Flashbacks, Numbers, Travels

The Blurry Years

Yesterday, I started going through boxes containing my personal paperwork. My main intention was to look for copies of my old passports and attached visas, while also decluttering.

Five decades, three continents, six languages and numerous addresses later; it dawned on me that I am having problem recalling certain years of my life.

For instance, I can not remember certain things that happened in the late 90s to the mid-2000s. I must have had renewed my passport and applied for a tourist visa to the US, but I have no memory of how that was accomplished. If not for the yearly summaries, I would have probably forgotten about my role in settling my parents’ retirement funds, property rights, planning international trips, and so on and so forth.

These years of several ocean-crossings were a blur to me. So many things happened in those hectic days – at a non-Sabahan speed and frequency!

Five decades, three continents, six languages, and numerous addresses later; I am still counting.

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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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Food & Drinks, Jibber Jabber

Endives & Gold

I have spent the past two days making endive croquettes, endive salad, and a big pot of vegetable dump soup with loads of … endives. March is usually when we hit peak endives.

This evening, D has a meet up in Ghent. I promptly signed-up to a webinar to know more about investments in gold and precious metals. Never a dull moment here… πŸ˜‰

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Flashbacks, Malaysia

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 δΈ­ε±±ε…¬ζœƒ.

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εͺ½.

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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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Simplify

Moss

The backyard is covered with patches of moss here and there. I do not see it as a problem because these will disappear on their own during the summer months. In fact, I find the moss patches rather lovely, reminiscent of a Japanese garden.

I have seen garden birds tilting the moss when they forage for food, and some birds use moss as building material or lining for their nests. So what is there to dislike?

Today, I pulled up handfuls of moss and placed these in my terrarium. When life gives you moss… πŸ˜›

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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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Jibber Jabber

Weekend Errands

The weekends have been busier for D and I. We now spend some time on Saturdays and Sundays doing groceries, visiting the parents, or run miscellaneous errands which require the use of the car.

Yesterday, I went with D’s mom to the open-door-day at the garden centre. We had free pancakes and drinks. And then, I did it one more time on Sunday, this time with D.

Today, I received an email reply from someone whom I was in contact with as regards to some administrative services. My many years of living in the US and Belgium made receiving a reply on a Sunday felt really weird. Someone in Malaysia was working on a weekend…

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