Heritage Day

I have been doing some reflections about the purpose of the day after reading comments on a Facebook site of a political party. 

I have to shake my head. Each of us is supposed to celebrate our own heritage - we are a rainbow nation after all. I read so many hateful racists comments that I realize that the moment we celebrate anything in South Africa the the differences are highlighted instead of similarities! 

I just wonder why we can't just celebrate our own Heritage and leave others to do the same! 

I actually like the idea of having a 'braai' day - after all it means a social event that has nothing to do with politics and doesn't highlight division. Many people in SA mind their own business and just carry on whilst other simmer in their hatred of others. 

Perhaps we need to do something about the public holidays that accentuate the differences. I mean we don't go ape for Old Years Eve and Christmas is a rather calm affair. So why can't we do this all through the year. 

Why must we allow division to keep us from reaching our full potential and keeping highlighting our differences instead of embracing our similarities and realizing that all of us has the right to live on this planet! 

Seeing the news broadcasts about China and Japan fighting over uninhabited Islands - I mean really just how darn childish can the nations become! Perhaps there is more to the pieces of rock jutting up from the ocean but come on. MY Teenager who is all of almost 17 years old cannot understand how Nations/Adults can be so bloody pathetic!  

So perhaps we need to change a few things in life - perhaps we need to focus on what we have in common - the future of our planet and the future of our children. This is something that should unite almost all of us. WE need to look inward strip ourselves down to bare bones and  see the truth of who we are and that we are all the same. Anyone who does not understand this simple does not belong on this planet. We are all connected on an level that the human eye cannot even see. We need delve into our soul and see the truth of life. 

Looking at my own heritage - my mother was Hungarian - most probably with ancestry going back to the Turk (too complicated to explain but it has to do with her blood group.) My father is Czech, I was born in Brno, raised mostly in South Africa but have spent to date, over 16 years living in other countries - so what is my Heritage?? Yup  - THE WORLD!  

 

Carnival 2013 the PINK Issue.

This post is specially for my ever suffering hubby!

He has decided that while his friends here are buying (or trying to) buy Harleys he has gone through his 'midlife' crisis. I realized I had actually never asked him what his 'crisis' was! He says it was his stroke! Makes sense I suppose - a rather earth shattering experience to have at the age of 50!

The think is that I think I am finally starting to really enjoy life - perhaps it the additional fermented grape juice that I enjoy everyday or the fact that after so many years of living with chronic pain in this old body of mine I can jump out of bed without even a groan! So suddenly I have rosy pink spectacles on and feel on top of the world! (I am still grounded because I babysit my two four-legged little girls who hate to be alone.)

The other night two Amigas and I went off to Cafe Zena for dinner, which we of course never get around to, we had a wonderful pink from Italy - a so called super Tuscan, Cabernet Sauvignon/Sangiovese blend then I ordered a red. They did not have the Malbec I ordered but suggested another Malbec/Merlot blend from Michel Torino - since I know this vineyard we agreed! What a surprise - it was a fabulous wine called 'Ciclos' which means 'Cycles' in Spanish.  planned to pinch the bottles since it has a beautiful sun/moon medallion on it much like the yin/yang sign. Only after 3 bottles I forgot!

During this so called dinner - the subject if he Carnival for next year came up because one Amiga has decided that when in Brazil be Brazilian and she has joined the Vai Vai Samba school and going to 'walk' or try and stay upright with the heavy costume! She has now talked us into joining because the theme is Brazilian wine (go figure she says that was Karma and I could not miss such a chance!) The Pink issue comes in because the costume is bright pink! Can't give details say it would spoil the fun suffice to say it's actually gorgeous! I was also talked into going to the opera (which I do like but could never sit them out) and then also a Halloween party (I don't dress up!) So if this is not a midlife crisis of great proportions then I don't know.

If that is not enough I had a crazy notion of going to study full time at Elsenburg College, viticulture and pomology (google that) - Frank thinks is a good idea, my brain is telling me - no way old girl what are you going to do there with 18 years olds??  So idea shelved for now until I can see some sense in  this idea!

Now I really have to get up from this chair and get moving! It's Friday and I intend to have fun! Have to stock up some grape juice and something for dinner - need to be a bit adventurous!

Baked Camembert in pastry with secret ingredients .....

Reflections on Life as it looks now.

I have, as always been reflecting, I seem to do this all the time nowadays. I do not believe that it is actually a healthy pastime if one is stuck in the 'real' world.

I have actually deleted the mumbo-jumbo I wrote - decided that I am going to be positive as I am actually feeling quite chipper - one reason - it's cooler today and a few rain drops fell!! And I am chatting, as I do most afternoons (that is Sao Paulo time) to my sister! Only problem (well for me) is that she is enjoying her Vinho and since it's too early for me I have to read what she is 'tasting' and how yummy it is! At this very moment she has a Speir Chenin Blanc in her glass! Here I sit 5 hours behind SA time high and dry waiting for 5pm.

I have finally come to the conclusion that wine runs in the blood, genes, DNA whatever, sometimes it manifests a bit very late in life - as in my case and hers! Stephan, my son, okay Franks too, knew at the age of 15 that he wanted to become a winemaker. He is doing just that, and someday soon I will have my personal supply of juice - I should send a bottle to the good old doctor in Charlottenlund, Copenhagen!!

For the people that don't know - here is a little secret ......
Stephan was an embryo of 8 weeks when I discovered I was pregnant and went to see Dr Troels Skjernov (we lived in Copenhagen then) and he gave me some 'advice' which he said was rather controversial, and not to 'quote' him. He said to have a small glass of red wine about 3 times a week. Well since I barely drank any thing at that time I guess I had a glass here and there. So Stephan would have known wine before he was born! I tell this little story to all lovers of wine!

I suddenly decided in 2008 that Stephans wine studies looked like fun and so followed in his footsteps and sister is following in mine! She started with nice mellow soft wines now she goes for the the powerful, robust in your face wines! I am not even there yet! After many years of just being family we are once again soul sister as we used to be when we were little and that invisible umbilical cord is once again in place!

She has recently discovered, after a lifetime of believing that she cannot cook, that she actually can and enjoys it very much! Watching her make a salad is like watching a figure skater flow through her routine. Let me tell you all the love infused into the salad makes the world of difference to the taste!

The wonder of technology also means that we can send it other photos, she sends me pics of her delicious concoctions (I use this word deliberately as she does not follow recipes but rather her heart, oh and taste buds.)  I am now actually even more excited about the coming Festive Season! The plan is to start the late afternoons in the kitchen with a bottle of ice-cold fermented juice and concoct dinner! We will move the hi-fi into the kitchen as well as an extra work surface - the 'Ikea Island' as I call it and have a ball. I actually hate talking about this because today Sept 20 it is still 77 days before she gets here - how am I going to survive!!!

She has some very interesting dishes and the has to make them all! I can smell a project coming on here! This also makes my fingers itchy! I have always wanted a herb garden, where I can pick fresh Rosemary for my lamb roasts or thyme or spring onions! After living in an apartment on the 15th floor I seriously need a garden again! I observed that for 6 years we lived in a semi forest in Stockholm and now we live in a concrete forest halfway to the sky! Dreaming of running my fingers through lavender bushes. Okay back to reality again!!!

Of course in between we will also hit the restaurants in the 'hood' we have some fab ones within walking distance - this helps, no drivers needed! From Sushi at Butoh to Cafe Zena to Tea Connection, Santo Grau, Bacio de Latte (for the best ice-cream in the world) and so much more! I love this dreaming - I mean I can eat at these places any day BUT I can't wait to share them with my Sister!!

Now I guess I have lost track of time, but it is great to be able to write what you feel. Only 76 more days till Dec 6 and 94 till Christmas Eve! Yippee life sure is good after a crappy two years! So cheers to life! Cheers to the weekend!





 

Mid- Life Crisis!

Great so the years are creeping on and we start itching! The kids have fled the nest or are almost ready to flee and it's time to do a re-con on life.

This is more predominant in men, they celebrate their midlife crisis in rather expensive ways - have an affair or buy an expensive toy - if they can afford it they will most probably get a Porsche, Ferrari or a Harley Davidsson. What do woman do???

I mean yes we all know about the night sweats, hot flushes, weight gain and goodness knows what else but that is all 'normal and boring.'

I am at that crossroad in my life, not quite sure yet whether it is the mid-life crisis or the Prozac that is causing all the symptoms since I have had night sweats since I was 40 - so that's almost a decade! In 2008 I started studying Wine, it was a lot of fun and kept me busy and my brain sharp and active and of course my liver started cursing me. It's not everyday that one has to taste and evaluate almost 40 wines - and as my friends know - I can't spit! Blame that on my Mummy - we were taught that spitting is rude!

This was a fun period in my life, sad too as it was also the final months of my mothers life.

Now it is 2012, for those who know the past 2 years have been a roller coaster - a time when life was testing me to the limit and reminding me on the lessons on Impermanence. I guess I became a stronger person as well as had an experience of a lifetime! It was also a difficult time for all of us as there are human beings on this planet hell-bent of trying to destroy peoples lives just because we were not corruptible. Karma will however take care of these people so I have let it all go as I human it just takes a bit longer to really forget. I am sincerely hoping that we can put the witch hunt behind us and concentrate on living.

So back to the future. Next year in June/July we should be heading back across the pond to Pretoria. Of course this is bitter sweet as I love our apartment and our neighbourhood - wish I could just transplant it back with me and all the friends I have made. I will however not miss Sao Paulo and it's traffic, traffic jams, pollution and cost of living!

Most of our moves have been rather 'normal' yet somehow this time it feels as it it will be more than just a move across the pond but also a life changing time for a lot of people, not just Frank and myself. So in all this thinking my brain has become rather hyper and suddenly it decided that it should do something crazy.

Sometimes my mouth just blurts out an idea which isn't quite from my own mind and it sort of surprises me - well it did this time too - mind said - go and study winemaking full time at Elsenburg College!