Emails between David and his mother

Here are some emails between David and his mother:

I haven’t read through all of them. Some formatting has been done, but not much.

****

[Subject: ahoy

I had been unwell leading up to Europe trip, I was looking forward to the trip. I started feeling unwell a few weeks before the trip and

went to the Doctor who said I was fine.

I left, during the trip I felt worse and worse and am still recovering from it.

I'd wished to go home and felt upset that you wouldn't allow me to go home.

I think that if I had gone home part way through the trip I would have recovered much faster.

Since then, I admit that I have held somewhat of a grudge towards you.

I'm sending this email just to tell you that I forgive you for not sending me back home.

Thats about all

Lots of love,

David]

08/04/2008

Dear David,

I put this aside for a time to think about the reply. Then I thought I'd sent it a week ago, only to find I'd sent it to myself instead & it had gone to my spam folder!

So here I am now. Please read with an open mind, then read it again, & consider before firing a reply back. Warning, its long... :-)

When I read your email, my thoughts were those of: concern, relief, bemusement, amusement...

Concern... because holding a grudge is not good for your health. It is well studied & documented that anger & bitterness can cause or prolong illness. Holding onto bitterness has even been shown to be a factor in the development of cancer, heart disease & other fun stuff. It stresses the whole body on a cellular level, sending every cell haywire, creating acidity in the blood, deteriorating lung function, altered neurological & hormonal processes, a weakened immune system (& from that chronic imflammation ie internally, not just external), fatigue, even premature aging if it goes on long enough.

Relief... because for all the above reasons it is not good to be holding a grudge. Forgiveness on the other hand strengthens the immune system, as does happiness, love, laughter & generally all those good emotions. Forgiving someone often has the most benefits, I think, for the person doing the forgiving, as they are the one usually suffering the ill-effects of the non-forgiveness. Often the person at whom the bitterness is directed has no idea of that grudge being held, & so it (ironically) doesn't even affect them. As in this case, as I didn't know you were still holding a grudge. I know, I've held onto grudges & bitterness before (usually for petty things, they just seem important), & I know it is only eating me up inside (quite literally), causing sleepless nights & eventually physical sickness. I understand it isn't always easy to change one's attitude & let go of the bitterness, but it is always better for the person & for the health.

Bemusement... no, flag that, I got over the bemusement probably after you'd asked a couple of times to leave Europe.

Amusement... because it is just so funny to forgive someone for taking you on a trip round Europe. Think about it, if you told most people about that, they would roll on the floor laughing & say "take me to Europe instead, please!!"

moving on...

It is a pity that the doctor before you left NZ was not able to diagnose correctly. Perhaps he didn't do the right tests. If we had known before the trip, it would have been a different story. We could have delayed the trip till another time. I would have been devastated not to see you, I would have called you a wuss, but I would have understood (I think).

(Though if I was in your place I would still have gone, but that's me. I would have worried I wouldn't have another chance to visit Europe, so I would have fought any illness to go. I've had to do this for over 30 years. If I don't fight it, I would never have done anything with my life. I have enjoyed many parts of my life through a haze of fatigue, migraines & drug side-effects, but enjoyed them nonetheless. I would never have had children, had a shop, had various jobs, done 2 degree/diplomas, gone horse-riding every weekend when I was younger, gone tramping many times later on, & now gone to France & travelled all around IF I just gave in & let it get the better of me. Heck, I'd be dead long ago if I hadn't fought. And in my enjoyment of life, I find the energy to do those things. When we are enjoying something, we have more energy).

So you didn't know you were ill, just thought you were tired, stress of exams. So you came to Europe. And bear in mind that we also did not know you were ill. Just love-sick. All the times you were asking to go back, it was because you were missing Amanda. This was not a reason to send you back, she would be there for you on your return, as she was. Sure, you said you were tired too, but it's a state we can work ourselves into (or out of). You were with Amanda & all those happy dopamines & norepinephrines & phenylethylamine (the first stage of being-in-love neurochemicals) bouncing around. Over here, well, I don't know quite what happens with the neurochemistry, but I do know that it can be very difficult being separated form the one you are in love with.. Time seems long, & I find its just a matter of keeping busy & trying to enjoy whatever I'm doing. It takes practise but can be done, it is possible still to enjoy life even though you know something is missing (but waiting, not really missing. Its not like when someone dies).

If you had gone back to NZ earlier, maybe you would indeed have got better quicker (maybe, maybe not) because you wouldn't have had that bitterness & anger while here or after. I maintain that it was not the staying longer here that prolonged/intensified your illness, but your attitude while here, & then the bitterness you have been holding onto for over a year. I will admit here that I would have been pretty bitter if you had gone back a week or two after arriving here. I would have taken it very personally, probably making me less well also. (We are remembering here that your reasons for going back were to be with Amanda again, not because you were ill. We/you didn't know you were actually ill).

It is excellent that you are forgiving me. It will be good for you & good for our relationship. What is not so excellent is that you saw it necessary to blame me in the first place. I (we) don't blame ourselves for your illness or its prolongation, not one bit. If we had known you were ill before the trip, we could have postponed. If we'd known you were ill once here, we could have adapted the trip (Arnold concurs), & would definitely have paid more attention to diet. I think with me, you were probably better off dietwise anyway, though a travelling diet & all that eating out is not so good. With some dedicated attention to diet & more looking after, you may have got better while over here. WITH the right attitude.

But as it is, it is hardly surprising you got "worse & worse" while in Europe, if you were raging around with internal anger building up; & then hardly surprising you have stayed sick for so long if everytime you feel ill & tired you think "Grrr... Europe... Mum... angry..." How can anyone get better like that??? I hope now that you have been able to let that anger go, that good health will follow (with good diet, exercise, sleep etc also of course). By the way, Arnold & I enjoyed our Germany/Austria trip, despite your apparent desire to drag us into misery. Of course, we would have enjoyed it far far more if you had enjoyed it more. The highlight for me was your enjoyment of the skiing, & your achievement, that big smile when you were zooming down the slopes. And contrary to what you may think, we didn't keep you here to torture you. We hoped you would be able to shake off your melancholy to enjoy yourself & appreciate the wonders of Europe & enjoy being with us.

The second half, Matthew's enjoyment of everything-and-the-paper-it-was-wrapped-in was what made it worthwhile, as well as some better times talking to you.. By the end though, the stress had taken a toll on my health & it took me a month to recover. It was not the wonderful holiday we had imagined for you both, & we would have done more things if you had been enjoying it, but there was no point. You didn't have the energy or the interest. BUT it was still good in so many ways. And when I think of the places went, I think of the amazing castles, mountains, scenery etc, & of you being here, but not of your disinterest. And I'm glad you were here, I was glad to share it with you & hope that in time you will remember the good things. Maybe you will also regret not making more of the time here, but maybe one day you will bring yourselves for a trip.

By the way, I long ago forgave you for your behaviour in Europe. It was pretty bad... & I was pretty pissed off with you at the time. Finding out you actually had something medically awry explained your tiredness to some degree, but not your attitude & behaviour. I know it can be more difficult to be happy & enjoy life when you are not feeling physically well, but it is certainly not impossible. But I didn't hold a grudge, funnily enough. I think its just because you are my son & I love you despite it all, so have never held you a grudge, though some things you have done have brought me sadness (& other things much happiness of course). But no grudges. I am glad of that.

You may find you look back in a couple of years & are grateful you were sick. Yeah, you'll rubbish that now, but wait a while. Being ill makes us (makes me) appreciate life & health more. Makes me appreciate each day I get to live, everything I am able to do, every opportunity I've had, & my family & friends. Makes me appreciate the times I have of good energy & clear thought. Sure, I have depressed times & some really low times, & many in the past, but under it all I am grateful for life & that gets me through. You know, I've never blamed anyone for my illness. In fact I rarely think of myself as ill. It's just a word. And there are many factors, many people, looking back, that I could blame for the start of the kidney disease, & that it wasn't picked up early enough, that no one thought of dietary/herbal solutions, that I was given damaging & inappropriate drugs because the doctor didn't know what was wrong. And then many factors in the kidney deterioration the last few years (stable the last 2 years, phew).

I can't blame anyone because nobody acted in spite, just in lack of knowledge. And I wouldn't want to blame anyone, because much as I would love to be "normal" just for a day... to know what good health is like... I am grateful for the kidney disease because it has made me appreciate life more & it has made me now investigate better ways of being healthy. And because I read so much about alternative health, it has given me the opportunity to help others & to offer advice when asked. I'm thinking of doing some more formal study into it, maybe a qualification, but thats not so important. (I just like studying & learning!) I've found I really enjoy helping people with their health & helping them to avoid a lifetime dependance on pharmaceutical drugs (poisons). Often people with excellent health have no appreciation of what a gift they have, & make no attempt to maintain that gift. They eat junk, do no exercise, fill their minds & emotions with junk, often abuse alcohol & drugs, then when their wonderful gift of health turns to crap they try to fix it up with more (pharma) drugs, rather than look at the root causes & fix those. So count yourself lucky that you have had a wake-up call early on & can go on from here to maintain excellent health for the rest of your life, if you choose to, & avoid sickness & disease.

It may sound like I am not sympathetic. Probably because I don't find it in itself a helpful emotion unless it takes form in some useful action. You remember when you were little & said you weren't feeling well, I used tell you to toughen up & go to school, & you could come home if you threrw up. Mostly you were fine by the time you got to school & forgot about it. Occasionally you would throw up, OK then. But I think it did you good, & you were hardly ever sick, unlike the wimpy kids who were allowed to stay home if their little toenail hurt. They just got wimpier.

But I do have empathy for your situation. I know what it is like feeling sick & tired & grotty, not being able to shake it off, & I do feel for you. It is not easy trying to study & trying to live when you feel like that. I hope you will just get better & better now & this illness will soon be just a memory. If there is anything I can do to help you, such as seeking out advice on how to get yourself better, let me know. I like reading up on stuff & searching out solutions, & would like to see you get better. Of course, it would then involve your dedication to taking excellent care of your health to make these things work. I can't do that for you. It is difficult being so far away...

I wish you good things, a good marriage, & a good life of good health, both of you.. Be positive! Look after your health, physically, mentally, spiritually & emotionally.

I love you very much & miss you. I think of you every day, whether briefly or at length. Half a world away is a long long way, & I doubt I'll ever really feel at home over here, as much as I like many aspects & am glad of the opportunity to be here. I especially miss you & Matthew, & I miss my parents, brothers, Arnold's family also, & seeing all the little ones grow up. We now have 13 nephews & nieces between us!! And we miss our friends. New Zealand willl always be home. This is but a brief sejour.

I hope you have read this with an open mind & you will think about it. You don't have to agree with everything I have said (i'm sure you won't), but know that these are my/our thoughts & feelings on the matter.

I love you lots,

love Mum (& Arnold too)

----- Original Message ----

From: David Solt <david-email>

To: Tedge Solt <tedge-email>

Sent: Friday, 21 March, 2008 11:46:45 PM

Subject: ahoy

I had been unwell leading up to Europe trip, I was looking forward to the trip. I started feeling unwell a few weeks before the trip and

went to the Doctor who said I was fine.

I left, during the trip I felt worse and worse and am still recovering from it.

I'd wished to go home and felt upset that you wouldn't allow me to go home.

I think that if I had gone home part way through the trip I would have recovered much faster.

Since then, I admit that I have held somewhat of a grudge towards you.

I'm sending this email just to tell you that I forgive you for not sending me back home.

Thats about all

Lots of love,

David

*****

Sample email conversation between me and my mother.

Date: Thu, 8 May 2008

From: tedge-email

Subject: Bonjour!

To: david-email

Hi David,

sorry haven't been in contact recently. Have tried calling a couple of times & left messages.

We have moved house now, enjoying the new place. Sun has been shining all week & we think we may have a summer this year.

It is a 5 day weekend now, so we are off in a minute to explore Brittany. I've been wanting to go there for a while, tho Arnie was not so keen. Think it wil be nice though. Wild coastlines, & ancient culture. Taking painting gear so we will try to do some watercolours of scenery etc.

Work is busy for me. I only teach 13 hours a week, but with all the prep & then the followup & the paperwork & emails, its more like 25 hours. Oh, & the travelling. Sometimes an hour drive to teach 1 1/2 hours or 2 hours. Grrr... So perhaps 30 hours to get paid for 13?? I enjoy the teaching part, but will have to assess the feasability of it all. As you can see, I can't spell today, & wonder why I am teaching eenglesh.

Hope all is well with you two. How's varsity? I talked to Matthew when he was in CHristchurch & he & Ben gave me a tour of their house with the laptop & Skype. It was dizzying.

OK, better go now. Car is all packed up. must be time to be off.

Talk soon,

love Mum

*****

Second email, I forget the date.

David Solt <david-email> wrote:

Yeah... About the phone..

The phone isn't working at the moment.

Major hassles with Telecom...

Nice to hear that you like the new place, started a garden yet? I'd like to have a garden, but it's a little difficult in the apartment.

I've been playing a lot more guitar, working on the solo from Deep Purple's 'Smoke on the Water'. I'm not playing games on the computer at the moment, so I have a bit more spare time. My fingers are all bruised from the major increase in guitar! I've also been thinking of taking up some leatherworking, specifically to make some shoes/slippers. Just a little hobby type thing (do you know anything about that?).

Could you remind me of your pumpkin soup recipe, I'd like to make some (pumpkins are reasonably priced at the moment, and I'm wanting to eat some.

Amanda wants to learn to knit, especially to make little woolen jackets for puppies at the SPCA (apparently they get cold. Brrr.) She's also starting to apply for summer internships.

University is going well, for both Amanda and me (A's all around, Amanda got an A+ on her last project). My Financial Accounting lecturer is a HARSH marker. He gave out no A+ at all...

I've been getting better (slowly), but I'm at a point where it's not too bad anyway.

Anyway, I'll email you again another time.

-David Solt

****

Third email (from Mum to David)

16/05/2008

Hi David,

Thank-you for your email. We really enjoyed it. You sound happy & settled & enjoying life. I'm very happy for you!!!! Good to hear of your hobbies & interests & things you are thinking of doing.

Yeah, Telecom can be a pain in any country, believe me!! We got our phone working OK (after only an hours wait in the queue at Telecom shop) but they stuffed up the transfer of internet, managing to transfer it from our old address TO our old address!! Duh!! Finally got it fixed up after another 2 hours queueing, & some time on the "help" (yeah right!) lines 3 times. The customer "service" staff demonstrate the antithesis (is that the right word?) of service. When I enquired as to whether our auto payments would stop while we had no internet, as it was their stuff-up, the reply was an emphatic "It's YOU who moved house, not us!!", plus a lot of other stuff I didn't understand. Service? Yeah right!!

So I hope you get your Telecom woes sorted soon. At least you can speak with them in English. What did they do, connect your phone to someone else's apartment? They often seem to have problems when there is more than one residence on a property.

Yup, this new place is better for us than the last. We loved the garden at the other place, but the house was, well ummm... well it had character... & dodgy plumbing & electrics, doors which fell off, windows which didn't close properly, draughts everywhere. We have decided we will try to avoid houses now which have skirting boards only glued to the wall with dust & happy thoughts. When all the skirting boards (& the door) fall off its got to be a sign that there has been some crappy workmanship. Difficult to keep a place like that clean.

We have more room here & it is nice not to have the landlord breathing down our neck. We can even do the washing when we like, not just overnight. Trivial, but makes the day easier.

We have no garden here unfortunately, but a large balcony with a view the length of the village. We sit on the balcony in the evenings with a beer/cider/tea & watch the world go by, or talk to the neighbours below. It's very pleasant. We will make as much of a garden on the balcony as we can. Some herbs, that's easy in small planter boxes. Some tomatoes in big pots. And some flowery things to hag over the front of the balcony. Would also like to grow some other things, but need to make up some larger planter boxes. The challenge is how to deal with drainage, because we can't have the water dripping oon the people below.

We can also use the balcony to dry our clothes on racks, which is good. In many apartments there are rules: no washing on the balcony, no plants, no BBQ, no bikes... But our landlord is more practical & said the balcony is for us to use as we like. He had a garden up here when he lived here.

So we'll see how we go with our gardening & let you know, might help you for next spring. Do you have a balcony? Even if not, you can still grow herbs in a window box, or maybe dwarf beans?? When I was in the 7th form, I grew a whole forest of bean plants in my bedroom for a science project. We were only meant to grow small plants to look at differences in growth due to nutrition. But I kept them growing, flowering, beaning...

The other thing we will make is a small worm farm, if we can find the right worms. We can't have a compost heap, & throwing away food scraps is painful for uswhen they could be going back into the ground. We figure worm manure will be a good way to feed our balcony plants. We have yet to start all this tho, as we have been kinda busy with work & moving & holidaying.

Good to hear you are enjoying the guitar. Your fingers will harden in time. Maybe you can play to me over the phone some time? And leatherworking sounds like a good idea!! Not something I've tried before. I know tools are readily available. You could try Goldings Handicrafts in Cuba St for a start. They used to have tools for leather I think. ANd I'm sure there would be heaps of info on the net, or perhaps better, look for books in the library. Or night classes? Let me know how you get on & I look forward to seeing what you make.

My pumpkin soup recipe varies a lot. Usually I sauté some chopped onions & garlic (don't burn) in some butter, Add some flour (buckwheat flour has no gluten apparently, you could try that) & cook gently for a minute. Add some water &/or milk to make a sauce & simmer to thicken. Add your chopped pumpkin, some tomatoes if you want, or a carrot, a potato or whatever you feel like. I used to add chopped cooked bacon, but steer clear of processed meats now due to the carcenogenic sodium nitrites (nitrates?) they like to use. Oh, & some herbs, freshly ground pepper, chilli (a little!!) if you like, at the sauté stage just before you add the flour. Add enough water & cook till the pumpkin is soft. Mash with a potato masher or but it in the blender (cool a little first!) depending on if you like chunky soup or smoother. You can add in a teaspoon of honey unless it is already sweetish like the pumpkins here.

Then eat!!

Coats for puppies? How cute!! I hadn't thought of them getting cold. I thought Amanda was a cat person, or does she just like anything cute? Has she started on the knitting yet? You know, you can get bags of wool from the OP Shops sometimes for a couple of $$. Much cheaper than several $$ per ball in the wool shops. It may be funny colours, & is often more corse, but would be ideal for puppy coats & with a bit of creativity could be quite cool. Well, warm, I hope. Wool would be best for warmth. How will she learn to knit? Does her Mum or Grandmother knit. Would love to be there to teach her myself. Half a world away can be a long long way sometimes, well always really. It's difficult. People ask me if its difficult being so far away from my kids. "C'est dur, non??" "Oui, c'est dur, c'est très dur" :-(

Your uni marks , & Amanda's, are amazing. Keep it up! To get an A from a harsh marker is very good going.

Keep up the getting better too. Make sure you eat well. Grandma tells me Amanda likes healthy food, so hopefully between the two of you, you will have healthy meals. If you're at a point where the fatigue is not too bad, than it shouldn;t be long before you feel 100% again. If any of us are really 100% that is. Perhaps someting very few people attain, only on the most perfect diet/exercise??

I must go now, work to do, bag to pack for our trip tonight. We are going to Corsica for 9 days, sailing with a group from Arnie's work. Should be good, & sunny I hope!

We spent 5 days in Brittany last weekend, but more about that later. Really must go.

lots of love to you both,

Mum

I hope this will send... Yahoo seems to be having some problems.

**********

Thursday 12/06/2008

Hi David,

could you please send me your head circumference for the hat? In inches or cm. Probably around 59cm if the patterns are correct, but worth checking.

I thought I had some navy blue pure wool, but when I searched & found it, turned out to be junior navy with a purply tinge. Bit girly.

So I found some merino wool in a shop, in black, plus some tealy blue which I will incorporate. Not easy to find pure wool in France, so there is not a huge variety of colours, but I think this will work fine. Most knitters here use a synthetic or blend. There are not many sheep. I will buy wool also next time I am in NZ, plus wool batting for my bed quilt I am making! I'll have to bring an empty bag over...

So I have enough wool for a hat & scarf for you, & will start the scarf while I wait for measurements.

love Mum

*****

Sunday 22/6/2008

Hi David & Amanda,

I've been knitting. Finished your hat.... then undid it mostly because it was too big & boofy. Only takes 3 or 4 hours to make if I put my mind to it, so I knitted it up again during the day. Looks good I think. Moulds to the head well without sticking out in all directions. Hope you like it anyway. Have started the scarf.

We are off very shortly (once we have finished packing) to Germany for nearly 2 weeks. Arnold will work for 4 days while I shop & sightsee & ride my bike around the network of biking paths they always have in Germany& Holland. Then a 120th birthday party at the weekend (3 x 40), actually just back over the border in France. The follwoing week we will cruise round that part of Germany looking for possible areas to live if we move over, or we may go down to Switzerland to visit frineds.

Hope I will finish the knitting while I am there & can send it from Germany.

Hows it all going/gone with the exams for you both? Hope all is well.

Better go now.

love Mum

*******

Monday, 07/07/2008

HI David,

wow, excellent marks! To get an A- with an evil lecturer is good going. Sounds like he pushes you to work harder (not that you don't already work hard, but). 30% in assignments?? What was that about? Surely in accounting an answer is wrong or right, & I can't imagine that you got 70% of it wrong?! But to get an A- in spite of the assignments you must hae done very well in the rest of it.

How did Amanda get on with her exams? Do you have holidays now? Any plans, holiday work or going away somewhere?

We got back from Germany yesterday. Had a great time, lots of biking along the Donau river, round French villages in the middle weekend while at the birthday party weekend, & in Konstanz on Friday. It's only about 2km from there to Switzerland but I didn't have my passport with me. We did lots of shopping in Germany as usual. I bought clothes for both of us while Arnie was working the first week (he earns it, I spend it). The clothes there are better quality & better value for money. I rarely buy anything in France. And we bought lots of food. Again much cheaper (eg 70c/kg for oats instead of €3/kg in France) & other things are between 30% & 60% cheaper. Same brands even. Bizarre. And more variety.

I'm slowly adding to my german words & phrases from listening to people & reading signs & brochures. Managed to write down from memory 2 x A4 pages of words/phrases with translation. Some spelling mistakes tho & I don't know the article for all of the nouns (die, der, das depending on gender. Stupid system, like French but worse)

I finished your scarf, knitting a little everywhere we went in Germany. It's a travelling scarf. I will try to send it all off tomorrow. To your address, you have a letter box?

Now I must answer several million "urgent" work emails (you'd think they didn't know I was on holiday) & prepare some classes. I worked out my actual teaching time (the bit I get paid for) is only 43% of the total time I spend, including preparation, follow-up, emails & travel. We're working on ways of improving on this.

Talk soon,

love Mum

----- Original Message ----

From: David Solt <david-email>

To: Tedge Solt <tedge-email>

Sent: Friday, 4 July, 2008 12:30:24 AM

Subject: I got my university marks back...

Finance (my hardest paper ever): A+

Management Accounting: A

Financial Accounting: A-

I was very surprised that I got such a high mark in Finance and I expected an A for Management Accounting.

My lecturer for Financial Accounting is evil, he have me 30% in two assignments.... So it was a struggle to bring my mark back up to an A- tbh. I will complain!

Well, that's about all.

-David

***********

Hi David,

Huh? You're moving? When? Where? Why? I thought the flat in Wellington was suiting you well.

Are you moving in with grandparents, or a place of your own? Could you let me know your new address?

And I have a parcel to send you, but where should I sent to to? It will take about a week. Should I send it to your current address or if not, which address. If you could let me know asap so I can (finally) get it away tomorrow. It's taken me all week just to put it in a parcel as I've been busy with work this week. Next 2 days no work though. :-)

Kiwiw Saver, that was the one, but just for example's sake. I have no idea of whether it is any good, & didn't know it had a "locked in for life, sell your soul" clause. (How do they do that?)

Yup, definitely a key importance is to maintain a healthy diet & lifestyle.

Good luck with learning Chinese. I'm still working on the French (but more by assimilation than study right now) & have started with a little bit of German with a DVD.

OK, better go now, we have been invited over the road for dinner (or just drinks, not sure, there was very loud music going when they asked us) by the oldish couple we met at the village Mechoui (Spitroast, dinner,dance) last week.

Let me know about the address.

love Mum

**********

11/08/2008

Hello David & Amanda,

so how is everything? Long time no hear.

How was the move?

Are you enjoying being back in Kapiti?

And being with the cats again?

Did you find flatmates?

Were you able to get another car?

How's university?

Did my parcel arrive?

Did you like it?

Do you have a phone number now?

Internet?

Skype?

Look forward to talking to you sometime soooooon!!

lots of love,

Mum

***********

Monday, 9/02/2009

Yo David

I talked to Matthew actually just after I emailed you. They contacted me from the motel in Hamilton so we chatted on Skype. Still no mic, even on your dad's computer. Aren't they usually built in to laptops?

So I have Matthew address & phone number

Tis:3 Eskdale Rd, Birkdale

09 580 9131

I looked it up on google maps street view & sent him a picture. May of course have been the one next door.. i'll give him a call & see how he is getting on so far.

You are a goldfish too? Even without medication? Hope you are getting better & better. I feel really sick this morning, having slept very badly last night. I'll take it easy today.

Talk to you soon,

love Mum

From: David Solt <david-email>

To: Tedge Solt <tedge-email>

Sent: Sunday, 8 February, 2009 22:27:27

Subject: RE: Ahoy

Ahoy Mum,

C++ is very challenging (it's rather painful to learn it). The game is just an extremely basic, text-based (no graphics), role-playing (you play the role of some kind of hero) game. I look forward to completing it, but I'm not really looking forward to playing it! I don't think it will be all that fun (being my first game). It's more of a practise run.

Matthew has improved a bit over the past few months. I'd recommend emailing him (I don't know his new contact details). I think he's flatting, which may be interesting...

I get the goldfish memory (when I'm tired). Amanda finds it a little bit funny sometimes.

-David

Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 00:38:26 -0800

From: tedge-email

Subject: Re: Ahoy

To: david-email

Hi David,

thanks for the email. Homegrown tomatoes (& other veges) are much tastier than commercial ones. Good to hear you are enjoying the gardening. Good luck with the carrots.

c++ sounds like a good challenge. What is the game? Look forward to playing it. LOL

Matthew has moved already? Unitec only starts on the 23rd? I really hope he settles in well there & works hard & enjoys it. He seems to have grown up a lot since he had to move out from his Dad's. He seems more positive & confident. What do you think, having lived with him the last few weeks?

Could you please send me his new phone number & address? Who is he staying with? He said it was flatting with a table tennis person. Flatting or boarding?

Not a lot has changed here. I continue to get more tired & other symptoms now, tho with 2 new drugs (grrr) it can be difficult to know what is the kidney not working & what is the drugs. I know the latest BP drug is responsible for the feeling of semi-consciousness. And I have the memory of a goldfish. It is quite amusing for Arnold, but makes everything take longer to do, once I actually remember what it was... Even knitting gets tiring.

On Thursday I have appts with anaesthetist, surgeon, nephr & also X-rays, bloodtests & ECG. All this is just for putting in the dialysis tube. They are thorough. Then they will put it in at a later date (?) & we wait till I actually need it.

We try to take day trips around the area, but even this is tiring. :-(

We will take a couple of days off soon & go across to Munich to visit Michael & Emily (you would have met them at our wedding, he was the short one taking the funny hat photos) who have just moved over here for a year to work.

Arnold has just this moment mentioned perhaps going down tho Marseilles on 16th March for the European Wind Energy Conference & then popping aross to Nice to do some work. Sounds good to me, & a quick check of Ryanair site shows we can get there & back for €60 total. Wind energy is the field Arnold would like to work in. Sustainable energy at least. He has done some searching for jobs in NZ & elsewhere, but I am not holding my breath. I will wait till we have a plan befere getting my hopes up again. It is getting exhausting, continually mentallu\y packing all our stuff, thinking what ot get rid of, & how little we will be able to take if we go now.

OK, I gotta go & make some bread now.

Say Hi to Amanda.

lots of love, Mum

From: David Solt <david-email>

To: Tedge Solt <tedge-email>

Sent: Sunday, 8 February, 2009 3:29:10

Subject: Ahoy

Hi Mum

I thought I'd send you a brief email/update on how things are at the moment.

Garden is going well: tomatoes are ripening (very nice, I can hardly eat store bought tomatoes now...), carrots have started growing. I've eaten most of the plums on the tree, Mathew helped.

University hasn't started yet. But I've been studying c++ in the spare time that I have - I'm hoping to finish the game I'm working on before it starts (three more weeks). I may even send you a copy (don't worry, it won't be graphically violent. In fact, it won't have any graphics!)

Mathew has just moved to Auckland, so I'm looking for a new flatmate.

-David

***********

Thursday, 02/04/2009

Hi David!

Thanks for the email. Always nice to get an email from you

While I am also not very good at keeping in touch regularly, or talking about important things... there is not a day that goes by when I don't think about you & wonder what you are doing, how you are... & miss you. I look forward to getting back to New Zealand & seeing you again. It is difficult being so far away.

Good to hear you are gradually getting better. Sleep is important. And sounds like you have a good doctor if she is actually trying to find some things out for you. One of the new generation of doctors? Let me know what she finds out? I hope you have more energy soon.

I have recovered from the operation (though they say it takes a year to fully recover from a general anaesthetic). Has the dressing redone on the wounds today & was surprised to see how small the incision is this time. It still hurt for a while though, what a wimp. Now it just hurts a bit where the catheter pulls on the skin.

I am still tired, but some days I am not too bad. Today & yesterday were not those days.. Very dopey today.

Glad to hear Amanda is enjoying her criminology papers. I don't think I would have the stomach for that. I just finished reading a historical novel set in the time of the Russian revolution, Lenin & Stalin. I can't believe the horrible things that happened back then & it is not so long ago. Though horrible things are still happening in many parts of the world. In many ways I would rather not know as I feel totally unable to help.

I hope your classes go well, especially if you can sit down a bit it might help. Don't overdo it!

We handed in notice on the apartment yesterday. Three months notice here, though we could have cited reasons of ill-health as our reason for having to leave, & just given one month notice. But this makes it very difficult for the landlord, & really wasn't necessary.

So this will bring us to the end of June. then we hope to spend 2-3 weeks around Europe if we can manage it, & a few days on the way back, probably Singapore again. So that will be near end of July or so. Plane tickets not yet booked but we are making progress. Arnold has negotiated with work & they will ship us back & then let him work remotely from NZ for a few months to finish up what needs doing. It is all working well. We thought we would be dragging ourselves back & having to sell/chuck everything because we couldn't afford/justify the shipping. Life is good.

Ok, better go finish baking cookies & then sleep.

I look forward to another email from you sometime soon!

much love Mum.

From: David Solt <david-email>

To: Tedge Solt <tedge-email>

Sent: Monday, 30 March, 2009 2:51:15

Subject: Ahoy Mum

Hi Mum

I thought I'd just send a quick email to say hi.

It was good catching up with you on the phone the other night.

I seem to be coming right (very slowly) in most respects. I'm trying to get back into a decent sleep routine, and otherwise

try to scrape together every little bit of energy that I can get! My doctor has agreed to do a little bit of research, so she

can actually help me a bit. It's nice to see something happening there...

Work has been going well. It's tiring, but fun. I just need to remember to tone it down a bit. I don't think any of the

students would mind if I delivered most of the tutorial whilst sitting down, or other things that would make it a lot easier

for me.

Amanda's loving her papers this trimester and she's managing the heavy workload (criminology papers are rather hard)..

I've been keeping up with my friends a lot better lately - it's a lot easier without university... I've even dragged a couple

of friends to church lately. I'm now trying to keep up with family a bit better (I'm terrible with remembering to

phone/email/visit).

Please keep me up to date with how you're healing up from surgery, and how you're going in general. Don't push yourself too hard (I certainly have trouble with following my own advice here). Remember to read the Bible and pray. Whilst I'm really terrible at talking about these sorts of things (aka anything important), I really do care about you.

Love from,

David

*******

Tuesday 20/10/2009

Hi David,

would like to come up, we will have to see if we can manage it. Will talk about it in the next day or so. Wondering if we can come up both in November & again for Christmas, or not. So we will have to discuss it, hopefully tonight. Who else have you asked apart from your Dad & Grandma & Grandpa?

In the meantime, Arnold found one book for you in Chicago. The smaller economics book, but the other one wasn't in stock. We'd like to get you something more "21st birthday-ish". Is there something you would like? Or otherwise we will have a think.

What size shoes do you wear? Or if you have a tape measure, how long are your feet? And how much around the widest part of your foot?

talk to you soon,

love Mum

From: David Solt <david-email>

To: Tedge Solt <tedge-email>; Michael & Joyce Foster <>; Paul Solt <

Sent: Monday, 19 October, 2009 20:20:01

Subject: Dinner for my birthday

Hi all

You're invited to dinner on Friday the 6th of November for my birthday. It'll be in Wellington, probably at an Indian restaurant at 6pm. I'll confirm time/location once I have an idea of numbers.

Please let me know whether or not you can make it.

Thanks,

David

*********

06/12/2009

Hi David,

early February would be fine, or later in Feb also.. Just you or both of you? It would be nice to see Amanda too.

We are going to make the smaller bedroom our one, & the larger will be spare room as well as craft room & storage! So although there will be a bed (we need to get a mattress but we have the base), you will be sharing the room with boxes & other paraphenalia. This is unlikely to change until we build an extension on the house. The lounge is spacious & we hope to keep that free of boxes so we can feel that at least part of the house is organised.

We are definitely going to be in Wgtn at Christmas. All booked 22-31. Waiting for a reply from Matthew as to which day he is available, but think it will be better to just talk to your Dad & claim Matthew for a day. 26 or 27th. Also need to check again with G&G as it will be at their house & they want to see you too.

love Mum

From: David Solt <david-email>

To: Tedge Solt <tedge-email>

Sent: Sun, 6 December, 2009 16:10:54

Subject: Vague plans to visit Christchurch in February

Hi Mum

I may be able to come down to Christchurch early February, probably around 3rd-6th. I think I may even have a ride there or back (tbc). Would this be good for you and Arnold? How likely are you going to be in Wellington after Christmas?

-David

**********

09/07/2010

Hi everyone

please excuse the quick group email!!

Had a call at 3am offering me a kidney transplant. It is coming up from dunedin so I will have to get to the hospital by 7.30. Now 6.30am.

Very exciting but also very nervous.

Arnold is in Napier at the moment for work. Hoping he will make it back later today.

More later, or if you want to contact Arnold for an update his email is arnold-memelink-email

Wish me luck. Prayers appreciated.

bye for now, love Tedge

********

05/01/2011

Hi david,

yup that's still our address, we haven't moved.

If it is heavy, it might be an idea to wait... Grandma is coming down in March, I forget whether it is beginning or end of March. She will be flying down... though now I think about it she won't be coming to stay with us till after her tramp or whatever she is doing. Grandpa may be driving down though to meet her here. You might want to just check with them first.

love Mum

From: David Solt <david-email>

To: Tedge Solt <tedge-email>

Sent: Wed, 5 January, 2011 15:08:59

Subject: I'll mail you your Christmas present

Hi Mum

I may as well mail you your present, because (now that I think about it) it's actually rather heavy. I'll also send down the book you gave me, so you can read it too. You'll get it back to me eventually somehow, but it doesn't really bother me when.

Are you still '65 Francis Ave St Albans Christchurch 8013'?

-David

**********

22/02/2011

Hi David,

hmmm, I asked the salary-earner of the household about the air-fares after talking to you. He feels that at the age of 22 you should be able to pay your own way (as we did at that age) & not be asking for financial help. I know it is the first time you have asked for help for a few years, but I can't go behind his back now & pay for your fares. (Maybe I shouldn't have asked him )

He did say though that you are welcome to come down whenever you are able to. It would be good to spend some time with you. I'm sure if you are able to come down I would be able to help you out with something that isn't airfares. And of course we will feed you for the time you are here (that would help with finances!)

re times... Mum (& maybe Dad) will be here 5th April for 2 to 7 days, they haven't confirmed how many days yet. Arnold's Mum was going to be here mid March but now is talking about Easter. She may not actually get around to it at all. So pretty much any other time really.

The lowest fares I see at the moment are $59 one way. I will keep an eye out for the lower fares.

Hope there may be some way you can still get here at some stage.

love Mum

From: David Solt <david-email>

To: Tedge Solt <tedge-email>

Sent: Mon, 21 February, 2011 18:48:13

Subject: When is good for me to fly over?

When is good for me to fly over?

********

07/07/2012

Konichiwa everyone,

Sunday 1st July

here we are in Nikko, Japan, a small town 2 or 3 hours train ride to the north of Tokyo. Was once a thriving tourist town but seems to be somewhat run down & neglected now. Still very busy at the temples today. Busloads of retired couples, or school groups. All Japanese. We have seen very few Europeans.

Our first night we stayed in Tokyo with the parents of friends of Arnold. The friends now live in Norway, but the rest of the family was there in force to meet us. A bit bewildering after an 11 hour flight, 2 hour train ride & a long trudge through dark narrow streets trying to find the house. The temple actually, as the father is the priest at the temple. The house is in the temple grounds, along with various other buildings, many small shrines & a cemetery. The family were very welcoming & made us feel at home. The little boy Tomohiko gave us each a welcome letter painstakingly written out in english but in the Japanese way, top to bottom, right to left. Addressed to "Mr Arnold" and "Mr Tedge". Very cute.

In Nikko we have walked & walked all over the hills, through the town, & today visited many temples & shrines. I'm about templed out. Last night we were taken by our host to an Onsen (hot pools) in the "mountains" (Hills really). We had understood from him that the outside area was communal, but found once we got out there from our respective changing rooms that we were in separate pool areas with a high fence in between. It was rather strange, being the only two there for quite some time, but in separate places. We could yell across the fence but it isn't quite the same. The pools are surrounded by forest which was very nice, & I could see a young deer a little way off, its eyes shining in the lights.

I have been doing a bit of sketching around the temples. The idea being to create a travel sketch journal. I just have to find a few minutes here & there to sketch while Arnold is charging off elsewhere with great energy. We are staying at a nice guesthouse a short walk out of town. Our hosts are very friendly & couldn't be more attentive or helpful. Our beds are futons on the floor & roll up during the day. We have a table at which we can kneel on cushions to drink our never-ending supply of Japanese tea. Being unaccustomed to kneeling, it is more of a sprawl.

Tomorrow we will return for 2 more days in Tokyo.

Tuesday 3rd July

We returned to Tokyo yesterday & spent the afternoon in Asakusa, where we spent more time people watching than temple-visiting. We then headed for Kappabashi which we found by chance (no decent map) looked at a lot of Japanese pottery & kitchenware shops. I also found a shop full of interesting cookie cutters. Some are coming home with us.

A long walk in the hot sun took us to Asakusabashi, an area full of bead shops! Yay! Arnold waited very patiently outside 4 or 5 shops (he says it was 8 or 9) while I perused the merchandise. I found all the jewellery findings (they call them jewellery parts here) I was looking for. They had a huge range of each item, in many sizes & many colours. I could have stayed there for hours but it was time to get "home" before rush-hour.

In the evening, 12 here for dinner, we made sushi at the table. More of an eat-as-you-make system than the roll & cut method we use. Many different ingredients including fermented soya beans & of course raw tuna. Various Japanese alcoholic beverages came to the table to be tasted, concluding with Matcha tea which required a ceremony of turning the cup 2 1/2 times, sipping, turning it back to the start & passing on. The finale was a specially made cake iced with "Welcome to Japan Mr Arnold & Mrs Tedge". We are feeling very welcome indeed!

This morning I went at 6am with Kazuko (the mother) to the nearby park where she exercises every morning. Arnold reckoned one clown would be less conspicious than two clowns, so he took the dog for a walk instead, & then sat at a distance to watch me doing Japanese & Chinese routines for an hour with the elderly folk. Kazuko, in her 70s I guess, can not only touch her toes but put her hands flat on the floor. She has the grace & agility of a ballet dancer. For me, my toes are just too far away. I must have short arms.

After a breakfast of rice, brocolli, fish marinated in sake, & yoghurt with fermented soya beans, we set off on borrowed bikes to Jindaiji Temple. A nice setting & so much better looked after than the temples at Nikko. We both did some sketching there. Arnold is rather enjoying this I think. Biked back up to Kichijoji where there is a lovely park with a big lake. A great place for biking, despite the heavy rain.

We then found the craft store which had been recommended to us. Two whole floors of a large department store!! There wasn't time to look at everything, but we did manage to take away some lovely Japanese shyogami paper. We were spoilt for choice. I had to ask 6 shop assistants before I found someone who understood & could find supplies for Kumihimo (Japanese braiding). Even then, there was not much. But shelves & shelves of pens, papers, threads, fabrics, wool... Arnold took a photo of some Ashford Corriedale sliver (from NZ) but we didn't see any spinning wheels.

We were supposed to fly out from Tokyo the following morning, but got an email to say the plane would be delayed 7 hours. This gave us the morning to do exercises with the oldies again, & another bike ride for Arnold to a park with houses from the Edo era, complete with volunteers who explained to him at length about each house. Pity it was all in Japanese.

It then took us 3 1/2 hours to cross Tokyo by train (due to missed connections), so we had to run as fast as we could (with heavy packs) from the station & through the airport, getting to the desserted check-in area with only 5 minutes to spare. Run to security, run to the gate. I was exhausted! It was a long flight with a headache & dodgy airline food (Air France; Air NZ was great). We reached Paris at midnight & were very surprised & relieved that a friend had come to meet us as there were no trains by that time of night. It was good to see them & spend the morning with them before catching the train south from Paris to Niort.

Friday 6th July

We are now in La Couture with Cousin Colin (my mother's cousin). It is a small village near Niort. It is nice having some time out after the trains & flight & more trains yesterday to get here. I'm almost over the jetlag & starting to feel more normal again, not wanting to sleep all the time. Arnold has been walking around the countryside, swimming in the pool & digging holes in the garden trying to uncover an ancient doorway in the 14th century part of the house. It is very peaceful here with chickens wandering around the garden, & warm enough for pre-dinner drinks in the garden.

It is nice to be reunited with our car (Thank-you Colin for looking after it!) & to drive around the very familiar looking French villages again.

I hope all is well in New Zealand. We've heard there have been more earthquakes, in the north island as well as in Canterbury. Hope everything is OK.

More later. Love to all,

Tedge & Arnie

**********

Sunday, 21/10/12

Hi David,

here is the link for the supplements I was suggesting.

http://www.xtend-life.com/info/TB.aspx

I have used their Total Balance, Fish Oil over the last 5 years & also about 6 years ago, their Cholesterol one which was what first brought me to their website. All the supplements have made a difference for me. A nasty red skin condition I had on my face for over a year cleared up within a week of starting the Total Balance, & my hair improved no end. With these outward signs, I'm sure it was helping internally also. I also felt a lot better, though it is a hard job for any supplement to fight against the bucket-load of pharmaceuticals I take. The Cholesterol one reduced my cholesterol so I didn't need the nasty drugs for 2 years.They are not the normal run-of-the-mill supermarket jars of vitamins.

I'd recommend either the Total Balance Unisex or the TB Unisex Premium. There is also one called Natural Energy. I haven't read through the ingredients & benefits of this one.

The company is in Christchurch, funnily enough as I started ordering from them when I was in France. I've found them to be very trustworthy, & they always answer my questions quickly by email, or by phone. You can email them if you want any advice. I was invited to a discussion/forum whatsit last month with 7 others. It was very interesting. They gave us some product for our "efforts" of coming along. I got some of the skincare range to try out as I wouldn't have just bought them otherwise. So far, so good. My skin has been becoming more & more of an issue as I get more skin-cancers. So I need to look for solutions dietary & externally.

Have a look at the website, read up on the ingredients. It explains many of them in depth if you find the right page.

I can order you 2 bottles of either of the Total Balance Unisex, for example, on the proviso that you do take them, at the recommended dose, for the month or two months depending on what we order. You have nothing to lose, & it make make a little difference, or maybe even a big difference. Wanna try it out??

love Mum

*******

05/07/2018

Hi David,

How are you? I have sent a couple of messages on Viber but no reply, so I hope all is as well as possible?

How is Amanda coping with losing her Nana? It takes time... I felt quite numb for at least a month after Dad died. Then for many months I kept thinking, I'll just ring him & tell him about this or that... and feeling just so gutted that I couldn't. It has been over 18 months now. We are sailing in Norway now & I know he would have been interested in that.

Mum/Gma has just arrived back in NZ yesterday. I emailed Andy to check she was back safely, then today I heard from her too. I think she will have some happy memories, though she found the travelling difficult. She enjoyed best the places we stayed longer, from 3 days to a week, like on the boat in Croatia. Moving each day, but the cabin stayed with us so she found that less unsettling than packing & moving each day. Well, so did I really.

Sounds like dinner is nearly ready. Must go.

Let me know how you are?

Love Mum

A previous batch of email…

Mum to David

Friday, 6th March, 2026

Hi Mum

I may try just increasing my intake of: pumpkin seeds & chickpeas; spinach & darky leafy veges, nuts, other fruit & veges. I'm also thinking about the sea salt thingie. I had been planning on checking what foods contain zinc and magnesium (before getting supplements), but this definitely saves be a bit of time (I've been having to pace myself a bit these last few days).

Doctors say they've checked kidney function, but I'll check for specifics.

-David

Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2009 01:25:43 -0800

From: Tedge

Subject: Re: Student Allowance Application

To: David

Hi David,

nice talking to you this morning. I am now sitting here drinking a big fruit smoothie for First Breakfast. I feel less dizzy now.

Sorry to hear you are not well. I hope this clears up soon. It is strange because as a child you were never sick. I remember you having a tummy bug for one day when you were about 2, but that is all. It was always Matthew who had the colds & flus & health problems. I was always well too till I hit nearly 15 & suddenly got the kidney issues. Very strange.. They are keeping a watch on renal function for you? Creatinine & urea levels in the blood & so on?

Studylink sound like a pain. If they were having trouble accepting that I didn't work, did they ask how I get money to live? Thankfully they don't take Arnold's income into account.

Let me know how you are going financially in a couple of months. We will have some money available then.

We would like to send some more money over from France to our NZ account as the exchange rate is very favourable. €1=$2.50 today. Last week it was $2.55.

Unfortunately we don't have money to send over. The move to France was not a good one financially, due to the much much higher cost of living. We are also travelling a bit, as that is the point of being here, but we are usually pretty cheap with our travelling. Next week we go to Marseilles for €15 & back for €3.

We were saving more money in New Zealand. I was working too of course, which helped a bit.

Here are the supplements I take (Well I take the women's version of course)

http://www.xtend-life.com/product/Total_Balance_Unisex.aspx

Have a read & click on the menu at left for ingredients. The ingredients are meant to all be natural source, bio-available. You can click on each ingredient to read all about it & the studies that have been done on it.

It is not cheap, $48US a month, which converts OK into euros, but I hate to think what that is in NZ$. I don't know if they do a straight conversion, or if the price is just different in NZ. It will come up in NZ$ on your computer I think.

I don't look at it as the price for a bottle of supplements, but rather the price for improved health.

I found the Co-Enzyme Q10 eventually. It is just 15mg, but should be a good quality one. Better a small amount of good quality than large amt of inferior quality.

They are made in NZ, in Christchurch, & you can ring or email them to ask questions. They are very helpful & won't try to con you into buying something that is not right for you. They will ask about your medical diagnosis, any medication you take & they have a doctor & a nutritionalist who can answer your questions by email.

There is also a pared down version

http://www.xtend-life.com/product/Multi_Xtra..aspx

which is still better than the ones you will find in the shops.

There is also a premium version, but of course you pay more!! Too much for me, & also I felt it may boost my immunity to the extent that it overrides the immunosuppressants & my kidney rejects.

Beware especially of the supermarket "supplements" which are generally synthetic, derived from petrochemicals & no use. at all. The body treats them as toxins & uses a lot of energy to bundle them up & get rid of them.. Worse than useless.

Since taking the Total Balance, my skin cleared up in 2 weeks (my face was really really bad, I didn't like to leave the house), I found more energy, my hair got better within a few weeks, & I'm sure that with these outside improvements, there are improvemants I can't see also. Of course I am still tired, & the kidney continues its slow deterioration & so I get even more tired. But I think taking a supplement is holding me together & preventing me from feeling really really grotty like last time my kidneys failed. I would expect to be feeling worse at this stage.

I also take omega 3 fish oil from the same company.

http://www.xtend-life.com/product/Omega_3_~_DHA_Esters.aspx

I only take 1 a day, they recommend more, but finances only stretch so far.

You may want to read up on omega 3 also.

Of course, keep eating well, don't expect a supplement to help you if you are not eating well.

Pumpkin seeds & chickpeas are rich in zinc, but you probably know that.

For magnesium; spinach & darky leafy veges, nuts, other fruit & veges.

Also unrefined sea salt if you can get it. We have Guerande brand & it is the only salt we use now.

If you can find some natural unrefined sea salt & take a little each day, it has many essential minerals in it. (Unlike refined table salt which is devoid of minerals, & has nasty chemicals in it). It is a slightly grayish colour, large granules, slightly damp as it doesn't have the nasty drying agent in, & actually tastes nice. It is not the white rock salt.

OK, gotta go have second breakfast & maybe think about having a shower although I would like to stay in my dresing gown as it is warm.

love Mum

From: David Solt <davidsolt@hotmail.com>

To: Tedge Solt <tej88@yahoo.com>

Sent: Wednesday, 4 March, 2009 22:42:58

Subject: RE: Student Allowance Application

Hi Mum,

My computer is now working (I managed to buy a cheap second hand power supply from a friend to replace the dead one).

Through the holidays, I ran out of work to do. We managed, but we didn't really save up much. As long as I do get the tutoring work (and I'm able to do it!), we should be fine I guess.

Studylink accepted the evidence eventually - after I had to call up and talk them through it.... My student allowance is now fully approved.

Yes, the student allowance application criteria are very strange. I will have to keep getting income information from you and Dad regardless of how much Amanda may be earning.

-David

Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 05:53:20 -0800

From: Tedge

Subject: Re: Student Allowance Application

To: David

Hi David,

sorry to hear your computer thingy died. I didn't look at it, I swear!

About money, I had thought you guys were pretty much self-sufficient by now with student allowances & Amanda working all the holidays & you doing some work also?? Slightly confused here.

I have offered Matthew (several times) some help with his fees & books, but he hasn't really got back to me on it. He has a meeting with WINZ Thurs because they are helping with fees. Hopefully I will hear after that..

I have no money (about $50) in my NZ acct, & we only have a little in our joint acct. The rest is all tied up for 2 - 10 months yet. If Matthew needs some, then I can send him some from the joint acct, but after that it is May I think before the first term deposit comes up. I can help you a bit after that.

(btw, whether your Dad gave you money or not is not my business. Please don't play that card).

Did you receive the bank paper & was it written on unicorn hide & were the student allowance people happy with it?

Do we have to go through the same procedure next year or are you "old enough" to not have your parents mean-tested by then? I guess with Amanda working then, they might means-test her instead? I would think it pretty strange if they continue to means-test parents when your wife works. The mysteries of the student-allowance-world...

Talk to you tomorrow,

love Mum

From: David Solt

To: Tedge Solt

Sent: Monday, 16 February, 2009 5:27:38

Subject: RE: Student Allowance Application

Hi Mum,

My computer's power supply died this morning :(

I go back to university soon (about two weeks away), so I've started looking through my textbooks in preparation (not hugely exciting). I also need to finish off my C++ tutorials..

Dad's giving me money towards university this year (same as last year).. Could I get some from you again this year? Textbooks and transport are looking rather expensive (as well as replacing the PSU!! gah).

Thanks,

David

****************

Next message

****************

Hi David,

here is the link for the supplements I was suggesting.

http://www.xtend-life.com/info/TB.aspx

I'd recommend either the Total Balance Unisex or the TB Unisex Premium. There is also one called Natural Energy. I haven't read through the ingredients & benefits of this one.

Have a look at the website, read up on the ingredients. It explains many of them in depth if you find the right page.

love Mum

****************

Next message

****************

Hi David,

hopefully you will see this email & also the Nile gift voucher I have emailed to you.

I emailed Xtendlife to say the parcel didn't arrive last month & they will credit my account.

I hope you are feeling somewhat more energy-ful & less painful now. It is difficult to know as you weren't really talking much the other day, just one word answers. How about you let me when you are feeling less tired & more like talking, & if I am able to, I will call you then. It would be nice to talk.

Work is still ridiculously busy. I shut myself in the staff-room today & managed to get an order written in 5 minutes rather than taking all day as it can with constant interruptions from customers. Coming out into the shop again, I was mobbed by customers & it took me another half hour to write the last 2 lines of the order & fax it. Working too many hours at the moment as Anne who left in August has not been replaced. She was there for 23 years so she has left a big gap!!

We have had 2 work parties this week; one official one & one just with the "girls". Plus 2 spinning parties - one for the Saturday people & one for the Monday people. Plus I took Arnold to a Japanese Restaurant on Saturday night, & we were given a lunch voucher to spend on Sunday. Too much food!! Now I am just having vege juices & salads to try & recover. Feeling very heavy & groggy & headachy.

I will send a Christmas present after Christmas!!

love to you both,

Mum & Arnold

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Mum to David

Friday, 6th March, 2026

Hi Mum

Doctors say they've checked kidney function, but I'll check for specifics.

-David

Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2009 01:25:43 -0800

From: Tedge

Subject: Re: Student Allowance Application

To: David

Hi David,

nice talking to you this morning. I am now sitting here drinking a big fruit smoothie for First Breakfast. I feel less dizzy now.

Studylink sound like a pain. If they were having trouble accepting that I didn't work, did they ask how I get money to live? Thankfully they don't take Arnold's income into account.

Let me know how you are going financially in a couple of months. We will have some money available then.

We would like to send some more money over from France to our NZ account as the exchange rate is very favourable. €1=$2.50 today. Last week it was $2.55.

We were saving more money in New Zealand. I was working too of course, which helped a bit.

Here are the supplements I take (Well I take the women's version of course)

http://www.xtend-life.com/product/Total_Balance_Unisex.aspx

I don't look at it as the price for a bottle of supplements, but rather the price for improved health.

I found the Co-Enzyme Q10 eventually. It is just 15mg, but should be a good quality one. Better a small amount of good quality than large amt of inferior quality.

There is also a pared down version

http://www.xtend-life.com/product/Multi_Xtra..aspx

which is still better than the ones you will find in the shops.

There is also a premium version, but of course you pay more!! Too much for me, & also I felt it may boost my immunity to the extent that it overrides the immunosuppressants & my kidney rejects.

I also take omega 3 fish oil from the same company.

http://www.xtend-life.com/product/Omega_3_~_DHA_Esters.aspx

I only take 1 a day, they recommend more, but finances only stretch so far.

You may want to read up on omega 3 also.

Of course, keep eating well, don't expect a supplement to help you if you are not eating well.

Pumpkin seeds & chickpeas are rich in zinc, but you probably know that.

For magnesium; spinach & darky leafy veges, nuts, other fruit & veges.

Also unrefined sea salt if you can get it. We have Guerande brand & it is the only salt we use now.

OK, gotta go have second breakfast & maybe think about having a shower although I would like to stay in my dresing gown as it is warm.

love Mum

From: David Solt <david-email>

To: Tedge Solt <tedge-email>

Sent: Wednesday, 4 March, 2009 22:42:58

Subject: RE: Student Allowance Application

Hi Mum,

My computer is now working (I managed to buy a cheap second hand power supply from a friend to replace the dead one).

Through the holidays, I ran out of work to do. We managed, but we didn't really save up much. As long as I do get the tutoring work (and I'm able to do it!), we should be fine I guess.

Studylink accepted the evidence eventually - after I had to call up and talk them through it.... My student allowance is now fully approved.

Yes, the student allowance application criteria are very strange. I will have to keep getting income information from you and Dad regardless of how much Amanda may be earning.

-David

Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 05:53:20 -0800

From: Tedge

Subject: Re: Student Allowance Application

To: David

Hi David,

sorry to hear your computer thingy died. I didn't look at it, I swear!

About money, I had thought you guys were pretty much self-sufficient by now with student allowances & Amanda working all the holidays & you doing some work also?? Slightly confused here.

(btw, whether your Dad gave you money or not is not my business. Please don't play that card).

Did you receive the bank paper & was it written on unicorn hide & were the student allowance people happy with it?

Talk to you tomorrow,

love Mum

From: David Solt

To: Tedge Solt

Sent: Monday, 16 February, 2009 5:27:38

Subject: RE: Student Allowance Application

Hi Mum,

My computer's power supply died this morning :(

I go back to university soon (about two weeks away), so I've started looking through my textbooks in preparation (not hugely exciting). I also need to finish off my C++ tutorials..

Thanks,

David

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Hi David,

here is the link for the supplements I was suggesting.

http://www.xtend-life.com/info/TB.aspx

I'd recommend either the Total Balance Unisex or the TB Unisex Premium. There is also one called Natural Energy. I haven't read through the ingredients & benefits of this one.

Have a look at the website, read up on the ingredients. It explains many of them in depth if you find the right page.

love Mum

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Hi David,

hopefully you will see this email & also the Nile gift voucher I have emailed to you.

I emailed Xtendlife to say the parcel didn't arrive last month & they will credit my account.

I will send a Christmas present after Christmas!!

love to you both,

Mum & Arnold

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Mum to David

Note: this one is particularly disturbing, because it came not long before the "torso integrity compromised" thing happened.

Monday, 14th of August, 2017

Hi David,

yesterday I went to a seminar on Beating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and took some note for you. The guy is very genuine, tells his story, and how he beat CFS. Talked at length with him after the seminar. He is very generous with information.

Have a read and give him a call? Nothing to lose. Maybe in a day or so once he is back from Christchurch.

Attached as word doc.

Hoping this could be very helpful for you.

Love,

Mum xx

***

Notes from word document:

***

Go Green Expo – August 2017

Seminar - Beating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, A true story – Dr Corin Storkey – Seleno Health

Just some notes I took for you during the seminar, though I didn’t get it all down by any means:

Corin is a scientist and a medically trained doctor, has a PhD in anti oxidizing enzymes and their effect on heart disease (or something like that).

He found that medical science failed him when he got CFS at the age of 21, and after a couple of years of a raft of specialists (dermatologist for the rash, neurologist for the headaches, gastroenterologist for the gut issues etc etc) and many mainstream drugs for each set of symptoms, he wanted a more holistic approach and reluctantly went to an acupuncturist. All the mainstream system did that was useful was to exclude a long list of diseases that he didn’t have.

Chronic Fatigue is not a diagnosis, it is an exclusion. It is a label he didn’t find useful.

At this stage he had been bedridden for many months, daily seizures, rashes all over the body, muscle atrophy, gastro issues, extreme sensitivity to foods etc etc.

He found the acupuncture very painful at first but after a few weeks he had a small improvement in energyand was able to start going ahead.

He was able to stop all the drugs he was taking, which were not helping anyway, with some terrible withdrawal symptoms at first.

He took up Qi gong as a very subtle exercise, and says it changed his life. Breathing exercises and focusing on energy. Yoga was too hard at that stage. Later when he had more energy he started Tai Chi.

The body needs to move, as it shuts down if there it doesn’t move. Not too much at first or it collapses.

Once your energy levels get to the stage where you can exercise, you must exercise to deal with the stress.

Then supplements. He developed a combination that gave him what he needed for recovery. (His education is in Medical Chemistry) He now sells it for this specific purpose. CFS is inflammatory, too many oxidants are produced. The body produces natural anti-oxidants (but I guess not when the body is in this weakened state). This supplement GPx removes oxidants, completes the system. Glutathione accelerators… read on the website.

Next was NLP, Neuro-linguistic Programming which again he says was vital in his recovery. Convincing the mind and the sub-conscious that you are getting better. Changing who you are as a person, deciding who you are going to be from now on, is the hardest part of recovery. Works only in positives. Changing habits of thinking & doing.

Probiotics such as kombucha tea, kefir, fermented foods. A lot of chronic infection begins in the gut. Scientists took gut bacteria from groups of people with & without CFS. Could tell which did and didn’t have CFS.

Food raw and cooked, organic, fresh, local.

He had a full recovery within 2 years from the first acupuncture. Somedays he would feel like he was going backwards but it was overall a gradual progression forwards. He now has more energy than when he was 20. Now he surfs and climbs mountains. He works part of the time in NZ, part in Peru where they participate in growing & processing Maca.

He now sees CFS as a blessing as he wouldn’t be who he now is, having compassion, understanding, and doing things to help other people back to health rather than being in mainstream medicine. He almost gave up on life, wanted to die, but now he is really living, a much fuller life than he had imagined when he was 20.

Nobody’s journey to health is the same time. You need to create your own map. Nobody can do it for you, but there are people who have been through it and can help you.

…………………..

After the half hour seminar, I talked to him, along with a family with teenage daughter who has CFS, for ¾ hour. He told us lots and lots more, including technical stuff about the chemicals in the blood & gut, transmicrobial relocation of bacteria from the gut to the blood etc etc.

I think it would be a very good idea for you to talk to Corin. He is very approachable and is very happy to talk to you. He doesn’t charge for talking & listening. He is based in Marion St, Wellington, but will be at Common Sense Organics Paraparaumu in September, and suggests you meet then. He says just give him a call and have a chat.

He sells Maca powder and also the GPx supplement. I bought a bag of Maca powder to try it out & see what it does for my energy levels and general wellbeing. I’ll let you know! It was $40 for the 500g bag, but then I had 75mins of information and “consultation”. A doctor’s appointment last week cost me for 5 minutes $49 just to pick up a prescription as they insist I go once every 6 months. This was much better value that that!!

You can read more here: http://www.selenohealth.com

Dr Corin Storkey

PO Box 6840, Marion Square, Wellington, New Zealand 6011.

021 182 2839

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Mum and I would talk a fair bit about my health. She could have just told me what was wrong.

There is much, much more than this. And phone calls too:

Saturday, 10th of February, 2007

8:43 pm

From Tedge to David

Hi David!

hey, I've been waiting for you to be in contact, I thought you'd forgotten me. So I wasn't going to chase around looking for me, you know where I am. Did you get the msn message I sent shortly after you returned home, about the letters for the student allowance appl? Hopefully those arrived & all was OK there. Please send me the photocopies of them sometime soon, with a copy of your last years report too please, that would be good.

Yes, do go ahead & make an appointment with the doctor, pronto. Ask for a general medical & the appropriate blood tests. Tell him/her your symptoms, how you have been feeling & for how long. Best to sit down & think about it before you go to the doctors, & write these things down so it is certain your mind, plus any questions you may have. I always do this, just in french! If you are still going to be living in Karori, it may be better to find a Karori doctor rather than your P'ram one.

As for cost, you will still be on your Dad's community services card, so a doctors appt should be around $25 to $30. Blood tests should be included, no extra charge. If for some reason, your Dad doesn't have a comm serv card (he should, on his income), then it will be around $45. Let me know & I can ether send some money, or I understand you got some holiday pay so if you still have any you can pay & I will reimburse you.

Also, how are your glasses? If you need to get new frames or get those fixed, let me know. Or maybe you'd rather wait till you need new lenses if those frames are holding out with the wire. Think about it anyway.

How are you supporting yourself at the moment?

I hope all is OK there otherwise. Hows Amanda?

Ok, gotta have breakfast now.

love Mum

----- Original Message ----

From: David Solt

To: Tedge

Sent: Saturday, February 10, 2007 7:19:36 AM

Subject: hihi

University soon, scholarship results haven't come through yet (I think they

come around the 14th). So until then, I'm pretty much broke.

I was wanting to get some blood tests done because I'm still feeling pretty

awful.. I'm terrible at asking for money for anything, but I think this is

an important thing really. I don't know how much these sort of things cost,

but yeah. Can you email me back? I would have asked Dad, but I remembered

that you mentioned offering to help me out like this, and I was wondering if

that would still be ok?

-David

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Sunday, 11th of February, 2007

From Tedge to David

Hi David,

yeah, you're not good at keeping in contact! I kinda hoped for a phone call after you got home sometime, to say all was OK, happy to be home but thanks for the trip... despite your reluctance to be there, I hope you will have happy memories anyway now that the reason for your melancholy is no longer relevant. I enjoyed having you here & showing you a bit of Europe despite all that. Anyway...

Get the doctors sorted out soon. There is also a health centre at Vic. I used to hang out there everyday at lunchtime (for the first 2 years) to do my dialysis. I'm not sure how it works as regards actual doctors visits, probably have to pay something. But you can keep this in mind for when you are actually there.

Your Dad should have a comm serv card, but if not, c'est la vie. You will get a card once you are getting student allowance, should get sent to you automatically, but you may have to chase it up.

So make an appointment at your current doctors or whatever & let me know.

When does uni start?

Let me know the results of schol exams s in a couple of days...

Have you actually applied for the student loan yet, or are you waiting on answers from student allowance?

OK, we are off for a walk at Fontainbleau, a forest below Paris.

nite,

love Mum

----- Original Message ----

From: David Solt

To: Tedge

Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2007 3:16:58 AM

Subject: Re: hihi

I'll ask at the doctor's near Amanda's house to see how much it costs (with

or without a community service card - I'll soon find out if Dad has one)

Umm, sorry about not contacting you recently. I'm terrible with things like

that. I've been told off by my friends about semi ignoring them lol (I

should blame amanda :P).

I did get that msn message btw.

Umm, regarding money currently.. I have about $9.00 in total. I'll be fine

for cashflow once university starts - the only question is how much will be

on loan, and how much will be on student allowance etc..

But yeah, I have no money until I get money from the student loan or get

money from scholarship/s - I have at least $500 coming to me soon I think.

My glasses are fine, the wire is holding up perfectly well (thank Arnold for

me).

But yeah, I'll go to the doctors and ask them there. Amanda's theory is that

I probably haven't had enough iron. It probably is a factor at the very

least.

Umm, I'll email you again sometime soon. I check my emails often, but don't

usually think to write them to people, unless as a reply. So if you email

me, I'll usually tend to reply.

Cya

>From: Tedge

>To: David Solt

>Subject: Re: hihi

>Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2007 23:43:25 -0800 (PST)

>Hi David!

>hey, I've been waiting for you to be in contact, I thought you'd forgotten

>me. So I wasn't going to chase around looking for me, you know where I am.

>Did you get the msn message I sent shortly after you returned home, about

>the letters for the student allowance appl? Hopefully those arrived & all

>was OK there. Please send me the photocopies of them sometime soon, with a

>copy of your last years report too please, that would be good.

>Yes, do go ahead & make an appointment with the doctor, pronto. Ask for a

>general medical & the appropriate blood tests. Tell him/her your symptoms,

>how you have been feeling & for how long. Best to sit down & think about it

>before you go to the doctors, & write these things down so it is certain

>your mind, plus any questions you may have. I always do this, just in

>french! If you are still going to be living in Karori, it may be better to

>find a Karori doctor rather than your P'ram one.

>As for cost, you will still be on your Dad's community services card, so a

>doctors appt should be around $25 to $30. Blood tests should be included,

>no extra charge. If for some reason, your Dad doesn't have a comm serv card

>(he should, on his income), then it will be around $45. Let me know & I can

>ether send some money, or I understand you got some holiday pay so if you

>still have any you can pay & I will reimburse you.

>Also, how are your glasses? If you need to get new frames or get those

>fixed, let me know. Or maybe you'd rather wait till you need new lenses if

>those frames are holding out with the wire. Think about it anyway.

>How are you supporting yourself at the moment?

>I hope all is OK there otherwise. Hows Amanda?

>Ok, gotta have breakfast now.

>love Mum

>----- Original Message ----

>From: David Solt <

>To: Tedge

>Sent: Saturday, February 10, 2007 7:19:36 AM

>Subject: hihi

>University soon, scholarship results haven't come through yet (I think they

>come around the 14th). So until then, I'm pretty much broke.

>I was wanting to get some blood tests done because I'm still feeling pretty

>awful.. I'm terrible at asking for money for anything, but I think this is

>an important thing really. I don't know how much these sort of things cost,

>but yeah. Can you email me back? I would have asked Dad, but I remembered

>that you mentioned offering to help me out like this, and I was wondering

>if

>that would still be ok?

>-David

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Monday, 12th February, 2007

7:24pm

Tedge to David

hi david,

good you have an appointment, but should I sent the money to your old account number? Or if you have a new one you will need to send me the number pronto so I can transfer money before your midnight Monday.

Doctors have gone up in NZ then, were $25 with comm card, I think I paid $45 the last few times without one.

In France the cheapest docs are €28, but we get that all reimbursed, (after much paperwork & hassle at the moment)

I will send a bit extra in case you need prescriptions. These are $15 each item without card, $3 each with card or presumably PHO whatever that is. Make sure the doc marks the prescription form appropriately so you only pay $3 each.

I'm waiting for Matthew to turn up on skype as he said he would at this time. Hungry... because I have blood tests this morning & can't eat before these particular ones.

bye, mum

----- Original Message ----

From: David Solt

To: Tedge

Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 3:03:22 AM

Subject: Ahoy

kk, I have made a doctor's appointment now, it is for Wednesday the 14th. I

don't need a community services card, I'm apparently enrolled with a PHO. So

the price works out the same, at $29 (are doctors really this expensive?!).

Anyway, in regards to student allowance, loan and scholarship results: the

loan is almost totally sorted (I've sent off the final papers), the

allowance is not completely sorted yet and the scholarship results have not

come out yet (in a couple of days, as far as I know).

Anyway, I have to go to the bank now, to change my account type (stupid

early closing times for banks).

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Tedge to David

Monday, 19th February, 2007, 9:33 pm

Hi David,

any word on the blood test results?

Maybe you just need to pay more attention to getting good nutrition, exercise & sleep?

I've had a bit of a scare in the last few weeks, with chest pains & soaring cholesterol levels, so have an appointment with a Cardiologist next week.

Because of this, I am making a concerted effort to improve my diet. I feel its a matter of life or death. I want to stick around for a while longer, I have so much more I want to do here!!

Based on an excellent book I'm reading, I've drawn up a spreadsheet which I am trying to follow, finding it easier to keep on track if I keep a record. Have attached it (excel) if it might help you. Mostly they are foods which have many essential nutrients, & have been proven to have specific health benefits such as cardiovascular health, resistance against cancer, improvement in macular (eye) degeneration etc etc.

I'm sure that even if you added a few of these things regularly into your diet, it would make a world of difference to your health & energy levels.

I'm seeing an improvement now after 2 weeks of making changes, & cutting out most sugar, chippies etc.

Think about it.

love Mum

----- Original Message ----

From: David Solt

To: Tedge

Sent: Friday, February 16, 2007 3:04:50 AM

Subject: Re: Ahoy

Yes, I went to the appointment. All went well, the doctor couldn't find

anything wrong with me. Blood test results are still to come. I've recieved

the money in my account, thanks for that. I can now pay back what I borrowed

lol.

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Monday, 19th February, 2007, 9:57 pm

Tedge to David

Ah. Thought you were heading more towards end of January.

Well done, very organised. Well, I guess you didn't have to do much organisation yourself!

Well we are now investigating the 12th, & after a few emails, finding some availability of venues. But wow are they pricey! Don't really want anything quite that fancy.

Also looking at the 26th if we can't a place we like on the 12th. We're not so keen on that, as we won't fit in Christmas as well then. Also I guess you'd be away then, but we may need to go for that date, we'll see.

If we have no luck in January, we may bring it forwards to November/early December 2007, but then we wouldn't also come over in January, so we are still trying for January 12th.

We're reluctant to push it back to March 2008, partly because my health has been a bit shaky the last 3 weeks which worries us, so we'd rather have the wedding sooner than later.

We're looking at venues in the Wairarapa, as a good central point to Napier & Wellington. If you know of anyone who perhaps just has a huge farmhouse, let me know!

You have Skype? Perhaps we can talk in the next day or two. Try logging on in your morning or evening & see if I'm online.

Your Tuesday morning would be good, Monday night here.

love Mum

----- Original Message ----

From: David Solt

To: Tedge

Sent: Friday, February 16, 2007 3:08:11 AM

Subject: RE: wedding date

We are booked in for the 19th, venue etc is settled. Make sure you sort out

venue soon? They'll all be booked out pretty soon...

Talk to you soon, ok? I have internet now, I haven't for the last couple of

days..

>From: Tedge

>To: David Solt

>Subject: wedding date

>Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 02:27:18 -0800 (PST)

>ah, keep forgetting to ask, have you set/booked a date yet for your

>wedding?

>We are thinking 12th Jan or more likely 19th for ours, depending on venue

>availability.

>Can you let me know please, in case it we have a clash.

>thanks, Mum

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Wednesday, 21st of February, 2007, 11:52pm

Tedge to David

Congratulations David,

well done on the two subjects & good luck with the economics recount.

So you have $1500 so far towards your fees?

When do you pay your fees?

I can put $1000 in your account towards fees if it will help.

Back to our wedding planning now, making some progress.

love Mum

----- Original Message ----

From: David Solt

To: Tedge

Sent: Monday, February 19, 2007 11:34:39 PM

Subject: RE: university/scholarship/allowance?

>Do you have your scholarship results yet? Apparently they are out. How did

>it go?

I have scholarship results. I passed Statistics and Accounting, this awards

me $1000. I came one mark away from passing Economics. I will get my

economics paper reconsidered. If I pass it, I get $2000 each year, for 3

years.

>Any word yet on the student allowance?

Student Allowance is still being proccessed

>A start date for uni?

Uni starts at 26th of February

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Saturday, 24th February, 2007

Tedge to David

Hi David,

Yes I have just been talking to your dad & he told me about the student allowance woes. Good luck. If you need more forms from me, better let me know quick as I may not even have them, whatever they are. Surely they can't be as bad as the French admin??? Finally got my Carte Vitale & Carte de Mutuelle last week, after only 8 months waiting. And also my new drivers licence, yay!

Fingers crossed for the recount, would be good for you if that comes thru.

Was talking to your Dad about how we pay the money for your fees. We were all intending to pay it straight onto the fees, but I understand that will now be paid by student loan. We are both reluctant to just put thousands in your bank account, as the whole purpose is to help your student loan be smaller at the end. This was the whole intention. Money in the bank is too easy to just spend, despite your best intentions, & if you (hopefully) have the student allowance, you will be covered for day to day living. Call me some time very soon to discuss it, you still have that phone card? Or on Skype if you can.

I understand you are going to live at Raroa Rd? Be careful, move out if you are uncomfortable there. Nana must be gutted about that decision. I know it really stirs me up, upsets me. I can't stand that man. Just look after yourself, OK? I love you.

Our wedding plans were taking shape, but have changed tack due to our horror at prices of venues (up to $3700!!!) before even adding the meals or any other costs. But even to hire a marquee is a lot of money, so really now we haven't got very far at all. We're not wanting to spend more than about $3000-$3500 in total, max, with a dinner reception.

So I'm rather confused, as is your Dad, if you are getting married on the beach (free), or in the church ($50-$100 or so??), & having an afternoon tea (for how many people?) which can't be more than $10-15 per person, even if you have 100 people, how can you need more than about $2000 altogether?

Have you actually done any sums?

Maybe your plans have changed & you are now having a dinner instead, I don't know. Confused.

OK, must go clean the house or something.

love Mum

David Solt wrote:

Yes, I'm getting the economics recount asap. Just filling out the form in 10

minutes.

Yah, I have some money atm. The question is how much alltogether I'll be

forced to get on loan :(

Student allowance etc is NOT going well so far. I think they keep losing

documents etc.. Hopeless. At least they aren't as bad as French bureaucracy.

I think that all student loan should be settled, and I'll keep working on

getting allowance all good etc.. I'll send you updates on how that's going.

I don't have much access to internet lately, so that's why I haven't been

all that quick to reply (Amanda's internet connection hasn't been

connected).

And in reply, yes, any help with fees etc would be great. Things are fairly

hectic at the moment, just in the process of moving into Wellington.

>Back to our wedding planning now, making some progress.

Same here. Sorted out most things, except how to pay for it.. I think we may be able to scrape through with enough. Amanda's mum is contributing $4000, both Amanda and I will be working throughout the year. I was wondering, if

we don't quite have enough, could we borrow some from you? We would pay it

back as soon as we possibly could.

I may not be able to email you for a few days, but when I get some time on

the internet I will.

Love David

>From: Tedge

>To: David Solt

>Subject: Re: university/scholarship/allowance?

>Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 02:52:54 -0800 (PST)

>Congratulations David,

>well done on the two subjects & good luck with the economics recount.

>So you have $1500 so far towards your fees?

>When do you pay your fees?

>I can put $1000 in your account towards fees if it will help.

>Back to our wedding planning now, making some progress.

>love Mum

>----- Original Message ----

>From: David Solt

>To: Tedge

>Sent: Monday, February 19, 2007 11:34:39 PM

>Subject: RE: university/scholarship/allowance?

> >Do you have your scholarship results yet? Apparently they are out. How

>did

> >it go?

>I have scholarship results. I passed Statistics and Accounting, this awards

>me $1000. I came one mark away from passing Economics. I will get my

>economics paper reconsidered. If I pass it, I get $2000 each year, for 3

>years.

> >Any word yet on the student allowance?

>Student Allowance is still being proccessed

> >A start date for uni?

>Uni starts at 26th of February

****************

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Thursday, 1st March 2007

Tedge to David

Hi David,

yes, I didn't include photorapher because you were going to ask Amanda's mother's partner, but if you are hiring one, it can be $2000 without blinking. Ouch. We're going to do as much ourselves as possible of the organisation & making stuff, without wearing ourselves out so we don't enjoy the day, & delegate what we can! In the end, we just want a fun day with our family & friends. Anyway, still a little befuddled, but january is a long way off, & I can talk to Amanda's mum when I'm over, & see what I can do.

How's the scholrship thing?

Student allowance?

What are you living on at the moment if you haven't got the student allowance? What are your weekly costs? And what about books? I guess you've already checked out the 2nd hand book sale at Vic, they still have one I'm sure. At least you don't have transport costs, an easy walk. So I'll pay $1000 towards next years fees, it's not about you wasting the money, just that I wanted to pay towards fees, it seems more concrete to me. But in the meantime, you may have a couple of weeks before your allowance comes in, so I can help you out there if you let me know your costs.

I hope you are enjoying uni so far. I really enjoyed it when I was there. I didn't much like what they've done to the buildings more recently, too much concrete, & that big cover over the quad?! Used to be all open to the sky, now its closed & stuffy. Ick. How's Amanda going at uni so far? It must be nice being able to meet up between classes, mind you get some work done now!!

Well things are OK here, except Arnie still hates his job & can't carry on much longer with the stress of it, so I don't quite know what the next few months will bring. I am pretty much settled now, & putting more effort into learning french & soon getting a vege garden going for the summer when the ground dries a bit. But the health is playing up, hasn't quite come right since Venice. Chest pains & other fun stuff. I went to see a cardiologist yesterday, & have to go back tiwce in the next month for more tests. Fun fun. It may be nothing but... well it must be something, you don't get pains for nothing, & cardiovascular stuff is just one of the side-effects of high blood pressure & years on medication. Hence the radical change in my (& hence, our) diet, plus I have to try not to get stressed, & rest often.

Well, I must go & do some other stuff.

Hi to Amanda from me,

love Mum

----- Original Message ----

From: David Solt <david-email>

To: tedge-email

Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2007 3:17:12 AM

Subject: Re: ahoy, 'tis another email

Umm, I dunno where you're looking etc.. Weddings are expensive. Dress,

rings, venue (including catering), bar tab, tux, cake, photographer..

All in all, a wedding is definately not going to be cheap.

Umm, regarding university costs, could you help me out with next year's

costs? I am not going to be wasting money, I do have a wedding to save for.

If you don't trust that I'll be able to keep ahold of my money, I think help

with next year's fees would be best. (total cost of uni will be about $4000

for first year).

Still hopeful on the scholarship recount, yeah.

I got to get back to my complaining about scholarship.

cya

>From: Tedge <tedge-email>

>To: David Solt <david-email>

>Subject: Re: ahoy, 'tis another email

>Date: Fri, 23 Feb 2007 03:01:51 -0800 (PST)

>Hi David,

>Yes I have just been talking to your dad & he told me about the student

>allowance woes. Good luck. If you need more forms from me, better let me

>know quick as I may not even have them, whatever they are. Surely they

>can't be as bad as the French admin??? Finally got my Carte Vitale & Carte

>de Mutuelle last week, after only 8 months waiting. And also my new drivers

>licence, yay!

>Fingers crossed for the recount, would be good for you if that comes thru.

>Was talking to your Dad about how we pay the money for your fees. We were

>all intending to pay it straight onto the fees, but I understand that will

>now be paid by student loan. We are both reluctant to just put thousands in

>your bank account, as the whole purpose is to help your student loan be

>smaller at the end. This was the whole intention. Money in the bank is too

>easy to just spend, despite your best intentions, & if you (hopefully) have

>the student allowance, you will be covered for day to day living. Call me

>some time very soon to discuss it, you still have that phone card? Or on

>Skype if you can.

>I understand you are going to live at Raroa Rd? Be careful, move out if you

>are uncomfortable there. Nana must be gutted about that decision. I know it

>really stirs me up, upsets me. I can't stand that man. Just look after

>yourself, OK? I love you.

>Our wedding plans were taking shape, but have changed tack due to our

>horror at prices of venues (up to $3700!!!) before even adding the meals or

>any other costs. But even to hire a marquee is a lot of money, so really

>now we haven't got very far at all. We're not wanting to spend more than

>about $3000-$3500 in total, max, with a dinner reception.

>So I'm rather confused, as is your Dad, if you are getting married on the

>beach (free), or in the church ($50-$100 or so??), & having an afternoon

>tea (for how many people?) which can't be more than $10-15 per person, even

>if you have 100 people, how can you need more than about $2000 altogether?

>Have you actually done any sums?

>Maybe your plans have changed & you are now having a dinner instead, I

>don't know. Confused.

>OK, must go clean the house or something.

>love Mum

>David Solt <david-email> wrote: Yes, I'm getting the economics

>recount asap. Just filling out the form in 10

>minutes.

>Yah, I have some money atm. The question is how much alltogether I'll be

>forced to get on loan :(

>Student allowance etc is NOT going well so far. I think they keep losing

>documents etc.. Hopeless. At least they aren't as bad as French

>bureaucracy.

>I think that all student loan should be settled, and I'll keep working on

>getting allowance all good etc.. I'll send you updates on how that's going.

>I don't have much access to internet lately, so that's why I haven't been

>all that quick to reply (Amanda's internet connection hasn't been

>connected).

>And in reply, yes, any help with fees etc would be great. Things are fairly

>hectic at the moment, just in the process of moving into Wellington.

> >Back to our wedding planning now, making some progress.

>Same here. Sorted out most things, except how to pay for it.. I think we

>may

>be able to scrape through with enough. Amanda's mum is contributing $4000,

>both Amanda and I will be working throughout the year. I was wondering, if

>we don't quite have enough, could we borrow some from you? We would pay it

>back as soon as we possibly could.

>I may not be able to email you for a few days, but when I get some time on

>the internet I will.

>Love David

> >From: Tedge

> >To: David Solt

> >Subject: Re: university/scholarship/allowance?

> >Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 02:52:54 -0800 (PST)

> >

> >Congratulations David,

> >well done on the two subjects & good luck with the economics recount.

> >So you have $1500 so far towards your fees?

> >When do you pay your fees?

> >I can put $1000 in your account towards fees if it will help.

> >Back to our wedding planning now, making some progress.

> >love Mum

> >

> >----- Original Message ----

> >From: David Solt

> >To: tedge-email

> >Sent: Monday, February 19, 2007 11:34:39 PM

> >Subject: RE: university/scholarship/allowance?

> >

> > >Do you have your scholarship results yet? Apparently they are out. How

> >did

> > >it go?

> >

> >I have scholarship results. I passed Statistics and Accounting, this

>awards

> >me $1000. I came one mark away from passing Economics. I will get my

> >economics paper reconsidered. If I pass it, I get $2000 each year, for 3

> >years.

> >

> > >Any word yet on the student allowance?

> >

> >Student Allowance is still being proccessed

> >

> > >A start date for uni?

> >

> >Uni starts at 26th of February

****************

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Wednesday, 7th of March, 2007

Tedge to David

Hi David,

sorry to take so long to reply. Rather busy, tho health seems to have settled. Almost back to normal now, whatever that means. Must be the change in diet. I think for a person in normal health, this diet (ie. eating healthily!!) would give boundless energy.

I'll pop $200 in your account to help with current living costs. Hopefully you have heard about schol/allw etc by now? Good to hear they have now received all your documentation (groan!!)

Bummer about having to buy new books. Did you look in the newspaper too? Maybe next year you'll have more luck. Sometimes it is unavoidable tho, if they change the book each year!

$26500 is not too bad for a student loan, many people have $40,000 or more (I guess they are there for 5 or 6 years??)

If you're getting $40,000 right out of uni, it won't be a problem to pay off.

Remember, I'll give you $1000 for next years fees, & G&G will also. Like me, they preferred to put it on your fees, so it will have to wait. Don't mention I mentioned it tho, unless they mention it to you!!

If you're really frugal during uni, with what you eat etc, you can perhaps keep your loan down anyway. That's what uni is all about, eating potatoes, fried cabbage, carrots, bread & sausages. OK, so thats what we ate when I was at uni, when we were first married. Sometimes chicken too, but no ice-cream, chippies or orange juice. Seriously though, more veges & less red meat would be good for your health & your budgeting.

finally booked my tickets for NZ yesterday. Decided to avoid flying at Easter, so it has got a bit later in April now.

The itinerary:

ITINERARY

Departing: Paris(PAR) on Sun, 15 Apr 2007, 1225 hrs

Arriving: Singapore(SIN) on Mon, 16 Apr 2007, 0700 hrs

Flight: SQ333 (B777-300ER) Economy Class

Departing: Singapore(SIN) on Wed, 18 Apr 2007, 2155 hrs

Arriving: Auckland(AKL) on Thu, 19 Apr 2007, 1120 hrs

Flight: SQ285 (B747-400) Economy Class

Departing: Auckland(AKL) on Mon, 14 May 2007, 1400 hrs

Arriving: Singapore(SIN) on Mon, 14 May 2007, 2035 hrs

Flight: SQ286 (B747-400) Economy Class

Departing: Singapore(SIN) on Mon, 14 May 2007, 2340 hrs

Arriving: Paris(PAR) on Tue, 15 May 2007, 0655 hrs

Flight: SQ334 (B777-300ER) Economy Class

I have 3 days/2 nights in Singapore on the way there, staying with friends.

24 full days in NZ.

Flying back direct, no stop overs. I hope I can sleep on the plane! Then I catch a train into Paris, metro across to St Lazare, train to Vernon where Arnie will pick me up. I really hope I haven't over-estimated my energy levels here.

So while in NZ, I hope to see family & friends in Wgtn, see you, drop in on Arnie's family in Lower Hutt, stay with Linda in Masterton & finalise a wedding venue etc, visit lots of friends in Napier, visit Matthew in Paraparaumu, & back for a couple of days in Wgtn before I leave.

Not necessarily totally in that order, but its a loose plan.

OK, gotta go.

Say Hi to Amanda.

love Mum

----- Original Message ----

From: David Solt <david-email>

To: tedge-email

Sent: Thursday, March 1, 2007 7:55:37 AM

Subject: Yarrgghh (continuing with the pirate theme)

Hmm, scholarship things and all that are still being worked out. So, give it

a week or so.. I've just recieved a message from studylink. It says that

they have recieved all of my documentation! So now I'm just waiting.. I think I should at least have living allowances sorted soon. If I can't get

all (or much) money on student allowance.. Things could be very expensive..

Costs for uni will probably run up to: $10500 living costs, and $16000 in

fees ( at least). So yeah.. Worrying..

So I'll keep you updated. The actual university work itself is VERY easy.

Commuting is not fun (haven't moved in yet), moving in soon though. I'll

tell you how things re: scholarship and student allowance.

So yeah, enjoying uni. All textbooks have been new :s I couldn't find any at

the second hand book sale. And two of my paper's require new textbooks. Ack.

I may need some help with costs, if studylink doesn't come through on time.

I currently have $200. Half of that will have to go towards board on a few

days.. So I will likely run out of money soon.

Aside from money and logistical problems, everything is good.

See you when you're over (when will that be by the way?).

bye,

David

>Hi David,

>yes, I didn't include photorapher because you were going to ask Amanda's

>mother's partner, but if you are hiring one, it can be $2000 without

>blinking. Ouch. We're going to do as much ourselves as possible of the

>organisation & making stuff, without wearing ourselves out so we don't

>enjoy the day, & delegate what we can! In the end, we just want a fun day

>with our family & friends. Anyway, still a little befuddled, but january is

>a long way off, & I can talk to Amanda's mum when I'm over, & see what I

>can do.

>How's the scholrship thing?

>Student allowance?

>What are you living on at the moment if you haven't got the student

>allowance? What are your weekly costs? And what about books? I guess you've

>already checked out the 2nd hand book sale at Vic, they still have one I'm

>sure. At least you don't have transport costs, an easy walk. So I'll pay

>$1000 towards next years fees, it's not about you wasting the money, just

>that I wanted to pay towards fees, it seems more concrete to me. But in the

>meantime, you may have a couple of weeks before your allowance comes in, so

>I can help you out there if you let me know your costs.

>I hope you are enjoying uni so far. I really enjoyed it when I was there. I

>didn't much like what they've done to the buildings more recently, too much

>concrete, & that big cover over the quad?! Used to be all open to the sky,

>now its closed & stuffy. Ick. How's Amanda going at uni so far? It must be

>nice being able to meet up between classes, mind you get some work done

>now!!

>Well things are OK here, except Arnie still hates his job & can't carry on

>much longer with the stress of it, so I don't quite know what the next few

>months will bring. I am pretty much settled now, & putting more effort into

>learning french & soon getting a vege garden going for the summer when the

>ground dries a bit. But the health is playing up, hasn't quite come right

>since Venice. Chest pains & other fun stuff. I went to see a cardiologist

>yesterday, & have to go back tiwce in the next month for more tests. Fun

>fun. It may be nothing but... well it must be something, you don't get

>pains for nothing, & cardiovascular stuff is just one of the side-effects

>of high blood pressure & years on medication. Hence the radical change in

>my (& hence, our) diet, plus I have to try not to get stressed, & rest

>often.

>Well, I must go & do some other stuff.

>Hi to Amanda from me,

>love Mum

****************

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****************

Thursday, 30th of August, 2007

Tedge Solt to David Solt

yo yo

Thanks for the email. What, they didn't take you to Tonga with them? Probably nice for Amanda & her Mum to spend some time together anyway I guess.

Good to hear you are improving a bit. How's your diet at the moment? Are you eating plenty of fresh raw veges (& fruit) ie. not frozen as it kills the enzymes & makes them less nutritious & harder to digest. Well, so does cooking, but if you eat a yoghurt with all the live stuff in it after your meal then at least you have the enzymes for digestion. I'm still reading up on nutrition stuff, but mostly if you eat fresh unprocessed food you can't go to far wrong. The more processed a food is, the more it messes you up. It's like "anti-nutrition" rather than nutrition. I have cut out nearly all sugar, except when I have chocolate, but I haven't bought any of that for a while, so I can't eat it!

In answer to your previous email, good you got the invite, do you like it? Is it pretty? Yes, Matthew told me he didn't want to go to our wedding, & I told him I would send him the invite in case he changed his mind, & I enclosed a letter with it. I would love him to be there, of course, & will feel something is missing if he is not there, but will understand if he doesn't come. He is Matthew, & I doubt it is comprehensible for him to think of me being married to someone who is not his father. I hope in years to come, he will be able to adjust. After all, his dad will get married one day too.

As for the question about borrowing money for your reception, surely you don't need to pay for the venue/catering/drinks until the day? Only a deposit before then, surely? We have paid a deposit to both our caterer & the venue, but will pay the rest at the end of the night. I have heard of venues demanding full payment between 2 & 6 weeks before the event, but this is not normal, & such places should be avoided. If you go out for a meal, you don't pay until after you have eaten. This is the same; you don't pay in full until you know the food/service has been good. If it is really lousy, or not what was promised, you wouldn't want to be paying the whole bill.

So yes, I can help if it is necessary, but as Lesley had initially said she was paying for the wedding, she will have the money by the time it is required to pay the venue?? Have a talk to her anyway, I'm sure you'll find you don't need to pay for months yet.

Arnie is in Chicago at the moment, so I am all alone too. Feeling a little down & a bit fluey, but I'm sure it is nothing. I am going for a walk each day, & gym starts up again in a couple of weeks.

I spent the weekend with Steve & Cheryl (remember them?). It was good fun & Cheryl & I talked non-stop most of the time, & I baked Speculaas [spectacular?] bikkies with the special spices we got in Holland. Very yummy, but I left most of them there so I wouldn't be tempted to eat them. Saved some for Arnold, but they keep looking at me "Eat me, eat me!!"

They took us (before Arnie left for USA) to Emaaus which is a huge second-hand store. There are many of them in france & it is part of an organisation through-out France to help homeless people & so on. We found lots of books in english & french, clothes, kitchen stuff, electronic bits... One of the english books I got was 2006, so it is not just old stuff. I can see we'll be back there again sometime. Trying not to accumulate too much stuff while we are living here, but at least if it didn't cost much we feel better about giving it away again when we leave here.

It is cold here! Outside it is sunny for a change, but with a cold wind. Inside, I have 2 jerseys on & I'm still shivering. Thinking of putting a heater on. And this is summer?! Well it is nearly autumn now in theory. We didn't have summer. Perhaps about 5 warm sunny days, if that.

Oh well, at least we will have a few weeks of summer in the middle of European winter. We hope...

Did I tell you we have booked our tickets to NZ? Leave here 28 Dec, arrive NZ 31st (2 days in Bangkok), then leave NZ the 27th January I think, with a few days in Thailand on the way back. We will also spend some time in Wairarapa, Wellington, Napier, Nelson & Christchurch. With 2 weddings as well, it will be a busy time.

Well I'm going to pick veges from the garden now & have a healthy spinach salad & baked potato for lunch.

talk to you later,

love Mum

----- Original Message ----

From: David Solt <david-email>

To: Tedge Solt <tedge-email>

Sent: Wednesday, 29 August, 2007 9:21:06 AM

Subject: hihi

ahoyahoy

I thought I'd send you an email. I've been spending past few days (Since Sunday) looking after the house by myself. Amanda and her Mum are in Tonga.

I think I'm improving slightly. I've been drinking more water when I wake up, and about half an hour before meals. I've also been trying to do some posture exercises, and improve my breathing (I have fairly poor posture and tend to take shallow breaths). I also have trouble relaxing, even when I'm tired, I always find that I need to do things.

Anyway, I should go have a bath or something, then go to sleep. Just three more days until Amanda is back.

****************

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****************

Tedge to David

Saturday, 1st of September, 2007

Nuts! (actually they are good for you too; almonds, walnuts, pistachios. Best raw or most of the nutrition is gone)

Anyway, NUTS! Arnold is not quite home yet.

Arrived at Paris 8.45 this morning, & they had lost his bag. After an hour they found it "in some other part of the airport" Huh??

This is the first time he has checked in luggage on a business trip (because he has a computer monitor to carry) & they lose it!

Then he was stopped at customs because he was by then just one of a very few people going through & they must have been bored.

Usually they stop NOBODY! Only hippies & Islamic militants.

They wanted to know the price of the monitor, & did he have anything else??

He had bought a present for me (wonder what it is???!!) so the total came to just over the limit of €250. That is not a big limit!!!

They let him off with a warning & a booklet explaining customs.

By the time he caught a train to Paris, & metro across town to St Lazare, he had to wait for the 12 oclock train & won't be home till nearly 1pm.

Well, he could have hired a car from the airport like anyone else would, but he is too conscientious & it bothers him that is is a 3 day hire till Monday, just to get back from the airport. His colleagues laugh at him but he doesn't care. He'd rather feel comfortable about the way he spends the companies money. They don't know how lucky they are, under paying him and he saves them money all the time too.

Ah well, nearly time to go to the station to pick him up.

Matthew's birthday tomorrow.

love Mum

----- Original Message ----

From: David Solt <david-email>

To: Tedge <tedge-email>

Sent: Saturday, 1 September, 2007 11:43:12 AM

Subject: RE: allo allo

Yeah, I know, not too much red meat. Just a little bit a few times in a week. A little goes a long way with red meat, esp. with some vitamin C (to aid absorption).

I'll move to Nana's in about 2 days time.

Oh and btw, Amanda is back now. :p

- I win.

****************

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****************

Tedge to David

Monday, 24th of September, 2007

Hi David,

I mentioned the breadmaker to Arnold yesterday & his comment was "Make sure we get them a good one, something that'll last. Something like a Panasonic. Not one of those crappy cheap ones that cooks bricks".

So I was glad to see then that you would like a Panasonic. Ive just done a bit of a search & it looks like the Panasonic SD 253 may be the one.

http://www.freenet.ltd.uk/panasonic_breadmakers.asp

But you can get back to me to confirm that. We won't buy it till we get to NZ anyway! It seems to have excellent reviews wherever you look, & has plenty of useful features. This is the one we will get when we return to live in NZ one day. Our one is getting a little tired (it has been very well used) & I would like some of those handy-dandy features.

Hi to Amanda too! I thought she was moving to Nanas soon also. Is Shane not back yet?

Not long to go till weddings now. We are getting a little frantic as there is still much to do.

Good to hear you would like to be ushers. & thanks for the official yes to attendance. Have you sorted out your invitations yet?

Has Lesley sorted out her financial issues for the wedding? After some thought & a chat with my kiwi friend over here, I feel it is best that she sorts this out herself. As I said before, someone has to pay the interest, & really it is not fair for her to expect an interest free loan from me, & for what time period? If she cant pay for the reception with a years notice, it isnt looking good for repayment. I can just see it escalating into something very stressful all round. But that she just deals with a bank if needed. Less personal. No offence to her, but lets just keep it all simple here.

But if YOU need some help with your part over & above what she is paying, then that is a different matter.

Something has gone funny with my computer keyboard just now. No punctuation except....

I used to bike from that end of Karori to work (downtown Wgtn) most days, & to uni from the top of Highbury. And back again, that was the harder part. Pouring rain, wellington wind, ice or sunshine. On a bike with no gears at first & then one with 3 gears. So Im sure it wont be a problem for you once you are all better. Oh, & I would ride my bike from work to Wellington Hospital when I was 4 months pregnant with you. "Are you resting?" they would ask. Sure, sure. I wish I was that healthy now.

Ok, better go now, things to do. Our house still looks like a bomb hit it, & I need to clear up before I can start sewing & make more mess.

See ya,

love Mum

----- Original Message ----

From: David Solt <david-email>

To: Tedge <tedge-email>

Sent: Sunday, 23 September, 2007 5:00:48 AM

Subject: RE: ahoy

kk, quick reply:

I have internet yes, I will probably see you on Skype. I also have new headphones :p

Amanda is not yet at Nana's. I like it there, but there's no chance I'd walk/bike to uni!! Far too long.. Biking is still VERY much out.

I'm not all better, I have good days and bad days. Mostly improving though.

There was a specific model of breadmaker that Amanda wanted (the same one as her grandparents). I don't know the exact model, but it's a Panasonic. It has a little thingie in the top that can be filled with seeds etc to be dropped on top.

**Amanda says, "Hi".

Yes, you have an official "Yes" we are definitely coming to the wedding (are we supposed to send a reply in a letter lol?). We'd love to be ushers.

kk and that is all.

cya

Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2007 05:47:46 -0700

From: tedge-email

Subject: Re: ahoy

To: david-email

This came back with a delivery failure message the first time, so I will try again...

Hi David,

good you have internet now. I will see you sometime on Skype.

How's it going at Nana's? How's Amanda liking it? More relaxed maybe but further to walk/bike to Varsity? Are you able to bike yet? The posture exercises sound like a good start. Something that is often ignored.

Glad to hear you are feeling better. All better or just some better? Keep up the exercise & good eating.

Yay the 95%. Doing well.

Breadmaker sounds fine, I will investigate brands/types. (I'll talk to Arnold first too) Any particular one or shall I choose? I would recommend one where you can stop & start from anywhere in the cycle; not one like ours (must be about 10 or 12 years old tho) where you can only start at the beginning. Makes it more limiting when you want to do something fancier.

We have just arrived back from nearly 2 weeks in the South of France. It was wonderful, & we begin to see how people can fall in love with France. The South feels like a totally different country than the North. People are more relaxed & open, the scenery is more spectacular, the rivers are way cleaner (you can even swim in them!!), & the weather is better. Had my first swim in the Mediterranean! Left the South with 32C during the day & got back here after midnight with 4C. Chilly! But nice to get a good nights sleep again. We were camping most nights & found that many campsites are near busy roads/railways. Hence not good sleep.

Did you enjoy dinner at G&G's? BTW, do I have an official yes for you as reply to our wedding invitation? And would you & Amanda like to be ushers? ie Welcome people as they arrive at the ceremony, give them an order of service & point them in the direction of a seat. That would be great if you would like to do that. :-)

Well we have people for dinner tonight so I need to get onto making the bread & then a roast with a salad (all from the garden) for entree. And tidy up the house. It still looks like a bomb hit it, with camping stuff all over the place. I've got through all the washing at least. All I want to do is have a sleep right now...

Talk to you later,

love Mum

----- Original Message ----

From: David Solt <david-email>

To: Tedge Solt <tedge-email>

Sent: Wednesday, 12 September, 2007 9:21:57 AM

Subject: ahoy

hihi, I now have internet installed. Just a question, have Amanda and I mentioned that we'd like a breadmaker for a wedding present :p

I've been feeling better btw.

Just did an economics test (worth 20% of my economics paper), got 95% in it!

Anyway, I'll send another, longer, email later when I have time - got to study!

cya

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Tedge to David

Friday, 5th October, 2007

kk sounds not too bad

Amanda has moved in now. I'm still having tired days and good days. I think I'm improving still. The posture stuff really does help, especially with breathing more deeply. You should seriously look into it.. Look up 'Posture makes perfect' by Dr. Vic Barker. And maybe read about the Alexander technique - don't know much about that though..

i'll send you another email sometime, go to go now

Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2007 06:09:22 -0700

From: tedge-email

Subject: Re: hihi

To: david-email

Hi David,

yup, still in France at the moment. The last email I sent to you was on the 24th september, but I hadn't had a reply so I was wondering how you were doing. (Did you get that email? Sometimes they get lost in cyberspace). Have resent just in case.

All's well here, I have turned the lounge into my temporary sewing room, & am working first on my dress for wearing to your wedding. Then I will adapt the pattern for making my wedding dress. I found in nearby Vernon the AVF (Accueil Ville France) which is mostly for welcoming new arrivals. People are indeed very friendly & welcoming. There are activities all week such as X-stitch, knitting, patchwork groups, walking groups, painting, learning italien or english, gardening, cooking, furniture re-upholstery etc etc. And sewing. The woman who runs that has bullied me into starting sewing, as I was procrastinating very well. She measured me & then started cutting out my pattern without asking me. It is all good, & now things are underway.

I am also going to the X-stitch, helping at the english (I will teach 2 mornings in Oct while the teacher is away. Volunteer work!) I will start at the painting group next week. Plus gym 3 or 4 times a week when I can fit it around everything else, & the writing group every second Thursday. Plus the occasional french lesson. Next year, after all the wedding sewing is finished, I may have time for the knitting & patchwork groups too. And maybe a walking group when I feel I am fit enough to keep up. I have started doing a cardio work-out once a week on the advise of the doctors, but it is hard going. Really needs to be 2 or 3 times a week to be effective, but its a start.

I've had headaches every day for the last week & a half after walking into the door frame with my head in the middle of the night. It got me just on my left eyebrow & above, & still hurts. This was not long after I hit the right side of my forehead on the edge of the bathroom door, the metal latch bit actually, with a force that knocked me to the other side of the room. I was leaning over to put something in the bin & stood up into the door. I was pretty dizzy after, but didn't think much of it, that is not far from normal. But the constant headaches are getting annoying.

Well I'd better get moving, still things to do.

How is Matthew? Haven't heard from him in a while, not even to thank me for birthday present. maybe he will call or email sometime...

Hope all is well, & to hear from you soon.

love Mum

----- Original Message ----

From: David Solt <david-email>

To: Tedge Solt <tedge-email>

Sent: Thursday, 4 October, 2007 7:14:45 AM

Subject: hihi

Are you still in France at the moment? I haven't got an email from you in a few days..

****************

Next message

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Saturday, 1st of September, 2026

dontcha hate it when that happens?

don't go overboard on the red meat though, its also hard on the body to process, especially the kidneys. Small portions of meat with plenty veges would be the best.

When do you move to Nana's? Is this why no internet?

love Mum

P.S. Arnold's back tomorrow morning

----- Original Message ----

From: David Solt

To: Tedge

Sent: Friday, 31 August, 2007 3:05:19 AM

Subject: RE: allo allo

Gah, computer died on me just as I was about to send..

Short reply then!

Most of that is good stuff, that I already knew, but possibly have not been doing.

I will try eat more red meat, but cook it with less/no fat.

Umm, I'll talk to Lesley about the details of the reception.

there was more in the original email, but meh. Stupid broken computers.

talk to you another time. It will be some time before I have the internet up and running, so no skype for a while.

Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 03:29:14 -0700

From: Tedge

Subject: allo allo

To: David

Hi David

did a quick google & found these recommendations below, though you have probably already done this. Also found an e-book which looks good, but isn't available as a real book. There is probably something similar out there as a book. I will look. I'd suggest you steer clear of prescription drugs if you can. Once you start taking one, it upsets the balance of your body & then you have to take another to fix the problems that caused, & then another to fix those problems. Ask me how I know!!

Diet tips

The Diet should consist of foods that will enrich the blood. Include foods rich in iron such as red meat and liver.

Foods that are hard to digest and place a strain on the body's digestive system should be avoided. Avoid fatty and fried foods.

It follows that a diet rich in fresh foods is helpful. Have plenty of fruit, especially oranges and berry fruits, pineapple and kiwi fruit, which are rich in vitamin C.

Use raw garlic in the preparation of meals and lightly cook the vegetables. Remember that cooking the food can deplete the essential nutrients e.g., vitamins, that are so essential for good health.

A light and nourishing diet which includes home-made soups is an excellent idea. Ideally, exclude all full-cream dairy products. Use non-fat milk, low fat yoghurt. (I'd actually keep clear of low-fat products, having read about how they are made, & we drink only raw milk again now. But could be tricky to find there unless you know a friendly farmer with healthy non-hormone fed cows. Mum)

Vits/mins/herbs

Nutritional supplements are only to be used if the dietary vitamin intake is inadequate.

- Folic acid may be helpful for people with Glandular Fever. Low levels of this nutrient have been found in significant numbers of people with Glandular Fever.

- Vitamin C and zinc help to boost the body's immune system which may be helpful in cases of Glandular Fever.

- Bioflavonoids derived from citrus fruits are nutrients which help to improve the action of vitamin C and help to inhibit the Glandular Fever virus.

- Vitamin A is a useful vitamin in cases, such as Glandular Fever, where the immune system may need support.

- Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia) is a herb with properties which help to enhance the immune function of the body, with particular benefit in cases of viral infection.

- Herbs such as Garlic, Ginger and liquorice root contain potent antioxidant compounds that show an antiviral activity and provide significant protection against infection.

So there's some suggestions anyway. Go now for a trip to the fruit & vege shop!! You need to make the effort, & I know its difficult when you are tired, but you have to make sure you are getting the nutrition you need, & avoiding the stuff that is harmful to you.

Also somewhere else it said plenty of whole grains. Did I tell you my breakfast at the moment? 4T oats, juice & pulp of 1 or 2 oranges, 1 grated apple with skin (wash well first if not off your own tree!), & either half a mashed banana or a chopped up peach, & then mix in a punnet (125g?) of natural live yoghurt. I've had this everyday for breakfast for a month & although I still have some tired days (like today), I have had more energy this month than in the last 2 years. I don't need to sleep half the day.

And keep on drinking your green tea!

Interestingly, you struggle with tiredness after 6.30pm? For me, if I am having an off day, it is between about 10am & 3 or 4 pm. After that I'm usually OK.

Just got an email from Arnold, he says he bought a new monitor in Chicago.19" LG monitor L1960TR. Yay, this old monitor is just a pain. I can't look at it for long without getting sore eyes & a headache.

Re the reception payment, keep me informed, but I think Lesley should be sorting it out some way. She has organised it & thus set the price for it, & should be budgeting for it. It is her choice to get laser surgery & to go to Tonga. As I said, I will help if really really necessary, but as you said the interest rates are high & this means either 1. I lose out on interest for a time (8.3%) OR 2. If we do manage to buy a house in January while we are in NZ, then WE are paying those high interest rates of which you speak! (9-10%++)

I understand Lesley is on a reasonable salary? & should therefore be able to pay as she has planned, or pay the interest if necessary. Don't say any of this to her, as we don't need any more family feuds before we are even family!! I just don't want to end up where she still can't pay it after many months. Thats not fair, I'm not a bank! And I know you said you'd pay me back if necessary, but that's hard on your finances too, when Lesley said she would pay.

I don't mind the small amount that you were saying may be over & above what Lesley said she would pay. That is different, it is helping you.

Keep up that A average, doing well!

love Mum

----- Original Message ----

From: David Solt

To: Tedge

Sent: Thursday, 30 August, 2007 5:23:36 AM

Subject: RE: not sure if this sent the first time...

I dunno why Lesley didn't take me :s Anyway, it's not too bad. I don't mind (except for missing Amanda a little bit). I don't travel well it seems (as you will have noticed).

I have improved a bit! Still fairly bad, but if I'm careful, I can last most of the day ok. I think a few months and I'll be much better. It's just a struggle from about 6:30 pm until I go to sleep. and this is with me waking up at about 9:30 in the morning :O

So I don't get a huge number of good hours out of the day at the moment.

I'm not really eating enough fresh fruit and vegetables. I usually don't end up being the one going shopping, and I've mostly run out of fresh food at Amanda's house. I try to eat fresh stuff, but it takes a bit of doing. And some stuff I just don't react well to. I'm only starting to learn which stuff that is though.. I think mince/onions/garlic isn't so good (I don't know which thing though), so that counts Lasagne and Spaghetti Bolagnase out.

I eat a big of yogurt. I think I will try to eat more fresh vegetables. Yes, the invite is pretty by the way.

In regards to the reception, I don't believe that they need payment now (I also don't know the exact amount). The reason Lesley can't manage the cost, is that she just got laser eye surgery, which I believe was paid for on credit.. I won't say anymore. She could get a loan from a bank or otherwise, but interest rates are very, very high in New Zealand at the moment. I'll find out how much the reception will cost, and when it needs to be paid.

Ugh, I hate the keyboard on this laptop.. Good thing I just bought a new ergonomic keyboard! I think it's a must-have for both me and Amanda. A little expensive though.

Anyway, I should go and study. Make sure I keep up my A average.

Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 08:03:30 -0700

From:

Subject: not sure if this sent the first time...

To:

yo yo

Thanks for the email. What, they didn't take you to Tonga with them? Probably nice for Amanda & her Mum to spend some time together anyway I guess.

Arnie is in Chicago at the moment, so I am all alone too. Feeling a little down & a bit fluey, but I'm sure it is nothing. I am going for a walk each day, & gym starts up again in a couple of weeks.

I spent the weekend with Steve & Cheryl (remember them?). It was good fun & Cheryl & I talked non-stop most of the time, & I baked Speculaas bikkies with the special spices we got in Holland. Very yummy, but I left most of them there so I wouldn't be tempted to eat them. Saved some for Arnold, but they keep looking at me "Eat me, eat me!!"

Oh well, at least we will have a few weeks of summer in the middle of European winter. We hope...

Well I'm going to pick veges from the garden now & have a healthy spinach salad & baked potato for lunch.

talk to you later,

love Mum

----- Original Message ----

From: David Solt

To: Tedge Solt

Sent: Wednesday, 29 August, 2007 9:21:06 AM

Subject: hihi

ahoyahoy

I thought I'd send you an email. I've been spending past few days (Since Sunday) looking after the house by myself. Amanda and her Mum are in Tonga.

Anyway, I should go have a bath or something, then go to sleep. Just three more days until Amanda is back.

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