Bolting through 2011

I personally felt that 2011 just bolted right pass me, as if it can’t wait to get to 31 December! I was filling in my agenda for work, social activities, holidays and realize, I am running out of pages then it hit me, 2011 will be over soon. I’m not one to make resolutions nor keep them – so I do not know why sometimes I feel anxious that time is passing by so quickly.  As I get older, I get more forgetful – I suspect I might eventually kick the bucket with having Alzheimer’s disease!

Anyways, did you all remember what you achieved this year? What great significance changes you have made? Or travelled? The following are all that has left an imprint in our hearts and mind.

01 -  My significant other – B – has worked for 20 years for the same company this year.

02 – After driving around in a Peugeot for 4 years, in November, we exchange it for an Audi.

03 -  The Kid – N -  turns 6!

04 – We explored Prague, Singapore, Kuching, (province of) Tuscany and Lugano.

05 – My brother left his placed of work where he has served for 20 years! I am proud to say that he now works as Chief Maritime Marshall, seeing the world from the high seas.

06 – After 2 years of job search, I found myself another job!

07 -  I am made to wear special shoe soles – permanently!

08 – Got stung by a bee for the first time in my life!

09 – Starbucks finally comes to Belgium shores.

10 – First time ever this year that some kids knock on our door for Halloween.

There’s yet about a month and abit left before the year ends. It is not a good time of the year for us either as B has to work on most days and I am left to my own devices to get the Christmas shopping done. Can’t wait for January to come really, then we can look forward to planning & booking our travels or even receive family visits from the far east!

Autumn in Lugano

Switzerland has always been a country that I wanted to visit, for a long time. I’ve been to their big and beautiful airport in Zurich twice but never anywhere else. I think, once, more than 10 years ago, I visited a small corner of Switzerland to see their very own Niagara Fall – I think the place is called The Rhein waterfall. The only objection I have visiting the country is how expensive everything is! Although the Euro is a slightly “bigger” currency than the Swiss Franc, still everything cost double there.

Anyways, Lugano (located at the very southern tip of Switzerland) is an eye opener for all of us. It was worth the trip! The lakes and mountains will simply take your breath away. We passed Lake Como with the bus on our way to Lugano, good God, it does look like a picture perfect setting for a romantic movie! Which it is as many many films has been shot there. Lugano itself is not so big, you can explore it within a weekend. But if you lengthen your stay, you can visit all the beautiful surrounding mountains or take a boat ride to the villages along the lakes – like Gandria.

The Lakeside Village of Gandria

We found love in a hopeless place....

Couldn’t get the latest from Rihanna out of my head and I felt the exact sentiments last week when Starbucks finally open their doors here in Gent. Gent is NOT hopeless anymore NOW, but it was about 8 years ago when I was new to it. That aside, I haven’t been able to get pass the entrance yet as it has been crowded everyday since they open last week! Argh… will try again in a months time!