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Morning surprise! First snow for Vienna's 2012-2013 Winter season.
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Back Schönbrunn Palace
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It has been a joke among my friends to take the broom when autumn comes. I just love this season, all the earthly colors showcasing themselves. I'll opt the broom out.
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“Let yourself be open and life will be easier. A spoon of salt in a glass of water makes the water undrinkable. A spoon of salt in a lake is almost unnoticed.” - Buddha
Seeing the beauty of life in a world seemingly in chaos is a gift. It's more than just being positive - more on actually being contented with what one has. It's really easy to say but requires great effort...on my part perhaps. Who would say no to ease and beautiful living, a vacation here and there at some point or a pair of boots every month?
It is perhaps our nature to always look for more and we forget that what we already had our treasures or privilege considered by some. Exaggeration? It could be. As the quote says if we look at the small things that make us unhappy, it will be amplified to great heights. But, if we look at the small things that makes us glad it will drown every doubt.
It is perhaps our nature to always look for more and we forget that what we already had our treasures or privilege considered by some. Exaggeration? It could be. As the quote says if we look at the small things that make us unhappy, it will be amplified to great heights. But, if we look at the small things that makes us glad it will drown every doubt.
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| Riesenrad/Giant Wheel at night |
It has been my yearly habit to post one such as this, like an overview of the year past. On this day, ten years ago, my daughter and I came to Vienna to rejoin my husband.
Then, I often include a number of photos from different years so today, let me do just that again except, I'm sharing photos from within the year 2011-2012.
Then, I often include a number of photos from different years so today, let me do just that again except, I'm sharing photos from within the year 2011-2012.
This year, I was able to somehow take that exam that has waited for 8 years already---the citizenship exams, well, there's a study material of about 55 pages containing Austrian history, government system, regulations and the like that I skimmed through. Come exam day I was disappointed that there were only 18 questions. Haha! So miniscule, then again it was good, I passed with flying colors, got a perfect score! ;) Well, hey...they say that the best blaze burns brightest, when circumstances are at their worst...I was cramming, I had about a month to study but actually did 3 days prior. It helped a lot that I have been writing stuff on this blog so I am somehow truly familiar with Austria's government system and history. There's still a document or two that I need to submit - hopefully everything will clear by the end of the month. :)
That aside, this year has not been like before when I am often out and about taking photos within the city. Sorry, blogging - more on the writing part of it, came in the way. Kidding! But, really I have been doing a lot of blog posts that I haven't gone out a lot when this school-year began, I have to scout my archives for the photos of summer for posting but that would be inappropriate to post now for autumn. :/
That aside, this year has not been like before when I am often out and about taking photos within the city. Sorry, blogging - more on the writing part of it, came in the way. Kidding! But, really I have been doing a lot of blog posts that I haven't gone out a lot when this school-year began, I have to scout my archives for the photos of summer for posting but that would be inappropriate to post now for autumn. :/
This year saw me in a photo coverage of a wedding. It was fun and really worth breaking my neck and shoulders for. Well and yes, will definitely go about breaking them for another year of Vienna Daily. ^_^
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| bride |
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| Neptune Fountain back view |
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| Lamp at the Schönbrunn grounds |
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| Praterstern after the rain |
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| sunrise, view from our window sometime last week |
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Autumn - looks like spring though save for one tree. Loving it!
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| photo by hubby, night after work |
Ten years ago, we lived in this busy area of Vienna, where shopping stores are abundant and where there are always a lot of people like ants going about looking for food.There's a number of romantic Vienna hotels, apartments and cafes lining up - it was a busy everyday fare.
Since we transferred to a place a little farther from the city center (below photo), I rarely get the chance to take photos of Vienna's busy streets at night, except of course if we go out for dinner, during a special event to cover or attend or venture through the Long Nights at the Museums (which happened last week and I have an overdue post once again). I truly miss taking night shots in this illustrious city.
There have been big changes comparing how the city was nine or ten years ago, economically speaking - there's a rapid change at commodity prices and even apartment rent. Imagine it going up from 400Euro to 500Euro in 2 years! There are now security guards in many shops - which points out that crime rate has certainly gone up. I don't read much of the tabloids because they always contain such stories, based from those few instances I got ahold of one to pass time off while in the train when I forgot my precious book. For those who have lived in this city all their life, it is but rightful to complain how things have changed.
I, however, being a foreigner have seen worse. I still appreciate the government for providing affordable housing, a transportation system that is perhaps par none, clean, pure water you can drink from the tap and of course, free education for children.
Change is inevitable, that's true, it's much unfortunate if that change is for the worse...but Vienna still remains to be at the top of the list of most livable cities in the world (2nd to be exact). With its culture-rich history, it's music filled late nights, palaces of grandeur, walkable parks, friendly people (mostly), the most picturesque surroundings, I wouldn't trade Vienna for any city in the world...
Then again, I think of Tokyo. ^_^
Since we transferred to a place a little farther from the city center (below photo), I rarely get the chance to take photos of Vienna's busy streets at night, except of course if we go out for dinner, during a special event to cover or attend or venture through the Long Nights at the Museums (which happened last week and I have an overdue post once again). I truly miss taking night shots in this illustrious city.
There have been big changes comparing how the city was nine or ten years ago, economically speaking - there's a rapid change at commodity prices and even apartment rent. Imagine it going up from 400Euro to 500Euro in 2 years! There are now security guards in many shops - which points out that crime rate has certainly gone up. I don't read much of the tabloids because they always contain such stories, based from those few instances I got ahold of one to pass time off while in the train when I forgot my precious book. For those who have lived in this city all their life, it is but rightful to complain how things have changed.
I, however, being a foreigner have seen worse. I still appreciate the government for providing affordable housing, a transportation system that is perhaps par none, clean, pure water you can drink from the tap and of course, free education for children.
Change is inevitable, that's true, it's much unfortunate if that change is for the worse...but Vienna still remains to be at the top of the list of most livable cities in the world (2nd to be exact). With its culture-rich history, it's music filled late nights, palaces of grandeur, walkable parks, friendly people (mostly), the most picturesque surroundings, I wouldn't trade Vienna for any city in the world...
Then again, I think of Tokyo. ^_^
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| view from or bedroom window at night |
Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I
would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.
- George Eliot
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Despite being at home somewhere in the world, it's inevitable for someone to look back at his or her origins and miss how life was once then (read: me). I agree with the song that goes:
- George Eliot
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Looking out the window in the morning is something I do everyday. Hmmm, I can't particularly say why, it must have been a habit acquired - sometimes to calculate how cold it is outside, sometimes to just wonder about life.
It's almost ten years ago when I came to this wondrous city, Vienna. The leaves were brown and yellow then as they are now when I looked out the window. The smell of autumn always makes me nostalgic. I have my share of good memories and not so fond ones but I always see Vienna as a beautiful city all in all.
Despite being at home somewhere in the world, it's inevitable for someone to look back at his or her origins and miss how life was once then (read: me). I agree with the song that goes:
Even though we walk the diamond-studded highways
It’s the country lanes and byways
That makes us long for home
Hopefully, there will come a time for me that I can say Vienna has totally enamored and owned me but that thought just makes me miss my childhood even more.
It’s the country lanes and byways
That makes us long for home
Hopefully, there will come a time for me that I can say Vienna has totally enamored and owned me but that thought just makes me miss my childhood even more.
Gloriette, Schönbrunn
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As an impressionable kid growing up, I’ve always loved the great outdoors. Even if the gadgets we have today were available back then, I still probably would have preferred going outside to play than staying in the living room, fiddling with my Nintendo DS. It was simply much more fun to feel the sun kiss my cheeks and the wind blow my uncombed hair.
I have carried this trait with me well into my adult years. It would probably take somebody to offer me a million bucks to get me to stay indoors for an entire day! I try to strike a balance between staying inside the house to blog and taking in the breathtaking sights Vienna has to offer.
One marvelous architectural structure which never fails to make my jaw drop is the Gloriette at Schonbrunn. This edifice is made up of a central section in the form of an arch, flanked by two covered wings. It has a flat roof which serves as a viewing deck. You get up there via a stairway. From there, you can have a better view of the surrounding lush greenery. Fantastic!
The fun doesn’t stop in the daytime, though. Evenings at the Gloriette mean hanging out at the café and restaurant which is found in the central section. Good food + good company = an unadulterated great time. I just love coming here with the whole family.
If you’re a naturally indoorsy type of person, there’s nothing wrong with that. Once in a while, though, you might want to check out what the real beauty of the outdoors is all about.
Beautiful morning for a run.
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It's October...finally? The cool breeze is setting in...and it's the perfect day to run.
If those old pair of skinny jeans can go no further up than your knees when you try to put them on, don’t pull your hair out just yet. Although this may seem like a moment worthy of all sorts of frustration-induced tantrums, there is hope. With the plethora of workout options out there, it’s easy to get lost. To spare you even more frustration, why not stick to the basics- exercise with your children.
If those old pair of skinny jeans can go no further up than your knees when you try to put them on, don’t pull your hair out just yet. Although this may seem like a moment worthy of all sorts of frustration-induced tantrums, there is hope. With the plethora of workout options out there, it’s easy to get lost. To spare you even more frustration, why not stick to the basics- exercise with your children.
Working out with your children will hardly feel like exercise, because you’ll be having so much fun while you’re at it.
Soak up the sun and go for a morning run with the kids. You can drive to a scenic jogging place, or simply run around the block. Remember to do a few stretches before you run. Take water breaks as well.
If you prefer to stay indoors, you can dance with your kids. Put on their favorite Katy Perry or Justin Bieber tune, and dance like nobody’s watching. An hour of dancing will burn more calories than you ever thought possible.
Listen as your backyard beckons, and play a game of tag with your kids. All that running will be almost equivalent to running around a track oval a couple of times. The endorphin rush will make you feel like a kid again.
Staying fit doesn’t necessarily have to mean slaving away for hours at the gym. Get creative, work those muscles with your kids. All that physical activity will keep the excess pounds at bay, and keep your family bonded at the same time.
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