Update. About time!

Ok, so, there's been radio silence for a while. Sorry for that! After a year of posting EVERY day, I got a bit sick of it. BUT, a lot of positive things have happened to me these last few months...

Léon the Australian
A few days after New Year we got in contact with my boyfriend's diving buddy we met at Big Blue Diving Koh Tao (Thailand). He was coming to Brussels, so we invited him to stay at our place for a few days. Léon is an Australian guy, who moved to the UK for his new girlfriend (and to see the world). Because she had to go abroad for work, he thought "Who not visit Brussels while she's away?". And so he ended up spending a few days with us. I introduced him to my family and planned a few 'typical Belgian' things to do. We visited the Atomium, Flanders Fields and of course we went out drinking one night. Glad that last one ended well, because that man can drink...
It was such fun having him around, although I have to be honest that I was a bit uncomfortable going to the bathroom when he was walking around. But we'll sure meet up again!

My new job
I started my new job. I still have to get used to it, because it's totally different from my other one.

5 years of kissing
5 years passed since I kissed my boyfriend for the first time. It happened to be on Valentines Day. But that wasn't really the intention, since we were both drunk. About a month later we became a couple. 
I planned him a surprise dinner, which was funny, because he was a 100% sure we were driving to a certain restaurant we often go to and he was totally wrong.

Road Bike
Finally, I got on the road bike. I found my new passion! I still have to work out how to look good on the bike though. I feel so manly everytime... I already ordered my own bike wear so I don't have to use my boyfriend's stuff. Of course, how could you have guessed!? There's pink in it...

Good Spaghetti and Catching Up

For the first time in my life I can say I enjoyed a plate of Spaghetti Bolognese. My boyfriend is totally addicted to the stuff and everytime he needs to take care of diner, spaghetti is on the menu. As I told you before, cooking with fresh ingredients isn't his strongest side, but today he made fresh sauce and I have to admit is was quite good! But it's still not an excuse to eat it EVERY week!
We had one of my friends for diner. Her boyfriend is a spaghetti addict too. It's been ages since I've seen her last, so it was good to catch up! I had a very nice evening! 

Grown-Up Walrus Fun

I had a night out with a very old friend, Walrus. I hadn't seen her in months, so now I'm back at my hometown there's nothing holding us back from getting together more often.

We first went to a fashion sale from some friends. They cleaned out their closet and had the idea to sell their old clothes. I found a retro styled button-up black dress that's practically never worn. It fit perfectly and I paid 18 euros. My first second hand buy!

After the sale we went for something to drink and chatted a bit. We had lots to talk about. I had fun and it was great to see each other again.
And I'm so happy with my dress!

Happy 25 Party!

A friend from school threw a birthday party. A few friends gathered at his house for a drink and some snacks.
We hadn't seen each other since summer so it was fun to get some updates on everyone.
S. even made cupcakes for everyone. Sooo jummy!

Strong Beers Quiz

OMG! This quiz was sooo hard!
I hardly knew a thing, but it was fun though! 
We ended up at the 11th place. 35 teams subscribed. We did pretty good, thanks to our secret weapon: MR. NB. 
It was a fun night. Fun to see everyone after our trip.

Keep on Trippin'

Day 1
16km (not 20, like I thought yesterday!)
I made it!
Hill up, hill down. Thanks to Ms. S. my feet are A-OK. I got to borrow her walking shoes.
Tomorrow 8km. 
Keep on trippin'!










Day 2
I had no reception up in the woods of La Wallonie. So my blogpost didn't get through!
We walked for 8km today. Through the woods (with no paths), through a horse pasture, through cow shit and mud (sorry Ms. S, I will clean your shoes!). I wasn't keen on walking through the woods. You all know I hate spiders soooo badly + those woods made me think of the forbidden woods from the Harry Potter movies and you have to admit that Hagrid has some huuuge spiders there. I was panicking at one point where I felt something crawling up my face. It was just my hair but I thought it was a spider web with a spider. 
ANYWAY, I made it through these 2 days and I had a lot of fun. I got to know some people a bit better and it made me learn once again that you can be wrong about a people's personality...

TV is a Friend

I had a relaxed night at my friend's new place. All we did was watching TV.
I love it when you can just enjoy each other's company without talking too much.
I needed this so badly, because it's been a crazy day at work. 

I Can't Do 'Nothing'

Yesterday I told you we would be doing absolutely nothing today, but I wasn't telling the whole truth. Around 4 we went for a drink with some friends. I drank a sangria, a tea and a Licor 43 and I have to say that I was a little tipsy. Afterwards we went for a walk with the dog. Again, huge improvement, because half of our walk we didn't have to hold the leash. We also trained on coming to us on demand.

I ended my day with grabbing a road kill from the street on our way home. A little kittycat, maybe 6 months old and still warm. 
You can read about the second 'roadkill save' I did. I'm still convinced it's better to remove them to the side of the road to avoid shocked kids and/or owners. I don't have a problem with doing that. I just worry that people who see me will think I ran the animal over :-)!
I'm a good person! Pat on the back!

Saint Rochus

On the 15th of August there's a tradition
(in honor of St. Rochus) at my hometown, Aarschot. Everyone turns off the lights and surrounds their part of the street with candles. It's a very romantic view and I love it because everyone gets together. It was nice to chat with some old friends and I realized (like every year) I need to come here more often. I sure miss everyone and I'm missing out on some great stories! I need to work on that!

Old Friends, Good Friends

I went for a drink with an old friend today. It's been years and it was very nice to chat again. She hasn't changed a bit and we still have a lot in common, it's like we've never been apart.
We promised each other to stay in touch, because friendship is rare nowadays.

Here's a picture of us in the old days:

These pictures are 8 or 9 years old, if I'm not mistaking.
I have found worse on my old hard drive, but I think this one's enough :-) !

Drinking and testing

We are invited to a BBQ.
I'm not the responsible driver tonight. I'm drinking too.
We took our tent and our new sleeping bag with us to try it out.
U just went peeing on a toilet full of spiders, so I think I'm ready to handle Thailand.
Go for it L.!

Superstition

I don't believe in God, but I am superstitious.
My mom always told me that when you light a candle for someone, it brings good luck.
Every time I went to an exam, she lit a candle. I never failed, except for that one time she didn't. 

Today, I light a candle for a friend. Her son needs to go into the hospital tomorrow morning for surgery.
I hope everything will turn out fine!
xL.

(The candle with Mary is just a coincidence!
My boyfriend likes to give me 1 euro to buy crap at a cheap crap store)

Ready for Tomorrow

One of our good friends is getting married and I've been waiting for this day a long time. That dress I was making, was for this wedding.. 
I'm ready for tomorrow! I just have to paint my nails, put on some make up and do my hair.

I remember the day the couple told us they were getting married.
A few weeks before the guy was preaching he thought it was stupid to get married and he didn't want to do it. He could show his love for her in other ways.
So I thought he was kidding when he told us.
Funny :-)
I think they are cute together, don't you think?
A picture of the happy couple the night they told us the news:

Late Birthday Present

I went to Antwerp with a few of my old classmates today. Because my birthday is right before exams, we always get together during summer. First we went shopping and in the evening we went to diner. I found a cardigan and a dress in sale and a blouse from the new CKS collection. I love this brand!

A fun day and evening! It's been a long time since we've seen each other, so we had lots to talk about!

As a late birthday present I got a travel diary and a voucher to get a backpack or something else 'adventurous'! I love these guys!

Cheese

Sunshine, great company and cheese :-) !

Rock The Boat

I skipped spinning class yesterday, with a good reason!

My boyfriend's best friend is leaving tomorrow for a two month trip at sea and we were invited to check out the boat he's travelling with. He's working for a German company at the Port of Antwerp, so it's not a de-stressing holiday he's facing. He will be working quite hard. 
He's really looking forward to it and he wanted to do this for a very long time, so everyone went to the harbor to support him yesterday.

Boy, was I glad that I came along with everyone, because it was mind blowing! What a huuuuge boat, unbelievable! I felt a bit Titanic-panic, but it disappeared right away! They were loading the boat, so we weren't going to 'sail out' anyway... No fear needed! At least not until we went to check out the loading departments. OMG! They were so deep and I was standing there, on the edge, with my fear of heights, holding on tight to the rails. But it didn't take long until this fear faded away too. 
So there I was... Invincible... On a huuuuge boat. I'm still excited about it!

Don't worry, I did my exercise for the day! We went to climb 'some' stairs to the top, to the steering cabin. We had an amazing view on Antwerp from up there! I was stunned how high this boat was!

After the captain's view, we also visited the engine room and the seaman's cabins. 
We drank a Cola at his pretty roomy cabin (I expected a super small room) and asked millions of questions about Pirates, seasick puke and storms. I have learned so much about his job yesterday and we are all proud he's going to do this.

Good luck D., be safe and see you soon!

xL.