If you read my previous entry, which I personally think is a bit garbled, seeing as I was tired, and I had just found out I was pregnant.
I THINK my head is a whole lot clearer today, in fact Im pretty sure it is. I have done some research and do you realise that at this stage in my pregnancy, the baby is
half of an o in print. So half of "o" is the size of my child.
It's mad to think that we were all like that once. When you're pregnant, you tend to think about these thing a lot. It really does change your view of what's important in life.
Before I had my first child my life consisted of work, work, and more work, interspersed of course with weekends of partying (I still miss the partying though). Now its out for dinner and a few drinks once a month, and washing really small clothes, and changing dirty diapers.
The thing is, I don't mind. I've done the social thing, I done the travelling thing, and I look on motherhood as the next big adventure, and I'm having a ball!!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Being pregnant and having a small child
Well I have just found out I'm pregnant. Im 5 weeks gone, and it's quiet a mad feeling, and it's weird, especially as I don't feel the same buzz of excitement I felt on my daughter, and I think I should feel guilty about this, but I don't. Maybe it's just me, and I'm plain weird.
I believe Im pregnant, especially as I did quiet a few tests to prove it to myself (the first two the confirmation line as a bit faint, and I just needed more proof).
So as my pregnancy progresses, Im left wondering how I'm going to run around after a one year old, especially as lifting is out of the question the further along I go.
I know many women have coped before me, and no doubt will cope after me, but I can just go from my point of view (selfish I know, but that's the way of it).
This blog is probably just brainless ramblings, well, a womans brain does shrink when she is pregnant (still bigger than most mens all the same he he).
I will keep the blog update, but I am thinking of starting a new one, and give an account of how everything is going. For now however, Im going to get a cup of tea and relax.
I believe Im pregnant, especially as I did quiet a few tests to prove it to myself (the first two the confirmation line as a bit faint, and I just needed more proof).
So as my pregnancy progresses, Im left wondering how I'm going to run around after a one year old, especially as lifting is out of the question the further along I go.
I know many women have coped before me, and no doubt will cope after me, but I can just go from my point of view (selfish I know, but that's the way of it).
This blog is probably just brainless ramblings, well, a womans brain does shrink when she is pregnant (still bigger than most mens all the same he he).
I will keep the blog update, but I am thinking of starting a new one, and give an account of how everything is going. For now however, Im going to get a cup of tea and relax.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Southern Harmony and Musical Companion
Quiet a long time ago I had, on tape (that makes me feel so old) The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion by the Black Crowes. I love that album. It was one of my absolute FAVES!
I lost it many years ago, and by chance I decided to type the album title into ebay. It was just on a whim, I wasn't sure if it would come up or not. I managed to get it for 3.00GBP.
It arrived about a week and I haven't stopped listening to it since. It's just so good, and I really do have to compliment my younger selfs taste in music, it's every bit as good as I remembered!
The main stand out songs, which are beautifully written, and sung with such soulful heart felt emotion.
Bad Luck Blue Eyes good bye
and
Time Will Tell
If you ever see them for sale for your MP3 player, I would boldly suggest that you get them.
If you want some songs that you can sing at the top of your voice with, and (if you're a boy) play the air guitar then
Sting me
Remedy
and
Hotel Illness
Are just the ticket.
Overall, it's just a super album, and if you like rock mixed with blues and easy listening this is the album for you.
I lost it many years ago, and by chance I decided to type the album title into ebay. It was just on a whim, I wasn't sure if it would come up or not. I managed to get it for 3.00GBP.
It arrived about a week and I haven't stopped listening to it since. It's just so good, and I really do have to compliment my younger selfs taste in music, it's every bit as good as I remembered!
The main stand out songs, which are beautifully written, and sung with such soulful heart felt emotion.
Bad Luck Blue Eyes good bye
and
Time Will Tell
If you ever see them for sale for your MP3 player, I would boldly suggest that you get them.
If you want some songs that you can sing at the top of your voice with, and (if you're a boy) play the air guitar then
Sting me
Remedy
and
Hotel Illness
Are just the ticket.
Overall, it's just a super album, and if you like rock mixed with blues and easy listening this is the album for you.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Being a mom!!
Being a mom is more fun than I thought it was ever going to be.
My daughter is now a year old, and she is hilarious. Trying to say words, feeding herself, standing up in her playpen. She is learning all the time, and when she figures something out, you can see her brain working from her facial expressions.
Now to be honest I was never terribly maternal to begin with, and I figured that she would cry all night, not feed, poop all the time and at the beginning I wouldn't enjoy it. However, she is the most docile, contented child on the planet. She sleeps until 9.30am (I am just SO lucky), she eats great, she is growing exactly as she should and she is happy. The only area in which I was right was the poop, but I've long since gotten over that.
Our district nurse (she weighs and measures her to make sure all is good) said that she may be naturally calm, but that we should take it as a compliment to our parenting, as she is obviously taking our lead. When a professional says something like that to you, you feel very proud of yourself, especially seeing as she is our first child!
I just assumed that she was naturally content, and that I was the one following her lead, but the nurse said that babies take their cue from the tension they feel from their parents. So if a parent is stressed, the baby will be stressed, and vice versa.
It was never something I gave that much thought to, but if I think about it logically it makes complete sense. I would NEVER in a million years claim to be a child rearing expert but if there is one tip I would give to any new parent it's to relax and always remember that your child is reading your signals.
Try to enjoy the first year, especially as it goes so fast. I know everyone who has a child tells you that, but you have got to believe them, because they are not lying. This has been the fastest year of my life. I have no idea where it went at all
My daughter is now a year old, and she is hilarious. Trying to say words, feeding herself, standing up in her playpen. She is learning all the time, and when she figures something out, you can see her brain working from her facial expressions.
Now to be honest I was never terribly maternal to begin with, and I figured that she would cry all night, not feed, poop all the time and at the beginning I wouldn't enjoy it. However, she is the most docile, contented child on the planet. She sleeps until 9.30am (I am just SO lucky), she eats great, she is growing exactly as she should and she is happy. The only area in which I was right was the poop, but I've long since gotten over that.
Our district nurse (she weighs and measures her to make sure all is good) said that she may be naturally calm, but that we should take it as a compliment to our parenting, as she is obviously taking our lead. When a professional says something like that to you, you feel very proud of yourself, especially seeing as she is our first child!
I just assumed that she was naturally content, and that I was the one following her lead, but the nurse said that babies take their cue from the tension they feel from their parents. So if a parent is stressed, the baby will be stressed, and vice versa.
It was never something I gave that much thought to, but if I think about it logically it makes complete sense. I would NEVER in a million years claim to be a child rearing expert but if there is one tip I would give to any new parent it's to relax and always remember that your child is reading your signals.
Try to enjoy the first year, especially as it goes so fast. I know everyone who has a child tells you that, but you have got to believe them, because they are not lying. This has been the fastest year of my life. I have no idea where it went at all
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
It's such a shame that we have to be so careful online
I am a member of some great social network, and I love them. I some some great online friends. I think it's such a shame that in this the "Information Age" we have to be so careful, especially with our details, and what we share with others online! This is one thing I have seen online, especially on my social network, but this could also apply to a dating site. This makes me feel somewhat sad, but I hope it doesn't make me totally cynical to people I meet online.
Firstly the practice of getting peoples details is called phishing. So when anyone asks for you to chat on yahoo or msn or wherever, they are looking to get your details. Please be careful with this. I don't mean to sound rude or horrible here, but there are people who are more vulnerable than others.
People who are looking for that special someone or who are a little bit lonely are bigger targets than anyone else. They will flatter your profile, your looks everything that will make you feel special. Then comes the crunch. After a short while they will tell you that they are in love with you, and want to be with you but can't afford to get to you, would you pay for them to travel to you and you will both live happily ever after. It's all bogus of course, but you would be surprised how many people both male and female will believe this.
Always remember that in a lot of cases this is not a personal attack, it's more to do with casting a line and see what bites (see Phishing). It is completely random, and in a lot of cases the culprit is sitting in an internet cafe in Nigeria (I am not slagging off a complete nation, but statistics prove that quiet a lot of these scam come from Nigeria, but they are worldwide too). When they get a bite they call the victim a MUGU! I think this means something like stupid rich person, especially as they will try to fleece you for everything they can.
NEVER offer to pay for anything, or accept a cheque/check or money gram from these people, they will bounce and you are legally responsible for any funds you draw.
Most of all, never, never, never (I cannot stress this enough) give your personal details to anyone you meet on a social network or dating site. If you do meet someone from a dating site, tell someone where you are going and what you are doing. Protect yourself from madmen, con artists and scammers at all times
Firstly the practice of getting peoples details is called phishing. So when anyone asks for you to chat on yahoo or msn or wherever, they are looking to get your details. Please be careful with this. I don't mean to sound rude or horrible here, but there are people who are more vulnerable than others.
People who are looking for that special someone or who are a little bit lonely are bigger targets than anyone else. They will flatter your profile, your looks everything that will make you feel special. Then comes the crunch. After a short while they will tell you that they are in love with you, and want to be with you but can't afford to get to you, would you pay for them to travel to you and you will both live happily ever after. It's all bogus of course, but you would be surprised how many people both male and female will believe this.
Always remember that in a lot of cases this is not a personal attack, it's more to do with casting a line and see what bites (see Phishing). It is completely random, and in a lot of cases the culprit is sitting in an internet cafe in Nigeria (I am not slagging off a complete nation, but statistics prove that quiet a lot of these scam come from Nigeria, but they are worldwide too). When they get a bite they call the victim a MUGU! I think this means something like stupid rich person, especially as they will try to fleece you for everything they can.
NEVER offer to pay for anything, or accept a cheque/check or money gram from these people, they will bounce and you are legally responsible for any funds you draw.
Most of all, never, never, never (I cannot stress this enough) give your personal details to anyone you meet on a social network or dating site. If you do meet someone from a dating site, tell someone where you are going and what you are doing. Protect yourself from madmen, con artists and scammers at all times
Maternity Leave in the Netherlands
Working life in the Netherlands, is relatively stress free. You have a lot of rights and you are reasonably well protected (especially with sick leave). You start a job and on your third contract you have what they call a vaste contract. Which is a permanent contract, and this in the Netherlands is a big deal if affords you lots of protection as an employee.
The only area that dutch employment law falls short is in maternity leave. In total you have 16 weeks. That 16 weeks is broken down as follows:
4-6 weeks before your due date you MUST start your leave.
10-12 weeks that remain after the birth of your child is your total time to
arrange everything before you have to go back to work.
To be fair they do also have Ouderschap Verlof, which is parental leave, which is 6 months, however you take this at your own expense, and it cannot be taken in one time frame. Most people tend to take it as one day a week unpaid for a certain time frame.
The fact that the Netherlands has maternity makes anyone living in the Netherlands luckier than in some countries. However in comparison to many other EU countries it's quiet paltry, especially when you consider that their employment law as a whole is very evenly balanced between protecting employee and employer alike.
Given this important fact, if makes me wonder why their maternity leave is so poor. I know having a baby is not an illness, but it still takes on average a year for a womans body to recover. Hopefully over time it will rectify its self, but until then dutch citizens and residents will have to manage.
The only area that dutch employment law falls short is in maternity leave. In total you have 16 weeks. That 16 weeks is broken down as follows:
4-6 weeks before your due date you MUST start your leave.
10-12 weeks that remain after the birth of your child is your total time to
arrange everything before you have to go back to work.
To be fair they do also have Ouderschap Verlof, which is parental leave, which is 6 months, however you take this at your own expense, and it cannot be taken in one time frame. Most people tend to take it as one day a week unpaid for a certain time frame.
The fact that the Netherlands has maternity makes anyone living in the Netherlands luckier than in some countries. However in comparison to many other EU countries it's quiet paltry, especially when you consider that their employment law as a whole is very evenly balanced between protecting employee and employer alike.
Given this important fact, if makes me wonder why their maternity leave is so poor. I know having a baby is not an illness, but it still takes on average a year for a womans body to recover. Hopefully over time it will rectify its self, but until then dutch citizens and residents will have to manage.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Personal Debt - Its killing your quality of life
I don't know who out there is in debt and what it's doing to your life, but I can make one bet, it's killing you quality of life.
I am an accountant by trade, although I no longer work in finance, but I know the gist of money, and what it takes to get your bills paid. I have lived from pay packet to pay packet. Its a giant sized pain. Now I am in a position where I can spoil myself from time to time and it's great.
I recently wrote a piece for an intel site, explaining how you can (with a bit of perseverence) get out of debt, I have progressed this into a website.
I will be honest it is by no means a definitive way out of debt, but it does give you a decent break down, and a step by step plan that can if you stick with it help. You can always adjust this plan to suit yourself and your circumstances, and of course it's free. It's a basic site, I am no webmaster, and my html skill are seriously lacking, but check it out and use what ever you need from it.
I will say again, I am not a financial advisor, but I do know money, and maybe this will help, and no matter what you do to get out of your debt, there is light at the end of the tunnel, you just have to get a clear honest look at your finances.
Just Click Here for more information. And don't forget that in your area there will be many services that you can use to help you, and lots are voluntary, so do look and check them out too.
I am an accountant by trade, although I no longer work in finance, but I know the gist of money, and what it takes to get your bills paid. I have lived from pay packet to pay packet. Its a giant sized pain. Now I am in a position where I can spoil myself from time to time and it's great.
I recently wrote a piece for an intel site, explaining how you can (with a bit of perseverence) get out of debt, I have progressed this into a website.
I will be honest it is by no means a definitive way out of debt, but it does give you a decent break down, and a step by step plan that can if you stick with it help. You can always adjust this plan to suit yourself and your circumstances, and of course it's free. It's a basic site, I am no webmaster, and my html skill are seriously lacking, but check it out and use what ever you need from it.
I will say again, I am not a financial advisor, but I do know money, and maybe this will help, and no matter what you do to get out of your debt, there is light at the end of the tunnel, you just have to get a clear honest look at your finances.
Just Click Here for more information. And don't forget that in your area there will be many services that you can use to help you, and lots are voluntary, so do look and check them out too.
Sunday Boring Sunday
How does it happen that sunday evening creeps up on you so quickly. Its SOOOO annoying. I just don't get it. Now don't get me wrong I only work part time and I don't work on Mondays (just in case you were wondering, I have a 7 month old, and resent paying a fortune in childcare). It still happens though, Sundays just sneak up on you, and WHAM its Monday.
The Boomtown Rats got it right, "tell me why I don't like mondays.... tell me why I don't like mondays.... tell me why I don't like mondays.... I wanna shoo ooo ooooo ooooot the whole day down..."
Now I know this was about a psycho schoolgirl who hated school, but it just applys to most people. Does anyone like mondays? What do you do to make them brighter and better? Let me know, leave me your ideas and comments so I can see if they actually work...
I now raise my glass to next Friday, my favourite day of the week...
The Boomtown Rats got it right, "tell me why I don't like mondays.... tell me why I don't like mondays.... tell me why I don't like mondays.... I wanna shoo ooo ooooo ooooot the whole day down..."
Now I know this was about a psycho schoolgirl who hated school, but it just applys to most people. Does anyone like mondays? What do you do to make them brighter and better? Let me know, leave me your ideas and comments so I can see if they actually work...
I now raise my glass to next Friday, my favourite day of the week...
Life in The Netherlands
I'm still living in the Netherlands (god help me), seriously takes a lot of getting used to. Im here 4.5 years, and I'm still getting used to it.
The Dutch are just plain weird (if you're Dutch and reading this, you know its true). Lets face it they gave us the wonder that is reality TV (they did the original Big Brother and now look...), Adam Curry and they have forever contaminated the music world with 2Unlimited (no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no no, no theres no lyyrrrrrics.....).
OK, I'm married to a Dutch man, but he's not completely Dutch, his mom is English, so he got the English manners (please and thank you, that sort of this). And it has to be said that manners are something sorely lacking in this country. Seriously, if you say thanks or give a dutch person a compliment they look at you as if you have 10 heads. Its so WEIRD.
There are two great books that you should read if you ever plan on coming the Netherlands (I don't remember who wrote them, but you could still try and get them, they shouldn't be too hard to track down). The first is a short book, its short and extremely easy to read, its like a quick guide its The Xenophobes Guide to the Dutch. Its seriously funny, and SO accurate. It doesn't exhaggerate. When you read it you think that its blowing it all out of proportion, but its NOT. Its all true.
The next one Undutchables, this is available in english and dutch, and its hilarious. Especially when they talk about Dutch birthday celebrations (which make wakes look like fun...). A more accurate portrayal of dutch life you WILL not find.
Anyway, my moan is officially over, but if you want any insights into life here, just send me a message, I'll be very glad to rant and rave... I'm sure I'll find it very theraputic...
The Dutch are just plain weird (if you're Dutch and reading this, you know its true). Lets face it they gave us the wonder that is reality TV (they did the original Big Brother and now look...), Adam Curry and they have forever contaminated the music world with 2Unlimited (no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no no, no theres no lyyrrrrrics.....).
OK, I'm married to a Dutch man, but he's not completely Dutch, his mom is English, so he got the English manners (please and thank you, that sort of this). And it has to be said that manners are something sorely lacking in this country. Seriously, if you say thanks or give a dutch person a compliment they look at you as if you have 10 heads. Its so WEIRD.
There are two great books that you should read if you ever plan on coming the Netherlands (I don't remember who wrote them, but you could still try and get them, they shouldn't be too hard to track down). The first is a short book, its short and extremely easy to read, its like a quick guide its The Xenophobes Guide to the Dutch. Its seriously funny, and SO accurate. It doesn't exhaggerate. When you read it you think that its blowing it all out of proportion, but its NOT. Its all true.
The next one Undutchables, this is available in english and dutch, and its hilarious. Especially when they talk about Dutch birthday celebrations (which make wakes look like fun...). A more accurate portrayal of dutch life you WILL not find.
Anyway, my moan is officially over, but if you want any insights into life here, just send me a message, I'll be very glad to rant and rave... I'm sure I'll find it very theraputic...
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