Happy Easter everyone!!! Hope everyone is having a great time and that the Easter Bunny has been to your house. Here in Bavaria is a lovely morning. Him Indoors is fixing our bikes so we can cycle somewhere later, perhaps have our first Maß (1 liter of beer). Anyway, here are my ten things of thankful:
Now that it’s nearly over and that my brother is finally getting home on Thursday, I’m telling you his story. My brother is a Chief Engineer on his ship. Unluckily, their ship has got bankrupt since December 2015. They were stranded in a remote island in China. The crew didn’t know what to do, they asked to be paid, or if not, asked to be sent back to the Philippines (well, 21 of them, including my brother). The Philippine Government who’s supposed to help them, didn’t do anything. Or because of bureaucracy and passing responsibilities from one department to the next, no help was given to them. Their families back in the Philippines were also affected, the wives tried to hire some lawyers so they could help them, still nothing. It was getting into desperation and frustration mode, the crew are losing their sanity, they are getting on each other’s nerves instead. What a tragic experience. Imagine, no salaries, no food and no help in the middle of nowhere, like animals being trapped in their cage. Meanwhile the families in the Philippines are also suffering, but they still sent the crew some money for their survival. Still no exit visa given to them. Last Friday, they tried to go on a ferry boat to reach the nearest Philippine Embassy, but the immigration police caught them, put them in detention for three hours, like criminals. 21 of them in one small room. Then they were returned to their ship. For some reason or luck, somehow, they managed to pay for exit visa and plane tickets and they’re off to Shanghai on Tuesday. I’m very grateful for this. Hope they reach their destination safely and no hassle on the way. I’m not that religious but I’m kneeling down and praying. Praise the Lord!
I’m thankful that my niece (my brother’s daughter, see the first story, so this is one of the blessings) is finishing her primary years on Tuesday and she’s Salutatorian in her class. Congrats my pretty niece! Other niece is also graduating from college next month, as well as another niece and nephew from primary years, too. Good luck on your next step and your future!
It was my aunt’s birthday yesterday and they celebrated it with style. My Mother went to her and they celebrated it together with the son and family and other friends. They had dinner and watched Les Miserable. I’m sure my aunt enjoyed her day.
HRH the son and his beautiful K are still in love and the wedding plans are still going and we’re all looking forward to it. Tickets from Canada, Germany and the Philippines were bought, hotels have been booked and the venue has been sorted out. Last weekend they had food tasting in the hotel and they said they were brilliant! Not long now…
I’m thankful that spring has finally arrived here in Bavaria, new buds appearing, the grass turning green, narcissus, crocuses and snowdrops are popping up. Yay for spring!
I had a restful week last week and another week off this coming week for our Easter break. I promise to go to the gym more, eat healthily, walk or cycle more, etc.
Have a Blessed Easter everyone!
For: Ten Things of Thankful 145 (On Cheerfulness) #10Thankful . Also for: Thank God, It’s Monday! -28 March 2016 by Pia Jingco
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