Out of Africa... and into Aotearoa.

Our mid year Break

2010-08-03T17:17:00.001-07:00

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We had the bright idea of taking ALL of the kids to Mount Ruapehu for a mid-year break. I still can't decide if it was a good or bad idea, but we did have some memorable moments.

Judge for yourself!

Some of the photos are sideways - I just can't get them rotated, and some of the scenery is - well a bit blurred. And then there's the one's that are cut off - I'm the person in the lime-screen ski suit! But except for the small problems, use your imaginations and you can see us eating, skiing, arguing and playing, as families do!

(P.S. If you're going to use One True Media, it would be wise to pay the $49 subscription fees, otherwise the photos are a bit skew, blurred or cut off...)

Evil Mother Takes Revenge!

2009-12-15T10:24:00.000-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

New Beginnings

2009-09-04T22:37:00.000-07:00

Spring has sprung, and it's time for new beginnings!

I've spent two days spring-cleaning. No it has nothing to do with the 'Great New Zealand Spring Clean', and everything to do with the fact that hubby is in SA, and I have no urgent assignment to do this weekend. In other words: I have time!

Also, It is very likely that we will have one more fourteen-year-old living with us pretty soon. We're still waiting to hear the final verdict, but we're hoping we can give her a chance to be part of our happy family.

Today Rae, Kerry (a friend) and I scrubbed the walls, de-webbed the ceiling and rearranged the furniture of the spare room.
We didn't like the decor, so off we trotted to the Warehouse, and spent a pleasant hour or so gathering a smattering of red, white and black items for her new room.There must be few things more satisfying than standing back, after a day of hard work, and being able to see the fruits of your labour. Can't wait to see her face when she sees it!

So, in a short while, a new chapter of our life in New Zealand starts. If she comes, we will be complete, and we can really settle into our life here. If we don't gain the opportunity to bring her home, at least we will be seeing much more of her, and her room will be ready.

Now if Dan comes home in January too, my cup will runneth over!

Legally Loud!

2009-07-25T19:05:00.000-07:00

Joe had his 18th birthday yesterday, which means he's legally a grown-up now! (Yes, it's 18 now, and no longer 21!) At 18 he is ready to conquer the world. I must admit, the young man in this slideshow is a different person to the 15 year old that I went to meet at the airport just over 2 years ago, when he first came to New Zealand. He admits that he has a much wider view of the world now, is more tolerant of diversity, and knows that kids from all over the world are fundamentally similar in their thinking. Also, he has become a hard-working and confident young man, who has a clear vision for his future.

The kids that came to the party were such a nice bunch of young people, and although several of them are old enough to drink, they were well behaved - even when tipsy - polite and full of energy. We had a good mix as there were kids from New Zealand, South Africa and a number of Brits, including some exchange students. The party ended with the Bokke playing their fabulous match,and giving the All Blacks a hiding - much to Joe's delight! (This was by 4:30am in the morning - so we old folk didn't get much sleep!) I went to bed long before the match, but heard it all happen - from the rather off-key Nkosi S'kelele at the start of the match to the 'Yes, Bokke' and 'Go Bokke go!' at the end! Yes, and they did slip in 'De La Rey' too!

For the family and friends that couldn't be here with Joe, enjoy the slideshow!

Sensational Singapore!

2009-07-20T20:01:00.000-07:00

We were able to spend four days in Singapore. What a fantastic, efficient, vibrant and exciting city to visit! We loved browsing through the many ethnic markets, and were astounded at the cleanliness and size of the cool malls. The food was so cheap, and we were able to buy fantastic, clean and tasty meals at the street vendors, which gave me more money to spend on shopping! (Of course we kept to the meat-free dishes, as some of the dishes were rather suspect. Dishes such as pig kidneys, strange looking sea-animals and funny jellyish deserts were proudly advertised outside each stall.

And of course I have to mention the fruit - freshly squeezed, deliciously sweet, icy cold tropical fruit juice for to quench your thirst in the .

The famous Raffles hotel is famous for it's Long Bar, and the Singapore Sling. We went to have a look, and it felt so colonial and stylish- like stepping into a previous era!

The markets are a mix of colour, noise, smells, and happy, relaxed people milling around. It is so hot, you can only stand 15 minutes or so browsing amongst the bargains, before nipping back into the next cool mall.

We explored the Arab quarters and the Chinese quarters, and next time I will definitely be looking at the famous Orchard Road and get to the Indian quarters. Our hote, The Golden Landmark, was so central, we could get to everything by foot. We ate every night at the street vendors in Bugis Street, for about $2 per meal, accompanied by the most delicious freshly pressed exotic fruit juices, for about $1 each.

I love Singapore - I love the food, the shopping and the retail therapy. Can't wait to go again!

Beautiful Bali

2009-07-20T18:13:00.000-07:00

We have just returned from a marverlous, sun-soaked week at the Club Med in Nusa Dua, Bali. The long awaited holiday was a gift from my Mother-in-law, who want all her sons, with their wives and children together in one place for a change.
Planning the holiday was quite a feat, but at last, on a sunny July day in Bali, we all met - some for the first time.

Our holiday was absolute bliss!
The resort is so well run, clean, and
the GO's are friendly and efficient.

We had lots to do - I tried windsurfing, para-gliding and loved kayaking and snorkelling in the crystal clear waters.

The warm evenings were spent lazily sipping cocktails at the bar, before strolling into the buffet restaurant with the family to partake of the evening feast. I have never seen such a variety of food together in one place, and it was different every night. The buffet is arranged according to countries, and one could choose from every manner of Asian dishes - Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian and more! For my vegetarian tastes there was always more than enough choices.

The beaches are pristine. The palm trees laden with real coconuts. And the margueritas were plentiful, and kept reappearing in front of me, as if by magic! A holiday to remember, for sure!

Going, going, gone...!

2009-02-19T09:11:00.000-08:00

Well the big day came, and my first chick flew. He will be landing in Cape Town in just an hours time, and I'm suffering from empty nest syndrome. Only the nest is still pretty crowded...

Here's a photo of us all on his last evening at home!

How bad is it really in Zimbabwe? A sequel.

2009-01-20T19:27:00.001-08:00

The situation in Africa may be no laughing matter, but I had to smile at these typical scenes this morning!

I got an email from my Dearly Beloved with these photos attached. You gotta love Africa, and in particular Zimbabwe.

These people don't let a few challenges deter them....

This month's specials: No fuel.

The new 2009 model Toyota Corolla. Made in Zimbabwe. (Someone forgot to tell the oxen to keep to the left.)

Taking car-pooling to the ultimate level. I wonder how many trillions of Zim $s each passenger paid for this lift?

We'll get there eventually... hopefully before it's too late!

Although the situation in Zimbabwe is unbearable for most of the people there, they are doing the best they can, with what they've got.

My heart continues to burn for Africa, but what can we do, but pray?

Hooray for Howick!

2009-01-19T20:23:00.000-08:00

Howick Village is the sleepy little shopping hub closest to our house in Cockle Bay. It has all the charm and atmosphere reminiscent of days gone by.

Today, having done some errands that needed doing in Howick, Rae and I spent the afternoon browsing the many antique shops, bookshops and junk shops. (See a video of Howick here.)

Image : http://week46.aotearoacam.com/

We found a lovely little coffee shop, Cafe Paris, with probably the cheapest Flat Whites in town! They have delicious light meals, and the aroma of freshly baked quiches, and other decadent goodies, was quite mouth-watering. None of your bland bit-of-frilly-lettuce-in-a-wrap here! I was quite impressed with the vegetarian choices too. The decor is quaint and choc-a-block full of delightful French-style knick-knacks and objects d'art. The furniture is a collection of mismatched antique and old-fashioned chairs and tables, or bunched together cosily. Outside, a couple of young people were chatting away happily, on the side-walk tables.

Browsing here, and touching there, we didn't realize that there was no shopkeeper in the shop.

Just a few doors up we wondered into the equally interesting Antique Shop. Browsing here, and touching there, we didn't realize that there was no shopkeeper in the shop. After quite a while, in walked a lovely little lady. She had popped in to a neighbour a few doors down, and she could see into this shop with their video surveillance system, but as she smilingly told us: 'I don't actually switch it on, most days.' We chatted for a few minutes about how wonderful it is that we live in a place where one can wander into a shop filled with knick-knacks and bric-a-brac, and the shopkeeper is out! No security doors, no threat to our personal safety, no lack of trust.

Around the corner we came across one of the op-shops, or second hand goods store. I bought a beautiful handbag, that looks almost like a mini satchel, 100% genuine deer leather, for $4. Rae wanted a red designer-type shoulder bag that is large enough for her school books, for $6.

Feeling quite happy with our day of shopping, we drove home the scenic way, past the pretty little beach, and within 10 minutes we were home.

Unfortunately, no aroma of freshly-baked quiche awaits us at home, so I'll have to get off my butt, and start cooking supper for the hungry lads. Bangers and mash, and mixed veg, anyone?

Big Boys, big toys!

2009-01-14T12:06:00.000-08:00

The hardest part of parenting, is when they grow up so suddenly!

My boys are children no more! Here is their first car. I'm starting to feel really old now! Joe got his licence last week, so he is the main driver at the moment. Dan is going for his on the 31st of Jan, so hold thumbs everyone!

It's a gunmetal grey, metallic, 1991 Suzuki Escudo, 5 door, 1600cc engine (for the men who care), 4 wheel drive, and we bought it for cheap-cheap at an online auction.

Juan was born in 1991, so he feels a great affinity with the car. They're the same age!

Of course, that's Niel in the back seat, playing silly buggers. At least he is still a boy... for now!

How bad is it really in Zimbabwe? A True Story.

2009-01-11T23:51:00.000-08:00

Living safely in a country where crime, violence and hardship are rare, one tends to forget about the true situation in Africa. I have just had really bad news, which hits home the reality of what people close to me are experiencing.

In December 1977 I travelled on a train from Bulawayo to Salisbury. For many hours the train was held up by landmines which had been planted on the railway line. Soon after I emigrated with my parents to our new safe country, South Africa.

Image: http://www.charity.org

In October 2005 I was held up at gunpoint by an armed robber. I was on my way to lead a Church Service at the NGO where I was training unemployed people. It was the final straw in a long line of really bad incidents, situations and difficulties in my home country. By 1 December we were on our way to New Zealand.

We have left behind the fear, the poverty, the stress of me not finding a teaching job, my husband being too white, too male and having an Afrikaans surname. But, my family is still there. Today I got distressing news of my 'brother' Laphious, who I have written about before. I am hoping that someone out there may want to help.

This is his story:

Laphious is a Zimbabwean man, with a beautiful wife and clever, hard-working children. He lives in South Africa to earn money to feed his family who he has left behind in Zimbabwe. He became close to my parents through their church where they worship together.

When I visited my aging, but healthy parents in July last year, Laphious was there to help where he could. He took the job of making sure that they were looked after, heating their home properly, and got help with odd jobs. Although they cannot afford to support Laphious, they help him with meals and emotional support where they can. He has become like a son to them, and he calls me his 'sister'. It is a title I bear with pride, for this is a man of character, and a true son of my Father in heaven.

Laphious went home to Zimbabwe for Christmas. He had been very excited and also wanted to make sure that his wife and children had enough food to exist. He reports that the situation is unbearably bad. Even if there was money to buy food, there is no food in the shops. The fields are bare. People are scrounging for food, even scratching for roots and wild berries, and many are dying of hunger.

This morning a tired, hungry, traumatized and penniless Laphious limped into our parent's home. On his journey from Zimbabwe he had been robbed at gunpoint by the taxi driver, and left without his passport, cellphone, clothes or any money in a field somewhere between Johannesburg and Vereniging. He has nothing left. For a few days he stumbled around, and he was fortunate to find odd jobs and make just enough money to make it 'home' to my parents. My mom has taken a few groceries out of her meagre store cupboard to keep him going. They have very little for themselves. Laphious has lost his job, as the factory where he was working has closed. He is able to do basic carpentry and odd jobs.

You and I cannot help every family in Zimbabwe, but maybe we could make a difference to this one.

Please help, if you can. As little as $10 would keep him, and his family going for a while. If you are willing to help, please email me at raenette.taljaard@gmail.com and I will furnish account details, or an address to which you can forward clothes or food. Your prayers would be appreciated too.

(Please note: For safety reasons, I cannot furnish any more of Laphious' details.)

10, no 11 things I know for sure. I think.

2009-01-06T23:32:00.000-08:00

Every month Oprah writes a list of things she knows for sure. With my son leaving home, and wanting to give him some wise advice for his future, I've been thinking about what I know for sure.

Now for those of you with literal, digital brains, usually of the male gender, and often with Bezuidenhout family connections, most of this is meant to be tongue-in-cheek, okay!

1. Don't give your teenage son (or daughter, I presume) advice when he leaves home for the first time. He doesn't want it. Not yet. And he doesn't believe you anyway. Actually more often than not, advice given to anyone over the age of 10 is wasted. Keep your advice for yourself.

2. If you want to be thin, healthy and beautiful you have to eat very little, exercise a lot, and spend money on good skincare products. There's no other way. Well, not with my family gene pool, in any case.

3. Do not disagree with your Mother-in-law. Or if you do, don't verbalize it. Her son will side with her. He may not say so, but in his heart he thinks 'mother know best'. I should know - I have two MILs.

4. Get-rich-quick schemes, and Lotto are not reliable sources of income. Rather, plan, work hard, be honest, and marry well. I'm not saying you should marry for money, but do love where money is...!

5. The law of attraction is real, and it works. What you pray for, say, think and believe will manifest in your life. It's your choice whether you use this in a positive or negative way.

6. You will get as good as you give. Be nice, and others are nice back. Be evil, and you'll be on the receiving side of evil. It's as simple as that. You can check it in the Bible ('harvest what you sow') or call it karma, or anything you like. It's still true.

7. Teenager's internal clocks are set differently to the rest of the world. Their day starts at 12 noon, and their night ends at dawn. There is nothing you can do about it. They can't help it. Learn to enjoy being awake when they are still asleep and vice versa. You will be more sane.

8. All mothers have a favourite child. It might not always be the same one everyday, but there will always be times that one of them is much easier to like. Do not feel guilty about this. Your feelings will change soon. Also, give the favourite of the moment no more attention/love/smiles than the others.The current 'unfavourite' will notice and hold it against you when you are least prepared for it.

9. Do not buy budget diswashing liquid or laundry powder, ever. Even if it is strawberry scented, and only costs $2. You will need more of it, still have bad results, and spend more time cleaning than you need to.

10. Talk less, listen more. I mean really listen with attention. (I'm still working on this one.) You will learn more from what is NOT said, than from what IS said. And while your mouth is moving, your ears stop listening. (Actually, this last sentence is only applicable to men. Women can actually have multiple conversations at the same time. I have a video tape to prove it.)

11. This one I know for sure: God does exist. I know, because I experience His small wonders every day. Trust me on this one.

What do YOU know for sure?

Image: http://imagecache2.allposters.com

Saying Goodbye to my baby!

2009-01-05T15:04:00.000-08:00

Annemarie, my sister, sent me this photo taken these holidays at Addo Elephant Park. I know how this Elephant Mum feels!

Almost nineteen years ago, I gave birth to my first baby. He was a crumpled up, dark-haired boy, who was never-endingly hungry, never-endingly awake and always aware and inquisitive about the life around him, and to his mother, never-endingly beautiful. He was the first baby I had ever actually held, or cared for, or loved!

Now he is tall, handsome and still hungry - for food, and for life! Soon, in a few weeks, he wants to leave home and to spread his wings. He is going back to South Africa for a while, and will be using his visit to try and figure out what he wants to do with his future.

And I'm letting him go.... But like the elephant in the picture, in my heart I will be protecting and nurturing him. As much as he allows me to!

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T01:19:00.000-08:00

Our New Year's Eve celebration may not have had all the whizz and bang the kids would have liked, but for me this last New Year's Eve while all my chicks are still in the nest, has been perfect.

We had a 'braai' on the deck, before the kids went their separate ways joining up with friends, or checking out the action on the beach, for the rest of the evening.

As we had done at Christmas, we made an effort to lay the table nicely, and make this into a festive occasion, even though we really miss our friends and family back home during these festive days.

To the boys' glee, we BBQ'd huge marinated 'Texas Steaks', boerewors from the local SA shop, meltingly delicious salmon steaks and garlic prawn kebabs. I made various salads and side dishes, and all was accompanied by my favourite red wine. We were so stuffed after all this, that we skipped desert. Anyway, the kids were all in a hurry to go out on their own.

How did Paul and I end the evening? Shhhush! Don't tell anyone, but us fuddy-duddys watched The 'Sound of Music' and then 'Show Boat' on TV. We must be getting old, because I enjoyed these old musicals more than any noisy party we could have been at!

As I'm writing this, it has started to pour down with rain. It's been a very humid and hot day, so the rain is quite a relief, but I reckon it will place a bit of a damper on the usual fireworks displays...

I am full of hope that the coming year will hold even more wonderful opportunities for us, our children and all our family and friends across the world. Here's wishing you all the very best for 2009.

Happy New Year!

Just another day in Paradise...

2008-12-27T19:42:00.000-08:00

After the Christmas overindulgence Paul and I thought we better get some exercise, so this morning we decided to walk the 5 km route from Somerville School to Cockle Bay and back home.

Our walk took us along a neat little walkway, nothing too strenuous, winding up the side of the cow-dotted hill and past the silvery estuary. The boarded walkway leads you up over the hill, under shady trees, down to the sleepy little boatyard, and then, if you catch the tide out, around the point to Cockle Bay, and further to Howick beach, if you wish. We wandered past the musky mangrove swamps, where hoards of little miniature crabs scuttle away the moment they hear your footsteps on the boardwalk. We stood for a few moments watching them tentatively creep out of their holes with little popping sounds. The moment we moved, off they scuttled again, much to our amusement.

After yesterday's clear, sunny skies, today was a much milder day, almost misty and the sunlight gentle. On days like today the colours are bright, and the air smells like honey. The breeze was cool, and ideal for a 5 km tramp.

Just before the boatyard, a few baches (holiday homes) are carved into the side of the hill, and we spied the owners lying peacefully in their hammocks in the shade. Everyone seems to have a boat, or yacht, and a couple of fishermen were fishing lazily from the beach. Here and there people taking their dogs for a walk greeted us in a friendly manner.

Once we got back to Cockle Bay, we sat for a while, just enjoying the children playing on the beach, and the older people sitting in the shade. We really are so fortunate to have the beach so close, and we do live in such a beautiful, peaceful area.

Here are some photos I took this morning, thinking that they may be nice to paint. Enjoy them with me!

I thought this little boat was too pretty to miss, with it's bright orange underside.

These fishermen were sitting contentedly on
up-turned buckets, waiting for the tide to come in.

People walking by are so friendly, and relaxed.

Dogs walk free, no leashes.
We've never seen a stray since we've lived here!

Blue skies on Boxing Day

2008-12-26T01:09:00.000-08:00

We had a super, lazy day today. The weather was fantastic - sunny with blue skies, and a very slight cooling breeze.

Boxing day sales are very popular in New Zealand, but we chose to stay as far away from the shops as possible. Dan had to work (at Muffin Break - he says it was soooo busy!) Joe chose to sleep, eat, sleep, eat all day.

The twins went their separate sociable ways. It's so easy for teenagers to get around here - they just hop on a bus for about $1.65 and can get to various malls and shopping centers that way. It only gets dark at 9pm at the moment, so they're allowed to roam around until 8pm, as long as they clock in with me around 6pm and let me know where they are. Thank goodness for mobile phones!

Seeing as we had the day to ourselves, Paul and I took our fancy little portable, foldable beach chairs ($9 at Bunnings Warehouse) and had a picnic down at Cockle Bay, which is a 5 minutes stroll from our house. We had a book each, a couple of sandwiches and a drink. We found a quiet, shady spot, and settled in for a few hours of sun, surf and snooze.

The pebbly beaches are clean, peaceful and shady, with huge pohutukawa trees and grassy verges. Quite a few Islanders joined us, but they are so softspoken and jolly, and no alcohol is allowed on the beaches, so the peace was not marred at all.

Later we returned home for a nap - hardly necessary, but the sun had made us lazy. Dan stopped work at 7:15pm, so we picked him up and went home for a late supper of Christmas leftovers.

In the evening Paul and the boys watched a Jacky Chan movie, while Rae made a few urgent phone calls, and I updated my blog, and had a quick Skype chat to check in on my folks. It's just so great that we can chat on an almost daily basis for no charge!

A lovely, lazy, laid-back day in Paradise is over, leaving us feeling contented, relaxed and happy.

We've had iPeace and iGoodwill this Christmas!

2008-12-25T11:47:00.000-08:00

Hosting Christmas in a faraway country, with only four teenagers as 'the family' can be taxing and turbulent, to say the least. This year, however, we found the magic wand that creates Peace and Goodwill in the homefront: iPods!

Paul and I decided we would forfeit our annual Christmas holiday, and spend the money on buying decent gifts for the kids instead. The choice on gifts was easy, really. It just had to be the new 8Gb iPod Nano. You can download music, videos and photos on to it, and use it to play games. The ultimate in teenage entertainment, and according to Apple, a good educational aid.

Rae's mobile phone had just broken for the umpteenth time, so she got a new phone, and a cute little pink iPod Shuffle instead. And guess what - the shop manager threw in a Shuffle for me for free! (I don't think he could believe his luck at the lady buying 3x iPod Nanos, a phone and an iPod Shuffle all at the same time!)

Christmas Eve was a happy and joyous occasion. I cooked a lovely meal with all the traditional trimmings. Rae and I laid the table beautifully in red, gold and black. We had sparkling wine (Nederburg) and red wine. (Obikwa and Two Oceans - cheap South African plonk, but good.)

After dinner we sat down to open our gifts. Everyone had gone to great lengths to buy gifts for each other, and we had a veritable pile of gifts which Dan handed out. Watching the kids open their iPods was such a treat! Worth every sent spent. Little did I know the best was yet to come....

Well, yesterday, Christmas Day, was an uncharacteristically quiet affair. It was Peaceful, and filled with Goodwill.

Paul and I basked in the sun on the deck, while Dan did the BBQ. Mind you, our Chef kept disappearing, and I later found out he was downloading songs on to his new iPod. Niel and Joe had an amicable badmington game on the newly mown lawn, iPods around the neck - so no bickering.

Rae had a very sociable day - sitting quietly with us at times, standing on the balcony sometimes, texting away on her new phone, with earphones on... In the background we had the peaceful sounds of birds chirping away in the trees, and the strains of Bing Crosby's Christmas Album. Our choice of music, for once!

No one spoke to Paul or to me. We could actually have a real, grown up conversation, for once. No bickering. (Well, not as much as usual.) No smarmy comments. (Well, very few.) And no-one responding to any requests from my side. (Which did cause some hurt feelings, but Oh well, what is Christmas without a bit of emotional turmoil!)

All in all, I would recommend to any parent of teenagers - Buy the kid an iPod! It's a wise investment, and restores the pre-parenting calm into your household!

Hope you all had a marvellous Christmas and that 2009 holds in the very best for all of you!

PS. My American brother has let me know that, in his opinion, Zune is better than iPod. What do you think?

My Mother's an artist, and my Father's a poet...

2008-12-14T00:54:00.000-08:00

When I was in KG II (Grade 2, or Year 2 to the SA and NZ readers), my teacher asked me what my parents' occupations were. Well, at the time my Dad like to write little rhymes and limericks to amuse us, and Mum - well Mum painted. I answered my teacher's question as truthfully as I could: "My Mother's an artist and my Father's a poet." (In reality, at the time both worked in the Standard Bank.)

Mom and Dad, June 2008

I can tell many amusing stories about my creative childhood.

Dad's writing has progressed from limericks, to board reports, to eulogies.... (Sorry, but it's true. He does write them achingly beautifully, though.) Dad stayed creative in many ways - he's a great musician, whistles and sings, and audiences in Swellendam love him. He also does exquisite carpentry, and is still busily filling orders at 71! Recently he taught Laphious, my 'brother' how to make some furniture, and helped him earn some income to help his wife in Zimbabwe. Dad should write a book, though. I shall tell him that!

Here's my Dad, Koos, with Laphious, my Zimbabwean 'brother'. He kindly keeps an eye on my parents for me and lends a helping hand when they need it.

Mom has been painting as long as I can remember. My earliest memories are of our house in Rusape, and of her going to Art lessons.

My fond childhood memories are filled with the smell of oil paints and turpentine, much as other children remember the aroma of freshly baked scones. (Needless to say, Sixpence baked the scones...) I also chuckle when I remember my Grandma's disgust at my Mum using the silver-plated cutlery as a palette knife. She really did... S'trues Bob! She still would, if she had any left. But the rest got bent when she was gardening. Need I say more? I could tell many stories of a freezer filled with.... not freshly prepared lasagnes, or melktert, but... palettes of oil paint.

Growing up in such a creative household had it's merits. To this day I love all forms of Art and I dabble in all sorts of creative arts and crafts. Also, very few quirks of humankind shock or dismay me. I've learned to accept that some people are 'a bit different', and that's OK. One day when I grow up, I want to be an Artist too, just like my Mum!

Here's some of her work. The one on the right is of her latest, which has just been sold by her art dealer. Check out her page on the web for more examples of her art work.

Artwork: Rae Smit, Swellendam. Sikelelaart.com

Sun, Summer, Surf and Scooters!

2008-12-06T23:57:00.000-08:00

We've just had a sun-kissed, exciting weekend. Our batteries are recharged, and we're ready for the final onslaught and the countdown to 2009.

Paul and I decided to leave our darling, grateful and delightfully pleasant teenagers at home so that they could have some peace and quiet, and we left for two days to Waiheke Island. The trip takes about an hour by ferry, and once you're on the island you commute by one of the many buses.

I must admit, the bus trips were not my favourite part of the weekend. We kept landing up with the same grumpy, young hell-raiser of a busdriver. He zooms around the corners, zips up and down the narrow lanes, and misses the many pedestrians and scooters by inches. Scary stuff!

Whenever I'm on Waiheke I rediscover my inner hippie. I invariably come back with some new bag, scarf or beaded, wrap-around skirt in muted, root-dyed hues. People on the island are super-laid back. The local women wear long, flowing dresses, scarves around their heads, and leather shoes. The men have long hair, tied back with a leather thong, and beaded waistcoats. My kinda place!

Paul and I had so much fun. On Saturday afternoon we rented two sea kayaks and spent the afternoon paddling in the bay. It was sublime. At times it was quite windy, and the waves a bit choppy, but it was so exhilarating!

Today we rented two scooters and explored as much of the island as we could in four hours.

We had lunch at one of the vineyards, and sampled their estate wine.

Back home, we found the kids sweet, accomodating and happy. The kitchen was sparkling, and they had prepared a wonderful, tasty meal for us. Yeah, right!

The weather was fantastic - I have the sunburn to prove it - and the island vibe, as always, was great. So ends our two days in paradise...

Yes, this is me, doing my kayaking thing. (The kayak photos were taken from Paul's cellphone, so they're not terribly clear!)Paul on the little scooter we rented.

Life is good in New Zealand

2008-11-13T00:05:00.000-08:00

Life has been pretty amazing in New Zealand over the last couple of weeks. Well for me, anyway. The kids might not agree and, as teenagers do, they're grumbling and griping about the upcoming exams.

These are the good things that have happened:

The local community gym let us join through the school, for only $9 a week and no joining fee! The facilities included in this membership are a fully equipped circuit, a heated swimming pool (actually there are four), a sauna, steamroom, spa, and various classes including aerobics, kick-boxing and a pilates-yoga class! You also get an assessment and a personal trainer - all included in the price!

The government let me vote in the elections. This after just having lived in the country for three years. I received my Permanent Residency in June, and this allowed me to vote! What a thrill to actually have a say. It really made me feel that this is indeed a new home for us.

We have a new leader - John Keys. He believes in standardized testing in the Primary School, which may just be a good thing... We don't know how this is going to go, but on the whole the country seems to be heading in a good direction!

The price of petrol has gone down 19c in the past fortnight. Imagine that! The rest of the world is reeling under a recession, and here the price of petrol, and as a result food, is declining.

My teenage sons are actually studying for their NCEA exams. (See my previous post!) By the way does anyone know how to re-arrange the following formula to make v the subject?
f_L = [(v + v_L)/(v + v_S)] f_S

I got a $50 discount voucher on my Jenny Craig groceries for getting a friend to join. I'm also steadily losing weight, and feeling pretty energetic.

The sun shone today. And yesterday. And the weather forecast says it will be shining tomorrow again. For Auckland, that is a miracle!

Yeah, life sure is good. Must be the endorphins from all the gym sessions making me feel this happy!

New Zealand Education Policy: What the Parties say!

2008-11-04T11:40:00.000-08:00

We've got an election in a few days in New Zealand too! The two main Parties are National, with their leader John Keys, and Labour with the lovely Helen Clark as their leader.

Their education policies in a Wordle, are quite interesting!

National says:

Labour says:

In the long run, it's not the WORDS that count, but the ACTIONS! This is going to be an interesting show to watch!

What do you think?

10 tips to get teenage boys to study for NCEA

2008-10-29T00:35:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest adjustments we've had to make in New Zealand, is to get used to the school system and get our heads around how NCEA works.

In just a few weeks Dan and Joe are both starting with their NCEA exams. Dan is in Year 13 (Level 3), and Joe is in Year 12 (Level 2).

After having attended a technical high school, they had to revert to academic subjects when they got here last year. Boy, have they had a hard time adjusting! The NCEA system is very different to Matric and seems to be of a much higher standard. They've gone from being top students to really struggling to achieve the required standard.

Of course choosing subjects like Chemistry, Physics and Legal Studies has not made it easier for them. Nor has their constant wagging. (Bunking in SA-speak.) But, they've got this far, and all they need to do now is to sit on their behinds, and study!

How to (attempt to) get teenage boys to study:

1. Acknowledge that this is much too hard, and that they'll never make it without super-human effort. Be sympathetic. All the time.
2. Be prepared: it will cost you money! Buy them every study guide you can lay your hands on. Also print out exam papers and answers off the internet. Also help them work out a study time table. Buy new stationery. Get colourful sticky notes. Actually get anything you can think of that may help them.
3. Stock up on chips, chocolates, jelly babies and instant capucino's.
4. Stock up on Gingko Biloba, St John's Wort and Rescue Remedy.
5. Motivate, praise, cajole, bribe, blackmail. Many times. Plead, then cry, then plead, then cry some more.
6. Promise to buy them a car.
7. Look guilty, and apologize for the inconvenience you have caused them by bringing them up, and getting them this far. Apologize even more if you've immigrated during their puberty.
8. Remind them that their fore-fathers walked barefoot over the Drakensberg Mountains. (Or the Bombay hills, if you're from Aotearoa.)
9. Pray. Pray consistently and constantly.
10. Ask well-meaning family in SA to NOT tell them they 'don't have to worry, they can write Matric next year in SA'. (Go figure!)

Oh dear, I don't know how I'm going to get through these exams! Any advice?

Oh, how I love my Mother-in-Law

2008-09-28T00:25:00.000-07:00

MIL just invited us (that's her son and me) to join her on a family holiday next July in..... Turkey. Even more exciting: We'll be staying at the Club Med Beldi for a week!

It will be a great occasion as Paul's two brothers, (one from Phoenix, Arizona and the other from Johannesburg), their wives and children, and my 13 year old step-daughter from Cape Town will all be joining us there. MIL is 80+ and I reckon she is trying to gather together her chicks from all over the world, before she is too old to travel.

Yeeee-haaa!

When I made this little Befunky cartoon earlier this year, it must have been prophetic!

Anyone know where in Auckland I can take belly-dancing lessons?

Who is Kgalema Mothlanthe? All about the 'older brother'.

2008-09-26T22:26:00.000-07:00

ANC deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe was duly elected in the National Assembly on Thursday as South Africa's next president to replace Thabo Mbeki, who resigned after being "recalled" by the party. - 25/09/2008 14:09 News24.com

What do we know of him?

- He comes from a working class family

- Born on 19 July 1949 in Alexandra in Johannesburg. He grew up in Alexandra and later moved to Meadowlands, Soweto.

- In the 1970s, while working for the Johannesburg City Council, he was recruited into Umkhonto we Sizwe. He formed part of a unit tasked with recruiting comrades for military training.

- Motlanthe, 59, is known as "the elder brother" because of his calm and collected manner in even the most treacherous political waters.

- Motlanthe has distanced himself and the party from near-hysterical calls by the party's youth league to spill blood and kill for Zuma.

- In response to the militant language, Motlanthe recently said: "Of course there are individuals who are very angry ... and who then make statements - this is not ANC policy."

- Has been called "perhaps the most level-headed and reasonable of all the politicians" in the ANC.

- Known for keeping his personal life out of the public eye.

- He was a follower of the anti-apartheid activist and black consciousness leader Steve Biko, who died in police custody in 1977.

- After 11 months in initial detention, Motlanthe was sent that same year to Robben Island and was not released until 1987.

- When he was elected deputy ANC president last December, Motlanthe disarmed journalists by saying that rather than seek high office, he'd prefer to train the national football team as South Africa prepares to host the 2010 World Cup.

The closing words of his acceptance speech are certainly uplifting and hope-inspiring:

"We live in challenging times. We see before us many mountains that are yet to be climbed, and numerous rivers that still need to be crossed.
Yet, for all the challenges that lie ahead, the incontrovertible truth is that never before has South Africa been closer than it is today towards the achievement of a better life for all its people.
We therefore have a shared responsibility to build on these results and to strive together - sparing neither courage nor strength - towards the achievement of a better South Africa, a better Africa and a better world."

I guess we shall see what we shall see, soon enough!

Image: http://onctoday.co.za
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200809250768.html, News24.com

Out of the frying pan, into the fire!

2008-09-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

Africa, Oh Africa. What is happening to you?

The news that Mbeki is being forced to resign, and that his probable runner up is Zuma, is - to say the least - frightening!

Eish - the Madoda cannot even read very well, I hear! He has no schooling, but he is a Zulu prince, so I suppose that makes it all OK. At least Mbeki is an intcharektcho!

"Azikho ukwazi, kakuhlu isipazamiso" as my students at Learn to Earn used to say!

(No knowledge, big trouble)

Eish!

Limerick, or Ode to Africa.

2008-09-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

In Zimbabwe there's a man
Who a great little country ran
Yes, he ran it to the ground
And now rumbling tummies is the only sound
And he has hardly a fan.

In South Africa there's a chap
Who's taken a great country right off the map
From thriving, but mistaken
It's now just lost and broken
Fortunately he's on his last lap!

The future in Africa looks bleak
But if our ancestors could speak
They'd say "all Africans pull together
And vote for a man who will bring good weather
And not an illiterate sneak!"

Comment from the author of this post: I know this is terrible poetry, and I can do much better, honest, but who can be inspired by such a mess-up?

Image can be found here.

What a Weekend!

2008-08-17T20:05:00.000-07:00

We just got back from a fantastic weekend in Tokaanu, near Taupo. We rented the Tokaanu Post Office. It was just right for a family with 4 teenagers! Loads to do for the kids. The ski fields were all closed due to the poor weather, but never the less we managed to have a play in the snow. I've never been so cold in my life before, especially when it started snowing! The hot pool back at the bach (Kiwispeak for 'holiday home') was great. We even sat in it under umbrellas in the pouring rain. Of course the geothermal pools across the road were fascinating, and always of great interest. Have a look!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Dear Africa (in the style of Dear Johnny...)

2008-07-22T21:19:00.000-07:00

Dear Africa,

I didn't know what to expect. I mean, I knew what to expect when I saw my family, and the shops, and the familiar scenes of Cape Town. But I really didn't know how my heart would behave towards you, Africa. You are the one that I yearn for every day. The one that I left behind without saying Goodbye properly. The one that discarded me for someone new.

Have you ever met an old love again after a few years of not seeing him? You still recognize his face, his tone of voice, even the feel of his hand when he gives you a quick hug in greeting. You still smile at his jokes. You actually still like him. But the familiarity is gone. After the initial catching up on news, there's not much more to say. That's how I felt about you, Africa. I don't belong with you anymore. I've forgotten how to have you in my life.

Have I stopped loving you, Africa, the continent of my birth? Or, like it happens when a lover dumps you for someone new, have I got unresolved feelings for you? Is this feeling of neutrality just a way to 'build a wall' around my heart, and protect myself from feeling hurt by you again, Africa? I can't live with you anymore, Africa. I had very little choice in our separation. It was all your doing. You had other people which you started nurturing and caring for. Africa, you stopped loving me first.

Oh, Africa, my Africa. I will never stop loving you. But I have a new life now. A new love is growing in my heart. It's Aotearoa!

But, Africa, can we at least still be friends?

With love from Me.

Watercolour by well known Swellendam artist Rae Smit.

Super Swellendam!

2008-07-16T04:42:00.000-07:00

Oh, Betty, where are you?

2008-06-25T19:12:00.000-07:00

Tertia writes in her blog, So Close, of her kids that needed to see the paediatrician while she was away on a business trip. She organized her father's driver (!) to pick up Rose and the children and take them off to the paedi.

Oh! Sigh! Why didn't I cherish my Meisie / Betty / Katrina more? I remember the day I was catering for a wedding and she phoned me to work to tell me that the dog had jumped on the table demolishing the pork roast, which was already neatly sliced and sauced. I sent her to buy a new one, cook it, garnish it and have it ready by the time I got home to rush to the function. And she did! What about all the times she cooked, cleaned, folded and sorted for me, that I didn't find so spectacular. I even grumbled when the laundry was less than spotless! I was particular about the spider webs BEHIND the toilet. I frowned at the carpet not being 100 % square to the door. What a pain I must have been as an employer!

As a Cleaner, I'm absolutely useless. OK, granted, I do work (teach) full time. (And if any of you have any illusions that teachers work half-day or have holidays, think again.) In NZ we have no Betty, no Rose, no cleaner. I just don't feel comfortable having a strange woman in my house, that is not Betty, or Rose, or Happiness, or Beauty. Djy wiet!

Now this is my predicament. I'm leaving for SA in 2 day's time. The 4 teenagers are staying alone, and I've arranged for a cleaner. Now I've had wonderful cleaners over the years in SA. I've felt comfortable having them inspect my house / scrub the toilets / fold the laundry. My cleaning ladies have become my confidante, my children's other mom, and a trusted friend. I knew what to expect, and knew how to act. And I was never embarrassed my house's lack of cleanliness. I could always blame it on the just-departed Betty / Rose or Happiness.

But now my new cleaner is called Karen de Vos. She sounds really well educated, and speaks Afrikaans, like me. We're on the same social rung! Only I'm a teacher, and she's a professional cleaner. I won't elaborate, but if you're South African, you'll understand my feelings about this! (Of course she'll be getting a professional cleaner's wage, too!)

'Mev. Karen de Vos' is coming to see me on Saturday morning about the job. I'm so nervous. I hope I'll have time to tidy up and clean before she comes! How would you feel in this situation?

Permanent Residency - At Last!

2008-06-19T01:30:00.000-07:00

After months of admin, waiting and paying very large amounts of NZ$ to Immigration NZ, we finally got the letter this week: Our Permanent Residency has been approved. Just a final payment, stamps in the passport, and the children and I are set.

Having PR is a huge, huge benefit. Firstly, no more annual visa applications. Hospitalisation and some other social benefits come our way. And university study is so much cheaper and easier. We are so excited - more so, because we're on our way to South Africa for a short visit, and having the all-important documentation means no stress at customs when we come back. Hooray!

Best of all - the two older kids can now legally find part-time jobs. No more pocket money. No more excuses. No more sullen teenagers hanging around the house. (Actually that's not fair - they're mostly all quite nice.) But it will be nice for them all to have some extra cash, like all the other Kiwi youngsters!

He'll always be my little boy!

2008-06-15T22:58:00.000-07:00

Just moments ago, he was a little toddler with dark, brown eyes, grabbing my finger to walk around the swimming pool.

A year or so later, he was sitting on the couch with his arms folded, lisping "Alleme Dalla kly net altyd laas". (Afrikaans for 'Poor Dalla is always in trouble' - after all the busy grown-ups had kept sending him away from one to another...) Eyes looking trustingly up at his mum, knowing I would come to his rescue.

In my mind's eye I still see his big, serious brown eyes looking at me with such ernestness the day after his father died. He was only eight, and he told me that I was not to worry - he would be the man of the house now.

My little boy woke up with a severe tummy ache at 2 o'clock this morning. After hours of waiting, worrying, waiting some more, he was taken for an emergency appendectomy! Today I had to watch while they stuck needles in my baby. Prodded him and poked him. He was so brave, and stoic and trying not to upset me. The worst moment was when he was wheeled into the operation theatre, with me waving teary-eyed from a distance. More waiting around, worrying, a few nervous tears and poor hubby trying to keep the show on the road. Eventually after 3 hours we were told he was in recovery. At last, the waiting was over. I just wanted to be with my son. After the surgery he looked so helpless, and sweet and I longed to cuddle him on my lap.

But... today he would have none of this. Obviously annoyed and embarrassed by his doting mum, he closed his eyes, much like he used to when he was small, and he had thought that I couldn't see him if his face was covered. Problem is, he's eighteen now, taller than me, quite hairy, and making eyes at the nurses!

image: http://polvo.org/april07/Emergency.jpg

Home Again... in three weeks!

2008-06-11T01:37:00.000-07:00

In little less than three weeks, I'll be back on African Soil. Hubby and I are going for a quick visit to see his 13 yr old daughter and other family. I'm excited and filled with trepidation all at the same time!

There's so much to do before we go. So many things to organize. Gifts to buy. Kids to worry about.

So much to be excited about. So much to worry about. So much To Do!

Excited about...

The day we'll spend en route in Singapore - never been there before!
Seeing all our family, especially my sister's babies!
Shopping in shops I grew up with. Oh Pick & Pay, Clicks and Woolworths, how I miss you!
Spending NZ Dollars, which convert nicely to R6 each!
A meal at the Spur. I'll probably have a Manhattan Mushroom Melt, with a Salad Valley on the side. Yummy! (Probably about 6 million Kj, but who cares - I can't have them here!)
Spending time walking on the long Jeffreys Bay beach, hopefully in the sunlight!
Listening to music with my Dad. Painting with my Mum. Arguing with my brother-in-law (who's a lawyer, and such a lovely man!) Chilling out with my sister. Giggling with my Aunt. And sharing a couple of Tassies around a braai with all the rest.
Playing with the new puppy. (We can't have a dog - we're renting!)

Worried about...

Will I want to come home to NZ again? Will I like what I see there?
Crime... I have been held up at gunpoint before - don't want to go throught the trauma again... Yikes...
Will my R6's be able to buy there, what my $NZ dollar buys here?
Will the family be nice to me? And the step-daughter? And the Mother-in-law(s)?
Has my accent changed? Will they think I'm different? Am I still in fashion in SA?
Will my kids, who are all staying behind in the care of the Eldest Brother, be OK?
What if they stop me at customs when I come back? What if they don't let me back in the country? What if our money runs out?
What if, what if, what if....

TO DO's:

Shopping lists for kids to do Internet grocery shopping.
Emergency fund for my friend Tina, in case the kids need emergency care.
Get Tina, Faith and Marcia to phone the kids on alternate days.
Arrange for the twins to stay with friends on weekends.
Stock up on cat food, toilet paper and bread and milk.
Arrange for a cleaner the day before we get back.
Pack.
Call a taxi.
Get on the plane.

See you soon!

Foreigner

2008-05-31T21:40:00.000-07:00

My heart is in tatters for Africa. The stories of Xenophobia are frightening and surreal, especially when one is so far away. This poem illustrates it beautifully. I will attempt to translate, with apologies to the poet.

New Zealand Mynah

Vreemde Voel Foreign Bird

Die hemel tuimel The heavens tumble
die blou lug en die wolke swaai en draai the blue air and the clouds turn and swivel
ek val I drop down
asemloos breathless
sinneloos thoughtless
leweloos lifeless

Ek het van ver gevlug I fled from afar
van haat, pyn en verminking from hatred, pain and mutilation
ek, banneling I, the outcast
Hier by jou het dit veilig gelyk With you it seemed safe
Ek het sagte musiek hoor fluister I heard the whispers of soft music
deur jou vensters through your windows
Ek dog in jou groen agterplaas I thought Bach's sheep could
kan Bach se skape veilig wei safely graze in your pastures
Ja, ek is anders Yes, I am different
met my skril kras stem with my shrill, loud call
my swarter vere my darker feathers
my parmantige wipspring stappie my arrogant, cheeky gait

My vrou krys en sy skel jou My mate screetches and scolds you
skel jou scolds you
skel jou scolds you
en sy skel my: and she scolds me:
“Staan op, staan op!” "Get up, get up!"
maar die plof van jou projektiel but the plop of your projectile
weergalm nou sagter echoes more quietly now
en dowwer ook die pyn and gentler too, the pain
en ek verdwyn as I disappear
ek, vreemde voël I, foreign bird

(from My Kop op 'n Blok.)

NOTE: (In Africa the Indian Mynah birds are seen as intruders, and often shot by farmers.)

Summer 2008

2008-05-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

For the holidays, we went to Russel for a couple of days. Paul treated us all to a cruise on Christmas Eve. We kept it a surprize, and the kids only found out when we went on board. It was a lovely old-fashioned tall ship, with wooden planking and canvas sails. For the whole day we sailed between the islands, and stopped off for a swim and a BBQ at lunch. What a fantastic experience! Poor Paul got terribly sea-sick, but the rest of us were OK. Have a look!

I've had to compress the video, so the quality's not great. Also, to watch the video, you will have to have reasonably fast Broadband. It's about 20 min long. Next time I'll make it shorter, but this was my first go with the new video recorder, and the editing software. Just click on the forward arrow. You may have to wait a while while it 'buffers', but it's well worth the wait! Promise!

I know it's a couple of months late, but I couldn't figure out how to get the video uploaded.

Skype Me!

2008-04-24T15:13:00.001-07:00

This morning, while I was still in bed, I had the most marvellous conversation with my cousin, Jan Bezuidenhout. We chatted about the situation in Zimbabwe, about family members I hadn't seen in a while, and about his and my siblings. We have a mutual interest in golf, and I was telling him how I had recently started going to the local golf driving range, and how I picture some people's faces on the ball before giving it a resounding thwack. We had a few giggles about that!

Kinky, you're thinking! Well, the truth is that I haven't seen my cousin for a couple of years, although we were friends as children, and the man next to me in bed... Well he was snoring away. How is that possible? I had my laptop on in bed, and we were Skyping.

You can easily reach me on Skype by downloading it for free. Just click here: Download Skype. Once it's been installed, all you have to do is click on Contacts / Search for Skype users, and then type in Raenette Taljaard. I'm using the one that is called Raenette.T. You can also search for other friends or family members and add the contacts to your list. To talk to me, you will need a microphone and webcam, but you can also just 'chat', or type me a note, to which I will reply instantly. (Click on Contacts, Start Chat.) If I'm online, a green button will appear next to my name. Just click on it and start typing in the text window at the bottom. If I'm there, I'll answer soon, and the conversation can begin! Waiting to hear from you!

(Online) retail therapy

2008-04-10T15:12:00.000-07:00

I love shopping! Let's face it . There's nothing nicer than leaving the kids, cats and co-workers behind, jumping in my little silver Honda Logo, and zipping down to Botany Town centre to shop 'til I drop. Of course the largest part of the shopping (the part Darlingest doesn't understand) is the looking, touching, comparing part. I don't actually spend much money. (Seeing as the budget is so closely monitored by Mr. U-know-who.) But I do linger, and loiter and lust after all sorts of useful, pretty and completely useless doo-dahs. I usually end my morning's shopping by settling myself comfortably at one of the little bustling coffee shops (called cafes here). I order my trim Flat White - like a cappucino, but milkier, and my fat-free, cheese-free toasted pannini. Like a cheshire cat, I sit and muse over my day's purchases.

The shopping I don't like, is grocery shopping. Lately I've found the most wonderful service. For a $7 delivery fee, I can have my groceries delivered at my door! Every Thursday I perch myself on my bed, laptop on my lap, and shop in the comfort of my bedroom. Pictures of the products appear on screen, with prices (and the specials are in red), and I just 'Add' away at the products I want. The running total is shown, so no going over the budget. (Dearest likes this feature!) On Friday evenings, instead of rushing to town after a hectic week, I now know that at 6pm sharp the friendly delivery man will be knocking at the door with my groceries beautifully packed. The best part of this is the promotional products that are popped in amongst the groceries. For Free!

The last gift was a small fridge shopping list. The kids love it. This week's input from the family read:
- toothbrush for Rae - and Impulse
- chocolates - Paul
- socks - Dalla (His brother has been wearing his in the house, and they are now full of holes.)
- undies - Niel (This I'll do in person - and not leave to the online shopper!)
- cat food (we have a new kitten, and two big cats.)
- diswashing liquid.

The list may not be the most profound reading, but it pretty much reflects life on the home front!

Home and Away

2008-04-06T02:51:00.000-07:00

It's been more than two years since we decided we had had enough of the constant crime, lack of job opportunities and general unsavoury conditions back home. Our logical choice for a new home was New Zealand, as Paul was born here. Within months we had resigned from our jobs, sold furniture, packed our bags and here we are.

Here are the twins on arrival
at the airport, surrounded by
our worldly belongings
-all 7 suitcases of them!

It has not always been easy. Like many others we started with a couple of plastic chairs, borrowed mattresses and a hastily bought second-hand station wagon.

The first shopping expedition was both overwhelming and exciting. I remember standing in the bread aisle at Pack & Save, totally lost as to which bread was the best to buy. I bought a tin of Nescafe for $20, thinking it was a bargain, and later realising that I had made a conversion error (we were still buying with our precious few Rands) and that it was equivalent to the price of about 6 tins of Riccoffy back home. That tin of coffee lasted for ages - we were too stingy to use it!

Life in New Zealand is very different from that in South Africa. The greatest difference is the lack of crime. The annual crime statistics have just been released, and there have been 46 murders in the past year - in the entire country! I can live with that!

It's Friday!

2007-11-01T18:59:00.002-07:00

It's been such a busy week! Paul had Monday off, so he was running around paying bills and getting things done. (He works from Tuesdays to Saturdays - In New Zealand there's no such thing as a 'normal' working day.) On Thursday I took the day off to get our Visa's sorted out. The immigration office is only open until 3pm, and I work until at least 5pm every day, so it's impossible to get there unless I take the day off. Luckily my headmistress is very understanding.

Life on the home front is, well.... settled. Niel had a bit of bad luck this week. He decided that it was way too boring to be at school during the lunch hour, so he and a friend left the school grounds for a little walk to a tunnel somewhere near the school. They thought it would be much more fun hanging around in there, than playing team games at school! The bad luck was... they were caught. By the other kid's Mum! Now both of them are 'on parole' and have to sign in at the office at every break time! Life's tough when you're twelve!

Also had Hallowe'en this week. We don't go in for it much in New Zealand. All the kids get dressed up as cheaply as possible, and during the afternoon they knock on countless doors and get given handsful of 'lollies' (you know, sweeties). Which is a bit silly as normally no-one is allowed lollies and kids come to school with carrots and celery sticks to chew on for a treat. New Zealand is health crazy, but on Hallowe'en anything goes! The moment it gets dark, all kids are called in, curtains are drawn and we all watch Shortland Street.

Bye 4 now!