The British obsession with sunshine
For the past few days we’ve been enjoying some unusually warm weather for this time of the year. So in true British fashion the masses were out catching some rays of sun. It always amazes me just how people are transformed during these warm spells they seem to defrost from their stony faces and unfriendly ways. Everybody seems to have something to say albeit that it’s just a repetition of the weather forecast. I must admit I am guilty of falling into this weather trap constantly. It’s rather amusing though whenever the temperature spikes it is almost always measured in fahrenheit!
I love the sunshine there is something about it that makes me feel alive. I find myself wanting to sing, laugh and fall in love all over again. So people all across England are gearing themselves up for a super sunny weekend. I look forward to the next few days being filled with fast food, fizzy drinks and way too much bottled water because this is the British way!
The truth about blogging
Having written over one hundred posts I now find myself being challenged daily and feeling weary. I read an amazing post by another blogger and was extremely encouraged. Since deciding to blog about my experiences as a mother and foreigner living in the united Kingdom. I’ve tried to give readers a glimpse of my everyday experiences. The reward for hard work is more hard work. I have no aspirations of becoming the next J.K.Rowling but I do have intentions of giving it the best that I’ve got. Though there are no obvious rewards at the moment I have decided that I’m in it for the long run.
Blogging is by no means an easy task but it is attainable. My biggest critic is my husband and he is really tough which often leads to stand offs. Hats off to him though he keeps my page fresh and genuinely has good ideas. So as I continue to slave at my computer and dig deep for fresh ideas I hope to inspire other novices to put pen to paper and flex their creative muscle. I look forward to turning out many more posts and hopefully entertaining people who take the time to read my blog.
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I remember the absolute excitement when I joined the biggest online community that connected you with friends around the globe. The joy of finding long-lost friends just kept me coming back for more. They find you or you find them and it takes about a day to catch up with all you’ve missed out on. After being totally thrilled to make contact you come to the stark realisation that you now have very little in common with your contacts. There are cases of course where you ignite old flames of friendship and it progresses steadily.
It’s crazy to think that thirty years ago visiting neighbours unannounced, calls to landlines and getting the daily newspaper was the order of the day. These days most conversations seem to take place online and via instant messaging services. In my opinion tone and intent are often lost in translation leading to many misunderstandings. Nothing beats a good old-fashioned person to person conversation. There is no substitute for human contact-yet!
Sunday morning rain is falling
Just woke up to find it’s wet and overcast! The thing about Sunday to me anyway is that it should be sunny and bright. That may be too much to ask on an island where rain is but a second away. A girl can dream can’t she? So instead of the day conjuring up visions of fun and relaxation it now has me feeling dull and lacking enthusiasm.
I guess if today is considered a day of rest the best way to achieve it is to have the kind of weather that forces you to take it easy. As for me I shall take the bull by the horns and enjoy the new day and perhaps I’ll be rewarded with sunshine!
Far from the madding crowd
Having three young children means that I should have some kind of routine but sadly this is not the case. When I became a mother I decided that I would raise my children my own way. Being traditional has never been my way! This was relatively easy while I was the only one responsible for raising and teaching them many different things about life and my husband doing his share which always seems to be all things fun. The time has now come when two of my daughters are in school and are exposed to many different ideas both positive and negative. It is of course a very scary time for me as apparent. I’ve now realised that I can no longer control what they are exposed to.
The weekend is upon us again and it’s my chance to give my girls a bit of the freedom they lose every time they go to school. The weekend in my opinion is a time for a serious lack of structure, time to eat all the food that is banned from their packed lunches and wearing mismatched clothes. It is a world far from the school gate, reading mat, maths board and assembly hall. It may only be two days but it certainly makes a difference to their little lives and mine.
Pushing an elephant up the stairs
It was over six years ago that I stood pregnant in the falling rain enjoying the 2005 REM tour of South Africa. It was a case of love and devotion to my husband that I was willing to suffer. That live concert more than made up for the inconveniences I was enduring. Magic!
I can’t remember when it was that I first heard the music of REM but I know for a fact that my husbands fascination with the band and his impressive cd collection had something to do with it. It wasn’t long before I had my favourite songs.
Today after thirty-one years of making amazing music the band has decided to throw in the towel. I suppose it’s better to call it a day when people are expecting more from you than listening to calls to end your music. Hopefully they have thought very carefully about their decision because come backs are so overrated.
So as the news of the split sinks in I guess it’s a case of everybody hurts! I have no doubt their music will be around for a very long time.
Soul Food
I spent a good part of my morning searching for a shop the size of a container after I was informed by a fellow African that they stocked South African goods. So I set off to find this paradise already dreaming of the treasure I’d come home with. Sadly it was not the case it seemed other immigrants beat me to the stockpile. I left there feeling quite cheated and with a miserly bottle of peanut butter and a packet of biscuits. I’m still quite shocked to think that there was nothing available that made me want to blow a hole in my pocket just for a taste of home.
At any rate the promise of a shipment this week has renewed my hope that perhaps something will grab my attention. However if it is not the case I shall continue to go on enjoying all the amazing food that Britain has to offer. The truth is there are just no substitutes for certain tastes from home. My husband tells me I should immerse myself in all that is on offer here instead of trying to exist in both worlds. Perhaps he has a point the last thing my family need is me following a shipment.
I don’t think for a minute that I won’t long for the familiar things of home. I do realise though that I can get by without them.
Operation preparation
So it’s Sunday night and I’m getting ready for bed. When I wake up it will most definitely be Monday. It might seem quite obvious to most but when I wake up I’ll be in a race to sort out a whole lot of stuff I would’ve done the night before.
I have no idea why I find planning for the next day so foreign. I’ll have to blame it on being a bit too relaxed up until the point where I realise I didn’t hear the alarm. Then all hell breaks loose and I start wishing I had done just a little bit.
In many countries around the world there are moms and even dads sorting out school uniforms, book bags, PE kits and many other things needed for the start of a new week. Why can’t I just follow their example? I enjoy the challenge of taking on the clock and winning. I must admit though that the clock always seems to have the upper hand. Damn that snooze button!
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y
I love Saturday’s it’s the only day in the week that I get to choose what I want to do. Today was fantastic the way I would live my life if I was allowed to.
The ultimate sporting couch potato day. I knew I was kind of losing the plot when I found myself screaming at the telly. The kind of behaviour I’ve always mocked my father for. It’s weird how you can sit in your house and experience a flood of emotions over an event that has no value on your life. Unless of course you’re a punter!
So as my extreme lazy day comes to a close I want to give a big shout out to the South African and Irish lads for an entertaining morning of world cup rugby.
To Arsenal football club sadly your performance was the weakest link on an otherwise perfect day.
Goodbye Saturday until the next time!
Show me the funny
So glad the weekend has rolled in. While I adore being a mother there are days I wish I could send my girls on an extended holiday to their grandparents. Of course that will never happen I’d miss them far too much.
We have now reached the point in our home where all of my children want to mark their territory. This means that the noise level has trebled in my house. Having had children a little later in life I sometimes feel that my age makes me a little grumpy. The truth is I’m not sure that anybody likes to feel like they’ve woken up in a war zone.
This morning was typically a war zone. I knew it was going to be a frantic Friday when I started the morning with complaints about breakfast, uniforms and lunch boxes. Oh man I hate feeling out of control and playing catch up. When we finally left for the school run there were many threats and consequences laid out. I hate it when I blurt out consequences because I cannot go back on my word-ever! My poor kids left for school knowing their regular Friday movie slot had been erased.
I had the whole day to find my happy place but for some reason I just carried around this crazy morning feeling. My solution was a double bill of “Everybody loves Raymond” It never fails to deliver. Glad to have reached the end of the day. Bring on my Super Saturday!
Days like this
I imagine everybody has that day when after a period of relative smooth sailing you reach the proverbial bump in the road of life!
I like to think of myself as being rather laid back maybe a tad too laid back in some peoples opinions. Fortunately for me I don’t usually pay much attention to opinions. I actually pride myself with being unperturbed by the many things life throws at me. In short I’m a coper.
Occasionally I find myself cornered and I’m just unable to come up with workable solutions to everyday problems. It’s usually at this point that I have to seek outside help and the thought of appearing needy leaves me feeling unsettled. You see the truth is I really don’t like asking for help unless of course I am well and truly trapped by circumstances.
It’s been said that no man is an island. It’s true that people add value to our lives. I’m fortunate to have met some of these wonderful people. People who you can lean on in times of need and are willing to give much needed support.
Acknowledging I need help doesn’t make me weak it suggests I have some strength and wisdom!
School rocks
Today my four year old started primary school. I was such a proud mother just watching my little princess blossom into an independent little girl. So it was smiles all around.
This is one of many firsts for her and us. I hope she will cherish this opportunity to go to school and get an education which will eventually lead her on a path to success in her life. It may sound a bit dramatic but even in these days of many advances education is still seen as a luxury to many around the world more especially little girls.
So I guess I’m grateful that we live in a world where education is easily accessible and where many opportunities exist. My hope is that she will seize this wonderful opportunity!
My blood is green
I think it was in 1995 that I became a rugby fan. That was the year that South Africa hosted and won the rugby world cup. The country was alive with possibility and our future looked very bright. We were truly united behind our beloved Springboks!
This weekend the 2011 rugby world cup kicked off in New Zealand and after becoming champions in France in 2007 they are hoping to defend their title. The Springboks have had a shaky start but did manage to eventually squeeze a rather unconvincing win against Wales.
I’ve made up my mind that whatever happens along the way my country men will have my unwavering support. I’m looking forward to hours of scrums, line outs, tries and penalties.It doesn’t hurt that Daniel Carter will be providing a rather beautiful side to the game.
Good luck to the boys in green and gold affectionately known as the bokke. Bring the cup home boys (well take it home)…again!
Remebering the fallen
This week marks the tenth anniversary of the terror attacks of 9/11 and I can’t help but feel for the people of New York. While the rest of the world offers words of support and encouragement New Yorkers are faced with the memory of a day that changed the world-their world forever.
Like so many people around the world I can remember the day of the attacks and particularly the terror of the people running out of the twin towers. It’s hard to imagine how such an awful act affects people in the long run. Much is often said of the many who died on that day. What of the many who survived and have lived with the memory of the day their lives ceased to be normal. Having seen an interview with a survivor her absolute anguish and inability to cope with life made me realise that there is a group of people who we don’t hear much about. It would be really interesting to know about the support which was given to these survivors.
While the world stops for a minute to remember the fallen. I do hope they will take time to remember the brave who live daily with the memory of that historic day. The many who fear repeat attacks and their lives spiralling out of control without warning.
I hope that these brave survivors are never forgotten!
Paid my dues
Having been a victim of crime I guess there’s a part of you that wants retribution. Even if that justice doesn’t come through the criminal courts you hope that they’d feel a kick in the pants from life. Sadly I have not seen my perpetrator pay his dues as yet or perhaps he has.
I got thinking about crime and retribution after watching an ex-convict endure a grilling in the newspaper after winning a substantial sum of money-well actually 1 million pounds in a television game of chance. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him after all he did do his time. Perhaps the type of crime has a lot to do with whether or not people will let ghosts of the past rest. I don’t think that people should lie about having a criminal past. However that past should not count against them even after decades have lapsed.
If the courts have set a sentence surely we have to accept that it is the appropriate punishment. Therein lies the problem I suppose we’d all like to meter out our own justice. There are no guarantees in this life so we are obligated to believe that people are rehabilitated and give them the right to lead their lives. After all we all make mistakes!
All time low
A week ago I decided to make some drastic changes to my eating lifestyle. It has not been very easy but I have survived so far. I know that I’ve got to keep going if I want to see results.
I have never been a slave to the scale but acquired one earlier this year mainly to weigh my children. When I decided to make the changes I hopped on the dreaded scale and was shocked at what I saw. Fortunately I have reason to believe that it was not very accurate following a second weigh in at the gym. Surely their scale would be accurate! So the good news was that I didn’t have that much excess luggage to dump.
I have been chocolate, crisps and ice cream free since the start. On the down side I have been feeling dizzy with frequent headaches. I’m convinced the sluggishness and mood swings are due to the massive reduction in my sugar intake.
When I decided to make changes I considered doing a calorie count exclusively but couldn’t bear to be the person who needs to check a chart before a morsel of food touches my mouth. Although I must admit that I have become quite interested in the calorie count of food.
Over the last seven days I have eaten enough fruit to supply a mini green grocer. I love fruit but even that has let me lose my joy. Sometimes you just need a snickers bar. After feeling low for the past two days I decided to treat myself to a piece of fudge and I can’t say that I feel any better. I just hope this does not signal the beginning of the end. Surely not I’d like to think that I’m much tougher than that!
Ten reasons why nurses are like flight attendants
Having trained and studied as a nurse I was quite amused after a few long haul flights when I realised how similar nurses and flight attendants jobs are. As a young girl I remember wanting to be an air hostess (this is what they were called before they added the glamour factor) but eventually I chose nursing after being duped into thinking they had more time off than any other profession I knew at the time. So I couldn’t help but make a list!
1.They work long hours but always manage to look fresh (to be honest I am an exception)
2.Neither choose their clientele but they arrive after weeks of planning or through emergencies
3.Clients always expect more than they pay for (the much wanted window space or the least crowded area)
4.On the odd occasion clients get more than they pay for (these range from happy to really sad surprises)
5.Both nurses and flight attendants seem to have mastered the art being passive aggressive (you know the look you get after you’ve called them for the tenth time to sort out something relatively important)
6.They tolerate complaints about the food and always inform you that the necessary nutritional requirements are overseen by a dietician
7.”the smile” it kind of says I’m here to help but I’d prefer it if you didn’t ask
8.A sacrifice is required by both to serve perfect strangers while leaving their loved ones at home particularly on special occasions (with all the planning, not one person can get their way every time)
9.A large percentage of these jobs are done by women (though in recent years the number of men has increased) probably because women are way better at housekeeping!
10.The uniform! I must admit flight attendants look so much better unless of course you have a picture of nurse Betty in mind!
Magic moments
Undoubtedly the saddest moments of my time in England are when special moments are being celebrated by my family back home in South Africa.
Today my nephew celebrated his first birthday and I still can’t believe that I missed it. I was the one who always helped with the planning and did as much as I could to help where I could.
I know that life moves on but this is not one of the ways I imagined it would move on.
I enjoy my new life and all the amazing people I’ve met who I now call friends. Hanging around with my mates and their children does provide a wonderful social network. No matter how good the times are that we share they are just not family.
People ask me what I miss about my family. I miss just hanging around at my parents home, eating my moms delicious food, watching football and of course the willing baby-sitters! Oh man I miss just arriving for meals and not forgetting traditional Sunday afternoon tea.
I guess we choose our paths and sometimes these paths take us far from our families. I’m glad for all of the treasured moments and beautiful memories we now share!
A woman of substance
I’ve always been one who enjoys reality shows but of course there are shows I would never bother to watch. I recently decided to watch an episode of “The bachelor” the uk version.
I know that people meet and fall in love in many different ways but setting yourself up to compete for a man is just in poor taste. It might offer much entertainment for many viewers but it takes a certain kind of person to convince a random man who just happens to be famous or wealthy that he is their true love.
In the past men and woman used to meet mainly through family and family friends. These days online dating has become very popular and there are countless matchmaking stories. I think it’s wonderful that there are many options for people to form friendships and perhaps grow to love each other.
Though there have been many changes in the way we date there is no reason why any woman should degrade herself. Whatever happened to modesty, a sense of pride and the idea of being pursued? The whole idea of putting yourself on display and proving yourself seems a very savage way of finding a rather valuable addition to your life.
This is certainly not the way husbands are found on the contrary this is the last place a prospective husband should be found!
She ain’t heavy
In a previous blog I spoke about my feelings regarding my weight and how it wasn’t a cause for concern. I also said the day I become unhappy is the day I would take action. After some serious soul-searching the time has come to say goodbye to the heavy part of me. It is action time!
In my attempt to shed at least fifteen kilograms I have some serious sacrifices to make. That sacrifice does not include my morning coffee with full cream milk. Having done an inventory of all the guilty parties. Here is a list of the got to go crew – chocolates, fizzy drinks, Ben and Jerry’s ice-cream to name a few.
Today was the first day of my mammoth journey but if I have a fraction of the enthusiasm along the way I should achieve my goal. I just cannot stop short of the prize. Perhaps I should find a little something to reward myself with at the end.
I am sure the road ahead is long but I feel up to the challenge!
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