Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Here is our most recent house pictures....
It's the one with the black roof and frame only.
It's so exciting to see our dream become reality. I do have to say though - we will NEVER use Orbit Homes again. A baboon could do a better job! This process has been awful and had it not been for Dad - we would never have got this far. Praise God for fathers!
Shanneth phoned me the other day while I was working at school and said "Mummy my mind is being naughty! Daddy is moaning at me 'cos I keep changing my mind." When I asked her "why?"; she explained that she had changed six times in her room and daddy just wanted her to get ready but she just couldn't decide what to wear!!! At 4 years old? I wonder....
We went to Busan (a coastal village on the east "sea of Japan") for the week during Korean Chusok holiday (family time). What a gorgeous place - I could easily live there - pristine beaches and lots of English signs to read! Ken leaves tomorrow for Bangkok, Thailand for MYP Conference and comes back Monday. Then he gets back for a day and leaves again on Friday for five days to Singapore for an IB MYP Co Ordinators Workshop. I am going on a workshop in January to Costa Rico for a week, this year and for Spring break we are going to China - 3 Gorges dam and Beijing and the great wall. So those are our travel plans. At this stage we want to stay here for Christmas but who knows?
Joshua is a house fly worse than ever. He misses Carson (friend who has left for the States) so much and two other friends left for the States too. I have arranged for him to play with Branford and Morne in this week - so we'll see how they do.
Julie (Ethan's teacher) and Brian (Physics teacher) have got engaged and the kids are delighted.Josh did say that Mr.N. should have asked Ms.G. to marry him earlier because now she's so nice because she's in love!
Ethans eyes continue to improve.
Shanneth is being so cute and getting so big. A real little girl. She is such a joy. Now in Pre K she eats alone (with her class). It gives us more time to ourselves but is much more of an adjustment for me because she no longer needs me. She disappears for hours on end around the campus with her friends.
I had to giggle at Shanneth - she was standing and admiring her new Belle dress in front of the mirror while I was putting a bow in her hair - when she nonchalantly said "mmm(marvelling at her appearance and inspecting the dress fitting), I think I need boobies for this dress!"
We bought a fish tank from friends and now I have to clean the silly thing! We have two turtles, hamster, cat, 4 horn beetles, 1 stack beetle and are becoming quite the zoo.
It has rained and been cloudy consistently. We have had four typhoons through lately but fortunately we didn't bear the brunt of it. The few times we have seen the sun, it has been far too humid. But every morning there is a distinct nip in the air - Autumn is COMING.
Julie (Ethan's teacher) and Brian (Physics teacher) have got engaged and the kids are delighted.Josh did say that Mr.N. should have asked Ms.G. to marry him earlier because now she's so nice because she's in love!
Ethans eyes continue to improve.
Shanneth is being so cute and getting so big. A real little girl. She is such a joy. Now in Pre K she eats alone (with her class). It gives us more time to ourselves but is much more of an adjustment for me because she no longer needs me. She disappears for hours on end around the campus with her friends.
I had to giggle at Shanneth - she was standing and admiring her new Belle dress in front of the mirror while I was putting a bow in her hair - when she nonchalantly said "mmm(marvelling at her appearance and inspecting the dress fitting), I think I need boobies for this dress!"
We bought a fish tank from friends and now I have to clean the silly thing! We have two turtles, hamster, cat, 4 horn beetles, 1 stack beetle and are becoming quite the zoo.
It has rained and been cloudy consistently. We have had four typhoons through lately but fortunately we didn't bear the brunt of it. The few times we have seen the sun, it has been far too humid. But every morning there is a distinct nip in the air - Autumn is COMING.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Shannie in pink!
High fashion hat.
Us with Matt...
Donovan, Josh and Ethan at SA Bodyboarding comp...At Last! We are resting and on holiday. The school year is over and we are preparing for another year at TCIS.
I am working on preparing lessons on the Shakespearian novels; “Much ado about nothing” and “King Lear”; as well as; Alan Ackyborne’s “A woman in mind”. My poor students are spending their summer writing a 1500 word World Lit. paper and reading the Shakespearian novels I’ve given them. Not much of a holiday.
Durban Beach is stunning – the yearly beach festival was packed out and the children loved all the activities. Ethan and Josh loved watching Donovan (their cousin) defend his Men’s Bodyboarding Title at the Mr.Price Pro Challenge. Ethan got a new HB Bodyboard and a rash vest – so he’s totally following Don’s example. Josh hangs out with his Pappa and loves just shopping with Ginny for bargains on the promenade. Bobby loves spending time with Ello and absolutely loved the circus. Her favourite part was the clowns singing “We will rock you”. It is always great to see family.
We have also spent time with The Herons and Louise. Jessica and Matt are gorgeous. We have had such fun with them and I think Matt loved the circus – he loves animals.
Dad had some major plastic surgery and it was devastatingly scarey as he is 85 turning 86 in October and aenestetic is never great at any age. He did so well – I am really proud of how quickly he recovered – three cheers to the Parklands Hospital – Durban and Specialist - Mr. Cook. He goes back next week for a check up and mum goes for cateract removal in both eyes. So I am permanently nursing and bossing them around. Praise God for dad’s strict recovery and I know he won’t let us down with mum’s op either.
Bobby is hysterically funny – she was looking at her hip and saw the veins on her hip, horrified she exclaimed “Mummy, I’m cracking!” I assured her that it was okay and just viens with her blood. She is so cute!
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
2007 Chapter Seventeen: Shanneth - our ANGEL!
We have just had a ten day holiday - Lunar break. Ken and I spend most of our time with the children. We took them to Zooland; ice skating; rollerblading; Essboarding; movies - Charlotte's web; shopping and the school grounds to play. We were so busy just having fun and hanging out. We took the OCK's (Out of Country kids - missionary Kids) with us to the ice rink. It was tremendous fun and the kids all had a wonderful time. So did we!
Shanneth gave her life to Jesus on Sunday, 5 March 2007 at 4 years old! I am delighted - Thrilled etc. She asked me to pray with her and I explained what it meant to be a Christian. Joshua had told her about giving her heart to Jesus and she wanted to do it. So her and I prayed together the sinner's prayer and she so clearly followed. When we had finished I said "So, how do you feel now that Jesus is in your heart?" She said " funny and beautiful together." She also said that we have to sing "Twinkle, twinkle little star" because Jesus likes it when he is in heaven cause he looks down at us on our houses. It was an extremely cute and tender moment. Praise God for revealing Himself to her!
Friday, February 16, 2007
2007 Chapter Sixteen: Our House IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET.
We bought a house and land package in Australia, Brisbane. Our closest beach is Bribie Island about a 10 min drive and about 30 min from the city centre. We didn't really want to buy in this area because it's a bit far from the IB Schools in Queensland. It is an excellent investment and we love the floorplan as well as our land (see pics). The school, shopping centre and sports centre are all within walking distance. It is a beautiful country area and Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo is 15 min away! I have posted our house package on this page too.
Our Land. Our land with Burpengary Creek in the background.
Ken and our land.
We bought a house and land package in Australia, Brisbane. Our closest beach is Bribie Island about a 10 min drive and about 30 min from the city centre. We didn't really want to buy in this area because it's a bit far from the IB Schools in Queensland. It is an excellent investment and we love the floorplan as well as our land (see pics). The school, shopping centre and sports centre are all within walking distance. It is a beautiful country area and Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo is 15 min away! I have posted our house package on this page too.
Our Land. Our land with Burpengary Creek in the background.
Ken and our land.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
2007 Our New Year in OZ:
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Chapter Fifteen: 2007 HAPPY NEW YEAR!
We had an outstanding NEW YEAR as Australian RESIDENTS! Can you imagine that! Well we couldn't; it was breathtakingly strange. A paradox of desire vs. betrayal. Who and what are we desiring? Who and what are we betraying?
A new life: Australia we desire a fresh start; a place for us to not feel like we owe someone an apology; a place where we can be free - from racism and fear.
Yet being born and bred in Africa and being WHITE Africans we are somehow considered - children of privilege - oppressors - single handedly responsible for all atrocities ever committed.
Yet in spite of the crime rate - not being able to get jobs in South Africa because we are not African enough - I love Africa. IT'S MY HOME. I love the sunsets; the animals; my people; black; white; coloured; no colour; everyone who falls asleep under that beautiful African sunset and everyone who struggles to leave Africa or who struggles to stay in Africa. Those whose feet have trampled the rich red African soil - who fall asleep in a foreign country, dreaming of their land their Africa - when your heavy eyelids drop and all you can see is plains filled with game; streets filled with hawkers; Mercedes Benz and pickpockets! My Africa! My BETRAYAL!
So this is my terribly sad heart but a new life is the only option and we are so grateful to Australia for giving us a chance. For seeing our value and not our skin colour. For acknowledging our potential and not punishing us for being white.
Our parents who give everything and expect nothing in return! Thanks mum and dad for opening your home to us! So our new year began really new!
The kids loved Australia and are eager to get there someday. They enjoyed walking on our new property and we all walked around it claiming the land and thanking God for His providence.
Watch the video clip! And see the photos!
2007 Chapter 14: God moves mountains and the Hanbit Tower:OKAY! OINK! As we say here " Oink" - translated loosely as "Only in Korea"! There's always something interesting happening here:On Saturday there was an Earthquake 170 km away from our city. So far away you say - well we felt it! Sheryl and I (and of cause Ken, Steve and all the kids: Josh / E.C. / Shannie and Carson / Garret) all went to the Daejon Metropol Laser Light Show at Expo Park.Where strangely enough they had African Tribal dancers doing a "Lady Smith Black Mabasa Hit" in leopard skin loin cloths; under a limbo pole; in the middle of a -10 degree C. snow fall shower! After this outdoor Africa show (which brings a whole new meaning to "OUT OF AFRICA."); we went to see a Russian puppet show which our kids loved. The puppeteer could only speak Russian and a very broken English but the puppets weaved a story of good and evil - the angel won in the end so we presumed that it had a good message. We then were up the Hanbit Tower taking in the view (see photos ... we were in the gigantic hula hoop, tube thingie) when the earthquake occurred! Believe me, it was not a good place to be... Sheryl and I had decided to peer over the side to see the ground, when the structure shook violently! Ofcause we are such good mothers and our children perfect monsters, that we immediately yelled at our kids to "Stop fooling around; get up off the floor and who push whom?! Behave Blah, blah, blah!!!" We never for a second thought that it could be an act of God and I did not think that the "I didn't do anything, mom Ethan just fell!" defense was true - anyway! I felt truly sheepish when we were told that it was an earthquake! We then decided to call it a night and went home marvelling at our good fortune- how many times can one say that one has lived through a coupe in Zamiba, general apathy and petty theft in Botswana, vehicle theft in South Africa and now an earthquake in South Korea! Sounds almost as good as "A wonderful life."
Today is -10 again and we have had three heavy snowfalls. I am sitting in my class captivated by the snowflakes and the stillness, marvelled by God's glory. I would like to invite you to read some of the Blog sites my Grade 11 English students have made. They are second language students so please forgive their English ability but they have some wonderful ideas. We have been doing a literature study on the book Peace Child - Don Richardson - we are looking at the Question of Faith: what is it and how do I relate to it? The link page has links to all of the students sites. Not all students are Christians but God is using this activity to speak to the students. Please pray for them, if you have the time. http://thegalvanizingclassof2008.blogspot.com/
The snow is gently falling outside and piling up in pretty blankets on all the plants and buildings. The city seems romantic and silent for awhile and all is good with us.loveChantal, Ken and kids!!!!
Ipitombi in Korea
Expo Park
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Hanbit Tower
2007 Chapter 14: God moves mountains and the Hanbit Tower:
Today is -10 again and we have had three heavy snowfalls. I am sitting in my class captivated by the snowflakes and the stillness, marvelled by God's glory. I would like to invite you to read some of the Blog sites my Grade 11 English students have made. They are second language students so please forgive their English ability but they have some wonderful ideas. We have been doing a literature study on the book Peace Child - Don Richardson - we are looking at the Question of Faith: what is it and how do I relate to it? The link page has links to all of the students sites. Not all students are Christians but God is using this activity to speak to the students. Please pray for them, if you have the time. http://thegalvanizingclassof2008.blogspot.com/
The snow is gently falling outside and piling up in pretty blankets on all the plants and buildings. The city seems romantic and silent for awhile and all is good with us.loveChantal, Ken and kids!!!!
Ipitombi in Korea
Expo Park
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Hanbit Tower2007 Chapter 14: God moves mountains and the Hanbit Tower:
2006 Chapter 13: So Spiritually Speaking:
I can only imagine - video
Itaewon, Seoul.
Seoul Skyline.
Shopping in Seoul.
Itaewon and Steve.
Sheryl and I jewelry shopping!
I can only imagine - video
Itaewon, Seoul.
Seoul Skyline.
Shopping in Seoul.
Itaewon and Steve.
Sheryl and I jewelry shopping!
Chapter 13: So Spiritually Speaking:
(Some adventure shopping pictures and see a bit of Seoul.)
We serve such a mighty God who is able to do all things! (Even with the likes of me!) Where to start? Spiritually we are well - healed and enjoying focusing on God and His ministry here for us. We're in a place of great significance - being in the East and particularly in satan's backyard - unbelief is the order of the day and budda is held in high esteem. This ministry is challenging in that it has an awesome vision and lives of students are changed on a daily basis. We also nurture missionery kids from all over - being responsible for their physical, academic and most of all spiritual care is mind blowing; that God would entrust these special kids to the likes of us? Amazing - yet He is such a loving Father who carefully creates opportunities for all the children here. Amidst all of this and the families in China - who are under extreme pressure and we hold them up in prayer - so that their work may continue. We have Korean lessons once a week and we are both learning to read Korean. The kids, especially Joshua, are doing really well learning Korean - he says he wants to preach in Korean so that people will hear about God. This school has really equipped the children for God's plans. Yet inspite of all this we are totally insignificant - there are so many wonderful Christians here and yet none of that matters, it's all about HIM and HIS plan.Anyway God bless love to you all. LOVEChantal
(Some adventure shopping pictures and see a bit of Seoul.)
We serve such a mighty God who is able to do all things! (Even with the likes of me!) Where to start? Spiritually we are well - healed and enjoying focusing on God and His ministry here for us. We're in a place of great significance - being in the East and particularly in satan's backyard - unbelief is the order of the day and budda is held in high esteem. This ministry is challenging in that it has an awesome vision and lives of students are changed on a daily basis. We also nurture missionery kids from all over - being responsible for their physical, academic and most of all spiritual care is mind blowing; that God would entrust these special kids to the likes of us? Amazing - yet He is such a loving Father who carefully creates opportunities for all the children here. Amidst all of this and the families in China - who are under extreme pressure and we hold them up in prayer - so that their work may continue. We have Korean lessons once a week and we are both learning to read Korean. The kids, especially Joshua, are doing really well learning Korean - he says he wants to preach in Korean so that people will hear about God. This school has really equipped the children for God's plans. Yet inspite of all this we are totally insignificant - there are so many wonderful Christians here and yet none of that matters, it's all about HIM and HIS plan.Anyway God bless love to you all. LOVEChantal
>2006 Chapter 12: We're Good Guys...
Thank you for your concern and prayers! They worked! Ken finishes his medication tomorrow and is feeling much better. Not 100 % yet but it takes up to two months to feel good again. Japanese River Disease is quite a serious illness and if it goes untreated there is a 50% morality rate - Praise God the school nurse insisted that Ken go to the hospital on day three of his illness. Ken did not use insect repellant on holiday at the beach but I smothered the kids and myself in it. Apparently this is what enabled us to stay healthy!Shannie had here ''ear op'' on Thursday - which was low key and took all of 10 min. They used a vacumn needle and she was asleep before the procedure began and remained asleep throughout. She woke up from her a nap on the way home - unperturbed! So alls well and we are more relaxed than we have been in awhile.The boys had a soccer tournament on Saturday but were most disgusted because they only won one game and lost two! Josh and Ethan played fantastically but their coach is laid back and played the really weak players too. Josh was livered and says he is not going to play soccer ever again! We tried to talk about sportsmanship and "it's not whether you win or loose..... " etc but Josh just looked at Ken with tears in his eyes and said to Ken "Ja, like you really believe that DAD!" - The silence was deafening! I had to leave trying not to giggle - he's a good South African! May God be with you guys.Love to you allChantal.
Chapter 11: Japanese River Disease - Japanese what?
Ken has just been diagnosed with Japanese River Fever and is as sick as a dog! He has been running temperatures of 102 / 103 / 104 since Friday night. They wanted to hospitalize him yesterday but we managed to persuade them that he'll be okay at home and our school nurse will check on him regularly. He is medicated and hopefully will recover soon - he has to go back on Wednesday to hospital and they will have the blood test results available at the moment it's all guess work.
Shannie has a blood clot in her ear canal and has to have it removed on Thursday at the same hospital. So we have our own assigned International Nurse - who meets us at the front foyer and stays with us while we are at the hospital. The hospital is state of the art and has of cause, it wouldn't be Asia if it didn't have a shopping mall on the first two levels! Prada, Celine, Dior, Gucci and the like all form part of the lavish decor; waterfalls - flowers, ponds - fountains and fish make for a surreal experience at the hospital. Some rooms have fish tanks and plasma screens with Internet and courtesy computers so that you can surf the net when you feel better. I've got lots to do and will write again as soon as our family are all well. Thanks for thinking of me - I really appreciate it. love Chantal
Ken has just been diagnosed with Japanese River Fever and is as sick as a dog! He has been running temperatures of 102 / 103 / 104 since Friday night. They wanted to hospitalize him yesterday but we managed to persuade them that he'll be okay at home and our school nurse will check on him regularly. He is medicated and hopefully will recover soon - he has to go back on Wednesday to hospital and they will have the blood test results available at the moment it's all guess work.
Shannie has a blood clot in her ear canal and has to have it removed on Thursday at the same hospital. So we have our own assigned International Nurse - who meets us at the front foyer and stays with us while we are at the hospital. The hospital is state of the art and has of cause, it wouldn't be Asia if it didn't have a shopping mall on the first two levels! Prada, Celine, Dior, Gucci and the like all form part of the lavish decor; waterfalls - flowers, ponds - fountains and fish make for a surreal experience at the hospital. Some rooms have fish tanks and plasma screens with Internet and courtesy computers so that you can surf the net when you feel better. I've got lots to do and will write again as soon as our family are all well. Thanks for thinking of me - I really appreciate it. love Chantal
Chapter 10: So the saga continues...
We had quite a lot of trauma to deal with: A close friend loaned money from us and basically lost it all and can't repay us (they were supposed to pay our car payments in full but didn't and so our car was repossessed as well - so we spent a lot of the time in Gabs ( 4 days) sorting out the drama. It was a hard lesson but God knows why and what - we just have to trust in Him. Then the day we got to Westwood, Josh and Ethan were told that April (our dog) died - we were expecting to see her and were devastated about her death. Josh refused to get out the car and Ethan just crumbled. It was awful as we thought she was still alive and were going to spend time with her! Well we got back to the "land of the morning calm" in a real rush! Our flight back was cramped, bouncy and long! Especially when you don't really want to leave HOME! But somehow going to "Terry's House" (our cat, this is how Shannie distinguishes where she lives: Bond's house = Anmari's house in Cape Town; Snake house (snake park in Durbs) = Ginny and Papa's House; April's House = Anywhere in Botswana and Terry's house = Our apartment in Korea) made us all feel glad to be going home too! Our apprehension was more one of, what does this year hold for us? Can we manage another year in the Land of Kimchi? Another year of 'Wei Guk' - being a foreigner. Well when we got to Incheon Airport the TCIS bus was waiting, so were friends and our Godly family! It felt like a home coming! Surprise! We chatted all three hours home and exchanged 'summer' adventures - the kids were thrilled to see their friends and the familiar faces of people who have prayed for us, talked with us and lived as Christ's disciples did, with us for a year. It felt good - in God's will- right place, right time, right ministry - for His glory. Friends who had arrived back a few days earlier had got a key from school, cleaned our apartment and food was cooked for us - we felt loved and special! Terry is fat and happy to see us but vocally protested being left behind. So back to taxi directions in a strange tongue and reading odd signs to get around the city. The first weekend back was my birthday and Ken booked the Taecheon Beach Cabin and a car from school - packed Terry, the kids and I in the car! It was the most harrowing experience driving down to the beach on our own! Korean road signs are hard to read and by the time I have sounded out the highway exit name (Bore-eo-yoeng muda-surtiie: A city famous for it's mud face packs etc.) we had passed three other exits! It's also hard to sit in the passenger seat while Ken drives on the left hand side. I NEEDED a steering wheel and brake my side! It was well worth the drive though - the weather was perfect and the kids love the space at TBA. Taecheon Beach does not have waves but a soft lip of water plops over on the shoreline every now and then.The funniest was watching Korean beach protocol. If you are close to 60 or a 100 and really small (shrunk and shrivelled) and a woman; you have preferential status! You get given a much-sought-after life jacket and inflatable boat with oars for weapons! So then you proceed with your God-given right to bully all and sundry on the beach and in the water! They get in the boats ( which in itself is side splittingly hilarious to observe) - life jackets; huge bright easy-to-spot on the ocean neon pink / green / orange UFO type sun hat; fully clothed in long trousers, long sleeved shirts with fashionable bush jacket under life jacket - camera around neck (possibility of photography of great white?) and serious hiking boots to walk on the bottom of the ocean. You never know when you may sink - especially when you are carrying a 40 cm camera lense for those hard to get under-the-sea, in the whale's gut photos! So all set, you make the life guard, because it's his job, hold the boat still and the other life guards carry all the grannies into the water - can't possibly wet those $500 dollar 'catchapillow' (no grey product brand name is spelt even remotely correctly - sorry caterpillar) hiking boots! Then once safely inside the boat you proceed to whack at the water with your newly acquired oar! Sorry for all those little kids who can't swim out the way - so just whack them on the head too - especially if they happen to wet your bleating Samsung cell phone which is either dangling from your ear or attached to your (custom designed top pocket for cell phones) life jacket. I wonder how far cell phone coverage goes out in the Korean sea? Or do you have to take your international roaming phone in order to use it when you hit the "international waters" of the sea of Japan! It apparently depends upon what soil you are standing on, as to which name you would use to describe that same body of water (Sea of Japan or aka Sea of Korea)! So then just as the old kimchi biddies are getting the hang of rowing (cut down into the water - connect with kids heads and pull hard: this method used for the white rafting feel) a gentle current starts to pull them out to deeper waters. Then the fun begins - screaming and baleing all at once! Out jumps granny no.1! Yelling and gesturing at the life guards but then realizes that she is knee deep in water and can't swim. So she buckles down into the water in sheer fright and tries to sink - I knew those boots would come in handy! Two seconds later she is rescued by a very apologetic Life Guard whom she berates and scolds in Korean - really hilarious as I have never seen a life guard try rescue someone while they are bowing a profuse apology - thoroughly wetting the victim with each apologetic bow. Mean while granny no. 2 is now heading for international waters in her inflatable boat but is on her cell phone so she either hasn't noticed or she is dialling 911! Over the tall pine trees comes the beating of a helicopter news crew and everyone on the beach including the life guards, performing the rescue, stop and wave. So at last someone swims out into the deeper waters and lassos the wayward boat, dragging it and its angry occupant back to the shore. Then more grannies are lined up to take their turn. The next customers are on a business trip - they have exchanged their cameras and cell phones for ore honourable equipment like two huge buckets; two nets and a pair of brightly coloured orange scissors. With a little more skill and "sea shoes", they wade into the sea - climb into the boat and start to mechanically row in time. I am intrigued and impressed but what are they going to do with their equipment? They are definitely on a mission - ahah - a sea weed collecting mission! So after successfully loading buckets full of soggy slimy green seaweed, they eagerly row back to shore to continue the relay race of who gets the next inflatable boat. We leave the beach with Josh and Ethan nagging us to get a boat, so that they can join the other 20 boats on the bay! Josh tries to tell me that if they get oars too they will be able to use them as self defence against the old grannies, somehow I don't think that sales pitch worked in his favour! It did however provide us with interesting cartoon thoughts! Terry loved the cabin and being able to wonder around the pine woodland - she did have a run in with a squirrel and got the fright of her life! After that she tended to hang around the cabin. On Saturday evening we went to the beach front promenade which was alive with action. Korean bikers in leather or pleather (fake) with chains on their pants and styling cowboy boots hang around in "gangs" glued together by their collective tattoos! They are smiling and chatting under billowing clouds of smoke as they puff away and shine their custom made Harley's. Somehow, no matter how mean they try to look they can't help oohing and aaahing over our "epoh" (beautiful) daughter and sons. What also makes them unthreatening is the fact that they are really friendly, happy, small, skinny people - I could single handedly take on three bikers at the same time! The scariest thing is the fireworks display on the beach. Korean Beach Etiquette is well known to all Koreans, as soon as it is dark, out come the portable wagons loaded with fireworks for sale. Roman candles, fire crackers, sparklers, rockets etc are sold for under a dollar to anyone. All shop owners are eager to sell to Shannie even! Consequently there are thousands of crazed Koreans running around the beach, holding rockets in their hands and firing at will - in every and any direction possible! So after we managed to dodge the flying fireworks and find a bench to sit on behind the madmen, we sat back and relaxed, eagerly watching the hodge podge fireworks display. Ken and I had this overwhelming feeling that if North Korea ever dared to NUKE South Korea, we would be, rest assuredly, safe. As EVERY South Korean has no fear of fire power and can steadfastly wheeled their roman candles or fire work rockets at North Korea and probably frighten the entire population into surrendering or blow them all to smithereens! Just before we wondered off to bed, the boys found a Taekwondo exhibition. The crew were dressed casually and had an elaborate script, which enthralled our boys. Bad guys and good guys fight it out and jump down from 5 people high human pyramids etc. Extremely involved and intricate techniques are employed without the warning of "don't try this at home" siren song - so I did the honours of a solid mother to sons nagging lecture about "don't hurt each other etc.etc.etc." I just forgot to include my totally lady-like daughter into the lecture, so as we walked back home - the boys behaved impeccably (absolute miracle) - but Shanneth broke out into an ALMIGHTY and I mean A-L-M-I-G-H-T-Y Taekwondo kick (which had been closely observed and now expertly executed), connecting Joshua on the shins! Fiasco, drama, devastation ensued and eventually we crawled into bed with 2 out of 3 kids crying, not a bad score for not even trying! So as usual fun was had by all - we were glad to get back to school! The following weekend we had a quiet weekend on our school Spiritual retreat at the Kolon Hotel. A beautiful 5 star hotel with a motel name! We went swimming, praise and worship sessions, shopping, golfing, eating and Karaoke! It was wonderful to be in the country and I really enjoyed going jewelry shopping for my birthday present. I was totally spoilt, Korea is quite famous for it's unique jewelry. So I got back to Taejon sparkly and bejewelled to find that we had also got our Australian residency acceptance certificates! What a shock! We had some second thoughts but know that we can treat it as another 3 year contract - if we don't settle down! We are determined to get alternative passports and hopefully make a home for our children's children. We have booked our flights to Australia for Christmas so that we can get our residency stamp! Whew! So almost through with news! Joshua turned 10!!!!! We bought him a great set of walkie talkies - which can be used up to three kilos away. This means we now can contact him anywhere on campus or at home and there are no phone charges! He thought that this was his only present but we bought him a new mountain bike with gears / suspension and all the bells and whistles. He was totally surprised and delighted. It was really cool to have it at his bedside so that when he opened his eye he saw it! Anyway God bless love to you all. LOVE Chantal
We had quite a lot of trauma to deal with: A close friend loaned money from us and basically lost it all and can't repay us (they were supposed to pay our car payments in full but didn't and so our car was repossessed as well - so we spent a lot of the time in Gabs ( 4 days) sorting out the drama. It was a hard lesson but God knows why and what - we just have to trust in Him. Then the day we got to Westwood, Josh and Ethan were told that April (our dog) died - we were expecting to see her and were devastated about her death. Josh refused to get out the car and Ethan just crumbled. It was awful as we thought she was still alive and were going to spend time with her! Well we got back to the "land of the morning calm" in a real rush! Our flight back was cramped, bouncy and long! Especially when you don't really want to leave HOME! But somehow going to "Terry's House" (our cat, this is how Shannie distinguishes where she lives: Bond's house = Anmari's house in Cape Town; Snake house (snake park in Durbs) = Ginny and Papa's House; April's House = Anywhere in Botswana and Terry's house = Our apartment in Korea) made us all feel glad to be going home too! Our apprehension was more one of, what does this year hold for us? Can we manage another year in the Land of Kimchi? Another year of 'Wei Guk' - being a foreigner. Well when we got to Incheon Airport the TCIS bus was waiting, so were friends and our Godly family! It felt like a home coming! Surprise! We chatted all three hours home and exchanged 'summer' adventures - the kids were thrilled to see their friends and the familiar faces of people who have prayed for us, talked with us and lived as Christ's disciples did, with us for a year. It felt good - in God's will- right place, right time, right ministry - for His glory. Friends who had arrived back a few days earlier had got a key from school, cleaned our apartment and food was cooked for us - we felt loved and special! Terry is fat and happy to see us but vocally protested being left behind. So back to taxi directions in a strange tongue and reading odd signs to get around the city. The first weekend back was my birthday and Ken booked the Taecheon Beach Cabin and a car from school - packed Terry, the kids and I in the car! It was the most harrowing experience driving down to the beach on our own! Korean road signs are hard to read and by the time I have sounded out the highway exit name (Bore-eo-yoeng muda-surtiie: A city famous for it's mud face packs etc.) we had passed three other exits! It's also hard to sit in the passenger seat while Ken drives on the left hand side. I NEEDED a steering wheel and brake my side! It was well worth the drive though - the weather was perfect and the kids love the space at TBA. Taecheon Beach does not have waves but a soft lip of water plops over on the shoreline every now and then.The funniest was watching Korean beach protocol. If you are close to 60 or a 100 and really small (shrunk and shrivelled) and a woman; you have preferential status! You get given a much-sought-after life jacket and inflatable boat with oars for weapons! So then you proceed with your God-given right to bully all and sundry on the beach and in the water! They get in the boats ( which in itself is side splittingly hilarious to observe) - life jackets; huge bright easy-to-spot on the ocean neon pink / green / orange UFO type sun hat; fully clothed in long trousers, long sleeved shirts with fashionable bush jacket under life jacket - camera around neck (possibility of photography of great white?) and serious hiking boots to walk on the bottom of the ocean. You never know when you may sink - especially when you are carrying a 40 cm camera lense for those hard to get under-the-sea, in the whale's gut photos! So all set, you make the life guard, because it's his job, hold the boat still and the other life guards carry all the grannies into the water - can't possibly wet those $500 dollar 'catchapillow' (no grey product brand name is spelt even remotely correctly - sorry caterpillar) hiking boots! Then once safely inside the boat you proceed to whack at the water with your newly acquired oar! Sorry for all those little kids who can't swim out the way - so just whack them on the head too - especially if they happen to wet your bleating Samsung cell phone which is either dangling from your ear or attached to your (custom designed top pocket for cell phones) life jacket. I wonder how far cell phone coverage goes out in the Korean sea? Or do you have to take your international roaming phone in order to use it when you hit the "international waters" of the sea of Japan! It apparently depends upon what soil you are standing on, as to which name you would use to describe that same body of water (Sea of Japan or aka Sea of Korea)! So then just as the old kimchi biddies are getting the hang of rowing (cut down into the water - connect with kids heads and pull hard: this method used for the white rafting feel) a gentle current starts to pull them out to deeper waters. Then the fun begins - screaming and baleing all at once! Out jumps granny no.1! Yelling and gesturing at the life guards but then realizes that she is knee deep in water and can't swim. So she buckles down into the water in sheer fright and tries to sink - I knew those boots would come in handy! Two seconds later she is rescued by a very apologetic Life Guard whom she berates and scolds in Korean - really hilarious as I have never seen a life guard try rescue someone while they are bowing a profuse apology - thoroughly wetting the victim with each apologetic bow. Mean while granny no. 2 is now heading for international waters in her inflatable boat but is on her cell phone so she either hasn't noticed or she is dialling 911! Over the tall pine trees comes the beating of a helicopter news crew and everyone on the beach including the life guards, performing the rescue, stop and wave. So at last someone swims out into the deeper waters and lassos the wayward boat, dragging it and its angry occupant back to the shore. Then more grannies are lined up to take their turn. The next customers are on a business trip - they have exchanged their cameras and cell phones for ore honourable equipment like two huge buckets; two nets and a pair of brightly coloured orange scissors. With a little more skill and "sea shoes", they wade into the sea - climb into the boat and start to mechanically row in time. I am intrigued and impressed but what are they going to do with their equipment? They are definitely on a mission - ahah - a sea weed collecting mission! So after successfully loading buckets full of soggy slimy green seaweed, they eagerly row back to shore to continue the relay race of who gets the next inflatable boat. We leave the beach with Josh and Ethan nagging us to get a boat, so that they can join the other 20 boats on the bay! Josh tries to tell me that if they get oars too they will be able to use them as self defence against the old grannies, somehow I don't think that sales pitch worked in his favour! It did however provide us with interesting cartoon thoughts! Terry loved the cabin and being able to wonder around the pine woodland - she did have a run in with a squirrel and got the fright of her life! After that she tended to hang around the cabin. On Saturday evening we went to the beach front promenade which was alive with action. Korean bikers in leather or pleather (fake) with chains on their pants and styling cowboy boots hang around in "gangs" glued together by their collective tattoos! They are smiling and chatting under billowing clouds of smoke as they puff away and shine their custom made Harley's. Somehow, no matter how mean they try to look they can't help oohing and aaahing over our "epoh" (beautiful) daughter and sons. What also makes them unthreatening is the fact that they are really friendly, happy, small, skinny people - I could single handedly take on three bikers at the same time! The scariest thing is the fireworks display on the beach. Korean Beach Etiquette is well known to all Koreans, as soon as it is dark, out come the portable wagons loaded with fireworks for sale. Roman candles, fire crackers, sparklers, rockets etc are sold for under a dollar to anyone. All shop owners are eager to sell to Shannie even! Consequently there are thousands of crazed Koreans running around the beach, holding rockets in their hands and firing at will - in every and any direction possible! So after we managed to dodge the flying fireworks and find a bench to sit on behind the madmen, we sat back and relaxed, eagerly watching the hodge podge fireworks display. Ken and I had this overwhelming feeling that if North Korea ever dared to NUKE South Korea, we would be, rest assuredly, safe. As EVERY South Korean has no fear of fire power and can steadfastly wheeled their roman candles or fire work rockets at North Korea and probably frighten the entire population into surrendering or blow them all to smithereens! Just before we wondered off to bed, the boys found a Taekwondo exhibition. The crew were dressed casually and had an elaborate script, which enthralled our boys. Bad guys and good guys fight it out and jump down from 5 people high human pyramids etc. Extremely involved and intricate techniques are employed without the warning of "don't try this at home" siren song - so I did the honours of a solid mother to sons nagging lecture about "don't hurt each other etc.etc.etc." I just forgot to include my totally lady-like daughter into the lecture, so as we walked back home - the boys behaved impeccably (absolute miracle) - but Shanneth broke out into an ALMIGHTY and I mean A-L-M-I-G-H-T-Y Taekwondo kick (which had been closely observed and now expertly executed), connecting Joshua on the shins! Fiasco, drama, devastation ensued and eventually we crawled into bed with 2 out of 3 kids crying, not a bad score for not even trying! So as usual fun was had by all - we were glad to get back to school! The following weekend we had a quiet weekend on our school Spiritual retreat at the Kolon Hotel. A beautiful 5 star hotel with a motel name! We went swimming, praise and worship sessions, shopping, golfing, eating and Karaoke! It was wonderful to be in the country and I really enjoyed going jewelry shopping for my birthday present. I was totally spoilt, Korea is quite famous for it's unique jewelry. So I got back to Taejon sparkly and bejewelled to find that we had also got our Australian residency acceptance certificates! What a shock! We had some second thoughts but know that we can treat it as another 3 year contract - if we don't settle down! We are determined to get alternative passports and hopefully make a home for our children's children. We have booked our flights to Australia for Christmas so that we can get our residency stamp! Whew! So almost through with news! Joshua turned 10!!!!! We bought him a great set of walkie talkies - which can be used up to three kilos away. This means we now can contact him anywhere on campus or at home and there are no phone charges! He thought that this was his only present but we bought him a new mountain bike with gears / suspension and all the bells and whistles. He was totally surprised and delighted. It was really cool to have it at his bedside so that when he opened his eye he saw it! Anyway God bless love to you all. LOVE Chantal
Chapter 8: And somethings you just can't ignore.
Last night we had TCIS Idols and I was Paula Abdul! I donned a wig and got hip - hoop earrings and looked totally different. It was great fun and all for the Ninth graders' fund raiser. They made w 600 000 ($600) so all were happy, this money goes towards next year's mission trips.
We went down to the beach cabin this weekend and it was fantastic. A group of staff and the kids played really well together and we all had an excellent time. The weather was perfect and the kids swam in the sea for hours - we also went to a herb garden and ate a meal (lunch) of herbs - flowers trees' shrubs etc. Ken was "grossed out" and mumbled something about not being a bunny and swallowed flowers with a long face. (Chewing was not an option for him because then you may have to taste it!) We also went to a coal museum which the kids loved. We met another SA missionary family who have two gorgeous daughters Ethan and Joshua's age - so the boys had a ball. I heard Ethan telling Juandri, who is 8 yrs (girl), in an effort to impress her, that when he gets scared he farts really loudly and they stink! I told Ken that he needs to help Ethan develop some better pickup lines - otherwise I'm going to be doing his washing forever!!!!
God Bless
Chantal.
Last night we had TCIS Idols and I was Paula Abdul! I donned a wig and got hip - hoop earrings and looked totally different. It was great fun and all for the Ninth graders' fund raiser. They made w 600 000 ($600) so all were happy, this money goes towards next year's mission trips.
We went down to the beach cabin this weekend and it was fantastic. A group of staff and the kids played really well together and we all had an excellent time. The weather was perfect and the kids swam in the sea for hours - we also went to a herb garden and ate a meal (lunch) of herbs - flowers trees' shrubs etc. Ken was "grossed out" and mumbled something about not being a bunny and swallowed flowers with a long face. (Chewing was not an option for him because then you may have to taste it!) We also went to a coal museum which the kids loved. We met another SA missionary family who have two gorgeous daughters Ethan and Joshua's age - so the boys had a ball. I heard Ethan telling Juandri, who is 8 yrs (girl), in an effort to impress her, that when he gets scared he farts really loudly and they stink! I told Ken that he needs to help Ethan develop some better pickup lines - otherwise I'm going to be doing his washing forever!!!!
God Bless
Chantal.
Chapter 7: A New Chapter in our lives begins: Seeing Korea through new eyes:
I had a wonderful trip to Australia. I spent four nights with Ken's folks - looking for land to buy. We are wanting to buy land on the Gold Coast - Surfer's Paradise area. There are a couple of properties that are real possibilities now its up to the financing and trusting God stage! Please do pray for us to be sensitive to God's will in this regard. I also had a meeting with the school we would like our children to go to "Somerset College" - Christian school - web site: http://www.somerset.qld.edu.au/ while I was in OZ. It's a fantastic Christian IB school and I think the boys and Shannie will settle well there, our next chore is to get jobs either at the school or robbing banks! We are planning to move to Oz in 2010 and will then look at building our house but in the mean time we want to start paying off the land. I really loved the out-doors lifestyle and seeing all the kids on the beach and enjoying the out doors. The property / area is about 20 min from the school and is horse country - with the beach being 10 min away. Rolling hills, kookaburras, koalas, kangaroos and hundreds of gum trees everywhere.
I flew into Sydney on Wednesday evening and my IB Training course started on Thursday. It was tremendous and I now know enough to know that I actually know NOTHING!!! It is an excellent course; I felt so challenged. We had such fun and were rather shocked to find that we had been checked into the Penrith Panther's Rugby League Hotel. So consequently we were the only women in the hotel - which was hilarious at times and rather annoying at others. We manage to, for the most part, avoid the drunk brawling rugby players and had an excellent time shopping. Suppose that's why I had to pay excess baggage!
Korea is looking beautiful - Spring has sprung and blossoms are everywhere. Truly awesome and breathtaking almost summer days are sneaking up on us. There is a general lightness of spirit in the air which could also be the fact that we have just over a month until holidays too! On Saturday Ken and Josh and Ethan are off to Seoul to play in a touch rugby tournament and Shannie and I are off to Songtan on the school staff shopping trip. Josh and Ethan are in the junior rugby team and actually play an impressive game for their age. Look to be honest - these kids here are really soft! Our bruisers are definitely enjoying the sporting fame.
Shannie is making her own waves in the ELC. She is the lead piggy in "The little pigs meet little miss muffet" - she has 15 nursery rhymes to learn and is doing really well with them. I am not as confident as her teacher about wether she will perform on the night or not but it'll be cute anyway. Our other Oscar performer in the family is Terry (our cat) - at 17 she made her 1st debute in the school play "I remember Mama." She played the part of Uncle Elizabeth who is a cat mistakenly sexed as a tom cat. She was fantastic and just loved being carried around, stroked and fussed over. The seniors fell in love with her and she had everyone at her beck and call. Probably the funniest moment was when she was supposed to be dead and was off stage - but the cat minder became engrossed with the actresses' emotive "my cat's dead" scene and forgot to keep Terry off stage. So dear old Terry decided that she would resurrect before time and waltzed in before cue - which had everyone in hysterics including the cast and crew - who managed to salvage the scene by skipping forward to the end quickly! I was away for some of the performances and so I asked Josh and Ethan how Terry's acting went. Josh said "Well mom, she did pretty well - except for the parts where she forgot her lines!" Ethan then yelled "No Josh, it wasn't so bad, Hanna B only needed to speak twice for her because she forgot her words!" I then asked what she was supposed to say and in chorus they both said "Meoww!". Go figure - to use an American expression! Love to allChantal, Ken and the Zoo!
I had a wonderful trip to Australia. I spent four nights with Ken's folks - looking for land to buy. We are wanting to buy land on the Gold Coast - Surfer's Paradise area. There are a couple of properties that are real possibilities now its up to the financing and trusting God stage! Please do pray for us to be sensitive to God's will in this regard. I also had a meeting with the school we would like our children to go to "Somerset College" - Christian school - web site: http://www.somerset.qld.edu.au/ while I was in OZ. It's a fantastic Christian IB school and I think the boys and Shannie will settle well there, our next chore is to get jobs either at the school or robbing banks! We are planning to move to Oz in 2010 and will then look at building our house but in the mean time we want to start paying off the land. I really loved the out-doors lifestyle and seeing all the kids on the beach and enjoying the out doors. The property / area is about 20 min from the school and is horse country - with the beach being 10 min away. Rolling hills, kookaburras, koalas, kangaroos and hundreds of gum trees everywhere.
I flew into Sydney on Wednesday evening and my IB Training course started on Thursday. It was tremendous and I now know enough to know that I actually know NOTHING!!! It is an excellent course; I felt so challenged. We had such fun and were rather shocked to find that we had been checked into the Penrith Panther's Rugby League Hotel. So consequently we were the only women in the hotel - which was hilarious at times and rather annoying at others. We manage to, for the most part, avoid the drunk brawling rugby players and had an excellent time shopping. Suppose that's why I had to pay excess baggage!
Korea is looking beautiful - Spring has sprung and blossoms are everywhere. Truly awesome and breathtaking almost summer days are sneaking up on us. There is a general lightness of spirit in the air which could also be the fact that we have just over a month until holidays too! On Saturday Ken and Josh and Ethan are off to Seoul to play in a touch rugby tournament and Shannie and I are off to Songtan on the school staff shopping trip. Josh and Ethan are in the junior rugby team and actually play an impressive game for their age. Look to be honest - these kids here are really soft! Our bruisers are definitely enjoying the sporting fame.
Shannie is making her own waves in the ELC. She is the lead piggy in "The little pigs meet little miss muffet" - she has 15 nursery rhymes to learn and is doing really well with them. I am not as confident as her teacher about wether she will perform on the night or not but it'll be cute anyway. Our other Oscar performer in the family is Terry (our cat) - at 17 she made her 1st debute in the school play "I remember Mama." She played the part of Uncle Elizabeth who is a cat mistakenly sexed as a tom cat. She was fantastic and just loved being carried around, stroked and fussed over. The seniors fell in love with her and she had everyone at her beck and call. Probably the funniest moment was when she was supposed to be dead and was off stage - but the cat minder became engrossed with the actresses' emotive "my cat's dead" scene and forgot to keep Terry off stage. So dear old Terry decided that she would resurrect before time and waltzed in before cue - which had everyone in hysterics including the cast and crew - who managed to salvage the scene by skipping forward to the end quickly! I was away for some of the performances and so I asked Josh and Ethan how Terry's acting went. Josh said "Well mom, she did pretty well - except for the parts where she forgot her lines!" Ethan then yelled "No Josh, it wasn't so bad, Hanna B only needed to speak twice for her because she forgot her words!" I then asked what she was supposed to say and in chorus they both said "Meoww!". Go figure - to use an American expression! Love to allChantal, Ken and the Zoo!
Chapter 6: A home coming in Korea!
Dear All --- You have to read this for your kid's sake!!!
We're fine and well - physically. Emotionally we have been on an exhillarating rollercoaster ride. TCIS is an amazing place to be and after this very emotional week - we feel like we have "come home"! We are exhausted, fearful, grief stricken, panic stricken, satisfied, happy, content, sure, secure, confused and now you have joined our emotional roller coaster ride!
This week the school brought in a professional Christian Culture Transition Specialist, Libby Stephens,
Libby Stephens Director of TCK Services LibbyStephens@interactionintl.org who is the director of TCK Services at Interact International a support group for missionaries, expatriats and International business people. It's a huge network of people who globally connect children, who are global travellers, with others like themselves.
Every year TCIS do this week of support for the staff, as this time of the year most people want to give up and go, but Dr.Penland said to us that he knows how torn one can feel when you are sure God wants you here and you want out! We are not at that stage just yet... but who knows when we will be or if we ever will be? Other's are but at least we'll be prepared. When Libby started to speak with us I thought about all our dear friends in Botswana and how practically all their children are TCK's - THIRD CULTURE KIDS - too. We just never acknowledged it. So I just had to share what God has been teaching us about our children, ourselves and our parenting skills (or lack thereof!).
Janet, Terry, Sara, Coranne, Leigh, Kathy, Beth, Dina, Brenda, Charmaine, Jean, Debbie and Anli I particularly thought of your kids, as I think so many of our concerns as mums we have shared together. We all worry about how our kids adjust to moves, not living in their country of birth / passport or loving a country they don't really belong to but have adopted ; yet hasn't really adopted them back! I hope this hasn't confused you but please see the attached info and visit the TCK website you may see a lot of yourself and the identity of your children in these pages. I realised why I don't feel right in RSA and why in Bots we loved it but it still wasn't truely home because we were always considered "foreigners" and at home in RSA we felt like "hidden immigrants" - we look the same but inside Botswana changed us and then RSA changed on us too - what made us belong was not there anymore and we weren't part of the change.
We have with the help of Libby shed tears - grieved the loss of our birthright - South Africa, our families / friends and now are feeling really excited to support our kids as they come to understand the three questions all TCK's ask (sometimes not even out loud - you see it in their eyes or in their behaviour); 1)Who am I? 2)Where do I belong? 3)Why does it hurt to have your heart in so many places?
I was really overwhelmed to see, that during Libby's 1 session- she spoke about "What do TCK's look like?", Ken sat there and tears just rolled down his cheeks! He and I finally understood who he is and why he felt so sad - Libby says that a TCK is up to 18 /19 years old and Ken became one at 17 but he never knew why he never felt like he didn't belonged anywhere. So he and I have grieved his loss and also experienced a tremendous sense of guilt for our own children's grief and sense of loss they feel at not being able to belong anywhere. We then went through a session of now what? It is so thrilling to think that this experience has so many benefits (too many to mention) but two profound ones 1)Our children are part of the world's largest growing community - the global travellers - TCK's (200 million - 2006) (future leaders etc.) and 2)They have eternity sealed in their hearts - the only place they really belong and will fit perfectly is in heaven with God! Every time we go anywhere we can teach them that the only two constants are *Change and *God. Whew! This is all in a nutshell but we have been through the most torturous but enlightening and intensely profound experience! If any of you want the book the "Third Culture Kid" let us know and we'll get it for you.
We are so blessed and just had to share this experience with you.
Love you all
Chantal, Ken and our TCK's.
Here is some info on TCK'S: http://www.tckworld.com/index.html http://www.tckinteract.net/index.htm
Dear All --- You have to read this for your kid's sake!!!
We're fine and well - physically. Emotionally we have been on an exhillarating rollercoaster ride. TCIS is an amazing place to be and after this very emotional week - we feel like we have "come home"! We are exhausted, fearful, grief stricken, panic stricken, satisfied, happy, content, sure, secure, confused and now you have joined our emotional roller coaster ride!
This week the school brought in a professional Christian Culture Transition Specialist, Libby Stephens,
Libby Stephens Director of TCK Services LibbyStephens@interactionintl.org who is the director of TCK Services at Interact International a support group for missionaries, expatriats and International business people. It's a huge network of people who globally connect children, who are global travellers, with others like themselves.
Every year TCIS do this week of support for the staff, as this time of the year most people want to give up and go, but Dr.Penland said to us that he knows how torn one can feel when you are sure God wants you here and you want out! We are not at that stage just yet... but who knows when we will be or if we ever will be? Other's are but at least we'll be prepared. When Libby started to speak with us I thought about all our dear friends in Botswana and how practically all their children are TCK's - THIRD CULTURE KIDS - too. We just never acknowledged it. So I just had to share what God has been teaching us about our children, ourselves and our parenting skills (or lack thereof!).
Janet, Terry, Sara, Coranne, Leigh, Kathy, Beth, Dina, Brenda, Charmaine, Jean, Debbie and Anli I particularly thought of your kids, as I think so many of our concerns as mums we have shared together. We all worry about how our kids adjust to moves, not living in their country of birth / passport or loving a country they don't really belong to but have adopted ; yet hasn't really adopted them back! I hope this hasn't confused you but please see the attached info and visit the TCK website you may see a lot of yourself and the identity of your children in these pages. I realised why I don't feel right in RSA and why in Bots we loved it but it still wasn't truely home because we were always considered "foreigners" and at home in RSA we felt like "hidden immigrants" - we look the same but inside Botswana changed us and then RSA changed on us too - what made us belong was not there anymore and we weren't part of the change.
We have with the help of Libby shed tears - grieved the loss of our birthright - South Africa, our families / friends and now are feeling really excited to support our kids as they come to understand the three questions all TCK's ask (sometimes not even out loud - you see it in their eyes or in their behaviour); 1)Who am I? 2)Where do I belong? 3)Why does it hurt to have your heart in so many places?
I was really overwhelmed to see, that during Libby's 1 session- she spoke about "What do TCK's look like?", Ken sat there and tears just rolled down his cheeks! He and I finally understood who he is and why he felt so sad - Libby says that a TCK is up to 18 /19 years old and Ken became one at 17 but he never knew why he never felt like he didn't belonged anywhere. So he and I have grieved his loss and also experienced a tremendous sense of guilt for our own children's grief and sense of loss they feel at not being able to belong anywhere. We then went through a session of now what? It is so thrilling to think that this experience has so many benefits (too many to mention) but two profound ones 1)Our children are part of the world's largest growing community - the global travellers - TCK's (200 million - 2006) (future leaders etc.) and 2)They have eternity sealed in their hearts - the only place they really belong and will fit perfectly is in heaven with God! Every time we go anywhere we can teach them that the only two constants are *Change and *God. Whew! This is all in a nutshell but we have been through the most torturous but enlightening and intensely profound experience! If any of you want the book the "Third Culture Kid" let us know and we'll get it for you.
We are so blessed and just had to share this experience with you.
Love you all
Chantal, Ken and our TCK's.
Here is some info on TCK'S: http://www.tckworld.com/index.html http://www.tckinteract.net/index.htm
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Chapter 5: It's Snowing!
THANKSGIVING was wonderful. The cafeteria was beautifully decorated with autumn, satin leaves of golden, brown, reddish yellow maple leaves. Pumpkins, squashes and butternuts were placed in baskets on display. Orange and red brown table cloths with leaves spraypainted on them and centered by gorgeous short, fat orangey - red candles, surrounded by tiny, sparkly autumn leaves. Lavish food was laid out around the cafeteria and all families contributed to the feast. We started by praying together and giving thanks to God for all sorts of things. Then carols and harvest songs were sang, grace was said and everybody dug in! We then had to roll home after playing board games with different families. AND what do you know? Ethan had to remember his manners!!! Our FIRST Thanksgiving... and we have so much for which to be thankful.
It was - 9 c today and we have had snow for two weeks! It's so incredibly beautiful and strangely only cold on the day or days after the snow. Under floor heating is really helping us cope, but Shanneth did not want to go to school today! "I's told today!!!" " I's watch TV - Mummy you tay wif me!" She yelled.The boys live in their snow suites and have had major snowball fights - the headmaster of the primary George being the ring leader! He is really different in that he knows all the kids and always does break duty - ends up playing with the kids and encourages them to build forts on campus etc. They tend to encourage the staff kids to play at school on the weekends too - so Josh and Ethan get up early on Saturdays and wonder off to school to play at their fort. George was impressed with their fort because they are the only group that have allowed girls to join their fort, and so subsequently have a very comfortable beautifully decorated fort! They even found an old Christmas tree in the tip and now have a Christmassy fort!!! It really builds community and the 68 staff kids are great friends - they all get on well. On Mondays we have staff development until 5:00 pm and the kids all have "kids club" - the IB students run the programme and the kids make all sorts of crafts, play sport and do computer stuff. They also do homework with the kids and Josh and Ethan's homework tutor, Franny (17), is wonderful. She's a National Honours Student and has won many beauty contests too. She is a stunningly, captivating Asian girl. Josh has been getting full marks for his spelling lately and I asked him why he was doing so well; he said "That's what happens when you are in love!" I said "oh with whom?" (Thinking with his 100 year old teacher or a girl in class) He promptly replied " Franny, mum!" - Like I should have known! Ken was thrilled - really proud Josh has such great taste; brains, beauty, personality and a Christian!!!
Ethan has single handedly managed to break two sets of glasses in one week! So we had to go to the optician. We were lucky to find an English speaking chap - who said that Ethan's prescription is at fault! Because of the huge discrepancy between the focusing of the eyes; the glass is placing stress on the frame, hence, two frames broken but not the glass. He then told us that Ethan must have a sun filter on the lenses and a non scratch - micro bonded (unable to break) flexi glass lenses added, with this he would develop frames from titanium to support the lenses. He then sent the prescription to Carl Zeiss in the USA to have the lenses graded - which means that they equal the weight of the lens but increase the magnification in the one lens that needs the greater magnification. I was amazed all this took 7 days and the doc. was really apologetic because it would take so long! He made emergency glasses for Ethan to wear for the week, using his existing lenses and reinforced Harry Potter frames on the one side so that his heavy lens would not break the frame. Ethan was thrilled and really likes the Harry Potter look! His new glasses arrived six days later and we are suitably impressed. The magnification seems great and the glasses are so light weight. He can't believe how light they feel on his face. We hadn't even considered that but he does look good with glasses that are straight! The others were forever skew because of the weight difference! All this of cause cost us an arm and a leg - 240 000 won which is roughly $250 US dollars, We still need to check and see if the medical aid will pay but it really is worth it though!
Shannie is really cute but ofcause being a McAllister she too is pushing the boundaries - flexing her will. So yesterday she refused to help tidy her room and so Ken threatened to smack her bottom. She replied with a real cheeky expression on her face and her hand on her hips, "No mack me! You make my bum hurt! It will be awhowee!" It was kinda of hard to explain that, that is actually the point!Have a wonderful Christmas! Love to all
THANKSGIVING was wonderful. The cafeteria was beautifully decorated with autumn, satin leaves of golden, brown, reddish yellow maple leaves. Pumpkins, squashes and butternuts were placed in baskets on display. Orange and red brown table cloths with leaves spraypainted on them and centered by gorgeous short, fat orangey - red candles, surrounded by tiny, sparkly autumn leaves. Lavish food was laid out around the cafeteria and all families contributed to the feast. We started by praying together and giving thanks to God for all sorts of things. Then carols and harvest songs were sang, grace was said and everybody dug in! We then had to roll home after playing board games with different families. AND what do you know? Ethan had to remember his manners!!! Our FIRST Thanksgiving... and we have so much for which to be thankful.
It was - 9 c today and we have had snow for two weeks! It's so incredibly beautiful and strangely only cold on the day or days after the snow. Under floor heating is really helping us cope, but Shanneth did not want to go to school today! "I's told today!!!" " I's watch TV - Mummy you tay wif me!" She yelled.The boys live in their snow suites and have had major snowball fights - the headmaster of the primary George being the ring leader! He is really different in that he knows all the kids and always does break duty - ends up playing with the kids and encourages them to build forts on campus etc. They tend to encourage the staff kids to play at school on the weekends too - so Josh and Ethan get up early on Saturdays and wonder off to school to play at their fort. George was impressed with their fort because they are the only group that have allowed girls to join their fort, and so subsequently have a very comfortable beautifully decorated fort! They even found an old Christmas tree in the tip and now have a Christmassy fort!!! It really builds community and the 68 staff kids are great friends - they all get on well. On Mondays we have staff development until 5:00 pm and the kids all have "kids club" - the IB students run the programme and the kids make all sorts of crafts, play sport and do computer stuff. They also do homework with the kids and Josh and Ethan's homework tutor, Franny (17), is wonderful. She's a National Honours Student and has won many beauty contests too. She is a stunningly, captivating Asian girl. Josh has been getting full marks for his spelling lately and I asked him why he was doing so well; he said "That's what happens when you are in love!" I said "oh with whom?" (Thinking with his 100 year old teacher or a girl in class) He promptly replied " Franny, mum!" - Like I should have known! Ken was thrilled - really proud Josh has such great taste; brains, beauty, personality and a Christian!!!
Ethan has single handedly managed to break two sets of glasses in one week! So we had to go to the optician. We were lucky to find an English speaking chap - who said that Ethan's prescription is at fault! Because of the huge discrepancy between the focusing of the eyes; the glass is placing stress on the frame, hence, two frames broken but not the glass. He then told us that Ethan must have a sun filter on the lenses and a non scratch - micro bonded (unable to break) flexi glass lenses added, with this he would develop frames from titanium to support the lenses. He then sent the prescription to Carl Zeiss in the USA to have the lenses graded - which means that they equal the weight of the lens but increase the magnification in the one lens that needs the greater magnification. I was amazed all this took 7 days and the doc. was really apologetic because it would take so long! He made emergency glasses for Ethan to wear for the week, using his existing lenses and reinforced Harry Potter frames on the one side so that his heavy lens would not break the frame. Ethan was thrilled and really likes the Harry Potter look! His new glasses arrived six days later and we are suitably impressed. The magnification seems great and the glasses are so light weight. He can't believe how light they feel on his face. We hadn't even considered that but he does look good with glasses that are straight! The others were forever skew because of the weight difference! All this of cause cost us an arm and a leg - 240 000 won which is roughly $250 US dollars, We still need to check and see if the medical aid will pay but it really is worth it though!
Shannie is really cute but ofcause being a McAllister she too is pushing the boundaries - flexing her will. So yesterday she refused to help tidy her room and so Ken threatened to smack her bottom. She replied with a real cheeky expression on her face and her hand on her hips, "No mack me! You make my bum hurt! It will be awhowee!" It was kinda of hard to explain that, that is actually the point!Have a wonderful Christmas! Love to all
Monday, January 22, 2007
Chapter 4: Thanksgiving in Korea!
We are so busy like all of you! It's American Thanksgiving and the students are posting Thanks giving messages all around school. "I am thankful for ......" and signed by the student, are really touching little expressions of life at TCIS. I am also amazed at scriptures of thanks giving, praise and worship to God are plastered on walls in the hall ways and classrooms making the place look cheery and bright as the days are getting colder and more grey. Strangely enough temp are hitting the minuses but the sun still shines for a bit each day but by 17:30 it's dark and only light at 7:30 am. We still get around and socialize inspite of the weather. The American's are crazy about Thanks giving and are organizing a huge school wide TG Dinner. Ethan came home and announced that he loves Thanksgiving because "you don't have to sit down at dinner, and you can wear a hat, dress up as cowboys or indians and you don't have to have manners at the table! - That's what you are thankful for - not having to remember your manners on Thanksgiving!!!!" I asked him who told him this and he said his teacher told him a story about pilgrims and indians (not from India) but cowboy ones, and in the story the indians were rude but friendly! His teacher thought this was really funny but he obviously has selective hearing and a great imagination! So Ken and I have threatened him with near death - and assurred him that he still has to behave at the school TG Dinner! We'll let you know what happens after we've had our first TG Dinner. This week is Spirit week at school and today we had to dress up in pj's. All departments and staff did as did the kids. The English Language Dep. all had our hair tied up and brought our teddies to school. Tues is Twin day where you dress as pairs. Roni (my colleague) and I are doing a "Women in Black thing", wearing ties which say "ON A MISSION - FROM GOD" above a silhouette of a "Man in Black", we'll wear black pants, jackets etc. Wed is hat & hair day, Thursday is cartoon character day and Friday is school colours day: Gold & Black! Oh the stress of fashion!!!
Shannie has a new saying- where she got it God alone knows! Ken offered her some Kimbop for dinner (Korean Sushy - really delicious - the boys love it) and she said "I ninina (don't in Shannie lingo) eat ching chong!" So there you have it! Ken and I were rolling about hysterically.
That's about it for now but I will write more as and when it happens.
We are so busy like all of you! It's American Thanksgiving and the students are posting Thanks giving messages all around school. "I am thankful for ......" and signed by the student, are really touching little expressions of life at TCIS. I am also amazed at scriptures of thanks giving, praise and worship to God are plastered on walls in the hall ways and classrooms making the place look cheery and bright as the days are getting colder and more grey. Strangely enough temp are hitting the minuses but the sun still shines for a bit each day but by 17:30 it's dark and only light at 7:30 am. We still get around and socialize inspite of the weather. The American's are crazy about Thanks giving and are organizing a huge school wide TG Dinner. Ethan came home and announced that he loves Thanksgiving because "you don't have to sit down at dinner, and you can wear a hat, dress up as cowboys or indians and you don't have to have manners at the table! - That's what you are thankful for - not having to remember your manners on Thanksgiving!!!!" I asked him who told him this and he said his teacher told him a story about pilgrims and indians (not from India) but cowboy ones, and in the story the indians were rude but friendly! His teacher thought this was really funny but he obviously has selective hearing and a great imagination! So Ken and I have threatened him with near death - and assurred him that he still has to behave at the school TG Dinner! We'll let you know what happens after we've had our first TG Dinner. This week is Spirit week at school and today we had to dress up in pj's. All departments and staff did as did the kids. The English Language Dep. all had our hair tied up and brought our teddies to school. Tues is Twin day where you dress as pairs. Roni (my colleague) and I are doing a "Women in Black thing", wearing ties which say "ON A MISSION - FROM GOD" above a silhouette of a "Man in Black", we'll wear black pants, jackets etc. Wed is hat & hair day, Thursday is cartoon character day and Friday is school colours day: Gold & Black! Oh the stress of fashion!!!
Shannie has a new saying- where she got it God alone knows! Ken offered her some Kimbop for dinner (Korean Sushy - really delicious - the boys love it) and she said "I ninina (don't in Shannie lingo) eat ching chong!" So there you have it! Ken and I were rolling about hysterically.
That's about it for now but I will write more as and when it happens.
Chapter 3: More info on us!
I had my hair done at a place called Mod's because they said to me that the lady can speak English! Well I now look rather Asian with a very short fringe or "bangs" as they say here! I think they call fringes bangs because that what you have to do to the hairdresser when she keeps cutting and won't stop! So you hit her on the head "Bangs"!!! Fortunately it will grow! I am now armed with a new word as a weapon of necessity - "Chong Ghee!!!" roughly translates as "stop immediately!!" I had to giggle the other day we were directing the taxi driver home after shopping and we basically have to say turn left, turn right, straight on and then on the left, stop. So we have learnt the basics but as we all know, Ken can never remember languages so after saying "Went choock, oronj choock," which the driver understood he then announced "ching chong" instead of "chip ching" and the driver burst out laughing - then proceeded to say, in perfect English, "you mean, straight ahead!" Anyway another day in funny land!
I had my hair done at a place called Mod's because they said to me that the lady can speak English! Well I now look rather Asian with a very short fringe or "bangs" as they say here! I think they call fringes bangs because that what you have to do to the hairdresser when she keeps cutting and won't stop! So you hit her on the head "Bangs"!!! Fortunately it will grow! I am now armed with a new word as a weapon of necessity - "Chong Ghee!!!" roughly translates as "stop immediately!!" I had to giggle the other day we were directing the taxi driver home after shopping and we basically have to say turn left, turn right, straight on and then on the left, stop. So we have learnt the basics but as we all know, Ken can never remember languages so after saying "Went choock, oronj choock," which the driver understood he then announced "ching chong" instead of "chip ching" and the driver burst out laughing - then proceeded to say, in perfect English, "you mean, straight ahead!" Anyway another day in funny land!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Chapter 2: All about Daejeon
We are really settling into Korea. We have made friends with six couples and two singles. (sounds like a tennis match!) Our neighbour Nancy Andrake who is her 60ties, she has happily taken on the granny role and baby sits when we go shopping etc. She is a no nonsense kind of person but great fun and really easy going. Our friends are Steve and Sheryl Minarick - they have two boys the same age as ours - and the kids are good friends. So it is easy to spend time with them. Sheryl is just like Jean Thomas my American friend from Gabs. She is kind and really funny; her and I get along well. Steve her husband and Ken are good buddies, they are quite a riot together and so we all spend a lot of time laughing! Lara and Terry Linderman, Jim & Julie Brownlee are other friends these are all Americans we spend time with and are also apart of the crowd we mix with. We have also made friends with Jane and Michael Moi Moi who have four kids and they are between 8 - 12 yrs. Shannie loves Abby who is 12 and dotes over her. They are New Zealanders. Wendy & Werner Van Wyk are also friends as are the other RSA Family Lisa & Brian Thompson; we had all purposely avoided each other so as not to create a clique. They are really great people and we all get on well. Sometimes one just needs to Braai Boerewors!
Josh has joined the worship team and I am seeing a real change in his life. He is working hard at school and hopefully will reap the benefits soon. Ethan is struggling so much. Please pray for him to have a break through in reading and spiritually too. His eyes have improved so much he has two more rows to go before he can identify all characters on and eye chart. The opothomologist was thrilled with his programme and he is doing well but there has been so much lost during the last two years of his education that I am feeling really defeated. (He can barely see out of his left eye we only found out in April this year - his right eye has been doing it all!)
Shopping in Daejeon is a real eye opener. I can't read any labels, all of them are in Korean. The shopping malls are huge - four, five floors high and there are no escalators just flat conveyor belts: which move around from level to level so that you can take your trolley from floor to floor easily. The boys love them and run wildly up and down them. There are also massive play areas with jungle like swings and velcro suites which the boys love. They throw themselves against sticky walls etc.The stores stay open 24/7 and there are always kids in the play areas. We leave ours at home with Nancy if we have a late shopping evening but even when we've gone at 11:00 pm there are kids at the shops! I can't find Vanilla Essence or Cinnamon and spices yet. They also don't sell deodorant, I am really glad we brought our own supplies! The food is interesting and most of it is either hot, hot spicey or sweet. So there are even sweet crisps - chocolate coated etc. No salty or savoury flavours! In the malls they have a market section - where the assistants - shout, scream their wares to prospective buyers. It's so noisey and initially I got scared and would avoid this section but now I am tougher and occasionally go with the boys to see the "pets" - live fish, octopus, worms, roaches etc. on sale. The boys haven't worked out that this is supper yet! They think Korea is cool to sell roaches as pets! It's also strange to see pet sections in big malls, you can do your grocery shopping and buy a dog, cat, hamster, snake, ferret or fox as well! They do love their pets though and it's fun to see Koreans carrying their pets around the shops, on chains, etc. On T.V. THEY HAVE PROGRAMME AFTER PROGRAMME ON "MY PET". It's touching to see Korean men wailing over their dogs who are sick ect. Most T.V is in Korean, we have cable - which is more Korean programmes! We do get National Geographic and CNN in English and movies in English. We don't watch a lot of T.V. because we are so busy. We spend weekends travelling and seeing places.
Last weekend we had Monday off so we went to Seoul for the weekend. We went to Lotte Land - Disney in Korean! It was wonderful and we had a good time on all the rides, the shows were fun and the kids want to go back. This weekend we'll go shopping in Song Tan - a US Marine Base. They have all kinds of US stuff and its really easy to shop there because everythings in English and the shopping village is closed off to traffic so the kids are relatively safe. Ken did get propostioned last time we went there and he felt great about it until I reminded him that it was the mighty American dollar the Asian woman wanted and not his mighty muscles! We had a good giggle anyway. So basically everything is still new and exciting and we feel more settled - our stuff arrived and it felt like Xmas, unpacking! They used a crane to lift 50 boxes into our top floor apartment! Quite funny and Ken had a few snide comments about me taking the kitchen sink etc!
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Who Are We? AFRICAN GLOBE TROTTERS!
In Christ?
Children of God, missionaries, servants, people with a purpose, but most of all SINNERS - forgiven by God's grace and made righteous by His mercy!
In the World?
We are South African's who have Australian resindency, whom have lived in Botswana, Zambia and are now living in South Korea as missionary teachers! And that's the short story. We are at a predominantly American IB school and are really loving it. I have added all our info of our lives in Korea so if you're interested then read on otherwise change Blogs!
So that was the preface: now for the novel on our life in Korea!!!
Chapter 1 :Our Goodye Africa, Hello World!
We left Africa for good on the 25 July 2005. We have put our immigration papers together for OZ and are off to South Korea for two years as missionary teachers - at a Christian International School. We had bought tickets to fly via the UK and then the school phoned us to say they wanted to change the tickets because they wanted Ken to do a course in Hawaii before coming to Daejeon. So we flew to Disney World for 5 days and then Hawaii for 5 days. We stayed in the Wakiki Beach Marriott Hotel, right on the beach, it was a holiday of a life time!
We are settling down nicely! Getting used to no car and walking to school! Not far though, two blocks! We have a huge apartment, two floors and four bedrooms, three bathrooms, two patios with scenic city views, an attic and office! We are in the penthouse suite of Click Apartments which is one of the many apartment blocks the school owns. The city viewed at night from our 5 th floor apartment is breath taking! Hundreds of red church crosses fill the sky. There are so many churches! The city is surrounded by mountains which lend to a wonderful back drop. The down side is we don't have a lift so we all walk up 5 flights everyday! The weather in August to October has been superb, sunny, gentle cool breeze really summery. Nothing like I've experienced before. Everything was so green and lush here, even in a built up city. We walk through a forest area to get to school and it's so refreshing. Hibiscus or Rose of Sharon (as they call them here) grow wild and in the lot opposite our apartment we have the most gorgeous array of flowers. I still have to get used to the smells of a city though and even though they collect rubbish everyday it still smells awful in the morning but on the way home it's all clean and fresher. Shanneth has settled in so beautifully. She is singing lots of new songs and has learnt two Bible verses. It's wonderful to see her so happy. Josh loves his class and teacher - he is doing so well. When it was his birthday and we took him ice skating at the nearby ice rink. Ethan is missing Mrs.DeJager! I am loving teaching, my grade 12's Science Fiction class is so challenging and interesting and my Grade 9 Writing and Literature groups are fun. Ken is very involved in the middle years and is working towards myp at TCIS. A couple of weekends ago we were taken to Geoggi province, for a staff retreat. All 235 staff (Admin, teaching, industrial - even the drivers were included.) The head and Board members hired a hotel and we all stayed in this marvellous 5 star hotel, all families too.
Food was excellent as were the cultural dances and shows! The kids had a whole fun programme set up while we had get to know you sessions, praise and worship times and a guest speaker - who was so inspiring. We had free time activities; ken : Golf , I went Shopping, Boys : beach, it was great to have all this sorted and paid for, you just got on the respective bus to the specific activity. We came back feeling so refreshed. Then we had a weekend where we were councilors for the Middle School retreat. Even the students go on weekend retreats! We went to Gego Island - a beach resort about 5 hours away by bus. We offered to do this retreat because I want to see as much as possible. It was stunningly beautiful! But better than that was the senior Praise Team's Worship jamming sessions. So cool but totally awesome! I felt like we were in heaven worshipping in the in direct presence of God. These kids are so sincere and yet totally cool, sold out for God. Josh, Ethan and Shannie were hoppin' 'n boppin' it was amazing to see our boys enjoying worship! We went to Zooland on Sunday and had a ball. We never knew that a Zoo can be a themepark! There are fantastic rides and somehow the kids weren't concerned with the animals! So after dragging the brats around we relented and enjoyed the autumn sun while they exhausted themselves on all the free rides! I never thought I would be greatful that they have red hair! But they are really easy to spot in Korea and keep a beady eye on!
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