Saturday, 28 March 2020

You tube; Robert gets a maths lesson.

Hello again Gentle viewers.

As you may have read. Robert gor a certificate for his positivity and hard work during his online lessons from his teacher st CIS Armenia, Mr Ieuan.

We made a video of Robert counting his coins which we gave him as a reward for getting the certificate.


Enjoy

#cisarmenia #mathlesson #robertsreward #mrieuan #thomsonsworld

Today in History: March 28th

Hello everyone

Its time to steer clear of the Paperazzi of time and suffer the Bad Romance of history.


1483: Rennaisance artist Raphael is born.

1854: Russia declares war on Britain and France starting the Crimean war.

1871: The Paris Commune is founded.

1935: Interviewer Michael Parkinson is born.



1979: A coolant leak in a nuclear facility on 3 mile island triggers a meltdown.




1986: Pop star/actress/artist Lady GaGa is born.





#ladygaga #3mileisland #parky #communards #crimeanwar #raphael #todayinhistory #28march

Friday, 27 March 2020

Well Done Robert.. time to count the coins.

Hello Gentle Readers

Good news. Robert was awarded a certificate for his excellent work in his online classes. Well done.



As an incentive we have been collecting all our Armenian coins in a jar. We told him that if he works hard he can get the contents.

He can now put this money with his Christmas and Birthday money and get something awesome with it.

When I asked him, how he felt he said "I was shocked but Very very happy."

We feel that he deserved the certificate and his money. Now he can get the gift he wants.

Heres the breakdown of his counting.

10,500 AMD

9,800 AMD

11,800 AMD

9,150 AMD

2,720 AMD

1,340 AMD

GIVING A GRAND TOTAL OF 45,310 AMD!!

Converted to Euros its 82.83
In British pounds its 74.25

Good job Robert

Wednesday, 25 March 2020

A true story from a friend

Hello Gentle Readers.

In these dark days we should remember to hold on to who we are. I want to share a story my friend Fran Lyngard Hansen shared with me. I did not write it. She is way more eloquent than I.

Please read and think.

My Dad grew up in the Great Depression.  In 1934 when he was nine years old, he had to take a job selling newspapers so that he could buy two loaves of bread a day which kept his family alive.  His mother lost her job when his older brother came down with Scarlet Fever and she couldn’t leave the house.  Without money, they were starving.  My Dad moved in with his Aunt and every day after school he peddled newspapers until he had enough money to buy the bread.  He’d leave it on the porch of his house, wave at his Mom, and head back to his Aunts.  He couldn’t go inside because the last thing his mother needed was two critically ill children.  Her face in the window haunted him all his life.

Fast forward to 2020 a time of world pandemic, unexpected job loss, crashing stock markets and palpable fear.  The woman before me, standing on a street corner in Yerevan, Armenia was probably younger than I am (and I’m almost 62) but her life had not been an easy one, that was so clear.  She was what my father used to call, “the little people;” the ones that it would appear life or luck has forgotten.

All my life, I watched my father look out for those folks.  He knew what it was like to be poor and hungry, and he had a great deal of empathy for the underdog.  He didn’t always give them money, though sometimes he did buy food, but he always flashed his wide grin and stood for a moment to chat with them.  He gave the people he spoke with the dignity to be seen, to be considered a human being, to feel valued, even if only for a moment or two.  I grew up in a small town of 13,000 and he worked at the Post Office, so he knew everyone, especially all the “little people.”

The woman before me had tattered clothing, grey hair, she was thin and pale, and she was cold on this windy, spring morning.  In her hand was a worn, blue cleaning basin filled with tiny little bouquets of crocus, no doubt from her lawn or an obliging field.  Her eyes were pleading with mine to buy some.  The delicate little flowers were of purples and pinks.  She held one up and said something in Armenian.  Their color stood out in contrast to her dull, grey sweater.  I smiled warmly at her and she took three steps towards me.  They weren’t the steps of someone who wanted me to buy flowers; they were the shuffle of a desperate human being.  I smiled again and entered the grocery store, but I did put up one finger as a sign to her that I’d be right back.

I picked up a few groceries, carefully took out a 1,000 dram note ($2.00) and put it in my pocket.  I wanted to have the money ready.  I was afraid if she saw my wallet, she would ask for more.

I came out of the store.  She wasn’t there.  In her place was another flower seller.  There is a flower market in Yerevan, on Tuesday morning.   I’m sure he had been there.   Both individuals and businesses can purchase flowers there.  When the wholesale market is open, some people invest a little money in fresh flowers and then peddle them on the street.  That’s why there are so many vendors on Tuesdays.

I’d seen this man before.  He has an ancient baby carriage that long ago stopped holding children. It’s the kind with huge wheels and large springs to keep the ride smooth for a child.  I’d guess it was 50 years old or more.  The fabric was dirty and ripped.  On top of the carriage he’s placed a small piece of plywood and on top of that, left-over milk bottles, and an assortment of old plastic pails in which he puts a few flowers to sell.

This man, another one of the “little people” always has a smile on his face, but he too is worn down by life.  His clothes are tattered, he is thin and pale, but he doesn’t let his desperation show as much as the older woman.  Since I couldn’t find her, I picked out some tulips and asked him how much they cost.  He charged me the 1,000 Dram note.  As soon as I took the tulips, he thanked me warmly and then pushed his carriage down the street.  I know he will continue to keep walking until all his flowers are sold.  I hope he got home before dark.

I took another 1,000 Dram note and put it in my pocket, then took a little stroll down the street to see if I could find the older woman.  She was easy to spot as she was patrolling the sidewalk, stopping and asking every single person if they’d purchase her flowers.  She was not only being ignored – she was shunned.  No one spoke to her.  No one smiled.  They were all walking past trying not to make eye contact.  They pretended she wasn’t there.

When she saw me, I waved to her and she bolted towards me.  I saw a few people shake their heads as though to say, “she is a sucker.”  But I don’t feel like one.  I bought two bouquets.

In these times of uncertainty, as the world, its people and economy quake while a pandemic upset our lives, I think genuine human kindness is more important than ever before.  There were so many of us on the edge before the pandemic and as it proceeds there will be many more who hit the skids.  Today its these flower sellers trying to get by.  Tomorrow who knows who it will be?  You?  Me?  A friend or relative?

I spent a total of $4.00 today.  I know these little crocuses will only last a day or two, but I can hope that the pasta, or potatoes the poor older woman will buy with my money might last a few days and tide her over until more flowers bloom.  I wonder if my tulip man has children he’s trying to feed.

As we descend into parts unknown, as we buy ourselves additional groceries to put away in case we can’t leave our homes, as we provide for our families and worry about our futures, I hope we will all be able to share more and more stories of those among us who grab some extra rice and give it to their local shelter, or pop an extra bag of dog food into their cart and drop it off for the homeless animals, or who stretch past their comfort zone and look a homeless person in the eye.  I know the poor are always with us, but in these times, they will be the first to have the full impact of a suffering economy.  If it were my friend or relative on the street corner, I know I’d be hoping that someone would extend them a warm smile and a helping hand, and maybe even some spare change.

In times of trouble, it’s helpful to return to history, to remember and observe how those that came before us survived wars, famines, political upheaval, earthquakes, disasters of all kinds.  Because when we look back -we’ll see ourselves.  We’ll realize that even though we’re suffering in ways we could never imagine, people before us have suffered too – and survived.  My father helped others because he had suffered as a child.  He taught me so much about compassion, but mostly he helped me see as I grew up that we are all one people and we must care for one another.  Otherwise, there is less value in our lives.



#sharedbyafriend #yerevan #coronavirus

Tuesday, 24 March 2020

Wednesday Thought: Optimistic quotes

Hello Gentle Readers



We live in dark times. The Coronavirus epidemic is truly the worst crisis our world has faced in my lifetime and in these dark times its important to remember that darkness always gives way to the light.

It is my hope that wherever you are, however down you may feel; that our human spirit will triumph and maybe with a little more kindness and a bit less selfishness we can emerge into the light with a greater sense of who we are and what is truly important.

Here are the quotes.

It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.

Aristotle


Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.

Maya Angelou


Where there is love there is life.

Gandhi



Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

Winston Churchill



In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.

Robert Frost


Whoever is happy will make others happy too.

Anne Frank


Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Nelson Mandela


The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.

William Arthur Ward


Friends show their love in times of trouble, not in happiness.

Euripides


Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.

Plato


And Remember...






#wednesdaythought #optimistic #coronavirus #plato #euripides #williamarthurward #nelsonmandela #annefrank #robertfrost #gandhi #winstonchurchill #mayaangelou #aristotle







To the tune of "I will survive" by Gloria Gaynor

TO THE TUNE OF GLORIA GAYNOR'S - I WILL SURVIVE....



At first I was afraid, I was petrified,
There was no loo roll down at Aldi and I nearly cried.
Oh, how I spent so many nights just thinking
how you did me wrong, I used to wipe,
And now I’m forced to just drip dry!

No anti-bac!
No bloody soap!
And if you think you’re buying pasta, well, you’ve got no bloody hope!
I would have bought that box of eggs, I would have rationed out my bread, If I’d have known for just one second everyone would lose their head!

Go on now go, walk out the door!
You bloody stockpilers,
You are not welcome any more!
Weren’t you ones who just bought all the
sodding beans?
You selfish gits!
I hope you spill them down your jeans!

Oh no not I, I won’t panic buy!
Oh as long as I have alcohol, I know I’ll stay alive,
Though I can’t buy my usual cheese This will not bring me to my knees And I’ll survive,
I will survive, hey, hey!

It took all the strength I had not to not to fall apart,
There was just apples and a carrot in my shopping cart, And I spent hours walking round
just feeling sorry for myself, The empty store, with boxes strewn across the floor!

And you’ll see me, somebody who,
Cannot buy anything she came for, and it’s all down to you And frickin’ Reg from down the road is such a selfish blimmin’ git!
Because he stockpiled all the loo roll no one else can have a s@*t!

(x2)
Go on now go, walk out the door!
You bloody stockpilers,
You are not welcome any more! Weren’t you ones who just bought all the
sodding cakes?
Can’t you make a crumble,
Do you people not know how to bake?

Oh no not I, I won’t panic buy!
Oh as long as I have alcohol, I know I’ll stay alive,
Though I can’t buy my usual cheese This will not bring me to my knees And I’ll survive, I will survive!

#iwillsurvive #juststayhome

Sunday, 22 March 2020

Today in History: 22nd March

Hello Gentle Readers. Its time once again to come in the peace of time and shoot to kill in the name of history.



1622: Algonquin indians kill 347 English settlers during the Jamestown Massacre.


1906: The first Rugby Union International between France and England takes place in Paris.

1916: The last Emperor of China, Yuan Shikai abdicates the thrown.

1931: Captain Kirk himself, actor William Shatner, is born.





1976: Actress Reece Witherspoon is born.

#22march #todayinhistory #jamestown #englandfrancerugby #yuanshikai #williamshatner #reecewitherspoon

Saturday, 21 March 2020

Youtube: Inside the Armenian State of Emergency...and football

Hello Gentle Viewers

Here for you is our latest Thomsons World Youtube vid in which we go and explore a State of Emergency and Robert plays football.

Enjoy




#thomsonsworld #stateofemergency #youtube #armenia

Friday, 20 March 2020

500,000 thank you's

Hello Gentle Reader




Well it looks like its finally going to happen. 1879 days since this blog started, I am pleased and very proud to say that today it will pass the half a million view count. 500,000. Think about that for a minute.

Wow!

To everyone that ever took the time to read a post. Thank you.

To everyone who took the time to comment. Good or bad. Thank you.

To Lena and Robert who continue to inspire me. Thank you.

If you were there on day 1 or today is your first visit. Thank you.

I will keep writing my nonsense and posting videos. Please keep reading, watching and commenting.


#500000 #ascotsmanin #thomsonsworld

Monday, 16 March 2020

How I was accused of breathing. You Tube

Hey folks

In these bleak, corona filled days I wanted to share a funny story.
It is based on the blogs most view post.

https://ascotsmaninriga.blogspot.com/2015/03/got-my-bus-passaccused-of-breathing.html?m=1




Enjoy. Stay safe and dont forget to Like, comment and subscribe.

#thomsonsworld #youtube

Today in History: 16th March

Hello again Gentle Readers. Lets pull on our skin tight jeans of history and slick our hair into the Rock n Roll style of time.




1812: The Siege of Badajoz begins during the Peninsular War.

1911: Nazi doctor and war criminal Joseph Mengele is born.



1935: Adolf Hitler orders that Germany tear up the Treaty of Versailles and start rearming.

1968: In Vietnam, up to 500 unarmed men, women and children are killed by US troops during the My Lai massacre.




1978: Supertanker Amoco Cadiz runs aground causing the biggest oil spill recorded.



#16march #todayinhistory #badajoz #hitler #mylai #mengele #amococadiz

50 Dreams: 5 years on

Hello again Gentle Reader. 5 years ago I posted a blog entry called 50 dreams. These were dreams or goals that I set myself to
achieve.
3 years ago I wrote an update blog post in which I ticked off all the things that had happened

In this update I am going to let you know if I achieved any more of my goals. If the goal has a comment that means I achieved or partially achieved it.

1. Own my own home
2. Have a garden
3. Eternal Happiness
4. Be comfortable financially.
Lena and I have been able to save up so yes we are better off.
5. Be healthy
I lost a lot of weight. Put some back on though.
6. Be fit
I ran the 5k in the Riga marathon and I regularly walk
7. Be a published author
Does the blog count as published
8. Be successful in my career
I was Curriculum Coordinator in China and Head of Humanities in Armenia.
9. Be a valued colleague to my workmates
I think my colleagues see me as valuable.
10. Not have to worry about money
11. Be a good father/grandfather
12. Stand on every continent including Antarctica
Now up to 5 just South America and Antarctica to go.
13. Drive Route 66 in USA (Chicago to Los Angeles)

14. Be in an earthquake
15. Witness a volcanic eruption
16.Want my mum healthy
Shes Cancer free
17. Marry Lena
Yes for nearly 5 years
18. Adopt a handsome little boy
See the pic below



19. Father a beatiful girl
20. Have my art in an exhibition.
21. Have a nice family friendly car
Yep Peugeot 2008 but had to leave it in Latvia. Now I dont need s car.

22. Want to see Fulham back in the Premier League.
Got promoted then after 1 season relegated.
23. Want to stand on top of Ben Nevis

24. Want to walk the West Highland Way
25. To visit New Zealand and see  the Lord of the Rings scenary
26. To speak Latvian and/or Russian
Russian is getting better
27. To visit every European Capital City
Only a few more to go.
28. To write a Doctor Who script (even if not transmitted)
29. To be the best husband in the world
Ask Lena
30. To walk across the frozen River Daugava
31. To read music, even though I cannot play
32. Finish the 5k run in May
Done
33. To do a Masters in Education
Planning to do one in Educational Administration
34. Do another degree (philosophy maybe)
35. Keep Learning new stuff
36. Actually see the Trevi fountain working.
Was going in April but had to cancel due to Covid-19

37. See Scotland fully independant
38. Live in a country where white people are the minority.
2 years in China
39. Retire when I'm 60
40. Own a place in the country
41. Be involved with a charity
We have helped an orphanage in Liepaja
42. Have more time to do things I enjoy
43. Stay up all night drinking and NOT suffer for 4 days
44. Be asked for my autograph
45.Win an award (could be anything)

46. Have a really fancy dinner party
47. Make my children proud
48. Help my pupils achieve their goals.
That will never end.
49. Write a teaching theory manual.
50. Sing at Karaoke and hit every note.

As you can see. Some I have achieved, others only partly but life is a marathon not a sprint and I know that most of them are going to happen.
Keep checking back to see my progress. You know I will probably be blogging about it.

#50dreams #2020

Sunday, 15 March 2020

Top 10 Fun facts about China

Hello Gentle Readers.



A few years ago I wrote a blog post about China that was a little bit negative. Later when I discovered we were moving to China, I deleted it.

Its been 8 months since we left China and as I never intend to return I am going to post this.

1. 30 million people in China live on less than $1 US a day.

2. Over 35 million people in China still live in caves.

3. China uses the death penalty 4 times more than the rest of the world combined.

4. Nearly 700 million Chinese drink contaminated water.

5. Every 30 seconds a baby is born with a birth defect.

6. In China the word Censorship is censored.

7. 4 million cats are eaten in China every year.

8.  Between 2011 and 2013, China used more cement than the USA used in the entire 20th century.

9. In order to make chopsticks over 20 million treescare cut down every year.

10. China has between 30 and 40 million men who cannot find wices.

#china #top10


Sunday, 8 March 2020

Spring has sprung on Youtube in Yerevan

Hey Gentle viewers

Here is our latest Youtube offering. Enjoy


#yerevan #springtime #youtube #thomsonsworld

Coronavirus Armenian Referendum Pashinyan

Hello again Gentle Readers

I feel proud to live in Armenia. Countries like China, the USA, Italy, Britain are falling apart and running out of loo roll.

In Armenia, although it shares a border with Iran (6000 cases and 145 deaths) has regular flights to Italy (6000 cases 200+ deaths) there has only been 1 (one) confirmed case.

Seems unbelievable....there is a referendum on government policy due at beginning of April???

I hope the government isnt playing politics with people?



I am not saying that only one case is an Armenian government lie  but I do find it exceedingly strange that Armenia, which lacks many of the healthcare advantages that richer more developed countries have has been so lucky to avoid more cases.

Many countries around the world are coming up with plans of action. Where is Armenia's?

The referendum on the Pashinyan government is a month away. Pashinyan himself is on a charm offensive. Travelling on the subway in Yerevan and handing out flowers to women on the 8th March.

I like him....but if he or his health minister are hiding the truth; the referendum may become a vote of confidence.

#armenia #referendum #pashinyan #coronavirus

Happy 8th March

Happy 8th March Gentle Readers, especially the mums, wives, daughters, aunts etc.

Its International Womans Day. So wherever you are, put your feet up and let someone else take care of you.

Have a great Day.

#8thmarch #internationalwomansday

Friday, 6 March 2020

Please read this post. It could save you.

Hello gentle readers. I saw this post written be Adam Wren on Facebook and wanted to share it with you.


Read it. Share it. Thanks

https://medium.com/@amwren/forget-about-the-death-rate-this-is-why-you-should-be-worried-about-the-coronavirus-890fbf9c4de6


#adamwren #coronavirus #getinformedstaysafe

You tube vid: thoughts on Coronavirus and other stuff in Armenia

Hello Gentle viewers.

Here is our latest Youtube vid.
If you like it and want to see more dont forget to like, subscribe, comment and share.


#youtube #thomsonsworld #coronavirus #armenialife

Wednesday, 4 March 2020

Wednesday thought: Sir Ken Robinson

Hello gentle readers, as you know I am a teacher and after my family it is probably one of the most important things in my life.

Everyone has heroes. Some may be actors, singers, sports stars or political figures. My educational hero however is Sir Ken Robinson.


Born in 1950, he turns 70 today, he has been at the centre of educational reform in the UK and globally.

Here are some great inspieational quotes.

If you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original.

Many highly talented, brilliant, creative people think they're not - because the thing they were good at at school wasn't valued, or was actually stigmatized.

All children start their school careers with sparkling imaginations, fertile minds, and a willingness to take risks with what they think.

Learning happens in the minds and souls, not in the databases of multiple-choice tests.

#wednesdaythought #kenrobinson

Tuesday, 3 March 2020

Lena's classic Chicken

Hello foodies and gentle readers. Welcome to another A Scotsman in... recipe.



I love to cook but Lena is just the best. Here is the recipe for a fantastic dish she made this evening. We are off school for an extra week due to our school following Armenian government orders to protect children from Coronavirus.

Ingredients
4 chicken fillets on the bone
4 mushrooms



1 small onion
1 carrot.
1 yellow bell pepper
4 cloves garlic
Salt and pepper
Drizzle of Olive oil



Serve with oven chips.

Its so easy and so tasty.

Wash the chicken and dry it. Put them in a oven roasting bag and add the salt and pepper. Chop the veg into small pieces and add it to the bag along with the olive oil.
Tie the bag and place on an oven proof dish and cook at about 220 celcius for 30 minutes.



#recipes

Today in History: 3rd March

Hello Gentle time travellers. Its time to put on the facemask of history and dispose carefully of the snotty tissue of time.


1847: Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone is born.

1865: The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) is founded.



1875: Bizet's opera Carmen has its premier in Paris.



1923: Time magazine is published for the first time.





1968: Physicist and keyboard player Brian Cox is born.



1991: The beating of Rodney King by LAPD officers is filmed.



#rodneyking #briancox #msrch3rd #alexandergrahambell #hsbc #carmen #time #todayinhistory