Dam thoese Dam's

As a regular subscriber to ‘New Scientist’ email I often see articles that interest me! Training as a primary school teacher you would except at some point I might do a project on hydro-electric dams. This is often the case when you are trying to teach children about saving the environment and reusable energy sources but a recent study shows that these dams may be causing more harm to our environment!

Studying A level geography I often had to look at both sides of an argument and we found that these dams have there good qualities and there bad ones. Some of the bad points being that you have to destroy large areas of habitats etc. this study showed that as tress are Carbon sinks (they store carbon) when you first flood an area this Carbon is released as they rot! Then the rotted matter falls to the reservoir floor to decompose further. Without oxygen being present in the water, methane is produced and trapped (dissolved) in the water. As water leaves the reservoir through the turbines the methane is release.

It’s long been known that methane has an effect on our environment and on global warming. In fact methane is 21 times stronger than carbon dioxide in its effects on global warming! So now we have to ask ourselves, ‘Do hydro-electric dams solve our environmental concerns or are they adding to them?’ I’m sure as more research is done into the matter scientist and governments will decide weather they are going to continue with the hydro-electric plan or scrap it for a more environmental sound idea. But it just goes to show that just when we think we have solved a big environmental problem we are proved wrong.

If you want to read this article it can be found at the following New scientist link :
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7046

Travelling with Katie

Due to a request I have asked my friend to tell us about her travelling experiences. Now convincing this girl to write something down might be hard but I will try to get her to write something for this Blog! The problem we have at the minute is that we are both getting increasing demands on our time. I’m finding writing on here therapeutic and relaxing where others might not! Anyway I have told Katie about the request and apart form being highly amused she is also highly delighted! But she also had this to said,
“They should look into the local side of Malta as well as the tourist areas. All my childhood memories are good ones, but i don’t have many to share of the area itself”.

So sadly she explained that there are not many stories of that time in her life as she was only little at the time! The challenge now is to try and get some other stories out of her ;) watch this space for further updates.

Hall's!

Yesterday I found out that the application forms for the next school years accommodation are out. So there I was walking up to student services thinking about how next year I was going to live with new people and make new friends. I meet this very helpful receptionist who was cheerful (which is always nice) and explained how to fill the forms in. I finally made my way back to my own flat and I start reading through the forms I find some hard hitting news that makes your blood boil! All the cost have gone up!!!

Now I don’t mind the fact they have gone up, and compared to other Halls they are still good. But when you think about it, half the people on campus have been waiting for the price now find that halls are going to be a lot more expensive than houses. Why they could not bring these lists out earlier I don’t know! We were all told that people don’t start looking for housing until Easter, well that was a load of rubbish! All the people I know got housing over a month ago! Even the housing associations said that the uni is leaving it too late! So now there are going to be a rush for the remaining few houses left with the rest having to foot the £70 a week bill while others live it up on just £48 with bills! Luckily I might be moving into private halls for £52 a week. Saving me nearly £20 a week. Hopefully my luck can hold out as 'The battle of the houses' begins.

Is the cold spell over?

Well the cold weather came and went. But in that short period of time a lot has happened! I’ve read three books and done some Uni work but not only that, Katie has gone completely crazy due to 'snow fever'! She has how reverted to a mental age of around 10! This means the once artistic Katie is now drawing stick men and fish with triangle tails! Let’s hope she recovers quickly!

Meet a friend. This week meet Katie

Meet a friend! Her name is Katie. Not only is this girl full of spirited (not just alcohol!) but also is a very good friend! As all friends do, we talk, moan and have fun. She is a very talented artist not only on paper but when it comes to dressing up as well! Like Robin Hood she has a band of merry men that follow her around but as this is the 21st century she also has a following of female friends as well!

This girl is also well travelled, having gone to countries such as Holland, Dubai, Tenerife, Thailand, France, Belgium and Malta. She has many many stories about her travels, in my opinion she tells these stories to frighten other would be travellers from going. No I’m only kidding, if anything after spending the afternoon with this lovely lady listening to her stories you want to leave the very same day and go get some stories of your own!

As a student she is knowledgeable and always seems to have a joke in the waiting! To be honest writing does this girl no credit, if you want the full effect you have to talk to her!

This is me! No Fox does not mean I'm Foxy! Its my name!

Welcome

Well this is hopefully one post of many! Hopefully this site will improve over time. My thoughts are that friends will want to put photos on. So not only will this site be devoted to my lack of a university life but also to my friends and anything this related to my studies as a Primary School teacher! Over the next few days I will start posting about my history and my plans for the future and with permission from family and friends this will also include photos and stories!! SO WATCH THIS SPACE!