Take off...
Mood:  not sure
Topic: House & Garden Philosophy
A busy pre-departure evening was concluded with a proper family dinner. I think this was about the most mixed-feelings evening I had had till then. I was really, really happy to see my grandparents a last time before leaving, but at the same time was also very concerned about them not getting too fatigued. They are after all well past their eighties. Of course needless to say that what my parents, siblings and in-laws had produced made me a bit speechless as well. However, it was not till the very moment of my passing the emigration check point that all of us realised we were not to see each other for a substantial longer time.

Anticlimax
Mood:  blue
This morning I had to say goodbye to my best buddies ever… I hadn’t thought of exactly what to say, and when the moment came, in fact, I didn’t know what to say. So many shared memories and the knowledge that, in any place in the world the chance is quite small of meeting another 2 persons like these. I felt my eyes were preparing themselves to produce some tears – even though I promised myself not to get sentimental – and that is were I made my way for the door. I guess I’m really lousy at saying goodbye and actually feel saying goodbye is really some kind of an anticlimax. The real emptiness is not felt until the moment one is confronted with the fact that physical distance is no longer measured in terms of a 30 minutes drive but rather a days journey over thousands of miles. I know I’m gonna miss them…. Thanx for all the wonderful times, putting up with me bringing my wajan and wine to our ski-trips, my weird craves for espresso round midnight and my sensitivity about slightly rinse wine… I hope to see you guys soon in KL !

Dinner... dinner... dinner...
Mood:  special
Topic: Night life & other action
The end of a hectic week. A gathering in one of the local watering holes for a drink and – for those who wanted – a bite, turned out to be a wonderful evening to say a last goodbye to all the people who have made my days in the clinic more than just working days. Of course not everybody could make it, in the middle of the holidays and all that. Luckily had already seen it coming and said their goodbyes & farewells before they left…

Last week in Maastricht; a worthy goodbye...
Mood:  lucky
Topic: Night life & other action
My last week in Maastricht was a memorable one. I was kindly given accommodation in my friends place, where I found out that I wasn’t that allergic to all cats. It actually was a good training as preparation for my stay in KL, considering the tropical temperatures that developed during this long awaited week of sunshine. But being already familiar with the apartment I felt very much at home. I even discovered the toilet bowl had the same kind of problem as the former one in my house; having finished knitting your brown sweater it often needed “a hand”, sometimes not even more than a gentle breeze, for the flush of water came like a tidal wave, lifting up the stranded sweater, which was then floating in a momentum, and if lucky eventually one of the sleeves would cross the water line, dragging the rest of it with him. But enough talk about toilets. The Cinema cafe again became the epicentre of the neighbourhood. As always an oasis for us people who once and again have to escape from the rigid rhythm of everyday life, the owner, Guus, would give away his interpretation of, well, I never quite know whether it is Elton John or Dame Edna. Nevertheless, having had a lovely dinner to celebrate my friend’s decision to buy the house she was considering buying, we had to end up in our oasis. A truly great goodbye followed, and the last bottle of – almost – Champaign was opened to drink to my farewell. The real farewell though followed next morning. A bit strange, regarding the fact that I was still to be in the country for another week. Also because I was leaving more than a friend… I wish her all the best, knowing she deserves it, being the kind of person one can call oneself lucky to count as a friend.

Last weekend in my own house....
Mood:  rushed
Having spent the last couple of days in dust and surrounded by boxes, it was very stressful to get everything looking a bit nice for my party tonight. Well, party, actually we just had a pleasant evening, drinking a couple of beers on my last weekend in this place. Many people just couldn’t make it, because of holidays and all that and also because of short notice, though 3 weeks is a reasonable time. I let my mom take care of the family part; we’ll see about that tomorrow

Up side down
Mood:  incredulous
Wow, my – well, what’s it called – renter ? sure knows how to handle things. In even less than a week he managed to turn both my kitchen and toilet upside down, but I must say, it all looks very promising. Things I hadn’t had the energy for anymore, he got it done within such a short time, it was amazing. I almost can’t wait to see what it looks like once finished. Even makes me regret more that I’ll be leaving this house… but hey, we’ll have to see what the future brings anyway ;o)

Paul's karaoke party
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Night life & other action
Last weekend there was a party at Paul’s place… a belated birthday party. I must say, it was really good fun. He got hold on some karaoke cd’s. That he got a microphone from a toys store was not really that much a problem, for as soon as people got into it, everybody was singing so loud it wasn’t really necessary anymore. I’m a terrible singer myself, but after a couple of beers my voice sounds much better… either that or my perception of hearing changes, hehe… just plain good old fun. The only downer was I had to get up so early and leave for I had still loads of packing to do. Another slight downer was that – meaning no harm – talks about my Malaysian plans caused me quite some doubts, however determined I might be. Constant doubts; will I make it ? will I make it ? will I make it ? will I make it ? mmhhh the little voice inside I guess…

Homeless ????
Mood:  caffeinated
Yes, today I booked my ticket.... not a chance anymore to change my mind or get scared... well, couldn't reverse my decisions anyway since the couple will be moving in August 2nd. I'm gonna be homeless for 3 weeks ?!

Topic: House & Garden Philosophy
Here's one a friend sent me... :
"Respect requires accepting the fact you will never ever totally understand someone. You cannot catch another person" (R. Sennet).
I found a nice one of my own as well;
"Acquiring knowledge without thinking about what you have learned is useless, thinking only - without learning - leads to dangerous deliberations" (Confucius)

Turning pages...
Mood:  not sure
Topic: House & Garden Philosophy
Getting a bit cold feet la… loosing sleep over all the things that need to be done. Will the mortgage be settled in time ? Will my employer not give me a hard time when quitting my job ? Will I manage getting around in a far away country in a familiar yet totally different culture ? Will I have any kind of social life with the seven-days-a-week-schedule ? Will I have saved enough funds ? All these many questions… But the really hard things have already started; little by little I’m starting to get rid of my possessions…. Throwing away things I’d been keeping for years, lots of it for no reason at all except sentimental considerations. And the hardest yet to come after my farewell party at the last day of July; leaving my nice little house, probably for good and not to mention all my good friends and family. Sure, I’ll be hanging around for another 3 weeks, but it’s still like turning the page to the next chapter…