I got up early and prepared the stuffed chicken and veggies for the picnic at paradise valley, but was delayed and didn't make the nine o clock rendezvous at the forty fifth cutting.
After finally packing the car and entering the destination into the GPS, I leave home knowing that most of the team members had already established themselves at the picnic and some were concerned that I was either lost or had changed my mind about
attending.
The previous evenings sudden and fierce electric storm had dampened my spirits but the morning was glorious and cooler for the previous nights weather.
Regardless of the GPS I still managed to get lost, but with the directions from a kind security guard I was on track again. Being late meant that I had to park further away, and was forced to carry the cast iron pot further, this just strengthened my resolve to be on time in future.
Having driven around and seen the valley with tall trees i was expecting Paradise Valley to live up to its name, but after paying for the entrance and walking in the shade of these trees, I was glad to have overcome the obstacles and made the journey.
The fires were burning, in braai stands, and families were involved in the communal acts that promoted Harmony and cultivated, bonds and family ties, sharing & learning for the present and future generations in their care, and while I passed large groups of people, I began to feel a little sad that my offspring were all scattered across South Africa.
Q (Qureisha) was 30 minutes further than Lydenburg, Taz ( Tasmin) was in the heart of Capetown, and Nadia was being a typical teenager and showing off her Independence by choosing to spend her time with her friends. Thankfully I had packed their early days with many organised and spontaneous outings of this nature, so I was not feeling totally abandoned by their absence.
Arriving at the chosen Picnic site, I found that the young men were braaing successfully, while most of the congregation, had taken advantage of their industry, to endure the trail to the waterfall and back. Being a bit tired, I took advantage of their absence to relax under the tress on one of the many picnic blankets spread out.
As the exhausted, and sometimes energised, hikers began to arrive, I felt a little sad that I had missed out on what must have been a beautiful excursion. The smell of braaied meat and the beautiful fresh air, seemed to have stimulated the appetites and every one quickly revealed salads, rolls, sauces, before they voraciously applied themselves to the task of savouring the fare bountifully laid out. Young and old and everything in between, claimed logs, chairs, blankets, to sit in groups and enjoy their feast, with groups catching up on news, their experiences on the trail, and occasionally bantering with each other rather loudly, to the enjoyment of all.
The children well fed, began to explore the treasures within the meandering stream, which bubbled gently within view of the adults. The older ones ventured into the stream and were rewarded with tadpoles and other wondorous creatures which they collected in polystyrene cups, eagerly showing off their prize to any adult who showed an interest.
Groups formed and reformed throughout the afternoon, and soon people began to pack and leave. We sat around drinking tea, and planning our weeks activities, amidst some nice story telling and humorous anecdotes by a much loved member who never failed to inspire jibes, but who also never fails to keep the party atmosphere going.
Dawood is an energetic force who has forgotten his age, or never cared much to fall victim to it.
It was with a feeling of sadness I drifted off from these friends to drive home, feed the dogs and lock up the house for the evening. While i type the skies grumble their regret too, and the skies threaten once more to deliver yet another deluge to wash away the oppressive heat.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Monday, April 19, 2010
Missing a few days of training, is ok, and can actually benefit the body allowing good recovery, especially after an ultra marathon.
However, tto much rest can make a runner lazy. Add a seven day week and you have the ingredients to lose sight of your carefully laid out training plans.
I have taken two weeks off since my Ultra in Cape Town (the two oceans 56 km). I have only run 1 =5kay and walked a 5 kay since the big battle to counquer the Terrible Two Oceans. I have steadied ny resolve to train and formulated a plan to recover the lost Kilometers. The next week sees the Chatsworth 25 on Sunday which I plan to run albeit slowly, its a race where on can pick up injuries as the decline on Higonsons is deceptively easy but taxing on the knees.
No need to pick up injuries here............lets just cruize this one and save myself for the following weekend, where I plan to run 3 back to back 1o kays with a leisurely 20 kay run on Freedom Day. After that I will make a Madiba Cake to celebrate our liberation and emancipation fron the dearth that was apartheid.........
and have no guilt about eating it.
However, tto much rest can make a runner lazy. Add a seven day week and you have the ingredients to lose sight of your carefully laid out training plans.
I have taken two weeks off since my Ultra in Cape Town (the two oceans 56 km). I have only run 1 =5kay and walked a 5 kay since the big battle to counquer the Terrible Two Oceans. I have steadied ny resolve to train and formulated a plan to recover the lost Kilometers. The next week sees the Chatsworth 25 on Sunday which I plan to run albeit slowly, its a race where on can pick up injuries as the decline on Higonsons is deceptively easy but taxing on the knees.
No need to pick up injuries here............lets just cruize this one and save myself for the following weekend, where I plan to run 3 back to back 1o kays with a leisurely 20 kay run on Freedom Day. After that I will make a Madiba Cake to celebrate our liberation and emancipation fron the dearth that was apartheid.........
and have no guilt about eating it.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Sunday Lunch
Sunday lunch with family is special,especially when the day is sunny and lazy and the little children are chirping merrily while we all eat drink and break bread together.
Today was especially good because the 7 month old Azzidine, broke out four teeth all at once. Two on the top and two smaller pearly ones at the bottom. Every body enjoyed hearing the teeth make sounds on the glass when his mom fed him some cream soda.
Lunch was a delious Lebanese meal from the new " Al Basha" restaurant- take away in the village. The babagaloosh, the tsatsiki and the kebabs were flavoured to perfection. Four different kebabs, shish, lamb, chicken and beef, each with a unique blend of spaices to tempt and tantalise the tasebuds were voracious enjoyed by all. The garlic and herb bread we had as an accompaniment, was warmed in the oven and smelt so good, we all ate far more than we should have.
Nadia prepared some custard and jelly for the children, and some avocado with milk and sugar just like my mom used to prepare it.
While we all felt ready to take a well deserved siesta, we felt the children and the dog should be taken to the park to play first. What a wonderful surprise we had when Patricia the lady who has a pair of pekinese was there too. Unfortunately Picasso did not think so, as he hid away from the beautifully groomed pair, who were amazingly energetic, under the car for the duration of our visit.
This gave us a chance also to play with the new soccer ball we bought to celebrate the coming world cup soccer in ?65 days time.
I managed to get two tickets for Nadia and myself for match 53, in Durban, but when i tried to book tickets for more matches in Durban, I was disapointed to find they had all been sold out.
We were overjoyed to find that tickets, the cheaper category 4 tickets were available in PE. While PE is a considerable drive away, and I have never been there, theyhave built a truly beautiful stadium alongside the sea. I phoned my nephew and my daughter who is studying in CapeTown and asked whether or not they wanted to travel with us to PE for a few days of sight seeing and to watch the match between Chile and Spain, before leaving the following day to return home to Durban. They all IMMEDIATELY agreed, and we booked the tickets.
We will have carefully plan our roadtrip in order to make the most of this visit. I must know it is going to be the best experience I ve had in a long time.
Now to find friends of friends to stay with!!!!!!!!!!!!I have a few ideas, or else we just book a campsite and sleep under the stars, what better way to see the east coast of South africa in June.
Today was especially good because the 7 month old Azzidine, broke out four teeth all at once. Two on the top and two smaller pearly ones at the bottom. Every body enjoyed hearing the teeth make sounds on the glass when his mom fed him some cream soda.
Lunch was a delious Lebanese meal from the new " Al Basha" restaurant- take away in the village. The babagaloosh, the tsatsiki and the kebabs were flavoured to perfection. Four different kebabs, shish, lamb, chicken and beef, each with a unique blend of spaices to tempt and tantalise the tasebuds were voracious enjoyed by all. The garlic and herb bread we had as an accompaniment, was warmed in the oven and smelt so good, we all ate far more than we should have.
Nadia prepared some custard and jelly for the children, and some avocado with milk and sugar just like my mom used to prepare it.
While we all felt ready to take a well deserved siesta, we felt the children and the dog should be taken to the park to play first. What a wonderful surprise we had when Patricia the lady who has a pair of pekinese was there too. Unfortunately Picasso did not think so, as he hid away from the beautifully groomed pair, who were amazingly energetic, under the car for the duration of our visit.
This gave us a chance also to play with the new soccer ball we bought to celebrate the coming world cup soccer in ?65 days time.
I managed to get two tickets for Nadia and myself for match 53, in Durban, but when i tried to book tickets for more matches in Durban, I was disapointed to find they had all been sold out.
We were overjoyed to find that tickets, the cheaper category 4 tickets were available in PE. While PE is a considerable drive away, and I have never been there, theyhave built a truly beautiful stadium alongside the sea. I phoned my nephew and my daughter who is studying in CapeTown and asked whether or not they wanted to travel with us to PE for a few days of sight seeing and to watch the match between Chile and Spain, before leaving the following day to return home to Durban. They all IMMEDIATELY agreed, and we booked the tickets.
We will have carefully plan our roadtrip in order to make the most of this visit. I must know it is going to be the best experience I ve had in a long time.
Now to find friends of friends to stay with!!!!!!!!!!!!I have a few ideas, or else we just book a campsite and sleep under the stars, what better way to see the east coast of South africa in June.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Learning Hindi in Durban
Friday, April 16, 2010
Learning Hindi in Durban
It was my second lesson in Hindi. At the first lesson last week, I was very nervous as the class was bigger than I had anticipated, with about 20 fellow learners, and some had not even attended.
Our teacher "aadhyapak,"in Hindi, or rather "maada," because she is female, is very patient and kind soul who is very tolerant of slow learners, so I think this is a good class to stick with.
I have a basic knowledge of words, which I remember from my childhood when I would hear my Mom speak to relatives, and when she would try to teach us the little she knew. What I find difficulty with is actually saying what i want to out loud. I am further finding it difficult to remember the words I had learnt from last week.
This week our maada, was away, and asked us to meet and revise our words and phrases. We decided that since we joined the class late we would do as she asked. A few minutes after we had begun our lesson, we had a visit from a Indian National who was visiting for an hour. He was a merchant at the Indian fair and had been invited to the class, by an acquaintance.
He was able to get us speaking simple sentences in the hour that he was there, and our pronunciation was improving as well. The hour flew without us realising it, and my confidence grew as well. I realise that learning a new language is the same as learning anything, with practise and confidence, learning can be so easy.
I am now motivated to speak Hindi, and am going to persevere with the wonderful group of people of all ages who are in the class. Each one of them motivated to learn a language that was denied to them because of our history in the education system. One gentleman stated that throughout our history as Indians in south Africa, it was always more beneficial to learn English and Latin, then it was English and Afrikaans and even now, they would like us to learn English and Isizulu.
It seems that whoever rules, dictates the languages that we learn formally in school.
With so much pressure to succeed in school subjects, it is not possible to insist on children taking other subjects after a tiring day at school. In fact most parents allow their children to catch up on the lessons with tuition in Maths and science to ensure matric entrance.
More often than not we ask them to take a European language instead of our mother tongue, so that they would be able to traverse the world and find better opportunities in faraway lands where the exchange rate yields more money per hour of work.
With Hindi, which is not far from my parents mother tongue of Urdu, I am hoping to personally redress my own distance that I feel from my culture. This does not mean that I wish to abandon the broader culture of being a South African. It just means that I wish to find a path to my roots that was denied to me by circumstances that were beyond the control of a whole generation who found themselves aliens in the country of their birth, “children born to immigrants from India, on South African soil." I am a second generation mix of Indian and Middle Eastern, but I have only a working understanding of simple Hindi/Urdu. My children know nothing of these languages that are widely prevalent in the world, because the population of India and Pakistan where they are spoken is so vast. I do hope that with my interest it will stimulate an interest in my children to pursue some lessons in the language.
I also have watched many Indians movies from Bollywood which releases songs with romantic lyrics. i was often told by my dad and other relatives that the true meaning of the poetry is often lost in translation, and only when you have a grasp of the language, can you begin understand the full impact of the passion and meaning locked within. My Hindi classes hopefully hold the key to these mysteries, and will reveal to me more in terms of the meaning of life too...........A burning question that haunts my soul..........
Learning Hindi in Durban
It was my second lesson in Hindi. At the first lesson last week, I was very nervous as the class was bigger than I had anticipated, with about 20 fellow learners, and some had not even attended.
Our teacher "aadhyapak,"in Hindi, or rather "maada," because she is female, is very patient and kind soul who is very tolerant of slow learners, so I think this is a good class to stick with.
I have a basic knowledge of words, which I remember from my childhood when I would hear my Mom speak to relatives, and when she would try to teach us the little she knew. What I find difficulty with is actually saying what i want to out loud. I am further finding it difficult to remember the words I had learnt from last week.
This week our maada, was away, and asked us to meet and revise our words and phrases. We decided that since we joined the class late we would do as she asked. A few minutes after we had begun our lesson, we had a visit from a Indian National who was visiting for an hour. He was a merchant at the Indian fair and had been invited to the class, by an acquaintance.
He was able to get us speaking simple sentences in the hour that he was there, and our pronunciation was improving as well. The hour flew without us realising it, and my confidence grew as well. I realise that learning a new language is the same as learning anything, with practise and confidence, learning can be so easy.
I am now motivated to speak Hindi, and am going to persevere with the wonderful group of people of all ages who are in the class. Each one of them motivated to learn a language that was denied to them because of our history in the education system. One gentleman stated that throughout our history as Indians in south Africa, it was always more beneficial to learn English and Latin, then it was English and Afrikaans and even now, they would like us to learn English and Isizulu.
It seems that whoever rules, dictates the languages that we learn formally in school.
With so much pressure to succeed in school subjects, it is not possible to insist on children taking other subjects after a tiring day at school. In fact most parents allow their children to catch up on the lessons with tuition in Maths and science to ensure matric entrance.
More often than not we ask them to take a European language instead of our mother tongue, so that they would be able to traverse the world and find better opportunities in faraway lands where the exchange rate yields more money per hour of work.
With Hindi, which is not far from my parents mother tongue of Urdu, I am hoping to personally redress my own distance that I feel from my culture. This does not mean that I wish to abandon the broader culture of being a South African. It just means that I wish to find a path to my roots that was denied to me by circumstances that were beyond the control of a whole generation who found themselves aliens in the country of their birth, “children born to immigrants from India, on South African soil." I am a second generation mix of Indian and Middle Eastern, but I have only a working understanding of simple Hindi/Urdu. My children know nothing of these languages that are widely prevalent in the world, because the population of India and Pakistan where they are spoken is so vast. I do hope that with my interest it will stimulate an interest in my children to pursue some lessons in the language.
I also have watched many Indians movies from Bollywood which releases songs with romantic lyrics. i was often told by my dad and other relatives that the true meaning of the poetry is often lost in translation, and only when you have a grasp of the language, can you begin understand the full impact of the passion and meaning locked within. My Hindi classes hopefully hold the key to these mysteries, and will reveal to me more in terms of the meaning of life too...........A burning question that haunts my soul..........
Today the Radiography students
who accomplished their goals last year and either passed or distinguised themselves in their chosen fields of study graduated in front of their family, friends and their lecturers and dignitaries.
It was truly a day for celebration and for fashion. Both males and females came in outfits which they had seriously contemplted for many a day, and adorned themselves for this auspicious event.
It was wonderful to see them and thier families rejouicing in the hard work they had put in to make sure this day would come to pass.
For us as educators who were the facilitators throughtout the years and assessments, and notes and assigments, it was truly a day for rejoicing again in your accomplishments.
To all the BTechs:2009!!!!!!!!Well done to all!!!!!!!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Wage disputes, and bad habits.....creating problems
I have often been told about a bad habit I have of turning the prevalent issue of the moment into something related to totally to myself ( in other words stealing the limelight). I had no idea that I was doing this so often or that others were noticing it, until it was mentioned and then highlighted with examples. It was not the easiest to hear little bits of truths about oneself especially if those truths were unflattering at the least and unlikeable at the worst. This was one bad habit I resolved to change with immediate effect. Unfortunately like all bad habits, this is proving difficult to do.
Yesterday a colleague and I had to work on a project together. Before we got down to the tedious task on hand, we began discussing the news and current events. Before long we began discussing the municipal workers strike which usually means the rubbish is not collected until they return to duty.
I soon realised that my rubbish which was supposed to be taken away on Wednesday will now not be collected for another week, and mentioned aloud that it was a huge problem if the municipality would give to the workers demands no matter what they were asking for. Having never heard me take one side of a wage dispute so strongly before, my colleague asked me why I thought so, expecting me to give an opinion I had perhaps heard on the radio or read in the newspaper.
I reminded him that I had a fallen adversary; “the dead rat” which was culled in battle, decomposing rapidly in my trash, and had a vested interest in the strike ending rather urgently, when I noticed that he was no longer just sitting upright, he was bent over trying to control his laughter, and not doing too well at that. He laughed long and hard before we got down to the business at hand.
I guess I will have to strengthen my resolve to rid myself of the bad habit, even though the bad smell lingers a while longer.
Yesterday a colleague and I had to work on a project together. Before we got down to the tedious task on hand, we began discussing the news and current events. Before long we began discussing the municipal workers strike which usually means the rubbish is not collected until they return to duty.
I soon realised that my rubbish which was supposed to be taken away on Wednesday will now not be collected for another week, and mentioned aloud that it was a huge problem if the municipality would give to the workers demands no matter what they were asking for. Having never heard me take one side of a wage dispute so strongly before, my colleague asked me why I thought so, expecting me to give an opinion I had perhaps heard on the radio or read in the newspaper.
I reminded him that I had a fallen adversary; “the dead rat” which was culled in battle, decomposing rapidly in my trash, and had a vested interest in the strike ending rather urgently, when I noticed that he was no longer just sitting upright, he was bent over trying to control his laughter, and not doing too well at that. He laughed long and hard before we got down to the business at hand.
I guess I will have to strengthen my resolve to rid myself of the bad habit, even though the bad smell lingers a while longer.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Greytown visit
I am glad I visited my sister in Greytown this weekend. I had felt some nostalgia driving there, as this was my home for more than ten years, and while the drive there was beautiful, as we approached the town it began to rain....... but once I arrived there and met my sister, I truly began to miss the city life. We drove to the Wimpy, but there was not much to do after we had caught up on the weeks news and had satiated our appetites. Being so cold, we ate far more than we should have.
I visited some of my erstwhile best frieds, and spent some cherished moments there, and retired back to the flat to watch the kids play with the WII.
If it had not been for the delicious braai, Zaheer made on the balcony, we all would have been forced to go to bed early to avoid catching our death of cold.
I cannot believe I lived in the one street town, for so many years. Neither can I imagine going back there to live on a more permanent basis, even though the place holds some fond memories of a happy time when my young family was still finding its path through to our present lives.
Coming back to Durban I witnessed a horrific accident that must have occurred a few minutes before. A BMW and a double cab had crashed and wer lying between the two lanes of the N2. Traffic had come to a slow crawl on both sides making it very dangerous for the many pedestrians and cars since there was no traffic police on the scene. The steam was still rising out of the radiator of the vehicle that had overturned. It was sobering and people were driving a lot slower with more care after they had passed the scene.
I was just thankful to be safely at home with my daughter, especially after seeing the accident.
I visited some of my erstwhile best frieds, and spent some cherished moments there, and retired back to the flat to watch the kids play with the WII.
If it had not been for the delicious braai, Zaheer made on the balcony, we all would have been forced to go to bed early to avoid catching our death of cold.
I cannot believe I lived in the one street town, for so many years. Neither can I imagine going back there to live on a more permanent basis, even though the place holds some fond memories of a happy time when my young family was still finding its path through to our present lives.
Coming back to Durban I witnessed a horrific accident that must have occurred a few minutes before. A BMW and a double cab had crashed and wer lying between the two lanes of the N2. Traffic had come to a slow crawl on both sides making it very dangerous for the many pedestrians and cars since there was no traffic police on the scene. The steam was still rising out of the radiator of the vehicle that had overturned. It was sobering and people were driving a lot slower with more care after they had passed the scene.
I was just thankful to be safely at home with my daughter, especially after seeing the accident.
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