Getting organised can sometimes prove to be rather difficult especially when it's cold and raining outside and the only thing you want to do is snuggle up in bed, read a good book and drink a cup of hot chocolate. A nice thought, but just because it's freezing doesn't mean work is going to stop.
Six more weeks until holiday time. I can't remember the last time I had a decent holiday, one that lasted more than four days anyway. Over two years ago at least. So this year I am taking three weeks of at Christmas to go to Australia to visit my parents and friends.
Buying tickets has caused me more stressed than I anticipated. I can't believe how much the tickets flactuate on a day to day basis. Seven thousand, ten thousand, sixteen thousand zloty and more for an economy class ticket. Each week I checked the price was going up, up and up again. At one point I thought my holiday was not going to happen.
Luckily last week I found normal priced tickets at 5000zloty per person return via Frankfurt. Unfortunately from Warsaw they cost a ridiculous amount more which is difficult to understand because a flight from Warsaw to Frankfurt return costs approximately 500 zloty per person.
Next time I will be better prepared and book the tickets far in advance in order to make the most of the savings available. It's very helpful to use an agent to organise the tickets but it might be even cheaper to get them online direct from the airlines. The best places to look for ticket prices is skyscanner.pl, individual airline websites and using search engines to type in what you're after if you're not sure of specific sites.
The holiday is long overdue. I can't wait to relax and bathe in the sun. It'll be a hot Christmas this year. Now with the tickets purchased I can stop worrying and start preparing for my trip.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
And the electricity strike continues
Third day without electricity is starting to suck. Rumour has it that we're going to get it back on Monday. That's a full weekend without power. A large part of the country is affected but I'm crossing my fingers and hoping we get it back tomorrow. I'm spending too much on meals and coffees on the town to make use of their electricity and power up my phone and laptop.
I'm curious about the amount the birth rate will go up in nine months time from all this lack of electricity.
I'm curious about the amount the birth rate will go up in nine months time from all this lack of electricity.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Two days without power
Two days without electricity. A blessing and a pain the backside. It's amazing how much we rely on electricity every day and it's difficult to imagine life without it. However, the past two days the town I live in hasn't had power due to extreme weather conditions, snow, and strong winds. Luckily our heating and cooker is run on gas which means we can stay warm when it's 2 degrees outside. Those who use electricity for everything aren't so lucky.
The weather yesterday was strange to say the least. And while weather forecasts did warn us that snow was coming our way, no one expected it to be this bad. With power cuts all over the country, traffic congestion and angry citizens were to be expected. Many tragedies took place and it was very difficult for the many homeless people and those without heating.
But when something bad happens we should try to find a positive side to it.
* No electricity means romantic candle lit dinners for two
* Talking as a family instead of locking yourself in separate rooms to watch reruns of your favourite television programs
* Reading a book instead of surfing the Internet
* Writing a letter instead of using the phone
* Being grateful for all the wonderful things we have that make our lives so much easier
* Appreciating life and the people around us
* Slowing down for just a moment
Two days without electricity is frustrating. No email check ups. No news watching. You can dry your hair, or put the kettle on. The fridge defrosts ruining all the frozen meat inside. Dirty clothes well hand washing becomes your only option. Credit and debit cards can be cut up because cash is the only thing that works. Using a computer isn't an option, and the trusty lap top's battery life has it's limits, as mine is showing me right now.
There are so many things that we use electricity for, that it becomes difficult to function when we don't have it. The other great thing is there's time to relax and catch up on some lost sleep. It's nine pm on my side of the world, and for the first time in a long time, I'm off to bed.
The weather yesterday was strange to say the least. And while weather forecasts did warn us that snow was coming our way, no one expected it to be this bad. With power cuts all over the country, traffic congestion and angry citizens were to be expected. Many tragedies took place and it was very difficult for the many homeless people and those without heating.
But when something bad happens we should try to find a positive side to it.
* No electricity means romantic candle lit dinners for two
* Talking as a family instead of locking yourself in separate rooms to watch reruns of your favourite television programs
* Reading a book instead of surfing the Internet
* Writing a letter instead of using the phone
* Being grateful for all the wonderful things we have that make our lives so much easier
* Appreciating life and the people around us
* Slowing down for just a moment
Two days without electricity is frustrating. No email check ups. No news watching. You can dry your hair, or put the kettle on. The fridge defrosts ruining all the frozen meat inside. Dirty clothes well hand washing becomes your only option. Credit and debit cards can be cut up because cash is the only thing that works. Using a computer isn't an option, and the trusty lap top's battery life has it's limits, as mine is showing me right now.
There are so many things that we use electricity for, that it becomes difficult to function when we don't have it. The other great thing is there's time to relax and catch up on some lost sleep. It's nine pm on my side of the world, and for the first time in a long time, I'm off to bed.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
October 14, 2009 - It's snowing!
Only last week i was walking around in a short sleeved top and a jacket and today it's woolen hats, winter jackets, boots and scarves. It's only the beginning of autumn but the weather has given us a taste of winter today. It's snowing heavily, well it's snow, rain and sleet. But it's rather darn cold and not everyone is prepared for such drastic weather changes. There'll be transport issues, train and bus delays and lots of frustrated drivers out there all day.
For me it's time to go shopping for some warm winter gear, munch on some garlic and ginger to boost the immunity, and enjoy a hot cup of lemon tea while snuggling under a blanket and watching a good film.
Here are a couple of photos of today's extreme weather from my living room window.
For me it's time to go shopping for some warm winter gear, munch on some garlic and ginger to boost the immunity, and enjoy a hot cup of lemon tea while snuggling under a blanket and watching a good film.
Here are a couple of photos of today's extreme weather from my living room window.
Smoking in Public Places
Smoking kills. Well duh. Unfortunately the Poles are yet to fully take countries like England and Australia and ban smoking in shopping centres, bars and restaurants. It's a free country after all. So smokers can pollute others and what can the non smokers do? Not breath?
Many smoking Poles are against banning smoking in public places. It'd be like taking away an important freedom they feel entitled to. Since they hadn't had much in the past, they refuse to agree with it. But why do non smokers have to suffer in the process? Don't they have rights too?
A friend informed me the other day that a woman at her workplace asked for a lighter and when my friend replied with a 'No. Sorry I don't smoke', the women responded rudely, 'Well maybe you should start,' and stormed off to find someone else to lend her a lighter for her cigarette. The mentality of some people continue to leave me in awe.
I commute by train and bus. Last week a man blatantly lit up a cigarette on one of the lovely air conditioned trains without giving it a second thought. Of course there was no security or conductor to tell him off.
Sitting in a café between lessons, sipping a yummy Chai Turtle Latte – green tea, honey, steamed and frothed milk – and trying to write as the table across from me lights up for a second round in five minutes, while I suffer and inhale the fumes. Yes I can pick up my latte and disappear but shouldn't I have a right to enjoy my coffee without worrying about someone else's cigarette smoke damaging my health?
According to the European Environment and Health Committee, tobacco control is one of Poland's top health priorities. It mentions that the health protection authority is responsible for ;
“ - protection of non smokers rights to live in an environment free from tobacco smoke...
creation of legal and economic conditions conducive to reduction of tobacco product use...”
To my understanding, banning smoking in public cases should be the next logical step in order to fulfil these responsibilities, not just in and around educational institutions but also in shopping centres, all buildings, bus stops and other public areas. Making a ban is not enough. Someone needs to control the ban and make certain that it is adhered to.
While it's prohibited to sell tobacco products to people under the age of 18, it's clear and evident that this law is not adhered to. Only at the weekend I witnessed a women cashier in one of Warsaw's exclusive supermarkets selling two packets of Marlboros to a young buy who was clearly under the legal age. She didn't even bother to check his identification. All three parties involved, the shop, the cashier and the boy, should be charged for this minor offence. They won't be. Every day young people are damaging their health because even though there are laws in place, they are not followed nor are they controlled.
„In 2000 34% of the total population e.g. 10 million Poles, (24% of Polish women and 44% men over 15 years old) smoke cigarettes. It is alarming that an increased proportion of young teenagers start smoking. In Poland every day about 500 juvenile boys and girls start smoking, and every year about 180 000 children try smoking. 52% women are passive smokers at home, and 27% - at work. 15% of Polish smokers smoke in the presence of children. Every year 100 000 deaths in Poland are related to smoking.”
http://www.euro.who.int/eehc/implementation/20050525_1
These statistics are shocking, however in recent news announcements, smoking bans are in the works. While smoking will be banned from schools, shopping centres, bus stops and airports among others, when it comes to restaurants and bars, the owners will be free to decide when they ban smoking completely or provide smoke free zones separated by closed doors in their venues. When this will be in place, and whether it will be adhered to and controlled, is something different altogether.
Many smoking Poles are against banning smoking in public places. It'd be like taking away an important freedom they feel entitled to. Since they hadn't had much in the past, they refuse to agree with it. But why do non smokers have to suffer in the process? Don't they have rights too?
A friend informed me the other day that a woman at her workplace asked for a lighter and when my friend replied with a 'No. Sorry I don't smoke', the women responded rudely, 'Well maybe you should start,' and stormed off to find someone else to lend her a lighter for her cigarette. The mentality of some people continue to leave me in awe.
I commute by train and bus. Last week a man blatantly lit up a cigarette on one of the lovely air conditioned trains without giving it a second thought. Of course there was no security or conductor to tell him off.
Sitting in a café between lessons, sipping a yummy Chai Turtle Latte – green tea, honey, steamed and frothed milk – and trying to write as the table across from me lights up for a second round in five minutes, while I suffer and inhale the fumes. Yes I can pick up my latte and disappear but shouldn't I have a right to enjoy my coffee without worrying about someone else's cigarette smoke damaging my health?
According to the European Environment and Health Committee, tobacco control is one of Poland's top health priorities. It mentions that the health protection authority is responsible for ;
“ - protection of non smokers rights to live in an environment free from tobacco smoke...
creation of legal and economic conditions conducive to reduction of tobacco product use...”
To my understanding, banning smoking in public cases should be the next logical step in order to fulfil these responsibilities, not just in and around educational institutions but also in shopping centres, all buildings, bus stops and other public areas. Making a ban is not enough. Someone needs to control the ban and make certain that it is adhered to.
While it's prohibited to sell tobacco products to people under the age of 18, it's clear and evident that this law is not adhered to. Only at the weekend I witnessed a women cashier in one of Warsaw's exclusive supermarkets selling two packets of Marlboros to a young buy who was clearly under the legal age. She didn't even bother to check his identification. All three parties involved, the shop, the cashier and the boy, should be charged for this minor offence. They won't be. Every day young people are damaging their health because even though there are laws in place, they are not followed nor are they controlled.
„In 2000 34% of the total population e.g. 10 million Poles, (24% of Polish women and 44% men over 15 years old) smoke cigarettes. It is alarming that an increased proportion of young teenagers start smoking. In Poland every day about 500 juvenile boys and girls start smoking, and every year about 180 000 children try smoking. 52% women are passive smokers at home, and 27% - at work. 15% of Polish smokers smoke in the presence of children. Every year 100 000 deaths in Poland are related to smoking.”
http://www.euro.who.int/eehc/implementation/20050525_1
These statistics are shocking, however in recent news announcements, smoking bans are in the works. While smoking will be banned from schools, shopping centres, bus stops and airports among others, when it comes to restaurants and bars, the owners will be free to decide when they ban smoking completely or provide smoke free zones separated by closed doors in their venues. When this will be in place, and whether it will be adhered to and controlled, is something different altogether.
Monday, October 5, 2009
October Reading List
'No Second Chance' by Harlan Coben – I was hoping it would take a week to read but after purchasing the book, two days later it was finished. It was one that brought me to tears at the end. This guy can write. I love it when a book has that affect on me. I read it so fast that I'm sure I'll benefit from reading it once more. Might learn something too.
'Flat Earth News' by Nick Davies – This one's a non fiction book I picked up about a month ago. There's a lot of interesting stuff about newspapers. A lot of the news we read is false, rewritten and the sources aren't completely checked nor verified. Things that should be reported on are ignored, and most newspapers are run by conglomore multinationals with their own agendas – that means not informing the public of the latest news but making big bucks. Of course no surprise there.
'How to Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer' by Jenny Glatzer – I picked this one up from Amazon after reading Jenny Glatzers websites as well as all the reviews about this book. I'm half way through it and I have to say, I am impressed. It answers a lot of the questions I've had about freelancing and getting an editors attention. Now I have to start using some of her advice when it comes to my own querying. I'll definitely be reading and rereading this book more than once or twice.
'Flat Earth News' by Nick Davies – This one's a non fiction book I picked up about a month ago. There's a lot of interesting stuff about newspapers. A lot of the news we read is false, rewritten and the sources aren't completely checked nor verified. Things that should be reported on are ignored, and most newspapers are run by conglomore multinationals with their own agendas – that means not informing the public of the latest news but making big bucks. Of course no surprise there.
'How to Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer' by Jenny Glatzer – I picked this one up from Amazon after reading Jenny Glatzers websites as well as all the reviews about this book. I'm half way through it and I have to say, I am impressed. It answers a lot of the questions I've had about freelancing and getting an editors attention. Now I have to start using some of her advice when it comes to my own querying. I'll definitely be reading and rereading this book more than once or twice.
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