There are a very few festivals that I attend, mainly for the reasons why they're celebrated. One would be the Donauinselfest which is celebrated annually - in June and we have unfortunately for the past three years been absent despite hubby having done videos or illustrations for the organizers. For now, I can't find my photos so I would instead show you another fest, much smaller...that of the SPÖ. SPÖ or the Sozialdemokratische Partei Österreichs/The Social Democratic Party of Austria is one of the major parties in Austria, as the name describes -it is socialist and through the years has brought the country into a flourishing state that it has now...well, I think it was better before they entered the EU...(that's just my opinion).

Anyway, now and then they would organize family gatherings, youth activities around the city. For this one there were horses, rides for the kids, jump castles, grill stations and free balloons.

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Hubby's friend once ventured "I wonder if you and your family sing like the Von Trapps during your everyday dealings in Vienna."  Well, not really. :) We love to sing that's given...hubby and I are after all from the land of golden karaoke voices. Teehee. :D

Kidding aside, above is a photo I took of my daughter's class during their outdoor learning. We visited the palaces, gardens, museums, statues and streets mentioned in their history book. Learning history with a real feel...

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is on the list, so we went to see his statue, it's situated at the Burggarten, behind the Hofburg Palace (the President's residence). It does pay that my daughter learns piano, when the teacher asked what the red flowers were shaped into (below photo), she readily answered; G Schlüssel (G clef).

Wandering around the shopping district is synonymous to watching street performances. Whether a green, white or gold statue or a man playing his guitar flute, a blind person singing, we always take some time to listen.

This was a 5-man group we chanced upon on our way home. I forgot what they played for us (I think I recorded it on video), but the crowd gave a big applause for their performance.

When in Vienna, train stations can be identified by the blue U sign. I've always been confident about Vienna's transportation system, convenient, clean (save for a few with drunkards around) and with information centers all ready to help (for tourists). 

If ever you find yourself in the city, try to go around hopping from one train line to another...that's how I'm able to memorize every single train station here. hihi.

We went on a short vacation to a  nearby city and we came back around 6:30 yesterday. Took this drive by shot by the Vienna's Big Wheel at the Praterstern. I should have posted this on my other blog but since the Riesenrad can be seen here I chose to post it here as one of Vienna's most known symbol.

The news of the demise of Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder and former CEO, has brought the world in turmoil. It’s gotten everyone talking. In contrast, his death, which was due to pancreatic cancer, got me thinking, “If stem cell research has been perfected, without loopholes whatsoever, will a cure for all types of cancer have been discovered?” Cancer is greatly affected by abnormal cell division and differentiation. I am not an expert, but what if the application of CFC assay in measuring the frequency and proliferative ability of hematopoietic cells in preparing the stem cells for differentiation was improved and enhanced further? Will new therapies for diseases like cancer be developed? Oh, if only we were in a position to comprehend that complex research.