01 Sep 2010
by irenein Jibber Jabber
Most students in the North Western hemisphere are back in schools. Boohoo, summer is over! Now the question to myself is, ‘what have I done these past 2 months?’.
- Completed Belgian Integration classes. Finally, after 2 years!
- My parents had a lovely time. They get to experience and understand my life here.
- Went to Paradisio (yippee, train rides!) and visited a few popular cities in West Flanders.
- Visited Amsterdam because we were in the area. Had fun at Gentse Feesten. But otherwise, this is what you call a staycation.
- Made full use of my library membership. Read 2 fantastic Steinbeck novels. From now on it will be children’s books in Dutch.
- Ate out less, cooked more. Had our first ‘lunch’ guests. Cooking is my other creative outlet. I shall explain this in a future post.
- We watched a lots of movies. Some great, some bad and many in-between. I finally watched Taken. Was good. Sci-Fi is my thing.
- Been cleaning the house like a mad woman! But these are not mundane activities because I create low impact processes along the way.
- Purchased and installed semi see through roller shades. Not only do the shades cut out direct sunlight, they also soften up the living room.
- Doing more in depth reading and research regarding foreign exchange, namely the Euro Dollar duo. It is to my advantage to forsee the trend. Yeah, I know, sounds like gambling. In a way it is!
Well, that’s it. A quiet relaxing summer.
19 Aug 2010
by irenein Jibber Jabber, Quotes
Getting your house in order and reducing the confusion gives you more control over your life. Personal organization some how releases or frees you to operate more effectively. ~ Larry King
Sounds logic no? And believe me when I say that I know the satisfaction of getting things in order. The feeling of accomplishment when stuff are tidied and cleaned. Nevertheless, I also have to admit that endless, boring, you-have-to-do-it-or-no-one-else-will kind of house works makes me cranky. 
31 Jul 2010
by irenein Jibber Jabber, Quotes
Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. ~ Steve Jobs
Oh what the heck, not my favourite person in the world to quote but I kinda owe someone this gesture. You see, I own 3 major Apple products that I never paid a single cent for. Besides, what Jobs said makes sense.
With that in mind and with half my summer holidays gone, and another half to enjoy… let’s get going then!
27 Jul 2010
by irenein Human Nature, Jibber Jabber
I spent most of today with an ex-classmate from level 1 Dutch. It was quite fun showing her around Kortrijk and doing things together, just 2 of us.
Ever noticed that most couples do not have a separate network of friends? Some even regard any separate agendas as big no-no to relationships. What a silly outlook. In my opinion, having your own friends, personal plans and individual goals is key to healthy partnerships.
I strongly believe in inter-dependent relationships. And that can only be possible if the individuals involved are independent. Sticky and unyielding dependency is bad news and frankly scares the hell out of me. And I’ve seen enough in life to know that it is slow death to any happy long term relationship.
21 Jul 2010
by irenein Jibber Jabber, Movies, Books & TV Shows
Watched Capatalism, A Love Story. It is a typical Michael Moore movie going bla-bla-bla, good facts, questionable facts, much exaggerations, and more bla-bla-bla. I like the movie though. I know enough about finances to understand and see the point of this documentary. But one thing stands out prominently in this movie, one person, one question that I repeatedly ask myself. Who is this congresswoman from Ohio?!
She looks like your regular gentle aunt. Someone whom you see in church gatherings, or at family pot luck dinners. Who in God’s name is this unassuming woman who is biting off the heads of greedy Wall Street sharks?!
Marcy Kaptur is dynamite! I admire her more and more as I read about what she has done and what she is doing. I adore her after watching videos of her speeches. What a character! What a woman!
I found a hero.
05 Jul 2010
by irenein Jibber Jabber
Dang it! The Euro is raising against the dollar. It is back in the 1.25 range today. Oh well, it was a healthy downturn for a few weeks and I’ve taken advantage of it while it lasted.
05 Jun 2010
by irenein Jibber Jabber
My years in quick-paced America made me into an impatient person who wants instant gratifications. Lots of deep breathing and 2 years in Belgium toned things down for me. I find myself feeling quite content with how things are these days.
A couple of days ago, I found out that my current Dutch teacher will be teaching the next level of intensive Dutch. That led me to make up my mind. I will continue with my current teacher, and will not be trying out super intensive courses. This way, I have my afternoons off to do whatever I want – work, reading, creative output etc…
My days of high stress and over-achievements are on a pause. Even now with language classes, social integration, little projects and bus rides, I am feeling a bit rushed. Fortunately, summer vacation is in 2 more weeks.
I’m sure that life will take me down high speed lane once again and I do not mind that at all. But right now I am enjoying life in semi-slow-motion.
26 Apr 2010
by irenein Jibber Jabber
I began Dutch 2.2 (Level 4) today. I sometimes wonder where I get the mood and patience to continue taking language classes.
What encourages me to wake up at 7.30 am each morning? What kind of forces are behind me, motivating me to catch the bus and attend 3-hour lessons day after day?
Maybe the answer is simple. Maybe the reason I am doing this is because I have nothing better to do. Is that good or bad?
19 Apr 2010
by irenein Jibber Jabber
I grew up wanting to be a doctor, then a dentist, and then a veterinarian. 
Grandma told me that only very intelligent people can become doctors. So, I studied hard and was almost always the top student.
However, after the skull-cracking national exams of the early 90s, I altered my path and decided to pursue a career in business instead. I did very well in business college and graduated with honors. I was a damn good business administrator for 6 years and have much accomplishments.
The business thing was good but not enough. So listening to that call in the wild, I steered off the path once again. This time venturing into the volatile design industry. After 2 short years of design school, I became a designer at an online shoe company in America. My career in the creative industry advanced at a speedy but healthy pace. I was the senior graphic designer when I left in 2007.
Now in Belgium, I am happily taking the bus to my language classes, doing my best and often planning the details of my future endeavors. I wish that by next July, I will be the owner of my very own business.
It is alright to change course in life. It is ok to take some risks, make a few bold decisions and act on a dream. Altering your direction only brings meaning and excitement to life. I’ve changed course several times and I never regret any of them!
11 Apr 2010
by irenein Jibber Jabber
Damn it! Stupidity knows no bound. How annoying…
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