Global warming and my slant on it!

Some may think that we are going to save the planet by saving the polar ice caps, others feel that we should cease all logging and tree culling in the Amazon whilst there are those who believe in the hefty debate around green house gas emissions and the need for carbon tax. I view a way to keep this planet going from a different slant and that is one of cultural awareness. 

To me this doesn't mean social tolerance though it does help in the big picture, it should be all about communication, understanding and open-mindedness. The best way that I have found to achieve this is through living with the many, many students' from other countries that have slept under my roof, dined at my table as members of my family and played with my kids. The same ones that ring me to wish me Happy Mothers Day or Facebook me at Christmas time.



For the last 20 years, off and on, we have opened our doors to students from countries including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, China, Chilli, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina, France, Switzerland, Togo (Africa), Germany, Italy and Saudi Arabia. Most of these have been in the last 4 years and occasionally taking as many as 4 students at a time (to help out the English Schools for the odd disaster), which sometimes means that Harry does spend the odd night sharing my bed. 

Now many people ask "how can you possibly have strangers in your house", or "what about doing all that cooking" they say, "when do you get any time to yourself" is also a common question. Well yes there is definitely some negatives in having this kind of lifestyle, currently I have one boy who eats nothing but Chicken or eggs, one who hates vegetables and a new boy who is simply terrified and home-sick (which should ease in a few more days). But let me tell you the benefits far out way the toil in the kitchen, driving to and from trains at all hours and the many, many Lone Pine visits. 

Sitting around the dining table and talking about each others families, how and what they eat, saying 
'grace" in all cultures and more funnily teaching each other how to say the others "grace" is priceless. We have many hours of laughter, great BBQ's, some wonderful meals prepared for me such as Okonumiaki,  Sushi, Kim Chi with the hottest Korean dish I have ever eaten, even traditional Spaghetti Bolognaise from Fede the gorgeous Italian boy and some amazing cheese ball thingo's from my wonderful first Brazilian Luiz. He is now married and is a father to twins, and had sent me invitations to the wedding, and photos of his children (one in Utero and the other photos once born) -  I am the Aussie grandmother and still his Aussie Mum.  


My family has been very tolerant of my need to find ways to make ends meet by taking students but they have got far more value than any financial security that comes with this endeavour. The school system couldn't offer anything so detailed and interesting, when you sit and share Xmas with as many as we have, to barrack with them at a Reds V Waratahs game, or eating pizza and drinking red wine whilst yelling at the State of Origin. The option of teaching my kids how to swear in a dozen languages, whilst we teach them how to "crack" a stock-whip or even discussing the Koran Vs the Old Testament with a Saudi and coming up with both healthy debate and agreement of sorts is something that you just can't put any price on. 

Alex, Lizzie, Harry and I are no longer afraid of what might be out there, we believe in seeing things at face value, call a spade a spade I have always said. If you are an idiot if isn't selective on race, culture or creed, it seems to be determined upon lack of awareness and the inability to sit side by side with anyone on this globe and just simply "chewing the fat".


I also believe that we have touched each one that has spent time with me, my family and the others under this roof.