My (World) cup runneth over! International superstars like John Legend, Alicia Keys and Shakira, along with homegrown icons like Hugh Masakela and the Parlotones, gave an energy-packed performance at the World Cup kick-off ceremony, held at the Orlando stadium in Soweto last night. Watching the performance on television, you could feel the electric excitement of the crowds – all colourfully decked [...]

Filed under: Lifestyle, Relationships

Sometimes I manage to grab all my students’ attention and they’re totally engaged – then it’s all worthwhile. That lasts about five minutes before someone farts or burps or starts throwing origami planes made from their notes. My friend who taught in a US inner-city school said that one student unzipped his pants and peed [...]

Filed under: Relationships, Teaching, Travel

Somehow all the deviant, angry kids ended up in my class. Viktoria, another Russian student (why is it always the Russians?) is the bane of my teaching existence.

Filed under: Relationships, Teaching, Travel

Teaching adolescents is tough. I remember how I used to wear these awful fishnet stockings (my brother pretended not to be related to me). I think I was fairly quiet, but the passive aggressive ones are always the worst.

Filed under: Relationships, Teaching, Travel

I try to state my case simply when people, inevitably, ask me why (oh why??) am I a vegetarian? 1) Why eat sheep but not dogs? (I’m thinking of countries aside from China). Eating your pet would be unthinkable. Why are dogs more worthy of love than other animals? 

Filed under: Lifestyle, Relationships

One word of advice: Dropping the news that you’re a vegetarian at a braai (barbecue for the non-South Africans), surrounded by carnivorous bipeds is probably not the greatest idea. Unless you want to get attacked by someone with tongs.

Filed under: Relationships

Thailand is hot!! What a shock after leaving the cool corridors of Bangkok International and slamming into a furnace of hot air. And that was at 10 at night. I sweat constantly and have to change my shirts every day. Sniffed the most unpleasant odor the other day and realized – it’s me!

Filed under: Relationships, Teaching, Travel