Winter Wonders

A while back I was e-mailed these pictures from a colleague at work. What an amazing sights! I wonder how does these ice formed ... it's like frost on steroid ... This is literally living in the icebox or freezer. Good thing all the cars are frozen over and covered in ice. If not, I would imagine someone will still attempt to drive around .. you know ... those adventurist kind ...

These pictures show what it's like to have Winter in Switzerland ...

Talking about the icebox reminds me of a funny story about the leader of one tribal people of Sarawak back in the 1960's. Illiterate and living in a tropical country all his life, he visited the United Kingdom for the first time. Allegedly, as soon as he steps out of the airplane, he exclaimed, "My gosh! This is a very rich country. The whole country is air-conditioned!"

Winter Season Safety Tips

Coming from a tropical country, weather is often not a very exciting topic. It's either rainy day or sunny day; monsoon/wet season or drought season. In Scotland, on the other hand, weather is a big deal especially if it is winter. Winter can be fun (lots of snow and sunny) or downright dangerous (lots of ice and windy) - either way there is plenty to talk about. Most important is to go through the season "scratch free" so here are some of the safety tips I got from a leaflet:

Around the Home

• Exposure to the cold kills an estimated 30,000 people every year in the UK. The elderly are most at risk. Remember to check on your elderly neighbours.
• If your heaters and electric blanket have been stored over the summer, make sure you check the wiring/connections before using for the first time. It is a good idea to get equipment serviced every 2 to 3 years or according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Have your fireplace chimney and flue inspected each year and cleaned if needed.

• Use a fireguard and let the fire burn down to ensure no sparks or embers are a hazard before going to bed or leaving the house.
• If using a gas heater have it serviced regularly and, if possible, change the cylinder outside.
• Ensure that you have working carbon monoxide detector located close to any gas heater and test regularly.
• Keep portable heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn e.g bedding or furniture. Never drape clothing over a heater to dry.
• If using a wood-burning stove make sure the stove is placed on an approved stove board to protect the floor from heat and coals.
• When shovelling snow, if possible, push snow in front of you. If you have to lift it, pick up small amounts and lift with your legs, not your back to avoid back injury.
• Use rock salt or de-icing compounds to remove ice from steps and walkways. Sand placed on walkways will also help prevent slipping.

Winter Driving

• Prepare your car for winter: Check engine antifreeze, windscreen de-icer, heater, lights, sufficient tyre tread, windscreen washer fluid and wiper blades.
• Keep emergency gear in your car: Blanket, jumper cables, first aid kit, flashlight, ice scraper, de-icer, warning triangle, bits of old carpet and a shovel in case you get stuck in the snow, and a mobile phone.
• Dazzle from winter sun can be dangerous. Keep a pair of sunglasses handy.
• Maintain a safe distance when travelling behind winter service vehicles and do not attempt to overtake salting, gritting and snow ploughing vehicles.
• Avoid driving in snow or ice storms, but if you must:
• Drive slowly and maintain a safe gap between you and the vehicle in front remembering it can take 10 times longer to stop in icy conditions.
• To brake on ice or snow without locking your wheels, get into a low gear earlier than normal, allow your speed to fall and use the brake pedal gently.
• On longer journeys let someone know your route, and when you plan to arrive, so they can alert authorities if you don't get there.
• UK Government advices that if you break down or get stuck in snow:
• On a motorway, it is best to use a roadside emergency telephone so the breakdown/emergency services will be able to locate you easily. Put on warm clothing and wait for help well up the verge away from the hard shoulder. Bear in mind 1 in 10 crashes involves a vehicle parked on hard shoulder!
• On any other road, use your mobile phone to call for help and consider whether it is safest to wait in the vehicle or not.
• Winter tyres are mandated in many European countries (including Norway and Germany). Tests have shown that winter tyres help reduce stopping distances on icy and snow covered surfaces, making winter journeys safer for you and other road users.

Winter Walking

• Wear lots of clothing layers to stay warm and some sturdy boots with good tread.
• Winter days are short so take a head torch.
• Plan your route and check the weather forecast.
• Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.
• Don't walk on iced-over lakes or waterways as you could fall through.
• Be aware of frostbite risk where body tissues may freeze when skin is exposed to extreme cold. The most susceptible body parts include nose, ears, cheeks, fingers and toes.
• Be aware of the early symptoms of Hypothermia:
• Bouts of shivering
• Grogginess and muddled thinking
• Take your mobile phone in case you need to call for help.

Skiing or Snowboarding

• Wear a helmet, goggles, winter sports clothes and check your equipment before you begin.
• Pay attention to the risk of avalanches especially when venturing off-piste.
• Ski and board within your means.

Winter in Scotland is ... cold!

So many folks warned us about moving to Aberdeen, Scotland. Everybody said it's going to be cold, dark and wet.

"It rains a lot in Aberdeen"

"There's no sunlight in Scotland, even the carrots are white in color because there is not enough light ..." (Laurent)

I suppose I shouldn't complain too much about having cold winter since I was told many times before. I came here anyway, maybe because I'm not afraid of the cold, or maybe I thought that I'll get used to it eventually.

My winter experiences so far:

1. Notice the white stuff on the car - those are frosts - I have to scrape these off the car almost every morning and sometimes in the evening too.

2. I can only listen to the radio in my car on the way to work and back - this is because my CD changer is located in the boot of the car and it does not work during winter.

3. There is sunlight! (Laurent, I haven't found any white carrot yet) In fact, the view everywhere is fantastic when the sun is out. However, the sun does not rise in the east and sets in the west - it just stays in the south all day ... at our eye level. The idea of riding into the sunset is nice, but driving into the sun ...? The sun rises at about 9 am in the morning (if not cloudy) and sets at about 3 pm during the shortest winter days.

4. Yesterday when I drove to work, the temperature was 0 degree Celsius. This is actually common and not that bad ... as long as I have the proper clothing. Like the Norwegian saying: " There is no bad weather, just bad clothing". Apparently good clothing is a relative thing. If you see me outside, you'll probably find it's hard to recognise me cause I will be bundled up. But you'll find that there are a lot of Scottish who seems to wear badly for the winter ... would you bare your legs in freezing weather? To my amazement, some Aberdonians do!

5. Along with the cold, there is the "bugs". Outbreak of flu occurs every year during winter months. This winter we were not spared - started with Mik, her mom and finally me. This time we did not bother to see the doctors. In the UK the doctors do not believe in prescribing medicine and antibiotic for flu. They say take a rest, drink lots of liquid and let the flu runs its course. Along with flu is usually the cough. We were in Aberdeen Music Hall in December and when the crowd supposed to be silent, it was filled with symphony of coughs instead. So, it is better to avoid getting the "bugs" in the first place. This can be achieved by locking ourselves in the house all winter long ... or get flu immunization shot starting September every year. (I recommend the latter)

I'm still not used to the cold.

Hello 2009 ... the world is a small place

What better way to start the new year than to spend time with family, friends and great people over home cooked food. The first day in 2009 proved to be exciting ... already! This afternoon while visiting a friend over lunch, another family friend called to asked if we can help to pick up their guests from the airport since more transportation was required and that we also may know their guests. Our friend did not know when without hasitation I said yes since it would be so amazing to meet up with somebody I have not met since about 23 years ago! Yep. It's not a mistype, it's that long ago. This person was one of the teachers in a youth camp I attended then. The truth is that not every teacher inspires their students for great things but this person did just that. I am happy to say that 23 years later, she is still going strong impacting many more lives.
Of all places and thousands of miles from home, I got to meet with her and her family in the winter in Scotland, totally unplanned. I was set for a great company over lunch but what a pleasant surprise over dinner! For this moment, our big world is a small place ... indeed.

Happy New Year!