Choices, choices!

Continuing with my resolution to resume a healthy lifestyle and eating regime again, every day I make a fresh, crisp salad to enjoy with my dinner.

Greek salad, above, is my alltime favourite. It's tasty, healthy and very satisfying.

Yesterday I attended the local garden club year-end function in a friend's cool and lush garden. We all had to take a gift: something edible. *sigh* Everyone placed their gifts in a basket on the lawn and each member chose a treat. I chose the packet of cookies (pictured right, above) which my sister-in-law had brought.

Last night before dinner, I placed my crisp, fresh Greek salad (telling myself that it is my favourite because it is so tasty and healthy, to boot) next to the festive-looking cookies and...

took a photo!

Then I had to make a choice...

Which one do you think I chose?

Back on Track

The desired Entry Permit, which is primarily in Arabic, allows my husband to enter the Sudan and hopefully set the wheels in motion for my visa

The word is out! All has been revealed. The time has come…

Yes, it’s the beginning of December (not that has anything to do with what I’m about to divulge) and I am back on track.

What is she talking about, you may ask.

Well, some of you may recall that I upped sticks and went to the Sudan in mid-August. My intention was to spend the second half of dh’s three-month stint with him. We were due to come out on a three-week break (Expats talk of breaks and not holidays, vacations or leave period – a break from being in deepest, darkest Africa –ha!)

But I digress: we were due to come out at the END of September on our break but had to leave in MID-September because of red-tape concerning dh’s visa. So out we came on the 12th of September instead and all things being equal we should have returned to the Sudan on the 8th October.

Now, as fellow bloggers who are expats on the African continent will relate, nothing is ever straightforward in this part of the world!

Firstly, the general manager of the company who had to apply for said visa only returned from his break to the US of A ten days later than originally intended. He arrived back in the city of Khartoum on Thursday night, Of course, Friday is Sunday in the Sudan. Saturday is Sunday (or Saturday, whichever you prefer LOL!) in the Sudan and government departments only really get back to work on Sunday again. All very confusing, I know, but that’s just how it is.

The GM eventually managed to apply for dh’s entry permit and it arrived here during in the middle of November. Meanwhile, dh had arranged with the powers that be who own the parent company in the UK for us to travel across South Africa and Namibia on a quest to recruit technicians for the many projects presently in the pipeline back in Khartoum.

As soon as we had the go-ahead, we hopped onto our trusty [iron] steed and were off across the country. We managed to source two contacts and also had a wonderful tour across the Northern Cape, into Namibia, down through Botswana spending our last night in a small town in the North West Province, an area we both had not ever visited before (more about our many bike trips in a separate blog which I hope to launch soon)

We returned home last weekend and immediately set the wheels in motion (or should that be: wings in motion – ha-ha) for dh to return to work. He flew back to the Sudan on Friday. I’m waiting for my visa to be issued so that I can join him.

Meanwhile, my son, dil and the children have gone to visit Debbie's parents and will return here around the 20th of December. I am busily trying to sort out my admin and catching up on blogging (mainly trying to visit blogs again being away for so long)

The other thing (the one I was on about at the beginning of this post) is that I am getting myself "back on track". That means: NO MORE chocolates, desserts, cakes, cookies and other F A T T E N I N G foods. I have not posted any recipes although I have baked and cooked a great deal since being home these past three months.

I am back on track regarding my exercise regime; I started spinning again last night after laying off for almost four months (and boy, could I feel it this morning!) I am also dilligently cooking my diet-friendly lentil stews and vegetables and taking the time to make a crispy salad to enjoy with my dinner.

I'm totally confident that I'll soon be feeling fit and healthy again and ready to undertake another journey to North Africa.

Precious Memories

Our older granddaughter at her graduation ceremony last Friday night. She received a certificate for humility, What a wonderful character trait to exhibit!

For the past year, dil Debbie has been homeschooling our oldest grandchild. You can read all about this on Debbie's blog here. For the past four months the homeschooling took place in my home.

During the latter period the headmistress of the local Accelerated Christian Education (A C E ) school invited Debbie to assist with the pre-schoolers on a twice-weekly basis. Not only did this complement her schedule perfectly, it also gave our granddaughter the opportunity to socialise and interact with other children her age. At the same time, our three-year-old grandson and 7 month-old baby gd had the privelege of attending "school" as well. I think our baby was the youngest learner at this school!

After the graduation ceremony on Friday night, the learners entertained parents, grandparents and other family members with an end-of-year concert.

These occasions make you realise how precious family is.

After the certificates were handed out to the learners, the play school and pre-primary school entertained us, parents and grandparents with a concert

Our granddaughter, the angel at the back of the photo above and the dancing angel, (also the tallest) centre, in all subsequent photos,
As "Head Angel" she had to lead the smaller angels and took this role very seriously

For more worlds click here.