Monday 23 April 2012

Easter frolicks


I am beginning to realise how precious time is and how little spare time I have as it has been a month since I was last able to sit and type something to you all. Better for me as it gives me more news for you guys and ensures you aren’t bored with me waffling on and on about our charmed life.

So the sis-in-law, hubby and little niece (Natalia is a year older than our fella) came for a two week visit and it went by far too fast for our liking, but we made the most of it, as did they, taking advantage of the good weather by the pool, eating great food in various hot stops, Sam and I got a night out which was bliss (who knew a burger and wine could taste so good when you don’t have to rush). Most evenings were spent with good wine, each in their respective spots on the sofa watching Downtown Abbey. Perfect.



Laith loved having his cousin here, not sure she could quite fgure out this screaming little critter glued to her side, picking her hairclips out her hair, eating her cheerios at breakfast, but by the end of the trip they were buddies, which is as much heartwarming as it is gut wrenching as I knew the tears were bound to ensue at their goodbye. Which it did. Laiths screams could be heard all the way to the car park I am told, my tears followed soon after. As wonderful as life is here it certainly leaves you feeling very down when our family visit for short periods at a time. But so glad to say my parents-in-law arrive in a week or so and will be with us for a few weeks. By us I mean Laith and I as Sam has somehow managed to wriggle his way into a stag-do in Las Vegas. I told him it was going to cost him, and I don’t mean financially going on the trip; I mean revenge shopping, so a few designer dresses later I am only just warming up. Cheeky little sod, although bless him it is only for a few days followed by a hectic week of working meetings!
Laith is loving nursery and I am enjoying the new taste in freedom. It is quite incredible how a few hours alone can rejuvenate the soul, as well as the continued asskicking at boot camp. I am lucky to have formed such lovely friendships with the small handful of ladies I have met, and I think I will be taking advantage whilst grandpa and gran ma visit to have a few nights out….it would be rude not to.
Winter is approaching and I am sitting here in ajumper and uggs (yes really) listening to the howling wind beating at the windows. There was a spectacular lightning storm the other night and now I love the sound of the crashing waves on these blustery nights.
We are getting Laith used to the sea and as a result we have awakened the future surfer within. He adores the waves lapping up against his little feet, approaches a little closer as the tide ebbs away and then with a mixture of fear and such bold curiosity wades deeper into the waves before it comes back, only to sweep him off his feet, upon which he screams with such delight , and a hint of nervousness. It is really something special to watch a child experience something for the first time. Sam is proud that he has taught the boy how to dribble. A ball, not saliva. He has also bought him a mini cricket bat and ball, but as with most impulse purchases it remains in the drawer.
As for me, I am happy and well, looking forward to what the new days bring to us and especially looking forward to Granma Ahlam and some mama love cooking!

Until next time...
















Sunday 18 March 2012

Skool Days


London seems like a distant memory and I had not realise how long it has been since I last spoke to my friends via my little blog! The critter has grown up and gotten over the separation anxiety (me not him) and started going to nursery. I cried more than him the first week (yes I am patheticly weak when it comes to him and he knows it and I can only see the future when it comes to the 'I want' phase
Weather has been hot and humid (sorry my london pals), and I spend the few hours Laith is driving his teacher nuts by going to Bootcamp. An hour a day with Zennon the trainer is what every woman needs - no, not because of his body girls (although, yes he has graced  Men's Health mags) but he really kicks your ass into shape. Literally. The only thing that gets me through is the fact I survived 23hours of labour. The lifestyle here and gorgeous SA mob force you to endure this hellish workout to try to look at least half as good!
The village has a gorgeous new cafe run by three brothers and we have become mates. Today on our daily visit for Laith's butter rolls I see my gynie there with his wife and their baby. Polite introductions were made all round, I walked away dying of embarassment knowing the wife knew her husband had seen parts of me never known to man. OMG!!
Have made some wonderful friends, beautiful ladies, incredibly supportive little network and who like a drink or three. What more does a gal need. Have started sharing the bbq lifestyle here, night and daytime ones, the best part of which is that the men do all the cooking!!! I just need to tempt my friends to come and visit this amazing beautiful country. Excited the sis-in-law and and family are heading over soon.
We have taken up tennis on Sundays and officially bought out racquets. Sam thinks if he buys the same one as Nadal he will play like him. His arms are certainly just as buff :) He opted for the one made by Head. Say no more. He had a boys night out which consisted of two hours of tennis followed by a few beers and home by 11. Where is the guy that used to hit Wellies til 4am?! I am sure things would be different if his boys were here (yes Mak, Nima et al)
Moi on the other hand has arranged a ladies cocktail night at the lighthouse bar next week...
Have attached a few pics of the little man's first day at school.
Will update with a bit more excitment as soon as I have a bit more time and a few more adventures to report
Hugs

Until next time...

Monday 26 December 2011

Christmas time in London town



So we have been back three weeks and I feel like the Tasmanian devil when he just keeps on spinning (you remember him right? Or am I showing my age...) It has been nonstop with making sure everyone sees us, actually Laith, they are polite about wanting to see us but it is all about the kid. Even my parents on Skype don’t want the camera on me! He has adapted well to new surroundings, freezing weather (although grumpy about it at first) and wearing shoes for the first time (after Sam and I broke a sweat putting them on...yes really)

It has been wonderful seeing him with his cousins and loved ones, growing slowly accustomed to new faces and places. Winter wonderland, done, Natural History and Science Museum, done. Big Christmas tree done, overload of presents, done, overload of sugar and treats more than done, snotty cold, done and a shedload of attention , done. (I sound like Gordon Ramsey). Trust me when you have so much to do and so many to see you literally have a list in your head you check off. For Sam and I it was GBK, Mangal kebabs, Starbucks, customary nightout wiht the boys and a hangover from hell, many girls dinners and wine for me in return... spa treatments (yes him too), Hyde and Holland park, pub grub, mulled wine, a bit of snow, seeinold schoolmates, staying up all night watching nothing on TV (literally as our Sky stopped working) and going for walks on the high street (which we don’t have in Sa and we do miss it!)

It has been great but exhausting and I am sitting here on Boxing Day looking back on the year with a little bit of amazement at how my mind-set has changed 360 degrees. I left to Durban in tears and continued to do so for a few months. Now I feel it is home. A dear friend of mind moved to NYC last year and when I said to her I too was leaving London but was going with the attitude that it is a long vacation she laughed at me and told me I was fooling myself and that it was a life change. Trish you aren’t just a pretty face! We are very lucky as it has been the most worthwhile life change, and being in London makes it all the more apparent.

We miss our friends and family desperately but we have adapted to an outdoor lifestyle on a small beach village more than we realised.  I love London for the museums and parks, proper pubgrub, Heinz baked beans and salad cream (yes I have put a few in the suitcase) and most of all I love it for you folks.

But I miss Durban.THe ladies I have befriended, the little man's friends, the everyday people you encounter going about your daily chores.You will never in your life encounter such friendly, kind, helpful and child loving people than you do in SA.coupled with the weather and outdoor healthier lifestyle we hopefully can't go wrong.

Love you all

Until next year....
















Friday 11 November 2011

This one is for you x

Our son turns 1 next week and more than ever I find myself remembering the drive to the hospital with Sam on a cold November morning thinking this was our last drive as a twosome together. Nothing could have prepared us for how our lives were about to change, the challenges and overwhelming love we were about to experience. Our journey to get to Laith was long and difficult but it's all somehow blurred into a distant memory and we look at the cheeky little critter we have been blessed with in absolute wonder.
Each day he does something to make himself and us laugh out loud, he stumbles and falls and cries, he grasps things with a little more power and determination, he pushes our boundaries and tests us a little more and he brings so much joy and love into his grandparents lives. This little man in the making has turned our lives upside-down and for the better.
So on a day where my heart and thoughts are with my loved ones going through a difficult time (you know who you are and I love you girls) I find myself hoping that Laith will grow-up to be like you. Loving and devoted children, strong,brave, powerful and with such faith that you even stay smiling and positive through the adversity life throws in your way. I look at you both and it makes me want to have a sibling for Laith, so he is not alone not just through the hard times but seeing you share all your great and happy times together, filled with such love! You have built a life full of incredible memories and share a gift for loving life and seeing the good in everything. My friend and sister you inspire me as a mother, wife and human being. You both are admirable but most of all you are survivors. Your parents must look at you and be so incredibly proud of their success at raising such wonderful children and I pray that one day I can look back when I am old and grey (not far away!) at Laith with the same sentiment. 
God Bless you and give you strength now and always
x







Saturday 5 November 2011

Guilty pleasure.....

After weeks of dieting and working out, and finally fitting into some clothes which I was convinced would never see daylight again, I had promised myself a Eid blow-out...and boy did we totally blow out. I convinced myself that I would just have a veggie-pitta burger but then Sam said he felt like takeaway and that is how, by some magical power, my plate runeth over with BBQ ribs, fries, breaded shrooms and pizza. To think a year ago I would eat that as a starter and scream ' the baby wants it ! Its for the baby!'
Now I had no excuse, nor do I need one. I have to be honest, every single sinful bite was a heavenly mouthgasm. I am still staring at the burger half and few shroomies left wondering if I can actually go on (reminds me of Man vs Food) and out of principle I will because I know for the next month I am back on the wagon. So happy Eid to you my friends, loved ones and most of to my happy not-so-little belly.

Until next time x