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I just read at www.nu.nl dutch people should expect snow. Well, here we have almost 18 degrees Celsius today but also Belgrade can expect snow according to the BBC weather forcast. Also weather wunderground shows cold weather. Mmm, I thought we were heading towards spring, I guess I cheered too early. (posted by Christina, 03/03/08)
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I found this between our email:

Man was sitting in the bar at Heathrow Terminal 3 and noticed a really
beautiful woman sitting next to him.

He thought to himself . "Wow, she's so gorgeous she must be an air
hostess. I wonder which airline she works for?"

Hoping to pick her up, he leaned towards her and uttered the Delta Airline slogan: "Love to fly and it shows?"

She gave him a blank,confused stare and he immediately thought to
himself: "Well, she obviously doesn't work for Delta."

A moment later,another slogan popped into his head. So he leaned towards her again and said: "Something special in the air ..?"

She gave him the same confused look. He mentally kicked himself and
scratched Singapore Airlines off his list.

He thought: "Perhaps she works for Thai Airways ..." and said, "Smooth as silk?"

This time, the woman turned on him and said, "What the f*** do you want?"

The man smiled, slumped back in his chair and said:
" Ahhhhh, JAT Airways !"

(Posted by Christina, 28/02/08)
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Also good things are going on in Belgrade. A few weeks ago we discovered a PET bottle recycling container in our neighbourhood. 12 years ago we lived in Belgium and a lot of garbage was taken in separate, also plastic bottles, cans, glass, paper, vegetable/fruit/garden disposals, etc. In Kazakhstan we only had one dumpster for everything and in South-Korea we also had to separate our garbage. I'm happy to discover that now in Belgrade also the necessity of recycling becomes more clear. In the near future recycling is not anymore a job done by Roma people, checking dumpsters for re-usable things, but it will be part of daily life. Taking care of the environment is something we all have to do, so that is why we started to bring our plastic bottles to the PET bottle container a few streets away. Besides that, the children like to throw the bottles into the container: an environmental approved game, what do you want more. (posted by Christina, 23/02/08)

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Well, if you were watching the news lately you know that several things are 'going on' in Belgrade. The demonstrations followed by riots were broadcasted worldwide.

Shopping for Kosovo?

Lool at that youtube movie (also broadcasted locally as far as I know). One of the women even holds bags with her teeth while looting a shop. She tells the cameraman to bugger off, his sarcastic answer: but according to me you are the heroes of this demonstration.

Well, judge for yourself, if she did not contribute to the Kosovo issue, she contributed at least to her wardrobe. (posted by Jitze, 23/02/08)
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What is going on in Belgrade? Well on the 22nd of February the Belgrade Film Festival 2008 will be held for the 36th time. For about 10 days films will be showed at the following locations: Sava Centar, Dvorana Doma Sindikata, Kulturni centar Beograda (the Arts centre of Belgrade), Muzej jugoslovenske kinoteke (the Museum of the Yugoslav cinema) and the Faculty of dramatic art. Ticket prices are between 150 and 250 dinar, tickets for the opening night will cost 400 dinar. Take a look at the program (including Nightwatching and Sweeny Todd:the demon barber of Fleet Street) and see if there is something interesting. (posted by Christina, 20/02/08)

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Yde started swimming lessons last week and he is really doing his best. Today he will have his second lesson and I will ask Jitze to put some pictures on our weblog today (I still don't know how to do it).
(posted by Christina, 06/02/08)
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Finaly I have time to write something. Still having the feeling that we just came back from The Netherlands (three weeks ago) I am already preparing for our holiday next week. Jitze wanted to go on a real holiday, not too far, maybe some snow, some culture, nature and a nice hotel. Well where do you end up then? Right, Slovenia. Next week we will explore Bled and surroundings. Of course we will put pictures and stories on our site, just wait a week or so...(posted by Christina, 06/02/08)
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I found an interesting website for those of you who would like to know at which market you buy the cheapest fruits and vegetables in Belgrade. This barometer of markets shows prices at different markets (Kalenic, Green Market, Skadarlija, etc) but due to the Serbian language I cannot tell you if they also speak about the quality. But good news, the english version is under construction. (posted by Christina, 22/12/2007)
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Find Ultrasound technician schools near you

And yes, I am proud of this score.. (posted by Jitze, 19/12/2007)
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Our friend Addy just asked if I can arrange tickets for the European Songcontest 2008. According to this article it will be organised in the Beogradska Arena. So far I did not read anything else in the local media, probably because I cannot read Serbian..... (posted by Jitze, 16/12/2007)
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This is an actual letter sent to a man named Ryan DeVries regarding a pond on his property. It was sent by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Quality, State of Pennsylvania. This guy's response is hilarious, but read the State's letter before you get to the response letter.

The Dam

SUBJECT: DEQ File No.97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County

Dear Mr. DeVries:

It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above referenced parcel of property. You have been certified as the legal landowner and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity: Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring Pond

A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity. A review of the Department's files shows that no permits have been issued. Therefore, the Department has determined that this activity is in violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated.

The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and flooding at downstream locations.

We find that dams of this nature are inherently hazardous and cannot be permitted.

The Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all activities at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the stream channel. All restoration work shall be completed no later than January 31, 2006.

Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so that a follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff. Failure to comply with this request or any further unauthorized activity on the site may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement action.. We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter. Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

David L.. Price
District Representative and Water Management Division.

Here is the actual response sent back by Mr. DeVries:

Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County

Dear Mr. Price,

Your certified letter dated 12/17/02 has been handed to me to respond to. I am the legal landowner but not the Contractor at 2088 Dagget Lane, Trout Run, Pennsylvania.

A couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized) process of constructing and maintaining two wood "debris" dams across the outlet stream of my Spring Pond. While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam project, I think they would be highly offended that you call their skillful use of natures building materials "debris."

I would like to challenge your department to attempt to emulate their dam project any time and/or any place you choose. I believe I can safely state there is no way you could ever match their dam skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic.

These are the beavers/contractors you are seeking. As to your request, I do not think the beavers are aware that they must first fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam activity.

My first dam question to you is:
(1) Are you trying to discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers, or

(2) do you require all beavers throughout this State to conform to said dam request?

If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers, through the Freedom of Information Act, I request completed copies of all those other applicable beaver dam permits that have been issued.

(Perhaps we will see if there really is a dam violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental
Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated.)

I have several concerns. My first concern is, aren't the beavers entitled to legal representation? The Spring Pond Beavers are financially destitute and are unable to pay for said representation -- so the State will have to provide them with a dam lawyer. The Department's dam concern that either one or both of the dams failed during a recent rain event, causing flooding, is proof that this is a natural occurrence, which the Department is required to protect. In other words, we should leave the Spring Pond Beavers alone rather than harassing them and calling them dam names.

If you want the stream "restored" to a dam free-flow condition please contact the beavers -- but if you are going to arrest them, they obviously did not pay any attention to your dam letter, they being unable to read English.

In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to build their unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green and water flows downstream. They have more dam rights than I do to live and enjoy Spring Pond. If the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection lives up to its name, it should protect the natural resources (Beavers) and the environment (Beavers' Dams).

So, as far as the beavers and I are concerned, this dam case can be referred for more elevated enforcement action right now. Why wait until 1/31/2006? The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the dam ice then and there will be no way for you or your dam staff to contact/harass them.

In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention to a real environmental quality, health, problem in the area. It is the bears! Bears are actually defecating in our woods. I definitely believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave the beavers alone. If you are going to investigate the beaver dam, watch your step! The bears are not careful where they dump!

Being unable to comply with your dam request, and being unable to contact you on your dam answering machine, I am sending this response to your dam office.

THANK YOU,

RYAN DEVRIES
& THE DAM BEAVERS

(posted by Jitze, 13/12/2007)
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Just some information about an upcoming exhibition "Art on Wood" by Gordana Nikolic Galocha. Opening night of the exhibition will be on November 23rd, 6pm at the Diplomatic Club, Bulevar JNA 317, Belgrade. (posted by Christina, 20/11/2007)
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Last week I heard there is a new ice skating rink opened in New Belgrade. I couldn't find a website for exact details, but I know where it is located. On Bulevar Jurija Gagarina (blok 62) opposite of the Chinese market (blok 70), it's called Beo star. According to some people who play ice hockey it is a great place. Also if you want to go for "normal" ice skating, you can rent skates for about 100 dinar per hour. I have not been able to check it out myself but I will in the coming weeks. (posted by Christina, 20/11/2007)
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Mirjana wrote: (in our comments box)

Hello,

I googled your site as I searched for Pozarevac, which happens to be my home town. I noticed your comment about Bambi cookies, so I thought you needed a bit of clarification why is everyone so proud of them.

Plazma, the very jewel of bambi cookies, is much like Graham cookies in North America and I presume in Western Europe. They are a foundation for many cake recepies and have a very similar taste to Graham cookies, so you can buy Plazma crumbs. Ask any Canadian or American what cookies should be considered a classic, and they will mention Graham cookies, as the unique tasting ones.

Not to mention that Bambi is probably one of the few factories that was working profitabily throughout all the years of crisis and economic distress. Hope this gives you a bit more of clarification.

Our Pozarevac page (posted by Jitze, 15/11/2007)
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Delta City has opened its doors! Of course I did not go on November 1st, too crowded, but I went last Thursday. Wow, amazing what mr. Delta built here. The shopping mall is huge, lots of shops, food court, great playground for children (150 dinar for 30 minutes, just drop your kids off and go shopping). Movie theatres, bowling alley, everything you need on a rainy day in one place. Parking space inside and outside, I was lucky to find a place indoors near the entrance of the Super Maxi which is located at level 0. After looking around for about 3 hours I did my groceries and went home. OK, enough advertisement for Delta City, just check it out yourself. (posted by Christina, 10/11/2007)
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Look at this, Yde and Vibeke in Halloween outfit. After school they had a Halloween parade and especially Yde draw lot's of attention with his transformer outfit. (posted by Jitze, 26/10/07)
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Today it is my turn to write something and my main topic at this moment is our water turtle Harry. Last week Harry got pneumonia and needed treatment. It took me a while to find out where you can go with a sick water turtle because our regular vet said she doesn't know anything about reptiles and she also did not know where to go then. My first choise was to call the veterinary faculty because I suppose they also have to teach students something about reptiles too, if they do not they maybe know where I can go with Harry. After calling the faculty the children, Mina and I drove to the Ambulantna Klinika located behind the veterinary faculty. We waited for a while and then a doctor called us in. The doctor asked the children if it was their pet and what was wrong. We showed Harry and he was indeed diagnosed with pneumonia. The doctor promised the children that he would take good care of Harry and gave him two injections. During the weekend I went with Harry (who actually seemed to be a female turtle) for treatment and now she is doing much better. Today we will also meet a professor specialized in reptiles and all the questions I have will be answered.
(posted by Christina, 22/10/07)
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Two months of doing nothing and immediately I want to compensate. We arrived back home two hours ago and the Subotica page is already online. These pictures were made today and Subotica is a very nice destination, we will go back for a long weekend. (posted by Jitze, 21/10/07)
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And the first proof of logging, I was searching for Subotica because we want to go there today. This city is located close to the Hungarian border, according to travel guides the atmosphere therefore is quite different from other Serbian cities, just more Hungarian I guess.

To my surprise I found a new (or new look?) website which looks great and deals with tourism in Serbia. www.serbia-visit.com

Competition for our website? Of course not, we are doing it for fun without sponsoring, they do it for a living or at least with French money involved. I don't care, it is nice to find a site like this which puts Serbia in another perspective than the one dealing with the past. (posted by Jitze, 21/10/07)
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We will start logging again.

After two months of silence, and a year with relatively few postings we want to write more. It is not like nothing is happening here, Belgrade is definately not boring at all. Probably we have too much on our hands to think of the weblog. If you want to contribute to our log, feel free. (posted by Jitze, 21/10/07)
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