On Friday (2025-08-22), my colleague Kilian (the funniest guy >_<) invited me to watch the fireworks in Knokke. Since it was the weekend, I thought—why not?
At 7:30 p.m., Kilian and his girlfriend came to pick me up. On the way, they played lots of great songs, including tracks from Pommelien Thijs—who is now officially my favorite Belgian singer! They even sang along together, filling the car with laughter and music. I loved the lively vibe and just soaked it all in.
When we reached Knokke, we parked near Gligli’s home. While waiting for him to get ready, we played with his two adorable dachshunds. They were tiny but long—like little sausages with legs, haha! In Chinese, they’re called 腊肠犬 (làchángquǎn), which literally means “sausage dogs.” Such a perfect name!
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Since we had some time before the fireworks, we went for a walk along the beach. The weather was perfect, the sea breeze was refreshing, and the sunset was absolutely breathtaking. Gligli treated us to ice cream, which we enjoyed while admiring the view.
The fireworks in Knokke are part of an annual international competition that attracts visitors from across Belgium and beyond. Each year, four countries are invited to showcase their pyrotechnic art. That evening, it was the UK’s turn.
We found a perfect spot on the beach, surrounded by an excited crowd. As the first fireworks burst into the sky, everyone cheered. The colors and patterns were dazzling.
What impressed me most was how perfectly the fireworks were synchronized with the music. Each explosion matched the rhythm and mood of the soundtrack, making it feel like a full sensory performance. It wasn’t just watching fireworks—it was experiencing them.
I’ve seen fireworks in Japan before, and in China during Spring Festival. But in Knokke, the combination of music, artistry, and atmosphere made it feel extra special. Maybe the real magic was simply being with friends, enjoying the night together. Thank you, Kilian and Gligli.
Afterwards, we went to a nearby bar, grabbed some drinks, and chatted late into the night. The conversation was lively—about current events, cultural differences, and how people perceive China (often in outdated or stereotypical ways). It felt refreshing to share perspectives openly.
By the time we got home, it was already early morning. I felt so grateful—for the fireworks, the beach, the laughter, the conversations, and most of all, for the friends I shared them with. Truly an unforgettable day.
I was recently invited to join a competition—but there was a catch: teams had to include at least three people. So, I reached out to two close colleagues who I deeply trust.
As I often do, I immediately started preparing everything I could think of—gathering materials, outlining the scope, and mapping out the architecture of our presentation. Out of habit, I only assigned small tasks to them. Honestly, I’ve always felt uncomfortable asking others to do too much. If I’m the organizer or team lead, I believe it’s my responsibility to carry the bulk of the work.
But something unexpected happened.
My two incredible teammates didn’t just help—they owned their parts. They brought fresh ideas, crafted beautiful slides, and contributed thoughtful writing for the proposal. They showed patience, skill, and a spirit of collaboration that truly moved me.
For the first time in a long while, I didn’t feel like I was carrying the weight alone. And the results? Far better than anything I could have done solo.
I’m so grateful for this experience—and for them.
Teamwork really does make the dream work.
A Special Lunch with a Retired Teacher
I was recently invited to visit a retired teacher from our campus for lunch at his home. I was so happy—this was the first time a Belgian person had ever invited me to their home. In China, we often do this more casually and frequently, so this gesture felt both warm and rare.
A great song I really like recently
Grateful Encounters
I truly feel grateful for the people in my life who help me without expecting anything in return.
This teacher is one of them.
When I first arrived on campus and began working on my experiments, I didn’t have a proper place to set up my 3D printer.
One evening around 7:00 p.m., most colleagues had already left, and I was sitting on the ground doing some tests. The printer was temporarily placed on the floor because there was simply nowhere else to put it.
At that time, I didn’t know when or where I could find a better space—my supervisor was very busy, and I was still new.
That evening, this teacher passed by my lab, saw me sitting there, and said hi before leaving.
But the next day, he came back and asked if I needed help. He said it wasn’t appropriate to work like that and kindly offered his assistance.
As a sensitive person, I almost cried at that moment.
Then he emailed my supervisor and expressed his willingness to help resolve the situation.
A Helping Hand
Over the following month, he:
Helped me find a proper space for my printer
Searched on AliExpress for the right tools
Even drove around town to find equipment to help exhaust the toxic gas from the printer
It struck me then that caring for others isn’t always natural—it’s something we can learn by example.
And I learned it from him.
Everything got resolved smoothly thanks to his help.
He was like a grandfather or father figure—not connected to my project, yet he stepped in without hesitation.
It moved me deeply, and I promised myself to become that kind of person too.
Unexpected Friendship
Believe it or not, sometimes you just click with people without needing a reason.
Eventually, we became good friends—from my perspective, at least.
Before visiting him today, I prepared a few interview questions 😊
We ended up talking from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.—five hours flew by!
A Life of Teaching and Discipline
He began teaching in 1982, shortly after leaving the military.
Although his army service lasted only ten months, it taught him valuable lessons:
Self-discipline
Leadership
Teamwork
He believes these are qualities many young people lack today.
Teaching wasn’t originally part of his plan, but it turned out to be a great opportunity—and he embraced it.
On Networking and Courage
We talked about networking. He said it’s essential—not about using others, but about saving time and energy.
“If you can use others, others can use you too.”
Networking is like a phone book—you don’t use it every day, but it’s there when you need it.
It’s different from friendship, which is built on shared memories and interests.
Networking is more about career growth.
He shared a story:
A student once wanted to work on a rocket project, and he happened to know someone in that field.
He introduced them, and now the student is doing well.
Networking, he said, is often a win-win situation.
I told him I often feel shy about reaching out, even though I appear outgoing.
He encouraged me:
“Don’t be afraid. Just keep practicing—you’ll get used to it. It’s a skill.”
Gaining Experience, Finding Direction
He also told me that when he was younger, he struggled with other people’s opinions and felt life was out of control.
But with time and experience, he began to:
Steer the direction of his work
Speak with more confidence and impact
I agree—it’s a process.
We can’t expect to do only what we love when we’re still young and inexperienced.
Regrets and Pride
One thing he regretted was not doing a PhD.
I think he had a passion for research, and not having a doctorate might’ve limited some opportunities.
But the happy side?
Over the past 42 years, he spent most of his time doing work he genuinely enjoyed.
That’s a kind of perfection, isn’t it?
When I asked him what he was most proud of, he said: his family.
He lives a happy life and cherishes his relationship.
A small but touching detail:
Every workday, he rides his bike to meet his wife after her work, and then they ride home together.
What a lovely couple! ❤️
Differences and Understanding
We also talked about politics and the current world.
As a Chinese person who loves her country deeply, I naturally had different opinions.
I’ll summarize those discussions in another post.
What I’ve Learned
His life might look ordinary at first glance.
But to me, his passion for education and his kindness toward life are extraordinary—and worth learning from.
I still feel lucky to have a senior friend who’s willing to show me what life can be.
Today I went to Leuven to do SEM characterization. Since I needed to put my samples into a vacuum chamber, I was told it would be best to leave them inside for a whole day. But because of the long distance, I decided to go very early and finish everything in one day. I was surprised to find that it’s even possible to book night or weekend sessions for the SEM. Somehow, this is exactly what I expect from a good research institute or university — flexible access that respects how research really works.
I don’t want to glorify overworking, but there should be an environment that allows researchers to work late when they need to — whether because experiments take a long time, or because some people simply do their best work at night. On my Brugge campus, this is impossible. There are strict checks by a third-party security company, and I always have to leave before midnight. I’ve been warned many times not to stay alone in the building for safety reasons.
But despite the early start, I had a really good working day in Leuven. After preparing my samples, I went to the canteen for lunch and ended up sitting with a big group of Chinese students. We talked about the research atmosphere back home, each other’s projects, and funny things that have happened to us here in Belgium. It had been a long time since I’d had such a warm, lively conversation with so many people. I’m not the talkative girl I once was — now I’m quieter, a listener, and I really like this version of myself: calm, thoughtful, and curious.
Back in the lab, I wasn’t familiar with one of the coating machines. A Belgian colleague I hadn’t met before was so kind — he patiently showed me how to use it step by step, and even explained the principles behind each step. By 8 p.m., I had finished all my tests. I was exhausted, but grateful — and happy with the results.
What touched me most was the bright lights of the building as I left. So many people were still working, or at least still there, deep into the night. Sometimes, I feel like an alien on my Brugge campus — I try to hide how much I love working hard, because it’s not always understood. But deep down, I know why I’m here: for research, not for entertainment. I know how to enjoy life — but for me, doing my work is part of that joy.
Where we are does not define who we are. Today reminded me of that — and made me feel grateful all over again.
Chemistry experiments as meditation
I’ve come to realize that doing chemistry or materials experiments is, in many ways, like practicing meditation. If my mind wanders even slightly, mistakes slip in—sometimes with frustrating consequences.
Take today (well, technically yesterday). After spending the whole day mixing a solution, I accidentally poured it into a dirty beaker. Just one moment of inattention, and all that effort went to waste. It drove me crazy.
Even the simple act of weighing particles on a balance demands complete focus and patience. Preparing five groups for a comparative experiment can easily take over an hour. There’s no rushing it. Every grain matters.
Honestly, I didn’t enjoy this kind of work when I first started. It felt repetitive and lacking in technical creativity. But something has changed. Recently, I’ve found that when I fully immerse myself in the process, a sense of inner stillness takes over. My thoughts settle. My attention sharpens. My heart feels… clean.
That feeling—that calm flow of presence—is perfect. And I think that, maybe, this quiet discipline is a kind of innovation. Not in the tools or the results, but in myself.
There is no diabetic foot in heaven
Today, I learned that my landlord’s mom underwent euthanasia. It left me reflecting on a conversation we had not long ago.
Why do we need to pay Brussels Airport Supplement?
Public transportation in China is incredibly affordable. For instance, taking the subway in Shanghai typically costs only 4 to 6 RMB (approximately €0.5 to €0.8). That’s pocket change! 🤑 As someone used to this cost-efficiency, traveling in Belgium, or any other European country, feels like public transport is reaching directly into my wallet! 😂💸
