29 May 2008
by irenein Jibber Jabber
Not so long ago, I saw a mother bird feeding its young. It felt great to be able to catch a glimpse of nature’s little life stories. I was able to witness this because the nest was an atypical open top bird’s nest, on top of the lime tree just outside the kitchen window. The bird is not the usual species of Murai or Pipit which I am very used to seeing. It has grey and white feathers with black markings around its eyes. I am no expert but maybe it is some kind of tropical finch???
An open top nest does not seem practical to me. How can the chicks survive the harsh sunlight and the tropical rainstorms? My answer came a day after. There was a storm where it was windy and raining hard. Guess what? Mama bird spread out its wings and cover the nest and her young. Now that is just a scene that warms the heart!
Little birdies have grown up and flew away. I never got the chance to see that because I got occupied and forgot my birdwatching routine. Now, the local Pipit is adding building materials and ‘renovating’ the same real estate into their rounded nest. Another bird family is building their home on top of the lime tree right outside the kitchen window… another bird story unfolding…
28 May 2008
by irenein Malaysia
Today marks the beginning of the 11th week I’ve been back in LD. I think I have done what I came back for.
- Belgian visa
- US visa
- Spend time with family
- Go through personal belonging
- Declutter home
- Declutter office
Some unplanned activities include babysitting, blogging, 1-day-in-LD photoshoots. So far so good but can’t wait to go home to live my European life with my man. 
27 May 2008
by irenein Travels
Yeah! I got miles credited to my Delta SkyMiles account for my Frankfurt – Singapore flight on March 18th. Singapore Airlines still provides the best service I’ve ever experienced so far.
I took a risk sending the miles crediting documents via snail mail. There was a high probability that my send will never ever reach Delta Airline’s Atlanta office. Yep, do not have much faith in the Malaysian postal system. Come to think of it, I do not have much trust in any Malaysian systems because they suck.
Anyway, that’s that and I got my Delta points. I wish there’s more I can do with all these miles aside from ordering magazines. Maybe free flights within the US one of these days…
26 May 2008
by irenein Jibber Jabber
Today, Joun and Janet are going to Kuala Lumpur for a week to get Allyson’s American visa. Joun also has some businesses to take care of and it is a good chance for the couple to get away. That leaves the parents and I…yikes! Let’s hope little Allyson won’t be too fussy and listens to her Aunt Irene like usual. Thank goodness we have Christina and little Ana to help with the household stuff.
School holiday also started today. It will be for the next 2 weeks.
This is my 10th week back in LD! 6 more and I will be heading back home to Belgium! Must hunt that travel agent down… have not heard back about my ticket quotes. Geez…
26 May 2008
by irenein Malaysia
I am fairly adaptable to changes. And after being back in LD for almost 2 months, I presumed that there will not be anymore ‘surprises’ in store for me.
On May 11th, Mother’s Day, my parents and I went to our usual 7am mass. It was also Pentecost Sunday, so there were the usual hymns and sermon about the Holy Spirit.
Since there were no dancing, traditional music nor special decoration involved, I thought the mass will be uneventful and will just end like a typical Pentecost mass.
Towards the end, the mothers were asked to stand up. I think to myself ‘ah… here comes the blessing from the priest’. Oh boy was I wrong… a slow and lamenting song was sang by a lady in the choir. It was in Malay and started with the word ‘ibu’ which translates to ‘mother’. I turned to my dad and said ‘good god, what the heck is this nonsense’. My dad just shook his head agreeing with me. Then I looked at the congregation and saw people crying!!! I turned to my mom wanting to say this is ridiculous when I noticed that she was also teary. Good grief…hahaha!
I can understand the need to provoke the love for our mothers. And maybe the song made people realise about their not-so-perfect relationships. Maybe some moms are not longer in this world and they are deeply missed. Save the guilt trip and psychological enlightenment to some church seminars or a more solemn day. It is supposed to be a ‘Happy’ Mother’s Day.
25 May 2008
by irenein Human Nature
I guess it is human nature that most of us can’t wait to show we are smarter or more intelligent than the person next to us. People who speak a lot, speak loudly and must have the last words in all conversations (thinking that they are right, but often not) annoys me.
What happened to being humble? Why not enjoy being a little innocent?
24 May 2008
by irenein Movies, Books & TV Shows
I miss getting Netflix DVDs in the mailbox. Miss having my view of the world challenged by some Polish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese movies…
Living in LD these past weeks really creates a void in this category. At least in Belgium, I have the boyfriend’s vast movie collection to keep my mind stimulated. He loves all those obscure Asian movies.
I watched Hero, Kung Fu Hustle, Curse of the Golden Flower with G. Enough said.
23 May 2008
by irenein Travels
Parents, Joun and I went to Tawau on May 2nd, 2008. Main reason was for mom to visit an acupuncurist. Mom took a fall down the backstairs the Sunday past. I did the usual thing any day tripper would do – took some pictures, ate some street food and just enjoyed the time with the family.
On our way back… car broke down because the engine was overheated. We waited 2 hours at the road side for the engine to cool but in the end called for towing services.
The car is still in the works and should be done in the next 2 days.
Lucky to be alive. Car could have died on us while we were at some ungodly locations. I wasn’t afraid till Joun said that the brakes would have died as well. Oh yikes!
22 May 2008
by irenein Belgium
My visa application is complete and in order. The administrator will be sending it to Brussels this week. In a week or 2, I should receive a file/case number where I can follow the process online. Ah … got to love today’s technology! *fingers crossed*
22 May 2008
by irenein Travels
Home as in Belgium…
I have decided to fly back to Brussels the first week of July. This will be after the departure of Judy and a potentially busy June 2008.
Early today, I have emailed the local tour office to enquire about ticket prices to Belgium. With the rate that the Euro is going, I think I shall have to prepare myself for a mini heart attack.
Also asked about the tour packages to Danum Valley and Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Both are prime destinations for nature lovers. I hope Judy and I will like these 2 places and that it will be time well spent. Planning to bring the boyfriend next time he comes back to Malaysia with me.
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