Hi guys, it has been a while – a flu epidemic mostly got in the way of life and writing. I really hope you like this one – it’s about Prima and the ways in which she is not like me. Lucky girl. Please feel free to Comment/Like/Share as ever. For the Londoners, have a […]
Hi guys, In the tradition of the great Hindu epics such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, the Termite Tales are continuing. Here is my latest chapter for Rentokil: I hope you like it. Wishing you a termite-free school holiday, xx Shanks
Hi, This is my latest instalment for Rentokil about our troubles and travels with termites: http://www.rentokil.com/blog/coptotermes-we-are-surrounded/#more-10244 Hope you like it, Shanks
Did I mention we have termites? I have been blogging about the experience for Rentokil – here is part 2 of our travels with termites, I hope you like it. http://www.rentokil.com/blog/coptotermes-the-super-termite/
Hi again, this piece also appeared on Mamamia recently and I’ve linked it here: http://www.mamamia.com.au/parenting/adult-conversation-ive-forgotten-how-to-do-it/ The dinnertime conversation was about K. Rudd and the recent comments that the more you got to know him, the less you liked him. The man across the table from me said, “Apparently Wolfowitz was like that too.” Everyone at […]
This piece was published by Mamamia recently, and reproduced here (sorry about the font size, wordpress is possessed): http://www.mamamia.com.au/parenting/naplan-not-another-painful-learning-assessment-nightmare-naplan-parenting/ This week my little Prima (aged 8) has NAPLAN. It’s her first brush with standardised education and also mine, as a parent. This piece is not about the merits of NAPLAN, that debate was held last […]
Hi there, we recently found out we have a termite infestation (cue massive panic attack). Rentokil is thankfully taking care of the problem for us soon and they have asked me blog about our experience. It’s the beginning of a lifelong pest control partnership given our neighbourhood. Here is my first instalment, I hope you […]
This piece recently appeared on Mamamia – it’s about my grandmother, the things we value and the things we pass on. I hope you like it: http://www.mamamia.com.au/relationships/my-most-important-family-treasure/ My grandmother (aged 85 and in good health) is obsessed with her own death. This is disconcerting for family because obviously we are worried about it too and […]
Hope you like this one, posted on Mamamia yesterday as: http://www.mamamia.com.au/social/religion-are-you-part-time-religious/ Today I took our four children to the temple to celebrate Tamil New Year. This was one of our rare visits to a Hindu temple and as I sat praying that my three year old Tercero wouldn’t break, steal or set fire to anything, I […]
Hi there, this is a repost of an article that I wrote for Mamamia. I am reposting in case the MM site collapses one day I can’t retrieve a copy of this. It’s weird the things you think about at 2am. Am I wasting my education? Last week my 6 year old son Secundo, stood […]