Friends Archives - blaaklist writers

Hanging onto Promises in Canada (FMF: Offer)

My friends, I’m so sorry for the radio silence. Culture shock is a very real thing and reverse culture shock even more so. At the end of a long day at work and doing my best to be wife, mom, daughter, and friend, I usually have no more words left.

And although I can’t change anything about the last year, what I can OFFER is this quick update. Ready… Go. //

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So, how’s Canada?

It’s become the most frequently heard question in my life.

It’s been 11 months since I last posted anything about SuperMom and the International Family. Eleven exciting and exhausting months. In that time, we sold a house, gave away our beloved dogs, sold as much as we could and packed up the rest, said goodbye to a life we loved in South Africa and moved across the planet.

How is Canada?

Day 10 – Finding that ‘Home for the Holidays’ Feeling when Everything is Different

2017/12/4 Comments/in Living Overseas, Write 31 Days - 2017 /by Shauna Blaak

I remember the first time I saw Santa Claus in a swimsuit. Not a pretty sight. It was our first Christmas in South Africa, and we were walking through a local mall. There before us was a Christmas display showing Santa on a surfboard with board shorts and sunglasses. [gasp]

SOOO wrong on so many levels.

Erwin and I looked at each other and said, “We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto.”

We were about to experience a VERY DIFFERENT Christmas.

SHOCK #1 – SWELTERING HEAT

What a shock to experience a HOT Christmas on this side of the planet. We’d only ever known the snowy, cold Christmases in Canada—freezing temperatures, warm fires in the fireplace, ice skating and tobogganing, and hot apple cider to warm up afterward.

Snow wasn’t an inconvenience—it was our friend. Read more

Day 20: This Is Who We Are

2016/10/3 Comments/in Write 31 Days - 2016 /by Shauna Blaak

This largely unedited free-write is linking up with the Write 31 Days Challenge. // indicates the start and stop of five minutes. The prompt word for today is WEEKEND. Go!

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// “Thank God, It’s Friday!”

We’ve all heard it. We’ve all said it. We’ve even had lunch at the restaurant on occasion… but why do I struggle to believe it?

It’s simple. Because being a Mom is difficult, and sometimes I’d rather be alone on the weekend instead of surrounded by little people who have been entertained all week by their teachers and classmates. (gasp, did she just say that out loud?)

Yes, I did! Let’s be honest here. When you are a Mom, weekends aren’t relaxing… they are busier and noisier than ever.

Friday’s around here are the days when kids want to have extra friends over for play dates. It’s when supper needs to be a flexible affair because everyone is coming and going, and there’s youth group in the evening.

But it’s also when our friends will pop over for a movie night with popcorn and coffee. It’s when homework and chores are forgotten, and people connections are remembered. FRIDAYS ARE AWESOME!

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