I’ve got new stuff. ^^ Yes it’s very materialistic of me, but I need to spend money every three-four months. So, what I bought today: a dress (blue! like someone requested ^~), white wedge sandals, a bikini, three pairs of earrings and two bras. Everything from H&M except the sandals which were from C&A. I think everything I bought was a pretty good deal. The most expensive item cost 15€, and that’s the sandals. Can’t wait to get to wear them. My feet are barely working… At least while I shop I get to burn calories as well. In a way, it’s a form of exercise. But since it’s fun, you don’t notice how much you’ve actually moved around until you get back home, sit down and gasp at the amount of money spent that day. I like the stuff you get from H&M. It’s got nice clothes that are affordable. Especially if there’s a sale.

Okay, I’m back. Just spent about an hour on the phone with Oliver. ^-^ For some reason that was a really bad connection. Kept losing him. ;_; But he said that he’d call tomorrow as well. No idea how he can afford it. Half an hour costs £4,50 if it’s 15p/min. That’s three pounds more than what it would be if I were in Finland on a landline. O_O

I wonder what it would’ve been like to be in Brussels during WWII. Being Finnish and Finland being allied to Germany during that time… I know the whole of Belgium was occupied during that time, but what I want to know is did much fighting go on in Brussels?

I liked last night’s movie “Mystic Pizza”. It had Julia Roberts and the woman who’s been in Dogfight, The Haunting and Anne Frank. One funny line in it: “I love you! And all you love is my dick.” It was funny, but I also felt sorry for the guy. He wanted to marry her (the one whose name I can’t remember) but she wasn’t sure. It all actually started out with them getting married but when the priest was getting to their vows, she fainted. Didn’t get married when she came to. Not gonna spoil the ending, because I think it’s worth seeing. If for nothing else than seeing a young Julia Roberts. It was actually a bit strange.

I miss knitting. There’s something calming about it. Just hearing the clinking of the needles, feeling the softness of the string, slowly seeing it take shape… The same with crocheting, cross-stitching and embroidery. I think it’s just Crafts in general that I like. It’s fun. Keeps my mind and my hands occupied.

Okay, well I think I’m gonna go continue studying for the theory test. No idea when I’ll actually take it, but it’s best to be prepared. Getting my license soon! ^-^

I think I put too much mustard on my sandwich. One bite and whoosh! It’s as if I have a cold. Runny nose, watery eyes, some coughing… ^^ Good sandwich though. Made me want to not eat anything for awhile. My mouth feels like it’s on fire. A dieting tip, eat lots of spicy food so you eat less. Unless you’re accustomed to really spicy food then that won’t really help.

Ooh, a message! For me. ^_^ reads message Ah, someone’s being forgetful again. But at least they asked and didn’t just assume unlike someone I know of.

Well, the cleaning lady hasn’t come today either. But it could be that she has today off as well, seeing as pretty many places are closed today as well. Carrefour luckily wasn’t. Wouldn’t have been good if it were. Well, we would have been able to wait until tomorrow to go buy food. But that would’ve meant that we’d be eating some of that just-add-water stuff again. Anyway, I’m waiting until Tuesday to complain about the cleanliness. Something else might come up during the weekend. Plus, it’d be nice to come to a clean apartment after England so actually the longer it takes for the cleaning lady to come over, the nicer it’ll look here.

I just remembered some of my dream. I had forgotten my things in a hotel. I was travelling with Jade and my dad. We were on a ship. Playing Risk with some man (I conquered the world ^-^). There was rain, some sort of storm. And I remember getting really panicky about what’ll happen to my things. Like I had my suitcase with me, but it was empty. Everything was still in the drawers of the hotel we stayed at. I know I said that we were on a ship, water all around us and no land in sight, but I also know that we were going over the mountains (Apennines?). I just felt so… helpless. I couldn’t stop the ship, I was just going farther and farther away from the hotel. And there was something really important in my things. I can’t remember what, but it was extremely important that I had it before I reached my destination. I think I was going to see my future fiancé. But instead of the really fast trains we have today, the whole journey would take me a week. So maybe my dream was sort of set in the past. I dunno. It’s really confusing.

I agree with Jaz. Eating cake and ice cream with a fork is fun. Feels somehow more sophisticated than with a spoon. That’s what you do in a really fancy restaurant. At least in some of the ones I’ve been to. Urgh, why did I mention cake? Now I want some… But like I told Jaz, we’re gonna wait until we get to London because there they’ve got stuff you can’t get here (like Reese’s Pieces). We were just talking yesterday about all the really nice (= fatty, sugar-y) foods we ate in Florida. I don’t think I actually want to live there, just visit from time to time and get to eat those foods.

Why is my left shoulder so sore? I haven’t done anything (at least nothing I can remember) that would cause it to be sore. Maybe I stretched it too much one morning…

I want our Disney CDs. And videos. And my Disney song book. I’m listening to “Prince Ali” right now. As soon as we get our things out of storage, I’m watching Disney movies with Jade. And playing the songs on my piano. Okay, so it isn’t my piano, but I’m like the only one who plays it so I like to call it mine. Sure it needs to be tuned, but I don’t notice. XD Maybe that’s why I always sing off-key (and sometimes out of tune as well)…

I can’t remember who said it, but they were right. I think it was the real estate agent a few years ago. Anyway, what she said was that the fruit and veggies from those little shops that are scattered all over the place are the best. Today we got grapes and the verdict is: way way better than the ones in Carrefour. And if I remember correctly, they were cheaper too. 1,95€/kg. I think the ones they sell in Carrefour are over 2,50€/kg… Yes I know, I keep harping on about money and food, but I like both. So sue me. On second thought, please don’t. I’ve had enough of legal stuff in my life for awhile.

Anyone know how to clean silver? The chain that came with the necklace that Oliver gave me has really darkened. I want it to be nice and shiny again. I’ve seen infomercials where they clean no matter what with some wonder spray, but I want something I can easily find in a store. The lady on “Houses Behaving Badly” always used a water & vinegar to clean faucets and the like. So I know that that gets rid of calc. And lemon & water loosens up the food splatter in a microwave. Those still don’t help me clean my necklace. >-

Today hasn’t been that productive. Jaz and I thought of going to the mall since she didn’t have any school today. We actually did walk all the way over there and back, even though at half-way there we realized that the reason why Jaz didn’t have school was it was some sort of religious holiday. Which also meant that all of the stores were closed. At least we got some exercise. ^.^ I just hope that the cleaner comes tomorrow. If not, then I’m going over to the BBF office and complain. After all, we are paying for someone to come clean every other week and if they don’t… well, I’m not happy. I don’t like being a pain, but I do like complaining when I’ve got reason to.

“The First Wives’ Club” is on tonight. Reminds me of last September. When I met Oliver IRL for the first time, I was reading the book. Loved the book, but love the movie more. Funnier. But the book has a lot stuff going on in it. Like Diane Keaton’s character has a daughter in the book. What I really liked was the revenge part. Showed what girls can do when they put their heads together. Revenge is sweet. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and all that. ^-^

It really is too bad that we don’t have an oven. I’d buy some lamb and Dijon mustard… Or make those stuffed zucchinis. I can’t think of that many different foods that I can cook on a stove. Getting kind of sick of the just-add-water stuff we’re eating now. Sure it’s cheap, but… meh. Which is why I’m going to the store tomorrow and looking for something other than ready-made meals.

Oh ew ew ew. Today’s Oprah deals with messy houses and omg, Carol’s house is shameful! Fruit flies everywhere, dog poop all over the place, putrefied food in the fridge, things just all over the place… Just.. eurgh. shudders The two ladies Aggie and Kim did wonders with that house. The cleaning team was just amazing. Right now it’s like a show-house. I know I’m not one of the cleanest people around, as in I can leave dirty dishes in the sink for a day and only vacuum once every two weeks, but that’s the limit. Clutter is still somewhat bearable, but not dirt. Like now I have this urge to vacuum… only I don’t have a vacuum. At least the cleaning lady will come over tomorrow. Hallelujah.

I’ve decided one thing. I’m not gonna wash any of my sweaters by hand anymore. I did wash my Rhétos sweater because I felt it needed washing after my trip to England, but now it smells. ;_; I guess it’s because it wasn’t able to dry properly before getting wet again (I got caught in pouring rain). So that’s waiting for a washing machine and dryer. What I’d give to have those right now… all of our socks are really stiff, none of the softness that one gets from clothes coming from a dryer.

What I don’t really get, is how the diskette I used earlier today when I was online got formatted into the RAW format without my realising it. I did manage to copy the data onto another diskette in the FAT form and then reformat the first diskette back into FAT. It’s pretty puzzling though. Could be the next chapter of Oliver’s story “Reaction” that mixed it up. That’s the only explanation I can come up with. But it shouldn’t have since I saved that chapter in Word. So I don’t know…

Wow. Today the weather has been acting up. Right now, pouring rain and really strong wind. When I went to the store, the sun was shining, no wind whatsoever.. Gotta love Belgian weather. XP

Speaking about Belgian things, I looooooooove the chocolate. Jaz bought some Côte d’Or Double Lait chocolate today and… it just melts in your mouth. I think I know why some use chocolate as a substitute for sex. Especially if it’s this chocolate. Don’t get me wrong, I like this chocolate but I’d never give up sex. Not for all the chocolate in the world (think of the calories! O.O) This one sort of reminds me of Reese’s Pieces. Sort of peanut butter-y but not quite. Lovely, lovely stuff. But a tad too sweet if eaten too much. Gets kinda icky… :-S

Okies, tomorrow I’m getting up at 7 to fry eggs for Jaz. Then I’ll go back to sleep. Like this morning, I got up and locked the door after her, turned on BBC Breakfast and fell asleep on the couch. That seems to be pretty much my daily routine. o.O Maybe I should try to remedy that.

Jade sent us the cutest card. She said that she misses us and then told us what she wants for her birthday (which isn’t until January). The last sentence she wrote was: “Have the times of horror begun yet?” There were two drawings, one butterfly and one ladybug. Jaz’s two not-so-favourite bugs. XD

Just got back from my second trip to Carrefour today. Y’see, I bought two T-shirts and the second one was supposed to be half-price. I didn’t notice the fact that the machine didn’t give me the reduced price until I got back. So I went back. It was only 1,20 € that I went back for, but that’s one hour’s worth of being online. And I got my bank card sorted out as well. Now it has the Bancontact function and the Maestro side so I can use it abroad. Probably won’t, but it’s still good to have a back-up. What’s really scary is walking around with over 200€ in one’s wallet. I totally forgot that I still had it in there when I left. It’s what was left of the money our parents sent us for the rent. But not as scary as having four 500€ bills like I did when I first got here… Why do they print money that large? I guess it’s easier for people to pay the rent with one or two of those than loads of 20s and 50s. But I think most people just pay their rent and other bills through the bank and not with cash…

Egh, such filth. And the cleaner doesn’t come until Thursday. I’d really like my own vacuum. With two girls living together, a lot of hair accumulates onto the floor. And another thing, how does hair get stuck inside of socks? I know we walk on the hair on the floor, but that still doesn’t explain how the hair gets inside. It’s supposed to stay on the outside. Do socks affect the dryness of the skin on the feet? For some reason my feet are really really dry. Maybe it’s the washing detergent that I use to wash our clothes. Ooooh. What I really miss is being able to be outside barefoot. I can do that in Myrskylä. Actually, that’s the only place I can think of where I’m able to do that. I love summer over there. Okay so there’s nothing to do over there except swim, swing and read but that’s all I really need during the summer. Shopping is fun, but that’s more of what you do in the city. And I think I prefer the countryside during the summer. I now sort of get why Finns love summer cottages so much. Your own little piece of peace and quiet. Time just stops when you’re in your own place. Away from it all, etc.

Still haven’t figured out what we’re gonna do with all of this stuff that we have. I really hope Jaz can leave a suitcase at school for the summer. Even as it is now, her suitcase is going to weigh over 20 kg. Although this time, if we leave the suitcase at VF, we’re taking it there with the bus. Not gonna get more blisters on my hands.

Hmm… it’s raining. Hope Jaz won’t get sick because of walking in the rain. I did buy tea for her, so at least that should warm her up a bit if the shower doesn’t have any hot water. I’ll start dinner now so she can have something warm when she gets here…

It was just as I thought. They won’t exchange anything without a receipt. Need proof that the product was purchased from that store, otherwise it messes up their stock inventory or something. The lady was very nice about it though. I just tried it again and like I said before, pear’s not a bad scent. I’ll keep it and when I’ve used it all I’ll get the coconut perfume.

I just watched Wallace & Gromit. Didn’t see the whole episode, but this one had Gromit go to prison because of something Preston (Wendolene’s robot dog) did. Shaun the Sheep with the sweater was funny. At the very end he was sitting on top of Wallace’s cheese. I loved Wallace’s reaction: “Get off me cheese!” Sounded a lot like Oliver whenever he goes back up to Sheffield. ^-^

Yay. We finally have light in the apartment again. When I went to pay the rent, I mentioned the lack of warm water and the light bulbs that need changing. So now we should have warm water as well. I stopped by the post office before I went there and mailed Jade’s schoolwork. Cost over 10€ to send them. O.O But then again, it was a pretty big pile of papers. So paying 9,10 for postage in that sense isn’t that bad. The package was heavy. Who knew paper weighed that much? I also added the two free rings we got from Yves Rocher. One silver and one gold coloured. They’re too small for me and Jaz, so Jade gets both. J

He called me. ^-^ Even if it is just half an hour that we get to talk, it’s still something to look forward to. Only 11 nights to go!

Well, the two hours outside was enough to burn the skin on my right shoulder. And my face is looking pretty red. It doesn’t hurt or feel hot though. My shoulder does… My legs are still paper white. sniffle In a way, it’s a good thing that we’re not spending the summer in Belgium. This sun here is treacherous. It burns my skin without me realizing it. Whenever we’re in Florida, I know that it’s more than likely that I’ll burn if I go without sunscreen. Duh. Here, I keep thinking that I’m not south enough to actually have the sun do anything to me. I’ve been proven wrong already twice but I still don’t learn. Silly me. The nights here during summer are really nice. Slight breeze, but still pretty warm. Wonderful to walk around.

Now I feel like buying more stuff. Shopping is so addictive. For instance make-up, I need a powder and I want to buy this really nice CoverGirl eye shadow I saw in Delhaize. When I think about it, I do have my earnings from Extra so I can afford to buy make-up. But what I’d really like (and I know I’m beginning to sound pretty repetitive) is my make-up from storage. Or more like get all of my things from there. I need to sort out what I want to take with me to Aberystwyth. I don’t think I’ll take my stereo or my TV… but like my clothes, make-up, CDs, possibly some DVDs.

I’d really like a pet, but… well, I don’t like the smell of animals. Kitty litter stinks, dogs smell when they’ve been outside and it’s been raining, the food… Maybe when I’m older I’ll get something to keep me company, but right the smell just turns me off. And I don’t have the time to take care of anything that needs constant attention. Keeping things clean is enough to keep me occupied right now. I just got the urge to clean things again. I’d wash the dishes if I had hot water, or at least warm water, but I don’t. Tomorrow is laundry day… hopefully I’ll have enough warm water then. Kind of annoying having to heat water on the stove some of the time. But that’s another thing I’ll tell Robbie tomorrow when I go pay next month’s rent. The first thing is I’m gonna ask if someone could come change the light bulbs. Another one went dark a few days ago… -_-

Jade just called us. ^-^ So cute. She said that she misses us. And that she wants the Sims game back. Earlier she couldn’t play it because it was our uncle’s computer that they were using, but now that it’s our grandparents’ computer, she could play it. So she’s a bit annoyed at us. Or actually me, since I’m the one that asked Jaz to bring it. ^^;;

Jaz and I spent 2 hrs outside today. But at around 3 it became way too hot for us to stay out there anymore. It must be like 25 C outside. Maybe more. I love summer weather. Which is why I’m going to buy sandals and a dress on Wednesday with Jaz. We’ve decided that if our dad can afford to go to Estonia, he sure as hell can afford to buy us some new clothes for 40€ each. So tomorrow I’ll just see if I can exchange my perfume. If not, it’s not the end of the world. It’s not a bad scent, so I’ll just use it myself. Coconut would be nicer, but pear is just as good. It just really annoys me that I lost the receipt. Grr…

I am a bit worried about the amount of money that we’re spending though. It’s only been 3 weeks and we’ve spent around 700€. O.O;;; Then again, 200€ of that were the train tickets. 200€ has gone towards food, Jaz’s school stuff is about 55€, miscellaneous expenses like phone credit equals 155€… Now I have gotten new shoes already, so I might decide to pay for the sandals myself. Well, we’ll see if Jaz finds anything she needs that’s 15€… Wow.. I sound so obsessed about money. Well, when one doesn’t have much, one’s gotta keep track of every cent.

Robin sounds so nice. He’s this guy on Dismissed. He said that he doesn’t like flings, prefers relationships and the security of a girlfriend. The other guy Nate, well… he kept asking the girl to take off her top when they were in the hot tub alone. If a guy said that to me during our first date, I’d leave him there. Seriously, if she said no, then you don’t ask her again! Same goes for kissing her… No idea why she picked him over Robin. He sounded like a creep… too cocky.

I probably should get a life of some sort. I keep discussing people I see on TV way too often.

And I probably sound like a dork, but I love playing around with PowerPoint and Excel. Too bad I have nothing useful to do with them.

One thing that annoys me is the fact that people think our doorbell is the light switch for the hallway. It does not stop. Everyday our doorbell rings at least once. rolls eyes

Lol, I can hear the Scouts shouting in the park. Very tribal sounds. Sort of like barbarians. It reminds of the music in Civ3 before there’re any technological advances. I love that game. Sort of like Sims. Any game where I get to control people is fun. Sort of like playing God. ^^;