Happy Birthday Maarten!

Today is our dearest boy's 5th birthday!

Together we chose a present for the class, a nice tradition of giving something everybody might enjoy.
Giving instead of receiving! It's nice to see how the children like the idea. At least Maarten does.


As every year our house is decorated with streamers and plenty of balloons.


Even the baker did a good job by baking a huge cake for all Maarten's classmates, as promised.








It's a big celebration in the class. They make a crown for the birthday kid, the children can choose what they want to do that day and they sing songs.



And as for me...it's hard to believe...my little baby has turned 5!
Where has the time gone?!

'Krokusvakantie'

The ski trip was fantastic. This shouldn't be that surprising because vacations spent on the ski slopes were always my favorites. But going to the mountains with a kid does involve some more organization and... packing! It is simply impossible to travel with one midsize backpack like I used to years ago.


Even though this is already the 3rd ski season for Maarten I insisted on putting him in the ski school this time. Not because he needed to learn skiing but because it's the most efficient way for him to stay safe.
I believe, even I had to do it in the past myself, that one shouldn't teach his or her child. Especially if skiing supposed to be fun!


Maarten loves skiing but he can use some more discipline on the slope and somehow the teachers do have more authority in that than we do.
While skiing with us, Maarten always thinks we are racing or chasing each other and he would go downhill in a race speed fearless of falling. I was hoping this will change with the age but as he is also getting heavier he goes even faster.
There were other reasons for enrolling him in ski school too. Yes yes! We could ski at our own pace!
But we were also hoping Maarten will enjoy younger ski buddies and get used to the “follow the leader” approach.
Besides, I was convinced that the teachers should have all the patience in the world, compared to me!

Unfortunately, the latest wasn't the case. We actually saw Claudia, Maarten's first day teacher, being angry and even pushing him roughly to the ground, probably out of frustration. He wasn't able to get up and he obviously didn't understand her instructions.
This was one reason I felt a bit guilty leaving him with the ski school instructors who mostly speak only Swiss German.

Afterwards when we picked Maarten up surprisingly he was enthusiastic not only about his first lesson but also about Claudia! On the contrary Claudia insisted on putting Maarten in another class, meaning with another teacher.
You may understand this was quite a relief for me as well.


Since then everything went just perfect. Maarten had fun with friendly Conny's group, and after the ultimate lunch of French fries and sausages we spent the afternoon together on the slopes.




Even though we still don't know the details, Maarten won two medals in 'ski races' during his last lesson. This obviously made his day.




Nevertheless, the only thing was a bit of a downer on this vacation...I had to say Goodbye to my good old ski boots!
Another big piece of plastic broke out somewhere inside and after 23 years of great service I was forced to throw them away at last.

Just one more night's sleep

In the beginning of this week Maarten brought this strange message in his little notebook.
A message from Marie Joski...
Again something quite new for us and especially for Maarten.

According to tradition the last afternoon before the krokusvakantie (spring half-term) his school celebrates Carnival.


Everybody would not just dress up in costumes but also the children may exceptionally eat frietjes (French fries), Maarten's (and Belgium's?) most cherished food!

Maarten can hardly wait.

And then, after another night's sleep we will join the crazy crowd on the way to the mountains...

I don't like an overheated home. If I lived alone I would be happy with 17 degrees Celsius.
However, I don't need to worry about that in our current dwelling. I believe 19 °C is the maximum you can achieve in this house. I doubt there is any floor, roof or wall insulation. And, with only one exception, all the windows are single pane, which is useless in keeping heat inside.
Our rental is not so exceptional since according to a recent study (Verbond van de Glasindustrie) approximately 33% of Belgian homes are still equipped with single pane windows.

Anyway, last Thursday the old kettle finally gave up the ghost and the indoor temperature of 9 °C is too cold even for me.

There has been already enough written about the "famous" Belgian customer service by others so I rather skip this subject. The fact that we are already five days without heating speaks for itself.


This weekend was awful. The weather got even worse and we have had to cancel a planned friend’s visit. Even though there is a nice fireplace in the living room it manages heating the room for only two more degrees.



Our Sunday outing did only little cheer us up. Chasing after Maarten on his bike through the foggy forest was a good way to warm up but returning to our frozen "palace" afterwards really didn't make us feel any better.

There is a nice hiking opportunity right here in the village. But walking the same area every day even on different paths and in different directions becomes boring after a while.

At least once a week I want to drive somewhere where can I enjoy the change of landscape. For months I haven't seen any hills or forests!

And again this Saturday morning we woke up to flurries of snow! Even though I've always enjoyed this beautiful white scenery, this time it also meant my planned Ardennes trip was thwarted once more.

So instead of that the boys built a big snowman in our backyard and we 'traditionally' walked the local Gust De Smet trail like countless times before.




Even more snow was expected for Sunday. But this time the forecast was wrong! Even it was freezing the sky was clear promising good hiking weather.


But because of the snow we didn't go to the Ardennes anyway.
The Flemish Ardennes, which for us is less than a half hour drive, are at lower elevation and therefore a good alternative for a hiking trip without snow. This time, however, we choose Nature Reserve of the Pays des Collines. This is actually the Walloon counterpart of the Flemish Ardennes, just over the linguistic border in Hainaut.


It is less crowded and more authentic than its Flemish equivalent. The landscape is hilly with nice views over valleys, woods, fields and farmyards.
The hills are too steep for growing crops and therefore some ancient woods were spared the deforestation. How lucky we are!

Those are the reasons why I picked this particular hike. Not only because of the sweeping views and the Les Hauts panorama. Maarten doesn't appreciate that yet and he probably will not for another decade. But rather because of the diversity of this landscape and especially because of the woods.


And yes, hiking in the winter with a four year old is less pleasant or convenient. Luckily there were many animals in the farmyards we passed which Maarten always enjoys; and he could slide all the way the icy roads and paths...
In California we usually combined our hikes with a swimming or wadding opportunity for our little hiker.


Seemingly the cold Belgian weather doesn't disturb him at all. Even on such a chilly day it's impossible to keep him out of the frozen puddles. Those are simply irresistible. I usually carry extra clothes and shoes and also this Sunday his waterproof hikers were soaked. Luckily the sun kept us warm all the time.

We could even enjoy our picnic!

Thanks to the snow, wrong map and my bad navigation we probably extended this 10 km loop for at least another 2 kilometers.
Anyway, it really was worth it!

After the snow has melted

Physician visits, daily workouts and all the common stuff around, even the frustrating job interviews... all this is so good to avoid feeling gloomy or blue.

The snow is finally gone. We had so much fun! Only too bad there are no hills for tobogganing. Otherwise it was almost the same way how it used to be when I was a kid.
Every day after school, and even if it was quite late and almost dark, Maarten went straight to the back yard.

This actually hasn't changed much even now without the snow. He is able to amuse himself outside for hours with following tracks in the snow, planting trees, building an Eeyore's house from sticks, preparing soup for the birds or chasing them away.

However, after the snow has melted, even more fun comes!

And the awful knee pain I've experienced since we moved here seems to be 'only' some cartilage injuries.
This means I can finally go out for a jog!
What an idea to take Maarten with me! He would join me, despite the drizzle, on his bike.

We are lucky that we have a great cycling/hiking route on our doorstep, with no traffic to worry about.

Right, the melting snow and heavy rain have filled the potholes in dirt roads.
I tried to keep Maarten out of the mud and puddles at first, but when I saw him having such fun riding through it on his bike I thought, so what?! As long as he keeps moving.
I ignored my parental instincts telling me that doing this on such a cool day was probably not the best idea. But he had an absolute blast speeding through puddles and getting downright filthy.
What I didn't notice that his shoes were also soaking wet!

Maarten is mostly full of joy but biking through deep puddles and muddy potholes was an extreme fun.
Even now, he still keeps talking about it.

Yet, as you probably already suspect, I should have followed my parental instinct. Maarten ended up with a bad cough and an ear infection (which again miraculously lasted only one day!).

Therefore after enjoying the outdoors so vehemently I'm stuck inside again.
As a grass widow with an ill child.

I saw a fox this morning. Here in the village just around the corner from our house.

Not sure if this is a usual sight. We live here near a river and the area has a truly rural character, with farmer fields, meadows and woods.

Thanks to the unusual cold and snowy weather the animals are probably very hungry
and therefore they are venturing into the human settlements in search for food.

According to recent investigations there are foxes present in the outskirts of Ghent.
There is no reason to worry; they are more scared of us than we realize. And we don't even have to fear rabies. The disease has already been eradicated from Belgium.
To us the fox tapeworm is probably the only risk. (demorgen.be)

But the chickens scurrying around on the streets and in the unfenced yards should better watch out.
We might not be woken up by the neighbor's rooster tomorrow.

PS: I received following answer from Natuurpunt Deinze plus, the local Society for Nature Conservation:
Foxes are not as rare as is often thought. Here in Flanders their numbers are increasing in recent decades. They are not hunted by the dread of rabies after the disappearance of this disease in our region.
However, daytime sight of a fox is rather unique because it’s a nocturnal animal.
In Deurle the foxes find an ideal habitat with woods and sandy hills suitable for their burrows.
You can find more info about the fox in Flanders HERE. (in Dutch)

Good intentions for the new year

Exploring the Western Slovakia was what we planned for the last week of this year. But due to the weather and our car condition we had to postpone this trip.
Unfortunately this also means that Maarten has to miss his babi and děda a little longer.

Short trips to the Ardennes would fulfill my longing to be in the mountains and forests again. Yet during our daily wandering through the Deurle's picturesque streets and forest paths we came across many signs marking the local network of hiking trails.

Don't worry; I'm not going to compare the bare flat plains of East Flanders with the wilderness of the American West.

Still, we've probably been very lucky to find a house in this charming village with such beautiful surroundings.

There is a good reason why Deurle is called the village of castles and domains. Our house is just across the street from The Castle de Spoelberch and The Castle of Ooidonk is located one kilometer further west.
Only if there was a bridge over the winding Lys river then.





On the foggy and rainy Wednesday morning I finally got on my bike and made a short trip across the river.




Despite the cold it was truly great and I'm intending to continue exploring the area on my bike.
Just my outfit urgently needs a little 'warm' update, such as a pair of neoprene booties to start with.

It's nice to spend Christmas with the family. We had to miss that for the last four years.
Only a shame that some have a little understanding and obviously can't imagine what an overseas moving like ours practically means. Besides of that, not a bit of interest in our Californian life. That makes me sad.
But over this subject has already been written a lot.
I guess, to expect understanding from friends and family who have not moved far or at all from where they grew-up will probably bring only frustrations.


And, please, don't ask me, if I'm happy to be 'home' again! Yes, I've lived in Belgium before, but the Lys region, even though a very pretty area, is completely new for me. So no, I'm not feeling like coming home again. It may be the same Europe I've left four years ago, but I've definitely changed. Or has everything changed and the things I liked are now gone?
And no, I'm not talking about the reacclimatizing to the wet and dark Belgian winter!

I know I'm probably too soon for conclusions but till now I have found it very difficult to "settle-in". I have the feeling that only other returning ex-pats can understand.

While unavoidably I miss things and people from my life in California, at the same time I am aware of all the frustrations I had while living there. Similarly, when I was in California, I missed Holland, Czech and even Belgium but was also aware of all the less pleasant aspects of life here.

Even if you're not aware of it, it changes you every time you move internationally. You're not the same person anymore, so you shouldn't expect to be at ease with all the same.
Therefore it’s hard to find 'your place' when you hold different values in life.

However, I don't want to end up like some of the frustrated ex-pats who don't really feel like they belong anywhere.

So, please, give me a little more time.

Snow in Flanders

The snow has started to fall yesterday afternoon just before we left for our first play date with local Anglophone kids. No need to say how difficult it was to get Maarten in the car.
He was pretty excited to hear 'Miss Ruth's language' again but the homemade cookies were most definitely the highlight of the party!
Except of the pastry-and-pies discussion I enjoyed myself as well.
You know, I’m not the playgroup’s biggest fan. Yet, I believe, engaging Maarten in social interaction with English speaking children may be important for developing and maintaining this language. We'll see.

Wondering how our settling down in Belgium continues?
It is, actually, my true intention to forget the last couple of weeks. I would sum it up as a sad and stressful experience in a house full of chaos and boxes; however it can always be worse...
And being busy trying to unpack and set up the new household is the best way I keep my mind off missing California.


We will surely not be unpacked and settled before Christmas but looking out of the window into the snow-covered garden and seeing Maarten so happy going to his new school makes everything good.