What made me happy today? You make me like charity!
When I opened my mailbox today, I noticed a large white envelope. I rushed upstairs (and, of course, nearly tripped over my own feet while doing so), dropped my bag and coat on the nearest chair and tore open the envelope.
Why was I so excited about a big, white envelope? Usually, the mailman brings me bills or packages. This time however, he brought me the information about the child I will be sponsoring through Plan Belgium.
Plan International is an international charity, supporting children and their communities in the South. Plan Belgium is the local chapter. They do the same thing. You can easily register on their website, if you want to support a child yourself. PLan accepts one-time donations as well.
In Belgium, you can support a child for as little as €0.83 a day. €0.83, that's not even 40 old Belgian franks. €0.83 cents is basically almost the price of a can of soda from a vending machine. And I can do without a can of soda a day.
But for the child I will be supporting, that €0.83 can make all the difference in the world. The child I sponsor is a 5-year old Nepali girl. Plan will focus on different goals in each region, depending on the most critical needs in that region. These goals can be better healthcare, access to running and clean water, building schools, reducing child labor etc. And the €0.83 cents a day do not only help the child. They also help her family and community. If Plan decides to help build a new school, the whole town can use that school. And that's why I chose to do this. Because by spending a little bit less a day myself, I can help make a huge difference in someone else's life.
Plan provides regular updates about the child you're sponsoring, and the projects they're working on in the region. That way, you can see what's been done with your support. And it just makes me happy to know I may put a smile on someone's face!
Showing posts with label Belgium. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Belgium. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Thursday, October 17, 2013
The road less traveled.
What made me happy today? The road less traveled.
I had to be in Brussels for work today. As I know traffic to Brussels tends to get very busy in the mornings, I got up bright and early. Good thing I did, because there had been a rather large accident near Jette with more than 2 hours of delay. So I told my GPS to try and avoid all that mess.
The good thing is that I have a rather smart GPS (sometimes). It decided to make me drive through Brussels. I really don't like driving in Brussels. It's very busy, and it seems like there's a set of slightly different traffic rules in operation there.
But on the other hand, I'm glad I drove that way. It's the road less traveled, but it's nice to see places you haven't been that often. Plus, it's great driving practice (even though I already have my license).
I had to be in Brussels for work today. As I know traffic to Brussels tends to get very busy in the mornings, I got up bright and early. Good thing I did, because there had been a rather large accident near Jette with more than 2 hours of delay. So I told my GPS to try and avoid all that mess.
The good thing is that I have a rather smart GPS (sometimes). It decided to make me drive through Brussels. I really don't like driving in Brussels. It's very busy, and it seems like there's a set of slightly different traffic rules in operation there.
But on the other hand, I'm glad I drove that way. It's the road less traveled, but it's nice to see places you haven't been that often. Plus, it's great driving practice (even though I already have my license).
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Heart-warming lolz
What made me happy today? Heart-warming lolz!
I came across a few thing that I really wanted to share with you all today!
First up is this list with heart-warming stories from the worst places on Earth. If you need some faith in humanity restored, or just love to read this kind of stuff, make sure you read it all the way through. But you might want to keep a tissue at hand.
Second, I have a great science win for you!
Third on this list is a cross-over between some of my favorite movies!
At fourth place, we have a video about some strange stuff in a coffee house. If you are drinking coffee (or anything else), you may want to put it down for a bit.
And last, but most certainly not least is this: the 2013 Nobel prize for physics goes to Francois Englert and Peter W. Higgs for their research into the Higgs boson particle. Francois Englebert is a Belgian scientist! He and Peter Higgs really deserved to win this. But the fact that he's from the same country as me, makes it just that little bit more special :-)
Have a great evening!
I came across a few thing that I really wanted to share with you all today!
First up is this list with heart-warming stories from the worst places on Earth. If you need some faith in humanity restored, or just love to read this kind of stuff, make sure you read it all the way through. But you might want to keep a tissue at hand.
Second, I have a great science win for you!
Third on this list is a cross-over between some of my favorite movies!
At fourth place, we have a video about some strange stuff in a coffee house. If you are drinking coffee (or anything else), you may want to put it down for a bit.
And last, but most certainly not least is this: the 2013 Nobel prize for physics goes to Francois Englert and Peter W. Higgs for their research into the Higgs boson particle. Francois Englebert is a Belgian scientist! He and Peter Higgs really deserved to win this. But the fact that he's from the same country as me, makes it just that little bit more special :-)
Have a great evening!
Friday, July 19, 2013
Have a laugh
What made me happy today? Having a laugh...
.. at the expense of my own country :-)
Today, I stumbled across this article in an online newspaper. The article features a video, which contains joke after joke about Belgium. I laughed so hard!
The video was made by someone who, in light of the upcoming national holiday, the abdication of Albert 2 and coronation of Filip (or Philippe, that's still being debated), felt like there was not enough Belgian pride. Not sure this will help, but hey, it made me laugh :-)
Belgium. Known for it's beer, waffles, sprouts, the Smurfs, Tintin, chocolate, and fries. One of the first countries to legalize same-sex marriage worldwide. The tiny country that firmly said 'no' against invading Iraq. The country that currently holds the world record for longest government formation.
And while we're on the topic of governments, we don't have one. Nope, we have 6. Yes, you read that right. 6 governments. We have a: federal government, Flemish government, French community government, Walloon regional government, Brussels-capital regional government and German community government. Which is probably why we didn't take to the streets when the federal government wasn't there.
All in all it's a nice country to live in. And yes, we cheer when Hugh Laurie mentions Belgium on the television. But that's because he mentioned Belgium ;-)
.. at the expense of my own country :-)
Today, I stumbled across this article in an online newspaper. The article features a video, which contains joke after joke about Belgium. I laughed so hard!
The video was made by someone who, in light of the upcoming national holiday, the abdication of Albert 2 and coronation of Filip (or Philippe, that's still being debated), felt like there was not enough Belgian pride. Not sure this will help, but hey, it made me laugh :-)
Belgium. Known for it's beer, waffles, sprouts, the Smurfs, Tintin, chocolate, and fries. One of the first countries to legalize same-sex marriage worldwide. The tiny country that firmly said 'no' against invading Iraq. The country that currently holds the world record for longest government formation.
And while we're on the topic of governments, we don't have one. Nope, we have 6. Yes, you read that right. 6 governments. We have a: federal government, Flemish government, French community government, Walloon regional government, Brussels-capital regional government and German community government. Which is probably why we didn't take to the streets when the federal government wasn't there.
All in all it's a nice country to live in. And yes, we cheer when Hugh Laurie mentions Belgium on the television. But that's because he mentioned Belgium ;-)
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Exciting news
What made me happy today? A day filled with exciting news.
Usually I check the papers online during my coffee-break at work. Today, I was rather busy, so I didn't get the change. So I was rather surprised when I heard a radio host say: 'And we'll give you an update about the situation with the king in a few minutes.'. What situation with the king?
Well, king Albert is abdicating the throne. It's a first in Belgian history. Leopold the 3rd was forced to give up the throne, and all other kings died. Rather young I might add, which might be why there's nothing about abdication in the Belgian constitution. But I'm sure we'll solve it, in the way only Belgians can :-) (okay, that joke is only funny if you know a thing or two about Belgium but I just had to make it)
And then there is of course the whole situation in Egypt. Mursi has refused to step down, and it seems like the army is gearing up to stage a coup there. I'm curious to see where that'll lead them.
But of course, I found a solution for both things: we just send Albert to Egypt ;-)
Usually I check the papers online during my coffee-break at work. Today, I was rather busy, so I didn't get the change. So I was rather surprised when I heard a radio host say: 'And we'll give you an update about the situation with the king in a few minutes.'. What situation with the king?
Well, king Albert is abdicating the throne. It's a first in Belgian history. Leopold the 3rd was forced to give up the throne, and all other kings died. Rather young I might add, which might be why there's nothing about abdication in the Belgian constitution. But I'm sure we'll solve it, in the way only Belgians can :-) (okay, that joke is only funny if you know a thing or two about Belgium but I just had to make it)
And then there is of course the whole situation in Egypt. Mursi has refused to step down, and it seems like the army is gearing up to stage a coup there. I'm curious to see where that'll lead them.
But of course, I found a solution for both things: we just send Albert to Egypt ;-)
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