Some things are the same everywhere

This article was not really news in itself, but more amazing that it managed to get published in Alberta.

Don't blame Duckett, blame the Tories

But you know this article rings so true in Iceland too, for a lot of things, sure you would have to change the names, but the stories the same.

Its a shame I doubt it would be printed here, the Icelandic version that is. 

Thanks Cassie

A special thanks to my dear Aussie living across the highway,
now my dishes are not done,
the hamster cage still has an odd smell
and
I have managed to miss breakfast again.
But my kids think Im nuts from all the maniac style laughing that was coming out of the office.
http://www.shitmykidsruined.com/
http://notalwaysright.com/

One more reason

well If seeing me was not enough of a reason to get yourself round to Iceland for the summer, this might help you make the choice:
Top 10 Places to Spend Christmas to New Years
and check out #1
Thats right, Reykjavík.

Eminem's still cool

Sometimes I feel really old, but not when Kasper and his friends are listening to music because they really like Eminem, and I think its OK too, although the lyrics seem a little inappropriate for kids, there English isn't that good anyways.

My name is and The Real Slim Shady were so popular when I was so young, hardly 18, and certainly thought I was pretty cool.

Now the kids are crazy about The way you lie and Not Afraid . Same guy!

But probably the best part is when I tried to show the kids that they are listening to the same stuff I listened to when I was young, they didn't believe me and said things like 'we don't get this guy', as though they 'get' any of them!

At least some things are not changing.

A teacher you say?

It turns out that best kept secret of the University of Iceland is the International Program. I had never even heard of the thing until last week, but it exists, and is done completely in English, although you can take some Icelandic classes.
And what can you do with this international program? You can get your bachelors in Education, something that can be very useful if you decided to teach English in the schools, work in a playschool or even move back to your own country, at least you could show something for the time away right?
So thats my plan. Back to school it is, next August. And after a few years I can teach! Or take more schooling because this International Program also has Masters Programs. Yes Yes Yes.
From this day forward I walk with a lighter step, for now I have something to look forward to, I am going back to school!
**Best part is that when I was in highschool I wanted to be a teacher, among everything else, but teacher did come up.
***I should also mention that I am not sure that I like children enough to teach them, but I am working on that. I have three of my own and there alright, usually :)

Useful Links:
http://www.hi.is/en/introduction

http://www.hi.is/en/school_of_education_departments/faculty_of_educational_studies/%5Bfield_what_menu-raw%5D/international_studies_in_education

https://ugla.hi.is/kennsluskra/index.php?tab=skoli&chapter=content&id=17655

While I admit to not knowing everything, I must say:

• A bankrupt town (Reykjanesbær) should not take over a bankrupt museum. I think, like anyone else, you should try to pay the bills you have before accepting new ones.
• Museums were not meant to be big money makers. They are not amusement parks. I will never understand why anyone would try to make one into another. 
• There is nothing wrong with taking the bus, and there is no reason to feel sorry for me. Aside from the odd grocery shopping trip I actually prefer the bus, and it saves me a lot of money. 
• Judging from the amount of garbage around the garbage bins and the lack of garbage inside, I think it is fair to assume that the residents of Ásbrú have some sort of motor skill problems and can not lift the lid on the bins, that or they could be the definition to the word 'Trashy'. Today I even saw my neighbor get in his work car, drive up to the bins, throw everything (work garbage) on the the ground by the bin and drive away. And fire extinguishers! Who throws away fire extinguishers?
• I know that my baby is over one now, and he is still breastfeeding, and I know it seems a little strange, mostly because he looks so big. BUT this is our choice. I don't see any reason to make him stop, he isn't that old and its good for him, so why not? (on the bright side he doesn't use a bottle)
• I think the idea for voting in the people to make the new constitution (to lazy to find the links) was terribly done. By giving a list of 526 candidates it makes it impossible to make a proper educated choice. I think they should have made each person that applied have 500 or even 1000 signatures, with kenitellas, to go with the application, to show determination and seriousness about this. This would have narrowed down the candidates considerably. 

and thats about enough complaining for today huh?

Another small complaint

How did this happen?

Seems like only yesterday I was drinking it up with Janielle and slaving away at Humpty's, life was good, simple and good. I was young.

And I know my children birthdays are not about me but really, where did the time go?

My oldest will be 10 on Sunday. 10, a decade. I have been a parent for an entire decade, 10 whole years.

So these fun simple days I remember were actually a really long time ago.

Life is still good, actually it is even better, but it is no longer simple, and I have to accept that I'm old now. Kasper is proof of that.

He is like a trophy to say 'I have survived being a Mom for 10 years' and I have the dark circles under my eyers to prove it.

But enough whining from me, my oldest baby is growing up and I am so proud of him.

And if you know where I live you are invited to the party!

Rubber Stamp

I think if this family gets any bigger I will need a stamp to sign our names.

I've only filled out four Christmas cards and my hands are all cramped.

And as usual, I can not find any addresses.

near tears

another horrible example of a failing system:

 

Disabled B.C. girl left with dead mom for days

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/11/11/bc-down-syndrome-body-prentice.html#ixzz154TIpUKW

Remembering

Today is Remembrance day in most parts of the world, but not in Iceland.

But that doesn't matter because I am Canadian, and my coffee date this morning was Australian, so we remembered.

Over coffee, we talked about who we were remembering and shared family history.

 

 

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.

I like her style

On CBC :

Fredericton woman wants backyard chickens

What a great idea! While I am sure she isn't the first person to think of it, I am happy that people are starting to think forward and think of solutions. 

Maybe this is an idea for Iceland too, we could start in Keiler....

Needs a home

Now that my baby is over 1 it is time for me to start sending the baby things on to another home.
Nearly everything I have I either received as a hand me down or bought at the second hand store for nearly nothing, so I am not charging money for anything, I just hope that they can go somewhere they are needed.
But since I don't drive they need to be picked up.
There is stroller, walker, clothing, some toys and advent bottles that were never used.
Just let me know.
I should also mention that I consider it evil to make a profit off people.
ex: accept something for free then sell it.
While I might never find out, there is a chance I would, and if I did I would cry. And you dont want to see that, it's sad.

g.i.joes

My better judgment tells me that this story tells me that this story is better kept to myself, but I am not listening to that judgment today, because this was seriously funny.

But you might not find it funny, so if you are offended easily, I apologize now, but you might not think this was so funny and might want to read something else.

I also want to add that I have no idea where they get this stuff...

Stefán and Einar were playing G.I. Joes. These two guys actually share a MoxieGirlz girlfriend, but she was not in this conversation. I am trying to make a cup of tea when I hear:

Stefán, while making his toy scratch himself: my penis is so itchy, I can not stop scratching (hystarical laughter)
Einar, doing the same with his toy: mine too, it's so itchy (mad giggling)

I know this is completely inappropriate but the 12 year old in me is nearly exploding in giggling herself. So I tell them off: Thats enough penis talk

Boys: OK

Next thing I hear: My ass is so itchy, I just can not stop scratching it 

I had to run out of the room before I started rolling on the floor laughing.

I am sure it sounded much worse then it was but I considered bringing out the little guns or turning on the movies a refresher on how G.I Joe acted.

*Einar is the boy that lives upstairs, a.k.a., our 4th boy

A little complaining.

What on earth would make someone hire someone they could not pay?

And it seems worse, although I don't know why, when a business, or say, museum, does it.

I guess you have figured out by now that all the work Davíð did putting up stage lights (beginning of September) and doing shows for them (since the lights went up), has still not been paid for.

I understand having a hard time keeping up with bills, I live in Iceland too. But I pay my bills, and on time.

I wonder if when they are deciding which bills to pay or not they considered that this particular guy is supporting his wife and three kids?

I am actually mostly over it. I accept that the money is gone, and it is just money.
But now Davíð is in the awkward position of not being able to do any more shows for them, because it would be stupid to keep working, and it is unfortunate because he liked it.

Alright, now I've got it out. I can move on and never speak of it again. At least for a while.

Thanks for listening.