Ana´s Voyage Blog

This is a personal journal of experiences, anecdotes and reflections throughout my life.  The photographs and writings in this website are my private property and they are not for sale.   They are also not for free download. They are a part of my VOYAGE in life, which I would like to share with our family and friends around the world.

 

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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MY Fotolia Sales 2009 Jan/05/10 19:58

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Photo by minifilm @fotolia.com

MY Fotolia Sales 2009
The year 2009 was a bumpy ride for microstock photography. How we wished somebody said, “Achtung! Achtung! Wear your helmets and fasten your seat belts.” Who would have thought it was like Formula 1 race.

It started with an option to put unsold images to the Free Section for 0.50€ per picture for a duration of 18 months, which was prolonged to 5 years before the end of 2009. We saw commission rates changed on the first of March last year, according to exclusivity status.

So our 58% commission became 35% ! Huh! Huh! Huh! I took us over 3 months to resume Total Exclusivity with Fotolia, thereafter earning 55% until the end of the year. However, we already greeted 2010 with 1% less commission, an offshoot of a renewed modification which was announced before we opened champagne bottles to the tune of Auld Lang Syne. I could only assume that our vehicle needs refueling, mechanical adjustment, new softer tires or maybe all of the above. And just like motor sport, a team´s pit strategy is subject to change because of unforeseeable factors like weather conditions. Dry to sudden rain, for example, will force the team to recalculate and change tactics, to accommodate the unplanned pit stop so that the crew can switch the slick tires to wets.

Anyway, let´s go back to the main topic before we get somewhere more slippery than this.

So, here´s the information you´re all waiting for…in spite of all the bumps, we did not suffer a slide. The number of licenses sold decreased, but at the same time, customers were willing to pay more for each image download. This helped us achieve a small rise in average commission of 4€ in 2008 and 4.68€ per license in 2009, which also resulted into a slight increase in total annual revenue compared to 2008.

It´s not bad at all, considering the market sensitivity to fluctuations in our present global economy. Of course, we could wish for more! I believe that it is possible to see higher revenues for 2010 when more people join Fotolia´s Operation Level Ground where they will get the chance they are waiting for, i.e., be able to sell their images for a just price.

And for others who still find the time to argue who has the right to call themselves “photographers”…that answer varies from place to place, from country to country, from people to people, from one technological advancement to another and from one wanna-be group to another high-flying company whose dynamics include defining their very own criteria on who should be bestowed the title “photographer” or “member” to exclude the others. If humans work more on how to include others, the world would be a better place.

The truth is whether we are called microstock photographers, microstock contributor, graphic designers, videographers, illustrators, filmmakers, etc., etc., etc.- we are artists in our own right.
We should go away from “definitions” which make us narrow-minded. Technology keeps on pressing the “reset” button as it changes our world, photography included. And the internet is our stage; amateurs or professionals, young or old, male or female, black or white. So, don´t waste precious time looking for opportunities to put others down. You might wake up needing to live 2 or more lifetimes to match what other individuals have gone through in one.

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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New Year´S Resolutions Dec/29/09 18:14

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New Year´S Resolutions 12.29.09

Many people make an effort to contemplate before every year comes to an end, to make a commitment in improving their lives in the coming new year. When we got back to school after the Christmas holidays, this was the first thing we had to write, our New Year´s resolution!

But everything was much simpler when we were kids. We had simpler goals, e.g., arrive promptly to school, avoid chatting with classmates during lessons, promise not to chew a gum inside the classroom, always do our homework …

These commitments were probably difficult to keep for some, but compare them to popular goals, let´s say adult goals, nowadays…

- Lose weight
- Reduce credit card bills
- Get a job
- Quit smoking (or drinking)
- Cut down on utility bills
- Exercise regularly
- Bike instead of drive
- Reduce stress
- Help others
- Learn a new language
- Spend more time with the family
- Enjoy life
- Get rid of old garbage
- Get organized
- Complain less
- Smile

Now how do we stick to at least five of the above? Depending on our current situation, one might prove more difficult than the other.

Some people manage to lose weight, just to gain it back again after bouts of boredom and frustration. How can people reduce credit card bills when that´s the only pleasing thing they could do after work. How can we get a job during this economic crisis – when all experts are treated as unnecessary expensive human resources and companies just want hands and feet! Sometimes even for free! (like Free Photos!) Or almost free! (like Trainees used as full-time workers)

Quit smoking? I have never smoked so I don´t really know how it feels, but I was a witness to my husband´s agony in stopping smoking and his victory with Nicorette chewing gums. This is not advertising!

The people who lost their jobs and still manage to keep a roof over their heads, probably have more time to spend with their families now. Their stress at work is gone. It´s been replaced by the stress of finding new work. Some of them might find time to get rid of old garbage which consumes overpriced rental space. Some of them might find this a chance to get organized and finally be able to help others. Some might even find the opportunity to learn a new language or exercise regularly, which seemed unachievable for people who worked 10-12 hours a day.

But for many people who lost most of the little they had and are struggling right now, it would not be easy to complain less, specially when solutions are out of sight. “Smile” is something we can only try but at times like these, it´s difficult to come by.

For the rest who remain in their jobs, they now have to do the work of the ones who were fired, in addition to the loads they used to do, and with the constant fear that they might get the boot, too, sooner or later. With this fear, they run their present lives. Plus saving on electricity, water, etc. to cut down on utility bills, in case they lose their jobs. Play it safe and use the bike whenever possible, in case they lose the car, too, in the future. That´s why some say this economic crisis is our best environmental protection!

And the future… what will the future bring if we humans continue to build our lives only around money? Can we still tell our kids to learn properly in school? To get a decent job? To work hard for their future? To travel to gain more work experience? To work hard day and night as the Boss requires? Just to be considered an outsider when one is married, and an outcast when you have children? Then be redundant at the age of 40, when one have gathered so much experience, knowledge and skills to help improve the FUTURE? It is sad that we suppress a lot of talents. It is sickening that we throw away a lot of virtues. For a price. It happened hundreds of years ago, it´s still happening up to now. To pay our rent. To buy us food. To drive a car. To send our kids to school.

We don´t need individual New Year´s resolutions. We need a Global Resolution for the whole humanity. People should not need to struggle for food and shelter. If people don´t need to worry about basic needs, people will not to go through life elbowing others. We should find a way of distributing earth´s resources fairly to everyone. We should find a way of compensating physical and intellectual work equally, because without the masons´ skills, no architectural greatness can be erected. There should be no countries and territories. There should be no First World or Third World. Because the Third World will always look up to the First World, even if the coffee, tea, chocolate, sugar, banana, etc. in sophisticated dining tables are actually fruits of the “undeveloped” soil. One day when they find out they are special, too, they would also want to fly first class. They want to drive cars. They want to buy weapons and machines. They want to build hotels and skyscrapers. Like the First World. From the little village chiefs who massacre other clans to the hundred or more countries around the globe, who give all their might to be on the same ranks as the First World. With this in mind, the task of reducing CO2 emissions remains difficult. The task of stopping wars remains unthinkable. The worth of humans are reduced to mere numbers we can calculate at present, like labor costs, health costs, etc. – given according to the color of your skin, nationality, educational level and more importantly, VITAMIN B (stands for connection). The socio-economic implications of having happy, healthy, creative citizens are being undermined. Of course, the ones in better position NOW think they don´t need to care. Until one day the vicious cycle of arrogance, selfishness and ignorance hits them, too.

How about a HONEST word for the New Year? We cannot hide it. We need each other, no matter how different we may appear from each other. There will be no war if we all work for one and the same goal. And that goal should be the pursuit of lasting peace and happiness. Not only for the elite minority. But for EVERYONE in the whole world, no matter what race or religion they may be.

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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Christmas Markets in Berlin Dec/20/09 17:33

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Gendarmenmarkt
www.gendarmenmarktberlin.de
Entrance Fee 1,- Euro, children up to 12 yrs. Free
New Year’s Eve after 8pm: 10 €

until 31 December 2009
Sun. – Thurs. 11:00 – 22:00 Fr. – Sat. 11:00 – 23:00 24.12. 11:00 – 18:0031.12. 11:00 – 01:00 Public Holidays 11:00 – 22:00

Potsdamer Platz
10785  Berlin
zum Stadtplan – Map

until 27. December 2009
Sun. – Fr. 10:00 – 22:00 Sat. 10:00 – 24:00 24 December 10:00 – 16:00

Roten Rathaus
Vor dem Roten Rathaus (in front of the Rotes Rathaus)
10178  Berlin
zum Stadtplan – Map

until 27. December 2009
(24 December . close)

Daily 11:00 until 21:00, Fridays & Saturdays until 22:00
25 & 26 December, until 22:00 also

Opernpalais
www.berliner-weihnacht.de
Opernpalais, Unter den Linden
10117  Berlin
zum Stadtplan- Map

until 27. December 2009
Mon. – Thurs. 12:00 – 21:30 Fr. – Sa. 11:00 – 22:30 So 11:00 – 21:3024.December – close 25. & 26. December 11.30 – 21:00 27. Decmber 11:30 – 21:00

Gedächtniskirche
zum Stadtplan – Map

Breitscheidplatz 10789  Berlin

until 3. January 2010 Sun. – Thurs. 11:00 – 21:00 Fr. & Sat. 11:00 – 22:00

Schloss Charlottenburg
zum Stadtplan – Map

Vor dem Schloss Charlottenburg am Spandauer Damm 14059  Berlin

until 27. December 2009 Mon – Thurs 14:00 – 22:00 Fr – Sun 12:00 – 22:00
Alexanderplatz

zum Stadtplan – Map

until 27 December 2009 Mon – Thurs 12:00 – 21:30
Fr – Sat 11:00 – 22:00
Sun 11:00 – 21:30

near Alexa Shopping Mall

Alexanderplatz 10178  Berlin

Alexa Einkaufszentrum
Grunerstr. 20
10178  Berlin
zum Stadtplan – Map

Mon – Fr 13:00- 23:00 Sat & Sun 10:00 – 23:00
24 December – close
25 & 26 December
15:00 -21:00
No entrance fee.

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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SUMMER LEISURE in Berlin Aug/11/09 18:08

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SUMMER LEISURE in Berlin 2009 11. August 2009.Last year, we spent two happy weeks in Rome, exploring and rediscovering our Italian connection.  Now this time, we have not managed to travel yet and half of the summer school holidays are already over. Busy. Busy. Busy.  But it´s not bad at all.  In between our plenty of work, we were able to joggle children activities in between.

Have you heard of the outdoor swimming pool in Monbijou Park?  Berliner Bäder-Betriebe: Kinderbad Monbijou

The swimming pool is actually for children up to 15 years old, but parents can relax on the green meadows under the big shady trees. Cappuccino, ice cream, pizza, curry sausage, pommes frites and a variety of drinks are available at the kiosk. So when you get tired of gullivating around with the kids and you happen to be in Hakescher Markt or Museum Insel, head on to the pool.  Don´t forget your swimsuits!

Sometimes it´s not easy when you have kids of different ages. They slowly develop different interests and mould their very own personalities. Sometimes I also notice the missing skills in them which I consider very important in their personality development and future career choice.  What makes people shine is the Harmony, the Rhythm, the Soul!  So I brought them to D!s Dance School.

D!’s World – D!’s Dance School – Stundenplan Children can learn modern Hip Hop, Breakdance, Ballet, Classic Jazz, Modeling Course, Videoclip, Dantao Workouts  and many more.  This is just the Summer Schedule by the way.  You can choose to pay the hourly fee of 9€(same price as in other children dance school in Berlin Mitte) or opt for the discounted 10-hour card for 83€.  If you are a Berliner, you can choose from the different contracts/arrangements they offer. In case you don´t know, the people behind the school is Detlef Soost, Germany´s most successful Choreographer and Celebrity Coach, and his Team of impressive young choreographers.

Have you ever felt bored and tired (and homesick) despite the loads of work you have everyday? Well, you´re not alone. We need a great escape  to the Tropical Island.http://www.tropical-islands.de/en/visitors.html

You don´t really need a car to get there. You can take the Regional Express RE2 from Alexanderplatz Train Station. (It´s the red double-decker train) The journey takes about 50 minutes up to the railway station at BRAND.  A free shuttle bus just outside the Brand train station will bring you to Tropical Islands in less than 10 minutes. Here´s where you find train schedules VBB fahrinfo – Routenplaner

Sometimes the overworked women in the ticket counter will refuse to sell you a train ticket personally, just like what happened to us on the 8th of August.  They told us and  the rest of the Italian tourists to get our tickets from the automated ticket machine. If we were not running out of time, we would have helped the Italians who fell into misery trying to get their train tickets. Some of them gave up. That´s really bad for business and a real shame for Berlin.

Anyway, keep yourselves focussed on your aims. To get to Tropical Islands you need a Brandenburg-Berlin Ticket , which you will find under the Tickets for Tourists category.  It costs 27€ from the machine and from the internet; 29€ from the ticket counter.  This is valid for 5 people traveling together from 9:00 up to 3:00 the following day.
Bear in mind, Germany is never cheap.  So check the prices and other relevant information. There are lots of things to do and a variety of food and drinks. You might like to stay overnight in their lodges. They accept all major credit cards, cash and EC cards.

Sun, sand, beach, rainforest, circus shows, dining and real relaxation in their Sauna and Wellness Area. All of these under a magnificent architecture, the largest free standing hall in the world, in fact.  It´s equivalent to 8 football fields.  Big enough to fit the Statue of Liberty standing up and the Eiffel Tower lying on its side! http://www.tropical-islands.de/en/visitors/attractions/dome.html

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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LUCKY DRAGON YOUTUBE VIDEOS Jun/28/09 13:15

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LUCKY DRAGON YOUTUBE VIDEOS 28. June 2009 You can now browse photos from our Lucky Dragon portfolio  via our YouTube videos.

In our aim to make your viewing more interesting and turn it to  a less stressful part of your job, we have put our photos together with a variety of wonderful music from the past to the present, from all over the world, and in different languages : English, German, Spanish, Cantonese, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese and Turkish.  We´ve chosen music from the Black Eyed Peas, Scorpions, Sergio Mendes, Johnny Mathis, Peter Fox, Mocedades, Hadise, Westlife, Evanescense, Wonder Girls, Queen, Mickelangelo Locante, Ricchi e Poveri, Alex Fong and Stephy Tang.  We promise to add more to this list.  So, if you have any request, i.e., your favorite song or a specific photo/video concept, please don´t hesitate to click the contact button and send us an email. We will try to get back to you as soon as we can.

Our microstock photos are available exclusively  at

Lucky Dragon

Bilder und Videos suchen: bis: Lucky Dragon

Search photos: by: Lucky Dragon

Search photos: by: Lucky Dragon

Buscar fotos: por: Lucky Dragon

Rechercher des photos : par : Lucky Dragon

Search images: by: Lucky Dragon

Cerca immagini: da: Lucky Dragon

Procurar fotos: Por: Lucky Dragon

Szukaj zdjęć: przez: Lucky Dragon

写真の検索： 作者： Lucky Dragon

Lucky Dragon USA

Bilder und Videos suchen: bis: Lucky Dragon

USASearch photos: by: Lucky Dragon USA

Rechercher des photos : par : Lucky Dragon USA

Buscar fotos: por: Lucky Dragon USA

Search images: by: Lucky Dragon USA

Cerca immagini: da: Lucky Dragon USA

Procurar fotos: Por: Lucky Dragon USA

写真の検索： 作者： Lucky Dragon USA

Please note that some of our private photo collection are used to “spice up” our Youtube videos.  These private photographs are not for sale and not available for free download.
Happy viewing!

YouTube – Kanal von lizsteiert

YouTube – lizsteiert’s Channel

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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SWINE FLU GLOBAL OUTBREAK Jun/12/09 17:11

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WINE FLU GLOBAL OUTBREAK 12. June 2009H1N1 is a new flu virus of swine origin. First detected in Mexico and the US in early 2009, it is determined that the new influenza virus was spreading from person-to-person the same way the common seasonal influenza viruses spread, i.e., through coughing and sneezing of infected people.

Today the World Health Organization raised the global pandemic alert to 6, the highest phase, with thousands of cases in North America, more than a thousand in Australia and hundreds in Japan and Europe.

At the same time, the German authorities confirmed 30 cases of swine flu at a Japanese school in Düsseldorf.

This is the most concentrated outbreak of the virus so far in Europe´s largest economy.  One of the children was tested positive with H1N1 virus last week and had recently been to Malta.  Parents of infected children and people who had been in contact with them would also be checked.  The school would remain closed until June 14.

Some practical swine flu  prevention tips which I got from the internet:

1- wash your hands

2- Vorsicht, was Sie berühren! Das Virus kann auf Telefonen, Tür-2- watch what you touch! virus can linger on telephones, door knobs and other surfaces; and be transferred via the fingers to the mouth, nose or eyes.

3- avoid crowds

4- drink plenty of water to get rid of toxins in the body

5- eat well, sleep enough, exercise – to help your immune system

6- contact your doctor right away if you suspect you have contracted swine flu.

And I found 2 Youtube videos to help us (and amuse us) through this time.  Have fun watching!  Laughter is the best medicine.

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES IN BERLIN Jun/05/09 17:34

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There´s always something going on in Berlin.  International exhibitions here, parties there, flea markets near the Spree and strand cafes on the other side. Whether it is about diplomacy or pure entertainment, there are all sorts of events for everybody gullivating inevery possible corner in Berlin.

But last week something unique popped up on the exhibition grounds in front of the Rotes Rathaus.  We knew the United Arab Emirates is coming!

Therewas an entrance built with two Wind Towers on each side.  Wind Tower is a traditional element characterizing United Arab Emirates architecture.  Their purpose is to catch cooler breeze from the top and direct them to other parts of the building.

Although they don´t really need wind towers anymore because of the air conditioning system everywhere, it is still considered part of the United Arab Emirates identity. Inside the traditional Bedouin tents are Arabic women in abaya who are kneading dough, baking bread and painting other female hands with henna.  The Arabic males dressed in dish dash and headdress arranged themselves in a circle with the anchor of drummers and tambourines.

They performed the Ayyala, an ancient dance form where they stand in two rows, facing each other, arms linked, waving camel sticks and swaying back and forth to challenge the opposite side.  The Liwa which was performed with drummers and a pipe-flute player, was equally enjoyed by the public.

There were senior German citizens who didn´t know what was going on.  So they asked  an old couple sitting on the bench.  The old German couple knew everything. They had been to Dubai for a week and enjoyed it!

I left them still chatting with each other about the Emirates half an hour later.  There were some who approached my husband to enquire.  Let me tell you what those folks said, ” It is an honor to have them here!”

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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Berlin, Carneval der Culturs, … Jun/05/09 17:34

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VIDEOS, Street Festival 29 Mai untill 1 June 2009

www.karnevalderkulturen.de

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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FIGHTING LEUKEMIA AND OTHER SIKNESSES May/20/09 20:07

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FIGHTING LEUKEMIA AND OTHER SICKNESSES 20. Mai 2009 About three weeks ago, I was waiting for emails from my friend Abel.  Abel and I know each other since 30 years, way back to our high school days in Malolos, Bulacan.  Even if we haven´t seen each other since 1990, we still  keep in touch.  Thanks to modern technology.  Distance does not seem as painful as it used to be.  She now lives in Australia but was on a business trip to Manila in April.  Then she flew with her family to the US to visit her in-laws.  She must be really busy these days, I thought. At the end of April, I finally got the email I was waiting for..but with devastating news in it.  Abel  was hospitalized when they were in the States.  She has leukemia.

It is difficult to say something to somebody who was a companion to many important moments of my life.  It is even more difficult when I´d rather knock on their door and take her for a walk than write this blog.   I´d rather  accompany her to chemotherapy sessions.  Or look after her daughter Jil.  I would rather bring her to church or cook her some lunch.  Or enjoy a funny afternoon with her and our friends Medy, Tess, Olive & Jovie.  But since I cannot do any of these, I sadly went back to my Mini Mac and started writing.

Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood. It is characterized by the abnormal and excessive production of white blood cells.

Blood cells come from the bone marrow.  The bone marrow makes different types of blood cells.  White blood cells help fight infection.  Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body.  Platelets help control bleeding.  In people with leukemia, the abnormal white blood cells outnumber the normal white blood cells, red blood cells and the platelets.  Although there are many known symptoms,e.g., night sweats, frequent infection, bleeding & bruising easily, pain in the bones, swollen lymph nodes and sudden weight loss – the exact causes remain unknown.  Blood cancer is often detected through physical exam, blood tests and a biopsy.  Doctors sometimes find chronic leukemia during a patient´s routine check-up before symptoms are present.  On the other hand, acute leukemia is often discovered when people go to the doctor because of other reasons like general weakness, fever, vomiting and seizures.

Two years ago, a 14-year old girl who was taking Taekwondo lessons with our kids was brought to the hospital because of very high temperature.  There was no sign of relief after days of medication so the doctors made all possible tests.  On her fifth day in the hospital, she was diagnosed of leukaemia.

Most patients prepare for treatment after getting a second opinion.  Once the type of leukemia is confirmed, the doctor will describe the best treatment choices. Patients may have chemotherapy, biological therapy or bone marrow transplant.  Nowadays there are people who would like to take an active part in the medical process.  They want to learn more about the disease and the options they may take.  Thanks to the worldwide web, we all have access to different types of information and opinions in the internet.   Some patients also participate in clinical trials and research studies.  Chronic leukemia patients who do not show symptoms may not require immediate treatment.  However, people with acute leukemia needs treatment right away.

Survival Rates (leukemiasurvivor.com)What are the treatments for leukemia? what are the cures? – Yahoo! AnswersLeukaemia Foundation | Vision to cure. Mission to care.Leukämien bei ErwachsenenLeukämie und Knochenmark- / StammzelltransplantationLeukämie-Online :: Die Community zum Thema LeukämieLeukämie

Living with a serious illness is not easy.  Work and family routines are often disrupted.  It has a financial impact and dramatic effect on all members of the family, friends and even on working colleagues.  It is difficult not to talk about death because the chances of survival vary depending on the type of leukemia one has, from 14% to 50% to 80%, in a matter of five years.   It seems that no one really knows what´s exactly going on and no one is admitting to it.  Except for a few who are willing to share information and personal experience as a doctor, a patient, a survivor, a family member or a friend. Below are some links to these informative internet forums and websites Living, or should I say “surviving” is a personal thing.  It is an individual´s choice to say yes or no to whatever type of  treatment available.

I hope it helps to say that we could also try to do something to stay healthy and prevent sickness.  My husband and I have been trying to practice Trophology since 1996 which we learned from the book  “The Tao of Health, Sex and Longevity” by Daniel Reid,
ISBN 0-671-65500-0(available in English and German).  We combine this with eating fresh natural food, with references from “The Science & Fine Art of Food & Nutrition by Herbert M. Shelton, ISBN 0-914532-39-1, and the German book “Futter fürs Volk” by Volker Angres, Claus Peter Hutter and Lutz Ribbe.

Since we came back to Germany in 1997, we try to consume only wholemeal bread, specially spelt  bread(dinkelbrot) whenever possible.  We take Spirulina and/or Chlorella tablets from Keimling(Keimling Naturkost – Rohkost Naturkost Gesundheit) or from Reformhaus Worthoff (reformhaus worthoff duesseldorf – Google  Maps ).  There are many Reformhaus stores all over Germany and Austria. Please visit their website if you would like to check their store near you Willkommen bei neuformREFORMHAUS).  We also do the daily Five Tibetan Exercises from the book “Fountain of Youth” by Peter Kelder & Bernie Siegel, ISBN 038549162x, available in different languages and instructional DVD.  Ingrid Schlieske´s Japanisches Heilströmen” , ISBN 3-920788-37-0, is a part of our first-aid therapy  against colds, fever, headaches and fatigue, plus Egyptian black cumin oil and Australian tee tree oil.  We also consume natural cold-pressed virgin olive oil from L´agricola ( L’agricola Inh. B. Mueller ).

We humans are a wonderful creation.  We are capable of doing many wonderful things…if we don´t waste our time, our effort and our resources in many things that are not important in life… if we are not blinded by color, money, power and fame, which bring us hopeless diseases, endless wars  and environmental disasters…if we are able to use the gifts we have inside us positively… if we believe that no matter how bad the situation is, somebody is going to come to save the day…we will be able to heal ourselves and others!

YouTube – 5 Tibetans with Martin The Trainer – As seen on VH1

LifeEvents.org: 5 Tibetans Energy Rejuvenation Exercises

Vitamin A produces astonishing leukemia cure rate, even without chemotherapy by Mike Adams the Health Ranger

YouTube – Die 5 Tibeter Übungsablauf

EIGENE Bücher – www.ingrid-schlieske.de

Leukemia Forum – Dr. Johanna Budwig cancer treatment

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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BRITAINS GOT TALENT May/07/09 11:27

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BRITAINS GOT TALENT 7. Mai 2009 The name Susan Boyle hit the news in Germany a week ago.  After that she made it to the Larry King Live show.  As people around the world started to talk about her wonderful performance, I discovered other fantastic participants of Britain´s Got Talents in Youtube

.

Now, Britain should be proud of these. Apart from the Beatles, Queen, Mick Jagger, Kate Moss, David Beckham, Lewis Hamilton- to mention a few of your already famous citizens – here are some of your very bright and very amusing performers.  Here is cultural diversity at its best! And since life´s already hard due to the economic crisis, it´s very nice to see wonderful people trying hard to entertain others and have fun doing so.

May I also quote the speaker of the group “Flawless”:

“CHASE THE DREAM, not the competition!”  Very well said.

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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SPORTS, THE MOST EXCITING BOXER ON THE PLANET May/06/09 16:05

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SPORTS, THE MOST EXCITING BOXER ON THE PLANET, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao

Around three years ago, I was looking for a way to send our t-shirt art print designs to a well-known manufacturer of sports products when Manny Pacquiao´s limited edition from Nike Philippines popped up.

Kiki was again nosy as she sneaked at my back.  ” Who´s that, Mama? Pac..pac..pac who? “   It´s Pacquiao alright.  He seems to be a famous boxer. “Mama, you mean heavyweight?” No, my dear. Forgive us. We live in Germany so the kids know the Klitschko brothers better.

In Tagalog and probably in other Filipino dialects, too, “pakyaw” (as Pacquiao is similarly pronounced) is a word used when somebody “buys everything”, “gets everything”, or “takes the whole lot”.  I thought at that time, if Manny Pacquiao (money pakyaw) would live by his name, he would surely make it.

Born in Bukidnon, Philippines in 1978, left school at the age of 12, sold cigarettes on the streets, started professional boxing when he was 16 years old and earned 50 USD from his first fight which he gave to his mother Aling Dionisia.  After his last fight with Ricky Hatton on May 2,  Manny Pacquiao is definitely the most exciting boxer on the planet. Pacman is the first Filipino and Asian boxer to win five world titles in five different weight divisions.

Now a recipient of a honorary doctorate degree in Humanities, Dr. Manny Pacquiao, the 1.68 m Filipino,  lives in General Santos City, Cotabato del Sur, Philippines with his wife Jinkee and their 4 children.

For those of you who missed the live telecast, just click the link below for the heavy speedy punches:

Pacquiao vs. Hatton Video: Brutal Left Hook Makes ‘Hitman’ See Stars — Boxing FanHouse

And for all the fans, here are a few more infos:

Pacquiao gegen das Hatton Video: Brutaler Linker Haken Lässt ‘Killer’ Sterne – Sehen, FanHouse Einschließend

Und für alle Anhänger, sind hier noch einige infos:

Wie Kampf von Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton einen Krieg – Telegrafen aufhörte

Manny Pacquiao beweist, dass nette Kerle zuerst – Zeiten Online beenden können

:::: P Ein C L Ein N D::::

Pacman bekommt Dr. Titel | Sonne. Sternnetz Online

Sportnachrichten – Boxen – Manny Pacquiao gegen Ricky Hatton – Großes Kastriert, kleine Titel – Sport Lebender bei sportal.de

Boxen: Manila nach Pacquiaos WM-Sieg im Freudentaumel – Boxen – KONZENTRIERT SICH Online

Pacquiao gegen Hatton Wiegen – im Video – Pacquiao Video

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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EUROS FOR DIE EURO ZONE, …….. Apr/29/09 16:37

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EUROS FOR DIE EURO ZONE, USD FOR US ZONE 29. April 2009 I know somebody is going to confront me soon by saying, “But you also have photos selling for 1 credit in Fotolia, huh!” Exactement!  I have 2 babies with Fotolia. The first one is with Fotolia Deutschland, selling for 3-33 credits, emerald ranking, Euro currency.  The second baby is just a few months old with Fotolia USA, selling for 1-20 credits, overall ranking at 13250 at the moment, USD account.  Please don´t confuse yourself.  I am certain there is nobody in the US or UK zones who gets paid in Euros.

But why open a new account in the US zone, start from 0 ranking, 1 credit and earn USD when most people are demanding to get paid in Euros or equivalent in exchange rate???

Why start again from zero?  This is what many people are afraid of.  Even the YOUTH who don´t have the experience and skills to get employed in any industry refuse the chances to start new.

We were both expatriates when we first met. When we got married, I became an expat´s wife – in short, an extra luggage!  Every new employment means a new foreign country, a new home, maybe a new company, new language, new surroundings, new telephone numbers, new people, new neighbors, new doctors, new school, new teachers, new friends, even the strangers are NEW. For my husband, the list goes on…new work environment, new boss, new cooks, a different corporate culture in addition.  It´s not starting from zero because you come equipped with more and more knowledge and skills all the time — but no one really knows how it´s gonna work until you´ve been there for quite a while.  That´s the surprise factor!  So, you tend to try harder to identify the problems and offer solutions.  It gives you and those around you a chance to change, to improve yourself, to develop, to find new and better ways of working and living.

It gives you a chance to transcend beyond your limitations.  All in the hope of finding a better future for you and your family.

(Oops! I read from somewhere that if you are a white working in a foreign country you are an expatriate.  But if you are a non-white working in a foreign country you are called a contract worker!!!)

And how long does it take until photos start selling?

I started uploading photos in Fotolia in December 2006 and right on the very first month, 3 licenses were sold.  Then, 40 sales in January 2007 and 82 licenses the following month.  By December 2008, my portfolio contains over 18000 images.

The more photos we have, the more CHANCES  of selling, of course. You can live with less if you are certain you have a portfolio of images which are highly in demand all year round globally.   The fastest sale I had was around two hours after approval.

I was aware of this because it happened while I was keywording online. Then the credits changed in front of my eyes.  I checked the photos sold. Voila!  There it was! However, there are some photos which sold only after 24 hours.

Others sold after 6 months and still many others took a year or longer. Some never sold after more than 2 years because they were probably never found.  Seasons and occasions influence our sales.  The same as the readiness of buyers to change to a new concept, for example.  Or to a new face. Or adapt a new color and design.
Now we have to additionally consider the number of newly created  businesses and the number of firms still surviving  in this time of crisis.  Their size and  market segment also affect us greatly.  Will they need images for websites only or will they still print posters?  And for which audience in what part of the world?

Rankings and sales seem to fluctuate so much since December 2008 as many forums indicate.  We believe that the business we see now in Fotolia or microstock photography in general, reflect the future of any global business. Unpredictable.

Do you know what´s the Girl Scout Motto since 1907?

Be Prepared.

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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CHICKEN À LA CARTE, THE FILM AND GLOBALIZATION Apr/23/09 16:45

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I received the link to Chicken a la Carte from Ate Tessie in Germany a few days ago.  I ´m sorry to say that I started to feel like vomiting before I reached the end of the film.  A day later, I received the same link from Anabela in Macau.  I felt obliged to watch it again.  This time until the end. What I remember afterwards are the 3 words used by the filmmaker : hunger, poverty and globalization.

Hunger.  We cannot deny it anymore.  There are people dying through severe lack of food, not only in the Philippines, not only in Asia – but in many places in the world.

What is happening to all the charity organizations in the world who are apparently established to feed the starving people?  There are concerts organized, charity walks and all sorts of fund-raising activities operating since decades where donations are collected  from common and privileged people alike, who would like to help alleviate the suffering of others.  Are they all just a show meant to cover up guilt from the “socioeconomic advances”  initiated by  rich countries and international corporations?  They should change their name to  “damage control organizations”, “cosmetic surgery operation” or simply “botox” !

Poverty. I realized the gap between rich and poor early in my life.   There was a family who lived in a little hut some meters away from our backyard.  My Grandmother and I would hear their children crying almost non-stop in the afternoon.  Grandma would  go to them to find out what´s going on.  Fe, the mother, would come out crying.  Her husband had not returned from work and she had nothing to feed the children.  Grandma and I would bring them some rice and anything else we could share.  This went on for a few years until one day I heard my father cutting wood and hammering.  I saw my father so seldom that when I smell him I had to get  closer because I know there´s action again.  He´s either drawing, painting, carving wood, welding, upholstering or repairing  his jeep.

But this time it was different.  Daddy was making a coffin for Fe´s husband who just died in the construction site. I understood that the burial had to be fast.  A couple of days later, Fe and her six or seven children said goodbye to us.  They were going to Manila.  Grandma asked her what is she going to do there.  Fe didn´t know.  Grandma followed her to the street and insisted, “What about the children?”  Fe said, “I also don´t know.”  Fe walked away and never returned.

Fe and her family were actually squatters in Aunt Ely´s vacant lot.

Although we were not as poor as Fe´s family,  I realized we were also not rich.  The vast land in front of our house belonged to my Grandfather´s cousins.  They lived in very big white villas.  One has a Doctor title and the other one is a lawyer.  Both had never practiced their profession. Their mother is my Grandfather´s Aunt, who came to my Grandpa one day and scolded him.  Here is the story Grandma told me. “Hey, Andres!  What´s the matter with you?  I checked all our books and

found out that you´re the only one with no piece of land on your name!  Why haven´t you secured a land for your family? Don´t you care about them? Can´t you see your child growing?”  I imagine that Grandpa would still want to argue and discuss about his values in life.  He believed that people shouldn´t own lands.  He believed that we´re only caretakers of the soil. “Oh, shut up!  Give me anything you have and I will arrange it for you.”  Grandpa cracked the piggy bank of my Mother, who was just a couple of years old at that time, and gave all the coins to his Aunt.  She wrote a receipt right away and told my Grandpa, “Now the land belongs to you! This place originates from just ONE mother title.”

A few months later Grandfather´s Aunt died. His cousins inherited thousands of square meter of land, BUT NOT  that one piece which belonged to my Grandpa.  They asked him to pay the market price of the land or he will not get the land title.  Their late mother apparently underpriced the property.  My Grandfather Andres had already registered the land on hand of the deed of sale his Aunt made. Our whole family kept on paying taxes for the land and house.  Grandpa died in February 1987.  Grandma passed away in December 31 of the same year.  They never saw the land title.

Poverty is a matter of opportunities, priorities and values in life.

Globalization.  I think it all started with colonization.  That´s when some countries operated like corporations building  infrastructures to facilitate international influence and overseas operations, with the sword and the cross.

First, they took goods from the colonies free of charge, e.g.  spices, potatoes, coffee beans, textiles, tea, etc.  They brought the “freebies” to Europe and sold them for a hefty sum to their own people.  Many years later, they agreed to pay starvation salaries to their colonies and constituents.  Slavery was apparently abolished.

We´re given the right to have food, shelter and education – provided we can pay for it.  We´re  given the right to develop ourselves, work for a living or even assume  an important position in the society – as long as we´re available day and night for the company.  As long as we don´t ask for salary increase.  As long as we keep our mouths shut.

When companies needed a bigger labor force to expand, they took in foreign workers to do the jobs their citizens didn´t want or couldn´t do,  e.g. Turkish workers in Germany, Indians in the Middle East and Filipinos everywhere in the world.

This triggered the next stage of development.  Living in foreign countries was not anymore exclusively for the “highly-qualified” white expatriates and the wealthy.   They have to share the stage, not only with draftsmen, computer programmers and nurses, but also with the domestic helpers, seamen, construction workers, cooks, building cleaners, apple and asparagus pickers, etc.  Many of them are people coming from families who sacrifice their lands and their lives to pay their children´s  education.

There is no free schooling and no children allowances from the government.  There is also no guaranteed job even after apprenticeship.  So, they take the plight of underemployment in foreign countries, doing “dirty jobs” and living away from their families and friends.
These people allowed the “working women” to run after their careers while the “chicas” and “tsimays” cleaned their mess at home, ironed their husbands shirts and looked after their spoiled privileged kids and forgotten aging parents.  These same people made sure everything is under control when madame goes out for candlelight dinners, wellness

weekends regular facial treatments.  These people allowed construction company owners, manufacturers of all sorts, ship captains, hotel managers and even food producers, maximize profits and keep the lion´s share for themselves.  Banks and governments from both sides, meaning where they are working and where they come fromoriginally, earn billions from the money these foreign workers and immigrants are sending to their families back home.  Don´t forget, they fill up all Mcdonald´s restaurants and airplanes, too.

But this wasn´t enough.  The industrialists found out that the ex-colonies have developed.  Their population are now well-educated, semi-skilled to skilled, fluent in at least 2 languages- English and their own, well-travelled, multicultural and more importantly, they remain humble, friendly, eager to learn, still much cheaper and their governments are much more welcoming compared to their European and American counterparts.

So when the workers in Europe and America reached the stage of tiredness and they learned to fight for their rights, the business sector coined the term “globalization” allowing them to transfer their businesses somewhere else without feeling guilty turning their backs from a lot of fussy people with ingenuity.  The ingenuity which helped them amassed great wealth.  Inventions and patent rights flew overseas as Europe and America suffer from unemployment. The era when companies looked after their employees, like the Krupp family in Germany,  is over.

On other parts of the globe, the middle class increased in numbers and in spending power.  Many can all of a sudden afford luxury brands of cars, clothes, leather goods and other overpriced products nobody needs to survive.  Here in Europe, more and more people slip to poverty and resort to 1€ stores for shopping.  According to the film “Chicken a la Carte”, it is also getting worse for some people who are already on the poverty level, everywhere in the world.  The only difference is the social safety net in governments like France and Germany,
which catches the people and saves them from completely crumbling down.  They are using tax payers money which should go back to the tax payers when needed.  Countries like the Philippines can easily build a system like this from billions of hard currencies flowing to the country.

Then who´s winning on this?

You´re right.  The rich, the illustrious industrialists and everybody else who followed their path to tax-free havens, trust funds and offshore accounts.  So, they don´t need to share their wealth with the folk. And before I forget, they are also joined by “international business alliances” dealing mainly with cash, like the illegal drug dealers, weapon dealers and human traffickers.

I told you.  Give them a deadline to put cold cash back to economic circulation or declare all their wealth null and void. Introduce a new currency or a new system.  Then we all have a chance to start NEW.  Let them sit on their money until they get giants pimples on their butts.  Deny medical intervention.  And very important – CUT THEIR TOILET PAPER SUPPLY.  Now.

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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FC BAYERN LOST 0-4 TO BARCELONA,….. Apr/10/09 18:03

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FC BAYERN LOST 0-4 TO BARCELONA,HAMBURG & BREMEN TRIUMPHED 10. April 2009 It was a historical event.  Was it really the first time FC Bayern lost a game against Barcelona? And 0-4? Shocking. Depressing. But unbelievably true!

I have seen Barcelona play against Real Madrid about two years ago. Barcelona players were moving like live wire that Real Madrid star players didn´t have a second to breathe.  It didn´t matter which team won. It was a beautiful game.

Losing without scoring a single goal is, of course, embarrassing.  What happened to Podolski, Luca Toni, Ribery and all the others?
However, we have two very hopeful teams that won their games last night : Hamburg and Bremen.  Life is like a wheel.  Sometimes we´re on top.

And sometimes we go down.  Maybe we have to let the North German teams get ahead this time.

And before everybody gets depressed, I´d like to share with you this entertaining video I discovered from YouTube.  The song is amusing.  The video is very funny and shows a smart way of teaching lyrics in Italian and German.  So, to all the football fans…come sing along!

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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EASTER TRADITIONS HAPPY EASTER Apr/09/09 18:08

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EASTER TRADITIONS   HAPPY EASTER9. April 2009 When the children were still very young, preparation for Easter celebration in Germany means buying dozens of eggs to paint and decorate in a variety of ways. Eggs with white shells are the most suitable for this occasion.  Oliver was in-charge of coloring eggs with the kids. There were eggs which were first boiled hard then soaked in different food colors.

There were eggs which were picked with a needle on both sides then emptied by blowing the content out.  The hollow  eggs were then placed on a stick or holder before being hand painted. After drying, a thread was put through the eggs to hang on the Easter Shrubs or Easter Trees.  I saved the raw eggs for Spanish omelette for supper.

I was responsible for Easter handicrafts.  Wearable Easter bunny masks.  Window coloring.  Easter Nest.  Easter mobile, etc.  We also had to secretly buy chocolate Easter eggs and bunnies which we packed in 5 little baskets with the colored boiled eggs.  Egg Hunt begins as soon as the kids wake up on Easter Sunday.

They turned over every furnishings until all 5 baskets were found and some chocolates were eaten

We visited once the Cologne Zoo on Easter.  They had a lot of little white rabbits in one area and the young women in Easter Bunny suits distributed boiled eggs to the children almost every hour. The 3 kids kept on collecting the eggs even if they can´t eat them anymore.  We ended up giving the rest away to other zoo visitors.

The Easter celebration I knew from the Philippines was, of course, different.  Lenten season starts with Ash Wednesday. Our  family joined the Via Crucis tradition every Friday evening in the streets of Calumpit.  On Good Friday, my Grandfather would usually invite “singers” to read the Passion of Christ in our home until the penitents arrive at the front yard.  We  would then follow the penitents up to their crucifixion at three o´clock in the afternoon.  Then comes the commemoration of Christ´s Seven Last Words in the church.  Black Saturday meant keeping quiet as a child and waiting.
I often asked my Grandma, “What are we waiting for?”  Later on, I understood. Every Easter Sunday before sunrise, there´s a procession in Calumpit where men and women take separate routes.  The men carried with them a covered statue.  The women had a Virgin Mary figurine.  As soon as the sun is up, the men and women would meet at one point where the men would uncover the statue of Jesus Christ  in front of the Virgin Mary, demonstrating His resurrection on Easter Sunday.

When we lived in Duesseldorf, I brought the kids to the afternoon mass in the “Max Church”,www.maxkirche.de during the Holy Week.  When they were a bit older, we joined Father Jun  de Ocampo and other Filipinos celebrating  the Way of the Cross in Bonn.  They had also a special Easter Sunday Mass at St. Winfried´s Church, Bonn(Filipino Mass in English every Sunday at 12:45),

www.st-winfried.de

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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BERLIN MARATHON 2009 Apr/05/09 18:18

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29 BERLIN MARATHON 2009 5. April 2009 has just started at 10AM with more than 21,000 runners, walkers, skaters, handbikers and wheelchair drivers from all over the world.

These are the first online photos and videos of the event…………

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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EASTER STOP OVER IN MUNICH Apr/03/09 19:07

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EASTER STOP OVER IN MUNICH3. April 2009 We took the train from Florence to Munich when the Italians just got to bed after their Pasqua celebrations.  We stayed overnight in Munich at the Innside Premium Hotel. This is a secret jewel for business travellers on weekdays and a family oasis on weekends.

Don´t be intimidated by the first-class look of the building. The staff are casual and friendly.  All Innside Premium Hotels  have the biggest hotel rooms (per square meter) in the whole Germany.  They have the nicest and most practical design furnishings. Check it out, www.innside.de

It´s better to take note of all public transport schedules properly.  This is a long weekend holiday in Europe.

We spent the late afternoon strolling at Munich´s city center. Marienplatz. Viktualienmarkt. English Garden. Lovely places. Then it´s time to retire early for a trip to Vienna the next day.  The comfortable beds at the Innside Premium Hotel were our refuge with class!

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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PASQUA IN FIRENZE ITALY Apr/02/09 19:23

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PASQUA IN FIRENZE ITALY 2. April 2009 Es war 2007 This was 2007 and our first Easter vacation outside Germany.  We took the Inter City Express(ICE)Night Train from Duesseldorf to Munich.  Everybody was so excited and I was so nervous.  I used wristlinks and connected the children´s waist belts to each other to make sure they won´t vanish as we slept and snored.  Finally, a hearty breakfast at the Munich Train Station!  We made sure there was enough bananas,  brezel(pretzel), water and nuts for the 8-hour journey to Florence via Kufstein and  Brenner Pass.  The mountain pass through the Alps and the Europa Bridge was just breathtaking. The kids enjoyed  the scenery, learned Italian phrases and got to know some Italian kids on the train.
We stayed in a bungalow at Norcenni Girasole Camping Village in Figline Valdarno just outside the city of Florence.  The bungalow between the greenery had 2 bedrooms, 2 showers, 2 toilets and a kitchenette. The bed was just a bit uncomfortable for Oliver. There´s a fine restaurant, pizzeria, supermarket, swimming pool, gym, disco, car hire, internet, ice cream parlour, laundry salon, football field and many other facilities.

The holiday park operated with cashcards.   We joined a guided tour to Rome by bus. Then hired a car and drove to the Leaning Tower of Pisa at Leo´s request. We promised to try each and every ice cream parlour we saw in Florence. We did! Fantastic!

“Buona Pasqua!”, I greeted our Italian neighbors. The whole clan was pleased. Florence Cathedral is always full of visitors for the Scopio del Carro festival on Easter Sunday.  So we hurried to the Church in Figline Valdarno instead to watch the morning ritual.

After the Holy Mass, they lighted a dove-shaped rocket shooting on a wire which ignited  loud fireworks on a cart.  Then there was a parade with the traditional flag throwers.  Enjoy watching our video.

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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EASTER HOLIDAYS WITH KIDS AT HOME Apr/01/09 19:33

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EASTER HOLIDAYS WITH KIDS AT HOME1. April 2009 Mothers picking up their children from school usually ask each other, “What are you going to do during the Easter vacation?” Answers vary.  Some say they plan to visit relations.  Others admit the truth.  They will be staying at home, get tortured by screaming kids then terrorized by complaining childless neighbors.

We didn´t have neighbors in Duesseldorf.  Hope you recovered from the shock.  Yes. This is true. We lived in the Altstadt and we were the only resident in the whole building.  Below us was a consulting company with lovely ladies and noble men.  There was a shop on the ground floor.

One positive effect of this was that the children can practice playing piano after office hours and during weekends.  Additionally, Grand Master Jung holds TaeKwonDo classes during the school holidays, to relieve parents of their misery.  Dr. Nahkosteen also holds classes during the vacation and you can arrange timings individually.

This is very important for parents to know. While many children were sitting in front of computer games.  Ours were learning music and sports.

Every other day I usually take a long walk or a biking tour with the kids, when the weather permits. Then we go shopping for food and enjoy a picnic. In these two weeks we still find time to visit the bookstore and watch TV in the evening.

We have the traditional Egg Hunt as soon as the children wake up on Easter Sunday.
This can be at home, in a zoo or in a park.

Museums are also holding special Art  Courses for children during this time.  Check K20 and K21 ahead for schedules.  Our 3 children took part in AKKI programs. Have a look at our videos and photos.  Check their website
www.akki-ev.de for more information.

Copyright © 2010 Ana Liza Steiert

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