Category Archives: in english

in english

QotD: Extraterrestrial

I usually don't care very much about the QotD, but this is close to my heart so I will answer it.

Do you believe there is intelligent life on other planets?

Definitely.  I read this book when I was a small kid, and between that and other literature by Carl Sagan and Isaac Asimov I cannot help but be convinced by pure probability.

However, they may not be very close, as they seem to have not reached us just yet.  Or maybe they have, but are wiser than we are in their dealings with less advanced civilizations.

in english

In Brussels and in Antwerp

As you may know, I'm Mexican and my fiancée is Finnish.  We've been together for quite a few years, but as a friend says we probably look like one of those ads from United Colours of Benetton.

In Brussels I'm Morrocan or Turkish, whereas my fiancée is Flemish.
In Antwerp I'm Morrocan or Turkish, but dangerous anyway, whereas my fiancée is a local, or maybe Dutch.

In Brussels I blend in with the general population, and so does my fiancée.
In Antwerp, de Metropool, I have found more hostile stares directed at me, or worse, my fiancée when she's with me.

The good news is that at least everybody thinks that I speak their language: the French-speakers speak to me in French, the Dutch-speakers in Dutch, the Turks in Turkish, and the Morrocans in Arabic.  The Spanish-speakers usually don't know who speaks Spanish here anymore 😉

Regardless of the interesting experiences, we had a very nice time in Antwerp, a beautiful but rather misjudged city where I have some good friends.

in english

Life is beautiful

You just need to be brave enough to live it.

Or as they say in Spanish: "Dios aprieta pero no ahorca", which more or less means "God might tighten the situation, but not choke you".  I'm not usually a person that quotes the Bible, but "Help yourself then I will help you" (or whatever the official English translation is) is one of my favourite quotes.

It has been a very challenging 9 months or so, and there is still 3 months for my final project, but it already feels really different.  I've learned heaps, met some very good friends and got into touch with parts of myself that I had neglected.

The excellent local beer is a plus, of course.