GREEN Craftivist

Is there a better way to dispose of garbage and other items we do not need any more than just unmindfully dumping them in the trash bins? Many often look upon garbage disposal as a menial task that doesn't need any thinking, creative or otherwise, and meant only to be done by helpers and cleaners. Yet our current pollution and climate concerns lead us back to the manner by which we accumulate and dispose of garbage or things we do not anymore find useful. GARBAGE DISPOSAL AT HOME LEVEL Vienna has been voted as the Best City to Live in the World for 2023. In this city, good waste management practices start in the homes.  Every house has a dedicated garbage bin for each type of waste material into which children as young as toddlers are trained to properly throw plastic wrappers or containers, paper waste, glass bottles and things that rot.   This is reinforced by an educational system that teaches love of and respect for nature and the importance of...

VISITA IGLESIA is a Roman Catholic tradition when the faithful visit and pray the Way of the Cross in different churches during the Holy Week, usually on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday. I had the opportunity to join the Bicol Society of Austria in their Visita Iglesia activities in Vienna during this year's Holy Week. This is their way of gathering fellow Filipinos together to strengthen friendships and keep alive Philippine religious traditions and practices in this predominantly Roman Catholic city in Europe which they now call home. WHY VIENNA HAS MANY BEAUTIFUL CHURCHES Vienna was the center of the Habsburg monarchy from 1273 to 1918 which championed Roman Catholicism and repressed the Protestant Reformation.   For this reason, many beautiful cathedrals, basilicas, chapels and other churches were built in Vienna almost adjacent to each other.  Compared to the Philippines where we need to take long rides from one church to another to complete ...

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.  Have you heard about this age old saying?   The sour taste of lemons is usually likened to the unpleasant conditions we experience in our lives which make us feel bitter, resentful and unhappy. Thus, you may hear some people say, "my life has gone sour." This adage encourages us to be optimistic when life turns sour. When we are confronted with a problem or challenging situation, we should consider it as an opportunity - a chance to change or improve the way we do things or to discover new roads that better fit our life goals.  A life of ups and downs should not be a stumbling block to moving forward. THE LEMON SOLUTION Menton, France is a charming town in the French Riviera. It is located along the coastline beyond Monaco on the border of Italy with a mild winter climate and year-round sunshine. These make the place ideal for growing citrus fruits especially lemons and oranges.   ...