We left South Africa with a wee little Kara and began our adventure in the Uk, Harpenden. Then came along our Victoria. Been just a simple African girl the change was hard and the longing for South Africa was painful. Now we take on another country, this time not as green and older always helps.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Dogs playing in the snow
We go sledging in a dog park where the dogs are allowed to run with no leads. Basically if you don't like dogs don't go there. Leon and I just love watching the dogs play in the snow.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
What a day - so much fun
What a day and what fun.
Yesterday the whole of Westport were in a panic and buying up the entire grocery store. No food in the house and shops will be closed for one day. Panic. I stocked up on the bread and milk just so I would not have to drive in the snow. The schools were closed because of the huge big storm coming our way. We waited and waited. Well when we woke up the next morning we had our load of snow waiting for us. The shovelling started. This is serious hard work with the amount of snow we got last night. My arms are aching. A snow blower is for sure on the list of things to buy.
I waved to the neighbours across the road and then the next thing we know they have come over to help us
shovel snow. The funny thing was they had the snow plow guy doing their garden and then they were helping us. We invited them in for a coffee. Leon's coffee machine is a winner and all our guests so far just fall in love with the coffee. Proper coffee not filter coffee. What great people. They have four kids, so Lucy the only girl and the youngest came over to play. Then the kids wanted to go to Lucy's house and I was yes go. Mommy can have a look at the house. Well I was blown away with her decor. She has collected some amazing pieces of furniture. What I like is it does not look like she was gone into a shop and bought the whole shop display. Also she has found things in yard sales, consignment shops, market. all over. So I am on a mission to fine pieces of furniture and fix them up.
The is was off to sledge and we had a go on a toboggan. what fun and really fast.
The body is tired but happy.
My friend Orit who is from Israel originally was in the Israel army which I found so interesting. Her stepson is in the Israeli army at the moment. What great stories. And real life.
Off to bed now.
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| Kaya came for a play date and they made snow castles. |
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| The snow storm did arrive. The whole town came to a standstill today. |
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| The hard work begins again |
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| This shovelling of snow is getting to be a pain. we had our work cut out for us today. |
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| Is that you Victoria? |
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| Kids ride on a toboggan |
 |
| Look how much snow. |
Yesterday the whole of Westport were in a panic and buying up the entire grocery store. No food in the house and shops will be closed for one day. Panic. I stocked up on the bread and milk just so I would not have to drive in the snow. The schools were closed because of the huge big storm coming our way. We waited and waited. Well when we woke up the next morning we had our load of snow waiting for us. The shovelling started. This is serious hard work with the amount of snow we got last night. My arms are aching. A snow blower is for sure on the list of things to buy.
I waved to the neighbours across the road and then the next thing we know they have come over to help us
shovel snow. The funny thing was they had the snow plow guy doing their garden and then they were helping us. We invited them in for a coffee. Leon's coffee machine is a winner and all our guests so far just fall in love with the coffee. Proper coffee not filter coffee. What great people. They have four kids, so Lucy the only girl and the youngest came over to play. Then the kids wanted to go to Lucy's house and I was yes go. Mommy can have a look at the house. Well I was blown away with her decor. She has collected some amazing pieces of furniture. What I like is it does not look like she was gone into a shop and bought the whole shop display. Also she has found things in yard sales, consignment shops, market. all over. So I am on a mission to fine pieces of furniture and fix them up.
The is was off to sledge and we had a go on a toboggan. what fun and really fast.
The body is tired but happy.
My friend Orit who is from Israel originally was in the Israel army which I found so interesting. Her stepson is in the Israeli army at the moment. What great stories. And real life.
Off to bed now.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Swimming lessons
We had a great weekend and Leon helped me put up the rest of the curtain rails. If the landlord could see all the holes I made in the walls he would crack and for sure evict us immediately. So we now have curtains on all the windows in the house.
It still blows my mind that we have only been in America for four months. It is so unbelievable what we have achieved in such a short pace of time. I have a career coach who is helping me get up to date so I can work in the States. I used to talk to her in the UK and she was a real pain. I remember saying to her I would be ready to work in three months time just to get her off my back. Now four months later I am ready to start doing something. We are chatting today to start the ball rolling.
After my terrible swimming course I feel a bit disheartened but know there is room for me to make a difference. I just wish I had the fantastic support network of all the swim teachers in Harpenden as they really gave me the confidence in myself that I can actually teach. I am on the look out for fantastic swimming teachers.
Your own children don't listen to you when you try teach them swimming, so I have booked them into swimming lessons at the YMCA. I have to give the teacher credit, he was not too bad. I feel like I am judging but from what I have been taught and from what I have seen it's pretty terrible. I want to learn, I want to be good at what I do? Where do you go????
Kara told me I have to say thank you to Gill (UK swim teacher) and that it's not so bad having a strict teacher. Kara was the top banana, with sprinkles and jelly tots in the lesson. Her strokes were almost perfect and she whipped the other boys. The lesson was almost a wash out but for Kara's confidence it was fantastic and she got to do some exercise.
While Victoria was having her swimming lesson I watched a teacher give a private lesson to a little girl who was disabled. Not sure what exactly was wrong with her but her motor skills were not fully developed. The teacher was gritting her teeth. The little girl had flippers on and then she spent the rest of the lesson rolling on a noodle trying not to drink half of the pool. It was so distressing to watch. I was on the verge of tears. It looked wrong and felt so wrong but because my experience is so little with disabled children I don't feel strong enough to confront it. It's also got nothing to do with me as I am not working there. I can only change things in my control. Pool little girl. Use the Harpenden pool and all the lessons available , even the odd teacher (you all know who I am talking about) are fantastic compared to what is available here. The kids are truly lucky to be exposed to that level of teaching.
Off to the shops today to get bread and milk as we are expecting a huge snow storm tonight with about a foot of snow.
today I hope I get direction for my swimming and find wonderful people to help me learn.
Sending love to everyone
It still blows my mind that we have only been in America for four months. It is so unbelievable what we have achieved in such a short pace of time. I have a career coach who is helping me get up to date so I can work in the States. I used to talk to her in the UK and she was a real pain. I remember saying to her I would be ready to work in three months time just to get her off my back. Now four months later I am ready to start doing something. We are chatting today to start the ball rolling.
After my terrible swimming course I feel a bit disheartened but know there is room for me to make a difference. I just wish I had the fantastic support network of all the swim teachers in Harpenden as they really gave me the confidence in myself that I can actually teach. I am on the look out for fantastic swimming teachers.
Your own children don't listen to you when you try teach them swimming, so I have booked them into swimming lessons at the YMCA. I have to give the teacher credit, he was not too bad. I feel like I am judging but from what I have been taught and from what I have seen it's pretty terrible. I want to learn, I want to be good at what I do? Where do you go????
Kara told me I have to say thank you to Gill (UK swim teacher) and that it's not so bad having a strict teacher. Kara was the top banana, with sprinkles and jelly tots in the lesson. Her strokes were almost perfect and she whipped the other boys. The lesson was almost a wash out but for Kara's confidence it was fantastic and she got to do some exercise.
While Victoria was having her swimming lesson I watched a teacher give a private lesson to a little girl who was disabled. Not sure what exactly was wrong with her but her motor skills were not fully developed. The teacher was gritting her teeth. The little girl had flippers on and then she spent the rest of the lesson rolling on a noodle trying not to drink half of the pool. It was so distressing to watch. I was on the verge of tears. It looked wrong and felt so wrong but because my experience is so little with disabled children I don't feel strong enough to confront it. It's also got nothing to do with me as I am not working there. I can only change things in my control. Pool little girl. Use the Harpenden pool and all the lessons available , even the odd teacher (you all know who I am talking about) are fantastic compared to what is available here. The kids are truly lucky to be exposed to that level of teaching.
Off to the shops today to get bread and milk as we are expecting a huge snow storm tonight with about a foot of snow.
today I hope I get direction for my swimming and find wonderful people to help me learn.
Sending love to everyone
Friday, January 7, 2011
Motivation - disaster????
We had a great time over the Christmas break and we did so much. It really felt good getting out and about with no restrictions. Now is the time to tackle the New Year.
My New Years resolutions from the kids is to step away from the computer. I must spend an awful lot of time playing???? I am trying not to be on the computer when I have the kids around as I have a huge amount of time when they are away at school. Technology just seems to be running away with us.
I started and completed my American Redcross Water Safety Instructor Course on Monday. What a joke??? I had asked friends to help me with the kids from 3.00pm to 5.00 everyday this week. The course was meant to be from Monday to Friday from 10.00am to 5.00pm. It was so badly organised we were not even sure the course was carrying on. Only three people on the course which is not a problem. The instructor was as fat as anything, could hardly sit on the side of the pool, had food stains all down the front of his jeans???? GROSS and GROSS again. I rock up there all sporty with white golf shirt, my not smelly takkies(trainers) and ready to learn. I wanted my brain to work, I wanted to be tired from learning. I was a sponge waiting to soak up any information I could get. DOWNER. Monday we flicked through the manual and he wanted to checked we could all swim. Finished at 1.00pm. Tuesday swam so more and listen to some more of the lecturers stories, was home at 1.30pm. Wednesday chatted some more, he gave us the test which we all went through and discussed the answers and left at 11.00am. I am now a fully qualified swim instructor in America at the cost of $325.00. I have my qualification and for me it was more of formality to get the American piece of paper. I feel so sad and cross because the other instructors will now go and teach kids. The power we have over the kids and the influence of whether they like swimming or not is huge. we make a mistake and the child could never swim again. I am scared to complain as they might think I am a trouble maker before I have even started teaching?????? a really big disappointment.
Guys, Harpenden swimming pool and the teachers are fantastic. The quality of teaching is of such a high standard and the lessons available are wonderful. I am not just saying this for all my swimming teacher friends but when i see what is out here so far it's a joke. Pretty sad too. You are lucky.
I am on the look out now for work. i now have my qualification and my work authorisation. all set to go. Feels pretty scary but i so need to do something. Feeling bored and playing on the computer far to much.
Today it's snowing and the kids are closing early. We might head down to the pool to play.
Otherwise we are all well and happy.
Have a fantastic afternoon.
Much love
My New Years resolutions from the kids is to step away from the computer. I must spend an awful lot of time playing???? I am trying not to be on the computer when I have the kids around as I have a huge amount of time when they are away at school. Technology just seems to be running away with us.
I started and completed my American Redcross Water Safety Instructor Course on Monday. What a joke??? I had asked friends to help me with the kids from 3.00pm to 5.00 everyday this week. The course was meant to be from Monday to Friday from 10.00am to 5.00pm. It was so badly organised we were not even sure the course was carrying on. Only three people on the course which is not a problem. The instructor was as fat as anything, could hardly sit on the side of the pool, had food stains all down the front of his jeans???? GROSS and GROSS again. I rock up there all sporty with white golf shirt, my not smelly takkies(trainers) and ready to learn. I wanted my brain to work, I wanted to be tired from learning. I was a sponge waiting to soak up any information I could get. DOWNER. Monday we flicked through the manual and he wanted to checked we could all swim. Finished at 1.00pm. Tuesday swam so more and listen to some more of the lecturers stories, was home at 1.30pm. Wednesday chatted some more, he gave us the test which we all went through and discussed the answers and left at 11.00am. I am now a fully qualified swim instructor in America at the cost of $325.00. I have my qualification and for me it was more of formality to get the American piece of paper. I feel so sad and cross because the other instructors will now go and teach kids. The power we have over the kids and the influence of whether they like swimming or not is huge. we make a mistake and the child could never swim again. I am scared to complain as they might think I am a trouble maker before I have even started teaching?????? a really big disappointment.
Guys, Harpenden swimming pool and the teachers are fantastic. The quality of teaching is of such a high standard and the lessons available are wonderful. I am not just saying this for all my swimming teacher friends but when i see what is out here so far it's a joke. Pretty sad too. You are lucky.
I am on the look out now for work. i now have my qualification and my work authorisation. all set to go. Feels pretty scary but i so need to do something. Feeling bored and playing on the computer far to much.
Today it's snowing and the kids are closing early. We might head down to the pool to play.
Otherwise we are all well and happy.
Have a fantastic afternoon.
Much love
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