Thursday, May 21, 2009
The progression of Spring
One of the things I love in this country is the huuuuge contrast between seasons. I already talked about the white winter and now comes the multicolor spring.
It all started like a very shy intent to get rid of the winter...
But soon the plants got confident and their color explosions began!
And the best for the end: my all time favorite the Magnolia tree
It all started like a very shy intent to get rid of the winter...
But soon the plants got confident and their color explosions began!
And the best for the end: my all time favorite the Magnolia tree
En la flor de la vida
Six months are gone since I started working. I've met very nice and interesting people and I've learned things that will help me improve myself in the future. But now that I was starting getting comfortable I've gut to go. I've got to rotate. Start from scratch. I'm changing from Controlling to the department of Business Development, where I've never worked before. I will not be "controlling" our figures anymore, which in these days can be kind of depressing... I will not be caring about today or the past (which is the focus of the controlling department), but I will be caring about the future. It will be a refreshing change. My new colleagues in the Business Development department analyze new business opportunities that might be a future opportunity to improve our company.
Six months I've been working in Controlling and another six months I'll be in the new department. After that time I'll have to go again. But we won't talk about that now.
Right now I'm enjoying a short brake of 9 days that I'll be taking off. My brother is visiting me, the weather is wonderful, the spring is beautiful and I feel I'm in the prime of life... or what's the same in Spanisch: estoy en la flor the la vida.
Six months I've been working in Controlling and another six months I'll be in the new department. After that time I'll have to go again. But we won't talk about that now.
Right now I'm enjoying a short brake of 9 days that I'll be taking off. My brother is visiting me, the weather is wonderful, the spring is beautiful and I feel I'm in the prime of life... or what's the same in Spanisch: estoy en la flor the la vida.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Jamon serrano
I went shopping the other day, and the couple waiting in front of me in the line to pay had bought a whole "jamon serrano".
Fortunately I always carry my camera with me!
Fortunately I always carry my camera with me!
Women parking lots
In Germany there are parking lots only for women… and no!!! They are not bigger than usually.
These special parking lots are located in areas that are particularly well illuminated and close to doors and exits, so that the risk of being raped or robbed in a parking house becomes lower.
This sign looks like it is forbidding women to get in...
These special parking lots are located in areas that are particularly well illuminated and close to doors and exits, so that the risk of being raped or robbed in a parking house becomes lower.
This sign looks like it is forbidding women to get in...
Christmas Tree
A group of several circumstances (such as the skyrocketing flight ticket prices, work, boyfriend, and more) developed in me staying in Germany over the past Christmas. Nothing to regret, considering the fact that I was more or less “adopted” by my boyfriend’s family and, that my little brother came over to visit me.
It was not the first time I was in Germany over Christmas, but it was indeed the first time that I was given the chance to closely participate in the German traditions. The last time I stayed in Germany over Christmas was when I was Erasmus student. All my friends went back to their families in their respective countries, and I was left behind in Germany with a couple of Brazilian students who invited me to a Brazilian version of Christmas.
During this last German Christmas I got to eat a lot of raclette (vegetables or little pieces of meat covered with melted cheese) and of course to see a lot of Christmas trees.
The tradition of the Christmas tree is a big thing in this corner of the world. Even its origins are supposed to be in Germany. And because of all the Christmas trees that I have been seen here and there that I started asking myself what is actually the meaning it. What does it symbolize? I was amazed to realize that no one could give me an answer to this question: it is scary how often we just do things, because everybody does them, and because we have been thought to also do them… and in many cases we never stop thinking of the reason of it.
My boyfriend asked me this Christmas if we should buy a Christmas tree. I told him, that I don’t think it makes much of a sense to kill a tree just to decorate your living room for a couple of weeks, hang some glass balls over it, and then throw the tree away because Christmas is over. He didn’t quite get my point and therefore bought himself a tree after all. Almost every evening he would light the candles that decorated it, and then admire it and talk about how beautiful the tree was. He was really proud of him. He told me, that there is even a special day during Christmas when people go to their friends’ home in order to see their trees.
But again, what is all this about? According to our favorite information source Wikipedia, the Christmas tree tradition originated in Germany…. Well, I already said that before. However it is not clear how all started. It seems like the current tradition is a mix of several events and sub-traditions that have been combined over the years.
The Wikipedia mentions for example that Saint Boniface, a “British” missionary trying to christianize the pagan “Germans”, stopped a child sacrifice to the God Thor by knocking off the tree where the child was going to killed. Legend has it that a small fir sprang up in the place where the other tree was and that Boniface told the “Germans” that the tree represented Christ.
Other legend refer to an ancient Persian tradition (Yaldaa Sarve) in which a cypress tree is decorated with colorful silk strips in which wishes are written and little offerings (apples, nuts, etc.) so that the prayers are answer. Persians used the cypress as a symbol of hardship and endurance. The legend goes that the German monk Martin Luther might have know this practice and introduce it in Germany. Because cypress trees are rare in Germany, a pine tree was instead adopted.
Once Christmas is over, the trees have to be thrown away. This simple sentence is not that simple if you put it into practice. Consider that almost every German family has a Christmas tree in their home. Can you imagine the nightmare it might be for the garbage collectors, if everyone would throw their trees away whenever they feel like? For this reason there are given days and places to get rid of your tree.
>>>> Special tree-trash-bag, so that your apartment will not be covered by the tree's needles
>>>> Special place where you can get rid of your tree
It was not the first time I was in Germany over Christmas, but it was indeed the first time that I was given the chance to closely participate in the German traditions. The last time I stayed in Germany over Christmas was when I was Erasmus student. All my friends went back to their families in their respective countries, and I was left behind in Germany with a couple of Brazilian students who invited me to a Brazilian version of Christmas.
During this last German Christmas I got to eat a lot of raclette (vegetables or little pieces of meat covered with melted cheese) and of course to see a lot of Christmas trees.
The tradition of the Christmas tree is a big thing in this corner of the world. Even its origins are supposed to be in Germany. And because of all the Christmas trees that I have been seen here and there that I started asking myself what is actually the meaning it. What does it symbolize? I was amazed to realize that no one could give me an answer to this question: it is scary how often we just do things, because everybody does them, and because we have been thought to also do them… and in many cases we never stop thinking of the reason of it.
My boyfriend asked me this Christmas if we should buy a Christmas tree. I told him, that I don’t think it makes much of a sense to kill a tree just to decorate your living room for a couple of weeks, hang some glass balls over it, and then throw the tree away because Christmas is over. He didn’t quite get my point and therefore bought himself a tree after all. Almost every evening he would light the candles that decorated it, and then admire it and talk about how beautiful the tree was. He was really proud of him. He told me, that there is even a special day during Christmas when people go to their friends’ home in order to see their trees.
But again, what is all this about? According to our favorite information source Wikipedia, the Christmas tree tradition originated in Germany…. Well, I already said that before. However it is not clear how all started. It seems like the current tradition is a mix of several events and sub-traditions that have been combined over the years.
The Wikipedia mentions for example that Saint Boniface, a “British” missionary trying to christianize the pagan “Germans”, stopped a child sacrifice to the God Thor by knocking off the tree where the child was going to killed. Legend has it that a small fir sprang up in the place where the other tree was and that Boniface told the “Germans” that the tree represented Christ.
Other legend refer to an ancient Persian tradition (Yaldaa Sarve) in which a cypress tree is decorated with colorful silk strips in which wishes are written and little offerings (apples, nuts, etc.) so that the prayers are answer. Persians used the cypress as a symbol of hardship and endurance. The legend goes that the German monk Martin Luther might have know this practice and introduce it in Germany. Because cypress trees are rare in Germany, a pine tree was instead adopted.
Once Christmas is over, the trees have to be thrown away. This simple sentence is not that simple if you put it into practice. Consider that almost every German family has a Christmas tree in their home. Can you imagine the nightmare it might be for the garbage collectors, if everyone would throw their trees away whenever they feel like? For this reason there are given days and places to get rid of your tree.
>>>> Special tree-trash-bag, so that your apartment will not be covered by the tree's needles
>>>> Special place where you can get rid of your tree
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Re-encounter with China
My good friend Chen Jing came to Germany recently to attend a training. I met her in Hangzhou while working as an intern at Bosch, and she is one of the main reasons because I like China and everything what has to be with it so much.
I thought it could be interesting to share with you some highlights of our encounter:
a) She was really impressed of how many people was always on the street, mainly doing shopping. Europe is supposed to be in a huge crisis!!! But anyway we are still enjoying the pleasures of massive consumption.
b) What does a Chinese buy in her/his visit to Europe?
*** Swiss watches --> yes, they are expensive... but they say in China they are even more expensive.
*** Chocolate --> Tones and tones of chocolate, in all its varieties and forms.
*** Baby milk powder --> There are many pregnant woman working in Bosch China, and my friend was asked by many of them to buy some packages of powder milk for them.
*** Clothes --> Chinese woman like western brands, and prices over here are cheaper than in China.
*** Face creams, and any other kind of creams --> And I'm talking about 50-80 Euros creams.
I thought it could be interesting to share with you some highlights of our encounter:
a) She was really impressed of how many people was always on the street, mainly doing shopping. Europe is supposed to be in a huge crisis!!! But anyway we are still enjoying the pleasures of massive consumption.
b) What does a Chinese buy in her/his visit to Europe?
*** Swiss watches --> yes, they are expensive... but they say in China they are even more expensive.
*** Chocolate --> Tones and tones of chocolate, in all its varieties and forms.
*** Baby milk powder --> There are many pregnant woman working in Bosch China, and my friend was asked by many of them to buy some packages of powder milk for them.
*** Clothes --> Chinese woman like western brands, and prices over here are cheaper than in China.
*** Face creams, and any other kind of creams --> And I'm talking about 50-80 Euros creams.
Winter in Germany
One of the things I like of living in Germany are the colors here and how they change with the different seasons.
The color of winter in Germany is white, and so everything is slowly starting to convert to it. It is beautiful how snow settles on the skinny branches of trees, and how it covers the many acres of flat farm land around here. Everything is pure and immaculate white.
This past weekend we went for a walk to the country side near Stuttgart (I even bought myself some nice and sexy long underwear for the occasion!). I really enjoyed the feeling of the frozen air in my face, and the crunchy snow under my shoes.
I can't wait until it comes more snow and I can go cross-country skying!
The color of winter in Germany is white, and so everything is slowly starting to convert to it. It is beautiful how snow settles on the skinny branches of trees, and how it covers the many acres of flat farm land around here. Everything is pure and immaculate white.
This past weekend we went for a walk to the country side near Stuttgart (I even bought myself some nice and sexy long underwear for the occasion!). I really enjoyed the feeling of the frozen air in my face, and the crunchy snow under my shoes.
I can't wait until it comes more snow and I can go cross-country skying!
Made in Germany - II
Right after I posted those lines about the mattresses made in Germany I started noticing "made in Germany" stickers in every corner... I closer look to my boyfriend revealed me that he wasn't made in Mallorca, like many other Germans.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
1st day at Bosch - December 1, 2008
Until now I didn't know when I was going to start working, but I have just been told that my first day as a Bosch Trainee will be on the 1st of December...
Which means that I only have one day left (threes days including the weekend) of unpaid holidays!!
Which means that I only have one day left (threes days including the weekend) of unpaid holidays!!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Made in Germany
Martin and I have been recently hunting for a mattress and this is what we found glued to some of them. Under the German flag it’s written “we secure working places”.
It’s cool that this company is fighting to keep its production in the country and so securing working places for German citizens. However, I must admit that we bought another mattress, a cheaper one… most probably made in China
It’s cool that this company is fighting to keep its production in the country and so securing working places for German citizens. However, I must admit that we bought another mattress, a cheaper one… most probably made in China
Alemañol
Alemañol is the combination of German (Aleman in Spanish) and Spanish (Español in Spanish). In the very long process of learning German, Alemañol has been a very useful complementary “language” in order to be able to finish a whole sentence without having to think too much about how to say a particular word in German. Unfortunately Alemañol doesn’t really help for most of the cases. But of course there are still those other (very) few cases where it does help! That’s why I still use it.
The most widely known rule of Alemañol for the case that you are trying to talk in German is to add “-EN” to the end of each Spanish word. How many times I have tried to explain the following Spanish joke to my German friends…?
Question: How do you say “to ride the bus” in German?
Answer: SubENestrujENbajEN
If you are German and have some Spanish speaker friends, ask them to explain the joke to you. I have already realized that I’m absolutely incompetent to do it.
For the case that you are trying to talk in Spanish, you should add “-O” (-OS if you want to make it plural) to the end of each German word. And for this I have the following example: a McDonald’s advertisement in Germany promoting the new Mexican products.
It seems like the German branch of McDonald’s is having some budget problems with its translator department…
The most widely known rule of Alemañol for the case that you are trying to talk in German is to add “-EN” to the end of each Spanish word. How many times I have tried to explain the following Spanish joke to my German friends…?
Question: How do you say “to ride the bus” in German?
Answer: SubENestrujENbajEN
If you are German and have some Spanish speaker friends, ask them to explain the joke to you. I have already realized that I’m absolutely incompetent to do it.
For the case that you are trying to talk in Spanish, you should add “-O” (-OS if you want to make it plural) to the end of each German word. And for this I have the following example: a McDonald’s advertisement in Germany promoting the new Mexican products.
It seems like the German branch of McDonald’s is having some budget problems with its translator department…
Friday, November 21, 2008
Mission accomplished
Today morning I’ve got a call from Bosch to inform me that I got the trainee position!!!!My dream since 2005 has been to become a trainee in this company, and I have achieved it!
Thank you to all the people that have helped me get prepare for this very tough application process: Martin, Michael, Maria Jesus, Niko, Santi, and other Bosch employees!
I will be writing some posts to explain what I have been doing the last three months and to explain what it is a trainee position. See you soon then!
I’m going to celebrate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The worst days
I'm in torture, waiting to hear something from organization where I had my last job interview.
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