Central Heating

It broke down on us this morning in the midst of giving my kid a shower – the poor thing was screaming from all that icy water! We had to continue showering  with a bucket of warm water. Do not ask me why BUT here in Flanders, it is a nightmare to get anyone to come and do servicing for your central heating. It takes you months before you get a return call or even an appointment. So you can imagine our panicky state especially knowing we are about to jet off for a short getaway in a few days time. But thanks to my Ecuadorian connections, we got ourselves a good technician who could come right away.( A good girlfriend of mine is married to one) *phew*

Having grown up in a very warm tropical climate – central heating – is alien to me! I know what it is, I know it exist but I never dream that one day I too, would need it and love it! Just like air-conditioning, where you need it to cool off your home from all that humidity and heat wave. We need central heating here to warm up our cosy homes and make life livable through the harsh winter months. But it cost a bomb to heat up your entire house! And it works on various sorts of energy – coal, wood, gas, oil or electricity. Ours runs on gas. Although my significant other has tried many times to teach me about heating, how it works and where it comes from – all I see is how much it sets us back financially! But I am so thankful that we can afford it especially on days when its pouring white outside and the maximum for the day is only at MINUS 5 degrees!

 

Monday past, for the first time this year, we had to turn our central heating ON again. Although I am for one happy it is autumn and temperatures are more to my liking, I feel for my friends and colleagues who moans and groans at the long cold months ahead as to be honest, they didn’t have such a fantastic summer either. So, if you are on this side of the globe, keep warm and enjoy the romantic and wonderful autumn days ahead = ) And what we do to save money on gas? On some days, we just put on thicker sweaters, so the heating system can have a rest ; )

The Bicycling City

I do not like to cycle! It took me years to admit it and a life changing move to realise this! *pppffft*

Living in the low countries (The Netherlands and Belgium), most likely the town you live in will probably be a cycling town or village. Where you see more bicycles than normal vehicles on the road but nothing compared to China or the mass of vespa’s like in Ho Chi Minh city. It took me awhile to gear up some guts to go on a bicycle on the roads. We started small, making small bicycling tours usually on Sundays in tiny villages outside of Ghent. Even  today, I still have the jitters about cycling on the roads, even though they have clear cycling path, traffic signs and lights on the roads here. My first 2 wheeler here was bought at a 2^nd hand Sunday market for bicycles. Since I am vertically challenge, we ended up with getting me a child’s size bicycle. Although it rode beautifully and comfortably, it did not come with gears thus making long distance cycling rather painful for me. 

Then, we had the kid and we bought ourselves a beautiful new ZIGO! The kid and I had many fantastic days on it, ferrying us from home to school and back. Now that the kid is heavier, we sold off the ZIGO and all 3 of us now have a bicycle each.  

Honestly, I thought I would enjoy cycling but I found out that I don’t, so it has been awhile since I last cycled. I think the weather Gods might have some days of Indian summer up their sleeves, so perhaps if I am in the mood, I shall clear my bicycle of cobwebs and go bring it out for a spin in the autumn sun!

Our very own set of wheels = )

Monday blues

I have always had an issue with Monday. Every negative significant and historical event in my life has happened on a Monday! BUT since moving here, miraculously – I have experience a few very good Mondays. For instance like today, a rare day where both my darling significant other and the kid are both home! It is good to have company at home on a Monday whilst I do the chores around the house! 

And the dynamic duo made this!

Excuse me, may I please check your bag….......

(one of the many gifts i bought for myself on my birthday! thanks to Kipling for the huge discount, pays to be a loyal customer) 

About 7 years ago (when I was still new to this country and hardly speak the language) and perhaps I was vulnerable about fitting in and all – I tend to experience a lot of  unpleasant shopping episodes. There were so many but few were really hard to forget.

I was once shopping in a local supermarket here – Delhaize – a lady from the cashier insisted that I let her look inside my bag. If its Aldi, that’s ok, because they put a big sign up to say they have the right and will check  the bags of clients if need be. But, at that time, in that shop, there was no such sign but I did not want to make a scene – so I gave in and I did not even get a thank you or sorry for letting them look into my bag! It was only me that they checked, so you can imagine how I felt.

Then, during Christmas about 6 years ago – after getting a nice Xmas gift from my first boss in Belgium. I decided to go shopping, after all it was a gift voucher from a nice leather shop here in town. The lady did not say anything to me BUT kept tailgating me everywhere I went in her shop. I finally made my choice and headed towards the cashier and she too insisted that I let her check my bag. After she found nothing, she thanked me for the purchase BUT apologise for her behaviour explaining to me that just last week she just had a very bad experience with 2 African ladies who stole from her shop! And I think she wanted to make small talk during our transaction, she asked me which part of Africa I came from? *sigh* I gave her a smile and felt nothing but sorry for her.

Being absent here

..................means that I am present in my real life – juggling ferrying the kid from school to home, work, social engagements and planning the kid’s upcoming birthday, Sinterklaas and Christmas. Year end is NOT a pleasant time for us as a family as my darling significant other is needed at work (in retail so it is their busiest and most profitable time of year). But despite our crazy schedule, we still have one more short getaway planned during the autumn school holidays! Hurrah and thank God because I could sure use a breather!

Favourite shops

I used to love shopping until I moved here and has since learnt how to get only things I NEED. Things I WANT, I get them during the annual summer or winter sales! And if I really need things, since I am more “earth friendly” (thanks to the effective recycling and garbage systems of Belgium) I shop often at the second hand store here.

Pictures in this post are of Dille & Kamille and Bubbles at Home.