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| Contents |
Issue No. 330 -- 16/23 May 2005 |
Editor's Message
Quote/s of the Week
Ad Hoc Article/s of the Week
Bits and Bobs
The Legal Beagle
Help Desk
Where are they now?
Club and Other News
Humour
Recipes
Sports News
Credits and Contact Info
Subscribing and Unsubscribing
| Send this Issue to a Friend! |
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No SAWmail last week... due to a couple of things. First off, I had mail problems and didn’t get all my contribution in and second, with that worm going around I decided to rather wait.
Here (at last) for those who are interested are a few pics from my son’s wedding. These are the brdesmaids and pages... one is my granddaughter Bella and one of the pages is my grandson, Tristan (the two on the right).
This trio of lovelies features my daughter Deborah on the left, my ex husband's current wife, Edie in the centre and yours truly on the right.
The bride and groom...
This is Captain Ken and moi at the wedding party... we went as Internet Romance...
And this is the bride and groom cutting the party cake.
Calling all cooks! I need to find a recipe for English bread pudding... not bread and butter pudding but the one where you use stale bread, soak it in water and add other stuff to it. I used to have a recipe in my English cookery book, Mrs Beeton’s household management. If anyone has this book or can find the recipe I am looking for, pleased e-mail it to me at the usual address... saw@thos.co.za. Many thanks!
I think winter is on its way... this morning the temperature was only 4C!! Brrr... looking forward to our trip to the US to get some warm weather!
These from me...
Happiness is something that comes into our lives through doors we don't even remember leaving open. Rose Lane
Optimism means expecting the best, but confidence means knowing how to handle the worst. Never make a move if you are merely optimistic. The Zurich Axioms
The successful person has the habit of doing the things failures don't like to do. They don't like doing them either necessarily. But their disliking is subordinated to the strength of their purpose. EM Gray
These from Des Cowie des.a.c@btinternet.com
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. - Herm Albright
Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength. - Charles Spurgeon
Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and you learn at once how big and precious it is. - Maxim Gorky
If a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it. - Edgar Watson Howe
Courage is fear that has said its prayers. - Karl Barth
Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone else's life. - Kobi Yamada
The first step towards the solution of any problem is optimism. - John Baines
These from Daniel Jan le Roux...
Man does not cease to play because he grows old, he grows old because he ceases to play.
We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.
This from Jackie McGhee
Money is like manure. If you spread it around it does a lot of good. But if you pile it up in one place it stinks like hell.
Send in any quotes you love... that have some special meaning for you... and I will use at least one every week. Usual address! editor@saw.co.za SAW Advertisement
Time to celebrate Dad!
Fathers Day will be here soon - and of course Cards.co.za is here to help you yet again. As usual, we have a huge selection of cards for all dads... new ones, old ones, soon to be dads, grandfathers... we have cards for all categories of dads. No waiting in queues, no delays at the Post Office... a few clicks and you’re done!
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Simply click here to see the interesting and novel Fathers Day experiences they have on offer!
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| Ad Hoc Article/s of the Week |
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Coming Home
Each week we will feature a question and answer sent in to the Company for Immigration. We hope these will help answer any questions you might have regarding any part of the coming home process. If you would like to send in your own question, please feel very free to do so.
We will also be featuring a great amount of information on the SAW Website (www.saw.co.za) under the Coming Home section. You can also find out info by visiting our newly relaunched site, South Africa Online (www.southafrica.co.za) and checking out the Coming to SA section.
Here is a bit more info...
Whenever and wherever South Africans meet, the surest way to start a lively discussion, is to ask someone for an opinion about emigration from or remigration back to South Africa. In 2002 we (i.e. the non-profit immigration service, Company for Immigration, and the trade-union, Solidarity) realized that the return of South African expats had become a fact and that their inputs are essential for the growth and development of the country. We are neither interested in a debate about the reasons why people leave or come back, nor about the merit of their decisions. We prefer to provide a practical service instead:
offering advice and assistance to prospective remigrants;
addressing the problems which cause people to emigrate; and informing people about the pros and cons of emigration, to help them make an informed decision before leaving.
Interested? Want to receive our monthly newsletter by email? Have questions or suggestions? If so, please visit our mirror sites www.comehome.co.za or www.komhuistoe.co.za and leave your details on the visitor's page, or contact us at admin@cfi.org.za. We are looking forward to hearing from you!
Q&A for this week: When will the new South African immigration regulations be implemented?
The Minister indicated that it will happen on 1 July 2005. The draft regulations can be found at www.home-affairs.gov.za. Remember, these are drafts only - the final regulations might differ quite dramatically from these, depending on the Minister and Parliament's discretion, as well as public inputs.
Kind regards
Alana & Annatjie
COME HOME CAMPAIGN
Migrasie / Migration
Solidariteit Alliansie / Solidarity Alliance
P O Box 8766, Centurion, 0046, RSA
Tel: 0027-(0)12-6438532
Fax: 0027-(0)12-6438587
admin@cfi.org.za
The Good News - Indaba 2005 tops off the best year ever for tourism
Here's last week's good news...
This year’s annual travel and tourism exhibition, Indaba, has been hailed as the best so far after it finished last week at the International Convention Centre and the neighbouring Durban Exhibition Centre in Durban.
Indaba is considered to be Africa’s premier tourism trade show. Moeketsi Mosola, Chief Executive Officer of South African Tourism, said “South Africa certainly made the most of being in the spotlight of the world tourism stage between May 7-10, ensuring Indaba's place as one of the top three 'must visit' events of its kind on the global calendar.”
South African Tourism’s decision to aggressively promote Indaba 2005 to the global travel trade over the past six months paid off. There was more than double the number of new buyers pre-registered than in 2004, the majority of whom were from the UK. There were also buyers from 10 new countries who had never visited Indaba before. A record number of 10,000 people visited the four-day exhibition, with more than 2000 tour operators and agents buying packages from South African exhibitors.
Indaba was opened by the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, and he used the opportunity to release the preliminary figures for tourism arrivals into South African during 2004. These show that 2004 was the best year for tourism yet recorded, with almost 6.7 million foreign tourists coming to South Africa. This shows a growth of 2.7% over 2003, and it is an increase of more than four million arrivals since 1994. The Minister challenged the industry to increase the number of arrivals to 7 million during 2005.
The World Travel and Tourism Council has estimated that tourism’s contribution to South Africa’s GDP was R93.6 billion in 2004. This is an increase of more than R20 billion since 2002, despite a stronger rand which makes coming to South Africa more expensive for foreigners. Tourism was responsible for the direct employment of more than 1.2 million people, with 36,000 new jobs being created over the past two years.
The increase in arrivals from certain countries was quite dramatic, such as China with an increase of 20% and the USA of 11%. The World Travel Organisation estimates that by 2020 China will have the biggest number of outbound tourists in the world, and as a result South African Tourism has identified the country as a key target market.
Much further growth is expected in tourism over the next few years, particularly around the Soccer World Cup that will be held in South Africa in 2010.
And this week's story...
Eastern Cape flower farm a model of successful BEE
When the South African Forestry Company (Safcol) decided to close its loss-making Longmore Flower Estate in Thornhill, outside Port Elizabeth, and retrench its workers, four former employees decided to take matters into their own hands.
Using their severance packages, together with loans from the Development Bank of Southern Africa and various government departments, Zyta Soomar, Zalisile Dyani, Lena Geswindt and Dennise Koert bought the 80 hectare estate.
They have since proceeded to turn it into a model example of successful black economic empowerment (BEE), making a decent profit supplying 12 different kinds of cut flowers and seeds to customers locally and in Bulgaria, Holland, Italy and Russia. They are exporting up to seven tons of flowers a month. This is quite an achievement, considering that since its inception in 1995, Safcol had been unable to make a profit on the estate.
The farm owners currently employ 12 workers, and they have given Safcol an undertaking that they will work to uplift nearby communities like Loerie, Hankey and Thornhill. Around 30 hectares are under cultivation and another 10 hectares are due to be planted. The owners intend to start satellite flower projects that can be run by other communities. They hope to have more than 100 hectares under cultivation within the next five years.
Being in the heart of Protea growing country, with unique species such as the Leucadendron Orientalia and the yellow strelitzia, which are very rare in Europe, the estate has already started to double as something of a tourist attraction. The owners thus also plan to create an “Eastern Cape Flower Trail” over the next few years, which will give rise to eco-tourism opportunities in the area.
Since the four new owners took over, Longmore Flower Estate has been responsible for producing several new flower hybrids. Recently they decided to name their newest hybrid after Minister Jeff Radebe, who was Minister of Public Enterprises at the time they purchased the estate and was instrumental in ensuring that they got the support they needed. The new flower has been named Leucospermum Radebe Sunrise.
For more interesting and exciting news about developments in South Africa, subscribe to the International Marketing Council's regular BrandSA newsletter by visiting www.imc.org.za/goodstuff.htm or www.imc.org.za/subscribe.asp.
If you would like to contact Guy, visit his web site here.
This is why we forward jokes...
This from Ray Theron
A man and his dog were walking along a road enjoying the scenery, when it occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years.
After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill was a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. A magnificent gate of Mother of Pearl led to a street of pure gold.
He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side. He called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"
"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.
"Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.
"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up."
The man gestured, and the gate began to open.
"Can my friend come in, too?" the traveler asked.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."
The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued on with his dog.
After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man leaning against a tree and reading a book.
"Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?"
"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there. Come on in."
"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog
"There should be a bowl by the pump."
The traveler filled the bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog. He and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree waiting for them.
"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.
"This is Heaven," the man answered.
"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too."
"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's Hell."
"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"
"No we're just happy that they screen out the folks who'll leave their best friends behind."
Soooo...
Sometimes we wonder why friends keep forwarding jokes to us without writing a word. When you are very busy, but still want to keep in touch, guess what you do. You forward jokes.
When you have nothing to say, but still want to keep contact, you forward jokes.
When you have something to say, but don't know what, and don't know how, you forward jokes.
And to let you know that you are still remembered, you are still important, you are still loved, you are still cared for, guess what you get? A forwarded joke.
So, my friends, next time you get a joke, don't think that it's just another forwarded joke, but that you've been thought of today and your friend on the other end of your computer wanted to send you a smile.
For those who take life too seriously...
This from Shep Adkins gnu356@charter.net
save the whales...collect the whole set
a day without sunshine is like night
on the other hand, you have different fingers
I just got lost in thought.....it was unfamiliar territory
42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot
99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name
I feel like I’m diagonally parked in a parallel universe
honk if you love peace and quiet
depression is merely anger without enthusiasm
the early bird may get the worm.....but the second mouse gets the cheese
The World is Mine
This from Des Cowie
Today, upon a bus, I saw a very beautiful woman.
And wished I were as beautiful.
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and wore a crutch.
But as she passed, she passed a smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two legs; the world is mine.
I stopped to buy some candy.
The lad who sold it had such charm.
I talked with him, he seemed so glad.
If I were late, it'd do no harm.
And as I left, he said to me, "I thank you,
you've been so kind.
It's nice to talk with folks like you.
You see," he said, "I'm blind."
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two eyes; the world is mine.
Later while walking down the street,
I saw a child I knew.
He stood and watched the others play,
but he did not know what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said,
"Why don't you join them dear?"
He looked ahead without a word.
I forgot, he couldn't hear.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two ears; the world is mine.
With feet to take me where I'd go.
With eyes to see the sunset's glow.
With ears to hear what I'd know.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine.
Can you help...
This from Mike
Dear Maureen:
Jack Hirschberg, a good friend of mine and a prominent member of the very large South African Community in the United Arab Emirates, has sent me this email.
QUOTE
Howzit,
This is a personal plea for help, from me to you.
My 18 year-old son Jay was murdered in Honeydew, Johannesburg on 25 August, 2002.
To date we still have no closure.
I really would appreciate it very much if you would read this site, Jay Hirschberg murdered (http://www.sanguae.com/Jay/jay-hirschberg-investigation.html) and then please add your comments to the Honeydew police's forum, as this would go a long way to motivate them to take action. You can access their forum here: Honeydew SAPS forum (http://honeydew-cpf.org.za/raforum.asp?ID=23)
Thanks and cheers
Jack
END
Here's my comment, and I hope many of you will add your own to the Forum.
I am a friend of Jack and Rina Hirschberg and I would like to add my voice to theirs in asking for your fullest cooperation in bringing Jay's murderer(s) to justice. Apart from anything else, his family need a full and proper closure on the matter.
This type of crime cannot be allowed to go unresolved. It is one of the current tragedies of South Africa that the country is losing so many of the sort of people it needs, due to the crime situation. There are many, like myself, who long to return permanently to the country we grew up in and love above all others, but we cannot, in the interests of our families, feel confident in doing so until we see crimes being solved and perpetrators punished to the fullest extent of the law.
Thank you for reading this. Please help.
Choice Coach – Work in Progress
Finishing the ladder that leads to your vision
In the last two issues of Work in Progress we have been going through a process that I have called "Project you" in which you develop a vision for your life in the future and develop your ladder (or road map) to that life.
In March we created the vision, and in April we examined the part of the ladder that each individual has already navigated, and how the skills learned in that experience may be relevant to new arenas in which you may choose to dance in the future.
But first, I need your help, please.
You will have noticed, I hope, that Work in Progress carries no advertisements, that subscribing to WIP does not mean that I promptly start sending you all kinds of notices of "special offers" on which the senders automatically take their cut if you buy. Work in Progress is completely content-oriented, and I make no money on it. I don't sell or share your email information, and I don't allow this address to be used for the sending of material other than WIP. (I do know that my address has been spoofed at least once by a spammer, but unfortunately none of us can fully defend ourselves again this, although I have recently added some new security measures in attempt to prevent it.)
However, I do hope to get clients as a result of Work in Progress, from time to time, and to do that I need to keep my number of subscribers up. Every month I lose anywhere from ten to fifty readers because they have changed their email addresses and not informed me of the change. After three "bounces" to these no-longer-in-use addresses the system automatically unsubscribes these people.
How can you help?
First, please remember to inform me, or to resubscribe yourself under your new address, if you change email addresses.
Second, let other people know of WIP articles that might be of use to them, and recommend that they subscribe if you feel fully able to do so.
Third, if you know someone who might benefit from a free coaching call with me, please recommend it to them. I do not try to "sell" them on coaching, and there is no obligation resulting from this offer, nor do I add them to a "follow-up" list that will bombard them with future emails. Also, one does not need to be "broken" in order to benefit from a coaching call. Coaching clients are usually fully whole and successful people who simply know that they can use a coach as part of the "success team" that helps them to stay just a "nose" ahead of their competitors.
I would so much appreciate your help with any or all three of these points.
Now, back to our regular programming...
Here we will look at the final steps as you complete the creation of the "ladder" that will take you to the life you have envisioned. Take a careful look at your vision of where you will be at whatever future date you have selected. See yourself there, living that life. See it, hear it, smell it, feel it - BE THERE in your visualization!
Now you can take one of two methods, but I believe that the "step back" method is more effective for most situations.
In the step-back method you visualize yourself in the life that you desire. Now, to create the top rung on your ladder, or the last step in your journey, think about the very last, the most recent thing that you needed to do in order to step into this life. Not the first step, but the last. Then, what was the step before that? What did you need to do in order to get there? Step by step you work your way backwards to the present, taking note of each step as you go.
The "step forward" method takes the reverse approach, starting with where you are now and deciding what is the absolutely first thing you need to do to move forward in the direction of your vision. When you are creating an action plan, as regular readers know I am strongly in favor of the "very next step" approach. However, right now you are not ready for the action plan; you are mapping your journey. The action plan comes later. For an accurate map I find that most people work better with the step-back process, but this is your journey and you need to do what works best for you.
Once you have the rungs established, and can see what you need to do to get there, then will be the time to develop the action plan for the first ring that faces you.
As a couple of examples of how this might work, I remember reading about a man who decided that if he were to get where he wanted to go I life he needed to learn leadership, salesmanship and management skills. He enrolled in the Marines, where he took advantage of every bit of training that was available, and learned about leadership, while being paid. He then got a job as a salesman with a company that had a reputation for having one of the best sales training programs in the world. They trained him in sales, while paying him. Lastly, he set his sights on another company that placed a lot of focus on management training, got a job there on the basis of his sales experience, and went through management training with them while - you guessed it - being paid.
When he struck out in business for himself, he was as well trained as anyone could be, and had in the meantime been able to save the money he needed to invest in his own business.
On a much smaller scale - but then, we don't all want to be huge in business - there was the time that I decided to make a radical switch in my own life. At the time I was a graduate student and had spent the last several years studying social psychology and preparing to become a university professor, with my major interest being that I wanted to equip myself to do research. At the same time I had recently gone through a marital breakdown. As a result of my experiences in teaching in various local colleges while I worked on my dissertation, I was becoming increasingly disillusioned with academia. An incident occurred that locked in that thought, and I decided, for a variety of reasons not relevant to this story, that I would become an addictions counselor. Now, a degree in social psychology does not equip one to become a therapist. In fact those of us in the social psychology department were rarely even permitted to take classes in clinical psychology. In addition, the only class at my university that related to addiction focused solely on nicotine.
I knew that in order to get the job I wanted I had to have experience in the field, I had to know something about addiction, and I had to know who was who in the field. While I was still working on the dissertation I started taking classes specifically designed for future addictions counselors at a local community college. There was a wide gap between the level of work - doctoral dissertation and community college class, but it was a rung on my ladder. I followed every suggestion of the teacher, who became my mentor. When she suggested that I become active in a sub-committee, I joined it and began to know people in the field. Today I am on the local Board of that organization and some of us still fondly hark back to those days from time to time.
When I completed the doctorate I achieved one of the highest points of academic achievement - and, alas, on the same day joined the ranks of the unemployed, for at that time none of the local addiction treatment agencies was hiring. With a mortgage to pay, and two cats to feed, I did the rounds of the employment and temp agencies, and set up my schedule for the summer... or for as long as it would take to find a job.
My daily schedule took me to volunteer at a local treatment agency every morning for three hours, nine till noon. Despite the fact that my degree had nothing to do with addiction there seemed to be an assumption that I must know something and they gave me more responsibility than I should have had, since I was a volunteer and not paid staff. But I learned. At noon I leaped into my car, drove to the other side of the county, and, courtesy of the temp agency, did data entry (for this I earned a doctorate?) for an electronics warehouse for four hours. At 5 p.m. I reversed the drive so that at 6 p.m. I could start a four-hour shift in a market research company, where I telephoned reluctant respondents and tried to persuade them to answer my questions about various products, or, it being an election year, about politics. That summer I learned to eat fast food with one hand while driving with the other. (Hint, two "junior" size hamburgers are much easier and less messy to eat that one large one.)
It was, as they say, hell on wheels - only in my case that was a fairly literal description. At times I wasn't sure I could keep going, and I was barely making ends meet. However, at the treatment agency they loved my volunteer work, and when it came time for me to leave they gave me a glowing letter of reference, which was probably why I got my first job in the field However, that was not yet.
What happened next was that the temp agency, having decided that they liked my work, sent me to work for the local research office of a major computer chip manufacturing company. There I replaced the receptionist who was out on maternity leave. Apart from occasionally - but rarely - answering the phone, and signing for deliveries from UPS, I had almost nothing to do, so I learned how to use a PC (my previous computer had been an Apple II), read about addiction treatment, and did some writing.
During all of this time many people asked me why I did not try to find permanent work. They were sure I could find something. So was I, but it was not the work that I intended to find. I was job hunting, but there were relatively few jobs available in the addiction treatment field. I had completed my doctorate in May, and it was not until December that my patience paid off. I began work in as a primary therapist in an addiction treatment agency shortly before Christmas.
Just another story, nothing dramatic. But I tell it to show how a step by step process, planned and firmly followed despite difficulties, can lead to where you want to go.
This is not to say that one should not be open to changes in direction. This entire story shows how I changed direction from my original plan to enter academia.
Or does it?
You see, years later, shortly after I left my management position in the addiction treatment field in order to develop my coaching business, I received a call from my former teacher and mentor, the one who had taught the classes as the community college. She was ill, and wanted me to take over a class until she recovered. Sadly, she did not recover, and died two months later. For more than four years now, in addition to running my coaching business, I have combined my love for the field of addiction treatment with my enjoyment of teaching at the college level. As I teach future addictions counselors, without the "publish or perish" pressures of working in a higher level university,
I am also able to share with them the many coaching skills that will help them to be better counselors in the battle against addiction.
So now I enjoy the best of three worlds - coaching, teaching, and the addictions treatment field. I am blessed, and I enjoy my fourth passion, writing, as I write this
It is time to return to you, your vision, and your ladder. What are the rungs you need to add so that it will lift you to your vision? It is possible that you do not know all of them right now. You may need to get closer to some of the higher ones before you can see them in fine detail. Nonetheless, sketch in what you can.
Then, with the ladder as complete as it can be, you come to the first of your actual action steps. What is the very first thing that you need to do to start your climb? Not "get a degree" but "order the college catalog" which may even come down to "find the college phone number." Not "move to California" but "decide on a community" which may mean "get information from the chamber of commerce" or "contact a Realtor" which, again, may mean that before you do those things you need to "do a search on the web."
Remember, your next action is the very first thing that you need to do, however small. Write it down. Do it. Once it is done you can see, and do, the next item. You are on your way!
(And remember that if you need help with this type of work, a free half-hour coaching call is easily scheduled, with no sales pitch, pressure, or obligation to go beyond that one call.)
Copyright 2005 Diana Robinson, PhD., PCC. Work in Progress may be reproduced in its entirety only, including this copyright line. Disclaimer - The contents herein are solely the opinions of Work in Progress owner, and should not be considered as a form of therapy nor advice. There is no guarantee of validity or accuracy. If expert assistance or counseling is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.
Mailing Address:
Diana Robinson
2604 Elmwood Avenue #230
Rochester, NY 14618
USA
Mind Massage
I just got back from a great trip to Vancouver, B.C. with my husband, three of my daughters, and my oldest daughter's new boyfriend.
Tristan isn't actually a NEW boyfriend. He and Taeko have been together at college in Nova Scotia since August, but he is visiting us this week and it's been our first opportunity to meet him.
We've been having a great time, but I've discovered an intriguing and illuminating annoyance: clouds.
Take a look...
Cheers,
Maya ;-)
Mindfulness and Clouds: Seeing the Spectacular
We've been playing tour guide this week.
My daughter's boyfriend is visiting us from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It's his first visit to the West Coast, so we've been looking forward to showing him the beauty and bounty of our area.
We got up one morning at 4:00 a.m. to drive north to one of our favorite cities in the world, Vancouver, B.C. As we headed north into Washington, we were disappointed that it was too cloudy to point out Mt. St. Helens.
We got into Tacoma, where I attended university. I wanted to show him how Mt. Rainier loomed large over the city, but the clouds were so thick you couldn't see a thing.
We continued north into what is normally a magnificent passage through snow-capped mountain ranges--without a glimpse of a single peak.
And we spent two fun-filled days in Vancouver without ever catching sight of the lovely crests that ring the city.
Upon our return to Portland, our daughter took him to Cannon Beach so he could dip his toes into the Pacific Ocean. Unfortunately, the spectacular vistas normally visible from Highway 101 were completely obscured by clouds and fog.
He still hasn't seen Mt. Hood, the signature view from the city of Portland. Tomorrow, we are determined to visit the Columbia River gorge, another favorite destination with jaw-dropping views--if it clears up.
I find myself becoming alternately amused and annoyed by the clouds this week. It is frustrating to want to point out the beauty all around us when it is impossible for anyone to actually see it. It is humorous to recognize that, truth be told, Tristan is quite content to simply hang with us.
The only one feeling disappointment about the missed vistas is me. "It's right there!" I hear myself saying, exasperated. "It's truly beautiful!" I say, trying to convince him.
Tristan just nods and smiles. He is not the slightest bit annoyed. He is perfectly fine just being here. He doesn't need anything more impressive than our cozy living room and our goofy family.
Of course, he might be more disappointed if only he knew what he was missing, I tell myself. But then I have to ask myself why I would want him to feel disappointed!
I have to laugh about the clouds, but what cracks me up most is seeing this as a clear(!) example of how we so easily slip into wanting to impress others who really don't give a rip about being impressed. They just want to be with us.
The forecast for tomorrow doesn't look promising. At least, not in terms of seeing the beauty of the gorge.
But I'm predicting a perfect day. We'll wear rain jackets and laugh ourselves silly.
Ego Alert
I guess I'm a little sensitive about the whole idea of trying to impress others this week. You see, I've just started a blog, and I can't help but feel a little silly about it.
Ego alarm is going off! Brrt! Brrt! Brrt!
After all, who really cares about bloggers? It always seemed like a pretty self-centered activity, so I resisted spilling myself in a blog. Until now.
It's just for fun, really. I like that there is no schedule and I can write whatever I want. But I can't deny that I could do that in a low-tech spiral notebook just as easily, so there is certainly some degree of wanting to share this with others. Ego!
That, and I hope to encourage visitors to share thoughts simply because it makes us all feel a bit more connected.
You can visit my blog, called Strokes From The Mind Masseuse, at
massageyourmind.blogspot.com
Your Secret Assignment
This week, you're going to catch yourself trying to impress someone.
It could be a comment you make at work, or something you tell someone when you meet them for the first time. It might be a little brag about something you accomplished and wanted to share with a loved one.
Don't feel bad about it. That's not the point. No, instead of engaging in self-flagellation for being a bit boasty, your assignment is to pay attention to the reaction of others.
Were they impressed by what you said or did? Or were YOU the one who was the most impressed?
Watch and learn. Maybe you don't need to try so hard to be loved and admired by the people who matter most....hmmmm?
Laugh at your own tendency to seek approval. After all, you're only human.
You gotta love it.
Share your story with me at
maya@massageyourmind.com
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Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse offering specialized mindfulness training to individuals and groups in Portland, Oregon. Her work has inspired thinkers in over 100 countries. To subscribe to her free ezine, the Friday Mind Massage, please visit http://www.massageyourmind.com.
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©Copyright 2004, Maya Talisman Frost
52 Best Stories – The Chain of Love
He sat there in his room at the Franciscan Care Center, watching television, Wimbledon doubles with those sisters tromping their opponents. He was wearing his work shirt and pants, gray in color, with his name embroidered above the pocket. We walked in, greeted him and sat down to visit.
We discussed things that were happening in our lives, in the lives of people he knew, things going on in his community. We asked about his health, and learned what he was going through. We could tell he was there, but not there. Somewhere in our conversation he said,
"I've forgotten a few things."
He had known a life of hardship, and rich reward. He had moved from place to place, started businesses and lost them. He had married a good woman, and raised a family. He was a Mason, a member of the Kiwanis, and could drive just about anything with wheels. He could fix what was broken, or he knew someone who could.
He had recently acquired and was breeding cattle of a special English stock, rare in the States, and along with the chickens, the dogs, the garden and the special greenhouse for his bride, lived well on a large plot of land in the country. He had designed and built his own home with the help of his longtime friend Vince, who had eight fingers and one thumb.
He was someone who lived what he believed, and he has a firm belief in the goodness of others, and the power of his God. He had a collection of hats that covered the entire ceiling and two walls of the guest room at home. Each hat had a story, and he knew where they came from and who gave them to him. He ran for public office back in the 60's, a newspaper article in a frame proudly announced. Several awards for his service to the community and the groups he belonged to adorned the wall around it. He is a good man, in the true sense of the word.
He is also a good friend of mine, and one of the most interesting fellows I have ever met. He was there when things were bad for me, with support and comfort, and the offer of a day's work for a day's pay, so that I could feed my family. Just like he has been there for everyone he has ever known. After a while, he turned to me, and said,
"I'm sorry, but I can't remember who you are."
I sat there in stunned silence, thinking of something to say that would tell him how much I had come to love and admire him, especially since the loss of my father. All I could think of to say was, "I am someone you have been very kind to over many years." I wanted to say so much more. I am your friend. So many people have been touched by you! I often use the example of your life as a role model. It is so sad to see you here, like this. It all fell short. Nothing could convey what I felt at that moment.
Twenty years and more have gone by since I first met him. In that time, we have lost more than twenty friends we have in common. They go slowly, in "nursing homes." They go quickly, at home or doing something they love to do. Nevertheless, they go. And so many of them! We ourselves stand in line and wait our turn! Meanwhile, we live. What legacy do we leave?
His is a well-lived life. Yet, here he was, he had no idea where or why. And all I wanted to convey to him was the profound effect his life had had on mine. It was all I could think of at the moment. It was enough. His look of surprise was my answer - this is a humble, but effective, man. As I left him that day, he said to let him know if there was anything he could do for me. Still giving, serving his God and his friends, still living what he believed from the very center of his life out. Even though he could not remember my name.
Steve Goodier, in one of many uplifting essays on the power of love stated,
"Those you have sought to reach, whether they be in your family or elsewhere, are part of a chain of love that can extend through the generations. Your influence on their lives, whether or not you see results, is immeasurable. Your legacy of dedicated kindness and caring can transform lost and hopeless lives for years to come."
I realized, in those brief moments while thinking of an appropriate response to my dear friend, that this wonderful man had touched and transformed my life in ways that he will never come to appreciate, especially in his present condition, but that will be passed on to others - even to you, reading this, it is my fondest hope.
~ The Author is Michael Rawls and used with permission ~
One Man’s Australia – Worse and worse
The story of our wrongfully deported Australian citizen gets worse and worse by the day. Thanks to the Australian media she was located within 48 hours of the story breaking - something that the Australian Government, despite its massive resources, had failed to do since the Department of Immigration became aware in 2003 that she had been wrongfully deported to the Philippines.
She was found after an Australian Catholic priest living in the country's north recognised a photo broadcast by the ABC on its Asia-Pacific satellite channel. The priest, Father Mike Duffin, told the ABC's Lateline program he did not understand why the Government did not know where she was.
Vivian Solon has been living in a convent for the destitute and the dying, run by Mother Theresa's Sisters of Charity, for the past four years.
Father Duffin said : "They (Immigration Department officials) are the ones who told her before she left Australia she was coming to the mission, coming to Mother Theresa Sisters, and then when they brought her, they left her at the Mother Theresa Sisters, Missionaries of Charity, so I find it very hard that the don't know where they left her, do they have no records or do people forget things as soon as they do them?"
Immigration Department officials were then advised by the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines that a woman by the name of Vivian Alvarez was staying at a convent in the country's north and Australian consular officials were dispatched to the region to ensure that if the woman is the missing Australian, who is also known as Vivian Solon, she has access to appropriate consular assistance.
Ms Solon is also known as Vivian Alvarez and Vivian Young (her married name).
Meanwhile, the Senate censured the Minister for Immigration, Senator Vanstone, over the case.
The motion censured the Minister over this and other cases, including that of Cornelia Rau.
It was moved by Greens Senator Kerry Nettle and supported by Labor and the Democrats.
Senator Nettle said: "The inhumanity and the incompetence that these scandals reveal must be dealt with in a way that gives the Australian Government confidence that they know the truth about what happens, and that they can have confidence they won't be repeated. The Minister has failed to meet this public need."
Senator Vanstone has never accepted criticism in the past. She has evidently not enjoyed either the censure or the media scrum that now surrounds her every move, with her expression appearing to be more bulldog-like or bovine (depending on one's political persuasion) with each passing day.
Senator Vanstone has steadfastly rejected calls for an open inquiry, arguing that an internal inquiry by former federal police chief Mick Palmer is adequate.
Ms Young's family in Brisbane and Manila expressed relief that the sister they presumed dead was still alive, but fired a broadside at the Government for being unable to find her. Ms Young's step-sister in Manila, Cecilia Solon, was shocked when told her sister was safe and immediately left on the four-hour journey from Cebu to Olongapo to be reunited with Ms Young.
Ms Young's Brisbane-based step-brother Henry Solon was delighted to hear that she was safe. But he had questions for the Government and would be demanding answers.
After arriving in Australia, Ms Young had two children.
At first, she did not recognise her sister, but finally began to realise that her lost years were over. She began to realise she was back with her family when her sister called her by her childhood nickname "Nagdu".
As the political storm over the case continued in Canberra yesterday, Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone described Ms Young's case as a "very, very, very regrettable situation".
In the courtyard of the convent, Australian consul-general Frank Evatt met privately with Ms Young and Ms Solon yesterday to offer Ms Young assistance and repatriation. Ms Young was also briefed on her rights as an Australian citizen. Mr Evatt denied that Australia had known all along where Ms Young was.
Philippines-based Australian priest Mike Duffin said that Ms Young told the meeting she wished to return to Australia and especially her children. Father Duffin said he had seen no signs that Ms Young was mentally ill, saying she had been "very lucid" while at the Mother Teresa Missionaries of Charity's shelter. And she remembered her two children, still in Australia, he said.
When asked if she had grown to feel wronged by her deportation, Ms Young avoided the question.
The Australian Government has offered to fly Ms Young to her home town of Cebu to visit three brothers and four sisters before returning to Australia.
The emotion at the reunion was low-key compared with the furore in Australia.
Henry Solon has contacted former judge Marcus Einfeld for advice on a potential compensation case on behalf of her youngest son, who has spent the past four years in foster care. Mr Solon also yesterday called for a royal commission. He said he was still to be contacted by Australian authorities about the discovery of his sister.
Mr Solon's efforts to inform Ms Young's youngest son were thwarted by privacy laws.
"I contacted Family Services yesterday and I was almost there but they told me privacy law and privacy act (would prevent me)," he said.
A spokesman for the Queensland Department of Child Safety said last night that the boy had been told his mother had been found and was being offered counselling.
When we became naturalised back at the end of 1972 we were each given a "Declaratory Certificate of Citizenship" in addition to our formal certificates. These are plastic, the size of a credit card and are known as a "Wog Card". We were told to carry them with us always as they might be our last defence against being deported.
TOO BLOODY RIGHT!
I have faithfully carried mine in my wallet for 33 years now but have needed it only once - in 1998 - to vote in Indonesia in the Australian Federal election because a naturalised Australian's citizenship number does not appear on his/her passport. Voting is compulsory unless the citizen is certified to be clinically dead - so there is another Catch 22.
Ramblings Of A Francophobe
As always when I return from South Africa, and this time it was a brief and busy private trip to Cape Town, I am filled with mixed feelings about the beloved country. At the risk of being accused of negativity, I’m going to write mainly about those issues which cause me concern.
On Friday night, on the way back to the airport, there was a horrendous accident on Settlers Way (which will no doubt soon be renamed in the drive against ‘colonial names’). Needless to say, it involved a ‘black’ taxi, which had gone off the road, no doubt after an ill-judged and dangerous manoeuvre. Even as the rescue services battled to get to the scene, other taxis were hogging the emergency lane and refusing to get out of the way of the ambulances.
I did think for a while, a year or so ago, that the authorities were winning the battle against dangerous drivers, a majority of whom are these taxi drivers. It now seems, judging by the large number of clearly unroadworthy vehicles, and even worse, the way they are driven, that however resolute the authorities may be to control the problem, the resources are not there. To make matters worse, some 50% of all South African drivers’ licences are thought to be false, or to have been obtained under false pretences, which amounts to more or less the same thing. The tragedy is that innocent people, both taxi passengers who have no alternative but to use these death traps, and other road users, are being killed every day.
Transport minister Jeff Radebe has promised that the much-delayed scrapping of currently ageing vehicles "will commence this financial year". He said "The taxi recap is primarily about the removal of the ageing and unreliable taxi fleet and its replacement with new taxi vehicles. One group are those vehicles whose owners intend to exit the taxi industry immediately. In exchange for the R50 000 scrapping allowance, we will require them to hand in their vehicles and permits and operating licences. The others we need to get off the roads quickly are the death traps, the worst wrecks on the road. This will hopefully improve safety quite soon. We envisage a period of grace for voluntary surrender of these wrecks, but failure to do so within the time stipulated will lead to these vehicles being impounded. No scrapping allowance will be paid for vehicles impounded in this way."
Let’s hope it works. To me, it’s a case of too little too late, and they should really be tackling the dangerous drivers, given that the most dangerous nut on any vehicle is the one holding the steering wheel... although some of the taxis don’t even have steering wheels!
Late one morning I caught the train to Rondebosch, something I’ve often done. For the first time ever, I felt distinctly uneasy, almost unsafe, in the main concourse of the station, due to the large number of unsavoury looking people loitering around. Of course I remember the days when the Adderley Street entrance to the station was ‘Whites Only – Net Blankes’ and it was as clean and orderly as a Swiss station, and the trains were also segregated, and safety never even crossed our minds when we used the trains in those days. This time, after boarding the train, I felt safer in a third class carriage full of Africans than in the ‘MetroPlus’ coaches, almost empty, where one becomes a target for muggers. If there are any security personnel at the stations or on the trains, I can only say that on Thursday morning, they were invisible. It saddens me that the lack of security means that people can no longer feel comfortable making the lovely classic train journey between Cape Town and Simonstown, thus forcing more traffic onto the roads. For a long time, people have been saying that the trains are not really safe, and now I have to say, reluctantly, that I agree.
South Africa is no longer a ‘cheap’ destination, due partly to the high value of the Rand, something which exporters are unhappy with, and to the ‘greed’ factor. It’s still excellent value as far as eating out is concerned, but a lot of daily consumer items have become expensive, and house prices especially in the more desirable areas of the Western Cape have gone sky-high. A town house I considered buying two years ago in Tableview, for R245,000, is now on offer for R580,000 – perhaps not much by international standards but a lot for a South African budget. I think that for various reasons both the exchange rate and property prices may soon see a correction – I hope so as I’ve delayed my purchase in the hope that this will happen!
On the positive side, I was fortunate enough to have good weather, with crystal clear blue skies and 28 degrees for most of the week, unusual for a Cape winter. It was a joy as always to go shopping and to eat out, and to enjoy the quality and variety of shops and restaurants and the friendliness of the hard working employees.
I spent a lovely afternoon with friends who’ve bought a smallholding up the West Coast near Yzerfontein, and when we stopped spinning yarns and swigging beers for long enough to listen to the sounds of nature, all we could hear was the occasional rustle of the cooling coals from our braai, the sound of the wind in the grass and the cries of the sea birds in the distance as the sun extinguished itself into the Atlantic. These are the things which make the pull of Africa so strong.
In South Africa people smile at each other and are helpful and polite, characteristics sadly absent from the French way of life. Interestingly, in one of the newspapers which arrived during my week in Cape Town, there was an article about why the French are the most disliked people in Europe. I didn’t write the article, but I certainly understand the writer’s motivation as I compare the sullen and obstructive attitudes of the French, protected by their socialist economy, to the competitive and innovative way business is done in South Africa, at least in the private sector.
After a long and enjoyable lunch in the open air, with the warmth of the sun on my back, I chose to pass my last afternoon and early evening on the beach at Blouberg, Robben Island in front of me, listening to the hiss of the rollers breaking onto the sands, the twinkling lights of the Mother City contrasting with the dark and looming bulk of Table Mountain behind her. So ended another shit day in Africa!
Tot siens
MIKE
No queries received this week.
These requests are from subscribers to SAWmail and or members of the SAW Web site. I print them in good faith.
Can anyone help? Alana at CFI received this request.
Hi
Thank you for replying. I'm not too sure who recorded it or who sings it. I just know the first two lines. Thank you so much for your help. I hope that you can find it.
Just a reminder of how it goes: "South Africa, we love you, our beautiful land, lets show the whole world we can bring peace to our land." That's all that I can remember.
Thank you once again
Reva
Reva Maharaj some-girl@ravemail.co.za
If you are looking for a lost friend... if you would like old friends to contact you... If you want to find old school friends... if you just want people who used to know you to find you again for a chat...
Send in your info, the info of anyone you are looking for and let’s see if we can find them for you!
Some feedback... from Harriet Lauben harril@mindspring.com
Success!!
You were so wonderful as to post my message re my sister, Sally, or cousin Heather. I have been in touch via e-mail with my sister and my cousin!! This after 30 years and 5 years of tryng to find them. Thank you so much for your help. We now have a wonderful extended family.
Nobody sent in any new news.
Bubba Applies for a Job
This from Errol Errolimpala@wmconnect.com
Bubba applied for an engineering position at a Lake Charles refinery.
A Yankee applied for the same job and both applicants having the same qualifications were asked to take a test by the manager.
Upon completion of the test, both men only missed one of the questions.
The manager went to Bubba and said: "Thank you for your interest, but we've decided to give the Yankee the job."
Bubba asked: "And why are you giving him the job? We both got nine questions correct. This being Louisiana, and me being a Southern boy I should get the job!"
The manager said: "We have made our decision not on the correct answers, but rather on the one question that you both missed."
Bubba then asked: "And just how would one incorrect answer be better than the other?"
The manager replied: "Bubba, its like this. On question #4 the Yankee put down; "I don't know."
You put down, "Neither do I."
Man of the house
More from Errol
A man had just finished reading "Man Of The House" while making his commute home from work.
When he reached home, he stormed into the house and walked directly up to his wife, pointing his finger in her face, he said "From now on I want you to know that I am the man of this house and my word is law!
You are to prepare me a gourmet meal tonight, and when I'm finished eating my meal, I expect a sumptuous dessert afterward.
Then, after dinner, you're going to draw my bath so I can relax. And when I'm finished with my bath, guess who's going to dress me and comb my hair?"
His wife replied, "My guess would be the Funeral Director.
Blue Pyjamas
More from Errol...
A man calls home to his wife and says, "Honey I have been asked to go fishing up in Canada with my boss & several of his friends.
We'll be gone for a week. This is a good opportunity for me to get that promotion I've been wanting so could you please pack enough clothes for a week and set out my rod and tackle box? We're leaving from the office & I will swing by the house to pick my things up."
"Oh! Please pack my new blue silk pajamas."
The wife thinks this sounds a bit fishy but being the good wife she does exactly what her husband asked.
The following weekend he came home a little tired but otherwise looking good.
The wife welcomes him home and asks if he caught any fish?
He says, "Yes! Lots of Walleye, some Blue gill, and a few Pike.
But why didn't you pack my new blue silk pajamas like I asked you to do?
You'll love the answer...
The wife replies, "I did, they're in your tackle box."
The old cowboy and God
One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were very worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a worn out old hat and an equally worn out Bible.
The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and accessories.
As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled at his appearance and did not attempt to hide it. As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked the cowboy to do him a favor. "Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worship."
The old cowboy assured the preacher he would. The next Sunday, he showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely shunned and ignored. The preacher approached the man and said, "I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church." "I did," replied the old cowboy. "If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be for worshiping in here?" asked the preacher.
"Well, sir, God told me that He didn't have a clue what I should wear. He said He'd never been in this church before."
A really easy hot chocolate fudgy sauce for cakes and ice cream and whatever else you like!
10 ounce bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips (if you are in SA then rather use plain chocolate as the chocolate chips here are not the same as in the USA)
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 – 3 Tbsp warm water
Melt chocolate gently on low heat. Add maple syrup and vanilla essence. Add water and beat gently to mix.
That’s it! Can be re-heated in microwave as it will harden. Keep in the fridge until you need it again.
Chiefs down Celtic to clinch league title [iafrica.com]
Kaizer Chiefs completed a remarkable comeback in the league as they beat Bloemfontein Celtic 2-0 at the Vodacom Park Stadium on Sunday afternoon to successfully defend their Castle Premiership title.
http://sport.iafrica.com/news/442555.htm
South African team launches first new America’s Cup boat [SeaSailSurf]
The South African Team Shosholoza has become the first team to launch a new generation America’s Cup Class boat, built to Version 5 of the class rule. At a ceremony in Valencia, Spain on Thursday evening, RSA 83 was christened 'Shosholoza' by Rita Barberá, the Mayor of Valencia.
http://www.seasailsurf.com/seasailsurf/actu/breve.php3?id_breve=2991
Government set to step in [Planet Rugby]
The South African government is set to launch a "commission of inquiry" into the ongoing tempestuous public spat between top officials of the SA Rugby Union (SARU) and allegations of "bad corporate governance and mismanagement" against SARU president Brian van Rooyen.
http://www.planet-rugby.com/News/story_43743.shtml
Kent sign South Africa star Kemp [BBC]
Big-hitting South Africa all-rounder Justin Kemp has joined Kent as the club's second overseas player.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/counties/kent/4572895.stm
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