On Sunday I joined my singing group Tutti, for our annual Christmas event. I have mentioned Tutti many times before in this blog, but for those that missed it the Tutti choir is a mixed-abilities choir that operates from the charmingly quirky and colourful premises of Tutti Arts, based on the MINDA campus.

I have been singing with Tutti for a few years now, and it is without question one of the best and most rewarding parts of my life. To stand alongside the able and those with physical and mental challenges, and together produce music that makes people smile, laugh and cry, is, quite simply, an endlessly amazing experience.  

For this event we sang a variety of styles, including carols, folk, jazz and gospel, and, in true Tutti style, the South African National Anthem (Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika), as a tribute to the late Nelson Mandela.  If you can believe it, we sang in Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, and Afrikaans. Not bad with only two days’ notice to learn it! It was a moving experience, for us and, judging by the applause, the audience as well.

President Obama said shortly after Mandela’s passing - “He achieved more than could be expected of any man.  Today he has gone home…he no longer belongs to us; he belongs to the ages." 

Whether or not you believed in his politics, or his stance on violence for change, there is no question that his courage and conviction forced change in his country. He proved that one man can make a difference. We may not all be Nelson Mandela’s, or Ghandi’s, or the countless other leaders, male and female, who defied the limitations of race, colour and creed to achieve great things, but we can all in our own ways stand up for what we believe in.   

When I visited South Africa in 2001, it was to attend a lavish wedding in ‘polite society’, far from the poverty experienced by the mass populace. When I mentioned that I planned to visit Soweto, the ‘notorious’ slum, they struggled to hide their shock. It was so far removed from their safe and cozy existence that it really did seem like another world, and my mentioning it made me a threat. But I was determined, and, as Mark will confirm, I seldom back down when committed to something. 

The next day, not only was I the only woman on the bus, I was the only person on the bus period! My driver gave me a fascinating tour of the streets and shared his favourite café. I shared lunch with an in spiring man whose father had been shot alongside Steve Biko, trained as a doctor in Cambridge in the UK and now had a practice in Soweto.

As it turned out, my visit to that dangerous place was the highlight of my trip, and forever changed my view of the country and, of course, Nelson Mandela’s fight to change it. I suppose I am a bit of a risk taker, but I also know that the risk I took that day influenced the way I think, and has in some way led me to where I am now, helping kids to achieve their best thousands of kilometres from the place I was born and brought up. 

As Helen Keller said - “Life is either a daring adventure of nothing at all.” We don’t all need to climb Everest, hike to the poles (well done though Prince Harry) or save our countries from oppression, but we can take up smaller challenges. I love working with the kids in our centres, watching as their initial nervousness and lack of confidence gives way to a new energy as they gain knowledge and realise that they can actually do it. To them, catching up and gaining new knowledge is every bit as challenging as Mandela’s struggles, and I love being a part of their triumph.

I want to take this opportunity to wish all of our students and their families all the joy of the season and we both look forward to welcoming you back in the new year for more challenges!

On Sunday I joined my singing group Tutti, for our annual Christmas event. I have mentioned Tutti many times before in this blog, but for those that missed it the Tutti choir is a mixed-abilities choir that operates from the charmingly quirky and colourful premises of Tutti Arts, based on the MINDA campus.

I have been singing with Tutti for a few years now, and it is without question one of the best and most rewarding parts of my life. To stand alongside the able and those with physical and mental challenges, and together produce music that makes people smile, laugh and cry, is, quite simply, an endlessly amazing experience.  

For this event we sang a variety of styles, including carols, folk, jazz and gospel, and, in true Tutti style, the South African National Anthem (Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika), as a tribute to the late Nelson Mandela.  If you can believe it, we sang in Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, and Afrikaans. Not bad with only two days’ notice to learn it! It was a moving experience, for us and, judging by the applause, the audience as well.

President Obama said shortly after Mandela’s passing - “He achieved more than could be expected of any man.  Today he has gone home…he no longer belongs to us; he belongs to the ages." 

Whether or not you believed in his politics, or his stance on violence for change, there is no question that his courage and conviction forced change in his country. He proved that one man can make a difference. We may not all be Nelson Mandela’s, or Ghandi’s, or the countless other leaders, male and female, who defied the limitations of race, colour and creed to achieve great things, but we can all in our own ways stand up for what we believe in.   

When I visited South Africa in 2001, it was to attend a lavish wedding in ‘polite society’, far from the poverty experienced by the mass populace. When I mentioned that I planned to visit Soweto, the ‘notorious’ slum, they struggled to hide their shock. It was so far removed from their safe and cozy existence that it really did seem like another world, and my mentioning it made me a threat. But I was determined, and, as Mark will confirm, I seldom back down when committed to something. 

The next day, not only was I the only woman on the bus, I was the only person on the bus period! My driver gave me a fascinating tour of the streets and shared his favourite café. I shared lunch with an in spiring man whose father had been shot alongside Steve Biko, trained as a doctor in Cambridge in the UK and now had a practice in Soweto.

As it turned out, my visit to that dangerous place was the highlight of my trip, and forever changed my view of the country and, of course, Nelson Mandela’s fight to change it. I suppose I am a bit of a risk taker, but I also know that the risk I took that day influenced the way I think, and has in some way led me to where I am now, helping kids to achieve their best thousands of kilometres from the place I was born and brought up. 

As Helen Keller said - “Life is either a daring adventure of nothing at all.” We don’t all need to climb Everest, hike to the poles (well done though Prince Harry) or save our countries from oppression, but we can take up smaller challenges. I love working with the kids in our centres, watching as their initial nervousness and lack of confidence gives way to a new energy as they gain knowledge and realise that they can actually do it. To them, catching up and gaining new knowledge is every bit as challenging as Mandela’s struggles, and I love being a part of their triumph.

I will keep blogging through the holidays, but if I miss next week due to too much Xmas cheer, I want to take this opportunity to wish all of our kids and their families all the joy of the season and we both look forward to welcoming you back in the new year for more challenges!

Amazingly, a year has passed and it is once again the 1^st December with Christmas Day just around the corner. Across the country eager little hands are breaking through the paper restraints of the first day of their advent calendars, a tradition that I hope never dies.

I am not particularly religious, but every year I look forward to this little ceremony, which as far as I’m concerned is the true countdown to Christmas. That little window of mystery awaits me every day (yes, I still have one – Smiggle this time!) with a tiny little present just for me. Today was a plastic whistle, just what every full-grown businesswoman needs! I am sure that it, and its little friends, will probably find its way in to the eager hands of our nieces and nephew, but the present itself is almost irrelevant; it is the anticipation that matters. Of course, I did read about a beer-themed advent calendar this week, complete with actual samples that might just change my perspective on that!

All of which brings me to Christmas itself. Mark and I grew up in countries that had occasional snow (me, UK) or were deluged in it (Mark, Canada), so for us making merry without the white stuff can be a challenge. Even after more than 7 years, finding the Christmas spirit in 40 plus can be a challenge. Having plenty of family nearby helps of course, and it is hard not to be inspired by the way kids are still able to enjoy the simple things, even now, surrounded by every electronic  diversion they can get their hands on.

Nevertheless, this year I am determined to be less ‘ba humbug’ and get more proactive with my merriness; I will enjoy Christmas or die trying beneath a weight of candy canes, crackers and cake! I nearly ran a group of kids from Lions when I spotted them selling Christmas puddings in our street. When I say ‘ran over’, I was actually driving at the time and launched on to the curb lest I miss the chance to buy the one thing that everyone dreads eating at this time of year! Who invented Christmas pudding and why did they have to inflict it on the rest of us?

One tradition that we are both very looking forward to is our annual get-together with friends in McLaren Vale over steaming bowls of Moules Frites, otherwise known as muscles and chips, a simple yet wonderful meal that combines with flagons of wine and endlessly mad conversation for a great evening. Our good friend, and founder of this tradition, is returning to us from the UK for the Christmas season and we can’t wait to catch up.

I will of course again this year be singing with the Tutti Choir, and you are all welcome to join us for a concert of Christmas favourites. The venue and ticket details are below. http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=68280

Perhaps it is unseasonal weather we have been having recently, but I do feel more ‘Christmassy’ this year than I have for a while. I have even finally broken open the box of candle-making supplies that have been in the closet since my course last year and a few friends and rellies may be getting a bit of fragrant light in their lives this season!

Our Christmas newsletter is on the way, along with Christmas cards and lolly bags for all of ‘our kids’. The countdown has begun! Rediscover your old traditions, or make some new ones, and enjoy this wonderful time of the year. Just keep your hands off my Christmas pudding!