Re(d)patriation: May 2010 Archives

Oprah can have the colour purple, because I will happily take green

Posted in From the Fourth Estate","Re(d)patriation on May 31, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

It is almost fitting that the good news came on Memorial Day, because although the true meaning behind the day is incredibly sombre - to remember and honour all of America's war casualties - the Memorial Day long weekend also marks the unofficial start of summer in the US. And that has traditionally always been a happy event.

Today my sunny autumn day here in South Africa became unexpectedly brighter when I found out that one of the American dreams I have harboured since returning to South Africa - a dream I had almost completely written off because I've come to believe (and I've been told) that it was simply too improbable to ever happen - is actually about to come true after all!

Here's a hint... it involves the colour green.

No, sadly, it's not THAT green thing. My South African immigration liar (note: the fact that she is the same nationality as I am was a mere coincidence and definitely not any prerequisite I had when I was frantically searching for someone to take my case) was not suddenly overcome with contrition for taking all my money and then allegedly (note: I said allegedly) never doing anything for me. (Me, bitter? Never!) My case files, which, according to her legal secretary, had inexplicably and mysteriously 'disappeared', were not miraculously retrieved all these years later and filed, leading me to realise my ultimate American Dream of finally obtaining that much coveted and long awaited Green Card (which is oddly not even green at all).

But even though it's not THAT green thing, THIS green thing is a very worthy consolation prize. It is also something I have been coveting for years.

It is this:

Continue reading Oprah can have the colour purple, because I will happily take green .

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is a South African girl living in South Africa. That doesn't sound very original, we know, but you might find it remotely interesting when you learn that she has only recently returned to South Africa for the first time after a nine year, one month and two week (non-stop!) stint in the United States where she accidentally became an outlawed alien (also known, especially in immigration circles, as an 'illegal immigrant.' We prefer the term 'outlawed alien' ourselves). During her reversed exile from her homeland, she kept herself occupied by winning this website (but only after shamelessly bribing the judges) and thus being unleashed on the web where she slowly, leisurely became the World's Laziest Blogger; by being a nanny and by attending sci-fi conventions in search of other aliens. In the US, she also made her sailing debut, her international acting debut, tried and failed to learn the piano, and never learned to cook. She is hopelessly addicted to coffee, dogs (especially Labrador Retrievers), how-to books (with a particular fondness for her copy of the Time/Life A - Z Medical Encyclopedia), and she tends to grossly overuse parentheses (we're not kidding) during her attempts at writing, which you may - if you really have masochistic tendencies - subject yourself to by reading the words to the right of this column. If you REALLY and truly STILL want to know more, you can read her C.V. here.
Or you can ~~stalk her~~ send her some love via e-mail at: redsaid[AT]gmail[DOT]com

The Wish List (Because yes, she really does need more how-to books. Honestly!)

online

Redsaid : Kyk, right you are! (As usual... grrrr.) So it has been decided then. I'll remain comfortably seated... [go]
kyknoord : Hang on - if we ALL jump off the bandwagon, won't we be jumping on the bandwagon by jumping off the ... [go]
Redsaid : Thank you so much, Terra. Yes, my brother-in-law certainly falls into that 'impossible to forget' ca... [go]
terrashield : So very heartfelt. Lovely post. I guess if people have really had a very big impact on your life, ... [go]
Redsaid : Nafisa: Funny that you wrote "time of night"! I have to admit, it's not QUITE as flattering as one m... [go]
Nafisa : What an honour. Although I never knew your brother in law, the fact that they are naming a road afte... [go]
Redsaid : Thank you, dearest Po. I wish I could do more than merely write about it. I wish I could somehow all... [go]
Deeleea : I'm sure it's felt at least that long, if not longer for you that he's been gone. The year has flow... [go]
Po : This is such powerful writing Redsaid and just terrible that it has to be written about.... [go]
Blake : Hola Red :)... [go]