Sarah and I were in the mood for sushi tonight for dinner. So we headed out to a restaurant a couple of kms from where we lived. We knew that it would be a buffet set up with different options like teppanyaki, wok, sushi, and dim-sum etc. We guessed that it wouldn't be anything super special when we walked in, but we didn't quite expect to see the following choices on the sushi cart:
Apple tart
Chocolate cake
Corn salad
No sushi rolls to be seen.
We quickly went on to our second choice which is in the market square downtown, next door to my favourite restaurant. Out came our order of sushi. Good.
After I'd eaten 2 rolls that were vigourously dipped in wasabe and soy sauce, Sarah discovered a fruit fly in her soy sauce. Her soy sauce came from the same bottle I'd just used. Closer inspection showed more fruit flies inside the bottle. Grim.
A new bottle was brought out. Sarah inspected again. Same result. Yuck!
Sunday, 6 September 2009
Monday, 24 August 2009
Onto the next level
Now that I'm partly a lady of leisure I decided to register for my next level of Dutch lessons. BTW, the partly refers to my inability to move properly not my gender.
I had to take my certificate along from the level 1 course that I took at Gent university. I was quickly informed that the level 1 course 'here' is 120 hours versus my 60 hours in Gent. Of course, I quickly explained that the Gent course was super super intensive and therefore more difficult that the rather slow 120 hours 'here.'
We reached a midway point which involved me taking writing, reading, oral and IQ tests. I think it's easier to get into Oxford. Not that I'm competitive or anything, but I had what would have been a 100% score snatched straight from my hands!
There was a copy of an invitation to a party that started at 20:00. The question was "at what time does the party start?" So I write at 8 o'clock, I mean, everyone knows that parties don't start at 8 in the morning right? I argue that they are both the same. Oh noooo! It had to be at twenty zero hundred hours didn't it. Because everyone in Belgium does army speak right? I think not! Result: 1 point deducted!
End result: all tests passed and I'm onto level 2. Woohoo!
I had to take my certificate along from the level 1 course that I took at Gent university. I was quickly informed that the level 1 course 'here' is 120 hours versus my 60 hours in Gent. Of course, I quickly explained that the Gent course was super super intensive and therefore more difficult that the rather slow 120 hours 'here.'
We reached a midway point which involved me taking writing, reading, oral and IQ tests. I think it's easier to get into Oxford. Not that I'm competitive or anything, but I had what would have been a 100% score snatched straight from my hands!
There was a copy of an invitation to a party that started at 20:00. The question was "at what time does the party start?" So I write at 8 o'clock, I mean, everyone knows that parties don't start at 8 in the morning right? I argue that they are both the same. Oh noooo! It had to be at twenty zero hundred hours didn't it. Because everyone in Belgium does army speak right? I think not! Result: 1 point deducted!
End result: all tests passed and I'm onto level 2. Woohoo!
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
2000 watts of pure excitement
Sarah is on her way home from Vanden Borre with our new hoover. I am so excited! Can you tell?
This is what happens when you're left at home all day without any human interaction.
I wonder how many attachments it comes with...?
This is what happens when you're left at home all day without any human interaction.
I wonder how many attachments it comes with...?
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Let us pray
Where ever dad goes, doesn't matter which country, as a devout Catholic he'll always find out the times of the local mass. Me, always living in a different country, has left him experiencing many different readings...on his own.
This is the dilema. He's here visiting me, so should I go to mass with him even though it goes against my own beliefs? The last time he was here my little brother was also here, so Johnnie went along with dad.
I'm thinking the seats won't be comfortable so it won't be good for my back...
This is the dilema. He's here visiting me, so should I go to mass with him even though it goes against my own beliefs? The last time he was here my little brother was also here, so Johnnie went along with dad.
I'm thinking the seats won't be comfortable so it won't be good for my back...
Friday, 14 August 2009
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Stranded
In the middle of July I flew out to the USA for a business trip for 2 weeks. I was flying from Brussels to Amsterdam then on to Minneapolis. That was the plan at least.
Whilst sitting in BRU our plane was struck by a rather over zealous baggage truck driver. 2 hours later and we were finally allowed to fly to AMS. By this time I had missed my connection. Not a happy bunny. I was hoping I could catch another flight later in the day. No such luck.
I had to wait to fly out the next day. I was on standby for the first flight of the day and definitley had a seat on the second flight. The first flight was oversold soat least I was on the second flight but this meant I would miss my presentation. *Hmph*
I requested that my luggage be given back to me so that I could change clothes and get freshened up etc. After waiting 2 hours there was still no sign of my luggage and I was becoming more and more aware of the distinctive smell of AMS airport. It kind of smells like sandals in the baggage area...And I was getting thin with "just give it another 15 mins..."
I go back to customer services who officially declare me as 'stranded.' You don't say?! Well, being 'officially stranded' entitles you to a rather delightful *ahem* care pack that consists of many things you don't really need:
Whilst sitting in BRU our plane was struck by a rather over zealous baggage truck driver. 2 hours later and we were finally allowed to fly to AMS. By this time I had missed my connection. Not a happy bunny. I was hoping I could catch another flight later in the day. No such luck.
I had to wait to fly out the next day. I was on standby for the first flight of the day and definitley had a seat on the second flight. The first flight was oversold soat least I was on the second flight but this meant I would miss my presentation. *Hmph*
I requested that my luggage be given back to me so that I could change clothes and get freshened up etc. After waiting 2 hours there was still no sign of my luggage and I was becoming more and more aware of the distinctive smell of AMS airport. It kind of smells like sandals in the baggage area...And I was getting thin with "just give it another 15 mins..."
I go back to customer services who officially declare me as 'stranded.' You don't say?! Well, being 'officially stranded' entitles you to a rather delightful *ahem* care pack that consists of many things you don't really need:
Yes, it includes toothbrush, toothpaste, deoderant, brush, creme, blah blah blah which is all great. It also comes supplied with a XXXL tshirt and a pair of socks. But where the hell is the underwear? There wasn't even disposable underwear! So unfortunately for me and the guy sitting next to me on the plane lol, I had to go the next day in the same clothes all the way to the States. Yuck!
As if the thought of having to wear your own nickers inside out for another 24 hours wasn't humiliating enough, they had a 'stranded persons' menu at the restaurant which had erm, 2 choices as opposed to the normal menu...nuff said.
Sunday, 9 August 2009
Ziekenhuis
The ambulance crew fitted a neck brace to me before they got me out of the car. I've worn one of these before, and they're the most uncomfortable things ever! Part of me thinks that it's a ploy to distract you from the real pain else where on your body. Luckily this time (and surprisingly), they didn't have me on a back board. The only reason I say luckily is that backboards are also terribly uncomfortable. Or it could be the fact that the last time i was on one, I had actually fractured my spine that made me uncomfortable.
When I got to the ER I was complaining to Sarah and the doctors that the neck brace was really sore. Of course, there was nothing that could be done, I had to wear the brace until all of my scans were complete. I tearily said to Sarah that I was sure that it was cutting of the blood supply to my brain at the back of my neck around my occipital lobe. Sarah confidently replied that actually, all of my major arteries are at the front of my neck and out of harms way.
After all the complaining Sarah had a wee look at the brace and noticed that it was very aptly named - "Stiff Neck brace." ROFTL. Well, if I could have rolled on the floor at that time I would have. We had a good giggle about that. On further inspection, she had a look to see what setting mines was on. You know, giraffe, slightly long neck, fat neck, half a neck...no surprise then that mine was on the setting - "no neck." I kid you not. Again, we couldn't stop laughing and it was starting to hurt me lol. I'm surprised there wasn't a setting called 'brass neck!' Some product manager has a sick sense of humour.
Another thing that was causing me problems in the ER was my bladder et al. I was bursting for the loo but thought it best to wait until all of my scans were complete. 5 hours later and up on my ward, the nurse arrived with a bedpan. A bedpan, might I add, that has to go underneath my 'fractured' spine. Without going in to detail, believe me when I say that lying flat is just not conducive for certain movements. I succumbed, and at one point was making the typical constipated old lady in a hospital groan. Not fun.
The nurses were all very helpful and very congenial. If only they'd remembered to actually plug in my call remote! There was no room service for me for the first 24 hours... ;)
When I got to the ER I was complaining to Sarah and the doctors that the neck brace was really sore. Of course, there was nothing that could be done, I had to wear the brace until all of my scans were complete. I tearily said to Sarah that I was sure that it was cutting of the blood supply to my brain at the back of my neck around my occipital lobe. Sarah confidently replied that actually, all of my major arteries are at the front of my neck and out of harms way.
After all the complaining Sarah had a wee look at the brace and noticed that it was very aptly named - "Stiff Neck brace." ROFTL. Well, if I could have rolled on the floor at that time I would have. We had a good giggle about that. On further inspection, she had a look to see what setting mines was on. You know, giraffe, slightly long neck, fat neck, half a neck...no surprise then that mine was on the setting - "no neck." I kid you not. Again, we couldn't stop laughing and it was starting to hurt me lol. I'm surprised there wasn't a setting called 'brass neck!' Some product manager has a sick sense of humour.
Another thing that was causing me problems in the ER was my bladder et al. I was bursting for the loo but thought it best to wait until all of my scans were complete. 5 hours later and up on my ward, the nurse arrived with a bedpan. A bedpan, might I add, that has to go underneath my 'fractured' spine. Without going in to detail, believe me when I say that lying flat is just not conducive for certain movements. I succumbed, and at one point was making the typical constipated old lady in a hospital groan. Not fun.
The nurses were all very helpful and very congenial. If only they'd remembered to actually plug in my call remote! There was no room service for me for the first 24 hours... ;)
Time for a new perspective.
Believe me when I say that I am relieved to my very core that I'm ok. My mobility is getting better each day which is such a reassuring development for both Sarah and I to see. The more I think about the accident, the more I realise how lucky I was on Monday to be alive let alone minimally injured. Fortunately, this leaves me with an excellent opportunity for some soul searching and a chance to change the things that weren't going so well before the accident. I'm taking it that the accident was my wake-up call.I was lying in bed last night when I began to wonder what if I had died. And what if someone had asked me after death, if you could go back and change some things what would you do differently. Before this week I'd normally answer this question with a rather defiant - "I have no regrets." I know I've made the wrong choices along the way, but at the time, I guess they seemed like the correct decisions for me. Hindsight is indeed a perfect science and after this week, I know there are things I would certainly do differently.
The first answer that popped into my head was to have more PDAs with Sarah. It's not that I'm not big on public affection, I just prefer to keep it between me and Sar. Sarah on the other hand -and which I have the utmost respect for- is a fully paid member of the PDA club.
Next on the list is to rebalance my work-life ratio. At the moment it is severly weighted towards work. I know this can be changed. It has to change.
I also have to get out and meet more people and take more Dutch lessons. This is the main reason why so much of my energy has gone into work.
It's funny, because I know life is too short. Some times it's just too easy to get lost in the day-to-day, forgetting just how short it really is. It's not rocket science. It's just action. I'm sure there will be more things added to this list as the days go on.
Thursday, 6 August 2009
31 year old Scottish female from Geel
This was my identity on Monday 3 August.
Our offices had been closed for 2 weeks for the summer holidays and Monday 3 August was our first day back. After a good night's sleep on the Sunday, I got up and set off for work early eager to get started.
It was a beautiful morning, the sun was coming out and I was looking forward to my week ahead. As I passed through the last section of road before the motorway my day took a dramatic turn. Ahead of me, on the other side of the road, I saw a grey car trying to overtake very quickly and by doing so coming in to my lane. At the same time, the car in front of me tried to swerve to avoid collision and the next thing I know is that the grey car is heading straight towards me and I have no where to go.
"Oh shit!" was my last thought just as our cars impacted and the noise and entaglement begun. Luckily, my brain forseeing the potential for damage, shut me down and I passed out as our cars collided. We proceeded to do a 180 degree turn before coming to a stop and ended up facing in the oppositite direction.
I woke up, I'm not sure how much later, with my head on the air bag of the steering wheel. I could feel my nose dripping and could see blood on my hand. Dazed, I looked around the car and saw the shattered windscreen and the passenger's air bag. I was shocked and confused.
Not too long later, a police officer opened my door and asked me if I was ok. I asked him in Dutch if he could speak English. I had some pain in my arm, legs, back and abdomen. I noticed that there was smoke coming from the car so I tried to get out. He calmly advised me to wait until the ambulance arrived and asked me if there was someone I could call. We called Sarah and told her what happened. I can't remember too much of the conversation but I remember thinking that I must be ok if I could still dial my mobile.
Soon after, I was taken to our local hospital to receive x-rays, CT scans and an ultrasound. Fortunately, everything proved to be in order apart from a compound fracture on my L1 vertebrae. Whilst this was all being investigated, the driver who caused the collision, seemed to be in a much worse condition than me. I considered myself to be very lucky.
I was released from hospital on Tuesday with a back brace that makes me look a cross between a transformer and a power ranger. I was also preparing for approximately 2 months off work but Sarah went to my GP yesterday and we got some unexpected results. My GP has cross-referenced my notes from the hospital to my old medical records, so it turns out that the fracture on L1 is from my sledging accident that I had in Stirling about 8 years ago. Fantastic news! She's also advised that rather than having bed rest, i should try to be more active. I will call her later today for more information as I feel like I want a second opinion from the hospital results.
Our offices had been closed for 2 weeks for the summer holidays and Monday 3 August was our first day back. After a good night's sleep on the Sunday, I got up and set off for work early eager to get started.
It was a beautiful morning, the sun was coming out and I was looking forward to my week ahead. As I passed through the last section of road before the motorway my day took a dramatic turn. Ahead of me, on the other side of the road, I saw a grey car trying to overtake very quickly and by doing so coming in to my lane. At the same time, the car in front of me tried to swerve to avoid collision and the next thing I know is that the grey car is heading straight towards me and I have no where to go.
"Oh shit!" was my last thought just as our cars impacted and the noise and entaglement begun. Luckily, my brain forseeing the potential for damage, shut me down and I passed out as our cars collided. We proceeded to do a 180 degree turn before coming to a stop and ended up facing in the oppositite direction.
I woke up, I'm not sure how much later, with my head on the air bag of the steering wheel. I could feel my nose dripping and could see blood on my hand. Dazed, I looked around the car and saw the shattered windscreen and the passenger's air bag. I was shocked and confused.
Not too long later, a police officer opened my door and asked me if I was ok. I asked him in Dutch if he could speak English. I had some pain in my arm, legs, back and abdomen. I noticed that there was smoke coming from the car so I tried to get out. He calmly advised me to wait until the ambulance arrived and asked me if there was someone I could call. We called Sarah and told her what happened. I can't remember too much of the conversation but I remember thinking that I must be ok if I could still dial my mobile.
Soon after, I was taken to our local hospital to receive x-rays, CT scans and an ultrasound. Fortunately, everything proved to be in order apart from a compound fracture on my L1 vertebrae. Whilst this was all being investigated, the driver who caused the collision, seemed to be in a much worse condition than me. I considered myself to be very lucky.
I was released from hospital on Tuesday with a back brace that makes me look a cross between a transformer and a power ranger. I was also preparing for approximately 2 months off work but Sarah went to my GP yesterday and we got some unexpected results. My GP has cross-referenced my notes from the hospital to my old medical records, so it turns out that the fracture on L1 is from my sledging accident that I had in Stirling about 8 years ago. Fantastic news! She's also advised that rather than having bed rest, i should try to be more active. I will call her later today for more information as I feel like I want a second opinion from the hospital results.
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Only in America part 2
Some chic male American colleagues of mine were out having drink the other day some where in the mid-west when a girl approached them and asked -"Are you gay or European?"
Is being dapperly dressed a trait solely reserved or acceptable on European males???
The joys of jet lag part 3
Now I'm in the dog house because Sarah's sleep was interrupted throughout the night thanks to my insomnia. I feel a temporary move to Gent coming on...
Lagging
Well, I had to satisfy myself with dealing with the neighbour's boyfriend when I went upstairs to discuss their nocturnal washing habits. Haven't heard the machine since.
Typical that my jet lag is persisting so that I'm unable to fully bask in these washing machine free early mornings!
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Some things are different across the pond
I went out with some colleagues for a meal the other week in the US. It was a seafood restaurant so naturally someone ordered fish and chips. What wasn't so natural was the waiter's reply to the order - "Would you like fries with that?"
God bless America!
God bless America!
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Can't sleep part 2
Ok, so I'm jetlagged, but that doesn't excuse my ignorant neighbour from putting on her washing machine at 1.30am and again at 5am does it?
I think I'll be having a wee word with some one later!
I think I'll be having a wee word with some one later!
Jet lag
I just came home on Sunday after a 2 week business trip to the States. I slept most of the day Sunday and the majority of the day Monday. The end result being that I'm now awake on Tuesday morning a 4am.
I think I'll hang fire for another couple of hours to start my day in ernest. Roll on coffee o'clock!
I think I'll hang fire for another couple of hours to start my day in ernest. Roll on coffee o'clock!
Sunday, 19 July 2009
Hotel saga continues
At 2.20am I was rudley awakened by music coming from the room next to me. It took 3 calls to the front desk, 2 security visits and apparantly a quick shag for this motley crew to quieten down.
My bags are packed this evening and if they so much as crack a whisper I will be demanding a new room! And whilst I'm on it, I'll also be complaining about the cost for wireless and the noise air-co system. Grrr!
Not quite what it seemed
How do you know when your free room upgrade to a top floor garden is a rip off?
When there's a live band and a party going outside said room!
Luckily I'm off out tonight!
When there's a live band and a party going outside said room!
Luckily I'm off out tonight!
Saturday, 11 July 2009
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
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