Slaughterhouse 5
Today was the first day in my new job. I hate it already. The job involves inspecting dead animal bodies at a slaughterhouse in the nearby town of Selfoss. Mostly it consists of standing on the line, inspecting the carcasses for any sign of infections, such as abcesses (yuk!). I also take samples to test for salmonella, the most feared bug. Only a few farms have ever tested positive for it, none of the ones sending to this slaugherhouse, fortunately...
Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Sunday, May 25, 2003
Last night was the night of the eurovision song contest. In Iceland this is a big thing, everybody gathers to watch (and every year most of the songs are totally lame, this year was no exception). Iceland first participated in 1986, before that there was no such thing as a eurovision party. People just had parties. The cab driver told us last night that the eurovision night was the biggest night of the year on the town here in Reykjavík, boy have I been away for long. If I had remembered I wouldn´t have ventured out last night. After the traditional eurovision family party we went downtown to meet my cousin who was celebrating her graduation from acting school. Afterwards we had to wait for almost an hour before we got a taxi to drive us home. This morning my husband woved never to drink again. Now where have I heard that before?
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
Being vet
I have been seriously neglecting my blog lately, as I have been very busy writing the last pages of my report, and starting my new job at this veterinary clinic (my picture will be posted there later). The clinic is right in the centre of town, 101 Reykjavík where I grew up. I love the job, and get along fine with my boss (there´s only the two of us working there, so this is absolutely essential), at least so far. This weekend I was on call for the first time, and it seemed half the pet population was going bonkers. I was called out twice to put stiches in a cat, which managed to rip them out as soon as we looked the other way, off she took the collar and everything. Saturday we had general elections and I threw a dinner party, and then had to take of when the guests arrived to splint a cat´s broken leg (apparently he jumped out the window on the second floor). There was also a dog we suspected of having parvo and another cat with a minor injury to the leg. The whole thing was rather nerve-wrecking, but I got through it and feel more confident now.
I have been seriously neglecting my blog lately, as I have been very busy writing the last pages of my report, and starting my new job at this veterinary clinic (my picture will be posted there later). The clinic is right in the centre of town, 101 Reykjavík where I grew up. I love the job, and get along fine with my boss (there´s only the two of us working there, so this is absolutely essential), at least so far. This weekend I was on call for the first time, and it seemed half the pet population was going bonkers. I was called out twice to put stiches in a cat, which managed to rip them out as soon as we looked the other way, off she took the collar and everything. Saturday we had general elections and I threw a dinner party, and then had to take of when the guests arrived to splint a cat´s broken leg (apparently he jumped out the window on the second floor). There was also a dog we suspected of having parvo and another cat with a minor injury to the leg. The whole thing was rather nerve-wrecking, but I got through it and feel more confident now.
Wednesday, April 30, 2003
Sunday, April 20, 2003
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir
This information was found on the web page guide to women leaders, but the information can also be found on other sites (I added the boldface).
01.08.1980-01.08.1996 President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, Iceland.
In 1972-80 Director of Iceland’s National Theater was the world’s first democratically elected female president. Since 1996 she has been involved in a wide range of international humanitarian and cultural organizations. She was a divorcee and mother of an adopted a daughter. (b.1930-).
For anyone wishing to learn more about Iceland´s history, factmonster.com has some info on Iceland.
This information was found on the web page guide to women leaders, but the information can also be found on other sites (I added the boldface).
01.08.1980-01.08.1996 President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, Iceland.
In 1972-80 Director of Iceland’s National Theater was the world’s first democratically elected female president. Since 1996 she has been involved in a wide range of international humanitarian and cultural organizations. She was a divorcee and mother of an adopted a daughter. (b.1930-).
For anyone wishing to learn more about Iceland´s history, factmonster.com has some info on Iceland.
Thursday, April 17, 2003
The countryside
This afternoon we are leaving on a short, 2 day, trip to the countryside, where mum & her siblings have an old farm. My grandparents lived there in the 50´s and 60´s, and when my grandmother died it was handed down to her 11 children, who now own it together. Some have built summer houses on the grounds, one of my mum´s brothers restored the old house and lives there full time (he is not a farmer though, he has a job in a neighbouring town). These 11 siblings now have 36 children among them (ages 6-40something), the grandchildren are too many for me to keep track... We all enjoy coming there during the summer, and there is always room for anyone who wants to stay in one of the summer-houses. My mum has decided where she wants to put her summer house, but has only gotten as far as putting up a fence... My guess is that it will be me and my husband who will put up a house there for us and my sister (and her future family). We will be staying there until saturday, will return in time to invite mother in-law for a traditional easter sunday roast leg of lamb.
This afternoon we are leaving on a short, 2 day, trip to the countryside, where mum & her siblings have an old farm. My grandparents lived there in the 50´s and 60´s, and when my grandmother died it was handed down to her 11 children, who now own it together. Some have built summer houses on the grounds, one of my mum´s brothers restored the old house and lives there full time (he is not a farmer though, he has a job in a neighbouring town). These 11 siblings now have 36 children among them (ages 6-40something), the grandchildren are too many for me to keep track... We all enjoy coming there during the summer, and there is always room for anyone who wants to stay in one of the summer-houses. My mum has decided where she wants to put her summer house, but has only gotten as far as putting up a fence... My guess is that it will be me and my husband who will put up a house there for us and my sister (and her future family). We will be staying there until saturday, will return in time to invite mother in-law for a traditional easter sunday roast leg of lamb.
Friday, April 11, 2003
Icelandair, our voice to the world
Icelandair´s campaign in the UK these days has posters that read: "Dirty weekend... only in Iceland" (w. pictures of Icelandic women in bikinis in the blue lagoon), "One night stand in Reykjavík", and the latest "free dip in every trip" (picture of a stewardess up to her crotch in the blue lagoon serving champagne to a man in a swimsuit).
What do you people think when you read this? I think Icelandair is telling british men to come to Iceland and have a quick "dip" or "one night stand" with the "cheap" Icelandic women. Or am I just illiterate to the deeper meaning of the english language, as Icelandair´s spokesmen have told me?
Icelandair´s campaign in the UK these days has posters that read: "Dirty weekend... only in Iceland" (w. pictures of Icelandic women in bikinis in the blue lagoon), "One night stand in Reykjavík", and the latest "free dip in every trip" (picture of a stewardess up to her crotch in the blue lagoon serving champagne to a man in a swimsuit).
What do you people think when you read this? I think Icelandair is telling british men to come to Iceland and have a quick "dip" or "one night stand" with the "cheap" Icelandic women. Or am I just illiterate to the deeper meaning of the english language, as Icelandair´s spokesmen have told me?
Thursday, April 10, 2003
A job!
It looks like I have finally landed a job at a small animal clinic here in Reykjavík. I couldn´t believe it at first, so I didn´t talk about it too much, I was afraid to jinx it if I did. I am supposed to start working on a trial basis in early may, after I turn in my thesis. To my surprise the practice owner called me yesterday to ask if they could put an ad in the TV guide´s easter edition with my picture and a "welcome to our new vet" message. I said yes, of course, and then proceded to frantically search my photo albums for a half decent picture of myself for the ad. No such luck. It seems I am the only one in the family who takes any pictures, so naturally I do not appear in many of them. I had a few passport pictures taken (at a photographer´s, not a booth, they´re usually not so good) and turned them in. I was told I would be printed in 70.000 copies, yaikes! We have a saying here in Iceland, when someone has their 15 minutes of fame, that they´re "world famous in Iceland". I am still sceptical though, the TV guide hasn´t arrived yet, the whole thing may burn in a freak fire at the warehouse, or something...
It looks like I have finally landed a job at a small animal clinic here in Reykjavík. I couldn´t believe it at first, so I didn´t talk about it too much, I was afraid to jinx it if I did. I am supposed to start working on a trial basis in early may, after I turn in my thesis. To my surprise the practice owner called me yesterday to ask if they could put an ad in the TV guide´s easter edition with my picture and a "welcome to our new vet" message. I said yes, of course, and then proceded to frantically search my photo albums for a half decent picture of myself for the ad. No such luck. It seems I am the only one in the family who takes any pictures, so naturally I do not appear in many of them. I had a few passport pictures taken (at a photographer´s, not a booth, they´re usually not so good) and turned them in. I was told I would be printed in 70.000 copies, yaikes! We have a saying here in Iceland, when someone has their 15 minutes of fame, that they´re "world famous in Iceland". I am still sceptical though, the TV guide hasn´t arrived yet, the whole thing may burn in a freak fire at the warehouse, or something...
Saturday, April 05, 2003
The writer in me
I have a novel growing inside my head. The main character is becoming almost like a friend of mine and is begging that her story be written down. So far I have not responded to her wishes. Maybe I´ll "come out of the closet" as a writer someday, who knows. At the moment I´m too practical to even consider writing. I think I may take it up as a hobby after I graduate from vet school.
I am doing some writing, however, my thesis is slowly growing. I was at a lecture last thursday where a lot of veterinarians were present (of course, since the lecture was on skin diseases in Icelandic horses!), and I managed to trick one of them into helping me do the statistics on my project, since unfortunately I have discovered that my knowlege of statistics has declined considerably.
I have a novel growing inside my head. The main character is becoming almost like a friend of mine and is begging that her story be written down. So far I have not responded to her wishes. Maybe I´ll "come out of the closet" as a writer someday, who knows. At the moment I´m too practical to even consider writing. I think I may take it up as a hobby after I graduate from vet school.
I am doing some writing, however, my thesis is slowly growing. I was at a lecture last thursday where a lot of veterinarians were present (of course, since the lecture was on skin diseases in Icelandic horses!), and I managed to trick one of them into helping me do the statistics on my project, since unfortunately I have discovered that my knowlege of statistics has declined considerably.
Wednesday, April 02, 2003
I am a feminist
In my mind a feminist is someone who recognises that there are gender discriminations in our society, and is willing to do something about it. There is a need to educate a large part of our society about feminism and feminists.
No, we are not ugly women who envy beauty queens and porn stars.
No, we do not burn our bras when we have meetings.
No, we do not hate men, nor are we all lesbians.
Yes, we are women and men (yes, real men are feminists!) from all walks of life, and different ages.
Yes, we are pissed that women do not get paid as much as men for the same job, even if they have a college degree.
Yes, we get angry when we see women are portrayed as objects and others made to feel inferior because they do not fit an "ideal standard of beauty"
In my mind a feminist is someone who recognises that there are gender discriminations in our society, and is willing to do something about it. There is a need to educate a large part of our society about feminism and feminists.
No, we are not ugly women who envy beauty queens and porn stars.
No, we do not burn our bras when we have meetings.
No, we do not hate men, nor are we all lesbians.
Yes, we are women and men (yes, real men are feminists!) from all walks of life, and different ages.
Yes, we are pissed that women do not get paid as much as men for the same job, even if they have a college degree.
Yes, we get angry when we see women are portrayed as objects and others made to feel inferior because they do not fit an "ideal standard of beauty"
Monday, March 31, 2003
No more slaughterhouse
Today was my last day at the slaughterhouse, and I can´t say I was sad to leave... I was offered more work there, but turned it down. I´m looking forward to concentrating on getting my thesis finished, it is no. 1 priority now. After that who knows. I have applied for a job in practice here in Reykjavík, but I don´t know if I´ll get it. I have been offered a research job for 5-7 months, but the pay is lousy, so I will only take it if everything else failes.
Today was my last day at the slaughterhouse, and I can´t say I was sad to leave... I was offered more work there, but turned it down. I´m looking forward to concentrating on getting my thesis finished, it is no. 1 priority now. After that who knows. I have applied for a job in practice here in Reykjavík, but I don´t know if I´ll get it. I have been offered a research job for 5-7 months, but the pay is lousy, so I will only take it if everything else failes.
Friday, March 28, 2003
Thursday, March 27, 2003
My favorite artist
At the moment is American painter Georgia O´Keefe. I saw an exhibition of her work in the Loisiana museum in Denmark a couple of years ago, and it made a big impression on me. I especially like the blown up/zoomed flower pictures and the desert findings.
At the moment is American painter Georgia O´Keefe. I saw an exhibition of her work in the Loisiana museum in Denmark a couple of years ago, and it made a big impression on me. I especially like the blown up/zoomed flower pictures and the desert findings.
Saturday, March 15, 2003
The feminist association of Iceland
Was present last night, and became a founding member of the feminist association in Iceland. It is about time that we bring new life to the issues of gender discrimination in our society. Afterwards I went to a coffee shop with my friend Herdís, and her 16 year old sister who joined us at the meeting. It was inspirational and fun to talk to a teenage girl, Herdís and I reminisced of our years at MR, the oldest college in Iceland. This year it´ll be 10 years since my graduation... It should be fun to attend a reunion.
Was present last night, and became a founding member of the feminist association in Iceland. It is about time that we bring new life to the issues of gender discrimination in our society. Afterwards I went to a coffee shop with my friend Herdís, and her 16 year old sister who joined us at the meeting. It was inspirational and fun to talk to a teenage girl, Herdís and I reminisced of our years at MR, the oldest college in Iceland. This year it´ll be 10 years since my graduation... It should be fun to attend a reunion.
How to make bathroom slippers out of Maxi pads
This had me in fits. Just goes to show how much creativity people have!
This had me in fits. Just goes to show how much creativity people have!
Friday, March 14, 2003
rantings
I just realised that I haven´t posted anything for 10 days. I had an accident at the slaughterhouse last tuesday, a rack fell on my face (actually it was my own damned fault), I got a nice bruise on my cheek and a small cut as well. It wasn´t that bad really, so I continued working with a big band-aid on my cheek (of course they don´t have any small ones!). By the evening I had a terrible headache from the blow (the rack was filled with ox hearts, probably around 50kg), and the next morning the small cut was infected, so I went to see the doctor to get me some penicillin. When I got home I bumped my head, and later that day my lips broke out in cold sores, so this has definately not been my lucky week! Today I feel tired and drained, plus my face hurts. I need a relaxing weekend, but I also need to work on my thesis or it will never be finished, so I guess I will not be doing any kind of relaxing for at least a couple of weeks...
I just realised that I haven´t posted anything for 10 days. I had an accident at the slaughterhouse last tuesday, a rack fell on my face (actually it was my own damned fault), I got a nice bruise on my cheek and a small cut as well. It wasn´t that bad really, so I continued working with a big band-aid on my cheek (of course they don´t have any small ones!). By the evening I had a terrible headache from the blow (the rack was filled with ox hearts, probably around 50kg), and the next morning the small cut was infected, so I went to see the doctor to get me some penicillin. When I got home I bumped my head, and later that day my lips broke out in cold sores, so this has definately not been my lucky week! Today I feel tired and drained, plus my face hurts. I need a relaxing weekend, but I also need to work on my thesis or it will never be finished, so I guess I will not be doing any kind of relaxing for at least a couple of weeks...
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
I´m so tired
Fortunately I´m only working this god awful job two days a week for a month. Today was the second day this week and I´m home, I desperately need a shower, but I´m too tired at the moment to move from this chair. I wish I had a bath so I could soak for an hour in lovely warm water & bubbles. The next place I live needs to have a bathtub!
I have to drag myself to the citchen to make today´s traditional pea soup w. salted lamb meat. Read about this tradition here. Everything in Iceland seems to revolve around food these days, gluttony is all consuming, mmm. Yesterday was "buns day" and we all had some delicious puffy buns filled with fruit jam and whipped cream, topped with chokolate.
The weather has been unusually mild this winter, and it´s looking more and more like springtime. Any other year the ground would be covered in snow and we would all be freezing our butts off. However, It´s not over yet, we often have a bout of bad weather around easter. It´s getting lighter, and lighter in the morning. The sun comes up around 8 now and sets around 6pm, soon the days will get longer and we will have to put up the thick curtains in our bedrooms to be able to sleep. Gísli and I stood for a while in the garden last night watching a fantastic display of northern lights filling the sky right above our house, it looked so beautiful, it´s moments like these when you cherich living on the edge of the civilised world!
Fortunately I´m only working this god awful job two days a week for a month. Today was the second day this week and I´m home, I desperately need a shower, but I´m too tired at the moment to move from this chair. I wish I had a bath so I could soak for an hour in lovely warm water & bubbles. The next place I live needs to have a bathtub!
I have to drag myself to the citchen to make today´s traditional pea soup w. salted lamb meat. Read about this tradition here. Everything in Iceland seems to revolve around food these days, gluttony is all consuming, mmm. Yesterday was "buns day" and we all had some delicious puffy buns filled with fruit jam and whipped cream, topped with chokolate.
The weather has been unusually mild this winter, and it´s looking more and more like springtime. Any other year the ground would be covered in snow and we would all be freezing our butts off. However, It´s not over yet, we often have a bout of bad weather around easter. It´s getting lighter, and lighter in the morning. The sun comes up around 8 now and sets around 6pm, soon the days will get longer and we will have to put up the thick curtains in our bedrooms to be able to sleep. Gísli and I stood for a while in the garden last night watching a fantastic display of northern lights filling the sky right above our house, it looked so beautiful, it´s moments like these when you cherich living on the edge of the civilised world!
Friday, February 28, 2003
Dog training
The puppy is fully toilet trained at last, it did take longer than we expected, but we can only blame ourselves for not being more alert. Especially during the weekends when the scedule is off, one tends to get lazy and not take her out as often as during the week. Dogs certainly are creatures of habit and they don´t understand the difference between monday and saturday! We kicked the cats out of the bedroom after they developed the nasty habit of wanting to be fed at 6am, scratching and meowing at the door to be let out to the kitchen...
Command training is just starting. Since she is only 3 months old we´re starting slowly, with only a few commands. "no" is fairly clear by now, she knows "sit" and we´re working on "stay", "come here" and "lie down". Sessions only last for a few minutes and must always end in big praise.
The puppy is fully toilet trained at last, it did take longer than we expected, but we can only blame ourselves for not being more alert. Especially during the weekends when the scedule is off, one tends to get lazy and not take her out as often as during the week. Dogs certainly are creatures of habit and they don´t understand the difference between monday and saturday! We kicked the cats out of the bedroom after they developed the nasty habit of wanting to be fed at 6am, scratching and meowing at the door to be let out to the kitchen...
Command training is just starting. Since she is only 3 months old we´re starting slowly, with only a few commands. "no" is fairly clear by now, she knows "sit" and we´re working on "stay", "come here" and "lie down". Sessions only last for a few minutes and must always end in big praise.
Thursday, February 20, 2003
Have a laugh
Dracula dies and he went to the Pearly Gates to meet God. God refused to let Dracula in because of all the sins that he had done going around sucking blood & killing.
"I'll give you a chance to redeem your sins", said God
"I'll send you back to earth, but not in a human form.You can be reincarnated into any other living things of your choice. So, what would you like to be?"
Still unrepentant, Dracula said, "OK, I want to become a living thing with wings and sucks blood, heh,heh, heh."
"So be it", said God and He turned Dracula into a vampire bat.
So back to earth he went, flying around sucking the blood of animals until one day when he got killed by a farmer. So up he went again to meet God, feeling a little bit sheepish (and a little batty).
"I'll give you another chance", said God. "I'll send you back again. BUT not as a human or a bat. What will it be this time?"
Still adamant, Dracula said, "I still want to be a living thing with wings and sucks blood!"
God thought for a while and then said, "OK, if that's what you want", and turned Dracula into a mosquito.
So back to earth again he went, flying around and sucking blood until one day, splat, he was squashed by his victim. So up he went again to meet God, feeling stupid(and rather bugged)
"I'll give you one last chance to redeem yourself. but, this time you cannot become a living thing. You can only be turned into a non-living thing of your choice. So what will it be?" asked God.
Still stubborn, Dracula said, "Okayyyy...then turn me into a non-living thing with wings and sucks blood!! heh...heh..
"No problem," said God and He turned Dracula into a 'Sanitary Napkin'
Dracula dies and he went to the Pearly Gates to meet God. God refused to let Dracula in because of all the sins that he had done going around sucking blood & killing.
"I'll give you a chance to redeem your sins", said God
"I'll send you back to earth, but not in a human form.You can be reincarnated into any other living things of your choice. So, what would you like to be?"
Still unrepentant, Dracula said, "OK, I want to become a living thing with wings and sucks blood, heh,heh, heh."
"So be it", said God and He turned Dracula into a vampire bat.
So back to earth he went, flying around sucking the blood of animals until one day when he got killed by a farmer. So up he went again to meet God, feeling a little bit sheepish (and a little batty).
"I'll give you another chance", said God. "I'll send you back again. BUT not as a human or a bat. What will it be this time?"
Still adamant, Dracula said, "I still want to be a living thing with wings and sucks blood!"
God thought for a while and then said, "OK, if that's what you want", and turned Dracula into a mosquito.
So back to earth again he went, flying around and sucking blood until one day, splat, he was squashed by his victim. So up he went again to meet God, feeling stupid(and rather bugged)
"I'll give you one last chance to redeem yourself. but, this time you cannot become a living thing. You can only be turned into a non-living thing of your choice. So what will it be?" asked God.
Still stubborn, Dracula said, "Okayyyy...then turn me into a non-living thing with wings and sucks blood!! heh...heh..
"No problem," said God and He turned Dracula into a 'Sanitary Napkin'
Sunday, February 16, 2003
Where is my muse?
Have not been feeling very inspired in the last few days, hence the lack of witty (? :-) posts in the past week. Had a wonderful time last night, when a couple of friends came over to watch the first episodes of "sex and the city", before the national Eurovision song contest (to determine which song should compete on Iceland´s behalf in Riga, Lettland in may. I´m pretty happy with the song this year, I must admit that in the past some of them have been rather boring... The furthest Iceland has gone is second place in 1999, I think.
Have not been feeling very inspired in the last few days, hence the lack of witty (? :-) posts in the past week. Had a wonderful time last night, when a couple of friends came over to watch the first episodes of "sex and the city", before the national Eurovision song contest (to determine which song should compete on Iceland´s behalf in Riga, Lettland in may. I´m pretty happy with the song this year, I must admit that in the past some of them have been rather boring... The furthest Iceland has gone is second place in 1999, I think.
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