Trish Foster

-Where are you now?
I live in Constantia just off the Groot Constantia Vineyards where we regularly frequent with mere walks and then the walks to the tavern.
-List household members.
My husband Paul who I met at Liz's house when I was 15 but only started dating him after school. We have 3 kids, namely, Liam (9), Aidan (8) and Emma (3). Judy and Liz are fairy godmothers to Aidan and Emma respectively.

-What do you do all day? If you're a serial career hopper, list your stops:
Career has been a bit all over the place but mainly staying within the Human Resources arena. Liz and I very, very briefly tried to start a corporate filming company which ended up nothing more than ... chilling with each other all day. On another sabbatical and studying for a career change (possible mid-life crisis or maybe just sick of conflict & compliance)in Coaching but not sure what my focus will be. Have stayed away from 9 to 5 work and reporting to anyone for the last 10 years - was never good at being told what to do which is probably why I remember the corridor well in boarding school.


The last 20 years in 100 words, or less, or more... No-one's going to count:
Wow! 20 years. I left St Cyps in st 9 and off to Abbotts for Matric with Liz. The truth be told that Liz & I were walking on thin ice in the disciplinary dept. Had a jawl being spoon-fed the work and meeting new people. Then a huge surprise, I past Afrikaans for the 1st time in my final paper. Suddenly I decided I was varsity material and enrolled at UCT doing a BSocSci. Used to jawl with Gaby & Liz (when she was in Cape Town) and occasionally bumped into Judes & Ingrid. Got my degree and headed off oversees with Paul. Besides traveling Europe & America, spent a few months
working in London where I met up with Gillian (who put me up at times) and Emma. Loved the gypsy lifestyle but after a year followed my heart-throb back to Cape Town. Thought the sensible thing to do was to get a real job and was employed at a commercial bank on one of those graduate programs. Hated the banking side of things and so edged in the HR field. Became a workaholic for a few years but then got itchy feet to travel a little. Resigned from the bank and went overseas. When I got back my husband proposed and we were married within a few months on Llandudno beach (12 years ago). The product of our marriage is our 3 children that have brought a lot of exciting chaos into our lives. We have lived in Cape Town since and live pretty regular lives.

- Any shining moments from The School Years?
For me it was all about the friendships. The surprise birthday party given to me when I was a border. The great weekends we spent at Liz's house in Marina da Gama with Gaby, Judy, Belinda & Sam in awe of all Liz's brother's friends. My trips to Knysna with Liz hanging out at the yacht club learning how to handle & not our alcohol intake. The camping trip with Judes, Liz, Belinda and Sam where Judes innocently told the US camper next door that in SA the people don't smoke maryjane but dagga. The holiday in Great Brak with Judes, Belinda, Sam & Liz in ST 9 drinking Old Brown Sherry, smoking cigarettes, listening to 'Summer of 69' and getting to know the 'boys' My great boarding school friends Gillian, Emma and Gaby. We used to find many ways to amuse ourselves on the long weekends in the boarding house eg - apple pie. Watching horror movies with Carron Louw and being absolutely terrified. Just hanging out with the likes of George or Alison. Bunking a whole year of Scripture Union. Unfortunately Liz got caught near the end of the last term (I was absent) and when taken to the teacher, the teacher did not have any idea who she was. The last couple of weeks I had to bunk on my own. These were all shining moments.


- How about less-than-shining?
Closed-minded subject choice system: I felt I was often told what I couldn't
do.


- Did you stay in touch with anyone? Who?
Mentioned most of it above but also have seen Belinda and Sam occasionally. Out of our year, I regularly see Anna Rumbelow, Charmaine Kelly and Jane Carrington.


- Did St Cyprians prepare you for life?
Not sure.


- Any stand out teachers?
Mrs Green. She was always so bubbly.
Mrs Watson's 'Come along'


- How different is your life from how you envisaged it 20 years ago?
I didn't picture myself living in SA. I was going to travel the world and live in the tropics. Thought I would have two kids and marry when I was much older. Never thought I would be in the work I pursued - remember I didn't think I was up to passing matric. Thought I would be a travel agent. As it turned out, I am very happy.