In prep for the big day

As I type this, my dad is out clearing the snow from the drive way in preparation for the big day tomorrow. He did the same thing yesterday but unfortunately for him we had more snow overnight. Actually, I think it's doing him some good. You know how parents can't sit still when there's a big event underway. Particularly one where there's public speaking involved.

You see tomorrow is my wee brother's wedding! So as you can imagine there's a lot of excitement in our house just now. I think I've heard my dad's speech a hundred times as has my brother lol. It's very warming to see how he's putting so much effort into it. I could hear him in the wee hours of this morning around 2am still practising...either that or he was just talking to himself...who knows...either is possible ;)

Shopping list

I just hope I have space in my luggage to some treats back from the motherland:

Scott's porridge oats
Green and Blacks hot chocolate
Mother's Pride plain loaf
Oh my mouth is watering for this one - Kettle Chips sea salt and vinegar.

Can't quite fit it in my suitcase but we must have a fish supper, black pudding supper and for sure an Indian...plus a wee glass of Irn-Bru.

...I need to do some more thinking on this list...

Something old, something new...

Actually, I'm really not fussy, anything would do right now. I've been looking FOR AGES for an outfit for my brother's wedding that's just after Christmas. I've only had a full year to prep for it but it would appear I've gotten rather side tracked.

Not to mention my dad checking in with me to make sure that I'm organised. Well, it's not that he's checking that I'm organised, he's doing the "my daughter is a lesbian therefore her track record of outfits to social gatherings can, well, erm, go against the norm." It's not like I'm going to turn up in a tie die top, dugaress and cherry doc martens. Please dad give me more credit than that, I live on the continent you know!

I'll be sure not to take my inspiration from the below...

Four!

Finally, a Chinese massage - it's only taken 2 days. Normally we have them every night when we're travelling in China. And a hotel room with disposable knickers.

What more could a girl ask for?!

Did I mention I managed to play 18 holes today as well? Admittedly rather badly but still...a good day!

yesterday

45 hours, zero sleep and 2 very tired eyes.
22 plates of food served at dinner - one very full stomach.
Whisky in honour of my culture...I managed to defend the glass being refilled.

I slept like a log last night when I finally got to bed.

The eagle has landed

I have just landed in Hong Kong airport having chosen (stupidly) not to sleep on the plane. For a 10 hour flight it was very comfortable with no turbulence which is my favourite kind of flight. I also managed to work through my emails and tidy up my calendar. Ahh, organised bliss.

We have free wifi acces in the airport (unheard of in Europe and the US!) which means that I can tackle my unusually small number of emails without interruption. Well, I say without interruption but the music in this French inspired cafe is doing my head in. If I hear an accordian song one more time...

Anyways, we're now just a ferry and a car ride away from our first meeting of the week. I hope that our hosts go easy on the kampai tonight and that the evening is finished with the usual relaxing massage.

Today

Sarah and I took care of something today that I can blog more about later. We were almost very late thanks to the weather. We don't like being late, particularly not for this. The rain absolutely drenched us to the core. But that doesn't matter because we made it. We are making this, together.

Today is a day that I'll recount for the rest of my life *smile and wink*

I'm not in a fucking bad mood!

Tell me, what is the evolutionary point in feeling hormonal, apart from the being able to get pregnant bit??? I've felt a bit shitty this week and I really don't like it. I came home tonight and cried in the car for the last 10k. I'm writing this blog in between sobbing. In my head I can rationalise positive things, but right now I just feel frustrated and down.

As if having to bleed once every 4 weeks wasn't enough to contend with!

Now where's my hot chocolate and pjs...

You know you live abroad when...

...the locals call you "Yo" instead of "Jo."

Is the appartment still free?

Sarah helps me practise excercises for Dutch class. She puts her heart and soul into it, really. Tonight on the way home we were pretending I was looking for a place to live and Sarah was someone renting out an appartment.

Below are 2 perfect examples of the support I receive from my loving girrelfriend...

Jo: *ring, ring* *ring, ring*
Sarah: "Hello, with Sarah"
Jo: "Goodevening. I have seen your advertisment in the paper. Is your appartment still free?"
Sarah: "No, I don't rent to foreigners!" *hangs up phone*

Session 2

Jo: *ring, ring* *ring, ring*
Sarah: "Hello, with Sarah"
Jo: "Goodevening. I have seen your advertisment in the paper. Is your appartment still free?"
Sarah: "No. I've just rented it out."
Jo: *hangs up phone*

Bergamo

Bergamo is just a hop, skip and a jump from Charleroi. It's a good location for a weekend getaway, the only downside being that you have to fly with you know who. It's also just outside Milan if you fancy a proper city weekend.

Thank goodness for modern conveniences. These were the old wash basins to wash clothes. Makes you thankful for the epoch you're born in!

Local delicacy - polenta cakes. Not my choice.

The view from the BB.

Room with a view

I flew to Bergamo and then onto Bratislava on Fri nite for work. We spent the fri nite in Bratislava at the Park Inn by the Danube river. Ideal for getting down town but watch out for the cost of the over night parking.

Saturday nite I stayed just outside Bergamo in Italy. This was what greeted me the next morning lol. Aside from the friendly dog, there is an excellent view over Bergamo and home baked cake with fantastic coffee for breakfast - Ca Nel Bosco

Spreekt u Vlaams?

I have an exam for my Flemish class tomorrow night.

I'm faffing.

Belgian Belters

I couldn't believe my ears last night driving back from the airport when I heard Milli Vanilli on the radio. Granted it was at 1am but still.

Someone has to take responsibility for these air waves ;)

Crying in the air

My lack of confidence in Ryanair stewards was fully justified at the weekend when I noticed that one of them was wearing a Jagermeister lanyard! Appropriate attire for someone who is meant to be in charge of your safety? I think not, unless I'm perched at a bar and not in a plane!

I guess it helps to induce the feeling of "club 18-30"

Oh how I love Ryanair.

S-t-r-u-g-g-l-e-!

I left this morning at 3.45 to catch a flight to Italy.
I've just had a heavy Italian lunch and my next flight is in a few hours to Bratislava for one day, then back to Italy, then back to Belgium.

I'm hoping it's time for a famous Italian siesta shortly!

One thing at a time

My g/f can't multi task. I have to repeat myself constantly when she's on her laptop, watching tv, reading...you get the picture.

Tonight I was asking her to help me with my Flemish home work. I had to repeat every sentence that I wasn't sure on because she didn't "hear me."

Sarah's response - "Hon, you know I can't multi task! You need to draw me in visually."

I'm off to look for the flip charts and power point! *grumble*

p.s. I only got her attention because I published this blog! ;)

Rustig weekend

Ahh, what a relaxing weekend we've had. Quiet Friday night out for dinner followed by an unexpected hang out with my girrel. Sarah you see had booked a media course in Leuven for the weekend. In her rather *cough* impetuous but cute way, she arrived, quickly checked out the course contents, and dare I say it the teacher and other students (not in a pervy way you understand). Her observations concluded that her goesting was indeed op and that she would much rather hang out with her g/f in the city. Quick call to me and my plans changed from shopping in Antwerp to shopping Gent - my favourite city in the world. Voila! All happy.

Sunday was the date in the calendar that I've been looking forward to since this time last year. Every year on All Saints' Day, Sarah's Mum gets the whole, and I mean the WHOLE, family around for a humungous waffle bake. Last year we ate around 80, I've yet to get the official count on this year's consumption.

It was fanstatic. Compared to last year, I only asked Sarah to translate a few things instead of everything. I'm always impressed as to how many waffles Belgians can eat and how they eat them. Trust me when I say every square in the waffle is filled with something, be it butter, squirt-squirt cream, chocolate sauce, sugar and more or all together. With each application of a mouth watering covering, everyone enthused that it was indeed very healthy. I'll take 5 portions of that any day! I think I'm more than half way now to being Belgianised! Beer... waffles... chocolate...frites...life isn't that bad in Belgium ;)

To top it all off, one of my colleagues brought in home made waffles this morning. In this mode, Belgians can't do anything wrong ;)

MMM, lekker!

I am so excited about this weekend! We have the annual waffle bake at Sarah's mum's. 80 is the total eaten last year over the course of the day, I wonder how many we can eat this time.

I've been in training for it and have my elasticated trousers at the ready.

Cannot wait!!!

Room with a view?

What a beautiful sunrise from a house we rented in Provence in October. Very relaxing. I can't wait to take my bike the next time.

This was taken at the Holiday Inn in Montreal. It was a one night stop over before I flew to Las Vegas. Have to say, it was a rather bad choice. There was a large bird cage full of cockatiels and a Butlin-esque swimming pool right by the restaurant and bar. Nice.

In Toronto. The room came with a kitchen and was described as a business suite. Erm, wrong! When you're travelling for work, the last thing you want to do is to make your own food! Not only that, there was no restuarant in the hotel...hence your own kitchen. The upside was that I got to hang out with my family in Toronto.

This hotel was a nightmare. I decided to stay downtown Minneapolis for the weekend only to be placed next to the loudest-all-through-the-night-guests in the whole hotel. Please refer to this post for more info.

Crowne Plaza Minneapolis. Tried and tested and not far from America's biggest mall - what more can you ask for!