Ruth, the Senior Hostel Mistress has been very good about sending out bulk text messages to the parents letting them know how the girls are doing as a whole.

Yesterday (Wednesday) there were apparently a few tears, and today, none. I took her up on her text offer to feel free to phone her between 19:30 and 20:30 to check up on how Jess is doing and was thrilled to hear that our girlie has not yet shed a tear and is in fact, embracing the whole experience wholeheartedly and good naturedly. Atta girl! :)

The Head Mistress is apparently so impressed with how well this batch of Gr8's are settling in that she's ordered in a Slip n Slide for them all to have fun with tomorrow morning and then in the afternoon they all get to go into town with the day girls.

She's also given me permission to send Jess an email with pics of us and her Basset which she promises to print out and pin up on the Communication Board while the girls are in town. A surprise from home to return to.

Admittedly, I did feel a little heartsore yesterday when I went out to run an errand, saw all the kids from the local Highschool and realized that...I'd not get to hear all about her first day in Highschool until Jan 29th. But not soon afterward I got the text message from the Hostel Mistress stating how well the girls were doing, so that soon brushed that brief sad away and put a smile on the dial!

Before continuing on I have to note that it was Jessica, halfway through last year that took it upon herself to start researching High School's and Potchefstroom Girls High School was the one that she decided on.

( Hogwarts Anyone? )

Sometimes going through old playlists brings more than a little nostalgia and memories that have been carefully boxed and put away.

( Everybody wants to rule the world )

A little late, but better late than never, yeah? ;)

I'm only posting a few of the pics taken on the trip in this post, the rest are here on my Facebook account, for any interested.

( Cut for blurbage and pics. )

Having heard some pretty horrendous radio reports today of the Julius Malema (President of the ANCYL) Facebook CRAP that has been playing out (with some even going so far as calling for an all out civil war) and upon receiving an email embed of an apparent post made by a ‘fan’ on said account I decided to briefly scan through the posts and see for myself what the furor is all about.

From the little I read through, I came away saddened, disgusted and downright appalled with the whole affair!! So much hatred and vitriol being spewed out on both sides!! O.o

It matters not whether Julius Malema himself condones the sentiments written there or not. The point is that there are some very dangerous and disturbing mindsets, are out there.

I am not about to share either the FB account link or the email that was forwarded on to me. I will however share this news link : ANCYL slams 'illegal' FB page .

Is this really how we want to present ourselves and our country to the rest of the world? Like dogs snapping and snarling over a bone? Is there really so little respect left for our fellow man?

Perhaps I’m an idealist, maybe even a borderline pacifist but its time we started sorting this out at ground level for ourselves, one on one, instead of waiting for misguided and often corrupt politicians to lead the way to their own ends.

Offer a friendly smile, a helping hand, spend a few minutes chatting with a stranger and remember that at the end of the day...whether pink, green, yellow, black, white, Hindu, Muslim, Christian or Jew, we all love, hurt, have dreams and hopes for a better future for ourselves and our children. Most importantly, we all share the same lump of rock floating around in space and its high time we learned how to get along!

THIS (below) is what it should all be about!!

...is all that stands between any South African and finding crime, violent or otherwise, literally on their doorstop at any given time.

All that building high walls, installing burglar alarms, living in secured complexes, owning vicious dogs, and putting in tracking units in your vehicles is going to do, is buy you a little more time. It is an inevitability that cannot be escaped. Especially when there is a syndicate that has been working the area you live in for the passed 6 months.

Last night it was our 'turn', or to be more precise, that of our 19yr old daughter, Michelle.

( Dear Mr President, come take a walk with me... )

Say whaaat?? O.o

Having a brother that's been a dopehead since the age of 16yrs old (going on 20yrs now) I know firsthand the kind of damage long term use of something as seemingly 'innocuous' as marijuana can inflict. Not only mentally upon the users themselves but also emotionally and financially on those around them.

I can only say that this has got to be one of the most irresponsible moves yet should these laws be passed for use beyond medicinal purposes. They may as well give five year olds loaded guns and teach them how to play Russian roulette!

A frog walks into a bank and heads straight for the loans division. On the counter before him a plaque reveals the name of the loan officer to be, Paddy Whack.

The frog promptly states his wish to apply for a loan. Upon hearing this Paddy Whack asks what the frog has to put up for collateral.

Reaching into his waistcoat pocket the frog produces a small porcelain elephant, about an inch high in size. "This," he says and places the trinket on the counter.

Paddy Whack, the loans officer eyes the item dubiously and asks what else the frog might have to put forward as collateral.

The frog replies hopefully, "My old man is a Rolling Stone, if that helps any?"

Paddy Whack is impressed by this tidbit of information but still a little unsure of what to do. After a moment's consideration he asks the frog to wait at the counter while he goes to talk to his manager and see what can be arranged.

Upon entering the bank manager's office, Paddy Whack relays the frog's request, explains about his claim to fame, rock heritage and produces the small procelain elephant.

The bank manager heaves a sigh and responds with a dash of irritation...

"For goodness sake! Its a nick-nack Paddy Whack, give the frog a loan, his old man's a Rolling Stone!"

Doh! A dragon of course! :)

Though given the nature of dragons, it would likely be more a companion than an actual pet ;)

It has been a very long time since I was so utterly enchanted and enthralled with a TV series as I am with BBC 1's, Merlin!

Merlin, Arthur, Lancelot, Guinevere, Morgana, Mordrid, Camelot and Excalibur all came to life before my very eyes!

[My thoughts on seasons 1 & 2 - Cut for potential spoilage.]

( ...How small you are for one with such a great destiny... )