Judy Smith

- The Basics
The Lambrecht Family live in Tokai in a very special part in the forest - the closest we could get to living on a farm, but in the city -There is Philip the great dad and husband to whom I have been married for 12 years, Kyla (8) in Grd 2 and Meg (5) they are both at Reddam (just down the road) Annie and Tessa- the dogs, Flopsy the Hamster, 4 chickens and I am still hoping for a cow!

- The last 20 years
A great jorl at university - God only knows how I passed! Thank goodness statistics wasn't compulsory in those days! And thanks to all those friends who guided me towards all the right readings in the library. Even did a research project with Trish Foster!

Was hoping to do Physio(unlucky) then thought I had applied for Social work - filled in the form wrong - so ended up with a good old SocSci and hoped to one day become a personnel manager, but with a degree was told I was over qualified for the job! Soo after some good life experience in temping, tele sales canvassing etc went overseas thanks to my Gran who sponsored me a very life enriching 10 months travelling all over. But I was missing Phil so came home to CT.

Eventually started a promotional clothing business with a good friend, George. Pro - Am clothing's first order was cut out on the floor of my rented Mowbray flat. So I became a self- made personnel manager/social worker realising I am not cut out for the business world - far too soft and always feeling sorry for the seamstresses. Had a good 6 years in the rag trade.

It was time to move on .. so Kyla was born and we became parents -what a shock to my identity and sleep pattern! 2 1/2yrs later along came Meg. Was keen for a 3rd but too big a gap now and have become selfish with my time.

So in-between I have been doing voluntary work with assistant teaching with street kids and for the past 4 years have been busy with the social upliftment programme of the community in Westlake - mainly with co-ordinating the sewing project. But as I am not a good business woman - we are still in the growth stages (but things are looking up for some orders this month!) I have also trained recently to teach adult literacy - which I am really enjoying. Phil has a disposable medical supplies company with his brother and works long hours - but now and again we have been able to sneak away up Kilimanjaro, into deepest darkest Botswana or Namibia too, sail in some world championships and other adventures. So between school lifts, play dates ,homework, extra murals and cooking dinner the Lambrechts are doing really well.

- My School Years
Well I loved the hikes (Swellendam, Otter Trail) I loved to sing in the choir (have tried since too!!!) I made awesome friends in and out of boarding school - sport was fun. The Chapel is a very special place for me - we even got married there (I know, not for everyone) and I enjoyed acting in the plays.

Miss Merrington got me going in my love for the outdoors and geography and environmental stuff. Mrs Thorburn was always there for me too. Food in the boarding house was always dodgy - definitely not a highlight! Sago or scrambled what??? Mrs Keogh was even more scary. I am sad that there were girls in the class that I have not been able to connect with.

Have been very fortunate as Sam, Belinda, Phillipa,Trish, Liz and others have remained close and treasured friends and we still do things together regularly.

- 'We teach not for school but for life...'
... well compared to schooling and education at the time I think I was very blessed to be in a multi racial environment, as it was a small school I could be involved in any activity I chose ( even 1st team hockey and I was useless!) I was taught respect and self discipline ( although I had to move home in matric otherwise I would have failed) a good SU team filled in for a solid Christian grounding and learning to share space with others in boarding school were good lessons to carry with me. Perhaps we were too sheltered from the political storm and Interact only got going later on

- Greatest hope
That you all come to some stage of our reunion !! Or at least have tea with me

- How different is your life from how you envisaged it 20 years ago?
Had no clue how my life would turn out - I have not grown up - will try to be an awesome wife and mother and hope to make a difference in somebody's life one day!

email: judes (at) kingsley (dot) co (dot) za