Jeanine Fick

With Sebastian (4 1/2) and Amber (2 1/2).


- The last 20 years
From school, I went to Stellenbosch University and majored in wine and boy tasting! I had an incredibly fun 4 years during which I was single for 4 days - oh yes and I obtained a BA Industrial psychology. I then went on to work and travel for 2 years - mainly working in the UK (silver service in hotels, nanny, taking care of the elderly, pubs and even taught somebody Afrikaans!) and travelling in Europe, Australia and Thailand.

Back in South Africa I did a variety of jobs, from trying my hand at fashion buying, selling plants at a nursery whilst studying through Unisa, Protea farming, Fax sales (yuk) to production and research for an enviromental TV programme (the only job I
really enjoyed) - oh yes and I cooked and managed a little Italian restaurant. Not a very serious career path! (I shared a house in Harfield Village with Belinda Sainsbury - we had great fun - when we moved out we both moved to our respective men.) Thank goodness I met my husband on a blind date! As I was thinking about what it was that I should be doing with my life, I moved up to Johannesburg to live with him, we got married 6 years ago and had 2 lovely children.

My husband is from the UK and loves the African bush and camping - so we have done a lot of camping in very remote places through Africa - once even did a 2 month trip up to Dar Es Salaam and back. My favourite countries are Zambia and Tanzania - beautiful and very friendly people.

We are currently in the process of getting divorced - mostly amicable! I have bought a little house in Parkwood Johannesburg
and will be moving there in August. I look forward to my new life sans husband! Sebastian (4 1/2) loves to go camping with his dad and is a very gentle and caring boy that does not like it when other people are sad. Amber (2 1/2) loves to make
people laugh and is more easy going than her brother.

I am lucky in that I have been a stay at home mum - but I have always wanted to work. Next year I would like to get involved with something creative - probably jewelery with semi-precious stones - I have crystals all around my house ( I drive a car not a broom). I will have to go to Bangkok to buy the stones and will have the jewellery made here in Johannesburg.

- Shining moments at school
When I let off a stinkbomb in Mr. Cartwright's office whilst everyone was filing into the hall for the valedictory service. Seriously I loved my Netball games - also the Netball tour we did with Belinda and Palesa etc.

- Less shining moments
When I complained about the boarding school food at the payphone outside the diningroom and the lady (forgotten her name too) who cooks the food overheard me complaining to my mom - I felt so bad so said that I did it so that my mom would take me out from St.Cyps!! I still hate the smell of almond essense - why did they have to use that? I remember the endless slices of toast and butter and jam we had in matric in the little lounge upstairs after supper- wow we put those away.

- Standout teachers
Definitely Mrs. Thorburn, I also had a special place for Mrs. Seabolt who taught me piano. I played the sax last year (too noisy at home) and I am taking up the guitar next month. I loved Miss Watson and the laundry lady (forgotten her name) at boarding school.

- Did St.Cyps prepare me for life
I don't know, I was young - I think just life's experiences have prepared me and taught me about life.

- How different is your life from how you envisaged it 20 yrs ago
I never thought that far ahead - I am very happy with how my life is/has been. I feel that I am living very much in my truth - doing what I need to do for me - I suppose it is better than I would have pictured back then.

- Achievements?
Raising my 2 children (1 was colicky - T-J I don't know how you stay sane!) and living the life I would like to live.

email: jeanine (at) global (dot) co (dot) za