All about Dione!
(Proud to be South African!)
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I was born in the little mining town of Springs on the East Rand of what was then known as the Transvaal and is now known as Gauteng. My folks tell me I was a cheerful, busy and independent little soul! I am the oldest of two children: my brother Dean being 2 years younger.
I do remember that I would sieze ANY opportunity to go to my (maternal) grandparents' house, a few miles away. Often, my gran would call my mom and ask her where I was. My mom would reply that I was in my cot (supposedly sleeping) and my gran would say, "Go and look!" Of course, I would have climbed out of my cot, out of the window (toes between the bricks!), climbed over the fence and trotted (toddled?!) off those 3 or so miles to gran's house! I just knew she had strawberries or some little treat for me!
We moved to the coastal city of Port Elizabeth when I was about 5 years old. I remember that, just after we moved there, Dean and I used to hop onto the back of the bread delivery van - those WERE the days - and get treated to a ride around the neighbourhood. Of course, there were other treats to be found on the back of that van too!!
I went to school in Port Elizabeth and we lived there until I was 12.
Some of my greatest memories of Port Elizabeth (PE) are:
I often wonder what happened to our class of '75?! We pretty much grew up together until that year but I left PE mid-way through it. If anyone knows what happened to that class, please email me? Thanks!
We then moved to the place I still consider home: Amanzimtoti on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast, just south of Durban. Amanzimtoti means 'the place of sweet water' in Zulu.
When we moved there, it was still known as a village! It has blossomed into a town now; I'm not sure that I like that at all, since it has lost some of it's 'olde worlde' charm and character. It is also invaded a few times a year by 'inlanders' - since it is a coastal resort - sending prices soaring and tempers flaring!
I completed primary school (at Amanzimtoti Primary School) and went on to Kingsway Junior High and then Kingsway Senior High School in Amanzimtoti.
I loved being at Kingsway High! I found that I loved the arts, cricket and rugby while here. I also enjoyed playing hockey. During 1978, we had a brilliant 1st rugby team. We often braved the cold - well, cold to us anyway! - to watch the guys play. I took part in the plays when I could, backstage mostly. I also really enjoyed working in the library with Mrs Francis Roberts.
During 1977, I met a woman who was to have a profound influence on my life, second only to my wonderful mother. Sylvia has a son who is my age, Jeff, and then she had two more children much later on in her life. These two late-comers, Matthew and Sarah, have been rays of sunshine in my life as well. I still adore them and still call them my babies!! Sarah turned 21 in 1998... Oy!
When we moved to Pretoria, I was devastated, since I felt I was being wrenched away from my 'home' in Amanzimtoti. However, I completed my matric and then went on to study Public Relations, only completing 1 year out of a 3 year course. I still hated Pretoria and wanted to go 'home' to Amanzimtoti and, being an impatient youth, I chucked up my studies to do just that. Silly child!
I moved back to Amanzimtoti and started working as a Data Typist. I made many good friends in that old 'Punch Room'. I moved to Durban for a spell, still working in the 'Punch Room'.
Eventually, something drove me back to Pretoria and soon after, I met my dear friend and husband, Andre. We married about a year later, on November 5th, 1988. Our honeymoom was spent at my favourite place on earth, the Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park. We now have two sons, Jordan Nathan and Connor Taine. Both were born in water at the Pretoria Gynaecological Hospital's Active Birth Unit, with Sr Sue King (midwife par ...!). Both the water birth and Sr Sue King are highly recommended!
Some of my interests include music - especially Barbra Streisand, Phil Collins, Dire Straits, Donald Fagan, Chris Rea, amongst a great many others! I really enjoy reading too: crime novels and so forth being among my top choices. I am currently reading Colin Wilson's "Written In Blood". I enjoy going to the theatre, though it's not something my schedule currently allows. I also enjoy baking and cooking. And if there is a cricket match on tv or radio, you can be sure I am watching and/or listening!
At the moment, I am starting to explore Thai foods: please send any of your favourite recipes!
I am interested in arts and crafts and would like to get into doing scrapbooking and rubber stamping, amongst other things. If you could share any pointers, please email me or leave a message in the guestbook! Thanks!
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