24 June 2010 - Happy 6th Birthday Andrew

Six years ago today I became a mom (unexpectedly as I was only 33 weeks pregnant) for the first time to the most beautiful boy.  Andrew you are my heart and my soul and your dad and I love you to bits.  Thank you for being such a special child and bringing us so much joy.

Love mom and dad xx

Beyond the vuvuzela: Watching the World Cup at Loftus - by Robert McIntosh

My brother wrote the following article about his experience at a World Cup match for a newspaper in London called "The South African".  It is a really good read.

http://london.thesouthafrican.com/sa-sport/Beyond-the-vuvuzela--Watching-the-World-Cup-at-Loftus

Rob McIntosh, a South African living in London, returned home to Pretoria to catch a World Cup game in his hometown. He tells us all about the experience, and what it is really like to be surrounded by thousands of blaring vuvuzelas

I was lucky enough to have secured tickets to a relatively low-key World Cup match in Pretoria to watch Ghana take on Serbia in the first Group B game of the tournament.

Having arrived in South Africa a few days earlier I was completely taken aback by the spirit in the country: South African flags attached to car windows and flag “socks” attached onto side mirrors absolutely everywhere – so much so that it seemed almost uncool not to have at least one piece of South African memorabilia on your car. And so, of course, I got right into the spirit and did it too!

And then there were the vuvuzelas. Love them or hate them, it seems that anyone watching, or indeed playing, the “beautiful game” in 2010 will also have to get used to the “beautiful noise”, as vuvuzelas have become a national symbol of South Africa’s pride and support.

Living in the quieter suburbs in the east of Pretoria, the occasional “paaaaaaaarp!” of a random vuvuzela or kuduzela (a vuvuzela shaped like a kudu horn, with a similar sound but, unlike vuvuzelas, they are banned from stadiums) is not uncommon. The vibe in the country, across race, culture and class is so evident you cannot help noticing it, and cannot help getting into it!

Vuvuzelas are being sold in South Africa from as little as R20 (£1.75) for a plain plastic model to a modest R350 (£30) for a fancy African beaded version with a buck-hide strap. But believe me, they all make exactly the same sound!

At the game, I was surprised just how contagious the vuvuzelas were. Together with the great spirit of the Ghanaian supporters and the multitude of South Africans who were 100% behind their African compatriots, the spirit of the crowd was phenomenal.

As one would have expected the prices of drinks and snacks in the stadium were at a mighty premium compared to anything I have ever experienced in South Africa, but that never deterred me from ordering a few R30 (£2.50) Budweisers and a R50 (£4.30) boerie roll.

The game was good but goalless until Asamoah Gyan converted a penalty kick in the 84th minute, giving Ghana a 1-0 win over Serbia to become the first team from Africa to win in this year’s World Cup.

The Black Stars’ supporters went absolutely crazy, and the walk back to the park and ride was almost as much fun as the madness and mayhem of the Ghanaian celebrations in the stadium. Everybody was jovial and proud to be African!

I am very impressed with what South Africa has achieved so far in the World Cup, with so much more still to come. I am proud of the vibe we have created in the country. I am proud of the “gees” we are showing. After watching the game, I thought to myself: “today, I am very Proudly South African.”

10 June 2010 - Dress-up day

I actually can't believe how far behind I am with my posts.

On 10 June (way back when) the kids had dress-up day at school.  In keeping with the whole soccer theme (sort of) there was a theme of children of the world.  I threw around some ideas with Andrew and Michael but they were not having any of it.  Andrew decided that he wanted to wear his knight costume, so he ended up being an English knight (from England) and Michael insisted (suprise suprise) on his army outfit so he was just back from war :).

Sir Andrew my brave (and very fetching) knight.

Andrew with his friends, H the Mexican, R the cowboy, N as Zorro and Andrew.

Here is Michael with his buddies.  H the Springbok supporter, T and Michael.

Cute pic!

13 June 2010 - World Cup Soccer - Ghana vs Serbia

I booked tickets for a world cup game in a lottery type of draw beginning of December 2009. I wanted to watch a game on a weekend in Pretoria so chose 13 June 2010 at Loftus - match D3 vs D4. When I finally had a chance to look at who we were watching it ended up being Ghana vs Serbia. Now I have to admit I was slightly disappointed in the pick of teams and was rather hoping to have gotten two kick-arse teams battling it out. In retrospect though I am SO glad we watched the game we did (more about that later). So on the sunny (thank goodness - the real cold started 48 hours later, recording the lowest temperatures for SA in recent history) Sunday  on day 3 of the World Cup my mother, my brother, my husband and I donned our green and gold (bright yellow) and pickled off to Loftus.  We were fortunate enough to park at my office so it was just a short walk to the stadium. Now the country had been on a bit of a high since a few days before the start of the World Cup and after South Africa's draw in the opening match everything just seemed to excalate and everyone was swept up in the vibe.

Anyway, so as we get to the street close to the stadium (we are still about a kilometre away) all you hear is celebration and the sounds of vuvuzelas echoing out of the stadium - wow!  A throng of green, yellow and red was moving towards Loftus and the walk in itself was an experience.  My pick in the end I realised was for an African team and being an African World Cup this made it quite special.

Despite a crowd of 38 388 in the stadium I was plesently suprised as to how quickly and effortlessly we managed to get into the grounds and to our seats.  The stadium was amazing and really world-class - so impressive and I was am a really proud South African. 

I did not see/remember too much of the game, because I was soi intrigued by the people around us.  The die-hard guy from Ghana sitting all by hinmself next to my brother who belted out his anthem, the friendly chap sitting behind us.  The two youngsters infront of us with their hand-draws flag on paper that was sticky-taped together to make the flags fit.  The man/woman in the bright pink dress who permanently looked confused (and sure was), but cheered continously.  THAT is what I remember.  The fans blowing their vuvuzelas, the cheering the laughing the shouting and inbetween all of that Ghana's goal and the roar of the crowd as the game ended and Ghana became the first African team to win a match in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

  

12 June 2010 - Andrew's 6th Birthday Party

My mom and I were chatting last night and saying how happy we are that Andrew did not get chicken pox from Michael and I said that I am excited for the party happening today. I had spent the evening sorting everything out in anticipation of the 20 kids coming to the party and had baked and iced an enormous soccer-field birthday cake for my big boy's big day.

Andrew went to bed at around 8pm and at about 9pm started with a cough. Ed checked on him and told me that he had a fever of 39 degrees - not good news. I gave him some meds for the fever and then went to finish up some stuff. When I got into bed about 30 minutes later something told me to check his back and there it was - a damn spot! I could honestly not believe it! Chicken pox has hit my house again and at the MOST inappropriate time too.

This morning I had to phone 20 mommies (and daddies) and let them know that I have a little contagious boy in the house and that they need to make a decision as to if they still wanted to come to the party. We ended up with 7 kids and my two, so less than half and the biggest cake ever to eat :).

So the party still happened, just on a far smaller scale, and it seems that Andrew had a blast anyway - he did miss his friends though, I think I need to arrange a play-date or two so that he can see them a bit.

My brother, Robert, was also still around (he is visiting for just over a week) and he went full-out with the soccer theme setting up a mini soccer field on my lawn with goals and all. I honestly don't know who had more fun playing soccer, him or the kids! Thanks Robs - that was so lovely of you to do.

11 June 2010 - FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa

So after 6 years of planning and anticipation the 2010 FIFA World Cup started today. What a day - I tell you the whole country was in a party mood and the atmosphere was electric all over the place. I had the family and some friends over for the opening ceremony and the first match between South Africa and Mexico. The game was amazing and South Africa scored the first goal of the tournament and in the end the game was a draw of 1-1. I must say I was very impressed with our Bafana Bafana and so happy about the score.

(photo to be added in soon :))

June 2010 - Special flower

My father-in-law gave me a Gerbera for Mother's day last year. It is such a lovely plant and flowers beautifully. The other day I noticed a strange flower on it and discovered that it is growing a siamese flower. The stems are conjoined and it is flowering from both sides. It is absolutely gorgeous and I can't wait for it to be opened properly. Really something special I think.

9 June 2010 - United for Bafana

With the 2010 Soccer World Cup only days (hours) away it was time to get the spirit going and the concept of "unite for Bafana" was born. At 12pm today everyone was asked to go outside, cheer and blow their vuvazelas for 5 minutes to show their support for the local soccer team (Bafana Bafana).

So off we went at 11h55 and wow what a crowd. We were just on the street outside the office and there were at least a hundred people celebrating and the cars driving past hooting - even the fire brigade joined in. The vibe was unbelieveable (and very noisy :)). Next thing there is the sound of drums and the official Mexican supporters team joined the crowd anbd really got things going. It was an awesome experience and one I will never forget.