Oh my good lord, did I just reactivate a very annoying bank app?!
Two weeks of headaches and the grey hairs this f-ing app gave me. I seriously need to review and reshape my financial strategies.
Category Archives: Malaysia
Hari Kebangsaan
Etymology
bangsa + ke- -an.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /kə.baŋ.sa.an/, /kə.baŋ.sa.ʔan/
- Hyphenation: kê‧bang‧sa‧an
Noun
kebangsaan
- nationality
- of a nation, relating to a nation
- blue-bloodedness; the state of being of aristocratic descent
- nationalism
Synonym: nasionalisme (Bahasa Indonesia)
Cross Continent Exchanges
Exchange rates have been favourable this past week. So, I moved some personal savings from Malaysia to Belgium yesterday morning. It was enough to raised a red flag at my Belgian bank, which led to me having to talk to a bank employee, digitally signed a document before the transfer was cleared and deposited into my account. What I thought was a small sum was apparently not. I shall definitely tread lightly from now on.
Today, I exchanged and moved funds to another non-Malaysian account. The process was seamless. However, I did end up having to talk to a bank employee in Malaysia to put my online banking access back in order. Dumb mistake, long story…
I shall take a break from playing with my finances for a while.
My Life In Percentage
- 53% Malaysia
- 17% United States
- 30% Belgium
Tervuren
This afternoon, D and I went to the Malaysian embassy in Tervuren, so that I may pick up my new passport. After all these months, I finally have this precious travel document in my possession. Yeah!
After the short embassy visit, D and I proceeded to the Park of Tervuren to discover more about this part of Belgium. We went for a walk from the parking to the Africa Museum. It was nice to have so much green so close to the capital.
On our way back to West Flanders, D and I got stuck in the very well-known and despised Brussels’ traffic jams! We were only home after seven in the evening. Ah well…new passport, a lovely walk in the park, and pizza for dinner, I cannot really complain. 😉
Five & Four
My parents got married fifty-four years ago, today. Wishing mom and dad a happy 54th wedding anniversary from across the Atlantic!
Yiyima
Today is a sad day…
My mother’s second sister has passed away after going into a coma a few days ago. I remember her fondly as a tall, soft-spoken, alert and kind-hearted auntie who will only call me and my siblings by our given Chinese names.
Because of my yiyima, I received money and newspaper mentions for scholastic achievements every year. She made sure that my mother apply for these from 中山公會.
The last time I saw yiyima was eight years ago, when my parents and I went back to Sabah to attend grandma’s funeral.
Rest in peace, 二姨媽.
A Good Start
This morning, I was informed that my new passport is ready for pick up. Wow, it only took two weeks! I know someone who had to wait for two months.
Later in the day, I received a message from my uncle that he has sent off my mother’s new SIM card by registered mail. It might take up to ten days to get here. Fingers crossed…
This afternoon, I went for a walk to buy a loaf of fresh bread from the baker. I also dropped by the grocery store to buy a few discounted food items. This is a small action on my part to help reduce food waste, and it is also good for my food budget. Whatever I cannot consume today, I put in the freezer.
It is my good fortune to know people who can assist me in matters near and far. It is a luxury to have had adapted to this new life and to know how to take advantage of the benefits that cross my path.
Strange Sums
About three weeks ago, I put in a request for an administrative service by a legal office. First, I was informally given a probable sum, which I found agreeable. Then, I received a quotation for the service, more than double the initially stated fee. What, why?! This prompted me to pause the process, put a hold on the request, while I explore other possibilities. A week later, today, I received an email of an amended quotation. The cost for the service has dropped back down to the sum quoted to me the first time. What the heck?!
Meanwhile, lesson of the day on the Belgian front: It is more costly to defame the wrong people, than to knowingly torture and accidentally kill another human being.
Name Corrected
Yesterday, I delivered the legalized letter from the Malaysian Embassy to a staff at the city hall.
Today, the same city hall employee called to tell me that my name has been corrected in the system. I may now start the process of acquiring a new identity card, drivers license and so on.
What a relief that a part of this lengthy process is over. Good grief…