Lyn Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Glad to hear you're not feeling too Blue Red !! I knew you were going to be "IN A SPIN" and take the trolls response to heart. You are a great gal - carry on "greening Aus" - Im right behind you - and those who find it offensive please get a life - perhaps try snipping a little cutting !!!Looking forward to another fabulous instalment K. Missed you around here.PSAndi thanx for coaxing Red to come back with the lovely poem. Did the trick ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Good Witch Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 PSAndi thanx for coaxing Red to come back with the lovely poem. Did the trick !Anytime Lyn. Glad it helped...So, is there anyone else that we can tie to a chair and write poetry AT..? We could open a forum torture chamber for this purpose! LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michele R Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 I am loving the torture chamber, just need to compose my own poem still!Aussie Russ, I love your roses are red poem!Red, what's going on in your side of the world, how's your garden doing? And the ladies at work? You're keeping us in suspense! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eva Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Red, was this all a publicity stunt? Do you have your own manager now, like a celebrity working behind the scenes? Whoever criticised you never anticipated the huge positive response I am sure!Well done on delivering fantastic, entertaining stuff. We REALLY appreciate it!! ThanksEva Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Posted May 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Listen, I am trying really hard here to start (let alone finish) my next journal entry... BUT you all are making the forum so darn interseting!!How am supposed to concentrate on a report back of my life, when everyone else's news is that much more exciting...Now that I think about it, I am greatful for the PM I received... in an odd kind of way, it made me realise again what wonderful people you all are... yes ALL of you! Eva - do want to be my manager... So I'll be logging off now... to write about my life... even though I'd rather be here...Seeya... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgie 1 Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Thanks for being such an open book and for sharing your life with us. Very few people have the courage to do this.It's all about appearance and reality.With you I know it's reality. No pretence, no show, no hidden agenda. That's what makes reading your journal so enjoyable. It is refreshing because it's honest, which is so rare these days. HONESTY.Thanks again. We've never met yet I consider you my friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dax Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Welcome back! Dax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CindyB Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 We cant wait............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alida Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Fingers tapping on the table, waiting...., waiting...., waiting.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Posted May 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 I am such a fan of Australia… and everything Australian… and every day I become an even bigger fan of Australian footy. Adelaide Crows is our team of choice and slowly but surely we are getting stocked up on ‘crows’ supporter paraphernalia. Lunchboxes, scarves, beanies and more… I just can’t get enough!We sit up late and watch the footy show, and we both participate in footy tipping at work. Unfortunately, we aren’t in the lead, and don’t stand an extremely good chance of winning… But it’s all good, and it’s heaps fun!In Adelaide, we basically have two choices to support… Port Power or Adelaide Crows… of course everyone that knows anything will give you the run down that Port Supporters are a little less refined. And that’s coming straight from the mouths of Aussie’s.On one particular Friday I happened to be wearing my Crows Scarf, and on greeting a fellow (Port Supporter) co-worker I was surprisingly shocked to notice how badly she snubbed me. I got a filthy look, up and down from a dear ‘sweet’ lady that normally greets me with a smile and a wave.You can just imagine what happened the day tickets started selling for the Crows / Port Showdown… it was going to be big, and we had to go. AAMI Stadium was going to be electric, and we were going to be ready. Friends of ours, Des, Doug and their two boys joined us for some fun and really fantastic footy. Sure, we might not have been completely up to speed with the entire goings on… but it wasn’t all that hard to keep up with the loud screams from footy fans. Within minutes of the opening quarter Rebecca was in tears… her eyes the size of saucers… we clearly hadn’t prepared her well! It wasn’t long though before she was screaming support with the other 40 000 people there! Our highlight for the evening was unfortunately not a win for the crows… BUT… a chick fight.Right in the middle of the game, things got a little heated between some female supporters and from there things looked like they were going to escalate. Boyfriends started getting involved and it really looked like it was going to get nasty… Three hundred or so people stood watching, boys screaming behind me… ‘yeah, chick fight… that’s like SO HOT’….And as I stood squeezing Bernard’s hand and grabbing for our belongings, I noticed the footy just carried on. With all the commotion no camera’s took any notice… and then the security and police stepped in… And just as quick as it had started, it was all over… And everyone sat down… and watched the footy.Only in Australia, a major brawl starts, and within a minute it’s all over, like it never actually began.One thing I keep reminding myself about, especially after the chilly footy evening was that I really should have paid more attention. Those nights when Bern used to come home and read me the Adelaide weather report… I REALLY should have paid more attention. Problem was, at that stage, Australia was a distant dream and most likely the TV in front of me proved far more interesting… Sometimes, it amazes me how extreme the temperatures are here in Adelaide. A few months ago we were having temperatures well into the forties… and now… we haven’t dared reach 20 degrees Celsius this week.The nights are freezing to say the least and what is really beginning to dawn on me, is that we are still many weeks away from the middle of Winter and I’m already sleeping in tracksuit pants and socks… and let’s not forget the micro fleece polar blanket, and the TWO duvets on top of that.Overkill perhaps… but I’m really cold. During the day, we get a few odd stares… whilst every Aussie is walking around in their shortsleeves… we’re all wrapped up in scarves and jerseys… Rebecca with furry ear warmers to compliment the groovy snow-look.The bigger downfall to the cooler weather, is that I managed to catch a cold during the height of the swine flu terror. Of all times to catch a cold, my very first Aussie cold... With paranoia at an all time high, I was sent home by my supervisor on Monday morning. I was a little confused until I saw my reflection in Mitsi’s window. I thought perhaps it might have been dust distorting the image, but the mirror confirmed the reasoning behind my supervisors decision.I had puffy blueish circles under my eyes and to compliment the look, I had a rather gothic greyish skin tone… Arriving home I headed for bed, and that’s pretty much where I stayed for the next couple of days.Tuesday morning, I phoned my supervisor… and in the croakiest closest to death voice I managed to muster…‘I’m feeling a whole lot better, but not sure I’ll be in today… BUT I’ll definitely be in tomorrow’…Wednesday morning, I phoned my supervisor… and in the croakiest closest to death voice I managed to muster…‘I really, really am feeling much better today, but I’m not sure that I can get out of bed… BUT I’ll definitely be in tomorrow’…She must have wondered who I was trying to convince that I was ok... Because I sure wasn’t doing a good job of convincing her.It’s a hard thing being sick when you’re taking time off work. In the back of your mind you’re always wondering what people are actually thinking of you. Part of me was relieved knowing that they had seen me looking like ‘Wednesday’ from the Addams family… but the other part of me felt like a rotten scoundrel ‘pulling a sickie’…It was only when Bern pointed out that I was having leave without pay, did I feel fully reassured in the fact that I could lie in bed without a worry in the world… or so I thought.And then Wednesday happened. The routine already well established… barely managing to give Bern a kiss goodbye and barely managing to motivate Becca into action we pile into the car. Luckily, with Homer around I no longer have to ride my bike! Can you imagine having to ride on my bike, in the freezing cold with this awful ‘flu’ on board? Luckily for me, dear Mitsi’s heater works like a charm…So what I do, and please don’t tell anyone… Is I climb in the car with my unwashed, knotted hair and slept-in track pants, not bothering to put on any make up or looking good clothes and drive my daughter to school. After dropping her off, and parking the car… I dash from the cold and the rain and head for bed. Set the alarm, so I wake up with just enough time to pick her up without having to wait.Only, on Wednesday… five minutes before the school bell sounds, I cannot get Mitsi to start… and I just can’t understand why… until I look down and realise… the lights… the lights are still on… and her battery is dead. Mitsi isn’t going anywhere.And this is when the life of an immigrant gets a little much.With no one to phone that can get to the school in five minutes – I’m left with just one choice. And that’s to ride the bike… even in the spitting rain… and cold, cold wind… Without the luxury of time to change, I had to head out with my unwashed, knotted hair and slept-in track pants with the first tracktop I manage to find… and slops.Yip, I rode with slops, and the best part was, I had to roll up my one trackpant leg, to avoid the fabric getting caught in the chain… Go ahead, imagine it.Nothing matches… expect my attitude and those dark heavy clouds.We got to school and back… perfectly ok. Perhaps it was the fresh air that helped and I was back at work the next day. I was almost dreading going back… felt like I had to work on those work friendships all over again… Until I walked in, and someone turned and said… ‘It’s good to have you back… we really missed your smile’…Like I said… I’m a big fan of Australia… and everything Australian! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billabong Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Ag no man!! I have to work now!!!! Now I can only read it tonight when I get home. Red, please time your posts so it falls withing lunch hour in South Africa!!!!!!!!! hie hie.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DESIREEB Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Nice to read the updates , almost had the feeling I was in the stadium with you. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abdul Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 aah!! what a relief. RDA recommended daily allowance. can't wait for red's next post.write whatever you want to,i just love it.but please don't take so looong!!! hope you have recovered from the flu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Posted May 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Footy wouldn't have been footy without our pint of XXXX lager...I didn't actually like the taste, to be completely honest - BUT the footy stadium made it taste better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markus&Susan Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Glad you are feeling better. I hear you with regards to the immigrant thing, there have been a few times that I wish I could just have phoned a friend/family but no other plans have to be made. Your story of Rebecca at the footy reminds me of a cricket match, it was on the TV and there were only two of us in the room with our girls. It was the 400 match between SA and Aus and Markus and I were shouting for the SA boys and winning till we looked down and saw our daughters with rather large eyes and the one had tears in them. We felt so bad and had to quickly explain that it is was actually fun and we were happy and we were very sorry that we had yelled. They tend to leave the room when sporting events come on, think we have done some long term damage, at least we have given them something to discuss with their therapists one day. Hope you enjoy the rest of your week and the upcoming footy weekend. I am contemplating supporting the Western Eagles, I take a while to decide but once I commit I am a very loyal supporter, haven't commited yet. Still a sharks, Dolphins, Proteas and Springbok supporter at the moment and for a while to come.Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polly Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Sounds like a grand adventure It is wonderful that you are having so much fun. I am now so blessed. I made friends with one of our neighbours (after a few months). When it rains, she picks up the kids in the car and I babysit all the little ones. Otherwise I walk and fetch the kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 Somehow I missed out on all this and only stumbled across your journal last night. Started reading.....hubby came and kissed me goodnight........came back about 45 min later and there I was.....still reading with a huge grin on my face. I'm sure he thought I was up to no good. Red you really have the knack of saying things in the most amusing way. So many of your experiences echo exactly things that have happened to us and I have loved reading everyone of them. You have definitely missed your forte in life.Candice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Russ Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 Footy wouldn't have been footy without our pint of XXXX lager...I didn't actually like the taste, to be completely honest - BUT the footy stadium made it taste better.Thats funny, I was thinking with the ratings and following this thread has, I'm surprised you haven't struck a sponsorship deal with ads in between installments... Something like 'When at the footy, Red enjoys the taste of XXXX larger... XXXX larger helps make sense of the rules of footy.' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michele R Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 Glad you're feeling better Red!I now seem to have the SA version of your Aussie cold, except it doesn't want to go away, no matter what I try and kill it off with.Lol, chick fight at the footy? Sounds like an interesting experience! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyn Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Sounds like heaps of fun at the footy - fighting chicks and all !!Glad to hear you are feeling better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBs Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Still loving you journal, Red. Glad you're feeling better. Our youngest spent many a sharks match in tears too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elleneo Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 Im still canning myself about the slops on the bike!!!.....u know how the almost "wrap" around the peddle!!! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyn Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 I have been checking and checking each day for a new journal entry. Maybe someone can come up with a poem begging for an update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billabong Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 No journal entry by Red makes us all feel blueCome on Red, we are addicted to you!!A poem helped last weekafter you were upset by some or other freakSo please give us what we needa small dose of your life will surely do the deed!hie hie... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Posted May 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 (edited) In years to come Rebecca will sit down and read this, hopefully gaining a better understanding of why we did what we did. Why we flew 9 500km’s from Durban to Adelaide with no plan on ever returning. Why we took her from her only family, friends and home she knew.We know, and so does our family … but I hope one day she will know… and I hope, understand.Life as an immigrant is a challenging self discovery, and I love what I’m learning along the way.What I am learning, is that I made a huge mistake in judging two of the most important people in my working life. Both Molly and Sarah, the tracksuit-wearing-loud mouth-talking-attitude-walking gals have become my very best working friends. We all had a good laugh the other day when they both walked in, wearing the same tracksuit pants… No mistaking that pink embroidery scrawled across the rear… I considered asking them where they got them from, but quickly decided against it… I didn’t want to join in the ‘Sexy bum’ brigade.Molly is still, by far, the roughest ‘lady’ I have ever met. She still burps like a convict and talks like a trooper, but she has a heart of gold. A couple of chilly mornings ago, I couldn’t get Mitsi started… of course, when I arrived at work I had a real moan about it all. It was only that afternoon, with Molly talking to me at the car, did I realise she had been waiting for Mitsi to kick over. She had stayed five minutes after work, to help a friend pack up and then to wait just to confirm that I was able to get myself home; and more importantly to pick Becca up from school. What I love about Molly is that she isn’t ashamed of what she is… and the best part about Molly, is that she is, well… just Molly.She doesn’t have it easy… she’s a single mum raising three boys… one of whom the other day, she told us quite frankly that “she would like to take him outâ€â€¦ and that’s not take out to a footy game either, that’s “take out†of the equation completely. She’s from a rather broken home and has siblings all over Australia, some of which want nothing to do with her. Her mother, in Molly’s words, is a “bit of a tramp†and as far as I can recall she doesn’t have anything to do with her father. Every day we find out a little more about Molly’s life… and it’s never dull!A couple of weeks back Molly received a disturbing call from her brother… he was released from prison and needed his car back from her!‘Blimmen hell’, Molly says… ‘me brother’s out… and now I don’t have a damn car to use’!No concern or elation whatsoever that he was finally out of jail… just pretty bummed that she would be without transport to work again! Poor Molly… the next day she didn’t arrive to work… It turned out her brother was driving her in that day, and the cops pulled them over for a defect with the vehicle… I think by that stage, work would have been the last thing on her mind. Like I said, Molly doesn’t have it easy.But, amazingly she always has a smile… especially when she came in last week to tell us that she would finally be able to move her and her boys out of the caravan into a ‘proper’ rental. Sarah and I could only smile with joy hearing the news, Molly deserves every little bit of happiness she can get!Call centre central wouldn’t be the same without Molly, just as it wouldn’t be the same without Sarah… Sarah has welcomed me right into her life, and spares no detail when it comes to her personal matters. From the ex-boyfriends to her lesbian daughter, I feel like I know them all… Well, I guess I almost do! I met a whole bunch of them at her non-lesbian daughter’s fourth birthday. That was interesting, to say the least.Driving to the birthday party, Bern and I were going through all the possible excuses of how we could get out of going… and so we carried on, scenario after scenario until the Garmin loudly and abruptly announced that we had arrived at our destination… and there was no turning back when Sarah caught a glimpse of the bewildered South Africans standing like rejects at her garage door. I went in straight for a kiss on the cheek… realised that perhaps the added hug was a tad too much… and felt even more awkward than I had before. The place was pretty full, and it wasn’t with her friends… it was… gulp… the family. Don’t you hate it when you arrive and everyone has taken every available chair and you’re the only ones left standing… and then you stand, like plebs getting introduced to … mum, son, sister, cousin Anne… brother… boyfriend… ex boyfriend… and you can’t remember the last name let alone the first.Nothing worse in my opinion… especially because no one really greeted us, we just got the look... you know, the once over up and down…Within minutes though, other’s started arriving, and the glare was taken off our faces to the newer ones… and within minutes after that we formed a standing group that comprised of friends that managed to crack the nod, but didn’t quite fit into the seated family category.It was strange, because even with all our “early escape excuse†plans we ended up staying for a good few hours. The only real reason we had to eventually leave was because we had planned to watch the Adelaide Crows play footy at the local stadium. I genuinely had good time and even though I felt completely out of place, it didn’t take me long to share a laugh or two with the Aussie company. Bern even ended up having lengthy conversations with Sarah’s ex, Greg. Greg showed Bern his veggie garden and was kind enough to let my darling husband sample a tasty jalapeño chilli. Initially Bern didn’t realise was he was getting himself into, and it was only after he casually remarked ‘it tastes like a capsicum’ that his face began to turn a brighter shade of red… and the tears began to flow… I could see he was sucking it up… Greg had a good chuckle though, and Sarah and I had a good giggle. I still can’t believe he ate the whole thing, and survived.Bern even had a tour of the garden and Greg’s shed. The shed was initially supposed to be a hydroponic growing station. Growing what, we didn’t want to out rightly ask but the project was soon shelved when Greg’s friend needed a place to stay, and Greg ended turning the garden shed into a garden bedroom… Aussies continue to amaze me; they always go the extra mile for a mate… And everything really is ‘no worries’…We’re meeting even more of Sarah’s cousins , friends, ex’s and kids on the 9th of June… She’s invited us to join her and forty others to celebrate her fortieth birthday… It should be good, and perhaps just as entertaining… But I’m sure we’ll still be planning our “early escape excuse†plan…I really need to learn the Aussie way and embrace the ‘no worries mate’philosophy… Learn to live and stress just a little less… Edited May 19, 2009 by Red Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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