Facebook Help Group

Nothing more scarier than going head on with the unknown. Fear no more and some of the readers of Pinoy in Germany blog has took one foot forward and had created a Facebook Group: Pinay in Deutschland group. The members who join here are either filipino/filipina married or engaged to a German national, living and/or working in Germany, and the likes. Asking for help regarding your visa or for tips on how-tos from people who are 'been-there-done-that' have never been this easy.

Happy Chatting!

Internet Connection Problem

The internet at home is down for a few days already, the internet provider just said that there was a restoration going on and could not give an estimate time on when it will be available again. For people who are in Long Distance Relationships, I know you guys will understand on how horrible the situation is for me. It felt like my world stop turning. The first couple of days, I have to contented myself with text messages ... but its quiet different if you get to talk real time with your love one.

SMARTBRO prepaid plug-it kit

I got convince to avail a wireless broadband to end my misery. There are other telecommunication companies who offer this but I went for SmartBro by Smart Telecommunication company mainly because it was recommended to me by my brother and other friends who personally tried it themselves. There are several kinds of SmartBro available in pre-paid or post-paid plans. I opted for the SmartBro prepaid plug-it kit, since (I hope) that the internet at home will be fix soon. I thought this is a good temporary fix. 

The content of the
 SMARTBRO prepaid kit

The kit costs me 1,245php and is pre-loaded with 120 hours internet airtime valid for 5 days. It's so easy to use: Just insert the sim card in the USB slot, then plug it in your laptop and you are ready to go. There is a manual included in the kit just incase you need. This is a pay-to-use type so you needed to load it after using up all the internet airtime. Their lowest rate is 10php for every 30 minutes. They also offer "unlimited" use where their highest rate is 200php good for 5 whole day. Not bad, right?

I am a computer noob and can only tell you that the connection was good enough for my daily activities which includes checking my emails and my social network account, chat and video call via yahoo messenger, and surfing online.

Indeed,  I regret not getting the wireless internet service sooner. It would have save me and my boyfriend the frustrations. But at least now, I do not need to worry about that anymore.

DISCLAIMER:
I am not an affiliate of Smart. For any inquiry regarding their services, products or promos, kindly redirect yourself to their official website. I am not paid to write this and have only express myself based on what I experience.

Studying Der, Die, Das

I saw a glimpse of confusion in the German Language during our third day in class. We were introduced to the infamous "Der, Die, Das" which all means "The" in English. They symbolizes masculine, feminine or neuter respectively. Actually, the real tricky part is that each item word in German Language have their own gender. How to know if it male or female? That's the point, you don't. We have to memorize everything. Whew!

Thanks to my teacher and new online acquittance -- I was able to get some good tips on how to handle this:

1. Memorize by group.

-- Use a table to help you achieve this. It should like this:

Clothing	DER	DIE	DAS
	Rock	Jacke	Kleid
	(skirt)	(jacket)	(dress)
	Mantel	Bluse	T-shirt
	(polo)	(blouse)
	Pullover	Hose
	(sweatshirt)	(pants)

2. Memorize little but little.

-- Avoid mixing other unrelated stuffs inside the group. Sure, you wanted to know everything: table, kitchen items, and so on. But this will only confuse and overwhelm you. Just focus on what words you needed to learn, the rest will follow.

3. Use sticky notes.

-- Place sticky notes on items you see everyday at your home with their german word equivalent. Remembering by practicing!

Crossing my fingers now ... Good Luck!!!