The Comforts Of Home In Your Hotel

When looking for accommodations for your family vacation, what do you usually look for? No matter where you are, isn't it that you would look for comfort for your family first? I for one would usually look into the hotel room's size, and the services available. It should be clean, with amenities that my little girl can also enjoy, is accessible, and will of course allow me to unwind and relax. It also must have good reviews from people who have actually stayed in that hotel. It should also have hotel bar supplies that meet my expectations, a good selection of wine and a modern yet subdued ambience conducive for conversations.

I would always appreciate a hotel that offers a welcome service to its guests. It gives it a more personal touch. It could be a bottle of wine, or a small basket of sweets and chocolates to nibble on when you have nothing to do in particular or complimentary drinks at the bar. It need not be a five-star hotel for you to enjoy luxury in your hotel room... We once stayed in a hotel that was really nice. We were able to book it at a very reasonable price. The room was very charming and the bath supplies had me thinking of this hotel supply online that also offered almost exactly the same products. 

Come to think of it, if you are a hotel operator and would love to upgrade or update your hotel supplies, the Atlanta hotel supply can just be the right shop for you. It would be a great idea to start a business in the hotel industry. With all the hotel rooms that we have slept in and the experiences, good and bad, they will surely help in designing a place that guests can call their home away from home.

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The Shape Of You

Two Sundays ago, we received a very unexpected news. A news that my father in law suddenly collapsed and was critical in the hospital. My husband had to fly immediately to the Philippines but my mother in law told me that it was the same case as Uncle Nilo's. Tatay has always had hypertension and was diligent in monitoring his BP and was very careful with what he eats. He refused however to take his maintenance medication because he felt his BP would worsen/shoot up if he failed or missed a day to take them. But then it was too late for that... :(

Tatay passed away last Tuesday due to high blood pressure aneurysm. What it is, and how it can be diagnosed and prevented you can find here.

It was such a sad and bitter day for us, especially to his two children who are both based abroad: my husband who is Germany-based and his brother who is UK-based. I guess it must have been a very long journey for my husband. I honestly wished we could be with him when he flew to the Philippines or that my brother in law can also fly back home to see Tatay for the last time but certain circumstances prevented us from doing so.

My heart still grieves at losing him... It was barely five months when we last saw him. He was always so happy and always laughing, making jokes and always tickling our little girl. Making sure his granddaughter is comfortable and happy. He always puts the needs of his family first before his needs.

Now he is gone. Finally resting and no longer feeling pain. I pray that you are now resting in peace Tatay. And I pray that the Lord will comfort the loved ones you have left behind: Nanay (my mother in law), Kuya Leo and Ate Ann and Luis, Hanhan and us.

Coincidentally, I found this song from Jewel entitled "In The Shape Of You" which perfectly describes how I felt with your passing away... I am thankful for the time given me to get to know you more. Thank you for everything... Coming home to the Philippines will never be the same again without your laughter. :( Indeed, there's a hole in our hearts in the shape of you.

Your passing was unexpected Tatay... May you find rest in the Lord, our God.

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Fireworks Are Heavenly

I have always enjoyed fireworks shows... I was in awe when I saw my first spectacular and long fireworks show at the Showa Kinen park in Tachikawa, Tokyo in Japan. It was the summer of 2007. Then came the string of fireworks festivals in the succeeding years.

Each firework show is unique and beautiful in its own way and each never ceases to bring home that feeling of awe and wonder at the beauty that pyrotechniques can offer.

When we moved to Germany, I thought I would be missing out on the fireworks show but I guess I am way too favored when we found there is an annual three-day fireworks show called "Flammende Sterne" happening every summer at Scharnhauser Park in Ostfildern. Year after year, we go to the park to witness it, except for this year since we went on a summer holiday.

Since I wasn't able to watch this spectacle, I felt my summer went by incomplete. But then I saw this video shared on Facebook about a fireworks show competition held in Berlin and was again awed. I felt like I was there watching the fireworks myself. And on top of that, it was designed by Filipino contingents. I am just so happy to see it so I am sharing it here. I hope you like it.

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A Series of Beautiful and Unfortunate Events

It was a nice fine Saturday. We wanted to go hiking again before it gets too cold for our little girl so we decided to go mountain hiking up in Nebelhorn in Oberstdorf. The drive from where we live normally takes just two hours but we got stuck in traffic due to the high volume of vehicles who also wanted to do a "last day out" before the summer break ends.  The long drive got the husband irritable. We got to our destination at around two in the afternoon. We only have at least two and half hours left for our hike before the cable cars stop running. Of course we could always hike on the way down from the peak but we also had to consider the temperature and the terrain. It is okay if it were only me and my husband... but if you are with a little girl who likes to complain if she doesn't feel like doing something, then that is another story.

The cable car of the Nebelhornbahn leaving the Gipfelstation (peak station)

We reached the peak of Nebelhorn via cable car and then hiked our way down to the next station of Höfatsblick. It was only a kilometer stretch but with the steepness and the loose stones along the trail, it took us over an hour to hike as we stopped here and there for some photos. There was also a lot to see: alpine flowers in purple, yellow and white, and the  The hike down from the peak also saw us discovering the home of marmots. We spied four marmots in total and the little went nearer the rocky formations to get a closer look.

As we were moving on towards the Bergstation, I then noticed that my sunglasses were missing.. And that's when tempers flared... It's unfortunate really so my husband had to hurry and climb back up, tracing our tracks. It was nowhere to be found. I just hope it went to better hands.

Although the trip didn't turn out as wonderful as we expected it to be, I am still thankful. For the beauty of nature that we were able to behold. For the time given to spend with one another. For the memories albeit not so good....

 

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Popular Gifts for Dad

It is almost Father's Day, at least here in Germany. Did you know that Germany is the only country that celebrates Father's Day (Vatertag) differently from the rest of the world? Father's Day is celebrated on the Ascension Day, the Thursday forty days after Easter. It is also a Federal holiday here so that it is really a day worth celebrating with the family.

But no matter where you are in the world, we do celebrate Father's Day. It may be celebrated in different months, but it is a day that we take the time to honor and thank our Fathers.  What better way to do this than to give them something that shows our appreciation for all their hard work, support, guidance and love.

If you are puzzling over what to give your Father or your husband on that day, you could give them popular gifts for dad like maybe a new smart phone? I really find this iPhone 4 interesting... with a dollar print and the line that says "In Dad We Trust"....

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Happy Fronleichnam!

Today is both a national and religious holiday here in Germany, and in some other European countries as they celebrate Fronleichnam or Corpus Christi. Here in Germany, it is celebrated on the Thursday after the Trinity Sunday and in some places, on the following Sunday. Corpus Christi or officially known in the Catholic Church as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ does not commemorate an event in the life of Jesus Christ but celebrates the Body of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. I guess that is the essence of this celebration.

Text translation: "Jesus, strengthen our faith."

While it is of religious origin, Germany still celebrates it to this day although I doubt that many understand the meaning of the celebration nor do they know the reason behind this day being a "holiday". One can see though the Catholic and Anglican churches having different religious activities to celebrate this day. And in some "Dorfs" or small villages especially here in Baden-Wuerttemberg, this religious tradition is still very much celebrated in a colorful procession or parade. They even have very colorful flower carpets with different religious images and messages.

Photos: Freiburg-Schwarzwald.de 

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Should We Stay Or Should We Go?

When Hubby came home from work yesterday, he told me that his boss talked to him about his career options within the company. Because he is on an international assignment, much of the discussion was focused on what his training design would he should he decide to stay or should he decide to go back to Japan after his assignment contract.

He was sharing me this because he wanted me think it over in the next few days what I want and where I really want to settle down. Here in Germany or back in Japan... There are lots of pros and cons to consider on both sides and I know that I should weigh them all out well.

We had a good life in Japan... Although it was filled with challenges on my part because I never really got to learn the language, it is where we really toughed it out and where it all began for us as a family. We have friends who have become dear to us and we immensely miss them. There are also lots of conveniences that we missed while in Japan: the Sunday shopping, the fresh seafood, its geographical location.

Our present location also afforded us with lots of benefits because we are on assignment. Should we decide to stay for good, all the benefits of being on international assignment will be removed. No more company paid rent, no more free annual home trips. And because our present abode is furnished, we would need to purchase home furniture and move to a smaller and cheaper place once the assignment contract ends. Germany is also very, very far from the Philippines. The good thing about living here though is that this is where our child grew up. She has found some friends and she will also be starting school soon. I also had the opportunity to study the language and to go back to school. We also have regular meet ups with the Catholic Filipino community here so that our adjustment became easier.

I am writing this all down so that when I think again, I will have this for reference as I tend to forget things. We wouldn't want to regret our decision later because that would only make our staying or going unhappy.

Whatever decision we may come up, I hope that it will be what's best for the family.

So, what do you think? What have you got to say? Should we stay or should we go?

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