A look back at 2011
The eve of a new year calls for reflection! So whether you are reflecting on the good, the bad or the ugly time is ticking away!
I don’t do resolutions because I’m of the opinion that if something is worth doing or changing there is no time like the present.
So as I await the dawn of a new year I’m happy for the opportunity to make a difference even if it is just a small one.
Best wishes for 2012 whatever your dreams, desires or aspirations – just do it!
Missing!
Countless families have spent the festive season frozen in a time that no person should ever have to live through. The moment you realise a loved one has gone missing without a trace. I’ve always felt very moved and deeply upset when I read of these cases of which far too many are unsolved.
This post is dedicated to the fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, extended family and friends who find it difficult to go on with their own lives because the well-being of a loved one remains a mystery.
Bianca Couch – a young South African lady missing from the 22nd of December 2011. Wherever you are remember you have a family who love you and are searching and praying for your safe return.
Mind your language
My six-year-old daughter is very fascinated by the idea of so many languages being spoken the world over. Of course she would love her second language to be Spanish thanks to Dora! The only other language we can possibly teach her is Afrikaans and there is a serious lack of enthusiasm on my husband’s part.
We had some friends over on Boxing day and she was in her element when she realised we had a treasure chest of languages. Every chance she had she was asking for French, Portuguese and Polish translations. She is now convinced that with much practice she could master the art of speaking many languages. I told her to go for it no point having small goals. Looking forward to many questions and eternally grateful for the translation app!
Merry Christmas
So finally after a year of waiting Christmas day is upon us! Have a very merry Christmas and may the joy of this wonderful season fill your heart with love and gratitude.
Wacky Wednesday
It has been a strangely difficult day mainly because my extended family are celebrating my mothers sixtieth birthday in South Africa and the reality of not being there dawned on me. Although her actual birthday was over a week ago – today is the celebration of a very good life. I know you can’t have the best of both worlds but just this once I would’ve loved that opportunity.
So from the moment I woke up I knew whatever my day held it would be served with a side of self-pity. Part of the pity party would require shelving the Christmas carols and indulging my poor mood with some less than joyful Adele music. Fortunately I changed my mind about Adele and pulled myself together as best I could after realising my life could be a whole lot worse.
The day is now drawing to a close and I have survived. If you’ve lived or live miles away from home and have missed births, weddings, funerals, graduations and other life changing events you will no doubt know the anguish I’ve felt. If home is where the heart is I guess I really do live in two places!
Dear Santa
I guess Santa feels pretty special at this time of the year. I am at the point now where I feel the need to break it to my girls that he doesn’t exist. The list changes everyday and telling them the truth would save a lot of heartache. For some strange reason I suspect that my six-year-old knows the truth but is exploiting this myth. I’d like to teach them from a young age that it’s not the season of selfish requests but a time to share and show love.
It’s the final countdown to Christmas day and the excitement is tangible. Christmas carols are in overdrive in our house and even in the car. I’m going to savour every moment so I don’t regret not getting into the spirit of the season. ‘Tis the season to be jolly!
Frosty the snowman
This morning we had the first bit of snow and it really was a bit which was quickly followed by the brightest sunshine. It was also the last day of school for my girls and somehow I feel the break means more to me than them – I am honestly fed up with my annoying alarm clock and these depressingly dark mornings. The school day ended with carols on the playground and it was magically graced by a flurry of sleet. It was not enough to dampen our spirits though and we sang ourselves jolly.
I am now seriously in festive mode. It has been a steady progression to this point but I can hardly wait for the big celebration. Before I get too excited about sleeping late and being a general sloth I have the serious task of getting my husband’s gift. Fortunately he is not very difficult to please. On the other hand short of sending him a link of my gift wish I have given him some very big hints!
So while frosty is threatening to spoil my shopping plans I will not be entertaining him. Ho! ho! ho! it’s off to the shops I go.
Excess luggage
In the last 48 hours or so I’ve spent lots of time trawling the internet with regards to people incarcerated in foreign prisons for attempted drug smuggling. It’s been a tough week for two South African families. They’ve been through the worst hell anybody could imagine. The first family lost a member following an execution in a Chinese prison by lethal injection. No doubt the family of the second person woke up to the shocking news that their daughter had been arrested for attempting to smuggle drugs into Thailand.
I have had a very unexpected reaction to these two cases. I have no idea what the truth is in both instances but I have no desire to judge them. My heart just breaks when I think of the hell the families now have to live through. I would love to get involved in a supportive role. At this stage I have no doubt that all of these drug mules in foreign prisons now realise the extreme error of their ways.
I will continue my research and keep you all updated!
Hip Hip Hooray!
Today my dearest mother celebrates her 60th birthday. Sadly I’m on the other side of the world and will be missing out on all of the festivities. No doubt it will be a wonderful celebration of a fruitful life…so far. I have no doubt that the future is very bright for her.
There are many things that my mother excels at but I’ll highlight just a few. My mother is an amazing cook and while most people think their mothers are great its a fact that my mother can prepare a meal fit for a king and not break into a sweat. That is a skill she has failed to pass onto me. I’ve not come across a bigger book-worm than my mother and she remembers and recommends them accordingly. Yet another skill I’ve failed to inherit.
Like my father my mother is a sports fanatic and you’d swear they owned some of these clubs the way that they throw themselves into soccer and cricket in particular. Finally the one thing that my mother and I have in common is our ability to stay up late at night and then fail to respond to the call of the morning.
These are but just a few facets to an otherwise multifaceted and super amazing woman. Happy birthday mummy!
In my opinion…
There are times in my life when I wish somebody would give me a serious jab of truth serum. It’s not that I don’t know the truth it’s just that my common sense and sheer courtesy stop me from saying what I really feel! Have you ever been in a conversation with somebody and just wanted to “let them have it” give them your honest opinion and walk away without any regrets.
Aah! I’m just thinking of all the conversations that would be nipped in the bud by a simple “you’re talking absolute nonsense” or “that’s a lie” or “I can’t stand your negativity”. Now if only I had the nerve to be so straightforward.
Well perhaps I may start by giving an honest opinion when one is requested. The whole truth and nothing but the truth!
Time is ticking away
Where did the time go? I’m really tough on myself when it comes to routine. So it’s hard to believe that I got so busy with life that I failed to realize that the days were moving on. I’m back!
December in England is traditionally pantomime month. So in the past few days we’ve filmed scenes with a playgroup, watched local youth groups performance and my six-year-old has taken part in her school production. It has been a crazy few days.
Lots of carol singing coming up as well and I am an absolute fan of Christmas carols. A brass band passed our house the other night and I suspect that they thought I was way too happy to see them. They were amazing.
I’m thoroughly enjoying the festive fever and joining my girls in the countdown to Christmas morning. Ho! Ho! Ho!
Music to my ears
The next best thing to a good movie/television series is an even better soundtrack! I just love a super soundtrack. My favourites are:
1. Notting hill
2. Dirty dancing
3. Ally McBeal
4. High school musical
5. Waiting to exhale
6. The Sound of music
7. The wedding singer
8. Grease
Of course there are movies with brilliant songs but these are some of the soundtracks that I own. Admittedly I own a copy of the Chipmunks and Camp rock but that’s because my six-year-old persuaded me to buy them. Quite honestly those chipmunks and chipettes are most annoying. Just one of the sacrifices I’ve made as a mother. I love music and appreciate it even more if it’s teamed with an awesome movie!
Green with envy
Now I know it’s not very nice but I have been feeling extremely jealous of all my friends here in Birmingham who are travelling back to South Africa to spend Christmas with their families. I recently had the time of my life when all of my family came over to England during the summer. Somehow five months ago seems like another lifetime right about now.
I had started to feel a bit sorry for myself but I’ve decided to be adult about it. So I’m now looking forward to an English Christmas without a single member from my family joining us. I guess now is as good a time for us to firmly develop a tradition of our own together with our girls.
If you’re fortunate enough to be spending this festive season with extended family do enjoy because next time around may be very different!
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