After a busy day, this tranquil scene is a welcome sight.
However, the snow raises concerns about tomorrow's commute.
If it persists, driving conditions might be challenging.
Since only main roads will be cleared, some side streets could be slippery.
Nonetheless, cautious driving should mitigate risks.
At my workplace, we prioritize winter warmth for our youngest charges.
They're snuggled in extra-thick sleeping bags, or even double-layered ones for added insulation.
This is crucial as guidelines recommend minimal bedroom heating and avoiding blankets when temperatures permit.
Of course, extreme cold necessitates blankets.
We encourage outdoor play daily, weather permitting.
Bikes and toycars come out, and active children stay warm naturally.
Occasional hesitations are quickly overcome with engaging games, like tag.
Especially when the teacher joins in on the fun. After 45 minutes of energetic play, everyone returns rosy-cheeked and content, even the single child who initially preferred to watch.
After work, I ventured to the supermarket.
Surprisingly, it was deserted, a stark contrast to its usual bustle.
This unusual quietude, captured on video, was both bizarre and refreshing.
I swiftly completed my shopping, enjoying the lack of queues and the absence of crowded aisles.
Before heading indoors, I prepared my car for the anticipated snowfall and covered my front window with an isolating blanket.
This proactive step will facilitate a fast snow removal tomorrow morning.
Efficient planning minimizes potential delays, especially when punctuality at work is crucial.
The highlight of the evening was my eldest son's university enrollment.
The process, once a paper-intensive and time consuming ordeal, is now streamlined with a few online clicks.
He quickly received confirmation of his acceptance to study Dutch Law, filling my heart with joy and immense pride.
This elation was momentarily tempered by the realization of the associated tuition fees.
While government support eases the financial burden, a significant portion remains the responsibility of students and their families.
The fees for my son's education amounted to ā¬9800. Hopefully, they won't increase further.
A wave of concern washed over me as I researched other study programs.
My younger son, still years away from graduation, expressed an interest in medicine.
The tuition fees for this field are staggering: ā¬32,000, more than three times the cost of my elder son's education.
Thankfully, dedicated education savings will partially offset this expense.
Access to education should never be solely determined by financial constraints.
I concluded the evening with an online workshop on "Sign Language for Children."
Early exposure to sign language (around 6 months) offers numerous benefits, including faster understanding, speech development, and communication skills.
The workshop focused on "supporting sign language," emphasizing key words within spoken sentences. For example, when asking "Shall I help you?", the sign for "help" is used.
I am eager to share this knowledge with my colleagues, encouraging them to participate in a similar course.
My head was overflowing with all the impressions, concerns, feelings and ideas that I was left with at the end of this day.
Therefore, I was happy with the serene picture I was looking out on.
The snowflakes that swirled down had a hypnotic effect that gave me the peace to search for my most beautiful dreams.
Goodnight, and sweet dreams to all!
Wishing you all the best in life and much health.
š· Photos & video: Owned and shot by me with an iPhone 14
š” Text: Translated from Dutch to English using DeepL.com
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