We had a busy weekend.
We had dinner with one of our neighbour, Cecile, on Friday. She made a delicious french chicken dish which was very much like Chicken a la King. Saturday evening we had a braai with Cecile and her kids Alex and Pauline. After the braai Cecile and Alex went home as they were travelling to PE the next day and wanted to get to bed early. The weather was so pleasant and windless that Jay put some more wood in the braai and we sat around the fire looking at the stars. The 3 of us sat chatting and laughing till the wee hours.
Sunday I had to collect my niece, Megan, from the airport and she spent a few hours playing with Stef before we dropped her off at UCT. We went to visit some Gavin and Amanda for tea which landed up to be so late that we all went out for dinner to the Spur together. Hence another late night for us and the kids.
Josh has been waking in the wee hours of the night and of course this morning at 3am he woke crying. So I felt wrecked on waking this morning but I feel okay now. I think that Josh is finally teething. I am hoping that his first tooth comes through by his birthday - it can be his present to me!!!
Another beautiful windless weather day but now I am at work and hoping that the weather holds out till this evening after work.
On Sunday while we were taking Megan back to res we stopped at a robot behind a white Opel Astra. On close look we realised that this was our old car. The number plate was the same with the name of the place we bought the car from. The front bumper was even still slightly broken from when a traffic cop had ridden into the car. The woman driving then pulled over to the side of the road to take a call on her cell so we got a good look at our old car. We were so amazed at the likelyhood that we would see our dear old car again. That was a great car, it is nice to see that it is still around.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Tis the season of Public Holidays
I love all the Public Holidays we have in South Africa. I think that SA is a country with one of the highest number of public holidays in the world. Not good for business in a developing country but certainly good for the 'werkers'.
Today is like a Friday for me. I am looking forward to the long weekend. This weekend is Easter. Good Friday is a holiday as well as Easter Monday. There is another 2 long weekends coming up soon. The 27th April (Freedom Day - I think) is a holiday and as it falls on a Sunday the Monday is automatically a holiday. The 1st May (Thrusday) is Workers Day and so the SA goverment has announced that they are making the 2nd May (a Friday) a holiday too. They has been done simply because Good Friday falls on the 21 March which is normally a Public Holiday (cant remember the reason) so because we are 'missing' out on a holiday they have given us a extra day off. So this means that, that week will equal a total of 2 working days. Problem is that most people will then take advantage and take those 2 days off as well. It does not make sense really - they should rather 'give us' the extra day sometime later in the year when there are no holidays.
People overseas in Ireland/UK used to find it really strange when I told them how the South Africans do it with regards to public holidays. In Ireland we would get a Bank Holiday Monday and that was considered a long weekend these were also evenly spread over the year. Bank Holidays are always on a Monday with the exceptions of St Patrick's Day (17 March) and Christmas Day. You would think a Catholic country like RO Ireland would have Good Friday as a holiday too but this is not so.
So I will enjoy my long weekend and all the rest. I look at it as extra quality time with the kids.
Today is like a Friday for me. I am looking forward to the long weekend. This weekend is Easter. Good Friday is a holiday as well as Easter Monday. There is another 2 long weekends coming up soon. The 27th April (Freedom Day - I think) is a holiday and as it falls on a Sunday the Monday is automatically a holiday. The 1st May (Thrusday) is Workers Day and so the SA goverment has announced that they are making the 2nd May (a Friday) a holiday too. They has been done simply because Good Friday falls on the 21 March which is normally a Public Holiday (cant remember the reason) so because we are 'missing' out on a holiday they have given us a extra day off. So this means that, that week will equal a total of 2 working days. Problem is that most people will then take advantage and take those 2 days off as well. It does not make sense really - they should rather 'give us' the extra day sometime later in the year when there are no holidays.
People overseas in Ireland/UK used to find it really strange when I told them how the South Africans do it with regards to public holidays. In Ireland we would get a Bank Holiday Monday and that was considered a long weekend these were also evenly spread over the year. Bank Holidays are always on a Monday with the exceptions of St Patrick's Day (17 March) and Christmas Day. You would think a Catholic country like RO Ireland would have Good Friday as a holiday too but this is not so.
So I will enjoy my long weekend and all the rest. I look at it as extra quality time with the kids.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Almost 11 months and still no teeth!!!
I think that Josh is finally teething. I can see the teeth in his gums both top and bottom. They are almost there just need to cut through the gums. He woke at about 11pm last night (just as we were trying to fall asleep) after being very restless and lay chatting in his bed. It was at first rather funny listening to him but he got louder and louder and eventually started to cry. Which woke Stefi who climbed into our bed. Jay went to Stefi's bed and tried to rock Josh to sleep. But he was wide awake. So I gave him Stopayne and then walked around the house rocking him, but still he was awake. . After awhile I just lay him in his bed and he started chatting again and eventually he must have fallen asleep. This is the first night in months that he has woken during the night - so all I can think and hope is that this it is teeth. (He was VERY grumpy yesterday - except when Jay took him swimming).
After work and school Jay took Stef swimming. I did not feel like it, so I just stayed in the house with Josh. He started moaning so I walked down to the pool and when he saw the water he just wanted to get in. So Jay took him. Stefi is getting really confident and was on the second step of the pool. Next thing I knew that she was going to fall in where it is too deep for her and she did - I jumped in clothes and all to save her. It was in a matter of seconds - Jay said he would have gotten her but in that split second I did not even think and just went in after her. She was crying but luckily she had not had chance to swallow any water so was not coughing. Jay wrapped her in her towel and then she told him that she still wanted to swim. So got back in the water and carried on swimming - which is great cos I was scared that all the confidence she had gained would have been ruined.
Other than that - no news from me.
After work and school Jay took Stef swimming. I did not feel like it, so I just stayed in the house with Josh. He started moaning so I walked down to the pool and when he saw the water he just wanted to get in. So Jay took him. Stefi is getting really confident and was on the second step of the pool. Next thing I knew that she was going to fall in where it is too deep for her and she did - I jumped in clothes and all to save her. It was in a matter of seconds - Jay said he would have gotten her but in that split second I did not even think and just went in after her. She was crying but luckily she had not had chance to swallow any water so was not coughing. Jay wrapped her in her towel and then she told him that she still wanted to swim. So got back in the water and carried on swimming - which is great cos I was scared that all the confidence she had gained would have been ruined.
Other than that - no news from me.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Toddler Tears
I had to take Stefanie for her last Hepatitis injection yesterday morning. I left it till the very last to tell her that we were going to the clinic and told her in the car when we got to the school as I sitll had to drop Joshua off. Crocodile tears followed and she told me that her arm is better and she no longer needs 'to have a prick'. I had been preparing myself for her big tears which she is so good at turning on.
We got to the clinic and thankfully the wait was not too long. I kept her mind off what was about to happen and had her colouring and playing with her wooden magnet set. She even happily stood on the scale, normally she would not let my hand go and therefore not get an accurate weight. Once her name was called to see the nurse she turned on those toddler tears. The nurse chatted to her and I promised her that this was the last injection. I held her while the nurse prepared the injection and she just kept on saying 'I want my Daddy'. I think the injection hurt my heart more than her but she did cry and the nurse put the plaster on.
In the car she told me in the meekest little voice that she does not think she can go to school as she has a sore arm. Poor little dear, I wish I could have taken her home and cuddled her all day but I needed to get to work. She was a bit tearful when I dropped her at school and it did not help that her teacher was off ill.
But when I collected her in the afternoon she was all smiles and happy and almost forgotten the mornings beginning. Except last night she told me that I must not just drop Josh off at school and take her to the clinic. She told me 'I do not like that place'. She told me that same thing again this morning, I suppose just to make sure.
Thankfully this brings Stefi up to date with the immunisations and she will not need one again till she is 6 years old.
We got to the clinic and thankfully the wait was not too long. I kept her mind off what was about to happen and had her colouring and playing with her wooden magnet set. She even happily stood on the scale, normally she would not let my hand go and therefore not get an accurate weight. Once her name was called to see the nurse she turned on those toddler tears. The nurse chatted to her and I promised her that this was the last injection. I held her while the nurse prepared the injection and she just kept on saying 'I want my Daddy'. I think the injection hurt my heart more than her but she did cry and the nurse put the plaster on.
In the car she told me in the meekest little voice that she does not think she can go to school as she has a sore arm. Poor little dear, I wish I could have taken her home and cuddled her all day but I needed to get to work. She was a bit tearful when I dropped her at school and it did not help that her teacher was off ill.
But when I collected her in the afternoon she was all smiles and happy and almost forgotten the mornings beginning. Except last night she told me that I must not just drop Josh off at school and take her to the clinic. She told me 'I do not like that place'. She told me that same thing again this morning, I suppose just to make sure.
Thankfully this brings Stefi up to date with the immunisations and she will not need one again till she is 6 years old.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Starting off
Not sure where to start off with a blog. I guess this is really just my ramblings of my little life in the big wide world.
I will begin with how I came to the name LASJACAJO. I have taken the first 2 letters of each of our names and then put it together. I used to use LAST (made of my first and maiden names) before I got married and I then needed to include Jason into it. So it became LASTJACA. When Stefanie was born her name fitted perfectly in the ST, but the problem arose once Joshua was born and so the addition of the JO on the end. Thankfully it still sounds good, I better not have anymore children as I will then have to discard the name altogether and think of something new.
So then for those who dont know me. I am 32 years old, married to Jason and I have 2 kids Stefanie (3 yrs) and Joshua (10½ months old) This kids were both born in Dublin, Ireland where we have just recently moved from to Cape Town, South Africa at the end of 2007. We were living in Dublin for 3½ years but after being very homesick we decided to return to SA.
Some days I am not sure if it was a good move back or not. But this week it feels like a good move as the weather is 31 degrees today and Jason started his new job this week.
I returned to Cape Town on my own with the 2 kids. I started by staying with my brother Chris and his wife and 4 daughters. I had already secured work prior to leaving Dublin with my previous employer in SA. They heard I was returning and offered me my old job back. Timing was simply amazing. I arrived and I needed to find a school/creche for the kids as well as start searching for a rental house.
In the meantime Jay stayed behind in Dublin to work for a few months in order to save some money to set up life in Cape Town again. He planned to stay for 3 months. This was the hardest part of the whole move and the separation certainly took its toll on our relationship but we have come through it all despite many obstructions along the way.
I began with the search for childcare and during this time I had a fallout with my sister-in-law and found myself and the kids virtually homeless. Jay's aunt Jenny then helped us out and made space in her home for the 3 of us. It was not easy as Hayley was in the process of writing her final Matric exams and here I was with 2 noisey kids in tow. My boss/friend came up with a solution for all - she opened her home to us as well. So we stayed during the week at 'work' and then weekend with Jenny & family.
I searched many childcare creches/play schools and many left me feeling depressed and desparate. Finally I walked into a school and got a good feel about the place and the staff. It is located very close to my work. On my first visit I notice a sign on the gate of the school whichsaid that the gate was sponsered by the company that I am working for. So I took this as a good sign and I have not looked back yet.
So I started working and the same day the kids started at school/creche. It was a big step for me as I had not worked since the birth of Stefanie. It took a good few weeks for Stefanie to settle into life at school and life without Mom. Joshua was fine as he was only 5 months old when he started there. Stefanie still loves going to school but she still takes strain some days and wants to stay home with me. But this is normal and I know that once I leave she is happy and loving it.
So for the next couple of months this is how ife was. Monday to Friday we lived in Kenilworth and then Friday afternoon I would pack our bags and we would go to Kommetjie for the weekend. Sunday afternoon was once again the big move back to Kenilworth. I have lost count of how many move I did with the kids in those few short months. Stefi got so used to sleeping in a different bed each week/weekend. I got used to sharing a bed with Stefanie - something I could never do before as she is a restless sleeper. I became an expert at packing bags and getting a huge amount of stuff like toys, food, nappies, travel cot, pram etc plus kids into our Nissan Sentra. Once I was in the swing of this routine I began to look forward to my 'weekend away' at the end of a week.
The next big thing which I had to do was to find a house for us to stay. Jay was adamant that he wanted to arrive in Cape Town and move into a house as he did not want to stay with anyone. At time I began to feel that this was a huge unobtainable task but I carried on looking. I saw many grotty unsuitable places as well as a few places I fell in love with only to be dissappointed when my application fell through. I am amazed at how the price of rental properties have soared since leaving SA 4 years ago but salaries have remained the same. Eventually when I was just about to admit defeit, I visited a property and was accepted as a prospective tenant. I did not even get excited and signed the lease without one excited heart pulpitation. I only believed the place was ours once the agent handed me the keys and left me alone in the house. We are living in a 2 bedroomed townhouse in a security complex in Tokai. Out of all the places seen and that I had 'fallen for', this place is definately the best by far. Even though it is small the setting makes up for it. We look over onto the Contantiaberg mountain range and the kids have a large communal garden in which to play as well as access to the complex swimming pool. When finances allow it would be great to move to a 3 bedroomed house in the same complex.
Jason stepped off the plane on the 24th November 2007 and the same day we all moved into the house in Tokai. Jay decided that he wanted a holiday (much to my quietly endured frustration as I had not enjoyed a holiday since arriving in Cape Town). December brought Christmas and then the News Year and the worst time of the year to be looking for work and to be unemployed as most companies close for the holidays. So Jason's job hunting only really took off in January once firms opened their doors for 2008.
And so began yet another frustrating and dissappointing journey. After numerous interviews with recruitment agents and no follow ups with jobs Jason was starting to get dispondant and very bored with being at home all day. He met with an agent who once again promised him the world and a job but this time he was given the name of the place and a little of what was required in the job specs. One very long week past of waiting to be called for an interview. Finally the following week the agent told him that a mix up had happened and somehow he almost lost the job but that they had now seen his CV and wanted to see him. First interview went very well followed by a second interview the following day. Then a few days wait before they offered him the job. I can't describe the absolute relief that this little accpetance will make to our lives. Jay starting work this Monday and he seems to be enjoying it so far. The setting is brilliant as it is on a wine farm and 10-15 mins away from where we are living.
Jay had been considering going to the UK to look for work if he did not find work here. It would mean another separation and perhaps a move back to the Northern Hemisphere again. So at present we are happy to remain in South Africa but what may happen in the future only remains to be seen. I will try to keep it all posted here.
Better go as starting this off went on longer than I anticipated!!!!
I will begin with how I came to the name LASJACAJO. I have taken the first 2 letters of each of our names and then put it together. I used to use LAST (made of my first and maiden names) before I got married and I then needed to include Jason into it. So it became LASTJACA. When Stefanie was born her name fitted perfectly in the ST, but the problem arose once Joshua was born and so the addition of the JO on the end. Thankfully it still sounds good, I better not have anymore children as I will then have to discard the name altogether and think of something new.
So then for those who dont know me. I am 32 years old, married to Jason and I have 2 kids Stefanie (3 yrs) and Joshua (10½ months old) This kids were both born in Dublin, Ireland where we have just recently moved from to Cape Town, South Africa at the end of 2007. We were living in Dublin for 3½ years but after being very homesick we decided to return to SA.
Some days I am not sure if it was a good move back or not. But this week it feels like a good move as the weather is 31 degrees today and Jason started his new job this week.
I returned to Cape Town on my own with the 2 kids. I started by staying with my brother Chris and his wife and 4 daughters. I had already secured work prior to leaving Dublin with my previous employer in SA. They heard I was returning and offered me my old job back. Timing was simply amazing. I arrived and I needed to find a school/creche for the kids as well as start searching for a rental house.
In the meantime Jay stayed behind in Dublin to work for a few months in order to save some money to set up life in Cape Town again. He planned to stay for 3 months. This was the hardest part of the whole move and the separation certainly took its toll on our relationship but we have come through it all despite many obstructions along the way.
I began with the search for childcare and during this time I had a fallout with my sister-in-law and found myself and the kids virtually homeless. Jay's aunt Jenny then helped us out and made space in her home for the 3 of us. It was not easy as Hayley was in the process of writing her final Matric exams and here I was with 2 noisey kids in tow. My boss/friend came up with a solution for all - she opened her home to us as well. So we stayed during the week at 'work' and then weekend with Jenny & family.
I searched many childcare creches/play schools and many left me feeling depressed and desparate. Finally I walked into a school and got a good feel about the place and the staff. It is located very close to my work. On my first visit I notice a sign on the gate of the school whichsaid that the gate was sponsered by the company that I am working for. So I took this as a good sign and I have not looked back yet.
So I started working and the same day the kids started at school/creche. It was a big step for me as I had not worked since the birth of Stefanie. It took a good few weeks for Stefanie to settle into life at school and life without Mom. Joshua was fine as he was only 5 months old when he started there. Stefanie still loves going to school but she still takes strain some days and wants to stay home with me. But this is normal and I know that once I leave she is happy and loving it.
So for the next couple of months this is how ife was. Monday to Friday we lived in Kenilworth and then Friday afternoon I would pack our bags and we would go to Kommetjie for the weekend. Sunday afternoon was once again the big move back to Kenilworth. I have lost count of how many move I did with the kids in those few short months. Stefi got so used to sleeping in a different bed each week/weekend. I got used to sharing a bed with Stefanie - something I could never do before as she is a restless sleeper. I became an expert at packing bags and getting a huge amount of stuff like toys, food, nappies, travel cot, pram etc plus kids into our Nissan Sentra. Once I was in the swing of this routine I began to look forward to my 'weekend away' at the end of a week.
The next big thing which I had to do was to find a house for us to stay. Jay was adamant that he wanted to arrive in Cape Town and move into a house as he did not want to stay with anyone. At time I began to feel that this was a huge unobtainable task but I carried on looking. I saw many grotty unsuitable places as well as a few places I fell in love with only to be dissappointed when my application fell through. I am amazed at how the price of rental properties have soared since leaving SA 4 years ago but salaries have remained the same. Eventually when I was just about to admit defeit, I visited a property and was accepted as a prospective tenant. I did not even get excited and signed the lease without one excited heart pulpitation. I only believed the place was ours once the agent handed me the keys and left me alone in the house. We are living in a 2 bedroomed townhouse in a security complex in Tokai. Out of all the places seen and that I had 'fallen for', this place is definately the best by far. Even though it is small the setting makes up for it. We look over onto the Contantiaberg mountain range and the kids have a large communal garden in which to play as well as access to the complex swimming pool. When finances allow it would be great to move to a 3 bedroomed house in the same complex.
Jason stepped off the plane on the 24th November 2007 and the same day we all moved into the house in Tokai. Jay decided that he wanted a holiday (much to my quietly endured frustration as I had not enjoyed a holiday since arriving in Cape Town). December brought Christmas and then the News Year and the worst time of the year to be looking for work and to be unemployed as most companies close for the holidays. So Jason's job hunting only really took off in January once firms opened their doors for 2008.
And so began yet another frustrating and dissappointing journey. After numerous interviews with recruitment agents and no follow ups with jobs Jason was starting to get dispondant and very bored with being at home all day. He met with an agent who once again promised him the world and a job but this time he was given the name of the place and a little of what was required in the job specs. One very long week past of waiting to be called for an interview. Finally the following week the agent told him that a mix up had happened and somehow he almost lost the job but that they had now seen his CV and wanted to see him. First interview went very well followed by a second interview the following day. Then a few days wait before they offered him the job. I can't describe the absolute relief that this little accpetance will make to our lives. Jay starting work this Monday and he seems to be enjoying it so far. The setting is brilliant as it is on a wine farm and 10-15 mins away from where we are living.
Jay had been considering going to the UK to look for work if he did not find work here. It would mean another separation and perhaps a move back to the Northern Hemisphere again. So at present we are happy to remain in South Africa but what may happen in the future only remains to be seen. I will try to keep it all posted here.
Better go as starting this off went on longer than I anticipated!!!!
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