We went to Antwerpen for the day last weekend. Had absolutely no plan, so we ended up sitting below the Magnolia tree in this beautiful botanical garden after a stroll down the pier.

The cool sensation of the grass
rubbed against your bare feet

The touch of the sunlight
warm against your skin

Time pushes you to run
in its playful wheel

But for that moment
it seemed like even time stood still

Surrendering to the soft breeze of Spring
tickles

D...

...is 20 and happy. Thank you, loved ones.

Espresso and Pearls

I went to this little espresso bar near my house this morning - a little routine that kinda grew on me when I need some time alone. I love the smell of their freshly brewed espresso, the perfect companion for my reading time. You know what's also really nice? To just look outside the window at everything. Things kinda stood still for the time being; people running and biking, cars rushing but here you are safe and sound with a steaming puny espresso cup on your hand.

I continued reading.

Some time later, a lady asked me whether it is OK for her to sit next to me. I smiled and said of course! She reminded me of Nanny McPhee, the pretty version ;) She sat down, munched her caramel brownie, stirred her cappucino. She wanted to ask the barista for some kaneel (cinnamon), but he didnt hear her so I called him for her. She continued munching her kaneel-dusted caramel brownies.

Finally she asked me: Were you born on April or August?

I was surprised. April, I answered. How did you know?

She smiled. I knew it.

That was that. We spent the next hour chatting about happiness, the lack of it, the joy of having it. These little happiness, these little moments of connection, she said, is what is precious. It's just like these little pearls. She pointed at her pearl necklace. These. These are what makes it all worthwhile.

I was looking at old pictures just now and I realized just how far I've gone. I'm turning 20 tomorrow. Scared? You bet. Excited? Definitely. Somber? Yes.

Time really flies doesnt it?

People grow old, bigger, richer, apart. People run, I run, through life. Running to somewhere I hope is my purpose, somewhere that I hope can fill my life with meaning. Birthdays make me realize I'm also running out of time, for yet another year has passed. It makes me realize that it's alright to take a walk down the harbour and just let the scenery sink in. That it's alright to sit down and talk to someone for hours despite the lingering deadlines. For connection is what ultimately defines us.

I'm counting my little pearls. Slowly and carefully.

...And I think to myself,
what a wonderful world.

I ust got my acceptance mail: I'M GOING TO FRANCE FOR AN EXCHANGE FROM AUG-DEC 2010!! JEEEEEEEEJ :) :) :)

Oui, bitches.

The loveliness of it all

Would you like to know a little secret?

I think flowers makes the world seem much more beautiful than it already is.

You bike hurriedly to school with breakfast on one hand and books on the other. On the pavement near your university, you noticed the grey ground which was covered with snow/ice before has decided to blanket itself with green green grass and friendly wild flowers. I love noticing how those flowers nod, wave, dance along with the wind.

Or the sweet, sweet taste of fresh strawberries from the market.

Spring is here.

The goodness of vitamins

I woke up today very hopeful on the prospect of actually doing something. Havent done anything this week and since we have a test tomorrow I actually felt like I should be putting my brain to work. So I had breakfast, sat down and realized it's too early and my brain needs coffee after last night. A couple of hrs later I sat down again and managed to open my book. I looked at it, stared at the clock and realized that noone can work without lunch. I mean, brain needs food and oxygen to work right?

Shopping for food is what I then decided to do. Happily cooked, and realized today there's The Hills weekend break on MTV. And just like that 2hrs passed by. I had to force myself to lift up the remote and press the OFF button. It was like my hand has a mind of its own.. And it demands the TV stays on.

Back on the table. Book still opened. Clock ticking. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

I realized I havent had dessert. Surely that's the key! Dessert and I will start working like an elf in a shoe factory! A girl needs dessert! So I went back to get some fresh fruit. I mean, surely fresh fruit would induce enough motivation to read right? It's science or something. I think it's called vitamins.

I am sure I will be majorly ashamed when I read back this post tomorrow.

I guess now the question is: did the vitamins work? Well. It worked pretty well in inducing conspiscuous consumption of COOKIES. I concluded that there is a positive relationship between fruits and cookies which translates to SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH ME. How the hell did this happen, And here I am sitting down typing, too full to move.

I wasnt kidding when I mentioned that productivity is barely beyond subsistence. Argh.