Since Jodie is traveling to Eindhoven every day, we of course had to sort out some kind of discount ticket to allow her to travel. The Dutch system seems a little odd, in that the main discount ticket you buy to get your around on the train, isn't actually any use for someone under 18 traveling to school.
So we had to buy a combined train/bus ticket for Jodie, which last a month and is extremely expensive at around €350 per month.
This morning though Jodie, on her second day using the ticket, called home, it seems she has the wrong Zone on her bus part of the ticket...ok clearly some cock up, but the drivers actions are incredible.
He fined her €37
WHAT??? She's carrying a €350 ticket, which indicates that a ticket was indeed bought for school travel, is clearly going to school, and he fines her?
Ah but there's more...
He then chucked her off the bus!!!
So a school girl, foreign, on her way to school with an expensive ticket, (though clearly mistakenly wrong) and no idea how to get around is kicked off the bus?
What kind of jobs worth does this?
I intend to make a very very strong complaint to the bus company when Jodie comes home with that fine notice, I hope the management agree with me, and this idiot is severely reprimanded, this is a shocking way to deal with a situation that only needed them to explain the error so we could go to the train station and speak to the cashier who sold us the ticket. She was given clear instructions as to where she'd be travelling each day, so the fault for the error is theirs and I expect it resolved.
But that driver.....I thought I'd left moronic behavior like that behind in the UK.
Ahthankyew
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Monday, 18 May 2009
why are there no labour camps for children?
I really think we should all club together and fund labour camps for kids...send them there at 12 or so, and let them out (subject to passing a written and oral and physcological exam) when they are around 20ish..
Its quite incredible how utterly alien a teens view of life is, all they know is they want want want, and if they don't get get get they go out of their way to make life intolerable for everyone.
Yes, more SD woes...not unexpected I suppose. She hates everything, everyone and anything related to Holland. The fantastic school we found for her where, she can speak English and get an excellent education is horrible, despite the fact that on her birthday everyone signed a card for her and got her a box of chocolates...can't remember that ever happening to new pupils in the UK.
What is it with Teens these days (no really..I was never that bad..was I?) They want want want and they want it now now now, and no matter how unreasonable or how clear and obvious the fact their wants can't be met they throw tantrums a 2 year old would be proud of.
Apparently going to school 3 times is sufficient to prove to us that she "tried" it. Hmmm, and after 2 weeks of refusing to leave the flat unless forced to see some of Breda, she's "tried" it and she doesn't like it and wants to go home now.
Hmmm well there's the door, don't let it hit you on the arse as you go....Ah but that little bit of reality bites...She's still a minor and can't go back to the UK on her own to go live on the streets with her "friends".
So she's stuck with us, or is that we're stuck with her?
I'm afraid Jodie still refuses to grasp the reality and finality of this, she's making plans to go "home" with her "friends" on MSN, and assumes because she said she's going home, she is ACTUALLY going home.
Its quite odd really, when she comes home from school she's actually been quite chirpy, but by the evening she's turned into super brat and we have to end the day listening to her whinge constantly. Its a constant 1 step forward 3 steps back situation.
We're going to ban her from the net...we've tried rationing her, but she now lives only for those 3 hours she can talk to her "friends", and inevitably after getting her "fix" of "Jodie World" on msn, we end up with tantrums and moods, so, harsh as it may be, we've got to cut the links here. The more she fills her head with Bradford the less she is willing to give Breda a go and we can't put up with this for months at a time.
Expect to hear the screams of despair worldwide, when we tell her tomorrow that Internet is being cut for the foreseeable future..
I still think those labour camps are a good idea...maybe making cheap shoes or tee-shirts..hmm hmmm who's with me?
Ahthankyew
Its quite incredible how utterly alien a teens view of life is, all they know is they want want want, and if they don't get get get they go out of their way to make life intolerable for everyone.
Yes, more SD woes...not unexpected I suppose. She hates everything, everyone and anything related to Holland. The fantastic school we found for her where, she can speak English and get an excellent education is horrible, despite the fact that on her birthday everyone signed a card for her and got her a box of chocolates...can't remember that ever happening to new pupils in the UK.
What is it with Teens these days (no really..I was never that bad..was I?) They want want want and they want it now now now, and no matter how unreasonable or how clear and obvious the fact their wants can't be met they throw tantrums a 2 year old would be proud of.
Apparently going to school 3 times is sufficient to prove to us that she "tried" it. Hmmm, and after 2 weeks of refusing to leave the flat unless forced to see some of Breda, she's "tried" it and she doesn't like it and wants to go home now.
Hmmm well there's the door, don't let it hit you on the arse as you go....Ah but that little bit of reality bites...She's still a minor and can't go back to the UK on her own to go live on the streets with her "friends".
So she's stuck with us, or is that we're stuck with her?
I'm afraid Jodie still refuses to grasp the reality and finality of this, she's making plans to go "home" with her "friends" on MSN, and assumes because she said she's going home, she is ACTUALLY going home.
Its quite odd really, when she comes home from school she's actually been quite chirpy, but by the evening she's turned into super brat and we have to end the day listening to her whinge constantly. Its a constant 1 step forward 3 steps back situation.
We're going to ban her from the net...we've tried rationing her, but she now lives only for those 3 hours she can talk to her "friends", and inevitably after getting her "fix" of "Jodie World" on msn, we end up with tantrums and moods, so, harsh as it may be, we've got to cut the links here. The more she fills her head with Bradford the less she is willing to give Breda a go and we can't put up with this for months at a time.
Expect to hear the screams of despair worldwide, when we tell her tomorrow that Internet is being cut for the foreseeable future..
I still think those labour camps are a good idea...maybe making cheap shoes or tee-shirts..hmm hmmm who's with me?
Ahthankyew
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Busy week
Sorry for the lack of posts, been quite a busy week with settling in, finishing decorating, doing DS work and prepping and marking course work.
It's been quite a struggle not to get behind in anything...The decorating which I had hoped to completely finish this weekend will have to wait just a little longer though I did finish the entrance hall which looks really nice now.
Had a bit of a scare when I moved my "office" out of what is now Jodie's room to a section of the lounge. On 1st attempt the main PC would not fire up..I guess it objects to being disconnected from the mains. But aside from an insistence on doing a full memory check causing a slow(er) boot it seems fine now.
Jodie's up and down a bit, making plans to go back to the UK using the allowance money we're giving her to help her settle here. No amount of explaining the rules about unaccompanied minors seems to be getting through but we'll have to wait till she realizes that. Quick trips to Bradford for the weekend really are not an option and she'll have to work that out for herself.
I'm taking her over to the school in Eindhoven to sit an exam before she starts on Wednesday. Her mum and I are both hoping that once she's in and making some new friends things will ease up a bit.
Not a lot more to report. The DS project is still occupying a lot of my time but its beginning to feel polished and hopefully will soon be done.
I'll leave you with a bit of my fav top gear review of the Ford Fiesta.
Ahthankyew
It's been quite a struggle not to get behind in anything...The decorating which I had hoped to completely finish this weekend will have to wait just a little longer though I did finish the entrance hall which looks really nice now.
Had a bit of a scare when I moved my "office" out of what is now Jodie's room to a section of the lounge. On 1st attempt the main PC would not fire up..I guess it objects to being disconnected from the mains. But aside from an insistence on doing a full memory check causing a slow(er) boot it seems fine now.
Jodie's up and down a bit, making plans to go back to the UK using the allowance money we're giving her to help her settle here. No amount of explaining the rules about unaccompanied minors seems to be getting through but we'll have to wait till she realizes that. Quick trips to Bradford for the weekend really are not an option and she'll have to work that out for herself.
I'm taking her over to the school in Eindhoven to sit an exam before she starts on Wednesday. Her mum and I are both hoping that once she's in and making some new friends things will ease up a bit.
Not a lot more to report. The DS project is still occupying a lot of my time but its beginning to feel polished and hopefully will soon be done.
I'll leave you with a bit of my fav top gear review of the Ford Fiesta.
Ahthankyew
Sunday, 3 May 2009
And so begins a new start
Well Bina and Jodie are now here, we came over on the Pride of Hull Ferry last night.
Jodie has been behaving herself so far, we've agreed some terms of behaviour and hopefully things will be smooth. At least until she gets some new "friends".
Was my first trip on a ferry, certainly an easy way to travel but not sure I can handle the slowness of it all, or the cost for that matter. The quality of food was much better than the usual microwaved bun though, and a lovely bottle of Cabernet Sauvingon washed it down a treat.
I have however discovered that Pontoon and Blackjack...are not the same game....I usually break even on BlackJack, but pontoon is more of a house game, especially after said bottle of cabernet. But a pleasant enough way to pass the time.
Ahthankyew
Jodie has been behaving herself so far, we've agreed some terms of behaviour and hopefully things will be smooth. At least until she gets some new "friends".
Was my first trip on a ferry, certainly an easy way to travel but not sure I can handle the slowness of it all, or the cost for that matter. The quality of food was much better than the usual microwaved bun though, and a lovely bottle of Cabernet Sauvingon washed it down a treat.
I have however discovered that Pontoon and Blackjack...are not the same game....I usually break even on BlackJack, but pontoon is more of a house game, especially after said bottle of cabernet. But a pleasant enough way to pass the time.
Ahthankyew
Friday, 1 May 2009
Got a cold?
1. Man-Flu is more painful than childbirth. This is an irrefutable scientific fact*.
*(Based on a survey of over 100,000 men.)
2. Man-Flu is not 'just a cold'. It is a condition so severe that the germs from a single Man-Flu sneeze could wipe out entire tribes of people living in the rainforest. And probably loads of monkeys too.
3. Women do not contract Man-Flu. At worst they suffer from what is medically recognised as a 'Mild Girly Sniffle' - which, if a man caught, he would still be able to run, throw a ball, tear the phone book in half and compete in all other kinds of manly activities.
4. Men do not 'moan' when they have Man-Flu. They emit involuntary groans of agony that are entirely in proportion to the unbearable pain they are in.
5. Full recovery from Man-Flu will take place much quicker if their simple requests for care, sympathy and regular cups of tea are met. Is that really so much to ask? Florence Nightingale would have done it
6. More men die each year from MFN (Man-Flu Neglect) than lots and lots of other things. (Like rabbit attacks or choking on toast).
7. Men suffering from Man-Flu want nothing more than to get out of bed and come to work, but they are too selfless to risk spreading this awful condition amongst their friends and colleagues. In this sense, they are the greatest heroes this country has ever known.
8. In 1982 scientists managed to simulate the agonising symptoms of full blown Man-Flu in a female chimp. She became so ill that her head literally fell off.
9. Man-Flu germs are more powerful than He-Man, The Thundercats and The A-Team combined. They are too strong for weak, nasty tasting 'lady medicines' like Lemsip, so don't bother trying to force them on a victim of Man-Flu.
0. While it may seem like a Man-Flu sufferer is just lying around enjoying 'Diagnosis Murder' it is a commonly recognised medical fact that the exact pitch and frequency of Dick Van Dyke's voice has remarkable soothing powers..
Every minute in this country one man is struck down by Man-Flu. Women, all we ask is that each of you offers them a cup of tea, some kind words and your undivided attention and care. Then maybe, just maybe, we'll beat this monstrous disease together
Ahthankyew
*(Based on a survey of over 100,000 men.)
2. Man-Flu is not 'just a cold'. It is a condition so severe that the germs from a single Man-Flu sneeze could wipe out entire tribes of people living in the rainforest. And probably loads of monkeys too.
3. Women do not contract Man-Flu. At worst they suffer from what is medically recognised as a 'Mild Girly Sniffle' - which, if a man caught, he would still be able to run, throw a ball, tear the phone book in half and compete in all other kinds of manly activities.
4. Men do not 'moan' when they have Man-Flu. They emit involuntary groans of agony that are entirely in proportion to the unbearable pain they are in.
5. Full recovery from Man-Flu will take place much quicker if their simple requests for care, sympathy and regular cups of tea are met. Is that really so much to ask? Florence Nightingale would have done it
6. More men die each year from MFN (Man-Flu Neglect) than lots and lots of other things. (Like rabbit attacks or choking on toast).
7. Men suffering from Man-Flu want nothing more than to get out of bed and come to work, but they are too selfless to risk spreading this awful condition amongst their friends and colleagues. In this sense, they are the greatest heroes this country has ever known.
8. In 1982 scientists managed to simulate the agonising symptoms of full blown Man-Flu in a female chimp. She became so ill that her head literally fell off.
9. Man-Flu germs are more powerful than He-Man, The Thundercats and The A-Team combined. They are too strong for weak, nasty tasting 'lady medicines' like Lemsip, so don't bother trying to force them on a victim of Man-Flu.
0. While it may seem like a Man-Flu sufferer is just lying around enjoying 'Diagnosis Murder' it is a commonly recognised medical fact that the exact pitch and frequency of Dick Van Dyke's voice has remarkable soothing powers..
Every minute in this country one man is struck down by Man-Flu. Women, all we ask is that each of you offers them a cup of tea, some kind words and your undivided attention and care. Then maybe, just maybe, we'll beat this monstrous disease together
Ahthankyew
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