Week 3 -ZIm Adventures!

Hello to one and All!

Well its been an interesting week. Sean & Claire went to South Africa for the week, so Olive and I were left to look after the kids, the joys! It was hard work for Olive, don't think I can really take much credit......I was more of a support barrier in times of need!

I had a short week of school this week, due to half term. Started my private lesson's which seemed to go well and also found out that I got the part of Scaramouch in "We Will Rock You" - so I really have my work cut out......no time to go see other parts of Africa for me.....it'll be worth it though!

My week has been quiet, despite the darling children! Olive and I had a lovely week together catching up and drinking.....we had to stay sane somehow! On Friday night I went to a BBQ with some of Tim's friends, it was a very drunken but fun evening, spent most of Saturday in bed and all of Sunday (Today) sunning myself........it's a hard life!!!

Happy Valentines Day from Zim!

Hello everyone - Happy Valentines day I hope you were all spoilt!

Since my last blog I have been a very busy lady indeed. Had a successful first week at school, got paid $30 for 3 1/2 hours work - quite good for this country! I also did further sun bathing, and had a sociable week, eating out most nights or people came to the Parkin house for supper.

Saturday (13th Feb) was eventful, I went and auditioned for a role in 7 arts theatre's production of "We will rock you" so fingers crossed everyone! Tim and I then went to Twenty20 Cricket, lots of sun and booze, eventful day meeting lots of Tim's friends, I will not have a social life once he leaves this Wednesday for Kenya. We partied hard, drank lots and had fun drink driving home, which you can do in this country.....thankfully I can't remember the journey home. The first Cricket match I have ever been to and I must say it was such fun!

Today (Valentines day) I felt sorry for myself as I was very hungover - self inflicted, no sympathy! We went to Ted & Carrie's for Sunday lunch and spent most of the day in their gorgeous swimming pool, a very chilled day and something you need after a heavy nights boozing session!

Back to School for me tomorrow - a hard days work of only half an hour - bliss! x

Zimbabwe Adventures Day 8,9 & 10

Well the weekend was very relaxed indeed, despite the kids party first thing Saturday morning! I spent Saturday afternoon with Claire and the kids. We went to see Sal's (Claire's friend) new house, which is not far from Sean & Claire's and it is also in Mount Pleasant. It was beautiful and has so much potential. Cameron was the first to christen the pool as he swan around whilst we drank tea and I of course caught some sun.

We then went to Paul & Olive's for a swim at Granny's! I even went swimming, it was a laugh and great fun throwing Cameron around the pool! That evening we went to Kari (Sean & Claire's friend) 30th Birthday party. It was great meeting people and have an evening out and I am sure they all partied until the early hours of the morning!

Sunday was very relaxed. We spent the day at Olive' and Paul's. The sun was out in force and my tan is certainly coming along nicely, even managed to get burnt as I feel asleep in the sun......oops, I am sure it will be brown in a couple of days! We had a lovely BBQ and all relaxed, swam, it was great fun.

Today (Monday) was the start of my new job. I was only needed for 30 mins, what a bonus! It will probably take a week or so to build up as I am teaching private tuition as well as helping during break times and the choirs. Break time and choir only adds up to 4 hours, well something like that, so lets hope all the darling girls wand private tuition!

I have also spent the weekend driving around Zim with Sean and Claire directing me. Well today I was on my own and managed to get from A - B with no problems! There is certainly no highway code in this country, driving is always interesting especially when traffic lights don't work!

Zimbabwe Adventures Day 6 & 7

Hello Hello

Well I can't believe it has been a week already - time certainly pass quickly when you are relaxed. According to my darling family my last couple of blogs has been rather depressing......thanks for the support guys!

Last couple of days have been very relaxed, done a spot of sunbathing, trampolining, healthy eating and have had long lies - its been bliss!

Today (Friday) was a very interesting day indeed, I'm also rather proud of myself - nothing like blowing your own trumpet - something I don't do very often! On Thursday evening I contacted the head of music at Chisipite Senior School and she invited me for an interview today and guess what I got a job! I am working with the girls on the performance and professionalism of becoming a performer and what they should expect and present themselves. I will also being working with the choirs and vocal techniques etc - very exciting.

After my success, Claire, Olive, Carol (Olive's friend), Carly (Claire's friend) & I went out for lunch. It was a lovely afternoon great food and drinks flowing. We then came back to Claire and Sean's for a bit of sun and a cup of tea!

My new employer had invited me to go to her house for a drink to celebrate her 73 birthday - yes she is 50 years older than me - a lovely lady with a delightful family. I finally got to meet Caro (Tess thank you for the contact) who put me in touch with Di Wright with regards to a job at Chisi. Turns out Caro is Di's daughter and the head of the Art department at Chisi.

Claire and I returned home with a Chinese and spent a lovely evening with Ted (Claire's Father) and Carrie (his wife).

Tomorrow we are going to another kids birthday party - this is a popular theme in Zim as I am quickly discovering.......I am the only one who has not got a child at these parties, thank god!

Zimbabwe Adventure - Day 4 & 5 (1st & 2nd Feb 2010)

Hi All,

Well the last couple of days have been quite quiet. Finished my second book today, never thought I'd see the day - it was the Cheryl Cole book and was actually quite interesting, never realised how hard she worked prior to the pop star the rivals days. Anyway enough about my book and back to the trip so far.

Yesterday (day 4) was spent with Olive. She came and collected in around 10:30am and we went for a coffee prior to collecting Cameron from school. I have been eaten alive by mosquitoes and my legs are covered in massive nasty bites, they clearly love the Scottish blood, but I am certainly not appreciating them! Olive took me to the Pharmacy to get antihistamine, which I took after lunch. This was not a good idea as it totally knocked me for 6 and to be honest I really didn't see much of the day or night. I did get a bit of sun though, before it started raining again!

Last night was an early night, bed by 9pm and didn't wake until 10am the following day.

Today (day 5) was a similar start, as Olive come to collect me prior to getting Cameron from school. He goes to a very lovely nursery school called 'Rainbow school' and his teacher is Auntie Shelly, I also learnt today that Auntie Shelly also teaches the swimming lessons in Olive & Paul's pool every Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon and today Cameron swam without arm bands for the first time!

Whilst the swimming lessons were taking place Claire, Tim, Grant (Tim's Friend) and I went out for lunch. We had a lovely afternoon before Claire and I returned to collect Cameron from Granny's. It has been quite sunny today and now my legs are covered in a heat rash to add to the mos bites, really not attractive!

I have been very healthy for the past couple of days, have only eaten meats, fruit and salads - what has happened to me?!? I even bounced on the trampoline for 30 mins today.....it nearly killed me but my iPod kept me going......thank god!

Tonight will be a quiet one as Claire had work today and has been rushed off her feet. Claire works Monday & Tuesday's for half a day both days selling Aloe Vera Products and Sean works all week for a company based at the airport, he is an electrician.

Well I hope all is well in Scotland/UK

All my love xxxxxxxx