So A New Year Begins!
The Smelker family went 'South African' last night as we spent the evening with about 30 other South Africans, although there was the odd American dotted here and there - just as a reminder that we still live in the U.S. of A. Food was plentiful, laughter abounded and the kids went wild. Interspersed with English were conversations held in Afrikaans, although if a non-Afrikaans speaker joined the group, we would switch to English. Strangers became friends in one night as we swopped stories of growing up in Africa, and quite a few of us realised that we had grown up within a couple of miles of each other. And in some cases had even visited the same hang-outs - like the waterfall pictured here.
It was wonderful to feel connected to both my American family, and my extended South African one - to bring the two worlds together and have them merge in harmony. In fact it was so great, we're all getting together at the end of the month for a birthday celebration as two or three of our friends celebrate their birthdays!
As they say in Afrikaans - 'Gelukkige Neuwe Jaar, en al die beste vir 2007!' or, "Happy New Year, and all the best for 2007!"
Labels: Afrikaans, New Year, South Africa
Christmas is Done - New Year Here We Come!
The last of the gifts have been taken from under the tree, which now lies bare (except for the cats who think the tree is their personal resting place) and next week Tuesday the decorations come down, and packed away for another year.
This is always a weird time of year for me. Being self-employed if I don't work I don't make money, but the kids are home and it is so easy to stay in holiday mode and mood; but I have actually done some paying work this week, and will reap the benefits to that in January.
One thing I appreciate so much about being here in San Antonio is the sheer number of South Africans that surround me, mostly from church, but there are several couples who don't attend our church, or don't go to church at all and they live close by. To that end, one of my friends, Liana and her American husband are having a 'South African' get-together at their house on New Year's Eve. It is a family event and I am sure there will be a 'braaivleis' (barbeque) and biltong (jerky) and each family was asked to bring a dish to pass. I am making something called 'Melktert', literally milk pie, which is a mixture between a custard pie and a milk pie and liberally sprinkled with cinnamon. Tastes yummy!
I am also thinking of making sosaties. Sosaties are similar to kebabs: skewers of meat (venison, lamb or chicken) interspersed with onions and dried fruit (such as apricots) and marinated in a thick, sweet curry sauce. Sosaties are sensational hot off a braai as the marinade browns and becomes wonderfully tacky. Sticky sauce from ear to ear is testament to a good sosatie!
So, whatever your plans - whether solidly American, British, South African, or a hybrid of all - have a wonderful New Year's Eve!
Labels: Afrikaans, America, Christian Family Church, New Year, South Africa
When You Open Yourself
My oldest son graduates this year, almost two years early, so we are in the process of applying at Colleges, looking at grants and scholarships. One grant we are applying for is an African-American one. Whilst I was filling out the application I thought how open that term really is.
The colour of my son’s skin is white – so why on earth do I think I can apply for an African American grant? Easy – he is African and American, born in one continent to African parents and raised in another and is now a naturalized citizen because my American husband adopted him.
When he recently applied for a State ID, he put ‘African-American’ on his submission form but the clerk refused to take it stating, correctly too, that that is his nationality, not his race – his race is Caucasian or White. If that is the case, then African Americans should be putting Black in that box, not African American.
I think the African American movement has shot itself in the foot by moving away from the term Black American. They have opened the door to people like my son – a door I am sure most African Americans don’t want open. But my son, based on their criteria has a legitimate right to apply for an African American grant.
I have already heard the argument, “But he is not African!” Define African. Define American. Isn’t the definition one who is born in that country, or one who is naturalized and becomes a citizen of that country? It has nothing to do with the colour of one’s skin and everything to do with the country of one’s birth. If had to do with the colour of one’s skin then the only ones in America who could truly call themselves American are the Native Americans. The rest of us are interlopers who came here voluntarily or were forced onto slave ships.
And yet I am berated for wanting to apply for African American grants. Legally and logistically I surely can, and these days, seeing my son is one of the ‘disadvantaged’ because he is a white, heterosexual, Christian, conservative, middle-class, middle-income male; I will afford him as many opportunities as I can find.
He might be the only white African American on campus this fall, but the colour of his skin doesn’t diminish for one moment his heritage. He is African and proud of it!
Labels: America, South Africa, Warrick
Family Coming In
With Thanksgiving on the horizon I am sure many of us have family coming to visit. Tonight my parents come in from England (they are in the air as I type this) and next week we will be invaded by Terry's extended family, so a busy time is anticipated here in the Smelker household.
Having being raised in a British home in South Africa Thanksgiving was never something I celebrated, until I moved here to the USA, now it is one of my favourite holidays, and I can truly say I am thankful for so many things - my relationship with God, my husband, my kids, and my friends. I am also thankful I live here in San Antonio with the warm weather as I am definitely not a snowbird!
Labels: God, Lennon family, South Africa
