Through my lens » Life in Germany

Christmas this year

Yen — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 09:56:16 +0000

I could rarely catch a glimpse of blue sky this winter. It poured viciously most of the days with fat, grey clouds in the sky. But sometimes when there was a day or two of blue sky for a change, I almost went crazy with relief. This is really bad. The way I let the gripping fingers of weather had a hold on me. A cup of mulled wine on a lovely winter day is really one of those comfort food that one should indulge. Oh, I wouldn’t miss out a visit to the Christmas markets on such a beautiful day.Whenever I visited a Christmas market, I loved to look at the kitschy, but lovely Christmas decorations above the stalls. They were always colourful and when the night approached, the lights were turned on, twinkling against the cold of the winter night. Cheerful and festive.Cheeky greetings on gingerbreads came in all shapes and sizes. However, it had never occurred to me to get one of these lovely gingerbread for myself. I think they are just too lovely to be eaten. But they do make a lovely gift. So, I’ve got my greeting cards sent, my gifts wrapped and my holidays have just started. Have a very merry, merry Xmas yourself.

Rain Oh Rain

Yen — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 12:09:55 +0000

Summer is supposed to be a time to be spent outdoors, with friends, music, and plenty of sunshine. At least it seemed to be at other parts of the world, except in Germany because instead of sunshine and warmth, the summer started off with rain, rain, and more rain. It was one of those days, when the sky opened up and poured mercilessly on us earthlings at a time when we were planning to have fun at an open air concert! However, the Germans being such good spot, weren’t at all deterred by the dismal weather outcome. The crowd turnout was surprisingly huge. Despite the rain, everyone seemed to be in a jolly good mood, dancing to the beat and singing along with music in their minds. I was amazed by the cheerful atmosphere of the crowd. Geared with umbrellas and raincoats, the sky can pour as it wished but it didn’t diminish the party spirits in our hearts.

Winter wonderland

Yen — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 12:19:08 +0000

The snowfall has never been more punctual this year. The question everyone here would ask whenever Christmas approaches is, will it be a white Christmas this year? I guess Santa has been paying attention this year . It has been snowing non-stop since Christmas eve till second day of Christmas! My first white Christmas, to date. On Christmas morning, the whole landscape was covered with at least 15cm of snow! A friend of mine told me that how she wished she can experience a truly white Christmas, with the fire crackling in the hearth and a warm cup of cocoa in the hand, while the soft whisper of snowfall go on leaving its magical touch on painting everything white outside. Well, my Christmas eve was almost like that except for the ‘fire crackling in the hearth and hot cup of cocoa’-part . It was more like candles burning on candlesticks and free flow of sparkling wines. It was however really heartwarming, when some age-old Christmas carols were aired on radio while the gentle, puffy snowflakes were still spinning around outside, dancing to its own jingling tunes. While trudging through the snow, I realised that not only the landscape around me was covered in snow but it was also engulfed in silence. It was almost too deafening to bear. Winter is in its own way too hushed for my liking. No matter how magical a snow covered landscape appears to be, I’d still prefer a world with colours.

Any day. Anytime.

Kitsch and Gemütlichkeit

Yen — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 11:15:28 +0000

It’s the first of Advent and Christmas markets are already up and opened in almost every corner of Germany. To me it won’t be winter, yet, without having the compulsory cup of mulled wine, at these Christmas markets.The nightly temperatures were hovering around subzero degrees and I was freezing my ears and toes off walking around but people here seemed to be unperturbed by the cold.
Christmas carols aired over loudspeakers and live performances of some good natured Santa Clauses did help in spreading the feeling of peace and contentment. Someone once told me to forget about the cold, bring along your good mood, put on your Santa hat, put on your thickest gloves and go buy some kitschy deco at the Christmas markets! I couldn’t have agreed more. Oh yea, be prepared to come home reeking of bratwurst and garlic bread!

Oh, yer huge pumpkin

Yen — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 08:40:25 +0000

The sight of pumpkins always reminds me that autumn is approaching and the anticipation of the chill that could come during the evenings when summer warred with autumn. It won’t be long before the first scent of damp autumn leaves hangs in the air. Up till now, I still have no idea on how to cook these rather intimidating-looking (at least to me) giant of a vegie.The very idea of cutting open a pumpkin and me ending up with a week’s supply of pumpkin flesh but without any apparent idea of what to do with them is what puts me off in the first place. However, I do love the taste of them. Perhaps, just perhaps, I’ll just get the smallest one of it and try out a few recipes .

Midsummer night’s high

Yen — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 10:21:53 +0000

We are having superb summer weather lately with temperatures over the days rarely dipped below 30°C with cloudless blue sky to boot. Perfect days to be out and about. With the World Cup going on for the past few weeks which made summer in Germany all the more worth experiencing, especially when the German team played. We were lucky enough to discover that there was going to be the annual Schlossbeleuchtung (literally means illumination of the castle) going on in Heidelberg, held twice in summer and another one in autumn. The balmy midsummer night was a perfect setup for the event. Some lucky ones would enjoy the event on board their boats of all shapes and sizes, which were already docked during the early evening in front of the old bridge where fireworks were set to dazzle. The more mortal beings would have to make do with the splendid view of the castle from the riverbank facing the castle.The excitement began when the lights all around the castle were turned off and the castle began to glow and simmer in red, as if it was burning, as a remembrance that the castle was once destroyed. For fifteen minutes, the night sky around the castle were lighted up with fireworks. I was utterly bedazzled. My glorious summer day climaxed with a wonderful display of fireworks. A girl can never wish for more.

Thirty six degrees

Yen — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 20:00:04 +0000

Summer is emanating its irresistible charm on me. There are blue skies to warm the heart and ice cream to cool off the heat. Plenty of juicy red strawberries to sweeten the days and succulent cherries to tease the senses. The ecstasy of feeling cool water on the skin in the pool under the scorching evening sun with the peaceful stillness of balmy summer nights to wrap up the days. All bundled up in a complete package called happiness-from-within.

Blue, blue sky

Yen — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 09:44:29 +0000

Germany can be a lovely place to stay when the weather is kind. I always feel heavy hearted to leave this country during those summer months when there are definitely a few days when the sun shines and not a cloud is in sight to mar the perfect azure sky. A perfect summer day where the light breeze has a touch of warmth that kiss the skin. A summer day which is devoid of the usual humidity that sort of suck the breath out of you and makes breathing such a monumental task. On days like these, it is almost imperative be out under the blue sky, just to soak in the sun. Perhaps I am always under the impression that if I do this often enough, the endorphin-high-feeling would eventually carry me through the dreary days of the coming winter.And on days with blue sky like these, I simply love to look up at the sky, seeing those colourful roof tiles glinting in the sun against the sky. When the day has cooled down and the moon has already chosen its favourite place in the spotless dusky sky, it is absolutely wonderful to see those last few golden fingers of sunlight still paint the distant horizon.Yes, summer can be beautiful in Germany. Even these gory-looking statues in the park look cheerful under the friendly, morning sun .

The flag is raised!

Yen — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 10:36:09 +0000

There are really no other events that invoke such unbridled amount of patriotism than sports, speak football, in Germany, where football has become more or less an unofficial second religion. With the World Cup 2010 just around the corner, the football fever has gone up a few notches lately. Houses around the neighbourhood have started to hang up flags, rooting for their favourite team (with German flags far outnumbering the other countries). Bf’s dad decided to join in the fun and purposely bought a mast to be erected in the garden for a grandiose display of support for the German team. Although I might say, deep down I’m rooting for the Netherlands . Go Oranje!

Spring has sprung!

Yen — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:20:47 +0000

The flower beds have slowly but steadily burst into blooms. My favourite flower in full bloom and almost all at once. It was such a pretty sight to behold coming home in the evening to be greeted by some yellow, red and purple tulips, swaying gaily in the mellow evening sun.