Q fever

It seems like people are tired of bad news.

Reports about Q fever in this country reveal that already years ago it was known that Q fever was widely spread.
For all sorts of reasons the population wasn't warned, so for over three years people were exposed to the dangers. Like pregnant women.

The last report makes clear how many mistakes were made and that the economical risks for farms were put above health risks.

Yet there are only a handful of people who stand up and speak against it.

That worries me.

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snowed in

We went to a birthdayparty this evening and when we were ready to leave, you know, coats on, goodbyes said, we opened the door and were perplexed.

It was raining, snowing, iceraining, whatever... and the world was white.
And very slippery.

No way we would be able to reach home.

So we went back in and now we hope the showers will drift over and the ice will melt, otherwise we have to stay here all night.

One after each other mailed home or got on the phone and now I'm updating my site because I needed as bit of time for myself.
Behind me two are reading, and it's really quiet here.

In the room at the other side of the house they're having a lot of loud fun.

It's nice to look outside, so nice.
What a pity we can't capture that on a photo.

I hope the weather is a bit more friendly at your place of the world.

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at the new school

Soon I'll be working at a school to finish the last part of my studies.

I was invited for a cup of coffee during the lunchbreak at the new school to meet a few collegues.

Didn't expect to be nervous, but I was.

Ofcourse they were very nice to me.
I got a tour around school, was shown where the equipment is for monday evening, in case it was forgotten to put it in the main hall, and I took a walk over the playground before the children went in again.

Great fun to see the kids poke their elbows around to get attantion and then whisper something about me.
Well, I won't be completely new next monday. That's good.

have a great weekend!

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weather - here we're lucky

I think we're lucky with the weather here.
There's been strong winds and a bit of snow, but it wasn't as cold as they said.
But maybe we'll get our share this night or tomorrow.

In the north of the country it's bad.

When you want to see photos people made, just click here and click the flags in the map. In the meantime you'll probably learn a bit of geography too. :)

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a challenge to go home

Because our studies start again tomorrow we needed to go home.

Yesterday evening traffic in a large part of the country either came to a halt of people got stuck in slow moving traffic for hours.

One of my uncles offered to drive us, but we didn't accept his offer. We can't risk him being on the roads for almost all day.

But he got us to the railwaystation and we had a nice talk before a train arrived.

Going home was a kind of challenge, because not all trains were on schedule.

The roads were OK by the time we arrived here in town. So we took the bus and we're at home now.

I'm so happy to sleep in my own bed again.

But it feels strange after being away such a long time.
It's silent here in the house, and chilly.
I kind of feel like I've landed on my two feet after a long free flight in the air.

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money and 2010

Tomorrow the christmastime ends here too. Now the year is well on it's way, reality is taking over a bit.

This afternoon I had a long talk with some uncles and others about the rising cost of living.

One of the difficulties of studying is that I have to deal with unexpected expenses.
Even though we've asked at university that teachers provide and list of what we need, these lists are subject to all sorts of changes and sometimes we're nearly freaked out by the costs of books or other sudden things we need.

That way I can't make any long term plans and can't say how much I'm able to spend freely each month.

I see that quite some things have become more expensive and even though I have a job, I would like to be able to know now whether I can devote my time on the last months of my studies or whether I need to keep on working.

I try to keep out of debt.

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irresponsible people causing death

The rescue services sometimes have a hard job recuing people at sea and in the mountains. I admire them to bits.

Last summer many people went to swim in sea, far away from the beach, against all advice and warnings not to do so.

Lots were pulled out of the water, exhausted, because they couldn't cope with the strong currents.

Yesterday and today rescue workers were killed due to the brainless activities of skiers.

When you're told to stay on the pistes, stay there. Don't get yourself in trouble by going outside the prepared areas.

It seems so easy, but it clearly wasn't.

The last two days more than 7 rescue workers lost their loves due to people who didn't care.

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Are people different?

There's so much snow, its beautiful!

On the news people were warned not to go on the ice.
But people did anyway.

My uncle prepaired one of the fields, so children and others could skate safe.
Yet, people complained about the snow on the ice.

I don't understand they get stuck in complaining instead of going home and getting a broom to swipe the ice snowfree.

I remember some years ago.
We were about 15 young people and we all went home, got brooms and then cleaned the ice.
It was the least we could do as a gesture of appreciation that my uncle gave his field for ice.
People don't understand what parked cars and the icelayer itself do to the fields.
No crops in the spring. So that costs a lot of money for a few days of fun. Free fun. People even go to the loo at the farm and leave their litter everywhere.

Maybe the people of this year are different?

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hello from 2010

Hello!

A quick hello from wintery looking world at the farm here.
We're having a great time, except for that I fled away from a far too stressful TV series... young married couple, on their way to the reception, accident, car on ice and the ice is cracking.

I hate that!!

So I'll just do with the sounds to follow a bit what's going on and have the family boys laugh about me for taking a break.
Later I'll laugh about them for watching the series. Hah!

I hope you started your year well.

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Happy new year!!!

Happy new year!!

We had a great start of the new year.
With a lot of friends and family present we wished each other a happy new year, raised our glasses and then the men went outside to ignite the fireworks.
We didn't have much, because my mom told anyone who wanted to come that she'd rather have them spend the money on something sensible and each one was allowed only 5 items.
Worked well.

Then we ate something together and then we took off to visit the neighbours and go to friends.

I've got a splitting headache now. Not from the drinks. I didn't drink any alcohol, but from going to bed too late.

In the morning the boys came to get me for the carbite shooting.
So I guess everybody woke up in time. LOL!

On the site of our newsagency I've found a small movie, so you can see that carbite shooting is quite rough.
It makes a loud noice. When you treat things carefully it's not as dangerous as fireworks.

I hope your new year started as well as mine.

happy new year!!

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