Goethe Institute Turns 50 - Goethe Institut wird 50!

 

On April 7, 2011 the Goethe Institute Manila will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. The Director, Dr. Richard Kuenzl invites to celebrate this unique anniversary.

Program highlights will be the Art talk i-panel discussion on the role of the international cultural institution in Manila and the Philippines. Opening speeches will be holding by Dr. Richard Kuenzl, Director of the German Culture Centre Goethe Institut Manila and His Excellency, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Philippines, Mr. Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch.

I am honoured and blessed being invited to join this and other anniversary's events while teaching German language as faculty member at the University of Southeastern Philippines; a partner school of the Goethe Institut, after signing a Memorandum of Understanding between both institutions earlier in 2010. More details will surely follow after my return from Manila to Davao.

Am 7. April 2011 feiert das Goethe Institut Manila sein 50jaehriges Jubilaeum. Mehrere kulturelle Veranstaltungen werden stattfinden. Die Eroeffnungsreden am 7. April 2011 halten der Direktor des Goethe Instituts, Herr Dr. Richard Kuenzl sowie Seine Excellenz, der Botschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in Manila, Herr Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch.

Es ist eine Ehre fuer mich, dass ich zu diesem Jubilaeum eingeladen wurde. Mehrere Einzelheiten auf dieser Webseite nach meiner Rueckkehr von Manila.

Flight Of The Bumble-Bee

You might ask: What has the flight of a bumble-bee to do with the life of an expatriate in the Philippines?

Sie moegen sich sicherlich fragen, was der Flug einer Hummel mit dem Leben eines Auslaenders auf den Philippinen zu tun hat?

Well, it has something to do woth classical music.

Nun, es hat etwas mit Klassischer Musik zu tun.

Check out:
http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

My Mindanao - Mein Mindanao!

I love the Philippines. I love to live here for good. I love Mindanao. Even having a terrible hectic schedule from time to time, I love to travel in Mindanao. That's not new. A lot of other expatriates do the same. Fact is, Mindanao is worth travelling around.

This island-region, situated down south of the Philippine archipelago is famous for its mega-biodicersity, exotic wilderness and culture-tourism destinations.

From east to west one can easily embrace several pristine waters of Mindanao's beaches, springs, rivers, and waterfalls; or be enthralled by the mysticism of the caves, the lithe grace of lake waters or the lush vegetations within the 'lungs of the earth' - the still vast and verdant forests.

I am just back from another trip tp Bukidnon. Yes, it has been terrible cool (cold?), foggy, and it pours cats and dogs. But I enjoyed the trip...! Even before I tried to clinch the challenging heights and thrilling trails of hills and mountains with their awesome cliffs, flora and fauna... .

Welcome to Mindanao! B'yahe ta Mindanaw!

 (Off to Surigao del Sur now...!!!)

Philippine Breakfast - Philippinisches Fruehstueck

Sieht Ihres auch so aus?

How does YOUR breakfast look like? Same?

5Y4APWYZ9SRB

Lazy Summerdays

You don't get anything for nothing in life. This is the main motto of our life. This is the epigraph of our biography - whether we like it our not.

According to the book of Genesis, after God created the universe in six days, he rested on the seventh day. In other words, He took a vacation. So, if God reted after working for the some period of time, there is no reason why man, who is finite and limited in his physical streng, should not take a vacation.

Hurray, doing nothing is really something. No, I don't mean those people, who just hang out day-by-day and week-by-week (Filipinos and/or expatriates!) doing nothing. No, I mean, doing nothing is really something after a period of really hard work. By the way, it doesn't matter, if it regards our children or us. None of us need all our time. Also my nieces and nephews started now enjoying some lazy summerdays. At home, at a beach, during a trip somehow somewhere... .

I met innumerable kids, who don't go to dances, gymnastics, piano or trampoline lessons. One of nieces loves take-wan-do. Okay lang. Others don't want to, and that's fine with their parents. When the kids are ready, they will surely join a sport or ask to take lessons in something that interests them. No, not now. Pwede! Enjoy some lazy summer days. It's vacation time in the Philippines. 

For now, especially during school vacation, time off is just time off and should be - from time to time. Lazy summer days - if we're not on duty - how cool such days could be: Stay outside and so absolutely nothing structured. Maybe, go for walks, ride bikes (ignore the rain!), go to the beach (swimming while raining is wonderful!), have a picnic somewhere. Or, if you really can't survive the bad weather, stay home drawing, playing games, write something

 or read one of those books, waiting for you since years.

I still remember my lazy summer days, when I wasn't yet living in the Philippines, sitting in the blazing sun, eating a Popsicle, getting all sticky, and running after the bees. Those (old) lazy summer days even turned into lazy winter days in my home country Germany, and shaped and characterized my whole life.

So guys, enjoy some lazy summer days right now - somewhere - somehow, especially if you're stressed, overwhelmed or depressed. You really deserve it! Let's rest for a while to acquire new energy. Me too! Yes, me too! While you might read this, I also enjoy the first of my lazy summer days - somewhere - somehow!

Radioactive Plume From Japan to Reach US

Of course, you might wonder, why I repost such stuff as an expat living in the Philippines.

Sie moegen sich alle wundern, warum ich derartige Artikel hier auf meiner Webseite veroeffentliche.

The wind could have change its direction. The Philippines are indeed not very far away from Japan.

Der Wind haette seine Richtung immer noch aendern koennen, und, er koennte es noch immer. Die Philippinen sind nun wirklich nicht sehr weit entfernt von Japan.

It's the concern of a German expat living in the Philippines. 

Radioactive plume from Japan to reach US

Camille Saint-Saens - one of my piano idols...

I love playing piano since I turned to the age of 4.

Chopin and many other composers became my idols. And also he,

Camille Saint-Saens.

Check out more:

http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com 

MY EXPATRIATE LIFE IN THE PHILIPPINES NEVER EVER GETS BORING. Why? I keep myself busy and I took everything and everybody with me. Also my music and my classical music composers.

If I Am Not Okay, HE Eases me...

His name is
FRANZ LISZT.

Check out more:

http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

Basilica Minore del Santo Nino - a Cebu Trip

Der Bau der heutigen Basilika - frueher San Augustin Church - wurde 1740 vollendet. Drei hoelzerne Konstruktionen fielen zuvor den Flammen zum Opfer. Die leicht verwitterte Steinkirche ist El Senor Santo Nino, eine kleine Jesuskind-Statue. Man braucht viel Zeit und Ausdauer, um dies bewundern zu koennen - es heisst, lange in der Schlange zu stehen.

Uebrigens, es soll das Taufgeschenk Magellans an die Gattin Humabons sein. Santo Nino ist der Schutzpatron der Cebuanos.

Santo Nino is the patron of the Cebuanos.

(People rejoicing for patron Sto. Nino)

(Inside the Sto. Nino Church)

(Photos taken by APRIL BALCOM)   

Illegal Use of Senior Citizen Cards in The Philippines

Important! Check it out, please!

Illegal use of senior citizen cards in the Philippines