Is it difficult to live and study in Germany if one can't speak German?

 

Charu Pathni

Failed and got up. A lot of times. Continuing to do so :)

Is it difficult to live and study in Germany if one can't speak German, i.e., will I be able to function in terms of everyday routines there with an inability to speak German?

Originally Answered: Is it difficult to live and study in Germany if one can't speak German?

Hello :)

This is my 29th month in Germany and better late than never, I have finally realized (few months ago) that if not knowing a language, trying to learn it with interest is a must.

In Germany, most of the cities one wouldn't find it that difficult to manage only with English. But if one is looking for having some friends, hanging out with people and having a nice time - in short, feel like home; I would personally suggest start trying.

I was no language person, still struggle in fact but the core is when one tries to understand, uses German when you are stuck in a government office and have to finish some work, it is really important that one doesn't start off with "Könnten Sie bitte Englisch sprechen?" (Can you please speak in English?).

Until I was studying, it was all okay. Learning basic things could ride me along but when it comes to finally getting a job and settling in a city, just talking to the cashier at supermarket is not enough.

I personally feel, that although I struggle with the language, if one really needs to find some people and make yourself comfortable, it is important that one learns gradually.

Yes, it isn't an easy language and no you will not remember the simplest of words when needed (a lot of times) but remember one thing - "Es könnte schlimmer sein! ;)" (It could be worse!) :D

All the best :)

BAGONG SUPER TYPHOON "KABAYAN" SIGNAL NUMBER 4 NA⛈️😱⚠️ | LATEST WEATHER ...

Cayetano urges DOTr to integrate train system with commercial spaces

 

PRESS RELEASE

November 14, 2023

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday pushed for the integration of commercial spaces with train stations to make trains economically feasible in the country.

Citing a lack of a railway system that is economically advantageous, the senator made the proposal during the plenary debate of the 2024 budget of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on November 13, 2023.

“We haven’t found a good economic model ng trains so much so na panay utang [tayo] sa Japan at China (to build our train systems),” he told DOTr officials present on Monday night.

"Kasi kung maganda ang model ng trains natin at economically feasible business-wise, dapat our biggest businessmen ay nag-uunahan na magpropose ng mga train,” he said.

“I’d like the DOTr to take this as a mission to find a way to make trains economically feasible whether in advertising revenue or real estate component,” he added.

Cayetano said a big factor that makes the train systems in Hong Kong and Japan is the ownership of real estate by the train management.

“One of those that are making money is MTR (Mass Transit Railway) in Hong Kong because they own the real estate. The other one that is break-even or earning is the Japanese. When you go to Japan, y’ung pinaka-ordinaryong overhead na train ay may kainan sa ilalim o may bentahan ng mga old records, et cetera. Then y’ung magandang Central Station is a real mall,” he said.

Cayetano said this is not the case in the Philippines, where mall owners have to "lobby to have a train connection" rather than it being a "part of the plan… to bid it out to one of them or for the train corporation to own it."

The senator asked the DOTr officials if they could make this possible in the Philippines especially since it would mean government can lower the subsidy given to train passengers.

In response, Senator Grace Poe, who is the sponsor of the DOTr budget in the Senate, relayed to the chamber that DOTr is looking into the matter as 11 stations are currently identified to have a mixed-use development and would be accessible to the train passengers.

In response, Cayetano expressed confidence in the DOTr on the matter.

“I appreciate the work that you are doing. Let us just do whatever we can do with the present contracts para lang lumiit ang subsidy. And for future plans for example light railway, I’d like to see DOTr be creative and think like a business person,” he said. ###

Cebu Pacific logs P5-B net income in 9 months

BY KHRISCIELLE YALAO

Nov 13, 2023 10:11 PM

  

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Cebu Pacific (CEB), the aviation unit of the Gokongwei Group,  reported a huge turnaround with a net income of P5.03 billion for the first nine months of the year from a net loss of P12.05 billion incurred in the same period in 2022. 

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), CEB reported that its revenues surged by 78.2 percent to P66.9 billion in 2023’s nine-month period from P37.5 billion last year due to an increase in passenger volume because of higher demand for travel.

International flights in particular leapt by 236.2 percent this year, accounting for a 105.2 percent increase in passenger revenues to P46 billion this year from P22.5 billion last year.  

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Passenger volume increased by 48.8 percent to 15.5 million from 10.4 million and, as international travel demand significantly rose in the third quarter, average fares also grew by 37.9 percent to P2,970 from P2,154.

Ancillary revenues also shot up by 88.5 percent to P17.8 billion from P9.4 billion last year driven by the higher passenger volume and flight activity for overseas trips.

Meanwhile, cargo revenues dropped by 47 percent to P2.97 billion from P5.6 billion last year because of lower cargo kilograms flown and yield from cargo services.

Operating expenses of CEB were 24.7 percent higher at P60.7 billion from P48.7 billion, partly influenced by the weakening of the Philippine peso against the US dollar. 

Flying operations expenses increased by 31 percent to P6 billion from P19.6 billion due to a 56 percent hike in fuel consumption and increased flight activity in the nine-month period.

The airline, however, expressed confidence of increasing their flight frequency as they observed higher bookings. 

In the third quarter alone, the airline has flown four million domestic passengers on over 2,000 weekly flights, running at over 100 percent of pre-pandemic level, as well as 228 percent more passengers for international flights to 1.3 million compared to last year.

Travel demand is going up for destinations like Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Chine since the final quarter of last year. Flights to Melbourne, Australia; and Hong Kong from Cebu were also resumed while a new flight from Manila to Da Nang, Vietnam will begin in December this year.

“With these improvements and supported with the Group’s latest network plan, by fourth quarter of 2023, international network will further grow to 37 routes with over 490 weekly flights,” said CEB.  

By the fourth quarter of 2023, the airline said it "will be going beyond pre-pandemic capacity levels on a system-wide basis."  

"Improvement in both capacity and seat load factors driven by higher bookings, support the outlook for improvement in the Group’s revenues and profitability margins,” it added.

Magnitude 4.7 quake jolts Sarangani — Phivolcs

BY LIZST TORRES ABELLO

Nov 14, 2023 09:29 AM 

(Phivolcs)

Phivolcs said the earthquake struck at a depth of 26 kilometers (km) beneath the epicenter, which was 19 km southwest of Maitum, Sarangani.

The quake was felt at Intensity III (weak) in General Santos.

Its instruments also recorded the tremor at Intensity V (strong) in Kiamba, Sarangani; Intensity IV (moderately strong) in General Santos City; Intensity III in Pikit in Cotabato, Malungon and Maasim in Sarangani, and Tupi and Polomolok in South Cotabato; Intensity II (slightly felt) in Don Marcelino in Davao Occidental, Alabel, Glan and Malapatan in Sarangani, and Koronadal City in South Cotabato; and Intensity I (scarcely perceptible) in Tantangan in South Cotabato.

Phivolcs said the earthquake was tectonic, which means it was caused by the movement of an active fault near the area.

However, it does not expect aftershocks due to this.

Time to look back as we enter the ‘Decade of Philippine History’

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Nov 14, 2023 03:04 AM 

History serves as a vital connection to our roots as a nation, making us understand the intricacies of human experiences and reinforcing our shared humanity as a nation among others in a global context. 

During our formative years, the study of history is vital as it enables reflection on the past,  encouraging a deeper understanding of the present, and guiding us toward a more enlightened future. Looking back allows us to learn lessons from historical mistakes, ensuring we do not repeat them and empowering us to make informed decisions. 

To highlight the importance of history in our national conversation and collective consciousness, the President signed last Nov. 7, 2023 Proclamation No. 396, which is “Declaring the Years beginning 2023 through 2033 as the ‘Dekada ng Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas’ or the ‘Decade of Philippine History.’” 

The proclamation aligns with Section 15, Article 14 of the Constitution, which declares that the  “State shall conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as its artistic creations.”  

Reinforcing this constitutional mandate is Section 2 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10086 or “Strengthening Peoples' Nationalism Through Philippine History Act,” which states that the “State shall provide the means to strengthen the Filipino people's nationalism, love of country, respect for its heroes, and pride for the people's accomplishments, by reinforcing the importance of Philippine national and local history in daily life, with the end in view of raising social consciousness.”

Tasked with ensuring the commemoration of the “Decade of Philippine History” is the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), which traces its origins back to the Philippine Historical Research and Markers Committee (PHRMC), established under Executive Order No. 451 on Oct. 23, 1933, during the American regime.

Evolving from its predecessor, the NHCP gained independence as a government agency in 2010 through RA No. 10086. This law designated the NHCP as the entity responsible for the restoration, conservation, and protection of the country's historical objects, along with determining factual matters related to official Philippine history.

From its predecessor as PHRMC, the NHCP will mark its centennial anniversary in 2033. Thus, celebrating the “Decade of Philippine History” is an appropriate inaugural event, one that should also enjoin LGUs, schools, and various youth organizations to be part of. 

Over the next 10 years, a series of events will “highlight the contributions of the individuals who make up the NHCP, including historians, researchers, curators, architects, engineers, chemists, conservators, artists, planners, managers, and many others.” These dedicated professionals have tirelessly advanced historical research, celebrated Filipino figures, and preserved historic sites and structures. 

Their collective efforts aim not only to commemorate the NHCP's milestone but also to underscore the indispensable role of history in nation-building. Through various events, Filipinos, especially the youth, will be encouraged to revere national symbols, embrace our rich history and heritage, and understand the profound connection between our past and present.

Looking forward to becoming a better nation requires a deliberate gaze into our past. The coming decade stands as a crucial period to instill in all of us the enduring importance of history.  Without it, we will not know where we should be headed.  

What are some famous German quotes?

 

Chris Ebbert

Senior Lecturer in Industrial Design, Mid Sweden University

55,995 followers

182 following

Industrial- and Transportation Designer, innovation professional, lecturer, researcher; lived here and there and done this and that. Harmless, unless there is food involved. I appear to have what I call chronic innovation disorder; show me what you will, I will have a better idea.

My one big passion in life is to uphold the flag of high civilisation. Smaller passions include cats of all sizes, American vintage cars, obtuse movies, photography, and musing randomly on social media.

My absolute favourite is by Wilhelm Busch: “Ist der Ruf erst ruiniert, lebt es sich ganz ungeniert.” Very freely translated as, “the upside of a ruined reputation is that life gets a lot more relaxed.”

Other favourites: “Komisch ist alles, was scheitert.” (Loriot). Perhaps best translated as “Failure is comical.”

“Wer nichts zu sagen hat, macht viele Worte.” (Heinz Erhardt). You could translate it as, “those who have nothing to say will use lots of words.”

A call for heroes

Modern-day causes need a new set of heroes, says Philipp Ines

BY MB LIFESTYLE

Nov 12, 2023 08:13 PM

  

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By Dexter R. Matilla

There is a sense of wonderment to be had when viewing Philipp Ines' works, which, at first glance have the ability to immediately attack one's visual perception.

Philipp Ines

Especially for the ones that are part of his "A Call for Heroes" collection that was recently exhibited at Pinto Art Museum, I have to wonder, what is it that I am looking at here? 

A portrait of what appears to be Philippine heroes, with Jose Rizal being the easiest to identify, is shown in "Bayani Noon, Tayo Naman Ngayon." Behind is presumably Doña Marcela Agoncillo, with some help, sewing the flag of the Philippines. 

So are these really the heroes we've been taught about from the history books? Or are these just some really stylish individuals from an alternate timeline donning the most fashionable floral fall collection?

'Tunog Ng Kalikasan,' 36x48 inches, oil on canvas, 2023; 'Bayani Noon, Tayo naman Ngayon,' 72x48 inches, oil on canvas, 2023

As an artist, Ines interprets them as he sees fit—but for what purpose exactly?

A handloom is the subject of "Abel Ni Lilang" and it adds to the complex mystery of the artist's message, especially for those who may not have even seen one in person. A fool may not even know the proper orientation of how to hang this piece but then again, art doesn't always have to abide by the rules.

And then we get some sense of clarity with "Pariwara," where a female figure holds a beer bottle on one hand and a cigarette on another. One can assume that this might be a personification of Gaea, with Ines' stylized floral patterns for her hair covering her upper body while lounging in summer short shorts. Humanity doesn't care for her so why should she?

'Euan,' 36x24 inches, oil on canvas, 2023; 'Mentor,' 36x24 inches, oil on canvas, 2023

In "Retratista," Ines may be attempting to show us the majesty of nature if only we learn to appreciate it up close. Perched on a branch is a hornbill surrounded by colorful vegetation that has caught the interest of the photographer who, despite the painting's title is curiously unseen, only part of his lens shown. The same can be said of “Tunog ng Kalikasan” where we see a female violinist ready to play but seemingly missing her bow, a parrot waiting for the performance and ready to mimic what it hears. In both works, nature’s beauty is the focus.

Place of solace

Ines' fascination with the natural environment makes sense since he considers it as his healing ground.

The artist grew up in the mountainous region of Ilocos Sur but his resolve to truly care for nature came when he contracted COVID during the pandemic.

He poured his attention on his plants and Ines says this balanced out his emotions. The vibrant colors of all things floral gives him happiness every time. 

“It taught me to smile, to be thankful, to share, and to be patient,” Ines says.

'Pariwara,'  36x24 inches, oil on canvas, 2023; 'Pariwara,'  36x24 inches, oil on canvas, 2023

Thus, his advocacy for the environment will continue through his art. The plastered eyes and mouth that has become his signature are those of friends and acquaintances who ascribe to the same ideals and it is his way of honoring them. He credits Dr. Joven Cuanang, beloved art patron, for being the most influential in this.

“During the years of the (Philippine) revolution wars, we needed heroes to fight against the country’s colonizers,” Ines says. “Now we need heroes to fight for the environment.”
So perhaps this is Ines' intention here all along—to capture the viewers' curiosity through the use of vibrant and brave colors and hold their interest long enough for them to contemplate whether the heroes within them will ever be stirred to take action or will remain hypnotized by trivial things and short-form content, oblivious to the environmental issues threatening humanity.

Email the author dxmatillawrites@gmail.com

Should ladies pay the bill on a first date? KC Concepcion reacts: 'No way!'

 BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Nov 13, 2023 08:01 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• "Splitting the bill is okay at times. Pero huwag naman yung ikaw ang manlilibre sa kanya on your first date. Unless you ask him out at kung gustong-gusto mo siya." 

KC Concepcion (Facebook)

Actress KC Concepcion has expressed that she does not believe that women should be expected to pay on their first date.

On her latest vlog "Ask Me Anything" uploaded on Nov. 12, KC said she would really love for the man to take care of the bill for the first date.

"No way! Not for me!" said KC when asked if ladies should pay the bill on their first date. 

KC added: "I appreciate it when the man shoulders the bill. And ladies, it's up to us too to offer to pay sometimes as well.  I think men really appreciate that. 

"But I think for the first date, I'd really love for the man to take care of the bill. Pero kung hindi ganun ang nangyari, it doesn't mean na hindi okay. But i like to feel like a woman. I like to be kilig. Because I know what I can offer. I know that mag-e-enjoy din siya with me. 

"Splitting the bill is okay at times. Pero huwag naman yung ikaw ang manlilibre sa kanya on your first date. Unless you ask him out at kung gustong-gusto mo siya," she said. 

 

KC, 38, also shared her advice to ladies in their 30s.

"I love being in my 30s. Our 30s are a lot more empowering and a lot more fun in your 20s because you know yourself better, or you should know yourself better—your strengths, your weaknesses, being honest, what you can offer. 

"And hopefully, by now, you already have a job, even if it's not a. career path. Having a job is important. And also you should have more money than you did in your 20s. And you should be more conscious of taking care of yourself. Your skin care, your health. It's like being in your 20s but better.

"You also have your tribe. You know who your true friends are. In your 30s, you also think about doing this for the people you love. When you're still young, especially now, it's a lot easier to travel.

"Mas marami na tayong alam because of social media. I think in your 30s it's a good time to enjoy life. What our lives will look like in the next five years really depends on what we do now," KC also said.