Wow, I actually took that photo with my cell phone and posted it on the Internet. That's one of the best HIV prevention and care clinics in Jo'burg. Pregnant women, about 1000 deliveries there a month, can get a free HIV test and treatment to prevent the spread of HIV to their babies. About 30% of pregnant women are HIV-infected and with treatment, 1 in 20 will have an HIV-infected baby. Without treatment it's 1 in 5. Treating the pregnant mother will a full course of HIV treatment would reduce the risk of spreading HIV to the baby even lower. That's all called Prevention of Mother-to-Child-Transmission. Just one of the areas I am responsible for. My Branch budget is about 150M a year to cover the public sector costs of preventing and treating HIV in babies, mothers and adults. Tomorrw the new US Ambassador to South Africa will come by the office for a briefing--Tammy would have an earful--but we'll just talk shop. Today was a good day for the homefront, some new beds, freezers, patio furniture but the car is in the shop. I bike back and forth to work. It's a great ride.

This weekend we went to the National Botanical Gardens for a jazz concert. Better than Tanglewood, less crowded and very cheap cold beer and wine. The SA wine is indeed amazing and all delicious and about 5 US a bottle. The kids had fun as there was a waterfall there and no real rules about where to climb...or not.

Our Vonage phone is working, so you can call us at 415-933-6263. Best time is between 10 am and 2 pm NY time.

All the best,

Jeff

A Day In the Life......

The kids get picked up at 6:40 a.m. each morning. So we begin our day at 6:00 a.m. which means I want to go to bed at 7:00 p.m. I am not so concerned with going out in the evening, since I can barely keep my eyes open through dinner. Somehow the kids are not having this problem at all. It's good to be young! Henry has jumped right into school, already running for class representative - Teddy hooked up with a boy from Long Beach and Anna is learning the politics of the kindergarten playground.

While the kids are at school for 12 hours I have had plenty of time to spend with my new BFF - the GPS. It tells me where to go, doesn't yell at me when I make an incorrect turn and never ever loses patience with me. I love her. I also am happy to report that Jeff was lucky to have an extra wife or 2 back in SF thanks to Cathy and Stacey but here the tides have taken a turn and I am proud to say I have a 2nd husband. Our friend Dave, who likes to be referred to as an International Man of Leisure (IMoL) has taken the lead role in car management, security issues, and helping me find a tennis pro.

We are in the process of planning our first long weekend away - The Tau Game Lodge near Botswana (about a 4 hour drive). We are looking forward to it.

Missing all of you from our Gilded Cage XOXO

Jeff chime's in...ding, ding

Wednesday mid-day, Pretoria, South Africa, 72 degrees, brilliant sunshine (wintertime).
After a 6:41 am departure from our new home this morning to get the kids to their brand spanking new school www.aisj-jhb.com, we drove back, right-hand drive 2001 white Volvo XC 70 2.4T, to the house. Only pictures can do the house justice--5 br, 6ba. outdoor fpl. fml dr, eik, study, pool and 10-12 foot high 10,000 volt fences. One touch to the fence will bounce an adult about 20' or kill a small dog (ie, child).
Tammy (the real blogger) has been doing an amazing job keeping her head on straight and mouth shut. Today I sent her out with an international man of leisure to get some communication equipment and have a nice lunch. We'll see how lunch went. Jet lag has been a bit of a bore. Waking up at 1 am, feeling refreshed after 4 hours of sleep. Too bad Anna feels the same. We've been "medicating" her itchiness with benadryl which seems to help, quite a bit.
Got to go. Stay in touch!

Jeff