One Hour. One World. March 24, 2009

I have really been trying to do my bit for planet earth but my kitchen looks like a landfill site and it is all my fault.  Since the beginning of the year I have had a huge attack of green consciousness and so every “tetra pak”, plastic, glass and cardboard item that I come across is been washed and stored in the corner of my kitchen counter – well no longer the corner – more like the whole counter!  My trips to the recycling bins are not frequent enough so it won’t be long and clutter phobic Hubby will start grumbling for sure! 

I am also very excited to be participating  in Earth Hour, which will be held this Saturday, 28 March, 2009 at 8:30pm.  People all the across the globe will be switching off their lights for exactly one hour in a global fight against climate change.  I think it is a fabulous concept!   Read more about it here. 

As the children will be in bed, I think I will relax on my veranda with a glass of the finest fermented grape and enjoy the silence.  How will you spend your Earth Hour?

To Sink Or Swim March 19, 2009

My Eldest son, from the age of 3, has expressed a deep need to skateboard and surf.  Now before you start thinking that he is trying to emulate his father let me just correct you on the offset, the last time Hubby took to the waves was when he was 15 years old! 

I like to encourage my kids to do what they express an interest in, although I must admit to watch my then 3 year old start skateboarding was a little taxing on my nerves and I left Hubby to control that department while I implemented the health and safety aspect by making him wear his  helmet and every knee and elbow pad!  I was defiantly told off by Eldest as he informed me that he was a ‘professional’ and that ‘professionals’ don’t wear helmets and protective padding!  To which I replied, “No helmet, no skateboard.”   Simple as that!

He is now nearly 5 years old and I must say due to his own determination and few ‘wipe outs’ he has managed to stay more on his board than off it!

Our next problem was his desire to start surfing.  As much as Eldest wanted to surf he was extremely phobic about putting his face in any type of water or getting his hair wet, this impacted any form of swimming lessons I tried to take him to, made hair washing an absolute nightmare, and therefore hindered his dream of surfing.  I kept feeling anxious that I had a child who was not water safe and had not learnt this essential life skill!  So I was ecstatic when I was able to get limited lessons with a swimming teacher who is known to get little people with water phobias to swim.  Although she felt the time may not be enough for Eldest I decided that something was better than nothing!  With her phenomenal personality and gentle yet firm approach she had Eldest ’swimming’ with no floatation devices and with his face, hair and ears all in the water by the second lesson!  I could have wept!  As much as I give this fantastic swim teacher her dues, I am also extremely proud of Eldest, who was determined to overcome his fear so he could start learning  how to surf. 

I know that there are many more milestones that lie ahead of us but I am really glad I can tick this one off my list!

Fifteen Days! March 12, 2009

I sat glued to my television screen as the Constitutional Court ruling has just been issued on the right for South African Expats to vote.

I am so excited that Registered South African Expats will be allowed to take part in our April Elections!  Those who are registered voters, before leaving South Africa, need to notify the IEC of their intentions to vote as expats by the 27th March 2009.

It was exciting to see our South African Constitution work for the future democracy of our country!  I hope all Registered Expat Voters will take this opportunity and vote in South Africa’s General Elections this year!

Fifteen days and counting!