Errand Day

Hallo!

I've been absent, but not by choice. I had an accident last Wednesday. In my morning rush, I spilled my latte on my beautiful MacBook Pro. I was ok, until I checked on it later that evening and got this \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ times infinity.


We carefully removed the effected keys off, working like a surgeon and nurse. We set it to dry for three days to no avail. A new keyboard will have to be ordered. Thinking about the void not having the computer will leave in my life, I set about to find an alternative. Currently I am working with a spare keyboard and mouse. It works, but is not ideal. At least I do not have to share with Jon as he researches and writes.

I took the MacBook Pro days off to become reaquainted with my iPhone. Thank goodness for that! I have really become attached to the Polaroid simulator ShakeItPhoto, and I like the effect much better than my regular photos.

So, what have I been up to?

Nothing much. Mr. Wonderful was in the hospital for day surgery last Thursday, and today was the dreaded errand day. Mr. Wonderful is ok, at home, resting and recuperating. But, I have to admit I was pretty scared there for a minute. Thankfully all is well.

Waiting for Mr. Wonderful to get out of post-op. I took the opportunity to take some art inspired pictures.

Mr. Wonderful's boots inspired by this painting* by Vincent Van Gogh.

A view out of the hospital window - inspired by this painting*, and this painting* by Edward Hopper.

**Please click on the links provided. They are links to information and the museums that actually own the artworks that inspire my photos.

Errand Day

As an American, I have to admit that I really loved shopping. But ever since I moved to Europe I've had a change of heart. Mr. Wonderful and I moved over here with two suitcases each. There wasn't too much that we were able to bring and we really had to think about what we needed versus what we wanted. Not a bad compromise for a year in Europe but the great thing about this is making peace with these decisions.

In Leuven, stores are closed on Sundays and all stores close at 6 pm during the week. That leaves one day - Saturday, to get all of your shopping done... for everyone. Usually, it's not fun to shop crowded streets and stores, but there are things we need: food, household items and medicine for Mr. Wonderful. So off I went today with my iPhone in hand, and made the best of it.

First stop was the pharmacy, but they aren't all open on Saturdays.

The weather was sunny, but cold - a perfect Belgian day!

The "old" Town Hall, c. 1440.

Saturdays there is a flower and fruit market near the old town hall.

I think I need some flowers.

Inspiration for a future post.

Fonske!

He has a military outfit on today!

Still looking for a pharmacy that is open, and running in and out of shops along the way, I venture over to the university library area.

"Totem" by Jan Fabre,

It's a giant beetle stabbed with a giant needle.

Leuven Train Station

Still no sight of an open pharmacy...

This is the city hall that I go to for all of my alien needs.

It's where all the magic happens.

FINALLY!

An open pharmacy! The green light lets me know it's open.

Hooray for pain killers!

Acco: student book store and supplier in Leuven.

They have the best stock of art and office supplies.

An impromptu stop by the candy store...

Almost home!
St. Peter's Church, c. 1425.

(I live right behind here.)

My last stop:

HEMA*

No Flemish errand day is complete without a stop to HEMA.

*Click on the link and wait for the site to load, it's worth it. I promise.

A Walk in the City

4:50 pm

5:18 pm

5:52 pm

Mr. Wonderful

Mr. Wonderful has been away for the past week and a half. He is in London on a study trip. Despite the random act of violence, I am sure he is having fun and learning quite a bit about water urbanism. But I miss him something awful, I am ready for him to come home.

I just got home myself. I was in Amsterdam last week on holiday, came home, and went to Brussels to take care of some sweet children for a few days. I couldn't have asked for better experiences or company while Jon is away, but I am so glad to be home.

Home.

Today I realized "home" is Leuven. This surprised me, but when I say "I want to go home," I mean that I want to go back to my cozy little studio that I've set up with Mr. Wonderful. You see, we have a good thing going here.

He sent me this photo:

I asked him to take pictures of a Banksy if he saw one.

That's why Jon is Mr. Wonderful.

From the Desk of Ms. Lydia

Mr. Wonderful's sister is a teacher in Texas. She teaches English as a second language for elementary school. Wonderfulness must run in the family, because during her first year of teaching she was awarded 'Teacher of the Year!' I think that is just amazing.

Late last year she sent me a package of letters from her 2nd grade kids. It must have been around Christmas time when they wrote them because they asked a bunch of questions about Sinterklaas. They were pretty cute, and funny.

I think about the time when I was in second grade... I don't think I thought too much about the world, I am not sure what I knew about Europe and I definitely didn't know about Sinterklaas. So, I wanted to make something special just for them.

I took some time and went through some of my photos from our travels here. I printed and glued them on blank postcards from my beloved store HEMA. (Have you clicked on that link yet? If you haven't, you MUST! Wait a few seconds and watch. It will make you smile! I love HEMA design!)

Ok, so next I went on-line and searched for postcard templates and found a cute one on Martha Stewart's website. I scanned a copy with a Belgian stamp to make it seem more official. Then I wrote individual messages to each child, 15 total, mostly telling them about things in Europe that I think would be interesting for a 7 year old. Have you even thought about what would be interesting for a 7 year old?

They just arrived in Texas last week, so I am curious and excited to hear what their reactions will be! In the meantime, I am working on letters for her fifth grade class.

The Train

A terrible passenger train accident happened in Belgium yesterday. I ride these commuter trains almost everyday, in fact I am about to get on one in a few hours. One of the trains involved left from my town, but the entire country is feeling the scare of the accident. There was a great loss of life and many severely injured. It's a shock when accidents like this happen so close to home. It really makes you stop and think.

Think: Even if it's as mundane as getting on a train every day to go to work. Even if it's as mundane as getting off the train to come home to my loved ones. I appreciate my loved ones and my life so much.

God bless Belgium.

From the Desk of Ms. Lydia

It may be below freezing temperatures here in Belgium, but I still wear skirts:

Last Friday, the grade 5 class I help with had a Valentine's lunch. I had never done one of these Surprise lunches, but it's a great idea that can be adapted for any season, theme or holiday.

First, you need to fill out a questionnaire that asks about your favorite snacks and foods.

Once all the forms are collected all of the participants' names are drawn at random, and it is TOP SECRET!

Over the next two days, you spend some time gathering all the favorite goodies for the person you drew.

One is also responsible for the decoration of the box or bag and you can also include fun little things like stickers.

Put it all together and:

Voilà!

It was really a fun idea, and something that can be done for all ages. Give it a try!

The kids made Valentines:

Click here to view the one I made.

Last Friday, the kids also celebrated Carnival with a colorful costume parade. I didn't know what to expect. It's a little like Halloween, but there are more masks, feathers and glitter.

The kids got really creative with their costumes. The following two were my favorites.

Here you have the Frog Princess:

And here is the fly.

These were handmade by the kids, and they were so awesome! It was a riot to see them chasing each other around.

Today IS

Last week I made some quick valentines for the class I work with.

I had to make them educational.

It's the year of the tiger! Which always makes me think of this painting:

Image from HERE

Salvador Dalí

Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee Around a Pomegranate a Second Before Awakening

1944

Oil on canvas. 51 x 41 cm

Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid

Pretty twisted thinking on my part, right? Did anyone else have to look at this poster during college, or was it just my friends? 

Happy Valentine's Day!

I made this!

xoxo

Inspiration

I saw this skirt on a postcard the other day at an art bookstore in Brussels. I just love it!

The artist is Terhi Hieno, and the piece is called Skirt from 2006. It is made of used teabags, string and a cloth hanger (I think they mean clothes hanger).

Think of all the materials that could be used to make a skirt!

Project?

SUBMITTED!

Turning over a new leaf. 

It snowed this past weekend, but the skies were blue and sunny.

The project I have been working on:  I submitted my application for the master's program in art therapy at the Art Institute of Chicago. Even 7 hours ahead, I still submitted my application on time. Woo hoo! I've been thinking about doing this for 9 years... 9 years!

One year ago today, I was in Chicago at the SAIC for an art therapy conference.

Isn't it ironic... Don't you think?

Glad that's done. Now I can sleep.

And upload pictures that I have put off for a month.

I need to tie up loose ends.

Hooray for February!

xoxo