Ants and Millipedes and Ladybugs, oh MY!!

One BUG happy family

 

October 30^th, 2013

Well, here it is on the eve of Halloween. And it doesn’t even feel like – although the lightning and thunder, does set the mood.  In my neighborhood, I think I’m one if the few houses with a generator as the storm has caused an outage now since 7 PM.  I was at a bible study and the family didn’t have a generator..How can you say “hardship” when others have it worst!  Nevertheless, I am thankful for having the generator as we have electricity and TV but no Internet, as I write this post.  

Highlights of this week – Alyssa wanted a pet so bad…So daddy went out and got some ants to put in a tall jar.  They seem to like it, especially since daddy got some of the sprinkles from my baked goods shelf to put in the jar.  She even had names for them – one of them Jack.  However, he used Saran Wrap with one or two holes..I doubt that was enough air for them as they were still sleeping in the morning.  So yesterday he grabbed a lady bug and put it in a jar for Alyssa..Pet #2.  Ugh..I come home and find that he’s collected 2-3 millipedes..Those things with many legs!!  Methinks they better stay contained.  In the meantime, we are one big happy bug family. 
Another practice is learning to unplug modem and phone line during these bad storms.  I guess it is better than tornados and hurricanes.  Hail last weekend was quite heavy and could have damaged my car's windshield. 

I just learned good news that my big household shipment is in Durban  however the storms have kept the crates from moving to Mbabane..I sure am missing my stuff and feeling it.  From my dish, to hangers and to my shopping bags.  I guess patience has its virtue.  I will learn to appreciate things more.  My U.S. stamps ordered from USPS web site have arrived so I’m ready for cards and Christmas time!!  This past weekend, went to a Halloween party.  It was fun but it also rained so we were stuck in doors..We had scary stories, we had treats and..well I didn’t stay for the tricks.  Alyssa got to be the astronaut and momma got to be Pocahontas.  I’ve wanted to be her for some time, especially when my hair was long.  I had the straight hair but not the length.  Check it out.

Mami got to be one to hand out treats to the kids!!

Happy Halloween :-) 

The Comforts of Home Away from Home

Finding our Niche 

 

October 20, 2013

This past week we discovered what we miss most -- fast food or drive through.  I discovered Nando's last week and had to go back few more times after the convenience of ordering take home food to my loved ones. The best part about it is that it is HEALTHY fast food.  Chicken strips was actually grilled pieces of chicken with RICE, and not fries.  (That part was mis-communication on my part when I said fries she heard rice).  Nevertheless, it was good and satisfies a hungry tummy.  Also, the prices are comparable to US fast foods for a meal of 3, it was usually 16 dollars (or 160 South African Rand or E, local currency in Swaziland).  Another words, fast food in Swaziland is expensive!  Go to a sit-down restaurant and don't be surprised to pay just $7 more for a nice meal at $22 a family.  No wonder fast food lines are short hehe.

 

Here is Alyssa's Dinosaur Fossil Toy from her Nando's Kid's Meal

--She got good at digging it out!

We were hoping to check out the Nelspruit and Kruger park area only to discover that they aren't really next door (one hour apart from each other). On top of that the weather wasn't cooperating.  I was able to get some relaxation in, which was what my body needed the most.

Went to a birthday party for a co-worker's sons..It was good I checked my Blackberry!  You just never know what might be happening in the weekend.  Still spending a good time on the weekend with household chores so I haven't experienced the luxury yet..Maybe in a week or two?  We have hired a lady and she has good references.  We can't wait for her to join us. 

Alyssa and her fave friend, Benjamin                                                   Funtime with Friends

 

Olsen Twins Turn One

 

So far the continuity of bible study and having a regular lessons with Alyssa weekly, is helping, minus my exercise class.  I'm hoping to get that in this week in some shape or form.  At least we have a couple of events to keep us busy such as the Halloween parties coming up and craft night.  

Going on Week 7

Becoming Amateurs

 

October 14, 2013

Hard to believe that we are at the beginning of week 7.  It doesn't feel like we have been here long, yet the end of October marks our two month anniversary in Swaziland.  This past week has been laid back and really just getting in the routine, and still exploring.  Checked out a new church yesterday and been keeping busy with card-making and crafts.  My daughter is really getting into it.  We did it in Florida for a Baptist Ministry and really had a good time, fellowship and I hope I can find (or start) a group here.  Here's the proud work I did today..I made five cards.  I really am starting to get organized, which means I'm on my way to getting settled.  Our HHE (household effects) arrive this month as well, and it will be like finding a treasure chest..Who knew we could live without SO many things.  I sure miss my morning Frapuccino's.  There's nothing close, except a Freezachino at one of the restaurants here.  So my caffeine has been mostly diet coke -- not so great at 10 AM but what can you do?

Feeling so Productive

 

Card Greeting Night with Alyssa

 

 

Trying a Craft Pumpkin from Pinterest 

 

I am starting to relax now with the pot holes and speed bumps..It's funny how quickly we adapt.  Even cold tap water is starting to grow on me....NOT!  Well, wait until I get back to states for an R&R and then I'll know that I don't have to live with washing my hands in cold water!  The kitchen sink and bath-shower is the only place I get hot water.

Today as my daughter came home from school, I was able to point out a millipede to her and she was like cool...Yes, our garden has all sorts, a natural zoo.  I noticed the roses are starting to bloom which is pretty.  It doesn't feel like fall weather here.  We are actually moving into the summer season and will be interesting when January comes, as it supposed to be hot.  Alyssa's on her 3rd horse back lessons and doing better.  This might be a sport we enjoy here together.

Turkey's roaming freely at the farm

Just like the backdrop of a western movie.

    

 

Nice to have Columbus Day off.  I got to have a day date with Jason as our school bus comes to pick Alyssa up.  She is still enjoying her new school and looks forward to going every day.  It will soon be time to start planning some of our South African vacations now..Make the use of our time here.  The Villa's love to travel!

Realities and Delights of Hardship Posts

October 6, 2013

 

They don't pay big bucks for nothing.  Here are some of the hardships we have learned are part of the fair share Foreign Service officers are required to do every eight years.

Swaziland's Hardship 

Hardship #1 - Stress of learning to drive on the left size of the road, full of potholes, speed bumps, tight spaces and cars flying out of nowhere. You really need defensive driving skills. I got scratches not on my own car but on the duty vehicles. Planning to take a crash course from one of the office staff soon.

Hardship # 2 - When it rains be prepared for home phone line and Internet outage. Internet speeds are slow, expensive and unreliable.

Hardship # 3 - I spend my free time killing bugs in the house.  In my 5 years of Florida I saw 3 roaches.  In the month and a half, I have been in Swazi I killed 4-5.  Three of them at my entrance to the door...eeek!

I better stop sissing around! Another thing I am learning.."Figure it out on my own."  Yes, Ms. Bo has a tendency to keep asking people for answers! :-)   Number two, listen better, etc etc. I doubt by age 40, I can correct all my deficiencies. You take the good w the bad I suppose.

Along with hardships, we have to look at the bright side.  That I'm trying to do more.  They say settling in a new post takes about 6 months.  Many people curtail or find this period difficult as moving along brings new stressors one is not used to in their environment --it's a part of the nomadic life style.

Delight # 1 -- People in Swaziland speak English.  Yes, it may be a developing country but the majority of people I run into understand what I'm saying.  What's delightful is that 85% of our service providers are British.. Which makes it a lot easier to find things and communicate of course.  I've gotten into the mentality of speaking SLOWLY when I'm overseas.  Nice to be able talk normally.  Alyssa's judo teacher this coming Monday, is British.  Her new school Principal is British, her uniform store, our barber and last but not least, the horseback lessons she is signing up for, are owned by Brits. 

Definitely a delight - Nature

 

Here is Alyssa in her first horseback lesson ride

Delight #2 -- I haven't had my household help begin work yet but we got her finger prints done this past weekend.  Now we just need her medical exam and a few reference checks to make sure she's OK.  After all, she's going to be in our house and watch the girl so we must take precautions.  This should help me a great deal.  We have a gardener who takes care of our yard weekly.  All for a decent price...

Delight # 3 -- Yummy foods, not always having to worry about the quality of water such as bleaching your vegetables.  You get good cuts of meat for decent price here.  The shopping is not bad and we haven't ventured into Johannesburg or Nelspruit yet but I hear we can get McDonald's and many other amenities in South Africa.  Maybe if Jason becomes CLO (Community Liaison Officer), he can organize quarterly trips there.  Have people pitch in and all..it's two hours there, two hours back so be prepared for lots of shopping!!! 

Delight # 4 -- All roads leads to one.  It's hard to get lost in Mbabane.  You take one wrong road, it leads you back to the main one.  You don't need a GPS -- it has only so many highways and roads and then the mountains.  Definitely learning your way around here is easy, as the others who've lived here have said.

Delight # 5 -- Yes, the crime level here in comparison to Johannesburg is a lot less.  So you have the nice part of South Africa without the crime.  We can get to Mozambique in a short time which as people say, is the real Africa!!

Well, went to my first church service and it wasn't too bad.  The songs/worship is nearly one hour long.  I used to think Catholic service was long at 50 minutes and I barely got anything out of it.  I think my happy medium is a bible class - a little bit of everything and what's best, you get to discuss it with your classmates.  Well, I'm glad this weekend worked out well.  Still praying that everything back home is alright.  For those who had gone to my Smug Mug web site, my trial period ended.  I have to see if I want that web site as it is slow to load and I'm in Africa.  I pay a high price for dial-up speed so for now, I'll post pics here and there..Mostly Facebook and a few in my blogs.  Alyssa and I did our favorite activities and put it in a jar..That way, we get o choose what we like to do and most of it are what Alyssa, Jason and I like to do.  Can't go wrong!!