CHRISTMAS SURVIVAL STORY...2006
Well, it's not exactly a "survival" story. I suppose the only reason for the survival reference is the fact that Svetlana, as usual, has cooked up a storm and when there's food around the house I just can't seem to resist! She learned a dessert recipe while in South Africa and the cake has been thrust before me more than once since my arrival back in Flint. The doggone thing is s-o-o-o-o delicious!
Mary Ann, my sister, is here (from Boca Raton, Florida). Actually, Dan, her son-in-law, came with her--they drove up with two (large) dogs, along with a rather large cat by the name of "bulls-eye." Bulls-eye is the fattest cat I've ever seen. I'm told they acquired him from the pound down there, rescuing him from certain death. I thought the animal was the "victim" of too much food from them, but was informed he was that way when they picked him up. Not only is the cat huge, he's much like a dog--preferring to lap around your feet, begging for a human touch. I swear the critter understands English! He sits there and kind of bobs his head when one "talks" to him. It's uncanny.
Everyone else has arrived from Florida. The patriarch of the family, Pete, has arrived. Maria came with him: she broke away from her endless work with the produce firm she works for. Suzanne is here (wife of Dan). And then Danny arrived. He's Kristen's son. Oh, Kristen also arrived with Pete and Maria! Wow, what a crew... Next, it's gonna be Michelle and her two adopted kids. They arrive from Hollywood, California (yes, people actually call that place home!).
We gave everyone something from South Africa. Thank goodness we were smart enough to do the Christmas shopping while in southern Africa...everyone seems really pleased with their gifts we chose for them. Oh. And my twin brother, Jim, is also with us. He was very happy with the two hand-made, wooden canes we gave him. One cane, a black ebony, sculpted beauty, we bought from a fellow on the beaches of Mozambique. It's a heavy one and we're gonna keep it at our home for his use when he visits with us. The other cane is much lighter in weight, is also sculpted with an intricate design, and was bought somewhere in South Africa (I think). Gosh, it might have been purchased in Swaziland...I'm just not sure. He really, really likes it too. It is now his "regular" cane.
Ivan received the usual assortment of goodies, most of which are more educational than entertaining. Svetlana wouldn't have it any other way. He got a keyboard (piano) from his godfather, Mikhail. We gave him a ("real") guitar, which he also practices on quite often. Ivan is going to be proficient with musical instruments, one way or the other!
It's so good to be back in Flint...and with family. Even though there is a nip in the air and snow can't be too far behind, we're enjoying being back in more familiar surroundings. We had a tremendous time in South Africa, but home is home. Flint never looked so good! Here, folks talk about crime. All they have to do is go to South Africa...then they'll receive an education on crime. I've written about it and nothing has changed: it's the one factor that will lead South Africa to dramatic change if the leaders there don't bring it under control.
South Africa is losing approximately 30,000 people yearly to out-country migration. Most of the folks leaving are going to New Zealand, Australia, Britain, Canada, the USA, and other countries. It's mostly "white-flight" in my estimation. People just can't take the crime rate there any longer--and those people leaving are mostly professionals that the country can't afford to lose. It will continue unabated as long as the South African leadership ignores the crime issue.
So, there it is! We had a very Merry Christmas and hopefully our friends in South Africa had one too. There will be few more additions to this blog, mostly photographs (some of my favorites). The New Year will bring an end to this 2006 Fulbright blog...I'm going to miss it!
Mary Ann, my sister, is here (from Boca Raton, Florida). Actually, Dan, her son-in-law, came with her--they drove up with two (large) dogs, along with a rather large cat by the name of "bulls-eye." Bulls-eye is the fattest cat I've ever seen. I'm told they acquired him from the pound down there, rescuing him from certain death. I thought the animal was the "victim" of too much food from them, but was informed he was that way when they picked him up. Not only is the cat huge, he's much like a dog--preferring to lap around your feet, begging for a human touch. I swear the critter understands English! He sits there and kind of bobs his head when one "talks" to him. It's uncanny.
Everyone else has arrived from Florida. The patriarch of the family, Pete, has arrived. Maria came with him: she broke away from her endless work with the produce firm she works for. Suzanne is here (wife of Dan). And then Danny arrived. He's Kristen's son. Oh, Kristen also arrived with Pete and Maria! Wow, what a crew... Next, it's gonna be Michelle and her two adopted kids. They arrive from Hollywood, California (yes, people actually call that place home!).
We gave everyone something from South Africa. Thank goodness we were smart enough to do the Christmas shopping while in southern Africa...everyone seems really pleased with their gifts we chose for them. Oh. And my twin brother, Jim, is also with us. He was very happy with the two hand-made, wooden canes we gave him. One cane, a black ebony, sculpted beauty, we bought from a fellow on the beaches of Mozambique. It's a heavy one and we're gonna keep it at our home for his use when he visits with us. The other cane is much lighter in weight, is also sculpted with an intricate design, and was bought somewhere in South Africa (I think). Gosh, it might have been purchased in Swaziland...I'm just not sure. He really, really likes it too. It is now his "regular" cane.
Ivan received the usual assortment of goodies, most of which are more educational than entertaining. Svetlana wouldn't have it any other way. He got a keyboard (piano) from his godfather, Mikhail. We gave him a ("real") guitar, which he also practices on quite often. Ivan is going to be proficient with musical instruments, one way or the other!
It's so good to be back in Flint...and with family. Even though there is a nip in the air and snow can't be too far behind, we're enjoying being back in more familiar surroundings. We had a tremendous time in South Africa, but home is home. Flint never looked so good! Here, folks talk about crime. All they have to do is go to South Africa...then they'll receive an education on crime. I've written about it and nothing has changed: it's the one factor that will lead South Africa to dramatic change if the leaders there don't bring it under control.
South Africa is losing approximately 30,000 people yearly to out-country migration. Most of the folks leaving are going to New Zealand, Australia, Britain, Canada, the USA, and other countries. It's mostly "white-flight" in my estimation. People just can't take the crime rate there any longer--and those people leaving are mostly professionals that the country can't afford to lose. It will continue unabated as long as the South African leadership ignores the crime issue.
So, there it is! We had a very Merry Christmas and hopefully our friends in South Africa had one too. There will be few more additions to this blog, mostly photographs (some of my favorites). The New Year will bring an end to this 2006 Fulbright blog...I'm going to miss it!
posted by JOBURG JOURNAL at 9:20 AM
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