To crust or not to crust

How do you like your bread? With or without the crust? I like mine withOUT! 

I do my best to eat without one as often as I can but when the kid is around, apparently, because I need to set a good example, and enjoy my bread with crust and all! Argh! 

I don’t know why but WHY are bread crust here so damn hard! I grew up with soft ones, I miss those soft white Gardenia bread. 

Anyways, if it doesn’t kill you then it will only make you stronger eh!?

The New School Year

It’s September, thus a new school year has begun almost in all of Europe. I think the kid is having difficulties to adjust but I know the kid will get into the school rhythm again soon. School has tire the kid out, almost daily, the kid comes home over tired and grouchy! Tough to hold any sort of decent conversation or find out about the kid’s school day.

I grew up in a very strict, pure classroom and don’t think out of the box education system! But mostly, very British too. Anyways, although I am almost always academically challenged (no, I do not have a university degree) it was tough having to only have the option of learning through the text book. Of course, the education system (from where I came from) has improved tremendously but it is more challenging, fast-paced and stressful compared to the education system here in Flanders.

So when during the information evening for parents yesterday when it was stressed or  encouraged that we could only teach the kid to write in capital letters at home and also not to encourage the writing of numbers – I was taken aback at how backward and slow the system is here. Perhaps it is better, perhaps it is not but it did not settle well with me. I fear  the kid will be held back against the kid’s will!

Funny how even after 8 years living in Flanders, I find it hard to accept such conformism but I guess I just have to keep an open mind about the ways of the systems here. As long as the kid is happy and learning and progressing, I shan’t complain. 

You know how people are so easy to go stereotyping others, now I partly know why the people of this country are known to be slow and stupid!

The summer in Tuscany

For the longest time ever, since young (as young as 7) I remembered I have always wanted to visit Tuscany. I think the dream of visiting far flung places – places like Tuscany – came to me in forms of posters or an old black & white movie I have seen on television.  I can’t remember how exactly but specifically Tuscany, I want to reach it on a vespa with the love of my life riding with me of course!

= )  Well, after more than 30 years of dreaming, I finally get to see and experienced it first hand over the summer this year. I even considered retiring there but BUT I think when one retires, one has to consider many things of comfort, mainly, the ability to communicate! I already have 4 languages inside my tiny head, although learning Italian sound so exciting and I dare say easier than learning Flemish - I think it will be too challenging for me. But one can dream.....eh!?

When I retire

One of the few places where I would consider retiring to - Etretat, Normandy, France.

My first letter from Flanders

8 years in Flanders, so far the best 8 years of my life and I hope the next 18, 80 or even 800 will bring me much of the same! ;o ) 

It is not all positive & happy experiences of course but coupled with a lot of heart-wrenching, mind boggling and challenging ones too. 

It has toughened me up, thought me a lot about the world, my family, friends and most importantly about myself. 

This is where I truly learnt that discrimination comes in all forms – colour, race, religion, language, wealth, social status  - and that it exist all around the globe even if you live in the tiniest village right in the middle of nowhere! 

Thus, I am here to write a letter, to whomever that will read it about my life and of course my adventures here in Flanders. So, I send you dear readers, LETTERS FROM FLANDERS.