I have to admit that I didn't know how I'd feel about South Africa. When I stepped off that plane, I was scared to death. After all the horror stories I've heard, I didn't know what to think. I knew in my research that Pretoria was a lot more safe than Johannesburg and hearing from other families here I was pretty confident. I guess what I didn't except was to actually feel comfortable here. Don't get me wrong...once I leave our neighborhood (or estate, as they call it here) I am always on guard. But I like it here.
During our first few weeks here we learned a few safety measures. First, don't drive around with anything on the passenger side seat. That is when smash'n grabs happen. There are lots of people selling things, begging, or handing out flyers at the intersections. We were told that most of the vendors were safe to buy from, but it's best to stay on guard. If people see your purse or other valuables lying on the seat...it can be too tempting so it's better to leave valuables in the trunk. Our car windows are treated with a special film, so that if someone smashes your window, it will spider, but stay up long enough for you to escape. Another precaution is to leave enough room in front of you while you drive to avoid being stuck at a intersection. Or, to be able to pull forward if there is a hazard coming behind you (the cars are sometimes unpredictable). If I want to avoid haggling with the intersection vendors...I don't look at them, otherwise they tell you it's free and try to throw it in your car...really strange. I haven't figured out what would happen if you drove off without paying...but I don't want to find out either. I tend to do things here without my kids (since I have time while they are at school) and stay close to the estate or somewhere else were I know I'll be safe. Then, as far as safety goes...it's like the US...act confident, even if your lost...act like you know where you're going. Keep your purse close and keep money in different places in your purse, or on you.
The part I love is my neighborhood. We are quickly becoming friends with the neighbors who are true Afrikaans...pronounced Afri-kauns. They are decendents of the original white Dutch people who settled here a LONG time ago. I guess they were forced out of Johannesburg and forced towards Pretoria and they shortened their words and added a lot of slang and came up with the language (which sounds a lot like Dutch) of Afrikaans...pronounced the same as above. I can sometimes tell bits of what they saying because some of the words are alot like english...like welcome...is welkom.
The first time we went to a McDonald's we were leaving and Josh was holding the door open for a lady...and she said "dankie" which is pronounced donkey. I knew it meant "thank you" but Josh didn't and afterwards I said "Did you hear that lady...she called you a donkey!" He gave me the funniest look, like she was so rude and I started laughing and told him what it really meant.
So back to our neighborhood. Our next door neighbors, they don't speak english as their first language, so the children are just learning english at school. So it's so funny to watch them play...one time Josh was saying (pointing to a tree branch) "What do you call this in english?" and the little girl replied "a branch"...like he's the english teacher now. Their mom jokes that her kids are going to be American english speakers when we move back and not understand the english words spoken here.
We live right down by a playground, which we don't use as often as I would like. Also, just down the street is the clubhouse, which we actually take full advantage of when I don't feel like cooking! The best part of Africa, so far, has been having a pool in our backyard. Aaron and I were talking the other day of how that will be hardest thing to leave behind. So maybe we need to tighten the belt even more to afford that pool back home!
All in all, we are where we are supposed to be. Don't get me wrong...we REALLY miss our friends and family. So many times a day I think of running across the street to tell Melissa something...and I miss having 9 kids! My house is so quiet during the day when the kids are gone. We really miss having family visit and being able to jump in the car and visit family! I miss my church in Kansas! I miss the girls like crazy and wish I felt at home here, like I did in Paola.
Right now we do have a countdown going on...to go back to the US and visit! In an hour it will be 116 days until we get on the airplane! I expect it to go fast because we have been here 129 days and it's flown by. Don't worry, I just had to figure all of those figures out...I haven't been counting the days...promise!
Josh is doing really well. If you read the previous post...his reading has taken off. He was bringing home books that had only one or two simple sentences on them before Christmas and he just laughed at them. He told me his teacher was giving him baby books. So during Christmas break I told him to read his Diary of the Wimpy kid books...and he did. Some of the words were hard and I'm sure he didn't know the meaning to all the words but he totally got the story. We would have a review at bedtime and sure enough...he was always right. He's now right where he should be. Last semester for after school activities Josh took karate and soccer...this semester it's science club and tennis. I really like that he's trying new things. I think, since his class is so small he really likes the attention he gets from his teacher. He has received a few awards for being so good. His teacher even says he is the best one in his class. Oh, and I did I mention this kid is a fish! He swims every day that he can and is underwater almost the whole time (with goggles, of course). He is really starting to build up muscles in his chest and arms...and I'm pretty sure it's all the swimming.
He has lost his top four teeth now and has one adult tooth growing in. It looks so funny because it's this HUGE tooth coming into this tiny mouth. I know he'll grow into it...but I don't want it to be tooo soon!
Kylie has gotten bigger, for sure, since moving here. She started pre-k, although I know she's not really old enough to be in it...it's a place that isn't costing me $17,000. She has finally learned her colors! Seriously, I was really worried! She loves going to school everyday. When I'm waking her up in the morning I say..."You don't want to go to school, do you? You know you want to stay home and stay cuddled with mommy, right?" Her reply is always "No, I have to go play with my friends" Her best friend is Elizabeth and she talks about her constantly.
She is a great artist! I love her pictures and I want to frame everyone of them. She just has this magical ability to draw things I could never even imagine. She has learned to write MOM and DAD...although she has no idea what letters they are. She still has time right? She says the funniest things and right now is obsessed with being Snow White. Kylie is also into doing everything mommy does. If I have my toes painted, she wants her's painted and the exact same color. If I wear a necklace...Kylie has to wear a necklace...even right down to the same kind of shoes.
I really wish I could freeze my kid's age right now. I love how they think and how they try to figure it out. Best of all, I love their explanations. They never fail to amaze me!
Well, I guess I'll see all of you soon. Let me know what time works best for all of you (to play) and I'll see what I can work out....Love you all!
