Danny...being cute

Yes Gentle Reader. I know its hard to believe but my cat Danny does impressions.

In this picture, he is doing his "cute kitty" pose.

10 fun facts about Kissing

Hey gentle readerm humans have been tangling tongues for as long as they've walked the earth. Here are some amazing facts about kissing that you probably didn't know!

1. The Word Kiss Is Based on a Sound

The word kiss is said to be derived from the Germanic word kuss, which imitates the smacking sound of two lips meeting. In other circles, kiss is said to be derived from the old English word cyssan. In Japanese the word for kiss is also a sound (kisu), but the French refer to a kiss as "baiser."

2. Not Everybody Likes to Lock Lips

Some cultures simply don't kiss! In most cultures kissing does not have a practical purpose. Kissing in public is deemed taboo in many Asian cultures, and French kissing was originally a slur on the French -- people thought they thought about sex too much!


3. Kissing Calms You Down

When you lock lips, the brain lights up like a city block, releasing a flood of chemicals throughout the body. This heavy duty hormone cocktail that triggers affection and cements attraction. In men, this encourages testosterone to build up to promote feelings of protectiveness. In women, the chemical compound encourages bonding.

4. Kissing is Addictive
 
That's because a compound in human saliva that serves to create a feeling of addiction. You basically get hooked on the taste of the other person's spit. It's an evolutionary tactic designed to help us check partners out before hooking up, because saliva hosts a ton of minute clues about immunity, genes and compatibility.

 

5. Your Brain Likes Kissing New People
That lovely hormone that gets you addicted floods your system whenever you kiss a new partner, making you love-drunk, miss sleep and generally fall in love. But the dopamine gradually wears off, which is why kissing the same person can quickly get old.


6. Kissing is Healthy

Kissing boosts the immune system because you share germs. In a healthy situation, your body reacts to the kissing by attacking the other's person's saliva, increasing your immunity. Not only that, all the other stuff that goes with kissing (foreplay, groping, heavy petting) lowers your blood pressure and releases stress!

7. The Kiss of Death is Real!

Ever kissed someone and felt nothing? That's because your body is telling you that person isn't a suitable mate. A lot of us still operate on instinct when it comes to finding that significant other. Kissing is one way to rule unsuitable potential partners out. So the next time you lock lips and don't feel a thing, listen to your body and walk away.

 

8. Kissing Makes Relationships Last

45% of people in long term relationships report higher levels of satisfaction if they just keep making out. More kissing, researches fond, also tended to lead to more sex. This is because some researchers believe that open-mouth kissing functions as prep for sex. Psychologists believe it's because passionate kissing continually renews the bond between partners.
 
9. Bad Kissers Don't Get Laid

Women place more importance on kissing than any other romantic skill. If you kiss like a sloppy baboon, chances are she won't let you in her bed. Men, on the other hand, are ambivalent about kissing skills and prefer sloppy kissers, since this indicates a willingness to have sex.

10. Kissing Takes Effort

During a kiss, you move at least 34 facial muscles! It also involves at least 112 other muscles that include the neck, shoulders and arms. The kissing muscle moves the lips into a puckered shape, and it said to be the most important.

#kissing

Adoption in Latvia (part 2)

Hey there Gentle Reader, today Lena and I had our second official interviews with the Latvian adoption agency.

Today it was supposed to be individual interviews but because of my lack of Latvian, Lena did the translation so our case worker could record my answers.

The interview is based around a series of questions about your background and your general upbringing and to gauge if you are a suitable person to become an adopter.

Questions about your parents, siblings and family. Family traditions, things you like to do with your partner and your views on discipline, are all part of the process.

Lena seemed to like my answers as did the case worker so I am happy too.

I had to go to work so after my interview I left Lena to do her interview and everything seemed OK with her.

Soon we will know when the home visit will be and on Monday we will see the psychologist.

Stay tuned for updates gentle reader.

Today in History: 22nd September

Hello there gentle reader, its my big sister's Birthday so here, for her, and you are some of the events that happened on this day.

480BC – Battle of Salamis: The Greek fleet under Themistocles defeats the Persian fleet under Xerxes I.

1823 – Joseph Smith states he found the Golden plates on this date after being directed by God through the Angel Moroni to the place where they were buried.

1888 – The first issue of National Geographic Magazine is published.

 

1957 -  Nick Cave, Australian singer-songwriter and actor is born.

1960 - Fiona Gibson (nee Thomson) my big sister is born.

 

 1982 – Billie Piper, English actress and singer is born.

 

#battleofsalamis #mormonism #nationalgeographic #nickcave #fionagibson #billiepiper

Moisturise me....

Hello there Gentle Reader, as a man of a certain age, I have been moisturizing on and off for about 10 years. Since October I have been moisturizing every day.

Its important to me (and Lena) that my skin is young looking, clean and soft. I hate shaving but my regimen of cleansing, toning and moisturizing goes hand in hand with my daily or sometimes every other day shave.

 

Since October I have been using razors and shaving foam by HYMM and toner and moisturizer by TOLSOM. Today  I started using a new brand called HYDRA V by ARTISTRY and I have to say my face seems cleaner and fresher than ever.

I know Lena is biased, she loves me after all, but she is amazed how much younger I look that my 47 years.

So gentlemen if your appearance is important to you and you want to keep your youthful looks you could do a lot worse than use some of these awesome products and guess what I can get them for you at a discount. If you want to find out more let me know.

Riga Neighbourhoods: Mūkupurvs

 Mūkupurvs is part of the Pardaugava part of Riga. It is bordered by the Riga neighbourhoods of Zolitude, Berberbeku and Pleskodales. It is also bordered by Marupe. It has an area of 4.5 square kilometers and is relatively undeveloped compared to the rest of the city.

 

#Mūkupurvs

 

Today in History 20th September

Its Autumn Gentle Reader, so lets sweep up the leaves of time and dump them in the bonfire of history and listen to them crackle and pop.

 1187– Saladin begins the Siege of Jerusalem.

 

1519: Ferdinand Magellan sets sail with about 270 men on his expedition to circumnavigate the globe.

 

1946 – The first Cannes Film Festival is held, having been delayed seven years due to World War II.

 

 2001 – In an address to a joint session of Congress and the American people, U.S. President George W. Bush declares a "War on Terror".

 

2011 – The United States military ends its "don't ask don't tell" policy, allowing gay men and women to serve openly for the first time.

 

#dontaskdonttell #waronterror #cannesfilmfestival #magellan #saladin #september20

Some thoughts on Reflection

 

Hey gentle reader, I am on a roll today. After my last post I thought I would share some thoughts on reflection from people who are a lot more intelligent and a hell of a lot more wiser than yours truly.

 By three methods we may learn wisdom, First by reflection, which is noblest; second by imitation, which is easiest and third by experience, which is bitterest.

Confucius

 

The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress and grows brave by reflection.

Thomas Paine 

Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.

Margaret J. Wheatley

 

Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.

Peter Drucker

I'm reflective only in the sense that I learn to move forward. I reflect with a purpose.

Kobe Bryant

 

#peterdrucker #kobebryant #confucius #thomaspaine #margaretjwheatley #reflection

Reflection

Hey there gentle reader, I was asked the other day what REFLECTION is in education so I thought I would share my thought with you.

I have been asked to fill in a survey by the school I work at and I wanted to share my thoughts about why reflection is so important.

Why do we Reflect?

To show understanding of and make links to our learning and experience.

Within your own life, do you spend time reflecting? Why? Explain your answer.

It depends on the seriousness of the situation. Some decisions we make require more thought than others. Its what you learn about yourself during reflection that influences your decision making process.

Where does reflection fit in the learning cycle?

I strongly believe that it is integral at every step. Reflection allows us to take a step back and view the whole learning experience with fresh eyes and new perspectives.

What different ways do you engage students with reflection within your class?

Through writing their thoughts, sharing with their group or whole class. In 1-1 questioning. I emphasize that without reflection our learning can sometimes lack meaning.

Do all reflection methods look the same? Are some methods better suited to different children? If yes, which ones?

No, children are different and some embrace reflection as a tool. Others can be more reluctant or sometimes unable to do the deeper thinking. It is about ensuring all children, no matter their ability, are encouraged to reflect by emphasizing their strengths and positive qualities.

What are the stages of reflection through which you need to lead children?

Thought, explanation, argument then thought again. Reflection should be personal but also take into account other viewpoints and opinions.

How can we create a reflective learning environment which empowers students to fully engage in the reflection process, not just record what they have done?

Through engagement with each other (teachers, parents) and using reflection ourselves. Lets create an atmosphere of teaching and learning that promotes engaging and reflective learning.

______________________________________________________________________________

I hope gentle reader you now have a better understanding of what reflection as part of the educational process is. I strongly believe, as a teacher and a human, that personal growth and development begins with having a deeper understanding of ourselves.

#reflection

 

10 fun facts about Sweden

Time to chew on a meat ball and get all Scandinavian Gentle reader. I have many Swedish friends and they regularly say to me that my blog needs more Abba references. The blog also gets its fair share of Swedes seeking out my wisdom and nonsense so here I present my top 10 Swedish factoids for your delectation.

 

89% of all Swedes speak English.

 

New parents are entitled to 480 days of paid maternity or paternity leave.

In Sweden it is illegal to call your child "Ikea" or "Elvis". 

Is Ikea a boys name or a girls?

Ikea names sofas, coffee tables and bookshelves after places in Sweden.

Sweden pays $187 every month to children in High School.

Sweden had a King Charles VII but not a Charles I to VI.

Swedish was not the official language until 2009.

Stockholm, the capital is built on 14 islands.

In 2011, a man was arrested in Sweden for trying to "split the atom" on his kitchen table.

In 1954, an Indian Buddha statue was found by archaeologists at an 8th century Viking settlement.

#swedenfacts

Wednesday Thought: Driving

Hey Gentle readers, in a few days, Lena and I will get our car. My first for over three years. Her first in 32. In honour of this special event I offer you the wisdom of the ages about driving. And all the quotes are from stand-up comedians.

 Have you ever noticed, that anyone driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

George Carlin

  

 You know, somebody actually complimented me on my driving today. They left a little note on the windscreen, it said "Parking Fine". So that was nice.

Tim Vine

 

I had to stop driving my car for a while....the tires got dizzy.

Steven Wright 

 

 

#georgecarlin #timvine #stevenwright

Today in History 15th September

Hello again Gentle History Lovers, Its time to strap ourselves in to our shiny new car and punch it into history.

 

 1254: Marco Polo, Italian merchant and explorer is born.

1812– The French army under Napoleon reaches the Kremlin in Moscow.

1835: HMS Beagle with Charles Darwin on board arrives at the Galapagos Islands.

 

1890: Agatha Christie, English crime novelist is born.

1916: Tanks are used in battle for the first time during the Battle of the Somme.

 

1935: Germany adopts a new national flag. It bears the Nazi Swastika.

1959: Nikita Khrushchev becomes the first Soviet leader to visit the USA.

 

#marcopolo #nikitakhruschev #napoleon #moscow #hmsbeagle #darwin #galapagos #swastika #tank #somme #agathachristie

NE14A RIDE?

 

Hello there Gentle readers....this car...or one very much like it will soon be ours.

Its the 2015 Peugeot 2008.

I took it for a test drive on Friday and its very cool.

Lots of space for when we get the children.

#peugeot2008 #forummotorslatvia #shinynewcar

Today in History 12th September

Hello again Gentle Readers, I know what your thinking; 3 times in one day.

Lets pull on our waders, grab our rods and step once again into the river of time and pull out some big ones.

490 BC: The Battle of Marathon between the Athenians and an invading army from Persia takes place.

 

1919: Adolf Hitler joins the German Workers Party, it later became the Nazi Party.

  

1929: Rainis, Latvian poet and playwright, dies.

 

1940: The Lascaux caves are discovered 17,000 years after the paintings that made them famous were painted.

 1977: Steve Biko, South African Civil Rights activist, dies from his injuries he received while in police detention.

 

2014: Paralympian Oscar Pistorius is found guilty of the culpable homicide of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

 

#marathon #adolfhitler #germanworkersparty #lescaux #oscarpistorius #rainis #stevebiko