White Rabbit, White Rabbit, White Rabbit...

Hello to all from white Russian England (well, apparently that is where all this snow is from)


BBC news headlines today read: 'More snow sweeping across Britain'. Having lived through the day, I now understand why this makes news headlines. I have found (to my amazement) that the UK goes into panic mode the minute it starts to snow. Let me give you a few examples:

Over 400 schools were closed - apparently it is a health and safety thing - you know the analogy: the pavements are icy, therefore people are in danger of falling down and injuring themselves on their walk to school, which means schools should be closed. Ok, ok, this may be a little cynical, but this is one of the main reasons for shutting the schools. I believe another factor contributing to the closure of schools is that it is too cold (I can hear myself saying: 'in my day..........') The really good news (if you are a pupil in any of the schools over here) is that there will be no school tomorrow due to the predicted increase in snowfall (I keep wondering how all the other countries (example Switzerland) deal with snowfall...)

The airports were closed today due to a plane coming in to land at Heathrow, and skidding off the runway. It turns out the pilot could not see the centre line and so guessed (incorrectly) which direction to travel in. Following this, all flights were cancelled or diverted (to another continent). The airlines are however, telling people to check-in on time otherwise they will lose their places on the plane (you know, the one that's not leaving for a few days...)


The busses in London were stopped altogether due to the bad conditions. Turns out the gritters had not done what they get paid to do (and the ones that did were over-eager and gritted the roads too early... such a delicate balance you know - whoever said that gritting is not rocket science, lied).

The London underground came to a complete stop. Silly me, I thought: 'underground...' (I won’t say any more).

The reporters are all complaining because the British transport officials were warned by the weather man (who is wrong 99% of the time) that England was going to experience one of the worst snow storms in two decades. Who knew that this was the ONE time the weatherman was telling the truth??? Needless to say, the locals are up in arms because of the sudden halt in public transport (now if we could just get them to experience a day in Africa…)

A new program has begun here, called dancing on ice (how very funny, considering the current weather conditions!) This program replaces another popular program called Strictly come Dancing (which is a little bit like the continuous switch between Survivor and The Amazing Race in South Africa). The basic idea (for those of you not familiar with the show) is that teams are composed of one celebrity and one professional skater. Each team skates and competes with the other teams. At the end of the show, there is a skate-off (as voted by the public) and one couple is eliminated (by judges). Anyway, the point I’m getting to is that we have just watched week three of the show. Last week, one of the couples had the entire country in stitches, so I thought I would include a link to the performances for you to peruse at your leisure.

Link one: the essence of the competition, Ray Quinn dances with professional skater: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSHAqYoXiP4

Link two: the…. um… competition… Todd Carty dancing with a professional skater: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLIMOvAksRg

The British public voted for Todd Carty and so he was not eliminated. His performance this week was notably weaker (I can hear you asking if that is even possible… well let me tell you that one of his moves was diving onto the ice and doing backstroke). Needless to say, he still remains in the competition. There is a huge saga about this at the moment because people are relating it to the John Sargeant issue from Strictly Come Dancing (I’m sure your google capabilities are as good as mine).


Another issue (this time throughout facebook and the like) is the new Cadbury advert (link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gugIfOSs1-8). Many people are questioning who it is aimed at and what the point to it is. Personally I think the factory is experiencing the effects of the credit crunch and need people to buy more chocolate. The only problem with this is that they can’t afford to pay someone for a good advert. Catch 22 really.

On the job front. I managed to secure a job (yes, one of the ones I had an interview for). I have however reconsidered and am planning on sticking with this job a little while longer (as it is a little too convenient). Just as well though, because I am going on holiday to Amsterdam for two weeks in March (see, good things come to those who wait… and have convenient jobs!) When I get back I shall return to my current client and then reassess life (I might as well travel and live a little while I can!)

On a personal front. I have had my hair cut and have attached a few pictures so you can all see them.

Well, that’s all for now. I hope you are all doing really well and that the new year has started out perfectly.

Chat soon!

*Nanna: I hope your knee is feeling a little bit better*