

Kinaugalian at kinagisnan na mula nang magkapamilya

Mapalad at naitutuloy pa sa munting kaharian

Kung saan kapaskuhan ay madalas na isa lamang alaala

Paumanhin lang po kung hindi ako masyadong makadalaw sa inyong mga lahok ngayong linggo at kasalukuyan po kaming nasa maikling bakasyon.  Babawi na lang sa susunod na linggo!

Kung gusto niyo namang makitikim ng kinagisnang lutuin, samahan ninyo ako dito.

Maligayang LP sa lahat!

SSS #131: Chilly, Nippy and Totally Cool

After two months or so of extreme heat and uncomfortable humidity (many times “sweltering” comes to mind), as if on cue, the beginning of November ushered in the much-awaited cooler weather.  Unlike before when having the airconditioners on almost 24/7 was a necessity, we now have the “luxury” of actually opening our windows during the day to let the chilly autumn breeze in.

Also, adding to the excitement of this month (as hubby already mentioned in his most recent post), is the totally unexpected good news we received recently about Keith’s business/pleasure trip to Prague and a sidetrip to Vienna – with Marga and myself tagging along too – yipee!

As if this blessing weren’t enough, in our own little way (and thanks to our very “resourceful contacts” here in the kingdom), we also managed to keep up with the holiday cheer that many of us are accustomed to when the “ber” months come along… and who better than our very own “Papa Santa” to lead us in completing the very enjoyable (yet covert) operations of “Project X”?

“Papa Santa” in action.  Bet this gives you a strong inkling what “Project X” is, right?   More on Project X in our later posts…

How are these updates for things chilly, nippy and totally cool?

Truly, the Lord has been very good to us and we continue to remain grateful to Him for sustaining and nourishing us with every good thing in our desert home.

 

LP #32: Maalaala mo kaya?

…ang “katas ng unang suweldo”?

Muntik ko na ngang malimutan hanggang sa makita ko muli ang mga ito habang naghahalughog ng mga gamit nang magbakasyon kami sa Pilipinas kamakailan.

Opo, ang dalawang “charm bracelet” na ito ang sumasagisag ng aking mga unang pinaghirapan nang ako’y magsimulang magtrabaho maraming taon na ang nakakaraan.  Di man sila kamahalan, mataas naman ang “sentimental value”, di ba?

Maligayang LP sa lahat!

SSS #130: Fushi

This was all that I managed to “save” (for blogging purposes) from our newest find here in the kingdom…

Complimentary Fushi chocolate square (by Chocoline)

Good news! Seems like this sleepy little kingdom’s tastebuds are finally waking up to the yummy taste of “real” Japanese food.  Why so? Because we managed to try one such place which served our much-craved food recently - fabulous Fushi! 

Though we honestly didn’t pin our “foodie hopes” on Fushi, I am pleased to say that it has certainly lived up to what we expect our Japanese food to be – great presentation, “real” Japanese taste and very tastefully decorated minimalist ambience – and all reasonably-priced too!

Now we need not go that far to have a quick Jap fix!

PS I hope to show you more pics from our “return visit” soon – promise!