31 Dec 2008
by irenein Food & Drinks
D and I didn’t feel like splurging like a mad couple for New Year’s Eve 2008. So, we made last minute reservation at Brasserie De Graslei. We were a bit concerned when we were told that there’s availability. The brasserie is located at a prime spot for the New Year’s fireworks. The concern grew when we were told that the New Year’s menu was canceled. Hmm… what’s wrong with this place? Some one died eating there?
Later we found out that the special menu was canceled due to lack of requests. Guess the financial crisis got its grip on quite a number of people…
Food was nothing spectacular but it was above brasserie standards. The service was very good. I always like restaurants where the servers are friendly and helpful. Somehow it makes my food taste better. Fantastic location, unpretentious food, attentive services and wallet-friendly. What more can you ask for?
There are approximately 300 eating places in Gent. 20 down and 280 to go… 
28 Dec 2008
by irenein Happenings, Travels
After an hour of mindless and failed search for a birthday gift, D and I agreed to give up for the day. We decided to just enjoy the crazy holiday crowd instead.
Along the way to the Christmas Market, we stopped by the Bell Tower of Ghent for a look see. This is the only historical building in the city center that we have yet to visit. Not wanting to rush the tour, we planned to go back the next day. But while inquiring about the opening hours, we were informed that today is a special day. The belfry won’t reopen until March of 2009. With only an hour left before they stop selling entry tickets, we had to grab the opportunity.
I am very impressed by the history, the structure, the mechanism and the purpose of the belfry. And what a gorgeous view from the top! Darn it… why did I leave my camera at home?
Nevertheless, it was a fantastic tour. Also, it was perfect timing!
25 Dec 2008
by irenein Happenings
Today is a lazy and quiet Christmas. I’ve not spent such an uneventful one for a long time.
Last night’s Christmas Eve dinner with D’s family and relative was rather peaceful as well. The dinner is something D’s family do every year at the same restaurant. The family gathers once a year, shares a meal and catches up with each other. It is nothing mind blowing but it was nice.
This kind of gathering is probably impossible for my family. Firstly, we are all separated by oceans, not just mere political borders. Secondly, 2 of my siblings are currently not talking to each other. As I look at some of D’s elders avoiding each other, I hope that the stupid feud among my siblings will end soon… Forgiveness at the death bed is too dramatic and just lame.
Merry Christmas to all!
23 Dec 2008
by irenein Belgium
Just came back from Huis van het Nederlands, Gent.
My plan now is to register for Level One Dutch lessons as soon as the holidays are over. I will be taking the language classes in Gent because I spend my weekdays in the city. I’m hoping the Gent education environment is a bit more varied and broader than the one in Kortrijk. No offense.
It has been almost a year since I’ve moved to Belgium. Spent 4 months in Malaysia applying for a visa I was told I do not need in the end *insert boo here*! It is also important to note that I spent the initial 2.5 months here as a visitor under the visa waiver program.
So, in 5 months and 2 weeks:
- I was given a temporary resident permit and allowed legal stay till December 16, 2008.
- Have 2 police checks to prove that I reside in Harelbeke.
- Took an intelligence test to prove I’m not a retard. Kidding… It’s for determining the most suitable language course. I scored the max.
- Acquired health insurance. I’ve just received my first compensation.
- Signed inburgering (integration) contract. Therefore, agreeing to take Dutch lessons and attend integration classes.
- Applied and waiting for permanent identity card. The ID is good for 5 years.
It blows my mind if I compare my integration process to the green card process my siblings have to go through in America. Even my work visa was more painful than this. But then my story has not come to the end yet. Deep down, I still wish things have moved faster.
I think I have integrated well into this new environment. I must have progressed. I can read Dutch subtitles and understand 50% of the non-English TV shows.
As it was in the past, I have had kind assistance from those around me. Most Belgians are caring people. As long as they are not stressing about house building! 
22 Dec 2008
by irenein Happenings
2 weeks ago, these eagle eyes of mine spotted a teeny tiny guppy baby in the Harelbeke fish tank. It was hiding from its carnivorous parents. My heart stopped, I alerted the boyfriend! In the next 10 minutes, D and I went through such a commotion to save the little one. It was a comical moment now that I think of it. But we were pleasantly surprised to find five little ones in total. They were placed into a separate tank, away from the jaws of death.
These little ones are special to us. They survived god-knows-how-long in the tank with the ever-hungry adults. Naturally, D and I wanted to take them to Gent so that they can be taken care of. However, we are holding off on that because the apartment-dwelling-guppies might not be so gentle to their little cousins. We’ll wait for the lucky 5 to grow a bit more.
New born baby guppies are so very fragile and will die without any good excuses. It was my perfect explanation not to give them away to D’s only niece. Even so, it was hard to say no to a 7 year old, be it indirectly…
21 Dec 2008
by irenein Jibber Jabber
This year’s Christmas shopping has revealed a not-so-pleasant side of me. I got quite cranky while shopping for gifts. And it disgust me when D and I have to go through so much trouble to get presents for everyone. It is very weird, I am a generous person and have always enjoyed giving.
Why is it so irritating this time? Is it the pressure of getting the right gifts? Maybe I am mad at spending my savings away? Or is it because I am giving to people who do not really need?
Maybe it is the gloomy Belgian weather, who knows…
20 Dec 2008
by irenein Movies, Books & TV Shows
Yet another lazy evening. So, D and I decided to watch one of the movies on his extensive and dusty collection…
I didn’t expect much from Wanted. I know Angelina Jolie is starring in it and it is a Hollywood production. First 5 minutes into the movie, I’m hooked. It really was quite enjoyable. An IMDB reviewer compared it to The Matrix but I didn’t see the similarities in the plot until I read the review.
Memorable quote from the movie “What the fuck have you done lately?” A question that I need to ask myself more often! I think I have gone into hibernation mode 2008.
18 Dec 2008
by irenein Movies, Books & TV Shows
The following is the plot summary from IMDB:
Two business executives–one an avowed misogynist, the other recently emotionally wounded by his love interest–set out to exact revenge on the female gender by seeking out the most innocent, uncorrupted girl they can find and ruining her life.
In the Company of Men was rewarded an undeserving 7.1 points. It is supposed to be a troubling movie and it sets out to prove that men are bastards. I do have to say that the actors are good and their acting well done. But in the end, it has simply wasted 2 hours of my time. It honestly didn’t do much for me. Maybe I’ve seen weirder and more disturbing movies than this.
The movie is not worth watching… I don’t even know why I am wasting time blogging about it.
16 Dec 2008
by irenein Creative Business
Someone I followed on Twitter posted an interesting article entitled The Millionaire’s Secret Trait That Attracts Crazy Amounts Of Success.
Here’s the excerpt:
- Generosity changes your mindset. Generosity heightens awareness. It allows the mind to focus on what’s really important.
- Generosity creates reciprocity. Humans have a deep-seated need to repay generosity.
- Generosity creates buzz. Generosity will not go unnoticed.
- Even Santa has boundaries. There are people who will take advantage of your generosity, do not dwell on that too much.
15 Dec 2008
by irenein Creative Business
Home-based businesses intrigue me. I’ve done significant research and planning on this matter since the mid 90s. Back then, I was assisting mom in her challenging life insurance career and helping her deal with a semi-retirement phase. So imagine my interest when I came across the article entitled The Most Profitable Home-Based Businesses.
I have taken the liberty in extracting the main points of this article. Here are some of the most profitable home-based businesses according to Forbes:
- securities and commodity brokers
- software publishers
- artists, writers, performers
- insurance agents and brokers
- specialised design services
- consulting services
- personal and household goods repair and maintenance
- offices of real estate agents and brokers
- electronic and precision repair and maintenance
- grant making and giving services
To compile this list, Forbes has collected 8 years of financial data from at least 35 businesses. Though I am happy to see 4, 5, 6 and 9 on the list, I am not entirely convinced that the information is up to date. For one, this was created during the good times. Giants have fallen in the past 2 months. More than half a million Americans got laid off in November alone. Chinese factories are shutting down. Our world has shrunk because of globalization hence the crisis will be very international. Yes, it is very depressing.
My free financial advice: spend only what is necessary.
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