It’s getting a bit crowded

When I woke up this morning I thought it was just another normal day.

I got dressed and ready for my first day back at work. I’ve just enjoyed a week holiday (yay).

In no time at all it was time to go. I stepped outside…

My my – hello busy world.

7 billion people in the world?

I thought the roads looked a little busy…

On a serious note though… With a world population like that, how are we all going to fit on Earth? This planet is only so big.

The rate at which the human race is multiplying is quite scary. Look at the projections below.

Europe’s Problems: The Simple Explanation

It’s all gone wrong in Europe! Bail out – bail out.

Sometimes living in Europe can feel a little ‘titanic-ish’. Yup – this place hit an iceberg – and that iceberg is called Greece!

Greece is dragging us all down.

Latest news – a bailout of about 1 TRILLION! Hmmmm, nice one. That’s me on bread and water for the next hundred years!

The prime ministers, chancellors etc etc are all throwing their toys out of their prams too. The international meetings must be fascinating for those proverbial ‘flies-on-the-walls’. Cameron and Sarkozy have been arguing about who should be in the meeting…. Oh, the old battle between France and the United Kingdom.

It’s all old as time.

Don't you wag that French finger at my Prime Minister... Not that Cameron seems to care.

If you’re interested in a more ‘high-brow’ view on the latest economy news from Europe, but still something easy-to-understand then I’d recommend reading this Q&A site.

But, the best thing that I’ve seen – and it really sums up the state of Europe right now – is this.

Merkel has to look after Sarkozy - again!

A visit from Mum

What a fab five days I’ve just had!!!

My mum was over from England to stay with me in The Netherlands. I love having visitors – and a Mum visit is one of the best!

We’ve done so much in those five days: a canal trip through The Hague, meals out, a cinema trip, an IKEA visit (and yes we DID have meatballs), shopping in Leiden, shopping in The Hague and more meals…

The only problem with people coming to stay is that you have to say goodbye. Airport goodbyes are so sad!

Bye Mum! Come back soon.

My mum and me

No one gives you a manual when you have a baby.

Our neighbours have just had a baby. We’re thrilled for them. I’m a little green with envy – he’s just so cute!

Our Dutch neighbours live upstairs – it’s The Netherlands after all, so everybody pretty much lives upstairs/downstairs in apartments.

I got to thinking about those first days as a parent.

How do people know what to you?

I expect it’s all about learning ‘on the job’. I’d be so nervous.

So………..

I did some random googling (as always) light research and discovered this.

Maybe I’ll email it to my new neighbours – just in case.

I’ve got my QR code

I barely even knew what a QR code was a few months ago. But – after seeing these odd squares with black and white checkerboard patterns inside I became curious.

These odd barcodes are everywhere! I see them at tram stops, in magazines and on shop windows.

Good old google explained all.

They’re called Quick Response codes…

If you have a ‘smartphone’ then you can download an app which will scan these new-style barcodes, a matrix code - QR codes. You can read more about QR codes here.

And…

Here is the code for my blog ‘One Life’.

Feel free to share it with someone. Don’t tell them where it will take them if they scan it – sometimes a little mystery is good.

Suddenly, I’m not hungry…

Okay, okay  – so you might have already seen this. I don’t mind if you have – I just thought it was so good that I should share the image on my blog.

So, this is what you get when Cadbury and Nestle merge products. It’s a scary selection!

Anyone for a choccy?

Frantic Origami

We recently had International Days at my school. It is a time to celebrate our school’s multi-cultural make-up.

The children come to school dressed in a traditional costume or clothes to represent where they come from or where they have lived. We have a big parade where all the children walk through school in front of each other and all the parents. It’s a great sight!

Loads of the parents volunteer to come in and run a stand representing their countries. There’s food to eat, games to play, puzzles to work out and things to make! I love it.

This year I had some volunteers to come in and work with my class.  My class are 3 years old. We did lots of different activities – making flags, sharing stories, craft fun, dancing and lots more…

Next, we were going to try…. origami.

Yes, origami with 3 year olds.

I was a little stunned to begin with – but the children loved it.

I am not sure whether they loved the activity more or the fact that their teacher (me) and teaching assistant were frantically rushing around our little circle (with 13 children) helping to fold paper left, right and centre.

It was simple origami. By that I mean – extremely tricky rather complicated. I giggled as I worked.

I think I’m an origami pro now!

I’m glad it’s the weekend – I need the rest!

Not a child from my class - I just love the expression! Boats next time, maybe?

Orgasmic Rugs and Penis Blankets

We really should get out more…

When you put a few teachers and friends in a room together – they always end up talking about personal belongings…

Our evenings with friends are always eventful – but even I wasn’t expecting to hear such animated conversations about Ikea rugs that “must be felt” (really?)… and all-in-one pink body-suits blankets that looked decidedly dodgy!

Okay okay – I’ll explain. The conversation was towards the end of the evening. The wine had been wonderful and probably had something to do with our odd chats.

The bathmat really did feel soft-to-the-touch… In fact, I recommend you all go and get one (now, quick, go and get one).

The blanket, however, was something quite horrid interesting. A fashion statement at the very least. It even came with a little pocket placed below the navel (when turned inside out it looked hillarious) for the TV remote control.

Such a 'wonderful' blanket...

A fashion statement?

Communication Status: Out of Order

I am barely coping!

I’m not at home as I type this.

Broken!

It’s all broken.

I didn’t mind last Thursday, to begin with…

Then came the weekend…

Then came Monday…

It’s Tuesday now and I’m going through ‘cold turkey’.

My internet – television connection and phone connection are all out!

OUT!

No more!

Nil connection.

How can I blog? How can I Facebook?

I’m having to talk to people. I’m reading books… I’m getting all the jobs done that I never got around to.

My poor little ‘One Life’ blog is suffering though. I like to be prompt with my replies.

Sorry peeps!

So, keep your fingers and toes crossed that the magical engineer can fix everything tomorrow!

I’ll be back – As that Austrian guy once said.

I mean Arnie – not that other one!