Further works

THE MEMOIRS OF A RELUCTANT ACADEMIC

This is an overview of my life towards having goals and objectives from the age of 10, grade 5 when I stated to a friend/classmate that I was going to get a PhD, and travel the world; then becoming a public health professional, trained as an epidemiologist to stating that I would never become an academic nor a professor!

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Alas, never say never. This book reflects a pathway from foundations of life experiences, family influences, mentors, global travels and walking off the established path to become an accomplished epidemiologist, public health professional, professor, leader in various capacities, and first female to become deputy dean of research and postgraduate studies in faculty of natural science at a university in South Africa!

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Finally, describing the impact of my humble parents, family members, great-grandmother (who lived to be 107 years old) and larger community with limited education and knowledge but expecting the best and making sacrifices to make it happen!

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THROUGH SOUTHERN EYES -ONE WOMEN’S JOURNEY-a photo book

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Some of the photos from my travels have been displayed on the website, however, there are hundreds of photos from my travels spanning 30 years, 6 continents and hundreds of cities around the globe.

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In the words of Jhumpa Lahiri “Books let you travel without moving your feet” 

The intention of this book is to encourage people to travel, esp. children and women; to take them places visually and virtually and inspire them to see the world! To observe the similarities and distinctions in other parts of the world and desire to see for themselves; and what the larger global community has to offer. 

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Intended especially for school-age children so that they can experience similarities and differences in the global world and encourage them to explore for themselves what the world has to offer, and to move outside of their comfort zone and expand their horizons.

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TALES FROM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH THREE SONS. An Expat parent raising third-culture children on two continents

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The trials, tribulations and joys experienced living in another country and continent while trying to remain rooted in one's own culture. This book details raising children, specifically sons, away from my home base and country as a single parent. Experiences range from schooling, social environment, teenagers, biases, family dynamics, sense of identity, health care, sports, embracing school uniforms, style of parenting, resources and creating a network of support. Filled with humor and life lessons and experiences on all levels, which are useful not only for families living abroad but even moving from one community to another.

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50+ WAYS TO SURVIVE THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE—Tools for GRIEVING

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This grief book is a compilation of tools used to survive the loss of a loved one. In it, I outline my own tragedy of unexpectantly losing my son, and finding ways to live with the pain, loss, and heartache- finally finding the will to want to live again. The book focuses on how to survive and cope more than just describing the stricken pain of losing a child. This book is useful not only for parents surviving a loss of a child but anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one.
 

While attending support group for grieving parents, the facilitator (a grieving mother herself) said it takes 100 things to cope and survive the loss of a child. It took 3 years after my son's passing to develop 60+ things to aide in coping the loss of my child and illustrate how these things helped me cope, grieve, survive, forgive, transform, and want to live again.

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ATHENA, THE COBRA SLAYING JACK RUSSELL - A Children's Book

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This book was created based on a story a friend told the author about her dog, a Jack Russell, chasing a cobra that had come down from the mountains. The cobra was dislocated from his usual home and ended up in her yard/garden. 

The story involves a rambunctious Jack Russell who wants a chance to prove his courage, increase his self-confidence and make friends at the expense of the snake. This tale involves a dog, a snake and a goose. The pearl-wearing goose tries to reason with the dog and acts as both facilitator and mediator between the dog and snake; the realization comes that the poor tired cobra is just really thirsty and essentially homeless. This storyline is to create understanding and translate the daily human experiences that occur among people and an attempt towards bringing them together to respect their differences and yet understand their symbiotic connection to each other!  At one point, the characters say, “Can’t we all just get along?." This is a famous saying from Rodney King, who was trying to get people to get along and move forward given his unfortunate encounters with the police in Los Angeles in April/May 1992 which invoked protesting and riots.