Great speech of Chancellor Merkel regarding Covid-19

Clip from Daniel Hausmann…

Just have to share this really impressive speech of Frau Merkel and the aerial photos of Frankfurt am Main taken by Daniel Haussmann during the Covid-19 times! I have never seen Frankfurt area this quiet. The hub of the industrial part of Germany… seems like a ghost town.

Infections has risen to 99,225 cases.. and death count is already at 1,607… Isn’t thus

Let us each contribute in any way we can to help stop the death toll from rising. Help keep our loved ones, friends and colleagues healthy.

Stay at home everyone!

Related Images:

Confessions against strong winds by the river

Looking at you with all the strange emotions i’m feeling. Listening to a very impossible explanation or excuse.

“Loving all out- no holding back. Just looking, wanting and waiting…are these even possible?
All because, I said I want to fly with you…”

Then you say:

“The emotions that you say are too much for you”…
The feelings that you have not felt a long time, suddenly rising again inside.
“I’m sorry… I need them desperately. I can’t do without them. I will greedily grab and hold on them for they are gifts from an unknown power.”

That strong and mysterious power of someone experiencing near death. That very same deep and true emotions emanated by the dying. It brings two completely different souls together. Like a gift to the loved ones who will be left behind.
I don’t know how to go against it. I don’t even want to let go of it.

Can there be such a relationship? Can it really still exist?

But you know, not saying it, not talking about it and just simply letting it be— makes it more lasting and memorable.
More sacred and pure!

Related Images:

It’s the year of the Metal Rat

Typical of a Rat attitude, sneaking in into the new year, bringing with it the all the good and the not so good things it has gathered from the previous years.

According to the Chinese Lunar calendar, 2020 is the year of the metal Rat.

While the rat has a diligent and hard working attribute, it should be considered that the year 2020 will also bring in good fortunes as it known to be the year of the rat. Alas, it will also bring in what the rat has gathered in the previous year, which may also have some negative aspects.

Let’s wait and see.
For in the end, the signs are there, are everywhere… but opening up one’s very own eyes and mind to see is one’s own responsibility.

Related Images:

A month filled with questions and uncertainty

How long has it been? … It does feel like forever.
Is it already the “Peak” or is it the “Peter’s Plateau”?

We’ll, it can be called following the “Peter’s Principle”…
…. but it may also be called following the “Dilbert’s Principle”…

I can only wait and wait and wait!!!

Or move on…. On to where???

Related Images:

Excuse the flaming… this is the epistle of myself and I.

It’s been a long time that I have given up on trying to please others. I have decided never to waste my time and effort to those who do not appreciate me. I choose now to share my life only with those who deserve me, my time and my effort. My love I will gladly give you. My trust and loyalty is true only if you do deserve them. Otherwise, I let go!!!

If you don’t like me, for whatever reasons you may have conjured up in your tiny thank then that is fine. I will not enforce myself upon you also. Do not expect me to try and please you because I definitely will not do so. I will accept your opinion as it is. But I will not waste my precious time on you.

I will not explain and justify my actions to you who only give malice to others. I think we are already old enough not to play dumb and dumber s*** to each other. 

I have much better things to do than just kiss their sorry a***.

Related Images:

In bloom again

My orchids are in full bloom again.
The poor batch has been struggling for months. Yes, they were sick for awhile.
After months of TLC, they are finally showing happiness!

They are happy… and I am too!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This reminds me two things:
**My grandma loved Orchids. (That’s why I do too!) šŸ™‚

**She always said: “Everything has it’s TIME”

Time…was here, now, later…
…you don’t have it,
…or it goes so fast..
for all you know, it’s only in the mind —
It does take you… to tomorrow and beyond past!

Take time everyone!
Time is precious,
Time is worth more than gold
Time used unwisely,
Can never be returned…
Time heals,
Time reveals.

Everything and nothing takes time…
So, spend it wisely,
Spend it for good memories…
Time spent on bad ones, let it go!
For we already know, what was spent, we won’t be able to retrieve.
Instead learn from it, and in time we’ll get better
And far more worthy will be achieved!

Related Images:

Planet Tax Free

The very much overrated Valentine’s day came and went; and as always, the prices of flowers and chocolates and other gift essentials skyrocketed! Thanks to Tax-Free shopping, for tourists, it is still worth the travel and gift buying.

PLANET, among others, also provides tax free services to European tourist shoppers. Planet is the second largest tax-free service provider in Europe. I am proud to be a part of the Planet family since May 2013 and happy to say that we are continuously working to better improve our services.

Recently, we launched ā€œInstant Alipayā€ ā€“Yes!!! We jumped into the bandwagon of the Digital wallet era!

February 14 is a special day ā€“ because it is St. Valentineā€™s day or Heartā€™s day as celebrated globally.

At the Planet Tax refund Desk in Frankfurt Airport, we also had a very meaningful Feb. 14, 2019. We reached another milestone, as we launched in our options of refund payment method ā€¦ the innovation that most – if not all Chinese consumers prefer ā€“ the Instant Alipay.

I have been eagerly waiting for this… looking forward to the time when I could finally offer to the guest the real-time tax back method. Using the very popular (at most to the Chinese) a non-cash/digital Tax refund payment method: INSTANT ALIPAY.

How it works:

After the guest has done Customs declaration and getting the Customs Seal on their Tax-free forms, they can then proceed to the tax refund Operators’ counters.

To process or complete a refund, an ocular inspection of the tax refund voucher must be implemented. The Physical voucher is checked from top to bottom, purchase details are compared with the invoice presented and customer details written on the voucher are compared to the passport presented. If all requirements are met, then we proceed with the processing of the refund transaction. For the payment method, our guests have several options. Depending on their preference, they can choose if they want to have the refund in cash, per credit card money transfer or for the Chinese customers more especially, we have the Alipay refund method.

  1. Scan the Alipay Barcode

The first customer was hesitant saying I was not doing it right. I do not use a QR code scanner at the counter. I use instead of, the Barcode reader.

For the Chinese guests, they think if we use the Barcode, it would mean we are getting money from their account and not paying into their account. I explained, with my very few Chinese vocabularies and with ā€œhand gesturesā€ that it was correct to use the barcode for them to get their money.

  1. Get Notification from the Alipay App

Finally, just after a few seconds, the very much awaited ā€œblingā€ from the customersā€™ ALIPAY phone App was heard. To this, the reward cameā€¦ I got a very bright and happy smile from the customer. The best part was that, after he got his money thru Instant Alipay, he turned to the next customers in the queue, a young couple and proudly suggested to them to do the same. Right at that very moment—Instant Alipay payment method started rolling. Best marketing strategy: Positive words of mouth passed on from customer to fellow customers.

  1. Hand out the token/gift from Alipay and the printed customer receipt

Of course, the small gift that was distributed after a successful Instant Alipay transaction went through, also made it exciting for the customers. This filled my heart with more joy, as one can truly see the appreciation of the customers.

We at the Planet Refund Desk Frankfurt Airport always go the extra mile to help the customers. So, we are very happy and proud to see our customers leaving the counter with a satisfied look. They leave our counter with a very good impression of doing a Tax refund business with us. I am quite positive that each and every person leaving us with a smile will definitely pass on their positive experience doing tax refunding to their family members, relatives, friends and colleagues who will eventually be our future Tax refund customers as well.

It seems that we will have a promising turnover of IA payment.

Thanks to our IT experts and the people who worked hard to make this successful change happen.

I am proud and happy to be a part of the Planet Family!!!

 

Related Images:

Kitchen hunt

I guess it is already that time.

After almost twenty years, it’s finally at its end…well, actually barely!

It sounds like an old person who’s bone and knuckles are making strange noises all the time. At a step, when bending, when standing up…upon sitting down. Its pain can be heard by the creaking noises it makes.

I guess it is really just normal. I feel the same about my body sometimes… yikes!

But, I, with my practicality and stingy-sense, still want to try and salvage it. I told hubby to just oil and repair the hinges that have been complaining all the time. In the end, I have to admit… and accept the fact: It’s time to find the replacement.

So, for several weeks now, hubby and have been planning and hunting for a new kitchen.

We have been to several companies getting expert advises and checking out their exhibits, but.. so far, with no luck.

They were all either too expensive… or much too expensive, hahaha!!!

Didn’t I mention already that I am ahemmm.. practical???

I need help… I am torn!

Should we? shouldn’t we?

If so, how much must it be?

I didn’t realize that to buy a whole kitchen the price range that I would need to consider should be somewhere from 5K upwards. And see how simple it is.

That’s like buying a new car in the Philippines. Consequently, that’s also the same price that a house renovation in the Philippines would cost. A whole life’s worth for some…. and here in Europe, it’s apparently a normal kitchen price to consider. DĆ¼hhh!!!

Related Images:

New Year (times) Two

Nag daan na ang dalawang bagong taon: Ang bagong taon ayon sa Gregorian calendar at ang bagong taon ayon sa Lunar calendar.

Ako, naka ugalian ko na ang mag handa para sa pag sapit sa dalawang araw na ito. Hindi man ma garbo ang handa ko, pero kahit sa maliit na paraan ay idina raus ko ito ng may saya sa puso. Siyempre, hindi ko din kina liligtaan ang mga bagay at pagkain na dapat ihanda bago sumapit ang dalawang okasyon na ito.

Dahil para sa akin ang bagong taon ay nagdadala ng bagong pag asa at bagong oportunidad kaya dapat itong tina-tanggap at sina-salubong ng may galak sa puso. Dala nito ang Pagkakataong baguhin ang mga hindi ka anib anib na mga kaugalian o mga hindi ka nais nais na mga asal. Dala nito ang mga bagong pangarap na pwede nating ma rating.

Maligayang pag dating 2019! Salamat sa bagong pag-asa na iyong dala para sa buong sanlibutan!

 

Related Images:

Remembering …

…my birthplace, my childhood and my Mamang…

My parents were always out of town or out of the country – busy making a living. Hence, we – my siblings and I were left behind with our grandmother in the old house in Dipolog; the city where I was born.

The house was made out of wood and was elevated enough to avoid it being flooded. The front door entrance stairs and landing were made of cement though. Connected to the landing a small cemented room where we did the laundry and took our baths. No, it was not the toilet, because our toilet was located at the back of the house on a separate lean-to-cube.

Yes, I guess, that was how it used to be in the Philippines. Most houses didn’t have the toilet inside the house. One needs to take a candle or some kind of torchlight to go to the toilet at night. That was why the kids grew up with the routine. On a school week, some days after school, we were allowed to play around with the neighborsā€™ kids along the streets, until before nightfall.

In the Philippines, it gets dark quite early. So, we were always told to clean up: wash the hands and feet or take a bath and do toilets rituals before dinnertime. Sometimes, we wanted to play a bit longer out on the streets, this was okay as long as we were all clean and smelling fresh before our grandma would come home from work. Yes, she went to work – how else could she have raised all 10 children on her own without her husband? Our grandfather left her early. He succumbed to Tuberculosis-but that’s for another story.

If one was caught smelling like dried sweat and sunburnt, then our grandma would know that that person missed the ritual because he/she must have come home really late. He or she would definitely get punished.

The punishment was never violent though. The punishment was either to recite the multiplication table or recite some kind of terribly long poem. Or perhaps sing a song in front of everybody. The singing was fun.

The poem was one written by the Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal’s, i.e. “Mi Ultimo Adios” in Spanish or “My Last Farewell” in English. Yes, at that age, we were already taught to speak English and Spanish. I never had problems with the first one. Just Spanish … and the multiplication (Math) were both my Waterloo. Both were really, really hard for me. I do regret it now though. I could have made good use of the Spanish language at work. Unfortunately, the few words that got stuck with me are not enough to make a proper conversation with a local Spanish speaker. Oh, I digress!

So, I was always careful not to get caught smelling like Iā€™ve been out in the sun the whole day. Or getting caught coming home late. I made sure instead, to be able to go out on weekends. The excuse I most of the time used was to sell any excess harvested fruits from my grandmaā€™s farm. I loved that chore because of several reasons.

First, I could walk around the whole neighborhood, seeing my classmates and friends along the way. Second, the earnings I got from selling the fruit was my own weekly pocket money. Although I still had to give it to my grandma, I always felt like it was mine, since I worked hard selling it. Third and probably the most precious to me, was the freedom to be alone for those few hours. Growing up in an extended family household, one would have no peace and quiet. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it. I grew up with my brother and two sisters and several cousins. We were always together, after school, during weekends, either just studying, watching movies, playing at the city plaza or spending time at the beach. We were allowed to do all these as long as we have all done our assigned household chores. Thatā€™s our childhood generation.

OH, by the way, at that time, worries and fears about children being abducted, kidnapped, to be sold somewhere for slavery or worst to be robbed of their organs to sell or scattered pedophile snatching/molesting kids— was nonexisting! If I am not mistaken, that only came up later in the 80’s era and only in big cities.

Anyway, today, I woke up to a dream.

I dreamt about being in the big wood house in the Province. I dreamt about the song my brother used to practice at home for a school musical. I dreamt about being with my grandma again. In my dream, I was sitting close to her…smelling her beautiful fragrant, soft skin. I was rubbing my face to her arm while–thumb sucking! Yes, I also had that very nasty habit until I was 7 years old. It was a sign of my insecurity, I think.

In my dream, the next scene: I was watching my brother practicing his own version of Harry Belafonteā€™s ā€œBanana Boat Songā€. I could hear myself humming along to his song. I saw myself looking up to my grandma. I felt the longingā€¦ then I woke up.

My grandma passed away two years ago. Since then, my sister Diday and some relatives have often been vocal that they got a “visit” from our grandma. Whether they were lucid dreaming or they just felt something of her. Smelled her fragrance. Or felt her presence.

I never experienced this before, so whenever they mentioned or talked about the experience, I was always curious and envious. Now, not anymore. I just miss her more.

 

Related Images:

Getting hooked into kd’s and Korean

To help me at work and of course, for self-developmental reasons, I started learning the Korean language.

Ahemm,… okay, admittedly it is actually just an excuse… I am also hooked on KD’s. I believe I already mentioned this in a previous blog. I just don’t know right now, when it was exactly… hehehe. So typically ME!!

Since I like the sound of introducing myself in Korean, I Have just got to end this with: 

ģ•ˆė…•ķ•˜ģ„øģš”. ķ•œė‚˜ģ—ģš”. ė°˜ź°€ģ›Œģš”!!! (Annyeonghaseyo. Hanna-eyo. Bangawoyo!!!)

Related Images:

A lame excuse for shopping

A guest came up to the counter one day with a very upset face.

I could tell, by his reply to my greetings that; from the queuing up at check in, to slugging his luggage to the customs counter and then finally ending up at my counter to claim his VAT back, he was already thinking he won’t do it again next time.Not to mention – getting embarrassed because at the customs counter, he had to open his luggage where the purchased items where mixed with his worn clothing and other private stuff.

To my greeting, he replied with:

ā€œHmmmp! Why do women love to shop? Why do they shop too much?ā€

My immediate reply caught his attention:

ā€œSpeaking for myself, I believe that shopping is some kind of ā€œTherapyā€. “Retail theraphy” makes women happy, their loved ones, in this case, you the husband, even happierā€”with a *wink*!  And the good news is: You get to claim the VAT back.”

Sir, do you know what HHWW means?

He replied: “No. What’s that?”

It means: Holding Hands while Walking. So if someone says to you, i saw them at the park or at the mall doing HHWW… *wink* that’s what it means. Nothing bad, just sweetness!

Now, how about SSHW?

“Ahmm.. I guess i have no clue”, was his reply.

Shopping, makes us Super Happy makes us Work again eagerly.

The wife goes Shopping…(S)

After shopping, she is happy… consecutively you are also happy.

So now the both of you are “Super Happy”…. (SH)

YOU are a businessman? You came here for business and pleasure combined?

He relied again: “Yes, yes, that’s correct”

OK. So, to complete the anagram and the cycle, you as businessman must make this experience again to your advantage… The only Work (W) left to be done is to get back some money from the shopping done by the wifey! – hehehe.”

To make a long story short, my guest who was on the verge of exploding, left the counter with a jolly goodbye and a smile on his face.

I am positive, the next time he would visit another country, he would inquire again on how to go about claiming the VAT back on his expenditures. With or without the a female companion tagging along.

Reflecting on his statement: “Why women love to shop” – for me it really is some sort of therapy. It doesn’t necessarily have top be shopping per se. It could also be, just window shopping. Kind of a “go-see” what’s new, what’s in, what is trending and how much it may cost. Of course, to be able to try them on and see if what looks good on others, would also look good on me, is a bonus.

People can also browse and shop online, I know… but to try it on immediately and not having to wait  several days later… that is something one can only do by going to the shop/malls personally.

I mean -Shopping a my therapy. If I am feeling down today, I want to cure myself today.. not halfway today and again a few days later. I would rather prefer to do lift my spirits up today! You get me?! *wink*

Shopping gives me motivation and courage.

When I shop, it gives me a push in the positive direction. It gives me the energy to face struggles when I am at a crossroad. It even helps me come up with new ideas.

Shopping makes me happy

It reminds me of the people I love, my family, my friends because when I shop, I donā€™t only think of buying for myself, but also for my love ones.

Shopping makes me feel sexy.

Hormones go wild when I enter my favorite store and finding new articles that are IN at the moment. Shopping for me is also some kind stimulant. A drug or some kind of foreplay-if you may want to call it at that.

Donā€™t get me wrong. I am not addicted to shopping. I DO shop till I drop sometimes ā€“ or till my CC canā€™t handle it anymoreā€¦ whichever comes first! But I donā€™t splurgeā€¦ NOT ALWAYS!

How about you? What’s your excuse for shopping?

Related Images:

Bitter-sweet life

Life is sweet… but life’s experiences are also sometimes hard, sad and bitter.

But in all those times that we go through these, it is also when we learn the most!!!

It’s the sweet returns that we should enjoy…with time!

Related Images:

Umaga na naman…

Umaga na.

Lumipas ang buong mag damag.

Ang mundong madilim, sa kadiliman nito  may iba’t-ibang bagay na nangyayari sa buhay ng tao.

May nagjng masaya, nag ingay, nag trabaho at mayroon din naman na tulog lamang.

Ipinikit ang kanilang mga mata sa dilim, sinabayan ang pagta takip silim – ang mahiwagang kadiliman.

Kadiliman na hindi na pipigilan… kusa at pilit itong nag babalik sa bawat araw na duma daan.

Hanggang sa pag babalik muli ng kaliwanagan – sa pag taas muli ng araw sa Silangan.

Umaga na naman.

Related Images:

Tadhana…

“Ang hindi lumingon sa pinang galingan ay hindi maka-rarating sa paro-roonan…”(Dr. Jose Rizal)

Bakit kailangan lumingon pa? Hindi kaya ito pa ang makaka hadlang sa pag sulong ng kabuhayan?

Hindi ba pwedeng mag sumikap na lang para makarating sa pupuntahan?

Hindi ba pwedeng ang disiplina nalang ang dahilan para makarating sa patutungohan?

Umiikot ang buhay ng tao na parang gulong.

Ang pinagda daanan na tahak ay iba-iba.

Minsan, malubak, minsan mabato, minsan naman lubog sa tubig o kaya naman ay ma putik. Ngunit, dahil hindi ito huminto sa pag gulong, sa katagalan ay nakakarating din naman sa maganda at sementadong daan. Pero tulad ng bilog na mundo at bilog na gulong, pwede din namang sa hindi katagalan ay dumaan na naman ang gulong sa mabato, maputik at malubak na daanan.

Importante, ang mag sumikap na makabalik ulit sa sementado at tuwid na daan.

Sa istorya ng buhay ko, dinala ako ng ihip ng hangin dito sa kina lalagayan ko ngayon. Lumipad sa himpa-pawid ang eroplanong sakay ako mula sa Pilipinas papuntang Europa. Nakarating ako dito na ang baon lamang ay pangarap at tatag ng kalooban.

Pangarap na ta-tanggapin ako ng maayos ng banyagang mundong aking pupuntahan. Pangarap na maka kuha o makahanap ng marangal na trabaho. Pangarap na maka tulong sa pamilya ko na magkaroon ng maayos na buhay. Pangarap na mapaayos ko din ang aking sariling buhay. Isang ma habang biyahe na karga ang napaka raming pangarap at ang tanging sandata ay ang katatagan ng aking kalooban. Buo ang paniniwalang makakamit ko din ang aking mga inaasam.

Subalit, kaagapay ko din sa biyahe kong ito ang aking nakaraan.

Na karaan na pilit kong iwanan. Balak kong kalimutan, talikuran at hinding-hindi na muling ba-balikan.

Ngunit ang tadhana na mismo ang nag takda.

Ang nakaraan ko ay katanungan ng nasa itaas. Ang aking kasagutan magsi silbing pisi ng tadhana ng buhay ko. 

Ang mga susunod na udyok ng damdamin at hakbang ng aking mga paa ang magi-ging takbo ng gulong ng aking Kinabukasan.

Related Images: