Friday, February 8, 2013

Belgium Day 78: Drive-by Shooting

I have a collection of photos taken while driving.  While it is not ideal to take photos on a pocket camera, or without even looking at the camera, the priority has to be on safe driving.  Thus, my collection of drive-by shooting is rather imperfect.  I hope you can see the beauty in the moments I was compelled to try to capture in spite of my haphazard method.











Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Belgium Day 68: A time to rend and a time to sew

I've had two requests lately to make a post regarding my typical schedule.  Unlike past schedules  my current life is a bit more like Dry Toast.

My typical weekday:

0500 Wake up, start studying
0800 Breakfast, bath, continue reading/writing
1200 Lunch, M/W/F followed by studying.  T/TH followed by immunotherapy shots.
1600 Mail check
1730 Dinner, followed by more studying/reading/writing
2145 Bed

To put into context the academics: since I began this schedule in November I have completed 3 classes to date, with one more concluding this Saturday.  This means an entire calendar year of graduate full-time course work has been squashed into 88 days inclusive of Saturday's final. With two classes followed by research, it kinda makes one wonder what I will do with all my free time...

Of course, I've already begun layering in French, Arabic, and possibly even Turkish into my schedule, but classes won't start until Monday of next week.  I know you were really worried about the timing of the final on Saturday verses new coursework, but it will all work out so take heart.  I am excited to finally have formal academic classes in Arabic and have the time carved out to dedicate to French.  My reward for making it through this week (and it is a demanding week!) is go to a museum on Sunday for the free admission day.  

30 days into the 2013 GOALS and I believe I am making headway.  Gains have been made for goals # 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, & 11.  In order to attempt to stay on track for 100 books, I've had to up my pages of non-academic reading per day from 5 to 11.  I've ordered two new cookbooks I am really excited to use for goal 6, but they haven't arrived yet.  I will post a bunch of misc photos next week. Hope you have had a productive January.  Get ready for a short and sweet February!

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Belgium: Day 44- Brussels continued

"Manneken Pis" the little man pees landmark of Brussels from 1618.

Huge crowd in the street just trying to snap a photo.  Apparently they love to dress him up in different clothes, even when it was first made. They also love to make him into magnets, candies, gifts, and t-shirts.  It is rumored that occasionally he will be hooked up to a keg of beer for locals to fill their cups.  The statue has been stolen multiple times, but always gets returned eventually.

In a candy shop.

And of course as a candy.


The Statue in "Chocolate" eating a waffel.  

Friday, January 4, 2013

Belgium: Day 43- Brussels

How do ya like them waffles?!


Sheep Gingerbread.

Clever. 

Love.  At first sight!  Wooly sheep made out of chocolate. Brilliant! 


Fun!

I love that people hold hands.


Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year! Best Wishes!

2012 GOAL REVIEW:

12. get skinny (fail, gained 8 pounds. oh well, try again)
11. finish a Master's Degree (ok, well one is done, didn't have a clue i'd be doing two)
10. see a NEW country (Belgium, England)
9. learn to cook something new (Chicken Tortilla Soup, YUM).
8. read more (didn't work perfectly, but at least 2 books a month)
7. pray more (still room to grow)
6. take a vacation ( fail )
5. get a new lens for camera and learn how to use it well (got a new camera, and had lens accident this week)
4. save money (fail, thanks to school)
3. sleep more (fail)
2. try to improve my situation at DLI (CALT, PIE Conference, Chief Union Steward)
1. be nicer (fail)


2013 GOALS:

12. lose 15 kilos
11. get my leg strength back from break
10. apply for Belgian PhD program
9. improve my French seriously
8. improve my Arabic seriously
7. CELTA somehow
6. learn to cook 12 new things
5. read 100 books
4. finish both Master's Degrees
3. go see three new countries (France, Turkey, .....????)
2. take 10 really great photos
1. spend more time with people i love

Every year is a chance to get it right! :D

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry & Bright

Gifts for me!


Not so sure about these shoes!



Gifts from my parents!

Cupcake break! 

Tea set from England!  Very sweet pattern.  

TWO new rat-babies!?  I will shake them both!

LOVE

So excited!


She pounced on this Zebra-baby from Auntie Anita & Uncle Don and would NOT let me touch it. HERS. ONLY! 
I did not pose this dog.  She likes being photographed and she LOVES getting presents.  

Snuggling Lambchop from her Grammy Deany. Notice there is a brown rat-baby under her chin, too.  



Christmas Eve- Part 3


A Very Merry Ink!










So in my family we have a tradition of Christmas Eve p'jammas. Inky was allowed to open hers from her Auntie Anita and Uncle Don.  





Since my Christmas Eve jammas didn't arrive, I got to open something else.

Garnets from James Avery!


Mons

Tried to go to Midnight Mass (not Catholic, but thought it would be cool) but apparently it was not happening .