24 Aug 2010
by irenein Belgium, Happenings
Today, I’ve registered for another 2 months of intensive Dutch. Because I paid in advance and not wait till the first day of school, I also got my text book earlier. Classes are only starting 2 weeks from now! 
For some weird reason, it feels like a fire has been lighted up. I am becoming eager and feeling all ambitious again.
Can you believe that I am going through my previous lesson notes and books? My desk is like a paper war zone right now. As if I have an upcoming exam…
Well, D is giving me the looks of disbelief. Haha!
16 Aug 2010
by irenein Belgium, Food & Drinks
Yet another eating place that you will not be disappointed in. If you are in Ghent, hungry, craving for some good honest food, and do not want to spend a fortune, Lepelblad is the place to go.
I had the grilled tuna and pasta while D ordered lamb with potatoes. Our food was delicious. Only one small complain (if I can even call it that) came from D. He wished that there were more meat on his plate. But I guess that’s a matter of preferences. I won’t mind if my pasta dish was completely vegetarian. Still would have tasted great.
Yep Lepelblad. I have a feeling we’ll be there again.
15 Aug 2010
by irenein Belgium, Happenings, Travels
D and I went to Brussels to view the Flower Carpet. We stayed around the venue for a few hours, taking lots of pictures. Also took some short walks to locations like the Butcher Street etc. We sighted a federal minister who looked like he had one too many. Maybe he was, maybe he was not. But I do not think he cared one way or another. Last but not least, we stopped by one of the many cafes and had a pintje each.
Brussels’ Flower Carpet only takes place once every 2 years. So, I am glad I finally got to see it. I’ve been wanting to since I found out about it a few years ago.
Now, anyone for that parade which only takes place every 7 years?!
03 Aug 2010
by irenein Belgium, Happenings
July is the month of sales here in Belgium. Discounts can go as crazy as 70%. If luck is on your side, you might find something rather decent for only 5 euro!
Dang, did I just let July fly by? I didn’t buy a single thing for myself! Not a single cent spent on new clothing, no pretty blouse, no cute t-shirt nor a pair of new pants that I probably need. 
Oh well, you know what they say. A penny saved is a penny earned. Besides, there’s no harm being wary of sustainability nowadays.
27 Jun 2010
by irenein Belgium, Happenings
Today I attended my first Belgian mass thanks to my persuasive parents. The church procedures were rather similar to those in Malaysia and America. Except for the language and the plate-to-face ritual, everything were familiar. I must say it was a very pleasant and relaxing experience even though I do not understand everything. My dedicated parents were even giving money and lighting candles like they used to at home.
It was a good thing.
13 Jun 2010
by irenein Belgium, Happenings
Today is election day in Belgium. Voting is not a right here, it is a national duty! Not voting means that you might get a fine.
Obligatory voting sounds harsh huh? But after talking to D (something about the LA riots…), I began to understand and value this move.
Belgians are kind of forced to make a choice and be held responsible for whom they choose to govern them. It is a good and democratic thing. Let’s hope that the new governing parties have better luck at running this tiny and complicated country.
13 May 2010
by irenein Belgium
My integration instructor is not a Belgian. I expected a Flemish and silently wished for someone similar to my 2 lively Dutch language teachers.
However, after several lessons, I must say that I like how things have turned out. My non-Belgian instructor understands us. Like us, she finds certain Belgian norms and habits strange and even shocking. Yet she can explain why the Belgians do the things they do because she is from The Netherlands.
A typical Belgian would have probably say something like ‘Oh, but that’s just how we are. Do try your best to live with it.’. To me, that is an acceptable and justifiable answer. After all, we are the ones who choose to live here.
Those obliged to attend Integration classes are really just doing time. There are a lot of complaining and whining. Quite annoying if you ask me.
Thankfully my instructor’s empathy and a few cheerful classmates make all these bearable. 
28 Apr 2010
by irenein Belgium, Happenings
I went to my very first social integration class today. It was ok. I won’t fall asleep and start snoring. I only wish that the schedule and attendance can be a bit more lenient. There’s no doubt that the classes will be useful in a problem solving manner.
We, mostly an Asian group, are already having quite some disagreements among ourselves. Issues such as the following surfaced in class:
- We should all think of Belgium as our own country. A noble thought but quite difficult I would say.
- We are all here because something is bad or missing in our home countries. Whoa buddy… dat meen je niet!
- Why do we have different sort of residence statuses?
- Do we need work permits? If yes, how do we obtain them?
- Is transportation cost to integration classes free? This one’s mine, I love freebies!
Yep… integration classes will be interesting.
27 Apr 2010
by irenein Belgium
It takes hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home. ~ Author Unknown
In todays class, we were asked whether we like living in Belgium. We were also asked the following questions:
- Would you want to stay permanently?
- Do you want to live somewhere else but can’t?
- Are you planning to move away sometime soon?
- None of the above.
My answer is 4.
- I don’t plan too far ahead so I don’t know if I want to stay here forever.
- I can pretty much live anywhere I want.
- I do not have plans to move to another country in years to come. Frankly, I’ve done that.
What makes a home anyway? I like it here in Belgium. It is now my home. But so is Malaysia and America. I can easily travel and live in these 3 countries. I can call whatever place I fancy, my home.
17 Mar 2010
by irenein Belgium
As a follow up action to my post on the 9th of this month, I took my first bus ride in Belgium yesterday!
It has been a while since I took a bus. So, I was quite relieved to have Liu, my classmate, guiding me through the system. No need to fumble about … though I am no stranger to that. I can be the idiotic foreigner if the occasion calls for it.
Anyway, the bus ride from Kortrijk to Harelbeke was quite nice. Not too many passengers, no one got loud or rowdy (San Francisco), no noisy teenagers (Kalamazoo), and no stinky people (Las Vegas), well at least not yet…
From now on, I will be taking the bus after school. Save D some time and trouble. There will be a short walk from bus stop to home. But I like taking walks. It clears my head and free my thoughts.
I’ll be taking the bus to school one day soon … but one thing at a time.
Previous Older Entries
RSS
