It's a bit of a blue week in "Paradise". Firstly a wave of misery- struck humanity has encamped themselves on the ocean's edge due to criminals who hide behind the term "xenophobia" to bully fellow Africans into believing they are a menace and unwelcome in the "Rainbow Nation". Men women and children are now homeless and distraught because of the warped opinions of citizens of this country who acted on jealousy and greed to terrorise these people into believing they should leave. As the world is, I believe, mostly inhabited by good people, there is a mass of sympathy and support for the victims, both by the government and the man in the street.

I am upset because these good people are no different to anyone else, except that they built up businesses and managed to eke out a living in a harsh world where we all start with nothing and die with even less. Unfortunately there are always going to be people who act on differences, whether it be looks, popularity, brains or simply one's birthright. What is birthright? Simply rules made by civilised communities. Unfortunately that right is misused. We all have a right to be born, be safe and happy and live in a non-judgemental society where everyone belongs. An uncivilised society does not have law and order. When laws are made and not upheld we are going backwards. If I could rule the world, (haha), there would be a law against discrimination of any kind. Of course laws are supposed to uphold a basic human right, in theory but in practise, we all operate under our own set of laws. If a person dares to be different, he or she is immediately sidelined. The "fear of rejection" is the key to conformity. Conformity is an unwritten law and it exists!

I am celebrating another year of life this week. Unfortunately I am not partial to switching into an over the top party mood, in fact my birthday always makes me a bit depressed. I think back to happier times, when my family was bigger and my mother was alive. I have been missing her more that any other time of the year. We have been so incredibly busy too and as a result more accident prone. I injured my nose after tripping on some steps on Sunday evening whilst finishing a day's chores and that was the last straw. On Monday I went to work feeling very self-conscious, but the show had to go on. Everything mechanical is breaking down in the house, all part of a topsy turvy week, where all I can think of are those poor displaced families. My life is easier, but again, how easy it is to become the brunt of hatred and ostracism.

We are supposed to celebrate life and be thankful for what we've got, but there is something missing. If we could truly celebrate our differences all the time in a true and meaningful way, then life for everyone could be a party. Oh well, I'll have a pretend party in "Paradise" and everyone is welcome. Enjoy life! Love from Eve