From Struggle to Triumph

      It's been a while since I last posted... a LONG while.  A chance meeting with a friend online has inspired me to do a bit of catching up.   So... I graduated with a Certificate in Information Reporting.  That was when I had intentions of doing some Court Reporting, or better yet.... Closed Captioning!  I still miss those days and that faculty.  

      Having had the rug pulled out from under me, not once, but twice, I had to gather my wits about me and regroup.  The sudden and shocking death of my still new husband (a month short of our sixth wedding anniversary, which coincided with the birth of my American citizenship), and the later sudden shock of a cancer diagnosis, I emerged older, wiser and subsequently stronger.  True, life without hormones SUCKS, but it also levels the playing field.

      Having regrouped, I went back to school for the Basics.  Start with elementary to advanced to college level Algebra, proceed with Physics and get Anatomy & Physiology I and II under your belt.  YES, I earned my A's across the board.  No mean feat for someone who had discovered a mental block or two concerning Math and Science, although I  had loved them as a younger student!  A&P... no problem.  LOVED A&P.  Scored top of the class too!

     Health Sciences - get the basics for Ultrasound.  I did those!  Then I was invited to choose between General Ultrasound or Echocardiography.  Easy choice for me.  I opted for the heart.  Affairs of the heart.  Discovery of the heart.  The investigation of the Cardiovascular system. 

With a touch of xenophobia from someone who shall not be named, my studies became tasks to endure. I suffered through the course, being the oldest student in an environment that was all about SPEED and hard knocks.  I endured. 

     One morning in early February 2010, having freshly showered and put on some non-slip shoes that I didn't normally wear, I rushed downstairs on my way to school.  The tread of my shoe caught on the carpet.  I went down.  My foot did not.  A wrench, a crash and searing pain.  I lay on the stairs banging the wall with my fist.  When the pain subsided just enough, I crawled the rest of the way and inched across the living room carpet to get to the phone (home phone,) and call my friend.  Vicki said she would collect me and take me to the ER.  I waited.  And waited.  Eventually I called her cellphone.  She said she had been waiting downstairs in her car and she had called me (on my cellphone - which was not switched on.)  I explained again, that I had twisted my ankle and could not walk, could she please come up and get me.  She did.  Long story short, ER x-rayed my ankle and said it was a sprain.  They gave me a blow-up splint to wrap on each side of my ankle.  With no real support I hobbled out of there on Vicki's arm.  I was back at college the next day and attended my clinical rotation also.  Eight painful days later, I saw my doctor.  He looked at my leg that was swollen from knee to toes, and said that the black and blue blotches seemed to indicate a fracture, not a sprain.  One MRI later, I got to an orthopaedic doctor who was going to put my leg in a cast.  When I explained that I still needed to attend school, drive, grocery shop and get up and down my stairs, not to mention shower, she gave me the boot.  Not literally, mind you.  It was: boot on... walk to the car... boot off and drive.  Boot on... walk to the apartment... boot off to sleep.  Etc.  Etc.  I did it all.  I was not kicked out of school.

     Time went by and thankfully, so did college.  I was approaching the last semester when my Mom fell and broke her hip back home.  She was admitted to hospital and had a hip replacement.  We decided as a family that I could not put my studies in jeopardy to go to South Africa to see her.  My mother did not survive the surgery.  She died in August, six days short of the date Jesse had died four years before.  I attended her funeral on the phone.  Which hurt more, the fractured ankle or the broken heart?  I would opt for the latter.  I stayed in college.  I was preparing for sitting the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation exam.  I passed it in November - the first step in acquiring my ARDMS credentials in Echocardiography.  The pinning ceremony was held in early December.  I completed my course triumphantly - an Honors student with a 4.0 GPA.  I celebrated with friends and mourned that no family was with me. 

Pinning Ceremony Echocardiography Students November 2010

     In February 2011, my nephew stopped by on his trip Around the World in 80 Days.  I took him to San Antonio to get a taste of Texas.  It was lovely to see him all grown up after I had seen him briefly in 2007 in Melbourne.  Now it was time to prepare for my final exam for Echocardiography.  I sat and passed my final exam and earned my credentials as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer in Adult Echo in April of this year, 11 days before my birthday. 

      As it happened, I started working PRN (per requested need) for a local hospital in July.  The hospital was busy and understaffed, and as a new sonographer, I did not get any help whatsoever.  In the middle of all this anxiety, the family were meeting in Johannesburg for the unveiling of my mother's grave.  I flew home for a week and met with my Dad and my brothers and some friends who attended the ceremony.  The week was brief, and chilly, in more than one respect.  I had to rush back to the USA.  On the flight back, we landed in Dakar to board more passengers.  The plane sat on the runway and TSA agents boarded with white gloves and began searching empty seats.  They ran their hands up, down, around and under the seats.  Nothing was said to the passengers on board.  Finally, passengers from Dakar boarded.  A man in a kaftan, with sandals on his feet, sat next to me.  He smelled ripe.  I did not say a word - I tried not to breathe.  For the next eight hours, I tried to breathe as little oxygen as possible whilst my fellow traveller coughed beside me.  The air was stale and rather rank. 

     I arrived back home after three flights, sick and exhausted.  It was the Independence day weekend.  I called my doctor's locum who prescribed antibiotics over the phone.  Feeling even worse two days later, I walked in to a doctor's clinic and was given a shot and more antibiotics.  I called in sick for two days then returned to work feeling exhausted.  At the end of my trial run, the hospital decided they needed someone with experience.  To add insult to injury, being on an extended course of antibiotics, I was left with thrush in my throat and finally saw an ENT who prescribed "magic mouthwash!"   

     And so, dear friends, ever since then, I have been trying to find a job that does not require at least 2 years of experience, or which does not require multiple registries.  I am ready and able, educated and intelligent and wanting to find a job that uses the skills I so doggedly fought to acquire.  And I will!

First American Graduation

Woohooo! Although I did not finally certify as a Court Reporter - I completed the course and earned my Certificate.

I am STILL a student and will celebrate when I gain entry to my final chosen career path!

"The Penguin Parade is located on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia, only 140 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. It is part of Phillip Island Nature Park. The area is a reserve designed to protect and promote awareness of Little Penguins (previously called Fairy Penguins)."

"Each night at sunset, the world’s smallest penguins, the Little Penguins, emerge from the sea and waddle ashore to their sand dune burrows. This is a truly memorable natural wildlife experience."

We sat in the freezing cold, with wind whipping in from the ocean, and waited as the sun set. After dark, a few little heads popped up as the first penguins checked that the coast was clear of predators. Then a group of penguins made their way onto the beach and waddled up together, heading for the safety of burrows! Photography was not allowed, so I found pictures on the Internet. Thank goodness for HOT CHOCOLATE after the fact. We all dressed in layers of clothing, with scarves, beanies, double socks and pants and jerseys, jackets and a blanket. Pity we forgot the gloves!!!

Healesville Sanctuary

"Healesville Sanctuary, Australia's premier wildlife park is nestled in the foothills of the Yarra Valley, just one hour from Melbourne. Koalas, dingoes, kangaroos and the unique platypus are just a few of the 200 species of Australian wildlife flourishing in a stunning Australian bushland environment."

Yours Truly, Geena and Steve

Appreciating Koala Statuary!

Koala - Marsupial (NOT Bear!)
Pelicans in the Pond

"Healesville Sanctuary's Birds of Prey show was launched over ten years ago and has since become one of the Sanctuary's most anticipated and 'must do' experiences.

Set in the Sanctuary's outdoor amphitheatre, Birds of Prey is a thrilling aerial display demonstrating the magnificent flight and hunting skills of Australian species such as the Wedge-tailed Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Black Breasted Buzzard and Barking Owl."

Sky High Mt. Dandenong

Steve and Geena and I went to the top of Mt. Dandenong for our first outing. Although it was a cold and grey day, we had fun finding our way through the hedge-maze and then looking around at the gardens, sculptures and beautiful vistas.

The Australiana Tree

"….. was designed and sculptured by renowned artist Leigh (Roy) Conkie over 3 weeks in April & May 2006. When SkyHigh was redeveloped in 2004 the stump of this Eucalyptus Obliqua (Messmate) was approximately 8 metres high. The top 3 metres were lopped and used for the nearby seat and the balance was left to create this superb masterpiece!"

Percy Possum’s House

The English Garden

Geena in the Maze with Froggie

Geena in the Maze at the "Short Cut Door" (actually a painting!!)

Yours Truly and Geena in the GIANT'S CHAIR!

"Less than 1 hour from the Melbourne CBD you can be SkyHigh – on the uppermost reach of the Dandenong Ranges, amid cool fern glades and lush towering native forest, looking at the big picture, from the Mornington Peninsula across the majestic sweep of Port Phillip Bay, surrounded by Melbourne’s growing urban fringes, to the You Yangs on the southern horizon. After sunset the southern sky, brilliant in the clear mountain night, is imitated by a spectacular carpet of city lights."

From the Land of Oz !

G'Day Mates! I'm here, in Melbourne… the Land Downunder! Can ya see me waving? Wahoooo! Yep, it’s my feet actually, ‘cause I’m Downunder and Y’all are Upside-Down!

It's a gray, windy, rainy morning taday and my head is still spinning... will have to rest some more to get rid of jetlag. I not only crossed the Equator, but I crossed the International Date Line! Lost ALL of Monday! What a feeling! It's weird. Must be the Wizard…My niece and nephew are just gorgeous! Adam is 13 and Geena is 11. Geena and I enjoy getting the giggles together! I’m her Giddy Aunt! Haha! Adam enjoys cooking and baking, yummm. I also have the absolute joy of the company of their two GORGEOUS Burmese cats: Jazzy and Leo! YAYYY! Jazzy is chocolate point and Leo is a lilac/blue! They are just the prettiest, cutest little personalities… of course; I had two Cream Burmese cats called Shandy and Champers for many years, so I DO know the breed. Oh, they are lucky!

My SIL, Elana is very well and Steve, as you know, is an absolute darling. I'm so glad to be here. Actually never thought I would get to Oz... strange being in a whole new continent. Lots of ex-South Africans here folks. It sorta feels like home (South Africa I mean)... quite a bit different from America. I have three homes now, it looks like! I am so looking forward to getting my feet back on S.A. soil and then ENGLAND! Watch out blogfriends! I'm COMING!

I will post photos when I take some! As you may remember, I bought SIX disposable CAMERAS, which I took great pains NOT to put through X-ray at three airports! Well, Aussie customs said it would be OKAY to go through the X-ray machine, so I’m hoping the pics WILL come out! Pft!

Well, that’s it for now. More news when I have some and I'll keep you posted.

TTFN!

The Birds and the Bees and the Flowers and the Trees...

Sunday, May 13, 2007: Mother’s Day.

For the last hour, on a warm, still day, as the daylight dims at 8:15, I’ve been watching the lives of the Ruby Throated Hummingbirds with sheer delight as they flit like emerald fairies between the tree outside my upstairs window, and the hummingbird feeder placed strategically below.

There must be at least a dozen: Plump males with their full red gorget that flashes fiery red when they turn their heads toward the setting sun; dainty females with their white front and emerald backs; and juveniles which are smaller and thinner in size, and which try to evade the territorial male from guarding the birdfeeder, to sneak in for a long, satisfying lick.

I have never paid much attention to the tree before, except that it casts needed shade near my kitchen door. The mess of its florettes is evident when they fall to the ground, as are its leaves when the fall approaches. As the florettes are a similar color to the leaves, I had not paid much attention. A showy tree, it is not. Useful, it is!

This afternoon, I became aware of the excited chittering of the birds as they danced back and forth around the feeder and up into the tree, to hover at every possible angle, feeding at the yellowy-green florettes which remind me of long thick hairy caterpillars, or alternately, of yellowy-green kitten’s tails! The hummers have been VERY busy feeding from the individual tiny flowers which collectively make up the long florettes. They alternated between the tree, also attended by what look like bumble bees from this distance, and the hummingbird feeder, zipping up and down and darting around to avoid the territorial male gorging himself on the sugar water, happily supplied by me.

A boat-tailed Grackle alighted on the wall. It stepped into the birdbath placed to the side and below the hummingbird feeder. The hummers retreated to the safety of the leaves of the tree. The Grackle hopped down to the path, which was strewn with wild bird seed. It greedily gobbled up as many seeds as it could in a short time, hopped up to the birdbath, had a few sips of water, lifting its head up to the sky each time it allowed the water to slide down its throat, carefully scanning for other predators. As soon as the Grackle noisily flew off, the hummers returned to continue their dance.

I watched in silent fascination and appreciation for over an hour. With a pang of memory, I remembered the previous season, when my husband, now departed, had learned to watch with me. He would stand on the doorstep, smoking his cigarette, when hummers would zip around the corner, hover in midair in front of his face as though challenging him, and then alight on the feeder for a long drink, glancing at him now and then.

Not only are the hummers in abundance this May, but a pair of ladder-backed woodpeckers have taken up their abode in a tree on the other side of this apartment. That tree has lavender florettes, gracing the canopy like a crown on the head of a queen. The hummingbirds zip and hide and hover and lick at those flowers with glee, while the woodpeckers chirp below, in their long conversation with one another, as they look for insects and grubs upon which to feed.

What wonders the world has to offer if we only stop to look and remain still and silent in appreciation of the beauty of God’s creation, and in the 18 minutes it has taken me to write this piece, the sky has darkened, and the birds have found a place to rest until the break of day!

Rediscovering a NEW Sue

As we move on in our lives, it's good to take stock and rediscover ourselves all over again. I did that. Had some pictures taken and here are the results:

The picture below is how I would be seen through Jesse's eyes!

The New Me !

Moi - with make-up and sans glasses! My hair is actually auburn! Woohooo!

Jesse and Me on my 49th birthday.

Happy Birthday MOM and Brother Steve

Dear Mom and Steve: Wishing you both Very Happy Birthdays DownUnder and Waaay Down South! Lots of Love from your Daughter/Lil Sister, Sue!

Peezawoman Strikes Again!

Hi Folks,Well, Friday the 13th turned into Friday the 13th for me. While delivering pizza, my car got stuck in the mud (yanno... way out there near Oso, in the dark, unpaved road...) and my customer's neighbor had to get his big 'ol 4x4 with a big 'ol chain to pull me out!!! Panic... panic!! When I told the customer that the pizza was on me, she absolutely refused and gave me a cheque and included a tip!! The store owner agreed that we could send the customer and her neighbor a gift certificate for pizza!!!

That wasn't all, for the night, folks! On my way home from my next and last delivery, I was turning into Saratoga from Staples and yielded for traffic from my left, when, BAM! Girl behind me bashed my behind! I called 911 for the police to make an accident report. I told the 911 operator we had a "bumper-bashing!" (That's what we call it where I come from, folks!) She said, "A WHAT??" I said, "We had a BUMPER-BASHING!" She said, "WHAT??" THREE TIMES, folks! Then I asked the girl who "bumped into me" what y'all call it around here!! She said, "Fender Bender!" So I told the lovely 911 operator: "FENDER BENDER!" I mean, really, folks! Does this take a little bit of IMAGINATION or WHAT????

Now, before y'all grow alarmed, she did her lovely big Nissan a lot more damage than the scrape on my rear bumper. She dinged her front right side and broke her headlight. We chatted while waiting for the police, and it turns out, she's a 21-year-old, just qualified Registered Nurse who has just moved to Corpus. Her male friend around the same age, works for a pharmacy. He told me about one of the pharmacists who works there who is also South African. Well, not too much harm done, except that I do admit I was shaken up and didn't feel too good emotionally the next day.

Ahh... next day! What a night! Was raining on and off all night and delivering pizza in the rain is not your most pleasant pasttime. You'd think people were a little more appreciative of having their dinner delivered to them by a friendly, good natured soul? Well, some people are plain disagreeable. The worst is when there is not so much as a penny tip! Actually, a dollar helps more, but, well, maybe some folks just can't scratch it together. Standing at a dripping overhang, at night, and you're NOT allowed to go inside, while the customers root around looking for change (you'd think they would have had that covered when they placed the order, right?) is not exactly my idea of fun. However, I do so enjoy the animals that greet me... not to mention the littlies who get SO excited when the "Pizza Guy" comes to the door! Hehehe! Yeah, I know, I DID cut my hair short! Well... I must make mention of one of our customers. I truly got to the house 15 minutes after the order was placed, only to discover that I had forgotten to bring the credit card slip. On the offchance that the customer might have change, I called him on my cellphone to ask. He said he had none, to which I replied that I would be RIGHT BACK. Folks, I was back at the house within 30 minutes, TOPS, from the time he ordered! A cute little toddler came to the door and spoke to me in toddler talk. She was a real cutie. Her hair was pulled back in a little ponytail, and she had the prettiest little jeans and T-shirt on, and the cutest little shoes! She was talking to me in a language that only toddlers REALLY understand, but I spoke to her about the rain, and was she hungry? And didn't she look so pretty? And she agreed wholeheartedly. She gave me a big 'ol grin and really made my day! Her father, on the other hand, commented about the fact that they should have some free cheesy bread or cinnastix, because I went back to the store to fetch the credit card slip. Then he complained that he could not see the printing clearly on his copy and went to photocopy my copy!! Well, it takes ALL kinds to make this world. I do hope he appreciate what a lovely little soul his daughter is.

Then there's a regular customer, who is always polite and friendly and makes sure to tip the driver. The total, this time, came to 18.12. I brightly remarked, "Just like the overture!" She looked at me in a confused way. I said, "You know, Tchaikovsky? The overture with all the cannons?" A look of pleasure crept across her face as she understood the reference! I doubt that she had EVER expected a pizza delivery person to have THAT kind of exchange with her at the door!!! HA!

Why am I doing this, you might ask? Well... it keeps me moving... it connects me with people (even if just a little), and it puts money in my pocket immediately, while I'm still a student. I also don't have to think too hard, and, believe it or not, I do enjoy driving, and am learning to find my way around, pretty much like a rat in a maze! Hey, I can even listen to Michael Savage on the radio. The frustrating part is when I actually have to get out of the car, in the middle of an interesting thought or diatribe, and miss the next bit while I deliver the pizza. I'm just a little worried about my small, silver, Suzuki, with all the big, hulking SUV's on Texas roads! Ah well. Goes with the territory, right? I am sure there are not many people who would realize that an ex-dancer, ex-teacher, ex-administrative assistant to managing directors, and future CSR (certified shorthand reporter,) was standing at their door.

September 24, 2006

Happy 6th Anniversary, Beloved. I will never forget you.

New American Citizen!

The swearing in ceremony took place at the Federal Courthouse at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, 21st September, 2006. Thank you all for attending and for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers, and for wearing red, white and blue in my honor. You mean the world to me. Jesse was with me and I could clearly feel his pride in this achievement. I do wish he could have been here in person!! It's our 6th wedding anniversary tomorrow, and I will be having lunch with my parents-in-law and with Sheila, and we will toast Jesse.

We were married on September 24, 2000

POSHTA is born - March 2004

Me and Jesse - October 2004

Our trip to Yellowstone National Park - August 2005

At the Turquoise Pool - Yellowstone - 2005

Removal of conditional status from permanent residence!! Oct. 2005

Rest in Peace, Jesse Darling!

December 1945 - August 2006

Hi Y'all ! You are most welcome to leave a short post and link to one another from here if you wish.

Hi Y'all ! You are most welcome to leave a short post and link to one another from here if you wish.

The time has come for SUPERHEROES!

Howdy Folks! It's MOI, Pizzawoman!

Delivering Pies from the Skies, lickety-split!
(well maybe I shouldn't use THAT turn of phrase...), getting your din-dins to you and yours
INAFLASH! Nice and HOT and TASTY and SuperDuperFast! That's ME! Your friendly, neighbourhood Superhero!

Friend of kids with big shiny eyes, jumping up and down at the door and shouting,
"It's PIZZAWOMAN!"
Pizza's here!
Friend of adults who are hurried, scurried, flurried, and oh so grateful that Pizza's here!
Friend of all good dogs and cats everywhere. They know. They can HEAR well in advance when Pizzawoman arrives. They bark excitedly, or purr around the door, letting the family know that PIZZAWOMAN has arrived!

Friend of all people everywhere, with a growling in
their stomachs and a friendly smile to share!
Don't forget to TIP your Superhero, folks! She can give a BETTER service when she's a little better oiled, if you get my drift!
Young men, sorry boys... the younger gals just haven't reached Superhero status, pretty though they may be. That doesn't mean you should forego the tip!
Be Kind to your friendly, neighborhood Pizzawoman, particularly if she has SILVER STREAKS in her HAIR!

Now I must FLY.... got lotza pizza to distribute, far and wide! Check in regularly for The Adventures of Pizza Woman!
Toodle-Pip folks! Up, up, and AWAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY!

YAY, I HAVE MY APPOINTMENT DATE!!

Woohoo! I got my letter from Immigration, regarding my Naturalization Interview!!

I'll be going in mid-June! Wish me luck for my interview, friends!

Okay, Gals! This will keep us ALL trimmer!!

'Mmmmmm... I guess I am a TROPICAL fruit lover! Litchis, Granadillas, Cherries, Peaches, Avocado, Pineapple, Kiwi Fruit, Papino (we called it PawPaw), Mangos, Strawberries... Mmmmmmmm!! Now shall we eat them like that? Or does someone wanna cut them up for fruit salad?

Now THESE are the kinds of cake *I* like!!!

Not to mention Strawberry Jive from South Africa (Nestle) and Choc '99, vanilla soft serve swirled around chocolate Flake! 'Mmmmmm!!

Come on in and help yourself! I *guarantee* you, you won't gain weight with any of these!! ;)