Today the schoolyear 2019-2020 officially ends. And it's been a strange year.
At the end of the year, we all cheered and wished each other a happy new year. Little did we suspect what was coming to us. Then corona arrived and the country went in lockdown. School, among others, were closed.
By the end of May some kids could return to school, early June some more. Classes are different now, with distance between each desk and only up to 10 pupils in the classroom. Takes a lot of organisation!
Most of the schoolgoing population had to take online classes for over three months. For some an advantage, for others a disadvantage. I suppose such a system would have suited me well, because I like to study on my own rhythm. Another problem was that not every kid had a computer or laptop at it's disposal. The schools made a great effort to ask for donations to give laptops to those kids who are living in poor conditions.
And now it's all come to an end. In September, schools will reopen for the next schoolyear and hopefully all will be back to (almost) normal. Primary schools and kindergartens will work as usual, and in the secondary schools (12 to 18) students will come four days a week, staying at home on Wednesday as long as code yellow is kept (code yellow means there still is corona, but not overmuch).
Also my sister is due a holiday. She keeps working until Friday, and then she can enjoy summer as well. She only resumes work around the 24th of August, but knowing her, she'll check her (school) mail nearly every day, and sends files to the government when needed... She can never stop working, it's not in her genes. I'm different in that way. I could come home from school and not think of it anymore. Saves you a lot of stress!
Hello everyone! I'm a writer of historical fiction next to being a pensioned teacher. I like to share my views on life and actuality, along with bringing you interviews with bestselling authors and guest blogs.
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Friday, June 26, 2020
A long, hot (corona) summer?
For the past months and weeks the weather has been extremely mild. This helped in some way to endure the lockdown that most people suffered. While you couldn't travel or even go to another town, it was fun to sit in your garden (as long as you have one) and enjoy some sunshine!
Those weekends we were allowed to go to the seaside and spend time in our second home, the weather was also nice and that made it all so more enjoyable.
Right now we're going through a heatwave already. I've just hung out some washing to dry. I'll be good to fold in a hour or so.
As these are the last days of the schoolyear (and the working year of my sister) we soon can enjoy two months of summer vacation. And it looks like the weather will co-operate. There will be some disturbance later today (thunderstorms are predicted) but afterwards the prognosis seems to be okay for the coming week.
A nice, warm summer would be a treat. When the sun shines, you have that much more energy and like for everything. We intend most of this summer at the coast, with the exception of a short trip to the south of France.
I don't need the extra energy, but my sister does. It's been a hard year for her, the work getting tougher year by year. And she still has a couple of years to go...
Those weekends we were allowed to go to the seaside and spend time in our second home, the weather was also nice and that made it all so more enjoyable.
Right now we're going through a heatwave already. I've just hung out some washing to dry. I'll be good to fold in a hour or so.
As these are the last days of the schoolyear (and the working year of my sister) we soon can enjoy two months of summer vacation. And it looks like the weather will co-operate. There will be some disturbance later today (thunderstorms are predicted) but afterwards the prognosis seems to be okay for the coming week.
A nice, warm summer would be a treat. When the sun shines, you have that much more energy and like for everything. We intend most of this summer at the coast, with the exception of a short trip to the south of France.
I don't need the extra energy, but my sister does. It's been a hard year for her, the work getting tougher year by year. And she still has a couple of years to go...
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Second wave of corona?
Here in Europe we're almost rid of the corona virus. This means that a lot of restrictions in most countries have been taken away and the people get more freedom.
And here lies the danger. Last weekend, big masses of party-goers gathered on squares and began to party without any restriction (no mouth masks, no social distancing). This happened in a lot of places, like Brussels, Ghent and Hasselt. The behavior of these people is shameful. They threaten the health of many others, and will perhaps undo all the efforts most people made these last months.
A lot of Belgians think corona is something of the past. They are not careful anymore. And we see this happening in other countries too. Yesterday, there were images of cities in the south of France (like Nice) where masses were gathered to party. And in Germany, there are clustered outbreaks of the virus.
I'm ever so glad my sister and I are not such 'social' people. We don't mingle with other overmuch. When I meet an acquaintance, I always keep my distance when talking to them, and I'd never shake hands or kiss that person. Same goes when shopping. I steer my shopping cart away from others in the supermarket, and immediately clean my hands (both of us carry cleansing gel with us) when I enter and leave.
Hopefully the behavior of some unresponsibles won't spoil it for the rest of us!
And here lies the danger. Last weekend, big masses of party-goers gathered on squares and began to party without any restriction (no mouth masks, no social distancing). This happened in a lot of places, like Brussels, Ghent and Hasselt. The behavior of these people is shameful. They threaten the health of many others, and will perhaps undo all the efforts most people made these last months.
A lot of Belgians think corona is something of the past. They are not careful anymore. And we see this happening in other countries too. Yesterday, there were images of cities in the south of France (like Nice) where masses were gathered to party. And in Germany, there are clustered outbreaks of the virus.
I'm ever so glad my sister and I are not such 'social' people. We don't mingle with other overmuch. When I meet an acquaintance, I always keep my distance when talking to them, and I'd never shake hands or kiss that person. Same goes when shopping. I steer my shopping cart away from others in the supermarket, and immediately clean my hands (both of us carry cleansing gel with us) when I enter and leave.
Hopefully the behavior of some unresponsibles won't spoil it for the rest of us!
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Allowed to travel
Since Monday 15th June we are allowed to travel in Europe once more. The borders between the countries of the EU opened that day.
Brussels Airlines restarted its flights as well. Only 15 the first day, but every day a couple more. We took advantage of the voucher we'd got for a cancelled flight and booked ourselves a trip at the end of July, early August. To France.
For me, staying at home without outlook on a trip to another country has been the hardest part of the lockdown. We're so used to making trips nearly every school holiday! The last few years we barely spent one in Belgium. Travel is our main passtime.
So this summer we can look out to being in the south of France and enjoy the good food and wine. We found a good hotel and intend to do some daytrips as well. I don't know what the rest of the year will bring, though.
In October we are supposed to go to England, for a concert of Michael Bolton. But there are still restrictions in Great-Britain. You can travel to it, but have to remain in quarantine. As long as these restrictions are not lifted, going to England won't be an option.
And about our scheduled trip in November we equally don't have any news. The airline is at the moment not flying from Brussels. Will they resume? We don't know. So that trip is still pending.
Anyway, we are going to be making some plans for 2021.
Brussels Airlines restarted its flights as well. Only 15 the first day, but every day a couple more. We took advantage of the voucher we'd got for a cancelled flight and booked ourselves a trip at the end of July, early August. To France.
For me, staying at home without outlook on a trip to another country has been the hardest part of the lockdown. We're so used to making trips nearly every school holiday! The last few years we barely spent one in Belgium. Travel is our main passtime.
So this summer we can look out to being in the south of France and enjoy the good food and wine. We found a good hotel and intend to do some daytrips as well. I don't know what the rest of the year will bring, though.
In October we are supposed to go to England, for a concert of Michael Bolton. But there are still restrictions in Great-Britain. You can travel to it, but have to remain in quarantine. As long as these restrictions are not lifted, going to England won't be an option.
And about our scheduled trip in November we equally don't have any news. The airline is at the moment not flying from Brussels. Will they resume? We don't know. So that trip is still pending.
Anyway, we are going to be making some plans for 2021.
Monday, June 15, 2020
Beyond the Surface
Please meet author Trisha Ridinger McKee and say hello. Trisha's doing a virtual book blast tour for Beyond the Surface, a romantic suspense available now from Breaking Rules Publishing. This book tour will take place on June 15-19, 2020.
Trisha will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Please use the following link to place your comment:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3396/
Blurb
Excerpt
Author bio and links
Trisha will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Please use the following link to place your comment:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3396/
Blurb
Ella
is a middle-aged woman with a stagnant career, an exasperated teenage daughter,
and a husband that has left to make a new life with another woman. Her first
attempt at dating is a disaster, and in an attempt to refocus her life and
rediscover her joy, Ella goes fishing. It is here that she meets Dennis, the
older, captivating man that ends up saving her life and stealing her heart. But
Dennis has a history, and Ella might just be in for the biggest heartbreak of
her life if she can not get her emotions under control and face the demons from
her own past.
Excerpt
“Does it get easier?”
“Heartbreak or dating? Either way…
it does. I think the hardest thing is the break in routine. People are such
comfort creatures. We crave that familiarity, the safeness of what we know. But
you’ll eventually set your own routine and get used to not being with him
daily. It will get easier. You’ll be able to breathe better. To come across a
random piece of clothing left behind and not cry. You’ll meet some guy and the
differences between him and your ex won’t make you shudder in disgust.”
He stopped and glanced over at her.
She was staring back, her eyes wide and watery and beautiful and her mouth
open. Finally, she replied, “You’ve been there.”
And she sensed that he was waiting,
anticipating some confession, a purge of all she was feeling. Of course, he
would expect that - today she had shared more than was necessary, more than she
was comfortable with. It made her feel silly, grimy, and out of her league in
speaking to this man towering in front of her. Finally, she said, “It’s fine.”
Author bio and links
Trisha
Ridinger McKee resides in a small town in Pennsylvania where there is not much
to do ... except write. When she is not twisting words into stories, she enjoys
fishing, reading, binge-watching true crime or cheesy horror, hanging out with
her bulldogs, and finding new hobbies. She shares her world with a patient
hubby and an amazing daughter. She finally gained enough courage to send out
her writing in April 2019. Since then, her work has appeared or is forthcoming
in over 50 publications, including Tablet Magazine, The Oddville Press, Crab
Fat Magazine, Kzine, Commuterlit, J.J. Outre Review, ParABnormal Magazine,
4Star Stories, Black Hare Press, Thirteen Press, and more. She won Story of the
Month from 50-Word Stories. Her short story Where We Meet has been nominated
for Best of the Net Anthology 2019. Her debut novel Beyond the Surface is now
available on Amazon.
Links:
/
Friday, June 12, 2020
Had this great idea...
From an early age (I was about 7 years young) I began to scribble stories in notebooks. I was bored to death when in primary school, as I already could read and write, but because I was a good little girl (!) I didn't disturb the class by talking to the girl next to me, but kept myself busy by inventing adventures.
The older I got, the longer the stories, until the time when I wrote my first 'novel'. I was around 14 then. I remember sitting down on the carpet and writing at the low table in the living room. I could sit there for hours! That first novel was Maria Gonzalez, or rather what was to become this novel (published by Rogue Phoenix Press). In those years, I wrote a whole bunch of 'novels' and later put them somewhere in storage.
Some time ago, when cleaning up, I found that stash of hidden stories. Browsing through them, I actually came to the conclusion that most of them were passable. My last 'work of art' in that period, was Julie, an adventure of a young woman in Napoleontic France. Inspired by numerous works of other authors, that's a fact, but I gave it my best to create my own fiction. The writing is perhaps a bit childlike, and here and there fact needs to be checked and scenes filled out, but all in all it's a grand story.
So when I don't have the inspiration to create a whole new story at the moment (I didn't write anything since being diagnosed with cancer) I suppose I could do this. Pick up the old story, and make a great book out of it. Will be fun to do!
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Stormed
Please say hello to author Paula Quinene today. Paula's doing a virtual book blast tour for Stormed, a contemporary romance (set in the 1990's) available now. This book blast tour will take place on Monday, June 8th.
Paula will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Please use the following link to place your comment:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3394/
Blurb
Excerpt
Author bio and links
Paula will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Please use the following link to place your comment:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3394/
Blurb
A medical doctor educated in the United States, passionate and
fierce Liz Taimanglo must now fulfill her promise and return to her island
home. Liz makes the long flight across the US and the North Pacific Ocean to
Guam, uncertain of what her future holds. Heading into the epicenter of her
family and prime typhoon season for the Mariana Islands chain, the disquiet of
her heart threatens to do more damage than any typhoon might inflict on Guam.
Little does Liz know, the man featured in the newspaper would indeed unleash
delicious torment rivaling even a Category 5 super typhoon.
Manny Artero is adamant about fighting for his island, his
culture, and the rights of Guam’s Chamorro people, after having been fired from
his teaching job. That is, until Liz walks up to him with her machete-wielding
eyes and her undying respect for the American military. Manny had vowed never
to risk his heart again and to become a more vocal activist, but this woman
threatens to challenge all his intentions about love and life on Guam. Brushing
off the safer choice, he plots a series of surprises to change her mind.
For Liz, becoming a doctor of medicine was supposed to be the
right path, but her universe imploded when her training failed to save the life
of the most important person in her world. Though a former US Marine, Manny
could no longer accept the loss of land, rights, and freedom that Chamorros
continue to suffer in their own homeland. Helpless against the strengthening
attraction between them, Liz and Manny must face not only their opposing
political views, but the storms stirring in their hearts and the very land upon
which they stand.
Excerpt
Liz stared at his hand as he held it
out. His laughter fueled her desire. He was standing close enough that all she
needed to do was take one step toward him. I want to kiss you. The ache between
her thighs surged. She’d been fighting it off all day. And now that they were
alone. What’s wrong with me?
“Elizabeth.”
He had moved even closer. I haven’t
had sex in forever, that’s what’s wrong. He was too close. Her forearms rested
on his pecs, and the rhythm of his chest rising and falling glued her against
him. His arousal grew on her belly. Lips. Lips were so close she could see . .
. Ah. He tasted of burnt sugar. Coconut. Smelled of barbecue. The strength of
his hands seared through her T-shirt. Reserved yet wanting. His tongue, giving
and taking. Manny’s breath was as erratic as her own. Lord help me. The nipping
of his teeth on her lips. His arms flexing tighter around her rib cage and
shoulder. Just this once. I want this. I need this. No, no. You can’t. He won’t
. . . Naughty and nice struggled within her. The dance of their tongues, the
heat of their arousals, the tensing of their muscles. He didn’t seem to mind.
The memories resurfaced. Of distaste. Confusion. Rejection. Of him. Stop. The
disgust in his eyes, even years past, was so visible. She pushed against
Manny’s chest and untangled her tongue from his.
“I’m sorry,” Liz said, standing a
foot from him, trying to tame that side of her. “I shouldn’t have kissed you. I
was overwhelmed with this place.” She gestured with both hands in midair. “It’s
beautiful, and romantic. This isn’t like me.” Liar.
Author bio and links
Born
and raised on Guam, Paula Quinene continues to take pride in her Chamorro
heritage. The Chamorros are the native people of Guam and the Mariana Islands.
Paula, like many of her fellow islanders, left home to pursue a higher
education. A resident of North Carolina since 2000, Paula’s homesickness has
resulted in her Guam cookbooks, A Taste of Guam and Remember Guam, and her Guam
romance novels, Conquered and Stormed.
Follow
Paula’s Guam food and romance novel antics here:
Website
Paulaq.com: https://www.paulaq.com/index.html
Facebook
Paula Quinene Guam Author: https://www.facebook.com/pquinene
YouTube
Guam Mama Cooks: https://www.youtube.com/user/ceps92/videos
Thursday, June 4, 2020
(Almost) Back to normal
Yesterday, our Security Council gathered once more and decided to change more for the inhabitants of our country. As of June 8th, a lot will be allowed once more. We can meet more people, we can travel within the country (the borders will open on June 15th), we can do sports, the restaurants and cafés open again. The virus is almost non-existent in Belgium. The figures lower day by day.
When the weather will co-operate, it promises to be a good summer. I've just made a reservation for one of our favorite restaurants in Heist (the coast). Even when the tables are somewhat more apart, it will nevertheless be great to be able to taste the delicious food once more!
Travelling within Europe will be possible soon. The only thing is, there is still nothing decided about travelling outside the continent. So it remains a big question if our trip to Beirut will be possible (it's in November). We have hopes we can go to Birmingham in October, for the concert of Michael Bolton. And most probably we'll make a European trip in December.
In the meantime, the effects of this corona crisis are felt. The inland revenue received a lot less taxes in April than the year before. The industry wasn't working, and all the restaurants and such were closed. There still remain a lot of people unemployed. Some industries that closed down and have now opened again, don't employ all their former personel. And telework will remain a standard in the future. My sister hopes she can work from home for a couple of days a week in the future. It's much more relaxing and she can concentrate better here than at the workplace, where there's talking among the co-workers and a lot of distraction.
Anyway, the crisis changed a lot and I wonder if we'll ever get back to the normal we used to know before?
When the weather will co-operate, it promises to be a good summer. I've just made a reservation for one of our favorite restaurants in Heist (the coast). Even when the tables are somewhat more apart, it will nevertheless be great to be able to taste the delicious food once more!
Travelling within Europe will be possible soon. The only thing is, there is still nothing decided about travelling outside the continent. So it remains a big question if our trip to Beirut will be possible (it's in November). We have hopes we can go to Birmingham in October, for the concert of Michael Bolton. And most probably we'll make a European trip in December.
In the meantime, the effects of this corona crisis are felt. The inland revenue received a lot less taxes in April than the year before. The industry wasn't working, and all the restaurants and such were closed. There still remain a lot of people unemployed. Some industries that closed down and have now opened again, don't employ all their former personel. And telework will remain a standard in the future. My sister hopes she can work from home for a couple of days a week in the future. It's much more relaxing and she can concentrate better here than at the workplace, where there's talking among the co-workers and a lot of distraction.
Anyway, the crisis changed a lot and I wonder if we'll ever get back to the normal we used to know before?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)