Rain

Don’t know why, but I love the sound of rain, on the ground, against the windows, against anything, even on me = ) And I sleep better to the sound of it too. Click HERE to get some soothing RAINY acoustics on your computer = ) I guess I live in the right country then, we are known to be the Seattle of Europe after all!

Ghent Light Festival

This year is the 2nd Light Festival in Ghent. Last year, it was only for a day and the response was VERY overwhelming, we even had visitors from outside of Belgium and no place to house all of them. This year, the city spreads this amazing festival over 4 days. B, N and I brave the crowd to witness this festivities of lights. It was packed with visitors, most places we even had to stand in a human jam. Although it’s a must see event, the crowd and waiting period just to see the fantastic work of art – turns some of us off. There are 30 points of interest but we only managed 15 as we were all tired and the crowd was too big for us to handle! I realize how bad I am at taking photos in the dark, I was fiddling with my semi pro camera half the evening. Below are some acceptable shots for your viewing pleasure.

 Walking into a jungle full of people!

House Favourites

Although the official national dish in Flanders is the famous “Gentse Waterzooi” and Mussels with Fries,  to my pleasant surprise, the Bolognese sauce is I think the number one house favourite amongst the locals here.

 Gentse Waterzooi & Mussels with Fries

The famous Spaghetti Bolognese

Our weekly menu is usually made up of (70-30%) of Flemish and asian dishes. N has no taste nor cravings for anything asian at all, N’s taste bud is completely Dutch (got it from B side of the family). N loves cheese and milk, Spaghetti Bolognese and any dish that serves vegetables (usually Broccollies or Cauliflower), side of potatoes and a piece of meat! Everytime I dish out anything remotely other than  “Flemish” food, I have to cook a separate dish for N. Thus, sometimes I am not at all motivated with cooking dishes from home (the far east). Since I despise cooking and since our house cook – B - has to work such long hours – I have no choice than to take over this stressful duty! And although many food blogs has become a source of inspiration for me especially those with idiot proof instructions and recipes, these books have become my weekly bible to cooking! And tonights dinner menu – Chicken Stew with Olives serve with rice 
= )

Breaking that thick block of ice!

The further north you go, the colder the climate, and the people then? I know that’s just stereotyping but I can’t help to associate the climate to its people. Perhaps it was even proved scientifically ?? The more sun you absorbed, the friendlier and warmer you are as a person !?

In my previous place of employment, it took me a year before anyone warmed up to me – it is a thick piece of ice to break. Not only at work but within the neighbourhood, at the bakery, or sandwich place, pharmacy, grocery shop – it took me such a long time even before I get a proper personal smile or recognition that it has been sometime since I frequent their joint! Perhaps some are just scared, as I am after all of a different skin colour from them or perhaps they just assume I don’t speak good enough Dutch to understand or hold a simple conversation with them.

But whatever the reason is, I am very thankful to the few (that I can call good and personal friends today) that warmed up to me and stuck to me like glue accepting me just the way I am and most importantly to include me in their lives or conversations in a group when sometimes I get completely lost in translation as it goes from normal Dutch to the local dialect! I saw an episode of Sex and the City once,  the last season, where Carrie moves to Paris to follow her boyfriend but every time they went out with a group of friends – she immediately felt awkward and out casted as she doesn’t speak French and it is tough for the locals to speak in a language that they are not used to. I can completely, 100% relate to that particular moment, I welled up inside, there was a lump in my throat, I felt her pain, her sadness, her frustrations, I wish I could go into my TV and punch all those people!

Anyways, just last week, I have a new colleague at work. I know her name from the group email I got. When we eventually met – I would usually introduce myself because that’s the correct and courteous thing to do. But instead, without any feelings of obligation, I did not even acknowledge her, I felt like I did not have to. And because she is like every other Belgian that I have met, she of course, did nothing to make herself known to me.  So after a day or so, after when even my colleagues don’t introduce her to me or to anyone else - surprised at this cold transformation I experienced – I said today, I shall go up to her and introduce myself during breaktime and spread all that asian sun! I did just that, she warmed up abit and even smiled. But it stopped there. The next day and the day after it was still silence, no eye contact, no nothing – i don’t blame her, as I think she is just scared (like anyone would) of things that are not familiar to her. So I kept exchanging smiles, good mornings, good byes and finally on Friday, when she came to her locker, which was below mine – she managed a “bye bye, good weekend, see you next week”, no smile but it will come soon I hope ; )

I have been blessed though as NOT all Flemish I have met are cold. The warmer ones, sorry to be stereotyping again – are well travelled  and intelligent individuals. They were sympathetic to my views, my frustrations about having to break such a thick piece of ice and they are the ones too that revert to English every time the group starts up in dialect or ‘too fast’ Dutch. For these individuals, I hold them close to my heart as they have made living and working here so pleasant.

Do I .......

…..live from one vacation to the next ? Someone very dear to me made that comment, it wasn’t even a question but just straight out – an accusation. “You really live from one vacation to the next huh!”
I thought I wouldn’t be affected by such silly comments but I did, it hurt simply because it comes from someone close to my old heart! And the implications it brought along with such a statement! Does this implies that I don’t like living in my small but very cosy and colourful house? Does this implies that I don’t like living with my B and N anymore? Or that I don’t like my daily routine, working, ferrying N from school, household chores, cooking and whatever else that I do in my lovely house…..
 

I sat down for awhile and think. And as I looked around me, I love how our library covers most of our walls, how cosy our living room is and how our dining room can change with just a turn of the table. And I love our small backyard when it is clean and we can enjoy sitting outside when it’s not too cold or warm. I love the days that I am all alone at home, just Gray, me and our Bose speakers producing the soothing sounds of my favourites songs.

NO, I do not live from one vacation to the next BUT I do LOVE planning for our vacation. All that adventure and the journey itself, yet to be discovered. Sends a thrill right through me! So, next time someone ask me or accuse me, I’ll just give them straight. NO, I love being home too because every time, every year when I am back in the far east visiting family and friends, not even a week has gone by that I would be utterly homesick already for Ghent, for my own space, my things and the quietness of my surroundings.

About Belgium

Saw this on youtube and thought it rather sums it all up - the country where I reside and plan to for a long time to come = )

Click HERE to see this short 4 minutes video!

Holidays

First 2 planned holidays for the year are already booked = ) Hurrah !!! Can’t wait, can’t wait!!!

Wondering.........

Where has the winter gone to!? Temperatures are even as high as 14 degrees today. I want my cold, sunny and dry winter days and snow too please…. Can anyone help?