Wash Your Hands!

Our family from Europe is coming to visit this week.
That's what we are still hoping.

Now with the worldwide raising undue panic over the reports of a swine flu outbreak, they are seriously reconsidering their trip.


Also North America has confirmed human infections with this new strain of influenza.
Here in California several people have been infected, including two children. Luckily none of these cases were fatal.

The World Health Organization has already started preliminary work with laboratories to prepare a vaccine against swine flu if needed.
Actually, there is a danger that the virus may become a global pandemic!

To avoid its spreading, observing proper personal hygiene is a good start!

Through the Woods

Today I bought a painting.
In some way I felt attracted to it.

That wouldn't be that strange since I lived next to and grew up at play in a beautiful pine forest.

I also remember the paintings hanging on the walls in my grandpa's living room. After more than thirty years I could still recall them portraying mysterious old forests you want to get lost in, or at least dream of it.

But what was the name of the artist?!


Was it Shishkin?
This name is probably only a mixture of a blurred memory together with the child's fantasy.

Or is it not?

It's Been So Hot Lately.

I'm not able to do much. I try hard to study but most of the time I feel my mind is slipping away from me. Every couple of seconds I find myself remembering to concentrate on my work. How frustrating!

I'd like to post something interesting but there is not much on my mind.
Well, actually there is something. And there may be some connection with my concentration problems.
I should rather be quiet about that at present.
But I'm not.
I've already shared that with my friends and my sister, hoping that this would bring some relieve.
But it didn't.


How much time do we have left to enjoy this fine climate?

Language, Literature and Household

At the Belgian VUB I have survived Flemish and all its dialects, so studying in Algemeen Beschaafd Nederlands, that means Dutch without provincial accent, shouldn't be a problem.

Well, I was wrong!

Understanding Dutch poetry written in Middelnederlands (Middle Ages Dutch) is kind of difficult probably even for a Native Dutch.
On the other hand my English is not strong enough to analyze Shakespeare either.

Yet, there is a 'positive' side effect of my new occupation.
I've started to appreciate the household tasks better. It has even become a welcome, pleasant and somehow relaxing activity.

To be continued...

Here a Book, There a Book...

My study books are here!

I felt a little nauseous when our postman handed over a leaden package addressed to me.

I'm happy I can finally start, yet the idea of disappearing behind towering stacks of books for the next couple of years is less tempting.

Spring Break

I had so many plans for this SPRING BREAK but unexpectedly heavy clouds moved over the sun and we had another rainy and cold week.

This changed a little for the Easter weekend.

Shame on us!
We were too late for the public Egg Hunt, but a huge piece of chocolate cake at friend's house and 'Bunny's private visit' in our back yard, were a good compensation.
It's such a pleasure to see Maarten always being so happy and thankful for every little thing.
I wish it will stay that way for a little longer.

This year we celebrated by having a traditional Brazilian Easter dish Bacalhau and... Czech Apple Štrůdl for brunch.
I can't remember eating anything Dutch this time though...

Bird Feeder

Raccoons, mice and rats are probably regular night visitors to our backyard.
It took a while but I've learned to sleep through their screeching and chitter-chattering at last.

Last night this strange tapping sound, like someone is trying on my wooden clogs, would go on and on.


And this is what the bird feeder looked like in the morning.

Barack Obama in Prague

Sunday, April 5, 2009
click for Barack Obama's speech in Prague

Long-eared Owl

After a couple of weeks of sleepless nights due to a stomach bug and an ear infection, last night I was woken up by a very loud sound coming from the outside.
I closed the window and despite the ear plugs I could hear the hooting.

I believed the owl was sitting right on our roof or somewhere very close to our house, but as I've learned the hoot of the male Long-eared Owl can sometimes be heard up to 1 kilometer (0.7 mi) away!

Just listen to the sound HERE.