First Week!

Whenever we engage in conversation with people around here...it's hard to believe that it's only been like two weeks since we arrived!

We got pulled over by the authorities....

Derick got bitten by a snake...after he caught the gecko

Derick and his pet...the gecko

Stomachs adjusting to the new diet, seemingly one by one which is not a bad thing...better than all 6 stomachs at once!

Stomachs adjusting to the new navigation techniques on the roads...Doreen's is taking a little longer to get used to the driving on the 'wrong' side of the road...the frequent motorcyle (ojecks) passing on the left...on the right...oh! right in front! :) Then there's the pedestrians...everywhere!

The Heat!!! I guess we don't have much to complain about here...seeing how it has been even warmer in Southern Ontario....but...it's still hot! We were able to get out of the heat in the first few days of being here by spending time by the school 'Oval Pool'. A nice feature that's for sure. The kids love it and so does Fred! I don't think that Doreen has been in it yet?

The first couple of weeks were nice to have before the actual school year began.  The kids and mom and dad had time to adjust to the new schedule -- getting up at 5am for the school start at 7am!  It's interesting how your system gets used to the adjusment and just kind of goes with it. It's a long school day too...much longer than we were used to.  Regular day is from 7-3...yeah...wow is right!  Doreen teaches K-3 which is like Senior Kindergarten and they go till 1, but every day still for those little guys...including Silas who is pretty happy about having his mom as his teacher!  For those of you who know Silas -- he's a bit of a cuddler...while we really love that trait about him...there is a time and a place.  This is something we hope that he will learn a little quicker!  Alia is in grade 2 and only goes till 1pm as well.  She is adjusting great and from what we can get out of her she is enjoying being reunited with Gabby again as well.  She has also met a few other gals.   The other two gaffers, Derick (gr. 4) and Nisha (gr. 6) both go till 3pm.  Derick has already celebrated his 9th birthday here back on the 21st and has met some great soccer buddies.  He misses home but loves playing on the soccer field nearly right across the road, not quite like in the neighbour's backyard :), right Walravens, but darn close!  Nisha is definately our trooper...high or low she is Ms. Dependable!  During the second week we were here Nisha, was the babysitter while Mom and Dad were at the school meetings during our PD days.  She is a sweetheart and a treasure to us.  She is also doing well and like the rest of the kids realizes that the academic part of school is going to be a stretch for all of the kids.

We have met up with great friends of ours...the Masengis again.  It was so good to see them at the airport and they have been absolutely fantastic in their hospitality, cultural training and taking care of details -- not that Ron is a details guy at all.  The kids have reconnected again as well which has been so neat to see...especially seeing Nisha and Maya together again -- its like they never missed the year in between their relationship.

BTW...Derick was not bitten by a snake.

Happy Birthday Doreen!  It has been a good day -- we went out for dinner tonight for a good burger and pizza...'that was just what the stomach ordered' -- Doreen.  39 years -- spring chick she is!

Well, that is about it for now...more to come, but we are feeling the pressure to get this blog ditty up and running.  If there are any questions that you have...fire away and we will try to answer them in the coming posts! 

Peace and Love,

the Breukelmans