Hospital

Hello there gentle reader. Its been a while.

I was away for Christmas seeing my mum and the rest of my family. Lena came for her first British Xmas and I am sorry to say she didnt have a great time.

I was sick the first two days and the doctor told me that i had gall stones. Which means that on tuesday i had the gall bladder removed. I am back in latvia however so i am in the care of the latvian medical system.

Well i am still in hospital as i write this blog post.  I will write some more about my experience when i get home.

Happy new year.

Facts about Santa....just for the kids

Hello again gentle readers, this one is for the young or the young at heart.

 

• Santa Claus is also known as St. Nickolas, Father Christmas, Grandfather Frost and Kris Kringle.  

• Santa Claus was born in 270 AD.  That means he is over 1,000 years old.  It’s the magic of Christmas that keeps him alive and well.

• According to the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” written by Clement Moore in 1823 Santa is described as a jolly old elf with cheeks like roses, his nose like a cherry and a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.

• Santa has a white beard, a red suit with white cuffs, a white collar and a black belt.  He also wears a red hat with white trim and wears black boots.

• According to legend Santa Claus lives at the north pole with Mrs Claus and his elves.

   

• It is believed that Santa’s elves work all year long in Santa’s workshop making toys for children all over the world.

• Santa Claus is believed to bring gifts to all the good boys and girls while they are sleeping on Christmas Eve (December 24th).

• Throughout the year Santa Claus keeps 2 lists of girls and boys, a good list and a naughty list.

• Children on the naughty list are believed to receive coal for Christmas.

   

• So how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night? Santa actually has almost two days to deliver the presents.  How? While in one part of the world it is day, in another part of the world it is night. For example when it is 12:30PM (daytime)  in New York it is 1:30AM (nighttime) in China.  Santa will travel through 3 different time zones on Christmas Eve.  This gives him more time to deliver presents.

• Santa will visit over 90 million homes on Christmas Eve. So to deliver all the presents how fast does his sleigh have to go?

•  Santa’s sleigh travels at the speed of light.  That is about 186,282.4 miles per second or 671 million miles per hour!

• Santa has 8 reindeer Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen.

• Rudolph is considered Santa’s 9th reindeer.

• Rudolph was added to Santa’s reindeer team on one Christmas Eve during a bad snowstorm.  Santa’s 8 reindeer could not see to fly through the storm.  Rudolph with his glowing red nose lit the way for Santa’s sleigh.

• Did you know that before Rudolph lead the way for Santa’s sleigh he was made fun of by the other reindeer for being different?  Rudolph was the only reindeer with the glowing nose.

• So do all reindeer fly? No, in fact only Santa’s reindeer fly.  Santa uses his Christmas Magic to make his reindeer fly.

• Many children leave out milk and cookies or other treats for Santa on Christmas Eve because he gets hungry on his long journey of delivering presents but, did you know his reindeer get hungry too?

• Did you know that if you write a letter to Santa and address it to the Santa’s Workshop at the North Pole and bring it to the post office Santa’s Christmas Magic will pick it up and get it to him.

• So what does Santa do when Christmas is over?  First he takes a short vacation with Mrs. Claus at the North Pole then he gets right back to work.  Preparing his good boys and girls list and his naughty girls and boys list.  He also starts getting toys ready for next Christmas.  So remember to always be good because you never know when Santa’s watching.

  

   

Adoption in Latvia 7

 

Hey Gentle Readers, I know its been a while. I lead a very busy hectic life and after our meeting at the adoption court on the 1st December, our lives are going to be a lot more hectic.

Our friend and television celebrity Zinta, the founder of the Pink Train foundation, accompanied Lena and I to the adoption agency where we were going to have our day in court. Zinta was acting as a translator.

So we sat, and waited, and some ladies went into a room, and we waited some more. Some ladies left to be replaced by other ladies and then they came back.....with a NUN!!!!

I don't know about you gentle reader, but NUNS scare the bejesus out of me. Its the stern faces and wimples that do it.

 

Anyway, scary nuns aside Gentle reader, the meeting was scary enough. We were asked questions and sweated profusely (well I did) Lena was a vision of perspiration free tranquillity.

They committee of three ladies finished their questions, the judge asked us to wait outside while they though about our answers. Seconds seemed like minutes and minutes seemed like hours but eventually our case worker appeared and led us back inside.

The lady in charge explained the decision and hey Guess what gentle reader....................................

WE CAN ADOPT!

WOO HOO!

We are now officially on the waiting list and we are already getting information about possible adoptive children. 

I was amazed how quickly it took to get from start to  finish in the adoption process. Our initial approach to the agency was on the 30th July  and a little over 4 months later we had the go ahead.

I want to thank all of you who have supported our adoption journey. This includes our families, friends and work colleagues. 

The journey isn't quite finished. We will have news soon and we will share it with you when its confirmed.

Why I shouldnt be allowed to like Sex in the City

Hey there Gentle readers, in the last two days I watched (and enjoyed) both Sex and the City movies.

Here for your entertainment is my list of reasons why thats bad.

1. I have about as much interest in fashion as a dung beetle.

2. The sex lives of a load of 40 plus women just dont hold my attention.

3. The male characters are particularly superfluous

4. Its just a way of fashion houses to sell their products.

5. I an a straight 47 year old male.

The thing is despite all this I actually enjoyed the movies, yes even the second one, because I watched them with Lena and she likes them.

So gentlemen, before you moan about your better half's movie choice, just remember that watching these films makes her happy and after all isnt that what we all want.

Mind you it doesn’t mean I want to watch Love Actually every weekend.

#sexinthecity #chickflick #lovemywife

Today in History 18th November

Hey Gentle  reader its time to wade out into the current of the river of time but be careful the rocks underfoot can be slippery.

 

1918: Latvia declares its independence from Russia.

 

1961: John F. Kennedy sends 18,000 "Military Advisors" to South Vietnam.

1968: Actor, Owen Wilson is born in  Dallas, Texas.

 1978: In Jonestown, Guyana, Jim Jones led his Peoples Temple to a mass murder-suicide that claimed 918 lives in all, 909 of them in Jonestown itself, including over 270 children. Congressman Leo Ryan  is murdered by members of the Peoples Temple hours earlier.

 

2015: Jonah Lomu, New Zealand Rugby star dies

 

#latvia #latviaindependence #owenwilson #jonahlomu #jimjones #JFK #vietnamwar

laimīgs Neatkarības diena Latvija

Hello there Gentle Reader tomorrow is Latvia's 97th birthday so here are some important things to know.

The Independence of Latvia was proclaimed on 18 November 1918 at the Latvian National Theatre. This day in Latvia is a public holiday — public institutions and the majority of private enterprises are closed, various events take place throughout the day.

 

18 November is the Independence Day of Latvia — even though there were no borders set, a group of dedicated nationalists proclaimed an independent Latvian state on this date in 1918. Several months after this courageous step had been made, military interventions still went on — the Russian Empire did not want to lose this important territory. Nevertheless, this day is still the most important national holiday for every Latvian.

On 18 November, various events take place across the country throughout the day. In Riga the celebration begins on the first half of the day with a parade and laying of flowers at the Freedom Monument with participation of the President of Latvia and other important government officials.

 

A parade of the National Armed Forces takes place in the afternoon at the 11th November Embankment. In the evening there are torchlight processions, and the celebration in Riga ends with magnificent fireworks over the River Daugava.

 

#latvia #happybirthdaylatvia #independence

Today in History: 11th November

Hello gentle readers, its time to pull back the curtain of time and take a peek at the neighbours of history.

 1880: Australian criminal and folk hero Ned Kelly  is hanged in  Melbourne.

 1918: Germany signs an armistice  agreement with the allies in a railroad car in the Compeigne Forest, France. The fighting officially ends at 11:00 a.m., (the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month) and this is commemorated annually with a two minute silence.

  1919 – Lāčplēša day: Latvian forces defeat the Freikorps at Riga in the Latvian war of independence.

 

1974: Actor Leonardo diCaprio is born in Hollywood.

 

2004 – Yasser Arafat, Palestinian engineer and politician dies.

#nedkelly #armisticeday #Lāčplēša #leonardodicaprio #yasserarafat

Adoption in Latvia 6

Hello again Gentle Reader, well today was the day we have been waiting for. Today was the last meeting with the psychologist and I have to admit I was quite nervous about it. The 1-1 chat.

Wasn't actually that scary though. Lena went in first and her meeting was only about 20 minutes. She had to answer questions about:

* describing herself
* what she could do with the children that is good
* what she is expecting from me
* who will stay with children at home
* differences between activities for 4 and 7 year olds

My meeting was a bit longer because the lady had some more interesting questions

mine included:
* what are my good and bad points
* what kind of dad would I be
* how would Lena and I share the load
* the problems I would face with my lack of Latvian language


The psychologist seemed very happy with our answers and told us both that we will make excellent parents.
We are both really happy with the result and the best news is yet to come gentle reader, so Brace Yourself.....

.................................... we got our date for going to court.

We will be there on the 1st December at 9 in the morning.

We will need someone who speaks Latvian and English who can translate.....anyone have any ideas?

#adoption #latvia

November V

The Fifth of November

    Remember, remember!
    The fifth of November,
    The Gunpowder treason and plot;
    I know of no reason
    Why the Gunpowder treason
    Should ever be forgot!

    Guy Fawkes and his companions
    Did the scheme contrive,
    To blow the King and Parliament
    All up alive.
    Threescore barrels, laid below,
    To prove old England's overthrow.
    But, by God's providence, him they catch,
    With a dark lantern, lighting a match!

    A stick and a stake
    For King James's sake!
    If you won't give me one,
    I'll take two,
    The better for me,
    And the worse for you.
    A rope, a rope, to hang the Pope,
    A penn'orth of cheese to choke him,
    A pint of beer to wash it down,
    And a jolly good fire to burn him.
    Holloa, boys! holloa, boys! make the bells ring!
    Holloa, boys! holloa boys! God save the King!
    Hip, hip, hooor-r-r-ray!

Wednesday Thought: Barack Obama

Hey gentle readers, 7 years ago today, Barack Obama was elected president of the World....whoops I mean USA.

As he approaches the end of his tenure, which started so brightly and has been so disappointing, here are some quotes of his.

 My fellow Americans, we are and always will be a nation of immigrants.

That's the good thing about being president. I can do whatever I want.

If I had to name my greatest strength, I guess it would be my humility. Greatest weakness, it’s possible that I’m a little too awesome.

 

Six years into my presidency some people still say I’m arrogant, aloof, condescending. Some people are so dumb.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

 

Why can't I just eat my waffle?

#barackobama #waffle #immigrants #peoplearedumb #tooawesome

Adoption in Latvia 5

Hey there Gentle Readers, here is part 5 of our adoption journey.

This afternoon we had our home visit. This is a very important part of the adoption process and we have to admit, we were both a little nervous.

As 4 o'clock approached, Danny was boxed and last minute checks occurred.

In the end we had nothing to worry about, the social worker was very impressed with how big, well equipped, nice and clean the apartment was. The kids bedroom was nicely decorated and suitable for two little ones to share.

As you know we have a cat, Danny, so the lady said that we would not be offered children with allergies and we have been asked to get a cupboard for the detergents etc which are usually kept on our bathroom floor.

All in all though a very successful meeting and we are now just one more step closer to making our dream come true. Come back soon for more adoption news.

#adoptioninlatvia

10 fun facts about New Zealand

Hey Gentle reader, in honour of New Zealand's triumph at the Rugby world cup here is my top 10 fun filled facts about that beautiful country.

 

1. In 1996, a man broke into a New Zealand radio station and forced the DJ to play Rainbow Connection by Kermit the Frog.

http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/fringe/9603/03-27/index.html

2. In 2006, an Australian tried to sell New Zealand on e-bay. Bidding reached $3000 before the auction was suspended.

3. The logo of the New Zealand air force is a Kiwi, which is a flightless bird.

 

4. New Zealand's "90 mile beach" is only 55 miles long.
 
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninety_Mile_Beach,_New_Zealand

5. New Zealand was the first country to give women the vote.
 
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_suffrage_in_New_Zealand

6. The courts in New Zealand allowed a child to be named 
"Number 16 Bus Sheter". 
 

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7522952.stm

7. There are giant carniverous snails living on New Zealand.

   

8. New Zealand will deny people residency visas if they are overweight.

  http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/11/17/new-zealand-denies-immigration-to-uk-wife-because-too-fat.html

9. The worlds steepest street is in Dunedin, New Zealand. 
Baldwin Street has a 38 degree gradient.

 
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldwin_Street

10. 

#newzealand

What's your personality type?

Greetings gentle readers, because of our business, ask in the comments for info, I have recently become familiar with the 4 temperaments.

 

For those of you who dont know about the four temperaments  they are Choleric, Sanguine, Melancholic and Phlegmatic.

Each of the four types of humors corresponded in ancient times to a different personality type. These were associated with a domination of various biological functions. Lievegoed suggested that the temperaments come to clearest manifestation in childhood, between approximately 6 and 14 years of age, after which they become subordinate (though still influential) factors in personality^.

Sanguine

The sanguine temperament is traditionally associated with air. People with this temperament tend to be lively, sociable, carefree, talkative, and pleasure-seeking. They may be warm-hearted and optimistic. They can make new friends easily, be imaginative and artistic, and often have many ideas. They can be flighty and changeable; thus sanguine personalities may struggle with following tasks all the way through and be chronically late or forgetful.
Pedagogically, they can be best reached through awakening their love for a subject and admiration of people.

Choleric

The choleric temperament is traditionally associated with fire. People with this temperament tend to be egocentric and extroverted. They may be excitable, impulsive, and restless, with reserves of aggression, energy, and/or passion, and try to instill that in others.
They tend to be task-oriented people and are focused on getting a job done efficiently; their motto is usually "do it now." They can be ambitious, strong-willed and like to be in charge. They can show leadership, are good at planning, and are often practical and solution-oriented. They appreciate receiving respect and esteem for their work.


Pedagogically, they can be best reached through mutual respect and appropriate challenges that recognize their capacities.

Melancholic

The melancholic temperament is traditionally associated with the element of earth. People with this temperament may appear serious, introverted, cautious or even suspicious. They can become preoccupied with the tragedy and cruelty in the world and are susceptible to depression and moodiness. They may be focused and conscientious. They often prefer to do things themselves, both to meet their own standards and because they are not inherently sociable.
Pedagogically, they can be best met by awakening their sympathy for others and the suffering of the world

Phlegmatic

The phlegmatic temperament is traditionally associated with water. People with this temperament may be inward and private, thoughtful, reasonable, calm, patient, caring, and tolerant. They tend to have a rich inner life, seek a quiet, peaceful atmosphere, and be content with themselves. They tend to be steadfast, consistent in their habits, and thus steady and faithful friends.
Pedagogically, their interest is often awakened by experiencing others' interest in a subject.
People of this temperament may appear somewhat ponderous or clumsy. Their speech tends to be slow or appear hesitant.

I am mostly sanguine with a bit of phlegmatic, my beautiful wife Lena is mainly Choleric with a melancholic and phlegmatic side.

What are you? To find out your personality type try this test here.

Post your result in the comments.

#4temperaments #sanguine #choleric #melancholic #phlegmatic

Adoption in Latvia (part 4)

hello there Gentle readers, Yes I know I have not been on for a while but I wanted to let you all know about the latest chapter in our adoption story. On Tuesday Lena and I went back to the adoption agency to see the psychologist for our second session with her.

The purpose was a written examination to check out our state of mind. I have to admit I was nervous. The test involved us answering 370 statements about ourselves with a TRUE or FALSE answer. Sounds easy...doesn't it?

The questions were, to say the least, strange. and Lena and I both struggled at times because of the use of double negatives  and sometimes TERRIBLE translation.

The questions included

I love my mother and father
I am being followed
Sometimes I want to punch someone in the face
Sometimes I think about shooting people
I would like to be a journalist
Very often I feel pain in my head or neck
Not often I feel pain in my limbs


We persevered however, getting our children is very important to us, and we completed the questionnaire. On Wednesday, we have our home visit so we have spent all weekend preparing the children's room and on the following Monday we have our 1-1 sessions with the psychologist. Then, hopefully we will go to court and find out when we will get our children.

I promise to keep you updated on our progress over the coming weeks.

Take care and see you soon.

#adoptioninlatvia

Today in History 18th October

Hello there gentle reader, its been a while since we swam the piranha infested waters of time, but lets see whats down there. Just keep your fingers and toes safe.

1867 – United States takes possession of Alaska after purchasing it from Russia for $7.2 million.

1922– The British Broadcasting Company (later Corporation) is founded , to establish a nationwide network of radio transmitters to provide a national broadcasting service.

1926 – Chuck Berry, American singer-songwriter and guitarist is born

 

 1939 – Lee Harvey Oswald, American assassin of JFK is born.

 

1968 – The US Olympic committee suspends Tommy Smith and John Carlos for giving a "Black Power" salute during a victory ceremony at the Mexico games.

 

#bbc #blackpower #leeharveyoswald #jfk #chuckberry #alaska #october18

Tallinn

 

Hey Gentle reader, tomorrow Lena and I are off to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Estonia is Latvia's Baltic cousin to the north.

 

Here are some fun facts for you.

 

 

 

1 Tallinn's public tram system dates back to 1888.

 

 

2 One of Tallinn's most romantic spots is St. Catherine's Passage, an attractive little lane where craftswomen create and sell stained glass, ceramics, jewellery, quilts, leather goods and hats.

 

3 Tallinn is home to NATO's main research centre for cyber defense.

 

 

 

4 A wooden fortress built on Toompea Hill sometime in the 10th or 11th century was probably the first structure in what later became Tallinn. Toompea Castle now stands on the same spot.

 

5 During Soviet times, KGB used the tall, metal spire of the Medieval St. Olav's Church as a radio transmission tower.

 

6 In 2011, Tallinn took on its role as European Capital of Culture.

 

7 For several weeks each winter Tallinn's Town Hall Square is filled with an elaborate Christmas Market where visitors can buy gifts, listen to concerts, visit with Santa or drink hot, spiced wine.

 

 

 

8 Tallinn shares a nearly identical geographical latitude with Stockholm.

 

9 During Estonia's White Nights in late June the Tallinn sky stays bright from 4 am until around 11 pm.

 

 

 

 

10 Tallinn's Old Town was entered on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1997 as an 'exceptionally complete and well preserved example of a medieval northern European trading city'.

 

#tallinn #estonia