Thursday, December 16, 2010

Day of Reconciliation

Thursday 16 December 2010

Forgiveness is not a choice one should ponder. Just something we should do. Even when the forgiveness has not been asked for. Even when it doesn’t come easy, for it never does. Did the man harm me? Of course he did. Did he hurt me, take from me, insult me, humiliate me, anger me …. yes, he did all of that too. But guess what, I choose to move on. I have a life and my life is worth living. I choose to live, therefore I choose to forgive.

Bloedrivier. Dingaansdag, Day of Reconcilliation…

Friday, December 10, 2010

Lights or Tinsel

“What goes on first – lights or tinsel?”



I love xmas trees. In fact, I love everything about xmas. The decorations, the lights, the music, the spirit, the atmosphere, the food, cards, gifts, shops. I just love celebrating xmas for an entire month!



I’m stuck in Saudi. Not exactly xmas territory. None of the above to be found in abundance, if at all. And yet we celebrate.

On the first day of December, a young British family invited me over to help put up xmas decorations. My help was limited to being there, untangling some bobbles, taking pictures and commenting on how beautiful everything was. They didn’t need help. They invited me because that is what xmas is about – sharing.


Last night we had our xmas dinner. Had to be early because most people are leaving to celebrate the season with family back home. As I made my way across to their house, it was time for evening prayers. The amplified voice of the Imam tore through the evening sky and mixed with the Boney M song coming from their house. This describes the contrasts of my life exactly. I could listen to both sounds without conflict in my heart.



I could tell you all about the food, the music, the celebration, the people – but you know most of it already. It doesn’t change that much. The virtual fire on TV was a bit of a novelty. It even made a crackling noise! Only drawback was that we had to keep rewinding it so as to avoid Mickey Mouse’s consistent interferences.



And by the way, even the kids know this: The lights go on first. 


Catching the Sun

During the week, I have to get up too early, but over week-ends, I can stay in bed and wait for the sun to find me! This picture was taken at 08h00.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Creating Space

Changed my room today. Not exactly the extreme make-over. Just moved some furniture around. All by myself! So proud. Didn’t feel like inviting the gardener in to help. The furniture included a king-size bed,  a cupboard and drawers (hangkas en laaikas would be a better description). Remember the bedroom that faces East? Well now the bed is also facing East – like some Native American Indian – which I’m not. And you know what happens when women start moving furniture - they discover holes and gaps that need to be filled. I need paintings against the wall, a set of bedside lamps, a large rug and some scatter cushions. (And that’s just to start off with.) I have created a Bedouin space in front of the bed – by accident, I think. I could fit another king-size bed in there, but the Bedouin interior seems more appealing. I think I’m in the market for a Persian carpet right now. You’d think I’m in the right region to buy one, but trust me, I’m not. Apparently there use to be carpet-sellers who frequented the compound, but then the Pakistanis complained and said it was a rip-off. Hello, not when measured against Western prices!  I should make enquiries and have them come back – at least once!

PS - Couldn't add photo's cause there are too many open spaces that first need to be filled. Wonder whether I did the right thing....?