The Expat-Blog

If you are an expat and are looking for people with similar experiences in order to exchange your thoughts, describe the challenges that are lying in wait for expats, or want to help people who are moving around the globe like yourself, then there is a great website to do that.

The


Check out their mutlilingual discussion forum on all kinds of topics.

(I am adding a link to their website to our sidebar.)

Message From the President

Dear Ladies,

After spending the past three weeks in Texas I now know just how much I missed St. John's while I was away. When the plane landed and I felt the cold sting of the night air on my face I embraced the chill. When the cab skidded around the curve on Carrick Drive and I saw the walls of ploughed snow on each side of the street, I laughed at the thought of flying like an Olympic luge through the trough of carved ice! Even when I turned the key in the lock and Pushka greeted me with her cool meow and rubbed against my leg, the warm feeling of being "home" engulfed me. I am glad to be here! The realization of so easily finding that necessary warmth on a chilly Newfie night made me forget the trials of the ten-hour trip, and I nodded off easily. This morning's sunshine just made it even better. As I read through my e-mails I found numerous notes from Newcomers, and I had such a great feeling that I was missed as much as I missed being here. Newcomers is an important part of my home. I missed it, I missed YOU!

Well, that just means I have to get back to business! March approaches and that means we need to work hard on filling the slate of officers for the new Executive. In case you did not understand the gist of my last month's attempt at creativity, this month's letter will be more direct! WE NEED NEW LEADERSHIP IN THE NEWCOMERS CLUB OF ST. JOHN'S! Please accept a place on the Executive or take on an interest group. Joining the Executive for a year or two is just one of many ways that you can feel more at home here in St. John's. It sure worked for me. I plan on staying on the board for next year, but not sure as yet which position I will take on. I feel there should be a new person in the President's job each year, so the club stays fresh! Please search your hearts and if you feel comfortable taking a role as a leader, please let us know. The Nominating Committee has been seeking nominees for a month now, and I believe there are still openings. The Slate as it stands so far is published in THIS month's Signal! As the saying goes, "Home is where the heart is!" Get those hearts pumping and join the Executive. You will enjoy the effort I assure you!

By the way, those of you who missed the February Social missed a VERY interesting talk by Roberta about our voices and how to use them properly. Our Club is filled with so many talented members. This month another one of our fantastically talented ladies will give us a demonstration on oriental flower arranging called Ikebana! I have seen this in almost every country I have lived and it is an unforgettable experience. Please attend our Monthly Social, now slated for Monday March 27th at Sobey's on Elizabeth Avenue to find out what it is all about.

Peggy Taylor

March Social Meeting

Ikebana for Everyone

Introduction to design principles of Japanese flower arrangements

Date: Monday 27th March at 9.30am
Venue: Sobey’s Community Room in Howley Estates (corner of Elizabeth Ave/Torbay Rd)

Who can resist the beauty of flowers? Who does not enjoy decorating the house with fresh flowers? They add instant beauty and interest to our living spaces. And who of us has not become quite frustrated when looking at the prohibitively priced flowers in the florist shops here? Well, there is a way around that.

Our very own Newcomer, Pia Banzhaf, would like to invite you to a demonstration in flower arrangements. You will learn a few tricks such as how you can get more out of a store-bought bunch of flowers and how Japanese flower arrangement principles can help you put flowers in more places using a variety of containers without breaking the bank.

RSVP: Gaye L
Entry cost: $5.00

March Interest Groups

Community Volunteers

Co-conveners: Ann G. & Jaime E.

The community volunteer group has been working hard to organize the spring activities. In April we will be participating in the annual daffodil sale for the Canadian Cancer Society. Under the leadership of Ann, the community volunteers will be responsible for the sales of daffodils at the Wal-Mart store on Stavanger Drive. We are looking for volunteers who can give a few hours between April 7 and 15 (Good Friday excluded) to help us with the sale. A sign-up schedule will be available at the Social or you can call Ann to set up a time that is good for you. The volunteer activity consists of selling daffodils from a location that is set up in the Wal-Mart store with a team of two volunteers. If you want to sign up together with a friend, daughter, son or husband, let Ann know! If you have any questions, give Ann a call.
This year we will be providing a happy Easter for a needy family, similar to our Christmas family. The Community volunteers will be providing an Easter dinner as well as some surprises for the children in the family. No additional money will be raised for this activity.

During the next two Socials the community volunteers will be raffling of the last “Newfoundland Kitchen Party” cookbook. This book was produced by the Newcomers’ Club and we have the last copy! So, get your raffle tickets at the Social in February or March, tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5; if you miss the Social you can order tickets from Ann or Jaime!

Naomi House Supper Club Schedule:

March 6th Caroline T.
Volunteer needed

March 20th Roberta
Volunteer needed

April 3rd Peggy
Volunteer needed


Hi Tea

Convener: Peggy

This first Wednesday HI TEA will be held at Peggy’s home. (Note: This venue is a change from the newsletter announcement) March 1 at 1pm is coming soon after this newsletter is sent out so make your plans TODAY! Join the ladies for a warm, cozy spot of tea or coffee and most certainly some stimulating conversation! Everyone is welcome, but please let Peggy know if you will attend. Hi Tea is a great place to unwind after a busy morning. Bring a new neighbour if you have one.


Winter Walkers

Convener: Peggy

Winter Walkers meets on Wednesday mornings at 9am at the MUN field house. Join us for a refreshing walk around the indoor, climate-controlled track and watch those pounds just melt off! Parking off Elizabeth Ave is free and it’s only a twoney to get your dose of exercise. Come one, come all.


Book Notes

Convener: Roberta
Tuesday March 14th @ Roberta’s home

Our book this month was A Very Long Engagement by Sebastian Japrisot. The story takes place in France during WWI and presents the atrocities of this war against the backdrop of a romance and mystery. Manech and four comrades are condemned to death for self-mutilation. Mathilde is his fiancée, awaiting his return from the war. She learns he is “lost” and that there is something peculiar about his sentence and how it was to be
carried out. Whether Manech is still alive and where he is if he is alive becomes Mathilde’s obsession. We learn through her investigation what became of the other four men and Manech on that fateful day in January 1917.

Our group rated this book a 7 out of 10. Most people said they enjoyed it, but didn’t find it to be a page-turner. The author is a male speaking through the female voice of Mathilde and many commented that he didn’t capture her or make her a strong enough character. Some themes that were prevalent in the book were anti-war/military, mystery, devotion /obsession. Many of our group watched the movie as well and contrasted the movie to the book.

Thank you Andrea for hosting, we loved the chocolate hearts for Valentine’s day!

March: A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

April: The Wreckage by Michael Crummy (NOTE THIS IS A CHANGE)

May: Foutainhead by Ayn Rand



Out To Lunch

Convener: Millie Foley

We will be trying a new restaurant, The Taste of Thai, on Duckworth St. on Friday, March 17th at 11:30 a.m.
Space is fairly limited, so please rsvp by March 14th to Millie or email @ her


Golf Gang

Convener: Marie H.

If you haven’t yet come to practice your chipping and putting on Tuesdays at 1pm, please join us. We’ve begun to do a bit of stretching specifically for those golf muscles in your arms and back. Afterwards we’ve been going to Chapters for coffee and a chat which is always fun. Also, if you have not signed up for lessons for the month of May, please give me a call or e-mail me soon to be sure of a spot. Remember to keep those knees flexed at all times!!


Newcomers Tennis

Conveners: Sandi F.& Roberta

Please join us for some social tennis and a coffee at Greenbelt Tennis Centre every Friday from 9 am-10:30 am. We are a friendly group and welcome players of all abilities. We will set up a clinic or series of lessons for those who are new to tennis or haven’t played in years. If you are a seasoned player we can facilitate matches and introduce you to the Tennis leagues at the club.

If you are interested please contact Roberta or Sandi so we can get your name on the email list and organize any clinic or lessons as needed.


Friday Adventure Touring Group

Also known as the Walkie-Talkie-Munchie Group. This is not a Newcomers’ interest group, but open to anyone who wishes to take part. It is a wonderful way to get to know St. John’s and the surrounding areas. The group meets every Friday morning at 10 a.m. in the lobby of the Holiday Inn, Portugal Cove Road, next to the kiosk. Just show up and explore!



Film Group

Convener: Karen P.

A quick reminder that Tues 21st at 12.30 pm will be your chance to meet with the gals to see some of the latest on celluloid.

Please feel free to bring as many friends as you like - just RSVP to either Karen or Basia, so we know to look out for you.

The MUN cinema series is still on weekly - their site is http://www.mun.ca/film/ .

Looking forward to seeing you there!


Gardeners’ Forum

Yes, this group meets at this time of year! Now is the time to plan so you can be poised to take maximum advantage of our short growing season here in NL. Come along even if you only plan to grow a pot of flowers – find out how the successful growers have done it!

Time and date for this month’s meeting TBA. Please contact Karen, if you would like to be notified. See you there!



Bible Study

Convener: Marie H.
9.30 a.m. Tuesday, March 7th, 14th, 21st

Study: The Purpose Driven Life.
Bring along a Bible, notebook and pen.


Couples’ Activities

Convener: Andrea D.

There are no scheduled activities for March or April. I would like to plan a potluck dinner for mid May if anyone would be interested in hosting. Please let me know and we can select a date, work out the details and have something ready for the next newsletter.




Get Together Crafts

Convener: Jaime E.

The members of the Craft Group have been working hard on the Fabric Collage of an Iceberg Landscape. Everyone got so involved that the project is continuing on, the results are stunning! If you want to see how much talent we have in our group, come and visit us on Thursday mornings at Sobey’s on Merrymeeting road.

A BIG Thank You! to Andrea who patiently guides us through fabric choices, colour selection and the ups and downs of being an artist.

The group will be deciding on a new project in the coming weeks, anyone who has ideas is welcome! We are always looking for new projects and innovative ideas.