In this issue

We are very fortunate to have one of the leading experts on brain science living right on our doorstep! Dr Jenny Brockis is not only a qualified medical practitioner, but also a healthy brain advocate and a best-selling author, with her latest book entitled, Future Brain: The 12 Keys to Create Your Own High-Performance Brain (Wiley).

Jenny’s understanding will help you hone your skills on how to restore motivation, passion and drive. This will enable you to function at fitter, faster and more focused levels. The conscious up-skilling of our thinking and the embedding of new healthy habits through better brain health enables us to thrive, adapt and flourish. Read more about how to improve your brain’s fitness on page 3.

For Cornel Naude, a pharmacist from Bunbury, everyday health is determined by nutrition, exercise and knowledge. Cornel recently had the good fortune of meeting the fashion icon Calvin Klein in person, and tells us all about her tete-a-tete. Tess Fraser-Grant shares her unique experience attending dynamic British singer/songwriter Adele’s Perth concert. Read about this night on the town with a difference!

The roaring sounds of prehistoric ice-age creatures will be heard in our beautiful city during April. There is however no cause for alarm as Fred and Barney from the Flintstones will be there too! Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to see magnificent Jurassic creatures up ‘close’ and to become a palaeontologist for a day.

Have a wonderful Easter filled with love, peace and happiness!
Until next time,
Suzette

Merise Magazine Description:

Merise is a digital family magazine initiated in 2011 to encourage and assist others, as well as to offer advice in facing the challenges of settling and integrating into our new community together. We talk openly about the different aspects of our lives that are under strain through the migration process – from helping our kids adjust to their new school environments, to leaving our parents behind and to changes in the dynamics of our personal relationships.

We provide valuable information about financial and visa requirements, encouraging specialists in various fields to submit articles on topics which we feel may be beneficial to our readers. Merise captures the beauty of our new countries by featuring different geographical areas in Australia and New Zealand, thereby giving would-be migrants or readers who are planning holidays or an interstate move, a better understanding of what to expect in their new domain.

Merise will become a friend to you and your family.

The ascending aircraft in the Logo is symbolic of our desire to reach for the stars. Even the name itself has meaning. By dividing the word ‘Merise e’ in two, it becomes ‘Me rise ’, accentuating our aspiration for life improvement. Merise embodies support and friendship and is such an essence in our lives that we feel inclined to personify the magazine. Merise is who we are.

It is important for Merise to support ‘her’ friends, not merely those who have recently arrived, but all expats in Australia and New Zealand who have left their home countries to find new direction ‘Down Under’.

Merise lends a hand in almost every way. Like anyone who has been through the immigration process and experienced it first hand, Merise is thoroughly aware of difficulties that may arise for both newcomers as well as experienced expats and knows how to help overcome, or should we say “survive”, these difficulties.

Merise explores different avenues and is vivacious and enthusiastic, living life to the full and is always on the lookout for new challenges and encounters. Merise's experiences and pleasures are shared with her friends, always encouraging and inspiring them.

Merise is fully bilingual and has English- as well as Afrikaans-speaking readers with whom time and information is equally shared.

It’s not that easy to find a friend as special as Merise . . .

Both versions of the English and Afrikaans editions of Merise are available on www.merisemag.com.