It is not the first, nor will it be the last…
One of the best strategies when dealing with stupid uncalled for family disputes is to back down, keep calm and turn yourself into tofu. 😐
Category Archives: Flashbacks
Kaput
2023 has been a freaky year where quite a number of things went kaput (kapot)…
It started out with me fainting in a restaurant in March. Now, that was a health scare I do not wish on anyone.
Then the TV went kapot in early April – yep, the same TV that we brought to the recycling park a couple of days ago. In May, the washing machine stopped working. Fortunately, it was resurrected by D with parts we bought online. In June, I had a puncture in my front bike tire, while cycling to a dental appointment. Damn?!
In August, both D and I became victims of banking algorithms and have to end our relationship with a certain financial institution. Since there was not a single thread of wrong doing on our part, I took my time and closed my accounts ever so gradually. In September, I was able to sell off my mutual funds with a nice profit. Yeah for me.
When I renewed my library membership at the end of September, things got really messy. But with the help of a translation program, I was able to get the matter fixed via email. My love-hate relationship with AI… *sigh*
October, the condensation in our living room panel windows got worse and it was decided that we will have them replaced. Fortunately, insurance is going to help pay off a big part of that cost.
November, the freezer went berserk and had to be turned off completely. A few days later and by some sort of sorcery, I fixed it. What?
D an I are handy people. And if you care to look and do your research, you will most likely come across some good options and solutions. I discovered the Epley Maneuver and managed to fix the lingering vertigo six weeks after my fall. Not all is doom and gloom. 🙂
Oh yeah, my 16-year old Sony sound cancellation head phones also entered the ‘list of kaput things’ this month.
Green Bean Casserole
It is almost Thanksgiving in America. On the food websites that I frequent, a popular Thanksgiving side dish known as green bean casserole keeps popping up. The only time I had tasted this dish was more than two decades ago. It was a Thanksgiving meal at the home of my cousin’s co-worker. My fond memory of that day makes me want to make the dish for myself. Soon…
Two Oceans
When grandma passed away in October 2015, I crossed two oceans to be at her funeral.
The first ocean I crossed was the Atlantic. I flew from Europe to the US to pick up my parents, so that we may travel together back to Malaysia.
The second ocean was the Pacific…
I did what I did. I am who I am because I have observed and learned from the people I met in life.
Be there. Be kind to others, especially your elders. When time comes, you will want others to have consideration and kindness towards you.
Camp Fire
This evening, after an early dinner, D and I went to his friend’s newly acquired property for a camp fire gathering.
Although D and I were the only guests who showed up, the three of us had a lovely time sitting around the fire, drinking and chatting. M had worked very hard to transform the place to what we saw this evening. From the looks of things and from our experiences, D and I know that there will be much more work in store for his friend. I wish M all the best in his endeavour and adventure.
For D and I, our ‘building’ phase was 15 years ago. Been there, done it, not repeating it again if we can help it.
Four Kilometres
Yesterday morning, I walked to the post office to acquire and send off a prepaid self-addressed envelope. I assumed that there will be a postal system or procedure for my request. Nope, they do not, I have assumed wrongly. Not wanting to buy the €4 package of 25 envelopes, I decided to walk home. But first, I withdrew money from the ATM.
At home, I took a few envelopes (to be sure) and walked back to the post office. This time I got an older post office worker attending to my request. I ended up buying five priority stamps, used two of that, and stuffed one envelop in another. Ha!
Today, I have walked 4km before lunch time. I am in the process of putting administrative things in order, moving on with the next phase of my life, step by step.
Space Time 52
19 (LD) + 2 (KK) + 1 (LD) + 1 (PJ) + 2 (KZ, MI) + 5 (LD) + 2 (KZ, MI) + 1 (SF, CA) + 4 (VG, NV) + 15 (GN & HB)
Garden Shed
Vacuuming the garden shed once a year is one of my housekeeping chores. Having skipped this task for a year or two in the past meant that I have cleaned the shed for more than ten times since D and I moved here.
This afternoon, D moved most of the content out of the shed and cleaned the shed’s window. I vacuumed and then mopped the floor. When the floor dried, we moved all the things back in again. Stuff we have no need of, we set aside for our next trip to the recycling park.
Right now, D and I probably have the cleanest shed in the neighbourhood. 😉
Bye Again Kat
This afternoon, D and I went to a friend’s home for a simple birthday gathering. It was also sort of a farewell party because Kat (not the birthday girl), whom I have known from integration class more than a decade ago, will be leaving for the Philippines after living in Belgium for three years. Kat did the same ten years ago. She left, after being in Belgium for a year, for a better future.
Kat’s departure saddens me a little. But if someone will be happier somewhere else, then I am all for it. I have crossed oceans several times for a better life, I will never be against life-path-corrections, regardless of age.
Babyborrel
Yesterday afternoon, D and I went to the baby shower of our next door neighbour. I have lost count of how many baby showers D and I have been to since we moved into this neighbourhood in 2010. The baby from my first babyborrel is now a teenage girl of thirteen!
At Raf’s baby shower, neighbours current and past grouped together as usual. We drank, took photos, chatted, laughed, ate appetizers and hamburgers, and drank some more. The weather was gorgeous, the location lovely, food and drinks were in abundance, and we were amongst people we know and care about.