Category Archives: Belgium

Belgium, Movies, Books & TV Shows

Boeken Kaften

Yesterday afternoon, I walked to the library to attend the first session of book covering (kaften).

There were seven volunteers, plus two librarians. First, there was a short demo by the older librarian. Then, we were each given two books to start with. There were sufficient guidelines and useful comments for me to learn and pick this up. There was a coffee break in between, a bit of chit-chatting, and then a continuation with more books. The two hours went by quickly and all the new books were wrapped.

I have never covered books in sticky plastic before, and the last time I wrapped my text books (in brown paper) were in the 70s and 80s. I have learned a new thing. Yeah to that!

I shall continue doing this as long as I am able to. It is a small gesture of giving back to this community. Maybe I will even volunteer some time at the senior home, if they are looking for an extra pair of helping hands.

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Belgium, Events, Travels

Paasfoor 2024

The weather was lovely yesterday. So D, his mother, and I went to the Paasfoor in Kortrijk on its second last day. We walked about checking out the attractions, sat at a café to drink and snack, and then bought some oliebollen before heading home. The quick little outing was enjoyable. Fun in a smaller scale, is still fun. 😉

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Belgium, Flashbacks

Car Transition

The morning of March 15th was the last I saw of the trusty little C2…

The 20-year-old vehicle has served both of us well. How strange is it to realise that majority of the people who know us, never saw D driving anything else! Ha!

Now, we are actively in search for a used car. A car that we will use for at least a few years, until we transition to driving an electric vehicle. Want it or not, electric vehicles are the future. Our most basic requirement for this good-looking (no compromise on aesthetics) car is that it runs on petrol instead of diesel. An automatic transmission will be good to have and to get use to. Any other fancy bells and whistles, will just hopefully be bonuses and nice-to-haves.

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Belgium, Events, Simplify, Wealth & Creativity

Easter Lunch

Yesterday, D and I did our weekend errands of swinging by the library, visiting the parents, and grocery shopping together.

Because it was an Easter weekend and the beginning of a two-week school holiday, the grocery store was busy and packed full of people. Our grocery shopping for Easter lunch went on smoothly without any issues. The crowd was mainly made up of families who were running an errand together, there were no dramas, and checked out was efficient and uncomplicated.

This Easter Sunday, D and I have invited the parents over for lunch. Because my objective was to set a trend of no-fuss gatherings, we have prepared our food and drinks accordingly. We started with a simple drink of bubbly rosé (free with a coupon), accompanied by some warm appetizers (store-bought). Lunch was a small variety of meats which we grilled ourselves, home-made croquettes by the parents, and a big bowl of salad I put together in the morning.

After lunch, we had coffee, cookies and watched De Ronde on TV.

A simple get-together of minimum effort… 😉

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Belgium, Wealth & Creativity

A New Pastime

This morning, I went to the city hall to pick up my Belgian (European) driving license. The exchange of old and new licenses took only a few seconds, I did not even need to sign off on anything. Oh yeah, I am now officially allowed to ride a moped. Ha?!

After the city hall, I went to an ATM to exchange my dollars to euros. I then walked a bit in the weekly market and bought two eierkoeken for D. I met D’s mom, and we chatted for a bit before we went our separate ways home. Along the way, I stopped by the grocery store to check out its win-win products. These are discounted items that are about to expire.

By purchasing win-win products, I am saving food from going into the dumpster, trying out products that I never considered buying, and saving some money. It is definitely a win-win activity and likely to become one of my favourite pastime. 😉

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Belgium, Events, Travels

Heart Beats

A couple of days ago, D and I were invited to a charity party in Lokeren. I have a feeling that we were last minute choices, but who’s complaining?! Not me. 😉

So yesterday evening, we met up with a handful of friends, ate, drank, enjoyed the music performances, and the people in general. We left the party at one and arrived safely home by two in the morning.

Today is stay-home-Sunday.

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Belgium, Jibber Jabber, Simplify

Local Potatoes

Before lunchtime this Saturday, D and I completed our weekend errands:

  • collected UitPas point from the library
  • recycled glass
  • visited the parents
  • shopped for grocery and took advantage of discounts
  • delivered some grocery items to the parents
  • bought local potatoes from the farmer’s wife
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Belgium, Malaysia, Wealth & Creativity

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.

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Belgium, Simplify, Wealth & Creativity

Mondays & Tuesdays

Starting this month, I have made some adjustments to my routine on Mondays and Tuesdays. On top of having to do the laundry, ironing and running the dishwasher, I have grocery shopping and buying bread added to my list of things to do on these two days.

This Tuesday has been particularly productive because I swept the walkway, raked the vegetable patch, and sow some early pumpkin and peas seeds.

Today, dinner will have to be prepared a bit earlier because D has a meeting to attend. Household waste will be going out to the curb in the evening, and I have a chat session with mom and dad. Busy busy indeed…

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Belgium, Malaysia, Numbers

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.

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