Monday 23 February 2009

Rosenmontag...another meaning but Alaaaaaaaaaf!



Rosenmontag

Rosenmontag (which means "running Monday" from the Kölsch word roose (run) and not Roses' Monday) is the highlight of the German "Karneval" (carnival), and is on the Collop Monday before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. The "Mardi Gras," though celebrated on Tuesday, is a comparison. Rosenmontag is celebrated in German-speaking countries, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, but most heavily in the "Hochburgen", German carnival strongholds, which include the Rhineland (especially Cologne, Düsseldorf, Aachen, and Mainz).
The Karneval season begins at 11 minutes past the eleventh hour on the 11th of November and the "street carnival" starts on the Thursday before Rosenmontag, which is known as Weiberfastnacht ("women's carnival"). Karneval is prevalent in Roman Catholic areas and is a continuation of the old Roman traditions of slaves and servants being master for a day. Karneval derives from the Latin "Carne Vale" - literally Goodbye Meat marking the beginning of Lent.
Carnival is not a national holiday in Germany, but schools are closed on Rosenmontag and the following Tuesday in the strongholds and many other areas. Many schools as well as companies tend to give teachers, pupils and employees the Friday before Rosenmontag off as well and have celebrations in school or in the working place on Weiberfastnacht, although every now and then there are efforts to cut these free holidays in some companies.
Celebrations usually include dressing up in fancy costumes, dancing, parades, heavy drinking and general public displays with floats. Every town in the Karneval areas boats at least one parade with floats making fun of the themes of the day. Usually sweets (Kamelle) are thrown into the crowds lining the streets among cries of "Helau" (Mainz area) or "Alaaf" (Cologne area) - a great experience for the young and young at heart. Little bottles of Kölnischwasser (eau de Cologne) are thrown into the crowd.
Things go quiet the next day, known as "Veilchendienstag" (Shrove Tuesday).
(Source: Wikipedia)

The best view is to get your computer and blog while watching the
parade in the television.
Alaaaaaaaaaaaf in our region, Helaaaaaaaaaaaau on the periphery
and this could be a source of debate which one is the real,
original Carnival Scream.

Tuesday 17 February 2009

Great News to Share: Booming Birth in Germany


(Photo Source: www.thelocal.de)

German birth rate climbs steadily
Published: 15 Feb 09 09:59 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20090215-17441.html
Family Minister Ursula von der Leyen has confirmed that Germans are having more children, saying that the tough economic situation is prompting growing numbers to seek security within the family.
In an interview with newspaper Bild am Sonntag, the minister said there has been a marked increase in births among women between the ages of 30 and 40.

In 2007, Germany registered 12,000 more births than in the previous year. The upward trend continued last year with 517,549 children born between January and September 2008 – an increase of 3,400, according to the newspaper. The Federal Statistics Office estimates that a total of 690,000 children were born in Germany last year.

Von der Leyen, who is to present a report on families in Germany on Monday, said her ministry had discovered that more German men had warmed to the idea of having kids.

In 2007, the minister, a mother of seven, introduced parental leave benefits for German fathers which allow them to stay at home on two-thirds of their salaries for a year. The measure was meant to raise Germany’s birth rate which has long been one of the lowest in Europe.

“The desire to have children is rising among men. The role of the father is changing today,” von der Leyen said.

The minister said the severe economic recession in Germany was leading to fewer abortions and divorces, adding that the family offered a safe refuge for many people.

“When the economy falters, the family becomes more important,” she said.

DPA/The Local (news@thelocal.de)

Now, that is another explanation why we have booming
population back home...economy down at all times
but Pinays and Pinoys are producing themselves
like how do you say that in German...like rabbbbbits!

Saturday 14 February 2009

Love Potions... Happy Valentine's Day!


Amor Vincit Omnia!

"Ah, drink me up
That I may be
Within your cup
Like a mystery,
Like wine that it still
In ecstasy.

Glimmering still
In ecstasy
Commingled wines
Of you and me
In one fulfil
The mystery."

D.H. Lawrence

For all those madly in love with....Chocolates


(Photos: Chocolates from Colmar)
Chocolates conquer all!

Enjoy the Day!

Wednesday 11 February 2009

Thoughtful Neighbors in Alemanya



Opening our front door this morning, I see this wine bag
on top of the morning paper. You see, my dear German
neighbors share their daily papers with us...this is
a practise of good neighborhood for you in Germany!
(Well, they even pay for the papers, shame on us!)
Well, don't expect your neighbors will do the same
nice things to you when you move to Alemanya. Not everyone
gets nice neighbors...you have to be nice yourself, too,
and not only when you celebrate birthdays.

Thanks Ursula and Wolfgang!
Really, a surprise! When do we drink the beautiful
French red wine together?

Monday 2 February 2009

English Lesson in German Schools Starts Today

Today about 167 000 first-graders in German elementary schools
start learning English, two-hour lesson every week.
I incidentally heard kids reciting this poem in the radio
today:

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
Four little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped her head.
Papa called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
Three little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
Two little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped her head.
Papa called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
One little monkey jumping on the bed,
He fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
"Put those monkeys straight to bed!"




I remember learning this nursery rhyme:

Hickory, dickory duck
The mouse rup up the clock.
The clock struck one,
The mouse run down
Hickory, dickory duck!



Well, time will tell if it more effective to
learn English with monkeys or with duck.

BTW...I read someone was commenting to this
duck...
hickory, dickory duck
you're all a bunch of F....!