swine flu

dear Philip,

I just had the day off school because I had a fever in the night and another this morning. It is probably because of an ear infection that the doctor spotted yesterday when I went to see him. However today the school has rung to say one of my classmates has been diagnosed with swine flu. I only have 5 classmates. Now I am worried that we might not have enough food in the house is mummy, Juanita and I have to stay home.

love

Rose-Helene

My tartan dress with patent black belt

Dear Soi,

Thank you for this lovely dress. I especially like the belt. I wore it to school and felt very proud. Now that we have a full length mirror at home I can turn around and see myself from all angles. I have to say- it is a good sight.

I went to the doctor today and I have an infection in one ear and wax in the other. So I have two different sets of drops. I think it is still okay for me to have my bath tonight when you come,

love

Rosie XXXXXXXXXXXx

My Uncle Richard

dear Fatima,

This is my Uncle Richard. He is very nice and kind. He came to visit me with Aunty Megan. They also live in Wellington. He has two sons but they are a lot older than I am.

I had my seventh birthday party last week. We had Carolyn play guitar with music games. My teachers came from school and lots of friends came.

Lots of people are sick here now- some with the swine flu but most with other colds and flu. A bad virus is still living in Juanita's ear.

love

Rosie XXXXXXXXXXxxx

Cas stayed in my bed

dear Johnny,

Juanita has been very sick with a virus living in her ear. It meant she couldn't come and see me for most of the past two weeks. She couldn't drive because she would get dizzy. But on Thursday night she and Cas stayed over and slept in my bed. In the morning I knocked and knocked on the door but I couldn't raise her. I don't know why nobody else around here was concerned. They just kept pulling me away.

My guitar playing is getting really good. I got a new recorder for my birthday and I play duets with Carolyn when she comes.

hope to see you soon.

love you

Rosiepo XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxx

Thankyou for coming to my birthday party

Hi,

It was lovely to see you all at my party last night. After most of you had gone home, XinXin came upstairs and we played piano accordian, late in to the night.

Thankyou for the lovely cake- Aunty Rachelle. Everybody enjoyed eating it and I was able to blow out all the candles.

I have got lots of lovely presents which I will enjoy playing with and wearing and reading.

thankyou everybody,

love

Rosie

Pouring my own bath

dear Tenika,

I am excited about seeing you tomorrow. It is my birthday. Tonight I went into the bathroom and poured my own bath. I couldn't quite get the plug into the bath-tub. I also turned on the outside light for Carolyn when she left and opened the door for her. You see I am getting more competent.

I think I am getting presents tomorrow. There is gift wrap lying around the place and some bags. It is all just too exciting.

lots of love

Rosie XXXXXXXXxxxx

Birthday cake

Dear Aunty Rachelle,

It was very nice to see you this Sunday afternoon. Thankyou very much for making such a beautiful cake. I am sorry you can't come to the party. You can come next year.

See you in August,

love

Rosie XXXXXXX

Seizures

dear Aunty Tehzeeb

I am coming to see you... just kidding. I was wondering if I could still fit in the suitcase and then be placed in the overhead locker?

My seizures are gettting a bit longer each day. I think my medication will have to be changed. Today I had several at school for more than 20 seconds each. It doesn't sound long I know.

lots of love

Rosie XXXXXX

Hiding

dear Julie,

It will be very nice to see you soon. Mummy is back from Pakistan. She didn't like the bombs.

In the weekend I went to Rongotea with daddy to see my sister Lara. I played with my nephew, Mowgli and my niece, Greta.

Greta and I played on the top bunk. She let me be the leader in the UPPPPP and DOWWWNN game.

love

Rosiepo XXXXXX

Dahlias

dear Grandma Stella,

I just seem to get a lot of dahlia photos from Islamabad. You would think that there would be some people there too!

It was very nice to see you and to play on the swing with you while you smoke. I am perfecting the action as I think it looks a little stylish. I can do the puffing bit but no one is providing the cigarettes and matches :(

love

Rosie XXXXXXXXXXXXx

Flowers in Islamabad

dear Kelly,

This is another photo of a flower - this one is from Islamabad. It is a dahlia. It is very hot there at the moment. It is too hot for mummy and so she is coming home. She told me so on skype today.

That is good news and even better news is that she will be here for my birthday now.

love Rosie XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Orchids

dear Mummy,

It was very exciting to skype with you today. Thankyou for the photo of the flower from Thailand.

How is Islamabad? Is it very hot?

This weekend Glenda and Stella came to stay and I got to go to Isabella's place. It was her first birthday. We also went to Te Papa.

Come home soon so that I can go to sleep on the couch watching TV with you,

lots of love

Rosiepo XXXXXXXXXXXXXXx