my quaint world

Summer is almost here!

At the first sight of the sun, the singing of birds begun, greenery everywhere, people alive again, vibrant after months of hibernation.

People everywhere. People busily shopping in the city centre. People sitting at the terraces, a beer in hand and faces looking straight at the beam of the sun. Very often, you can see the endless streams of smoke from the bbq pits chimneying out from the gardens and the tantalizing smell, of course.

People flocking around the lakes. People cycling. People walking in their colours.

This also means the start of endless invitation to bbqs, outdoor cafes, cycling, running, sunning, beach, parties and festival.

Ah, life begins!

First bbq of summer 07 :)


Nicely set table - flowers, candles, nuts, chips, dips, crackers and champagne to begin the evening.


After hours of talking and sipping, finally the food is cooking :)

Well done marinated meat from the butchery, bbq-ed by the host while we still continue talking and sipping our endless wines. Once everything is ready, we all sat down and dinner commences.

Followed by desert. Then coffee or tea. Lastly, a shot or two of after-dinner Finnish liquer.

Food was damn yummy though! (Especially the mediterranean salad!)

I do miss the asian style of bbq - the hustle bustle, chicken wings, fishball, otak, hotdogs (plus taiwan version, mee hoon with curry chicken, hidden beneath the grill - corns and sweet potatoes... Mmm, perhaps this summer, I shall throw an Asian bbq.

Could someone write me the secret recipe to marinate the chicken wings please?

Woa guys, check this out - Noble House reviewed by our very own food blogger from Klang, Jackson.

My tummy didnt stop growling since I saw those pictures :)

I wanna go there next time I am home!!!

Did I tell you yet about my new best friend? Nope, no diamond in sight. It a Mio 510E.

Its a good bargain for all the benefits that comes with it - low price, compact design, easy to operate, accurate, speed camera warning, speed warning and most important of all, it brings me to wherever I want to go!

Though I must say a very smart device needs a smart user also. There was many moments of my fumbling around this device (too lazy to read the manual) that lead me elsewhere, but thank goodness, with a good instinct of mine with Mio's fast recalculate capability, I managed to get back on track!

Yesterday was day in Brussels for myself. With the guidance of Mio, I managed to go to Aspria for the much needed Dermalogica facial. Then I discovered the parts of Brussels that I am ever confused with - Avenue Louise, Avenue de la Toison d'Or and the Madou area.

I ate lunch, did a bit of shopping and found the highly recommended Japanese noddle bar (and its opening hours) ... Alas, it was closed when I was there.

Twas suppose to be a kayaking day but due to unpredictable belgian weather, it was called off. But we only discovered that it was cancelled AFTER we met up at Rond Point Schuman.

(I successfully maneuvered myself there with my ever realiable Mio. 30 mins from home, missing a few turns here and there. Another new spot in Brussels learnt!)

And we decided instead to try to go kayaking ourselves. Someone heard about Kayak Blues in Dinant. So, off we went to Dinant - a very picturesque town!

(An hour from Brussels. And I was the driver. Bravo!)


Dinant is a Belgian municipality located on the River Meuse in the province of Namur. Its historical with origins dated back to about the 10th century. It survived battles during the late middle ages, detructions from the old regimes (French, Austrians) and then World War I with invasion of German troops.

Dinant is also the hometown of Mr. Sax. Yes, the inventor of saxaphone.

Upon arrival, we first sat ourselves in a quaint little patisserie. With each a hot cup of cafe in hand, we got acquainted with each other. The conversations kept on flowing. From the stories of how we each landed in Belgium, to interesting tales of living in belgium experiences, relationships, childhoods, family history, cultures etc etc...

Then we moved on to a restaurant for lunch. Yes, moving from one table to another. We continued to chat hobbies. books. religions. politics. tony blair. while we fed ourselves. I had Tagliatelle Cabonara (with a raw egg!) Yum!

Finally, we are ready to discover Dinant (like a real tourist!)


La Merveilleuse - is considered to be one of the most beautiful grottoes in Belgium. One can find many white, fine stalactites, stalagmites and magnificent 'waterfalls' - as captured in picture below. (6 euro to enter + guided tour)


Thereafter, we decided to brave the 420 steps which leads up to the Citadel, perched 100m above the city. The Citadel was first built in the 11th century to control the Meuse valley, destroyed by the French in 1703 and rebuild in 1821 by the Dutch. It played an important role in fighting the invading Germans troops in 1914.

The view from up there was breathtaking. As you can see, the town depicts a rather medieval setting.


The city's landmark is the Collegiate (Church) of Notre-Dame, rebuilt in Gothic style on its old foundations after apparently falling rocks from an adjacent cliff partially destroyed the former Romanesque church in 1227.


Mmm, that explains why I felt the onion dome didnt really fit the more elaborated base.


And while we were there, we kidded around the children playground, swinging ourselves silly.


Apparently also, (after more reading up since I was back), the Leffe beer, one of Belgium's most popular special beers has been brewed by monds since 1240 in Dinant. The abbey of Leffe is the building across the river, on the right edge. You've gotta try Leffe Blonde!


Oh yea, I did say we will TRY to go kayaking but naturally, no one pushed too hard for it. Also, we took the cable car instead of tumbling down the 420 steps :)

It was a lazy Sunday. And a lovely one.

Speaking about Trets, it the annual buddhist camp organised by SGI Belgium. It will be held from June 30 - July 4 @ European Cultural Centre which is in Trets, near Marseille (I've booked my Thalys tickets!!!)

I've just looked at the collection of pictures from the 2007 Trets Course of Holland and I love this particular picture. It gives me a sense of serenity.


I wanna take many pictures of this sort but I do not have a telescopic lens so I guess I have to creep up close to take these kind of picture. I hope I will not scare anyone off hehehe.

The other thing is, I have to accelerate my learning of French or Flemish as that will be the official language used during the camp. I just realised French will be much easier to pick for the much similarity of vocabularies to English. I will listen to Michel Thomas diligently, daily.

I really look forward to Trets!

I bought a Canon 350D 1.5 years ago. Been shooting with it leisurely and occasionally ><

Here's one of my leisure composition - 'Man in the Sun' :)

I had a dream. I wanted to be a photographer that could take pictures which could touch ones' heart. Pictures that tell stories. Pictures that hold still time.

Anyway, I had been lazy. As usual.

NOW I have a great opportunity now. In the upcoming SGIB Tret's course, I have been assigned to be a part of the photography team. We will be capturing the moments during the buddhist course to preserve the memories and also, we will be making a souvinir to be presented to Sensei.

So, finally, I moved my butt and completed my first online course. Its a short and easy intro to DSLR from Canon. Check it out if you are also interested!

I figured out. I shall not make it too complicating.

So, this is it. Simple and nice. Small bits of colourful here and there to spice things up.

Though I am just missing photoshop program in my pc to edit the lovely pictures to show to you people ;)

Sometimes, its just too difficult to share it all here. On one hand, I know many of my dear friends out there are reading me. On the other, I always pride myself (try my best to...) to be a honest and honest kind of person. Just to say my thoughts without first filtering and rearranging the thoughts strategically for sake of everything else.

I try. I try. I try.

Open communication is the very start of forging a strong base for common understanding among us people. Thus, this can bring us peace and happiness in our lives. In our world.

Though sometimes, I think my T4s and TSHs (thyroid hormones) is acting too much on me and turning my world round and round till I am feeling a little schizophrenic. I do take my pills at bedtime, like a good ol girl.

Just need to find that drive.

What do you do when you have a circuit board, which you fixed up on your own from the first resistors till that complicated damn thing which is not working?

What do I do?

1. Do I chug it away and buy a new DIY pack?
2. Do I try to trace the entire circuitry from very beginning to detect resistor or capacitor or transistor which is inverted?
3. Do I tear it apart and start putting it together from scratch?
4. Do I just leave it like that on the shelf, hoping one day magic will happen?

Though there is no more anxiety, fear or any kind of those. Just wanna fix that damn thing.

Feel like adding colours to my life!

I am half way done but I gotta run now so I hope it won't be too strong for your eyes! :)

Got these at 3 pots for 2 bucks. Lovely ain't they!

My mind has been constantly about Japanese cuisine lately! I couldn't get my hands on good sushi (at reasonable price) so today I decided to take it in my own hands.

Yep, I made California Sushi and Tofu Mushroom Miso Soup.

But I couldn't find my sushi mat so I had to improvise and rolled it on silver paper. They were all out of shape!


Miso Soup (portion for 1)

- 3 cups of water
- 1/2 pack of Shimaya Bonito Dashi
- a handful of wakame
- 30 1cm cubes tofu
- many many mushrooms
- 2 tablespoon Shiro Miso paste

I guess I can be quite domineering at times. In the sense of trying to impose my ideas. Which generally is, that everyone think their ideas are the best.

Nevertheless, I try to constantly remind myself that, I am not the 'rightest'. Nor the most correct. For I do not stand in the show of others to perceive things the way it is really perceived.

But us, as human beings, we can't see ourselves, can we? What we only have is the illussion of our physical self thru the reflection in the mirror. Then we can only see that we have a smudge on our face, if there is.

Domineering I may seems to be, but please trust that I only have the best intentions for you. For others. For all. To tell the truth seen with my eyes and heart.

It may not be all correct. But take a minute to breathe it in, ponder and let it go if I was wrong.

As simple as that. But it is also the most difficult to do.

Do the same to me, as I would do to you. With love, of course.

This sight was rather ridiculous but I found it amusing as well. Only in Brussels, right at the doorstep of my office ;)

I've been trying to learn about myself. To discover. To ponder deeper. To reflect.

All in the effort and will to live a free live. To live a life free from perceptions, expectations, cultural or just rules governing the society. (I am not so good in expressing myself in words but I am sure you get what I mean)

I want to live like I want to.

I want to eat what I like, when I like. Instead of depending on where my colleagues would like to go for lunch today.

I want to read under the sun back at the balcony. Instead of worrying what neighbours might say.

I dress in big red as I feel like. Instead of worrying I might be laughed at for looking like a clown.

I dance to the beat like no ones watching me. Instead of worrying that I look like a jumping lunatic.

I want sing to the world. And I will sing it eventhough it may sound bad. (Reaaally bad!!!)

I call a friend when I feel like. Instead of worrying that she might feel like talking to me.

I take an ice cream while walking at the park. Instead of worrying about my extras. (Am strong believer in exercising)

I say sorry I am not up to party tonite cuz I am tired. Instead of draggin my feet there just for the sake of going.

But its certainly not something easy. It is difficult not because others is stopping me but my deepest self. Yes, the inner voice. Sometimes the voice is unsure, sometimes the voice hesitate, sometimes the voice shy away.

It is all about the way of living. And its a life long learning experience.

Don't get me wrong, I am not into criminology nor terrorism :) Nor is it about living a life discarding responsibilities.

I can't wait till I am there! I can imagine the exhilaration of living which is already pulsating in me while I am learning this skill of 'free living'.

Last night, I watched my very first basketball match.

It was qualifying match for Belgium National League, a game between Roya Atomia Brussels vs Spirou Basket Charleroi.

Though, I didn't know either of both the teams, it was very fast that I got all hyped up, excited and screaming my head off. Hehe. Though there was no cute players to feast my eyes on :(


The crazy supporters throwing toilet paper rolls. Even equipped with their own drummers.


Although my stomach got better of me and we left to eat wanton noodles soup after half-time... hehehe, I learnt a lot about basketball this night!!!

I thought I knew about it all already (since I used to play 'bola jaring') but I just found I know nuts! ;)

Its Spring!

It was a beautiful day. Blue blue sky with shiny sun. The temperature was at about 28 degree. So I packed in some food, fruits and drinks into the ice box and we went lazing about by a lake.


Pretty ain't they, these tiny little wild flowers!


Pink flowers, almost 'cheery blossom' lookalike blooming everywhere! I don't know what is the name for these flowers though. There are also white ones which are really really lovely too.


All the trees sprouted new young leaves which has very light greenish colour. This gives the entire landscape a very lively and energised feel.

All these beauty in the world makes me happy!

Psst, though I wouldn't say this hot weather is too normal for Spring time. I do worry for our earth is indeed ill seeing all the odd weather changes around.

Well, if you would have asked me, how has it been lately? I would say, I wish it could have been better. Past weeks has been terrible. And it keeps going etc etc etc.

Perhaps, it is the expectations I started to build on people around me?

I am still pondering about it, why and how do I let this phase pass me by.

It could be due to the fatigue from travelling, or my missing of meds.

I feel very so alone in this world. It is not about loneliness. But I just felt INSIGNIFICANT.

This evening I was sitting in the Waterloo station. A Burger King Whopper in hand. 100 people passing by per min. But I am just invisible. I just watched them. One by one.

A pregnant lady with a beaming face stroking her tummy as she chats her way. A little girl in pink dress, white knee high sock and pink shoes hopping by. A man in suit with a frown, thinking. A girl in filmsy white spagettin boobing away. A man with curly hair watching her boobs. Ladies in groups chatting aloud.

And they just kept passing by. Each in their own lives. Own worlds.

I took the train back to Brussels. I took the taxi back to home. I laid on my bed. Alone.

My phone didnt even beeped for once.

Am I slowly slipping away from this universe?

I'd just wanna share about Chinese New Year which is a rather important celebration for us Chinese people. I just love it. Its so much fun.

The festivities. The mood. The food.

Well, as every year, my mom takes it in her hands to decorate our house. Our new house btw :) Its very typical - the hampers, the mandarin oranges, lots lots of cookies and the stick-plant where if the white cotton-like balls bloom into flowers means good luck will befall the home. And ours bloomed like crazy!


Reunion dinner on the eve. All home cooked by my mom. Yummy-licious!


The lion dance troop. A must to make helluva of noises. Err means to bring prosperity (I think).


The gallant and colourful lions.


Girls in tradional Chinese dresses - Cheong Sam.


Gambling! May you be lucky to win monies.


More gambling. There were too many people in my house that we lost count of how many.


A very happy uncle. Quite drunk actually. Hehe.


More lions gracing households.


The lions' funny companion. I don't know his significance. I think he has something to do with happiness.


Firecrackers. Helluva of noises again. Brings prosperity.


Relatives home visiting each other.


Seeing my lovely god-daughter again!


More relatives from my dad's side.


A must eat dish during the new year. We have to toss the food as high as possible all together using stickies. The higher = more good fortune.


Lunch and catching up with my best mates. Bah Kut Teh (Stewed Pork with Herbs in Claypot) is one of the best delicacies found in my hometown.


After-dinner-making-funny-faces photo taking with my little niece.


My family! All under one roof!

One of the best parts is that if you are not married, all the older and married ones has to give you red packets which contains monies inside. I collected enough to last me that entire week ;)

Psst, I know the picture quality has not been at its best. Sorry!!! Been too busy eating, I forgot to tune my camera properly.

Oooh I miss you so...

After all the festivities and travels, I feel so heavy and lethargic.

So I signed up at the gym. For a year.

At the gym here, there is no nice glass door bathrooms like those we find in Fitness First.

They have a huge bathroom with 10 shower heads. So we all shower together. Big. Small. Fat. Thin. White. Black. Yellow. Hair. Hairless.

And I saw for the first time, the pinkest nipples ever. Rose Pink.