Dirt to Ponder Upon

Categories: a woman's strength · Battling depression · Culture Vulture · Existentialism · Midlife Crossroads · Photography · Social Condition · Through Frog Eyes · women of substance · zenLeave a comment

No, I don’t mean political or entertainment dirt on celebrities. The sermon during mass the other day gave me something to think about, and that is what I have indeed been doing for a few days. Take a 50 EUR/ Pound/ Dollar/ Rupees / Bhat / Peso bill, in your hand, what do see? Exactly that, 50 of whatever currency you trade in. If it falls on the floor, does the value change? It may have just acquired more bacteria and some dirt, but no change in the basic vale. Someone comes along before you can pick it up and…

Orange Is Not The New Black!

Categories: a woman's strength · Berlin Through Frog Eyes · commuter life · Culture Vulture · Existentialism · Photography · Social Condition · Through Frog Eyes · Urban ExplorationLeave a comment

The title is of course inspired by the hit US TV series Orange Is The New Black based on the life and times of Piper Kerman during her year in prison. I loved the first six seasons, but season 7 has failed to catch my fancy thus far. In any case, today´s blog is not about the show, but more about the colour orange itself. Autumn has definitely arrived in Berlin, as the temperatures confirmed. This morning I definitively packed away all my summer clothes with sadness, and replaced the empty space with my fall and winter wardrobe. Out came…

Is it just me, or is the world going bonkers?

Categories: Berlin Through Frog Eyes · community service · commuter life · Culture Vulture · Existentialism · Social Condition · Through Frog EyesLeave a comment

I don’t know about you, dear Reader, but I find it very distressing and disappointing to listen / read the news each morning now. Everywhere you turn or scroll there is chaos, complete and utter chaos. Places that used to hold beautiful memories for me are now shrouded in political unrest or devastated by some calamity. At the risk of sounding like an overused cliche, what is the world coming to? In June of this year Germany launched the e-scooters for rent that can be found all over the city. All you need is the app and a credit card,…

Those dratted -ber months are back

Categories: a woman's strength · Christmas Season · Culture Vulture · Existentialism · Philippines · Social ConditionLeave a comment

It’s September again, and that means the so-called -ber months are back (i.e. September, October, November, December). Merry Christmas folks! Yes, that is exactly what you just read, Merry Christmas!!! September 1 marks the beginning of the bizarre concept of Filipino Christmas season and on this day, without fail, all radio stations in the Philippines began the Christmas countdown and the first carols hit the airwaves. I pause for your laughter to subside… I’m still in summer mode here in Berlin, even though the temperatures took a much needed dip Sunday night, and we awoke to a lovely 14C this…

Short People (me) Got Every Reason!

Categories: a woman's strength · Berlin Through Frog Eyes · commuter life · Culture Vulture · Existentialism · Social Condition · Through Frog EyesLeave a comment

There was a Randy Newman song that came out in 1977 which became an instant hit, but I hated with a passion from the very beginning (the MTV even more), and still do. For the sake of today´s topic, here it is: I am short by any standards, at 152cm, and am proud of my height, it´s just that in some countries I am short and in others I seem to be microscopic! Of all the countries I have lived in, however, Germany has made me feel the smallest both emotionally and physically. I have lost track of the number…

Dam! Time to Zip and Shake!

Categories: Existentialism · Photography · Social Condition · Through Frog Eyes · Traveler's TalesLeave a comment

There is a lot to do in the Harz region, regardless of the season you choose to visit. For the winter sports fans, this is of course one of the recommended areas for traditional skiing and cross-country skiing. The Harz in summer is a haven for cyclists, runners, hikers and general outdoors fans. The beauty of being there is that you are not confined to a single activity, and thanks to globalisation, adventure sports has made its way to some of the dams, like the Rappebodetalsperre (Rappbode Dam). When you first read about the road trips to the various dams…