As Eurotrippen put it, some serious, end of times shit has been afoot. Today and yesterday saw some crazy weather go down. It was sunny, snowy, and cloudy all at the same time!
In other news, Paris Hilton will be headlining the "Wetten, dass..." show this weekend, which will be filmed in Erfurt. Coincidence?
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Of Basil, and other things
Can anybody help me out with my basil? My basil is acting up. I bought my plant from Lidl, and at first it seemed fine but it has developed clusters of black spots, which seem to be eating the leaves.
The basil is in long planter with rosemary and chives. The rosemary and chives seem fine, but the basil has always acted up. My first basil plant and my chilis died from aphids, but it did not kill my rosemary and chives.
Secondly, I just wanted to share my current favorite song, Superstar from Lupe Fiasco featuring Matt Santos (yes, he's part Pinoy!) Santos has an amazing voice, reminds me of Chris Martin and John Mayer, but just check out his other songs, his range is amazing!
The basil is in long planter with rosemary and chives. The rosemary and chives seem fine, but the basil has always acted up. My first basil plant and my chilis died from aphids, but it did not kill my rosemary and chives.
Secondly, I just wanted to share my current favorite song, Superstar from Lupe Fiasco featuring Matt Santos (yes, he's part Pinoy!) Santos has an amazing voice, reminds me of Chris Martin and John Mayer, but just check out his other songs, his range is amazing!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Those Who Can't Do, Teach
I was a pretty precocious kid growing up. I learned to read when I was three, and my linguistic capabilities were miles away from my peers. It ran in the family. We were bookworms, English teachers, journalists, polyglots.
In the fifth grade I joined a drama group, and I spent my high school years with the drama club. I was such a drama queen growing up, it was the perfect outlet. As I entered my senior year, I asked myself, should I take up drama or journalism next year?
The answer came in the form of Mrs. Guevarra, my fourth year English high school teacher. She had just come back from a scholarship in Japan, and was the second person in the world that I wanted to be like when I grew up (My grandpa was the first). I thought she was so refined and elegant, with the way she walked, and how she sipped her diet Coke in can everyday on her way to class before the first bell rang.
She recognized something in me, me who was so insecure and was bullied to pieces by my schoolmates. She actually validated my existence and recognized that I actually had something to offer the world. For the first time in my life, I thought I knew what I needed to do: I needed to be a writer. It was a plan that I hatched when I was twelve, but I felt that this was the push that told me, to just do it.
So I spent four years in college pretty much immersing myself in the writing craft. It was one of the best times in my life. I may have failed algebra four times, but hey, who cared? I was there to become a writer.
Then I graduated and the real world ate me up alive. It was so cruel and brutal and mean, that I just drifted along in life, trying to become an adult. Classic quarter-life crisis.I never wanted the government journ job I was doing. I thought, maybe I'll leave after two years, which became, I'll leave when I pass my civil service exams. Two years turned into four and a half. The pay was too cushy, the hours too comfortable that I basically vegged out on life. I was just getting my journ career back on track when I met Thomas. I wanted to stay because I was going to miss my family and friends, but a part of me wanted to grow out of my skin so badly that I thought, it's now or never.
I started to learn German two years ago, and discovered that I had a knack for languages. I started to teach English on the side. It was a rough beginning, but I could honestly say that this is the most fun I have ever had working. I swear, the cockles of my heart tingle than to hear a student exclaim "Ach, so!" I get it!
The weird thing is that I am currently teaching Essay Writing, International Affairs, and Public Relations to a group of kids aged 18 to 20. These kids finished Realschule in Germany, meaning they left school at 16. They are on their final year of school, after which they would earn the German equivalent of an Associate degree. I was stupefied to learn that their teachers in school had never required a book report in their classes, nor had these kids written an essay! In my high school, we were required to turn in four essays a year!
Now that I have become Mrs. Guevarra, I take my job pretty seriously. I got pretty good feedbck from my classes. The principal said that the students have asked for more of me, could I teach all of their classes? I teach half of the four hours of English they get in a week. I am completely blown away and humbled by this. This is definitely a long way from life in Manila, but I love what I am doing right now.
My aunt in the US calls me, keeps asking me, when are you going to go back to journalism? I have a few projects tilling in my head, and I feel completely guilty for not pushing through with them. It's the Catholic in me, I guess. She has this feeling that, like her, I have abandoned my dreams to take a menial job. But to be quite honest, I don't think that that life is for me. The stress of the profession is not conducive for raising a family, which is what I want to have someday. I don't miss having to drop everything that I was doing because something is happening in some other part of the city. I don't miss the parola journalism practiced in Manila.
Is it possible to think that you have one calling, and find yourself fulfilled in another?
In the fifth grade I joined a drama group, and I spent my high school years with the drama club. I was such a drama queen growing up, it was the perfect outlet. As I entered my senior year, I asked myself, should I take up drama or journalism next year?
The answer came in the form of Mrs. Guevarra, my fourth year English high school teacher. She had just come back from a scholarship in Japan, and was the second person in the world that I wanted to be like when I grew up (My grandpa was the first). I thought she was so refined and elegant, with the way she walked, and how she sipped her diet Coke in can everyday on her way to class before the first bell rang.
She recognized something in me, me who was so insecure and was bullied to pieces by my schoolmates. She actually validated my existence and recognized that I actually had something to offer the world. For the first time in my life, I thought I knew what I needed to do: I needed to be a writer. It was a plan that I hatched when I was twelve, but I felt that this was the push that told me, to just do it.
So I spent four years in college pretty much immersing myself in the writing craft. It was one of the best times in my life. I may have failed algebra four times, but hey, who cared? I was there to become a writer.
Then I graduated and the real world ate me up alive. It was so cruel and brutal and mean, that I just drifted along in life, trying to become an adult. Classic quarter-life crisis.I never wanted the government journ job I was doing. I thought, maybe I'll leave after two years, which became, I'll leave when I pass my civil service exams. Two years turned into four and a half. The pay was too cushy, the hours too comfortable that I basically vegged out on life. I was just getting my journ career back on track when I met Thomas. I wanted to stay because I was going to miss my family and friends, but a part of me wanted to grow out of my skin so badly that I thought, it's now or never.
I started to learn German two years ago, and discovered that I had a knack for languages. I started to teach English on the side. It was a rough beginning, but I could honestly say that this is the most fun I have ever had working. I swear, the cockles of my heart tingle than to hear a student exclaim "Ach, so!" I get it!
The weird thing is that I am currently teaching Essay Writing, International Affairs, and Public Relations to a group of kids aged 18 to 20. These kids finished Realschule in Germany, meaning they left school at 16. They are on their final year of school, after which they would earn the German equivalent of an Associate degree. I was stupefied to learn that their teachers in school had never required a book report in their classes, nor had these kids written an essay! In my high school, we were required to turn in four essays a year!
Now that I have become Mrs. Guevarra, I take my job pretty seriously. I got pretty good feedbck from my classes. The principal said that the students have asked for more of me, could I teach all of their classes? I teach half of the four hours of English they get in a week. I am completely blown away and humbled by this. This is definitely a long way from life in Manila, but I love what I am doing right now.
My aunt in the US calls me, keeps asking me, when are you going to go back to journalism? I have a few projects tilling in my head, and I feel completely guilty for not pushing through with them. It's the Catholic in me, I guess. She has this feeling that, like her, I have abandoned my dreams to take a menial job. But to be quite honest, I don't think that that life is for me. The stress of the profession is not conducive for raising a family, which is what I want to have someday. I don't miss having to drop everything that I was doing because something is happening in some other part of the city. I don't miss the parola journalism practiced in Manila.
Is it possible to think that you have one calling, and find yourself fulfilled in another?
Monday, February 18, 2008
Barcelona in Pictures/ Barcelona en Retratos
San Jose de Montanyana Church. An ancestor of mine is supposedly buried there. No dice. I will get to the bottom of this!
Churros and Chocolate near the Picasso Museum. Yum.
For 19 euros a day, you can see all the sights in Barcelona at your own convenience.
Gaudi is a major architectural force in his day. I don't get it. Sorry, man.
Under construction. Please come back in 2022!
This was how high school felt like.
Barcelona at night.
Colon Tower at Las Ramblas, near our apartment.
Thomas: Not as drunk as last year!
This little piggy went to market...stupid pig.
Bubble artist's bubble at Parc Güell
The insect and the lizard.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Barcelona
I remember reading Heidelbergerin's post on Dresden, and how she fell in love with a city.
Well, I've fallen in love too. My city's name is Barcelona! I love it because the city seemed so alive and electric, gritty and beautiful. Where Manila is a deranged woman, Barcelona is her passionate, tempetuous sister. She has her rough parts, but her beautiful parts are fantastic! Manila, look at Barcelona. This is the city you should have been. It makes me weep thinking about how we have destroyed my hometown.
The best New Year's party I've been to was in the year 2000, when 700 partygoers turned the middle of Paseo de Roxas and Ayala Avenue into a dance floor till 7 am. This party comes quite close! Don't you just love marching bands?
I like the city so much that I'm planning to move there! I'm subletting my apartment here in Erfurt for three months to teach English while learning Spanish in Barcelona. Oh, how I love the flexibility of freelancing! Barcelona, here I come!
Well, I've fallen in love too. My city's name is Barcelona! I love it because the city seemed so alive and electric, gritty and beautiful. Where Manila is a deranged woman, Barcelona is her passionate, tempetuous sister. She has her rough parts, but her beautiful parts are fantastic! Manila, look at Barcelona. This is the city you should have been. It makes me weep thinking about how we have destroyed my hometown.
The best New Year's party I've been to was in the year 2000, when 700 partygoers turned the middle of Paseo de Roxas and Ayala Avenue into a dance floor till 7 am. This party comes quite close! Don't you just love marching bands?
I like the city so much that I'm planning to move there! I'm subletting my apartment here in Erfurt for three months to teach English while learning Spanish in Barcelona. Oh, how I love the flexibility of freelancing! Barcelona, here I come!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
The Loneliness of Being Alone
Am home with the parentals and the family. I am quite happy to be home yet not home at the same time. New house, new life, grown ups grown up growing up children.
My brother, mother, and I have spent a part of our lives abroad and I told the brother come to me to Germany I'll even pay for your flight if need be. Husband doesn't understand the mixed happiness and loneliness of experiencing something new and wonderous like snow for the first time and wanting to share it with some of the most important people of your life and they aren't there couldn't be. I saw snow for the first time last year. That was sad.
Brother said the same thing about his half year in Las Vegas and mz mom's two year stint in Italy. I guess I don't suffer this loneliness alone.
My brother, mother, and I have spent a part of our lives abroad and I told the brother come to me to Germany I'll even pay for your flight if need be. Husband doesn't understand the mixed happiness and loneliness of experiencing something new and wonderous like snow for the first time and wanting to share it with some of the most important people of your life and they aren't there couldn't be. I saw snow for the first time last year. That was sad.
Brother said the same thing about his half year in Las Vegas and mz mom's two year stint in Italy. I guess I don't suffer this loneliness alone.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Saturday, December 29, 2007
¡Hola Barcelona!
Currently in Barcelona, my first pit stop before going back home. I feel oddly at home here. The words aren´t alien to me, and I can understand the people here. I get to practice my broken Spanish, and I am using the chance to look for an ancestor, a century removed.
My great-great-great grandfather was Catalan, born and raised here. He and his two brothers were sent to the Philippines, members of the military service. Here´s hoping that his grave is where they say it is!
My great-great-great grandfather was Catalan, born and raised here. He and his two brothers were sent to the Philippines, members of the military service. Here´s hoping that his grave is where they say it is!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Pakistani's Bhutto Killed in Attack
When I read today's Yahoo Newsreport on Benazir Bhutto's death, I knew that it was an inevitable conclusion to a very long and storied life.
When she returned to Pakistan, narrowly escaping death a few hours after arriving, I already had an ominous feeling that she was living on borrowed time. How sad that my intuition was proven correct.
I had interviewed her before, and she struck me as a very strong person, yet she was not arrogant at all. She took time for little old me, a 21 year old cowering in fear of this world-renowed woman, at the corridor of the Manila Hotel.
Will Pakistan do an EDSA? They have their Ninoy. But the problems in Pakistan are a many-headed beast. Musharaf is not the main problem. People there can't help but abet Islamic-fundamentalist terrorists, after glorifying it's existence for 30-odd years.
She loved her country. She was a wonderful woman. I wish her a good journey into the afterlife.
When she returned to Pakistan, narrowly escaping death a few hours after arriving, I already had an ominous feeling that she was living on borrowed time. How sad that my intuition was proven correct.
I had interviewed her before, and she struck me as a very strong person, yet she was not arrogant at all. She took time for little old me, a 21 year old cowering in fear of this world-renowed woman, at the corridor of the Manila Hotel.
Will Pakistan do an EDSA? They have their Ninoy. But the problems in Pakistan are a many-headed beast. Musharaf is not the main problem. People there can't help but abet Islamic-fundamentalist terrorists, after glorifying it's existence for 30-odd years.
She loved her country. She was a wonderful woman. I wish her a good journey into the afterlife.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas!
Happy Holidays from us!
We're having fun with the parentals, split Christmases (You have the 25th, I'll have them the 26th) catching up with family gossip (they broke up? what?) and preparing for the long, sweet journey home.
See you pinas! Can't wait!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Amazing Race Asia Makes Me Sick!
What's the point of a reality show when almost every contestant is in showbiz?! Dammit I'm not downloading you!
P.S. Terri is the best thing on that show
P.S. Terri is the best thing on that show
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Sa Aking Mga Kabata--Jose Rizal
Sa Aking Mga Kabata
Kapagka ang baya'y sadyang umiibig
Sa kanyang salitang kaloob ng langit,
Sanglang kalayaan nasa ring masapit
Katulad ng ibong nasa himpapawid.
Pagka't ang salita'y isang kahatulan
Sa bayan, sa nayo't mga kaharian,
At ang isang tao'y katulad, kabagay
Ng alin mang likha noong kalayaan.
Ang hindi magmahal sa kanyang salita
Mahigit sa hayop at malansang isda,
Kaya ang marapat pagyamaning kusa
Na tulad sa inang tunay na nagpala.
Ang wikang Tagalog tulad din sa Latin
Sa Ingles, Kastila at salitang anghel,
Sapagka't ang Poong maalam tumingin
Ang siyang naggawad, nagbigay sa atin.
Ang salita nati'y huwad din sa iba
Na may alfabeto at sariling letra,
Na kaya nawala'y dinatnan ng sigwa
Ang lunday sa lawa noong dakong una.
Nakakalungkot isipin na sa mata ng aking mga kababayan, mas nakahihigit ang Ingles kaysa sa Tagalog. Ako ma'y pinalaki sa wikang Ingles, hindi ko masusuklian ang mga guro , mapa-Ingles o Tagalog, na nagturo sa amin ng baybaying wika. Isang taos-pusong salamat lamang ang aking masasabi.
Kahit pa noong nasa Pilipinas pa ako, hindi ako mag-iingles kung hindi naman ako kinakausap ng ingles. Kung Tagalog ang usapan, matatas din naman akong mag-Tagalog, hindi naman ako mag-Ingles hangga't hindi sa akin ikinusa.
Nakakatawang isipin na nuong ako'y bata, pinagtawanan ako ng aking mga ka-klase dahil sa tatas kong mag-Ingles. Ngayon, dahil sa mga call center, pilit nilang ginagaya kung ano ang dati nilang pinagtatawanan. Pilit nilang ginagaya ang salita ng mga dayuhan nguni't katawatawa minsan ang resulta nito.
Dahil sa aking trabaho bilang guro, naiintindihan ko na mayroong mga taong hirap sa ibang lengguahe. May kanya-kanya tayong mga talento. May mga taong pinalaki lamang sa iisang wika, at kung minsan hanggang doon lang talaga ang kaya nila. Pero nakakalungkot isipin na may mga taong nagsasabing hindi nila kayang sabihin ang kanilang saloobin sa kanilang inang wika, at pilit na pinipilipit nila ang kanilang mga dila sa isang wikang dayuhan. Isang biyaya ang pagkakaroon ng isang bansang may dalawang wika. Bawat wika ay isang pintuan sa isang mundo, at posibilidad. Kaya't hirap man, pilit kong inusisa ang wikang Aleman. Ang salitang Ingles ay hindi nakahihigit sa salita natin, ang wika ng ating mga ninuno.
Kung magsusulat o magsasalita rin lamang kayo sa dalawang wika, pag-igihan ninyo ang baybayin sa dalawa. Alam niyo ba na ang wikang Tagalog ang isa pinaka-mahirap na matutunan sa Indo-Malayan group of Languages?
Kapagka ang baya'y sadyang umiibig
Sa kanyang salitang kaloob ng langit,
Sanglang kalayaan nasa ring masapit
Katulad ng ibong nasa himpapawid.
Pagka't ang salita'y isang kahatulan
Sa bayan, sa nayo't mga kaharian,
At ang isang tao'y katulad, kabagay
Ng alin mang likha noong kalayaan.
Ang hindi magmahal sa kanyang salita
Mahigit sa hayop at malansang isda,
Kaya ang marapat pagyamaning kusa
Na tulad sa inang tunay na nagpala.
Ang wikang Tagalog tulad din sa Latin
Sa Ingles, Kastila at salitang anghel,
Sapagka't ang Poong maalam tumingin
Ang siyang naggawad, nagbigay sa atin.
Ang salita nati'y huwad din sa iba
Na may alfabeto at sariling letra,
Na kaya nawala'y dinatnan ng sigwa
Ang lunday sa lawa noong dakong una.
Nakakalungkot isipin na sa mata ng aking mga kababayan, mas nakahihigit ang Ingles kaysa sa Tagalog. Ako ma'y pinalaki sa wikang Ingles, hindi ko masusuklian ang mga guro , mapa-Ingles o Tagalog, na nagturo sa amin ng baybaying wika. Isang taos-pusong salamat lamang ang aking masasabi.
Kahit pa noong nasa Pilipinas pa ako, hindi ako mag-iingles kung hindi naman ako kinakausap ng ingles. Kung Tagalog ang usapan, matatas din naman akong mag-Tagalog, hindi naman ako mag-Ingles hangga't hindi sa akin ikinusa.
Nakakatawang isipin na nuong ako'y bata, pinagtawanan ako ng aking mga ka-klase dahil sa tatas kong mag-Ingles. Ngayon, dahil sa mga call center, pilit nilang ginagaya kung ano ang dati nilang pinagtatawanan. Pilit nilang ginagaya ang salita ng mga dayuhan nguni't katawatawa minsan ang resulta nito.
Dahil sa aking trabaho bilang guro, naiintindihan ko na mayroong mga taong hirap sa ibang lengguahe. May kanya-kanya tayong mga talento. May mga taong pinalaki lamang sa iisang wika, at kung minsan hanggang doon lang talaga ang kaya nila. Pero nakakalungkot isipin na may mga taong nagsasabing hindi nila kayang sabihin ang kanilang saloobin sa kanilang inang wika, at pilit na pinipilipit nila ang kanilang mga dila sa isang wikang dayuhan. Isang biyaya ang pagkakaroon ng isang bansang may dalawang wika. Bawat wika ay isang pintuan sa isang mundo, at posibilidad. Kaya't hirap man, pilit kong inusisa ang wikang Aleman. Ang salitang Ingles ay hindi nakahihigit sa salita natin, ang wika ng ating mga ninuno.
Kung magsusulat o magsasalita rin lamang kayo sa dalawang wika, pag-igihan ninyo ang baybayin sa dalawa. Alam niyo ba na ang wikang Tagalog ang isa pinaka-mahirap na matutunan sa Indo-Malayan group of Languages?
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Total Eclipse of the Mind
When was the last time that you did something that you wanted to do for a really, really long time, but never had the guts to do it because you were afraid people would make fun of you?
I look so straight-laced, but I am actually naturally insane. Really. I don't need no drugs to make an ass out of myself.
I've always wanted to do an interpretative dance in public ever since I saw Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion.
And I actually got the chance to do it!
I was at a friend's farewell party last Saturday, and it was a blast! They had karaoke and dancing, and somebody sang Total Eclipse of the Heart, by Bonnie Tyler. I realized that this was a perfect song to do interpretative dance, and I actually went for it! Thomas just stood at the corner, shaking his head in embarassment, but it was so much fun, I didn't care! I couldn't dance for shit, but hey, this is MY moment, fucker.
Marcus, Adam's co-worker was the only one who actually "got" what I did and congratulated me by saying that my dance touched his heart *sniff*.
I look so straight-laced, but I am actually naturally insane. Really. I don't need no drugs to make an ass out of myself.
I've always wanted to do an interpretative dance in public ever since I saw Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion.
And I actually got the chance to do it!
I was at a friend's farewell party last Saturday, and it was a blast! They had karaoke and dancing, and somebody sang Total Eclipse of the Heart, by Bonnie Tyler. I realized that this was a perfect song to do interpretative dance, and I actually went for it! Thomas just stood at the corner, shaking his head in embarassment, but it was so much fun, I didn't care! I couldn't dance for shit, but hey, this is MY moment, fucker.
Marcus, Adam's co-worker was the only one who actually "got" what I did and congratulated me by saying that my dance touched his heart *sniff*.
Friday, November 23, 2007
The Strangest Job Offer in the World
One of the worst stereotypes about being an Asian is that people think I am a prostitute. Well, the worst part is that even my fellow Asians would think that I would like to be one.
The word "Thai massage" does not have any sexual connotations where I come from. Since massages have a rich tradition in Asia, almost everybody gets a massage once or twice a month, at least in my family.
Here in Germany, however, especially in the small cities, the words "Thai massage" automatically have a sleazy meaning. Big places like Hamburg are fine. Thomas and I went to this tiny place when we visited Hamburg and it was the best massage that I got since I arrived in in Europe.
I have had no such luck here. I am always on the look-out for a good massage parlor/practitioner in Thüringen. The German masseuses I have tried don't really have a feeling to how much pressure they should exert on a person. They have a uniform pressure for everyone that always equates to OUCH! until I tell them to go easy on me.
About two months ago, I saw a place here in that advertised Thai Massage on it's door. I rang the bell and an Asian woman in her negligee, with eyes blacked with a deep purple eyeshadow opened the door for me. In German, I asked her for her rates. She pointed to the wall--
30 min: 50 €
1 Stunde: 100 €
With those rates, they were obviously offering more than massages, so I thanked them politely, and walked away.
Last Wednesday, near the Ausländerbehörde, I saw an apartment with a very conspicuous sign, "Thai Massage" It had bright yellow arrows pointing to the door, and a reflexology chart on the window. It may be legit, I told myself, so I rang the door.
A woman very similar to the lady I met two months earlier opened the door to me. When she saw me, she asked me in a very excited voice, both in Thai and in German, if I was her kababayan. No, I said, I'm Filipino. An older lady appeared, just as heavily made up and as scantily dressed. I told them I wanted a massage. How much are your rates?
She pointed to a wall:
30 min: 30 €
1 Stunde: 60 €
Though they were more reasonable, an hour-long massage in Hamburg cost me 40 €. With those prices, I don't think they do just massages.
Then the first woman asked me if I wanted to work for them! I explained to them that I already work as an English teacher. The younger woman didn't quite understand what I said, but the older woman, whose German seemed to be better, slightly rebuked the younger lady. I wish I understood what she said.
Then the door rang, and the older woman ushered me into a room, apparently their living quarters. She gave me their card and showed me their Gutschein. You want one? I said no. Outside, I heard a man's voice, and the younger woman's shrill, broken German.
The older lady was really nice. I think they're legit, but I'm not sure. I'll probably go in and try them one of these days.
The word "Thai massage" does not have any sexual connotations where I come from. Since massages have a rich tradition in Asia, almost everybody gets a massage once or twice a month, at least in my family.
Here in Germany, however, especially in the small cities, the words "Thai massage" automatically have a sleazy meaning. Big places like Hamburg are fine. Thomas and I went to this tiny place when we visited Hamburg and it was the best massage that I got since I arrived in in Europe.
I have had no such luck here. I am always on the look-out for a good massage parlor/practitioner in Thüringen. The German masseuses I have tried don't really have a feeling to how much pressure they should exert on a person. They have a uniform pressure for everyone that always equates to OUCH! until I tell them to go easy on me.
About two months ago, I saw a place here in that advertised Thai Massage on it's door. I rang the bell and an Asian woman in her negligee, with eyes blacked with a deep purple eyeshadow opened the door for me. In German, I asked her for her rates. She pointed to the wall--
30 min: 50 €
1 Stunde: 100 €
With those rates, they were obviously offering more than massages, so I thanked them politely, and walked away.
Last Wednesday, near the Ausländerbehörde, I saw an apartment with a very conspicuous sign, "Thai Massage" It had bright yellow arrows pointing to the door, and a reflexology chart on the window. It may be legit, I told myself, so I rang the door.
A woman very similar to the lady I met two months earlier opened the door to me. When she saw me, she asked me in a very excited voice, both in Thai and in German, if I was her kababayan. No, I said, I'm Filipino. An older lady appeared, just as heavily made up and as scantily dressed. I told them I wanted a massage. How much are your rates?
She pointed to a wall:
30 min: 30 €
1 Stunde: 60 €
Though they were more reasonable, an hour-long massage in Hamburg cost me 40 €. With those prices, I don't think they do just massages.
Then the first woman asked me if I wanted to work for them! I explained to them that I already work as an English teacher. The younger woman didn't quite understand what I said, but the older woman, whose German seemed to be better, slightly rebuked the younger lady. I wish I understood what she said.
Then the door rang, and the older woman ushered me into a room, apparently their living quarters. She gave me their card and showed me their Gutschein. You want one? I said no. Outside, I heard a man's voice, and the younger woman's shrill, broken German.
The older lady was really nice. I think they're legit, but I'm not sure. I'll probably go in and try them one of these days.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
The Random Facts About Myself List
Was tagged by Heidelbergerin.
Let's turn this into a Letterman Top 7 list!
7 Reasons Why Cathy is the Weirdo that she is!
7. She talks to herself when she's alone or really, really pissed off.
6. She likes being an English teacher.
5. She should get off her ass already and pursue her dream of being a travel journalist.
4. She blew her entire life savings to fund her plane ticket and her first month in Germany.
3. Used to work for a high-ranking politician back in the motherland, and left it behind for a blonde.
2. Is liberal, but didn't start taking the pill until the age of 27, because the Catholic Church said that it is poison, and didn't want to risk poisoning her body.
1. She's a trilingual Asian living in East Germany. 'Nuff said.
to Dr. Mitsuru,
Adam, and
Eurotrippen,
here are the rules.
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.
3. Tag 3 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.
Let's turn this into a Letterman Top 7 list!
7 Reasons Why Cathy is the Weirdo that she is!
7. She talks to herself when she's alone or really, really pissed off.
6. She likes being an English teacher.
5. She should get off her ass already and pursue her dream of being a travel journalist.
4. She blew her entire life savings to fund her plane ticket and her first month in Germany.
3. Used to work for a high-ranking politician back in the motherland, and left it behind for a blonde.
2. Is liberal, but didn't start taking the pill until the age of 27, because the Catholic Church said that it is poison, and didn't want to risk poisoning her body.
1. She's a trilingual Asian living in East Germany. 'Nuff said.
to Dr. Mitsuru,
Adam, and
Eurotrippen,
here are the rules.
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.
3. Tag 3 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Ich kann nur träumen!
I am currently trying to piece together an article on Jose Rizal, hopefully for web publication. It never ceases to amaze me how amazing the man was. I am a big admirer of polyglots, like Jose Rizal and Vladimir Nabokov. Rizal could speak 12 languages fluently, write in 5 proficiently, and had knowledge in 20 in total. To think that I consider having learned the intricacies of German a feat! I would still like to insert Spanish and maybe Japanese.
Heto ang kopya ng mga sulatin ni Jose Rizal kay Ferdinand Blumentritt. Isinulat niya ito sa Aleman, at humingi siya ng paumanhin kay Blumentritt sa kanyang "bastos na Aleman." (kitchen German, as he put it.) Galing sa ufrey.geocities.com
Mahirap basahin ang Aleman ni Rizal dahil nuong panahon na iyon, iba ang pagkakasulat ng Aleman. Mayroon silang sariling titik, parang Cyrillic. Mahirap, pero posibleng basahin ang Aleman nuon kung ito ay inilathala sa isang libro o sa diyaryo. Pero kapag sulat-kamay na, patay kang bata ka. I tried reading a handwritten text once from the 1930s, the English notebook of a German schoolboy, and it was really in vain. It looked like a bunch of squiggles!
And here is another letter from Rizal to Blumentritt, in English! God, his English is almost flawless! And to think that English at that time was not yet the lingua franca that it is today!
Und hier ist die Fortsetzung von dem Brief. Einen Teil davon ist auf Französisch. Apol, please read this letter and rate his French. How good is it?
Ich muss mehr daran arbeiten, bis mein Deutsch perfekt ist!
Heto ang kopya ng mga sulatin ni Jose Rizal kay Ferdinand Blumentritt. Isinulat niya ito sa Aleman, at humingi siya ng paumanhin kay Blumentritt sa kanyang "bastos na Aleman." (kitchen German, as he put it.) Galing sa ufrey.geocities.com
Mahirap basahin ang Aleman ni Rizal dahil nuong panahon na iyon, iba ang pagkakasulat ng Aleman. Mayroon silang sariling titik, parang Cyrillic. Mahirap, pero posibleng basahin ang Aleman nuon kung ito ay inilathala sa isang libro o sa diyaryo. Pero kapag sulat-kamay na, patay kang bata ka. I tried reading a handwritten text once from the 1930s, the English notebook of a German schoolboy, and it was really in vain. It looked like a bunch of squiggles!
And here is another letter from Rizal to Blumentritt, in English! God, his English is almost flawless! And to think that English at that time was not yet the lingua franca that it is today!
Und hier ist die Fortsetzung von dem Brief. Einen Teil davon ist auf Französisch. Apol, please read this letter and rate his French. How good is it?
Ich muss mehr daran arbeiten, bis mein Deutsch perfekt ist!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
The Weirdness in Me
Being a Manila girl through and through, I have acquired a taste of the bizzare. In fact, it is once of the things I look for it in a city. I find comfort in the city life's strangeness. One favorite expressions is, "That's so weird!" because life in Manila IS weird.
Thomas couldn't live in Manila. The pollution in the air gave him a nasty ear infection , which made him admire the fact that I am Manila's cockroach: I can take the rancid air, the confusing streets, and the darkness in people's hearts.
One of the things that I miss about big city life is the edge that it gave me. It may not have been healthy, but these are the things that defined who I am. Dinner at 2 a.m. at a tapa joint after a one night stand, deep conversations with strangers with whom you'll never meet again, deranged lunatics raving at streetcorners, the occasional flasher.
You can take me out of the big city, but you can't take the big city out of me.
I liked Jena, but one of the things that I could never get over was the fact that it is postcard pretty. Too pretty. In it may lie a heart of darkness, but the green of the hills and the smallness of ordinary life was just too...normal. It scared me and freaked me out, because for me, it was truly weird.
I don't like the city where I live better than Jena, but I find more comfort in the fact that because of its size, weird things can still happen to me here in my new city.
I was hanging out with a co-worker and a couple of his friends at his balcony. Suddenly, a naked man materialized at the window in the building opposite his. He was smoking. Naked.
All the girls huddled excitedly at the show. The naked man, in his 30s, a thin, dark Italian type, would smoke a fag every hour. Watching us, watching him. At his third appearance he sat at his windowsill and started pulling on his man bits. The girls started to scream and laugh their heads off.
Me? I just sat back, satisfied that life was back to normal.
Thomas couldn't live in Manila. The pollution in the air gave him a nasty ear infection , which made him admire the fact that I am Manila's cockroach: I can take the rancid air, the confusing streets, and the darkness in people's hearts.
One of the things that I miss about big city life is the edge that it gave me. It may not have been healthy, but these are the things that defined who I am. Dinner at 2 a.m. at a tapa joint after a one night stand, deep conversations with strangers with whom you'll never meet again, deranged lunatics raving at streetcorners, the occasional flasher.
You can take me out of the big city, but you can't take the big city out of me.
I liked Jena, but one of the things that I could never get over was the fact that it is postcard pretty. Too pretty. In it may lie a heart of darkness, but the green of the hills and the smallness of ordinary life was just too...normal. It scared me and freaked me out, because for me, it was truly weird.
I don't like the city where I live better than Jena, but I find more comfort in the fact that because of its size, weird things can still happen to me here in my new city.
I was hanging out with a co-worker and a couple of his friends at his balcony. Suddenly, a naked man materialized at the window in the building opposite his. He was smoking. Naked.
All the girls huddled excitedly at the show. The naked man, in his 30s, a thin, dark Italian type, would smoke a fag every hour. Watching us, watching him. At his third appearance he sat at his windowsill and started pulling on his man bits. The girls started to scream and laugh their heads off.
Me? I just sat back, satisfied that life was back to normal.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
My First Suman Latik
It's a bit too late to include this post in the whole Suman Latik movement of last year, but slap an apron on me and call me Betty Crocker. I made Suman Latik Baby!
I followed the recipe from the English Patis blog. Thanks so much Leila for sending me lihiya for my birthday! I can now make a piece of home whenever I want!
It all started when a student of mine told me that he had to cut down his banana tree for the winter. I asked for all of his banana leaves to make suman! Suman is glutinous rice cake, with lye water mixed in. Before asking me whether suman is toxic, lye water is a staple of SE Asian desserts, and the Germans also use it to make pretzels. It's actually some sort of sodium-potassium mixture, or potash (?)
I had a hard time finding lye water here in my city. I went to the Vietnamese stores, but they all told me that they didn't have it! I think they do have it, but they didn't know what I was talking about. I tried to find the Vietnamese name for lye water, but I didn't find it on the internetz. So if you know the Vietnamese name of lye water, help a poor Filipina sister in need and send me the name! I don't want to trouble Leila of sending me lye water all the way from Darmstadt again!
I followed the recipe from the English Patis blog. Thanks so much Leila for sending me lihiya for my birthday! I can now make a piece of home whenever I want!
It all started when a student of mine told me that he had to cut down his banana tree for the winter. I asked for all of his banana leaves to make suman! Suman is glutinous rice cake, with lye water mixed in. Before asking me whether suman is toxic, lye water is a staple of SE Asian desserts, and the Germans also use it to make pretzels. It's actually some sort of sodium-potassium mixture, or potash (?)
I had a hard time finding lye water here in my city. I went to the Vietnamese stores, but they all told me that they didn't have it! I think they do have it, but they didn't know what I was talking about. I tried to find the Vietnamese name for lye water, but I didn't find it on the internetz. So if you know the Vietnamese name of lye water, help a poor Filipina sister in need and send me the name! I don't want to trouble Leila of sending me lye water all the way from Darmstadt again!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Love+Marriage= Children?
I have reached a certain age, and I am at a certain point in my life, where people feel entitled to assume that I want to get pregnant. You can pretty much tell a woman's age by the questions people throw at her.
When I was around 23-25ish, people bugged me when I was gonna get married, regardless of the fact that hey, I'm SINGLE! or that I haven't met anybody I was willing to suffer for more than 2 days. Nowadays, MIL, my sister, and most mothers I know are bugging me when I am gonna get pregnant.
My MIL, probably wanting a new purpose in life, has pointedly proposed that we either a)move back to Jena or b) that she move in with us, without any regard for our ambitions or career chances or the fact that I want my privacy, dammit.
I think I am ready for children. However, not now, not yet. I have too many things to do and too many ambitions left unfulfilled. Besides, if childcare were just as easy as it is in the Philippines, where I can hire a nanny for 50 € a month, or in the old GDR, where childcare is institutionalized. But we're not in the GDR anymore, sweetie.
I was glad to know that my mother and my aunt support my decision. Not now, not yet.
When I was around 23-25ish, people bugged me when I was gonna get married, regardless of the fact that hey, I'm SINGLE! or that I haven't met anybody I was willing to suffer for more than 2 days. Nowadays, MIL, my sister, and most mothers I know are bugging me when I am gonna get pregnant.
My MIL, probably wanting a new purpose in life, has pointedly proposed that we either a)move back to Jena or b) that she move in with us, without any regard for our ambitions or career chances or the fact that I want my privacy, dammit.
I think I am ready for children. However, not now, not yet. I have too many things to do and too many ambitions left unfulfilled. Besides, if childcare were just as easy as it is in the Philippines, where I can hire a nanny for 50 € a month, or in the old GDR, where childcare is institutionalized. But we're not in the GDR anymore, sweetie.
I was glad to know that my mother and my aunt support my decision. Not now, not yet.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Pilipinas, Gising!
Nakaka-frustrate basahin ang balitang ito.
Pilipinas, GISING! Imbes na asikasuhin niyo yang si Teri Hatcher at Big Brother, isipin natin kung saan patungo ang mga buhay natin!
I mean, hello, si Manny Paquiao na lang ba ang greatest Filipino? Mga OFWs? Bago tayo gumawa ng mga kung ano-anong online petitions, alisin nating ang kakitiran ng utak natin, huwag tayong masyadong padadala sa sulsol ng mga pari at pulitiko at mayayaman. Napaka-insecure ba natin na hindi tayo makapag-isip sa sarili natin? Huwag kayong tumingin sa Amerika, huwag kayong umasa sa Simbahan at sa Puliloko. Nasa atin ang solusyon.
Sa totoo lang, hindi na ako nagbabasa ng balita mula sa Pilipinas. Nanggagalaiti lang ako sa galit!
Doctor to honor Ramadan rituals in space
By VIJAY JOSHI, Associated Press WriterWed Oct 10, 4:56 PM ET
A Malaysian doctor who will spend the last days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in space has vowed to follow the rituals of his faith even as he hurtles around Earth at 17,000 mph.
Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor lifted off Wednesday in a Soyuz spacecraft from Kazakhstan, en route to the international space station where he will spend about 10 days.
The spacecraft — which also carried an American and a Russian — will take two days to reach the station, a period coinciding with the last days of Ramadan, the month when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. Sheikh Muszaphar has said he will fast and pray in space, even though clerics said he could delay the fast.
"I am not sure how it would be done but I will share my experiences (with) all the Muslims all over the world when I get back," the 35-year-old Sheikh Muszaphar wrote in his Web journal. "After all, Islam is a way of life and I am quite sure I would not face much difficulties."
Sheikh Muszaphar is taking vacuum-packed Malaysian food, including skewered chicken, banana rolls, fermented soybean cakes and ginger jelly to mark the end of Ramadan.
A bachelor who has become a national heartthrob, the orthopedic surgeon will not be the first Muslim in space — Saudi Prince Sultan bin Salman joined the crew of the shuttle Discovery in 1985 and there have been several others since.
Still, the mission initially presented a dilemma about fulfilling religious duties such as fasting, kneeling for prayers in zero gravity or facing Mecca to pray.
After all, praying five times daily on a craft that goes around Earth 16 times a day would have meant praying 80 times in 24 hours. Also, it is virtually impossible to face Mecca continuously in a craft traveling at such high speed.
Muslims are required to wash their hands, feet, face and hair before prayers — a luxury on the Soyuz where water is so precious that even sweat and urine are recycled.
To get around these problems, 150 Malaysian scholars, scientists, and astronauts brainstormed and published an 18-page booklet of guidelines for Muslim astronauts.
If he follows the guidelines, Sheikh Muszaphar can forgo fasting in space and make up for it when he returns to Earth. He can pray three times a day instead of five, facing any direction, and he can do without the ritual washing.
On Tuesday, Sheikh Muszaphar told reporters his trip will be an inspiration for his Southeast Asian homeland as well as to other Muslims worldwide.
"It's a small step for me, but a great leap for the Malaysian people," he said, rephrasing Neil Armstrong's words after the 1969 moon landing.
Pilipinas, GISING! Imbes na asikasuhin niyo yang si Teri Hatcher at Big Brother, isipin natin kung saan patungo ang mga buhay natin!
I mean, hello, si Manny Paquiao na lang ba ang greatest Filipino? Mga OFWs? Bago tayo gumawa ng mga kung ano-anong online petitions, alisin nating ang kakitiran ng utak natin, huwag tayong masyadong padadala sa sulsol ng mga pari at pulitiko at mayayaman. Napaka-insecure ba natin na hindi tayo makapag-isip sa sarili natin? Huwag kayong tumingin sa Amerika, huwag kayong umasa sa Simbahan at sa Puliloko. Nasa atin ang solusyon.
Sa totoo lang, hindi na ako nagbabasa ng balita mula sa Pilipinas. Nanggagalaiti lang ako sa galit!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
