Milestones

Nothing earth-shattering, but the other day we were out and about discussing the local landscape and Kelsey noted that something was "huge-big".  Standard Kelsey-speak except that huge sounded exactly as it should vs. the previous "hoo-ge" big that we often received.

Just another reminder that the little one is growing up.  No surprise, but, of course, a touch of sadness.  I love the words they make up as they are learning how to form words.  Not because they don’t know the word, but simply that their little mouths can’t yet pronounce it correctly.  So now everything is huge-big, but somehow, it just doesn’t sound quite as grand.

It was then almost ironic that she slipped back to another old favorite on Friday afternoon.  She was having a play date with her new friend, Jo, and sharing her heart-shaped marshmallows.  NOTE TO GRANDPA & DIBBY:  Said marshmallows extremely popular and consumed within minutes; if any still left in the tri-state area, please send more! 

In the excitement of the early opening of the marshmallows (we just couldn’t wait for Valentine’s Day), Kelsey ran into the room to request more. 

"Please, please, can I have some more smashmallows to share with Josephine?"

My heart warmed up as Kels tumbled through the word she had used as toddler, but  I thought had long-since forgotten.  You can bet she walked off grinning ear to ear with her smashmallows while I watched and committed the scene to memory.  There is much to be said for their growing up, but even more to be said for these sweet moments of childhood.   

I’ve got class!

Well, literally, not figuratively.  I have been hired as the new ESL teacher at the International School! I am teaching a total of 4 classes/week or 3 hours a week of teaching and many more of preparation.

I have been toying with the notion of going back to school for years, but desperately needed more experience.  The opportunity came up so quickly, but with the most perfect timing and circumstances.   I am working with 8 children from six countries.  Translation:  I couldn’t ask for a better learning experience.

Technically, it is not ESL, though, as English is a third language for some of the children.  Their ability to process and retain the information at this age is just so amazing.  I have said it before and will say it again: if you ever have the chance for your baby/preschool child to have a bilingual experience, I highly recommend it. 

If you still don’t believe us,

Here it is from the local paper: 

Food prices 62% higher in
Iceland

Morgunbladid – According to recent figures from Eurostat, the
average prices in Iceland
for food and drink are 62% higher than in the 15 states forming the EU before
its expansion. The highest food prices in Europe are in
Iceland , which
also tops the list when it comes to all household expenditures. These
expenditures are 46% higher in Iceland
than in the EU. Actually, countries outside the EU –
Iceland , Norway
and Switzerland
– stand out regarding higher food prices, relative to the states in the
EU. Norway is second after
Iceland , with 52% higher food prices, and in
Switzerland the
corresponding figures are 40% higher. Andres Magnusson, Managing Director of
the Association of Icelandic importers, exporters and wholesale merchants, said
that the most obvious explanation was the high price of agricultural products
in Iceland .
He said that if Icelanders wanted to lower prices to a level comparable to that
in the other Nordic countries, the protective tariffs for the agricultural
sector would be the biggest component to work on. Magnusson added that there
were other factors involved, like high purchasing power, disadvantageous
purchasing and insufficient competition on the retail market.

Nope, we weren’t kidding.  One can only hope this reaches the powers that be and it is realized that we do not receive enough COLA to live on the local economy.  Our food prices are much higher than Switzerland, yet their COLA is 10% greater than ours. 

Now, I am happy to pay more for better food and think that some of the food in the States is actually under-priced for the work that was put into producing it.   However, to be 62% above EU members?  For those of you who thought the EU was expensive, think again!

BTW, this should in no way deter future visitors, as after all, at least you would not have to deal with lodging costs (1 SMALL double room averages $200 USD/night)…but could you bring some groceries with you, pretty please??