I don't care about clever, I don't care about funny

Sometimes, I am sure all of us do it, I wake up and just think that life can be great. 

Today Emme left, leaving our apartment somewhat a little emptier and quieter, but I know she is moving on to bigger and better things, and now she is only a 2 hour train ride away as opposed to a 24 hour flight away.! I will miss her dearly, however, since our friendships seems to have blossomed a great deal over the past 3 months.

Mum left on Sunday, taking with her a heap of experiences through Belgium, Scotland, Ireland and Prague. While I can't post anything on here of her trips with Em, I will show some of the highlights of Prague...

This first one was quite eery and kinda summed up our entire experience of Prague: macabre (as mum so eloquently put it). Currently, the czech republic has been in the news with a great deal of focus on their sculptor/artist David Czerny. While he wasn't permitted to present his work during the communistic regime, he certainally has flourished since. If you look carefully, this first one looks like a man hanging from a window, and apparently hundreds of tourists notify 'authorities' every year about this guy. Wierd, but made us laugh!

This one is the astronomical clock located on the old city hall, and the little figurines on the sides dance (including one skeleton) for around 10 seconds every hour. Not sure why it is so important, but was quite nice.
Had to enclose another Czerny. Also wierd (very strong fascination with death, ghosts, myths etc). This one was just hanging in a shopping mall. Nice.
A little more less death orientated was our visit to the Dvorak hall to see the string section of Czech philharmonic playing some chamber music from Mozart and other composers, along with a concerto for Marimba with the most fascinating young Austrian performer. We paid next to nothing for our tickets, and had the most first class performance. Would highly recommend to anyone visiting (with a slight interest in classical music however!)

Mum and I went on two free walking tours through the city, and learnt more than we could have from the lonely planet. Were very content with our guide, and whilst it was FREEZING cold (-11°C), I thoroughly enjoyed what the city had to offer.

Next (after Tom has finished his exams: 2 to go...) - onto London, maybe back to the Netherlands, then Vienna, then home. Let's just hope that the histogenex bonus is healthy enough to support our indulgent habit...!

One step closer

It's official... Tom is actually attending our wedding! 

Today, we are once again a few euros lighter after booking his ticket (with confirmation from two more friends who also booked today - yay!). 

Next steps: Tom's suit, rings, paying off my dress (grrr!) and all the stuff mum wants to talk about!

It's been quiet around here since the other two Christiansen girls have taken off trecking around kilt-country, followed by Ireland, but am looking forward to seeing them again in a week in Dublin. At least Tom will have some much needed rest!

Have once again commenced my studies. This time have taken a totally different (and dare I say it - not yet as interesting) path but am keen to get into it again, even if it means less time with the beloved TV (ha!).

Whoops

It may appear that we have fallen beneath the radar, but rest assured that we are still here. Just a quicky before I go to bed, and will update more in the new year. Most of all, no matter where you are, we hope you have/had a fantastic holiday period, and a healthy and happy 2009. This proves to be a big year for us, with Tom (hopefully) completing the Bachelor part of his degree and of course, the wedding...

So a quick pic of Em - since she has been here for more than two months and I havent shown her yet! She had a great time in Salamanca and Barcelona and even squeezed in a level I Spanish course!

Emme and other catastrophes

My dear, beloved sister arrived on the 22nd of October, and what a great reunion. Without going into too much personal detail of her past, it was a much needed 'run-away' and despite having quite a small appartment, my family will always be welcome to stay with us. 10 days after her arrival, she headed off again, and is now galavanting around southern europe, trying to absorb the final rays of sun before the cold winter really sets in, and she finds herself moving into a cold dark flat in London. Now one more Christiansen female to make it over here, and we can celebrate Christmas in full Australian style (much to the discomfort of any Belgians present, I'm sure). I just don't know where I am going to find a cricket bat made from 4x2, which will be used to play 'French Cricket' in our small, probably muddy communal yard. I will perservere however...

Tonight brings the first of the concerts/festivals of the week, in the form of Natalia. I am still contemplating whether or not to go after a rather embarrassing cause of events resulting in a nocturnal visit to the accidents and emergencies wing of our local hospital and am not sure whether I have fully recovered from my constant need to do pee pee. But they have given me some antibiotics (trust me, I don't take medication too easily, but when it comes to toilet trips every 5 minutes, any relief is fantastic!) so hopefully that will be cleared up sooner rather than later.!

This is our decision, to live fast and die young.

November appears to be the month of concerts...

While I am a mad MGMT fan, we werent quite on time to get tickets for them, but this is hopefully for the best due to the timing of their show...

Emme arrives on wednesday (22 Oct), and Tom and I will be at the airport with bells on awaiting her arrival! A week later, I will be living a decadent life-long dream witnessing the artistic work displayed by the cirque du soleil. However, November is appearing to be the ball-breaker for this little Aussie: Firstly, I will be heading to the sportpaleis in Antwerpen to see Natalia (very famous Kylie Minogue Belgian equivalent) with the colleagues on teh 10th of November. Fortunately enough, the 11th is a holiday here... The 15th brings a huge party in Gent (with some of our friends in the UK driving over for it) also known as I love techno. However, the 16th November has been long booked with our faves: Sigur Ros. Don't know how our poor bodies will handle this, but fortunately, we couldn't make it to MGMT on the 14th of Nov, otherwise Sigur Ros would be an absolute disaster.

AM so excited for the following weeks... Such a social agenda again, before I start studying again...! No complaining this end however!

x

Hildeken's 40th

After a rushed visit to the NL, we drove a few hundred km to attend the 40th of Tom's 2nd cousin in 'the Flanders' (east flanders) - everyone has a slightly odd dialect there! As always, Hildeken planned a party with style, lots of delicious food, and DJ Ronny (who seems to have a thing for slows!). Was a fun night, but both Tom and myself were completely knackered, resorting to singing daggy 80s numbers in the car on the way home to keep ourselves awake. "I'm gonna keep on loving you.... if it's the only thing that I can do.....I don't wanna sleep, I just wanna keep on lovin' you" etc.

This first photo is one of Inge (Tom's sister) and Niels.

Maggie, Loreine (Tom's mum) and Hildeken (the birthday girl)

Here we have Pepe busting up a serious move on the dry-ice infested dance floor. Never ceases to amaze me! He always comes to every party in a full suit (usually his green one) and tie, and boogies his way through the night using beer as his fuel. Then walks home and is quite fine the next day. He is coming to Australia as well, next year, so look out!

You're my medicine, open up and let me in

Nothing sweeter than hearing Ben Harper soulfully covering the classic Marvin Gaye number, Sexual Healing. Perfect weekend anthem...

Today was the funeral. Yesterday was the wake. Many tears fell which will no longer come back, but the stocks have been replenished for the next event - hopefully something which makes us laugh so hard, it is beyond making a sound. I had only met Nonkel Erik once - at that stage he was already severly damaged by the horrible degenerative dementia/alzheimers, yet he still looked quite well so there was no need to fear the worst. It had been a year or so since the previous time Tom visited, and the downhill slide had been apparently freakishly rapid. From someone who forgot what he wanted to say, to a dear, not-so-old man who was unable to walk anymore and only able to communicate with his eyes. A healthy, very fit and active, fresh-fish small business owner, who thought the world of his family (where the feeling was equally given in return) is no longer, and it has affected the Matheus extended family heavily.

Ironically enough, we have a wedding (on the other side of the family) within two weeks, so I am hoping that this event will use the newly replenished tear reserves, and nothing so tragic as what we have seen this weekend.

Tot de volgende keer, nonkel Erik. Ik hoop dat ik met u in het volgende leven op een terasje iets kunnen gaan drinken en hopelijk zie jij dat Tom heeft zijn trien gevonden. Santé.

Erik De Troyer 1 Sep 1939 - 4 Mar 2007

Happy Carnival, Birthday, Chinese New Year, and Brazililan Street Parade

Firstly for my beautiful little sister,
Happy birthday to you
You live in a zoo,
you look like a monkey
and you smell like one too.

Love you Emme - hope you had a beautiful 24th birthday, and that you find a place to live soon. For those of you who don't know, Em has just arrived home after a 6 week trek through south east asia (with her dux uni colleage, Lisa - the incredibly tall girl in the photo) and is back just in time to start full time work (after many a long year at uni) in west-end. But, they have nowhere to live (at this moment), and the prices to rent are apparently disgustingly high. But - em, glad you wrote yourself off - nice to see you haven't lost your touch!

But the 18th of February seemed to have a special meaning in all continents today: Most importantly, in Belgium - Carnival (a bit like the Rocky show, with the same sort of crowd...). Because carnival is held in the home town of Tom's mother, I always feel obliged to go, but ended up going for a walk in the big park of Antwerp instead. So.... next year, maybe I will take a visit to Aalst to see everyone with, and without teeth, and men dressed as women (de vuile janetten - literally translated as the dirty poofs). We also noticed that huge festivals in Rio De Janiero, Naples, and Germany. But, I think the biggest of all, was of course the Chinese New Year. So, now that you are 24, Emme, you also share your Chinese horoscope with this year: The Pig - I just felt that it was necessary to share that you have the symbol of the pig, while I have the symbol of the cute monkey! Nice sister that I am!

I hope this 18th of February was a nice one for all out there. We have just finished the most wonderful, relaxing weekend - no stress from uni now that we have both flown through with shining colours. Dunno when the next weekend like this one will occur!

Leave me out with the waste, this is not what I do

Eeeeek - the silly season has finally hit me! Had a chat with Kelly Chan a few weeks ago, and she commented that there is a chronic lack of the 'silly season' here, but she has decided to take the initiative and create her own version, and now I have decided to jump aboard! Firstly, with arranging a group of colleagues to go to see the scissor sisters... When I first started working, it was rather unheard of to associate with colleagues outside of work, so I am proud of introducing at least something to that environment. However, I am still waiting for the web to authorise bookings... so I am a little nervous that it will be sold out before I manage to book our outing! Oh well - maybe something else.

For the first time this year, I had to scrape ice off the car this morning. It's funny - I went to work, and commented that it must have frozen last night (hence the reason for ice) and I was surprised at the amount of people who told me that it didn't. So somewhere along the line, water decided to start freezing at temperatures above zero. Funny - all that learning in school didn't teach me that the rules change depending on who you talk to (ooooh - sarcastic bitch, aren't I?). But, after around 5 minutes of scraping, Gust managed to put-put all the way to work withough hassle. He only coughed a little before starting, so I am proud of him.

Have also received some photos from my family this week - Emme just graduated, so I am so proud (not to mention wildly jealous) of her. Plus, my mum has trimmed down a bit, going to the gym regularly, and somehow managed to un-age! Good going family. Oh, and there's dad too! Still managing to look great! So, since I am in a silly mood - here's a dedication to my wonderful family, who have to put up with so much from me! xxx

You know the Devil's Water it ain't so sweet

Having trouble getting onto blogger at home, so this will have to be a rushed work-post...

Just finished a relatively relaxed weekend, with 2 memorable moments. Firstly, on Saturday night, we ate in the most classy restaurant I have ever eten, feasting on Goose Liver with poached pear (my favourite - I told myself that the Goose had a wonderful long life and they only took the liver out after it died of natural causes), something with salmon, something with calf, and something with chocolate, plus a full range of wines (no Tim, not complaining about the weather and football results). It was in aid of Tom's mum's birthday, so I dont think we will ever be able to pay for a dinner there again...

Second eventful activity was at the soccer - Tom and I went to see his team play another team in the Rivierenhof (remember last year mum?) - the other team is notoriously competitive (mind you, the people in this division are mostly office workers sporting a beer belly and smokers cough...) and the coaches (yes, more than one) were comedically vocal - to the point of running on the field and screaming in the ref's face. It became so bad at one point that one of 'our' supporters told one of the other supporters to pipe down and relax a little, which proved to be the wrong thing, as soonly after, fists were being thrown around! I couldnt believe it! I ended up trying to hold our guy back and before I knew it, the entire team was also joining us! How excitement - I have finally been in my first sport thug fight! Ultimately, nobody was hurt, but the entire team later asked me why I was in the fight (not realising that I was a peace worker!). Toms team eventually just won and there were no injuries so we were all happy!

I've got too much life, running through my veins, going to waste

Robbie Williams has finally been witnessed in person by me! What an exciting evening... We departed nice and early to ensure a parking place and a quick bite before the concert. So, we pulled up, stepped out (34°C) and there were millions of Fries stalls with the choice of either steaming hot fries or hamburgers (here this means the offle stuff which caused the mad-cow problem a few years back on a bit of bread with ketchup). so I opted for the fries with tartare sauce option. We all wolfed these down (we being Tom, Inge, Mother in law and myself - quite a lovely little family affair), and then plodded along to King Boudewijn stadium. This was originally built as a football stadium which holds 55000 people, but deemed unsafe for football - but for some reason it's ok to hold a music concert there (which holds more when the middle is full...). We rocked up (ha, pun) just in time for the end of the opening program (cant remember the name of the group, but quite good), and waited for the middle program (yes, robbie appears to be so big that he has a before, and middle program...) The middle program was Basement Jaxx - which was really exciting! Two huge black women who can sing the arse of most people (with boobs bigger than my head by the way) but they provided a fantastic warm-up!

After another half hour break, Robbie finally entered after a display of fire-works and fire-balls being thrown into the sky. I have to admit, I dont really like any of his new music - but I just wanted to see the show, and hear some of the old music. He even did a tacky old Take That number, and I dagily sung along! Nice that he also mingled with the crowd, inviting any boobs to be shown. Mine stayed snug in my shirt, but, if i happened to be in the front row, Im not sure they would have stayed there (hi dad!!).

Anyway, show ended, we strolled back to the car - around 11pm. Expected a traffic jam for around an hour, so that was no surprise exiting the carpark. However, didnt expect the extra traffic jam around the Brussels ring, nor the road blockage between Brussels and Antwerp after midnight. So, all four tired, hungry and cranky of us had a lovely ride home hearing the midnight news, the 1am news, the 2am news, and Tom and I were even blessed enough to hear the 3am news after we dropped the other 2 off. So our trip home was approx 4 hours. Kinda enough to ruin a night! BUT, the show was great!

Gonna get home to pack - off on vacation soon, and we have to put our entire appartment in boxes asap!

Outside there's a box car waiting

Nothing much too interesting has happened this weekend. With all the exercise he's been getting, Tom has been having trouble sleeping past 7am - so that has been a bit strange (especially after parties in the weekend), but I have clearly not done enough exercise, considering I am still happy to sleep until 10!

It was Inge's 22nd birthday on the weekend, so, another fancy lunch with lots of wine and champagne in the presence of Pepe and Rosa. So, towards the end of the lunch, Tom and I decided that we wanted to go to IKEA to buy some new things for the new appartment - in an inebriated state. So now we finally have a CD tower (which is already full), and a TV cabinet thingy. So currently, our tiny appartment is so full of furniture, and we are in the process of fobbing it off to vinnies. We even cleaned out our wardrobes yesterday, and the pile of clothes to give away is around 60kg (possibly more) and lots more to do...

Went to the Australian Bar also on Saturday night to have goodbye drinks with some friends we have made since I arrived - an Aussie (/croatian/italian) guy and his american wife - top couple, and moving away. So my friend count has just decreased by 2!

Nothing much else - this weekend is my work party (5 years in service), another Aussie mate's birthday party, and EUROVISION!! But first this week is the champions league final. Tom will no doubt update the blog on that!

Happy Christiansen Easter

Well, this is what I am missing here in Europe. It's funny, you dont realise how lovely it is until you see pictures! Alas, winter is almost over, and the sun is definitely shining until well into the night... now for the warmth...!

For those of you who dont know this babe, her name is Emmelena Christiansen, she is 160 centimetres tall, has blue eyes and sandy blonde hair and sports a B-cup. She enjoys long strolls on the beach and romantic dinners and orange fishing rods. Other interests of hers probably include killing her sister after reading this on the internet.

Hope you all enjoyed your easter

xxxx

Fun at Football

Just an update on our weekend...

Have started exercising again (for spring) - did 22 laps of the pool on Friday (after i bludgingly took a day off on Friday and proclaimed to my colleagues that it was 'Ingrid-Day'). Felt refreshed and like an athlete! Ha!

Yesterday was Miel's birthday (51 for any of you who wanted to know), so for a present, Tom's mum decided we should all go for bowling and dinner on Saturday evening. The six of us (parents, sister and boyfriend, tom and I) went to Wilrijk WIMA to bowl our bums off. Pity I never seem to improve. If it is at all possible, I think I am the only person on the planet who seems to un-improve at any sort of sport. Sad hey - especially for someone who is so bitterly unsportsmanly (some would say it is karma - I would just say that everyone knows something that I am missing out on). But, after 2 wines and bowling left handed, I somehow managed to improve. Shortly after, we had an all-you-can eat feast of all sorts, so I managed to have my share of 17 courses (15 of those dessert).

Sunday I woke up about 20kg heavier, and cleaned the house before heading off to the next party - Tom's football end of season party in the Greek restaurant of Kontich. Being a Sunday night, we agreed to take it a little easy, but it seemed quite unlikely once we arrived and had 2 rakis or oozos (or however you spell them) for apperatief. It went simply downhill from then on. I spent the night dancing and breaking plates (quite a lot of fun for those of you who havent tried it. Otherwise, just buy a cheap dinner set from IKEA and do it at home with zorba the greek playing in the background - you may achieve the same effect). Then as I became suitable sloshed, I put my 2 cents in when it wasnt needed (being an aussie female, I have an outspoken opinion). I was sitting across the table from a couple, and on the other side of the girl was a guy (who is normally quite nice SOBER), and he was chatting her up and petting her (mind you, she didnt seem to mind), but her boyfriend was just sitting there watching. Everyone was making whispering comments about them, but tactful me just told them to cut it out - it was a little inappropriate. Needless to say, I had water thrown on me and I was quickly shitty. 5 minutes later we were all friends again, but I dont know what else happened. Black patch...

Then we went back to Toms parents, and decided that it would be an excellent idea to watch a video at 1am (when we had to be up at 7am). So we did. The meeting at work this morning proved interesting. The pidgeons flirting outside provided entertainment for my hungover - I just dont think it was wise to tell my boss while he asked me my progress in one of my projects...

Oh well - another 4 days of work until the next round of parties - some of my colleagues have invited my to a club on friday where dirty old men buy your drinks. What could go wrong?! Then squash on Saturday (yet another one of those things where I will inevitably throw a racquet out of the court) and another BBQ. I hope it wont turn out like mini-golf a year ago - I got so frustrated with not getting the ball in one stupid hole that I threw the club and it landed on an umbrella at a nearby pub. I think I need to follow a course for anger management...

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