31 Oct 2008
by irenein Belgium
Things are far and apart in Malaysia and America. Most people I know rely on private cars. I’ve known how to drive since my 20s. There’s no way I could have survived Las Vegas by relying on public transportation.
I shall need a car of my own sometime in the future. For commuting, running errands, or just going somewhere. I have 2 driver’s licenses, but according to this, I would probably need to apply for a Belgian license in order to operate a vehicle. I will inquire and apply for the license when my residence permit gets approved.
I already know what sort of car I want. A small, automatic, Japanese car with all the fixings. 
30 Oct 2008
by irenein Movies, Books & TV Shows
What an encouraging and entertaining book. I finished Richard Branson’s quick read journal thing in just a few hours this morning. Nothing phenomena or fancifully mind boggling, just time-tested wisdom on how to live a full and beautiful life.
Here’s the contents:
- Just Do It!
- Have Fun!
- Be Bold
- Challenge Yourself
- Stand On Your Own Feet
- Live The Moment
- Value Family and Friends
- Have Respect
- Do Some Good.
29 Oct 2008
by irenein Belgium, Simply Green
I have been informed and have witnessed how well this country runs its recycling program. I went online in search for more information and to find out if there is more I can do as an individual.
I found news articles praising the Belgium’s go green programs, a funny blog about things that goes into a PMD bag and websites of companies that recycle specific plastics. I cannot find anything with detailed procedures. The one article that came close to what I was searching for is this.
I wish there are more documentations out there. But I am guessing that these will be in French or Dutch and hidden in some dusty corners of public libraries.
27 Oct 2008
by irenein Belgium, Simply Green
Yesterday was a Sunday to remember!
Boyfriend and I dug a trench for the pipes containing the cable, water, gas, electricity and telephone. It was a 9 to 5 job. The trench has to be 30 centimeters wide, 1 meter deep and about 5 meters in length.
We started out goofing about. An hour into this, we still can’t find the pipe outlets from the house and started to lose our initial enthusiasm. But fortunately, with some help and encouragement, we found what we were digging for and continued with the task.
Being that I have lived my life in Asia (labor is cheap and available) and America (convenience is the heart of the nation), this manual labor thing is really not me. However, I am from a small town where a lot of times, you do whatever it takes to get what you want. Also I’m glad that I’m capable of doing what is necessary.
The good news to this is that we saved quite a bit of money by digging the trench ourselves. Besides, it is also a good workout for both of us. We spent too much time sitting down in front of the computer or the TV. It should probably make up for all the Wii exercises I missed this weekend.
All in all, it was a job well done. Hopefully, the money saved from not hiring a digger will allow the boyfriend and I to buy something nice for the new house. That’s a consolation to aching body parts that I do not know exist.
Wished it didn’t rain and turn dark on us at 5pm. We would have re-enacted WW2 in that trench and gotten a good laugh. We just have to be satisfied that 2 couch potatoes can dig such a beautiful looking trench. Mind you, it has steps and working space. 
25 Oct 2008
by irenein Jibber Jabber
In the mid 90s when email became popular in Malaysia, I joined this ex-high school classmate mailing list.
Lately, someone on that list started sending out chain mails containing pictures that are supposed to make us more aware of what’s happening in our world.
First round of pictures show images of dolphin killing in Denmark. According to the email, this is a ritual performed to signify entry to adulthood? I must say I was a bit taken aback. So I did some internet research and found the claim to be untrue. The Danish hunt dolphins and whales for the same reason as the Japanese – meat for consumption. There are organizations that are doing their best in stopping and lessening the cruelty to these animals. It takes time and patience to educate people and to change their ways.
The second set of images were supposed to be from Iraq and the war. Some I’ve seen. The praying soldiers, the armed American holdings a baby, a child and petting a kitten etc. Pictures that makes people go “Awww…how sweet.” I got pretty suspicious and doubtful when I see images of Iraqi people holding up home made signs that read: “Thank you very much, Mr. Bush” and “Iraq is happy today, thank you USA.”
Actually, it pisses me off. War can not and should not be justified! I am so tempted to write back to the people on the list and make them aware of image altering tools. It will take me only a minute to photoshop an image like that. But… I know deep down that this is not an argument worth my while. I am just so sorry people think America is doing a right thing brutally attacking other countries.
24 Oct 2008
by irenein Food & Drinks
This cozy Italian cafe is the solution to a lazy evening when you do not feel like making dinner.
Located at the end of the shopping street in Gent, Pane & Vino is constantly filled with people. The generous portion of inexpensive and unpretentious Italian dishes made it a popular hang out for students and the locals. You will also see the occasional tourists who wandered in from nearby hotels.
Pizza cost only 8 euro and none of the dishes are over 20 euro. A good deal and good food.
23 Oct 2008
by irenein Health
I reached the 30-hour mark of accumulated Wii Fitness hours today. Disappointingly, the timer piggy bank didn’t morph into another color like it did for 10 and 20. Bleh…
However, I am pleased that the regular exercises have had its effects on me. I feel much lighter and healthier now compared to a year ago this time.
Long live the Wii Fitness Program!
21 Oct 2008
by irenein Happenings
What a depressing ending to my time at the house-building expo called BIS. My Nikon S5 went kaput on me when I tried to take a picture of the welcome banner before leaving Gent Expo. The damn camera is barely 2 years old. This sucks!
I was told to look it up on-line for it might be a common issue. Apparently it is. I found lots of questions without answers, no support from Nikon and many depressing cries for help. During his lunch time at work, the boyfriend went through a certain forum and found a possible but crazy solution.
The following is an excerpt from the post detailing ‘the elbow trick’:
- Load your camera with a freshly recharged battery.
- Switch on to see if it’s working and still without the real time screen.
- Switch it off, and hold it tight in you palm with the LCD facing inward.
- Now, with you palm up, you should be able to see the model name ‘CoolPix S6′ under the lens and the flash.
- While holding the camera and aiming at the ‘CoolPix S6′, raise your other hand with the fist next to your ear.
- Match the aim as describe in(4) to the aim of your elbow ‘s protruded part and make pratice moves. Yes, you are going to smack it to your elbow.
- When you are ready, try first not to hit your elbow too hard.
- Switch the camera on to check. If you have the ‘Screen’ now, congratulation! If not, repeat (4) to (8) but with a stronger impact. You might have to try more times until your elbow could not take the sore.
The boyfriend smacked the camera 3 times (maybe 2 times too many) to his elbow and VOILA… the screen is no longer black! I’m so happy.
18 Oct 2008
by irenein Food & Drinks, Malaysia
I was asked to cook a Malaysian meal for the boyfriend and his parents this Saturday. Not wanting to scare off anyone, I prepared a simple lunch of plain rice, sweet and sour pork, stir fried Chinese cabbage and bell pepper beef.
Amai… it was too much meat! Asian cooking usually includes several types of meat in one meal but in much reduced quantity. It’s my fault, I didn’t want to make it too much of a surprise and kinda walked down the Panda Express route. And for the life of me, I can only cook appropriate quantity for either 1 person or a family of 6.
Next time (if there’s one), I will try something else. Maybe a seafood dish or a spicy dish if the Belgians don’t mind me experimenting. I’m glad to know that they enjoyed the bell pepper beef dish.
And wow…Malaysian cooking has reached the realms of a cuisine. There’s a Wikipedia entry of my favourite type of food known as Cuisine of Malaysia.
17 Oct 2008
by irenein Belgium
Been back for a week now. It feels good to be back on my routine. Don’t get me wrong, the Californian vacation was fun and all that. But I am a creature of habit and I like my days planned, scheduled and hopefully productive.
I guess this is one of the personality traits that makes me who I am. I know it can be irritating to certain people.
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