Ashamed of having plenty

Not very often it happens to me here in Joburg. Surely not because it is a rare sight. Instead, most of the times I am too busy and fail to pay attention to what is going on around me.

The scene goes as follows: traffic light turns red and a white bakkie (small vehicle with an open air trunk) stops. It is packed with black men of all ages being taken back and forth to work by a white driver (usually an Afrikaans builder). They sit tight like in a "sardine can" and some of them look old, tired and "apartheid" sad. Others look young, eager, "Zim" relieved and a bit angry.

Then, right behind it, one can see, a groomed 30-something white expat, sitting in a huge air-conditioned car, listening to music, talking on her mobile phone, with one child or maybe all alone on her way to Yoga.

There is no worse feeling in the world than looking those men in the face. One feels like the smallest, most spoiled person in the most absurd, unfair and ridiculous situation.

I try to look away. Ashamed of having it all.

Eu volteeeeei, voltei para ficar...!

Joguei a toalha e Antonio voltou hoje para sua antiga escola, Fleming Pre-Primary.

Fizemos uma tentativa frustrada de adaptacao a Escola Alema mas sabe do que mais..? A verdade e que nao tenho a menor indentificacao com a cultura Germanica, acho tudo frio, sem graca, sem calor humano. Um saco. E nao quero isso pro meu filho.

A escola daqui de Joanesburgo e feia, mal cuidada, nao tem cor, alegria, ninguem te da um sorriso... Quero que meu pequeno tenho muito carinho e que possa curtir esses primeiros anos de sua vida da mesma maneira que eu vivi no Rio: sendo paparicado, beijado, abracado, com muita musica, cor e felicidade num ambiente pra la de acolhedor.

Sua nova professora do Fleming, Sonia - uma figura maravilhosa - estava esperando ele na porta da sala com todos os colegas e quando ele chegou soltou um : "La vem eleeeeeee!!"

Eu quase chorei de felicidade com tamanha recepcao. Mas meu pequeno, timido que so, quase teve uma sincope!! Coitado!!!

Os amigos estavam todos na maior alegria com a volta dele. William, o amigao, Beatrice, a loirinha fofa (que logo pegou-o pela mao pra sentar ao seu lado), Zhia, Christian, David - todos lindos de morrer. Obrigada turminha!

Como estou feliz em estar de volta!

Bumbum baticumbum

O Carnaval ta chegando e vai dando um aperto danado no coracao. Essa epoca do ano e com certeza das piores para se estar longe do Brasil. Nao gosto nem de ler O Globo pela internet que ja fico jururu.

Agora ha pouco, sem querer, abri o caderno de Carnaval e vi varias fotos de mulheres lindas nos ensaios, felizes da vida.

Caramba que vontade de estar la....!

Com certeza nao sairia em nenhuma escola nem iria a nenhum baile mas so saber que e Carnaval e estar no Brasil ja e um luxo.

Current Suppliers III - Candle Design

Candle Design is an amazing shop in Rio's trendy neighbourhood Ipanema. It sells beautiful coloured glasses and candles of all sizes, a bit of ceramics and vases - everything in there is stunning.

They run a very successful rental business and cater to Rio's best known event managers and companies.

The duo Leticia and Beth are the owners and creative forces behind the brand. Their good taste and brilliant ideas are made visible in Candle Design's incredible products.

www.candledesign.com.br

Dona Marocas

Tem um blog que eu adoro e leio sempre: "O Outro Lado da Terra Santa" no site do Globo. Quem escreve e a Renata Malkes, uma jornalista brasileira radicada em Israel que eu acho muito engracada.

Li ontem um post dela no qual tinha essa foto do Bush com Peres e Olmert e a legenda dizia: "Eu busho, tu bushas, ele busha". Quase morri de rir.

Agora, com todo o respeito, repara so no Bush de kippah... Nao sei se ele botou na posicao errada e esta mais baixo do que deveria estar... So sei que esta parecendo uma velhota amish com um daqueles coques gordos na parte de tras da cabeca.

Current Suppliers II- Flavia del Pra

Nao me lembro bem aonde achei a Flavia del Pra. So sei que fiquei apaixonada pelo seu trabalho assim que vi um de sus "abajores" - como ela os chama - pela primeira vez.

A Flavia e fera. Paulista radicada em Londres, ela estudou ceramica e estamparia na prestigiada Saint Martin's Art School de Londres. Seus abajures sao feitos a mao e alguns modelos sao exclusivos. O corpo das pecas e de ceramica e a estamparia das cupulas sao desenvolvidas tambem por ela.

Artista de talento e dona de uma simpatia contagiante, Flavia esta nesse momento fazendo uma viagem de sonhos com o marido pela Asia e Oceania. Ja prometeu para a volta um trabalho todo inspirado nos varios paises que visitar.

Mal posso esperar.
www.flaviadelpra.com.br

Current Suppliers I - Edymundo Colaco

I found Edymundo Colaco in the Novica website, which searches for artists all over the world and sell their pieces. Edymundo is a multi-talented artist living and working in Marica, Rio de Janeiro and his work includes ceramics, paintings and tapestry.

I had the pleasure of having lunch and spending an afternoon with the artist himself and his wife Lydia in their fabulous colonial-style house in Marica. I can only affirm that the couple's hospitality is very much up to the standards of Edymundo's work and we had a remarkable time together.

Undeniably Brazilian, Edymundo's pieces were a success in the shop and many customers exalted the vibrancy of their colours and delicacy of their shapes.

www.edymundocolaco.com

Leblon

I opened my business, Leblon, a home decor shop last July, more precisely on the 26th. It is a small place in Parkhurst, a vilage-like neighborhood in Johannesburg's northern suburbs.

The shop itself is in a cottage in a large property (with 2 other shops) on Parkhurst's 4th avenue, one of the only streets where one can actually walk on in Joburg. It is a friendly place, full of restaurants and a laid-back area, where Paul Smith recently opened his 2nd shop in SA (1st one is in Cape Town) - and brought us lots of business.

We sell ceramics from Brazil, fabric from South Africa (really funky ones), candles galore, more ceramics from the Free State (SA), exclusive table lamps from the UK, beautiful glass from Rio's Candle Design store and some other bits and pieces.

This year we'll have some beautiful lamps from Israel (discovered in my Kabbalah trip last Sep), some amazing 50's and 70's-style revamped chairs (found in antique shops and redone with my funky fabrics), some pieces of furniture and some other merchandise from Vietnam, India, France and Holland.

I also plan to start doing some small decoration projects - my real passion.

My first one - fingers crossed - might be a friend's lodge in Namibia. (We spoke about it in an alcohol-fueled night out and I am not sure if he still remembers it. I certainly do.)

Wish me luck - I'll keep you posted.

Apagao na Africa do Sul - medidas dramaticas

Meu amigo Clemens, Fisico e Virgininano, mencionado num post abaixo, escreveu para dizer que nao esta mais enlouquecido com a crise de energia que assola o pais.

Ele fez um deposito de 10% do valor de um gerador residencial, que chegara no fim de Fevereiro.

Vibrei com as noticias! Agora ja sei - com ou sem apagao - aonde assistirei as Olimpiadas de Pequim daqui ha alguns meses.

PS: Clemens e Cindy, gosto da minha cerveja estupidamente gelada, por favor.
PS2: O Planeta Terra, ja estrupiado, agradece a sua aquisicao.

Power cuts in SA - dramatic measures

Clemens, my Physicist, Virgo friend (mentioned in an earlier post) wrote to say he is not on the verve of a breakdown anymore.

He has made a 10% deposit to buy his own home generator, which will arrive end of February.

That's great news! At least now I know - energy crisis or not - where I will watch the Peking Olympics later this year.

PS: Clemens and Cindy, I like my beer very cold, please.
PS2: Global warming says hello to you people.

Best mates (or nearly)

A relationship of love and hate is how I could define the friendship between our Antonio and Choc.

Hugs and kicks galore made Patrick and I doubt that the canine would reach his first birthday.

In the picture, Choc, after a bath and a blow-dry, looks impossibly cute.

Antonio, obviously, gave him endless kisses.

And, according to tradition, a good kick on his way out.

Melhores amigos (ou quase)

Um relacionamento de amor e odio e como definiria a amizade do nosso Antonio com o Choc.

Entre abracos e chutes, Patrick e eu duvidamos que o bicho chegasse vivo ao seu pirmeiro aniversario.

Na foto, o Choc, recem-saido do banho e de uma escova, estava fofo de dar do.

Antonio encheu ele de beijos, claro.

E na saida deu um bico nele so pra nao perder o habito.

Deja-vu from hell

A few years ago we had in Brazil a very serious energy crisis. Does anyone remember it? Energy-saving light bulbs, record-breaking fast blow-dries (and end up looking like a Jackson Five lookalike).. Absolutely nerve-racking! I had already forgotten about this unbearable time.

Now I am being reminded of those awful days as I go through the same thing again.

Eskom, the South African electricity company shows the nation exactly how one should NOT run a business and the daily power cuts are driving the citizens absolutely insane. No one knows when there will be electricity or not and how long the crisis will last.

Local, sensacionalist, newspapers are merciless: "IT'LL GET WORSE" was one of the kindest headlines I read these days.

To be continued.

PS: I did not resist the temptation to add the picture of Clemens, a dear friend, a Physicist and a Virgo, who is on the brink of a nervous breakdown due to the power cuts. And who, like every single South African, dreams of a home generator.

Deja-vu infernal

Tivemos no Brasil um problema serissimo de falta de energia eletrica ha alguns anos atras. Alguem se lembra? Lampada mais economica, fazer escova em tempo recorde (e ficar parecendo um dos Jackson Five depois), uma aporrinhacao... Eu ja tinha me esquecido dessa epoca insuportavel.

Agora fui relembrada desses dias de suplicio por estar passando pela mesma coisa.

A Eskom, companhia de eletricidade sul-africana nos brinda com uma incompetencia das Arabias e os cortes de energia atuais enlouquecem a todos. Ninguem sabe quando tera energia ou nao e quanto tempo a crise ira durar.

Os jornais sensacionalistas nao deixam por menos: "VAI FICAR PIOR" e uma das manchetes mais carinhosas que li nos ultimos dias.

A conferir.

PS: Nao resisiti em adicionar a foto de um amigo querido, Clemens, fisico, virginiano, que esta quase arrancando todos os cabelos da cabeca, enlouquecido de raiva da Eskom.

Such a cool picture...

...taken by Patrick in his last trip to Egypt - 3rd time in the country and 1st time seeing the pyramids. (not all glam working for an airline!)

Saudades do Rio (Missing Rio)

Nao precisa nem dizer nada.

No comments.

Libra

The best definition of a typical female Libra I heard was: "think of a gay man in a straight woman's body". Bingo! Spot on.

Does a 36 year-old woman need astrology to know a bit better about herself and how vain she is?? Not really. But the whole thing is just so much fun!

Astrology: my new most favorite pastime. So every now and then when I write something like: "business is bad because Mars is retrogade" or "let me wait until Mercury goes direct again before I call her..", don't worry, I am still sane.

Spiritual development

2007 was such a good, hard, exhausting, exciting, full, unforgettable year.

We bought our dream house in Joburg and our son finally found a home, I opened my business and then there was the arrival of our puppy, we bought our long-dreamed flat in Rio, I made more good friends in 2007 than in the last 10 years together, I started meditation... in June there was the boob job (hahahaha, yes, I did it!!! - more on that later) and many other events took place.

And then there was the Kabbalah. And I felt as if I had been waiting for it all my life.

It changed it all for me and for the ones around me in the most positive way.

If you don't know what it is, check it out. www.kabbalah.com

Pumping Iron in Style

Back to South Africa, back to work, back to the daily routine... back to the gym.

Yes, Kabbalah student, esoteric, meditator, astrology-loving people also need to work on their abs every now and then. And I am no different.

I joined Virgin Active Melrose Arch last year and love the place.

The chain, which belongs to Sir Richard "Virgin Atlantic" Branson, is hugely popular in South Africa, and the Melrose Arch branch is the jewel of the crown. It is the poshest, most modern gym club in Johannesburg, with a members waiting list and what not.

Twice a week I train with Warren, an ultra-friendly, competent, super fit, no bullshit personal trainer. He is the handsome, positive, hard-working father of a girl and twin boys, a great teacher and pal. To me, very much the new face of South Africa. (More on him in another post).

Getting fit is one important factor for joining this club. The quiet antropological research I do every time I come to this place is the other part of it. I simply adore observing people and this place is like Disney World to me. I promise lots of writing on the many "tribes" I identify in Virgin Active.

Ah! and just for the record.. I do Yoga in the club as well. So to bring some (much needed) balance to the superficial aspect of the whole experience.

1-2-3-4, shantiiii, 1-2-3-4, shantiiii, santiiiiii.

Boba da Corte

Pois e, nao resisiti a tentacao de escrever um pouqinho em bom e velho portugues. Afinal quem nasce com um pe na cozinha, morre da mesma maneira. hahahahahaha Brincadeirinhaaa.

Escrevi um post nesse blog ha alguns meses atras entitulado "Bobo da Corte" sobre um politico de quinta, Jacob Zuma, que era candidato a presidencia da ANC.

Pois bem, sabem o que aconteceu??? O safado ganhou a eleicao, ja e o presidente da ANC e sem a menor duvida vai ser o presidente do pais em 2009.

Agora ca entre nos, quem e bobo da corte mesmo, hein?! Ele ou eu??!!

Vou ter que enguliiiiiiiiiiiir.

The Rocket Man

Saturday, 19th Jan 2008, Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg, 20:05h, and there he comes. As flamboyant, colourful, charismatic and talented as ever. And at 60 years old.

Seeing an Elton John concert is like going down memory lane... It's like looking at a photo album of your whole life when It comes to mind...

...daydreaming of a crush listening to "Your Song" in your teens, crying your eyes off over a lost love and "Sorry seems to be the hardest word" in your early 20's, inevitably thinking of Diana (originally Marilyn Monroe) when the first tunes of "Candle in the Wind" touch everybody's heart. Just to name a few.

The most amazing bit for me, however, was to see an extraordinary artist absolutely in tune with his audience, showing all his sensitivity, passion and talent. It was truly a night to remember.

Thanks Elton.

Introducing..

First things first.


How could I possibly re-start writing my blog without mentioning the newest member of the fehringsinthebush team?

Mr Chocolate Choc Chip de Azambuja Fehring is the ultra docile, cute and fluffy shi-tsu puppy we gave Antonio last year. In fact, Choc - as the artist is currently known - came to our house as part of a deal: pacifier out, canine in.The score is hugely positive as we all inevitably fell in love with him.

Cuteness apart, the adorable Mr Choc is all heart and no brains. Maybe it's not fair to say that our beloved is dumb. Should I then say stubborn?? Or how could I classify an animal that is nearly 1 year-old and it is still not potty-trained?? I call him a criminal.

Take a peek and decide it yourself.

I'm back

This is my first post in English as I found out most of my friends from home have no problem reading and appreciating texts in Shakespeare's language.

It's been months away from my blog. I missed writing my posts and sharing the funny, sometimes bizarre, stories of a Brazilian-German family living in South Africa.

Lots of things have happened in the meantime. I'll try and catch up, write a bit about everything that went on in the last year here and there.

Have fun!