Thanks podlings for all your votes for us at the 2008 South African Blog Awards. We did well this year and came 6th place in the Best South African Podcast category. When you consider just how many great podcast there are out there, we are humbled by your support.

In fact the competition was so hot that 123listen2me is heading for some cool relaxation, family time and skiing in North America (to recover). To help us along, we translate “its cold” into foreign languages. After all it is always a useful conversation “ice breaker” to be able to complain about the weather….

In 123 Global Podnews, Sarah interviews Greg, a real South African boytjie. He tells us about what life is like for kids in South Africa, a bit about himself. Greg is a real cool cat, with aspirations of becoming a podcaster himself.

After a short musical treat (well we hope it is a treat), Sarah “The Movie Critic” returns to review “The Spiderwick Chronicles”. We are pulled into another world full of fairies and other magical creatures. Don’t mess around with Goblins is our conclusion.

We are really hoppy that an old friend has returned to entertain our younger Podlings. Enjoy part one of “Robert the Rabbit and the Baby Elephant.

Don’t forget to call in or email us with your answer to our competition. We will write a short poem especially for the winner, so what are you waiting for?

All this, plus jokes to keep you smiling while we are on April break.

Don’t forget to phone and leave us a message either on our voice comment line – (+1 if you are not in the US) (650) 452-6166, or Skype at the_123listen2me_girls (you can leave a message there too). You can email us at 123listen2me. We love to hear from you.

This is our "Save The Ellies Edition" - we have an important message from South Africa about Elephants and dangerous ways to go about conservation. In Podcast #36 we start a discussion around the South African National Parks plan for managing the size of the Elephant population in the Kruger National Park.

Our word to translate in this podcast is “Ivory”, and in VocabWise, we discuss the meaning of “Controversial” and “Conservation”. As you will hear all three are really important to the Kruger Elephants.

We have a great interview with South African animal rights activist Michelle Pickover. Michelle tells Sarah all about her objections to the Elephant Management Plan. It’s really an eye-opener and we hope the beginning of an important discussion on 123 Listen 2 Me about what we can all do to help the elephants.

Great News!!! Yippeeeee. We made it into the top ten of South African podcasts and now the race is on and we really need your vote. To encourage you to vote, we present another topical poem by Kevin called: “Save 123 Listen 2 Me and the Heffalumps.”

Here is how you vote:

Step 1: go to SA Blog Awards 2008
Step 2: Scroll down to the category of Best SA Podcast and click next to 123Listen2Me
Step 3: At the bottom of the page, type in your email address and the security code and submit – it’s as easy as 1-2-3 ;-)
Step 4: You will then receive an email with a confirmation link that you must click to confirm your vote.
Step 5: Please tell all your friends to vote for us too ;-)

You have exactly one week left to vote.

All this plus Elephant Fun Facts, Elephant Jokes and a very special musical message from Nina to the Elephants.

To get in touch with us leave us a message on o (+1) (650) 452-6166 or email us at 123listen2me.
Our Skype address is: the_123listen2me_girls
We love to hear from you.

Animal Rights Africa - The Petition: Animal Rights Africa

Our Podcast on Zoopy: Elliecast #36

Vote for 123 Listen 2 Me: SA Blog Awards 2008

Nominations Phase: 11-22 Feb
Finals Phase: 3-14 March

In this very special edition Sarah makes her debut as a Blues singer. Talent scouts – you can leave us a message at 123listen2me@gmail.com! Find out what we do when the power goes out and how YOU can propel 123 Listen 2 Me into the top rank of South African podcasts.

With a 1 and a 2 and a 1,2,3
Come on everyone and listen2me
With stories, jokes and sometimes prizes
Its full of fun and some surprises

It’s just for kids like you and me
Just plug it in – and 1,2,3
A world for children’s waiting there
Around the world for all to share

Two young ladies host the show
Sarah, Nina you’ll soon know
They’re heard in London and in Rome
They’ll bring the podcast to your home

The race is one – so 1,2,3
Try our podcast – Listen2me
Let’s finish on a winning note
Get out there now and cast your vote

So, give us your vote in the category: “Best SA Podcast” by going to the South African Blog Awards 2008 website. Here is what you do:

Step 1: go to SA Blog Awards 2008
Step 2: Scroll down to the category of Best SA Podcast
Step 3: Type in www.123listen2me.com
Step 4: In the Reason field – say why you love us

You will also need to nominate blogs in at least two other categories:
If you already have favorite South African blogs, great. If not, we really like:
• www.Cherryflava.com (Best SA Technology Blog)
• www.southafricablog.co.za/ (Best Travel Blog)

Step 6: At the bottom of the page, type in your email address and the security code and submit – it’s as easy as 1-2-3 ;-)
Step 7: You will then receive an email with a confirmation link that you must click to confirm your vote.
Step 8: Please tell all your friends to vote for us too ;-)

To get in touch with us leave us a message on o (+1) (650) 452-6166 or email us at 123listen2me.
Our Skype address is: the_123listen2me_girls
We love to hear from you.

Load-shedding Blues - The Song: Load-shedding Blues

The 123Listen2Me Girls wish you all a happy and fun 2008.

It’s summer here and we spent an action packed holiday scouting out some great sight seeing tips for those Podlings eager to visit South Africa. You will get the scoop on Cape Town, where to swim with penguins and what it is like at the “end of the world”. You will hear about our hike to visit modern day cave people near the Golden Gate Highlands National Park (that’s in South Africa for you California Podlings). We finish off our travelogue cuddling with cheetahs and walking with lions. Six weeks of non-stop adventure.

Ever heard a Cheetah purring like crazy? Well, we have a live recording from our visit to the Research And Breeding Centre For Endangered Species. You can hear more about the Cheetah breeding program in our interview with the manager and a ranger.

In Vocabwise today you will discover that words are not quite what they seem. For instance, Taxonomist has nothing to do with taxis or taxes and Primatologist is not the male version of a Prima Donna (that’s Opera Podlings!) .

How do you tell a male giraffe from a female giraffe and why are their horns so bent? Did you know that cheetahs wear sunglasses, or that they can get to 60 before a Ferrari? They have also discovered the best way to keep their nails trimmed. Listen in to Fun Facts Podlings and you will win that trivia contest….

All this, plus jokes in Sarah and Nina’s chuckle corner will leave you grinning from ear to ear at the end of Podcast #34.

Don’t forget to phone and leave us a message on our voice comment line – (+1 if you are not in the US) (650) 452-6166 or email us at 123listen2me.
Our Skype address is: the_123listen2me_girls
You can leave us a message there too. We love to hear from you.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, have a great festive season whatever you celebrate and all the best for 2008.

In Podcast #33 we mix some serious subjects with holiday songs. Sarah interviews a friend who talks about conservation, her bush camp, a trip to Rwanda to see the Mountain Gorillas and a disappointing trip to Thailand to volunteer at the Tiger Temple. A fascinating interview with our special guest Caroline.

Podcasting Rules, OK! 5th and 6th graders from Canada are becoming famous. We tell you all about a school in Ottawa who have discovered podcasting and are doing a great job. Check them out at: Portable Radio. What a great way for school kids to learn and have fun – why don’t you try? Make 2008 your entry into the 21st century Podlings!

More holiday songs, plus some really great jokes in Sarah and Nina’s chuckle corner means that Podcast 33 will carry you into the new year smiling.

Don't forget to get in touch by email at 123listen2me or on Skype at the_123listen2me_girls, where you can leave a message too!

We always love to hear from you.

Mosetlha: The Bush Camp

Wild birthdays, wild animals, wild guests, wild time at school, and ... wild dogs (well spoiled anyway). So dear podlings have no fear, the 123 Girls are still here!

In Podcast #32 we tell you all about Sarah's big TEN celebration. Picture this.... sugared up Halloween witches singing Highschool Musical Karaoke.... SCARY!

We gave thanks for all our good friends, family and Podlings at a Thanksgiving Feast South African style. Listen up and you can learn how to say "thanks" in lots of languages.

Back by popular demand, we review a great new CD released by the Children's Group, publishers of the Classical Kids series. Follow Peggy's Violin as it flits through time like a Butterfly, from when it was made in Milan in 1700 to it's current owner in 21st Century Canada.

Sarah will share her "best book ever" (for this month at least). She covers the Dos and Don'ts of baby-sitting, cheerleading cheers, boy fashion choices, descriptions of different girl types, and also how to help a boy avoid extreme embarrassment.

All this, plus some really great jokes in Sarah and Nina's chuckle corner will leave you grinning at the end of Podcast #32.

Don't forget to leave us a message. Email us at 123 Listen 2 Me (123listen2me@gmail.com)

Our Skype address is: the_123listen2me_girls.

WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

We've been halfway round the world - but as they say: "Love to travel but there is no place like home" so we've jetted back to bring you Podcast #31!

Wondering where we have been all this time? Well, some podlings were - and so on this long weekend in South Africa (Heritage Day) - the "123 Listen 2 Me Girls" are back - podcasting from Johannesburg to the world.

Life is just busy. AND WE MEAN BUSY! It's third term at school and on top of normal schoolwork we've had to study for music exams. One down - one to go - wish us luck! Listen up and Sarah will give you a little taste of her flute skills. No - stop - don't run away! Oh! It's the earplugs you are getting.

In our foreign language section we will teach you an extremely useful phrase that you can use with any international airline travel. I guess there is no such thing as a free lunch.

In Vocabwise we will equip you with words useful for sleepless little ones and bookworms. Don't forget to show of your new words and amaze your friends.

"A flea and a fly, flew up in a flue. Said the flee "Let us fly!" said the fly, "Let us flee!" So they flew through a flaw in the flue." Is your tongue twisted yet? Well, the "123 Listen 2 Me Girls" present other opportunities to twist your tongue.

All this, plus Sarah and Nina's chuckle corner, equals a twisting and turning Podcast #31.

So, don't forget to leave us a message at 123listen2me@gmail.com

Our Skype address is: the_123listen2me_girls

We love to hear from you.

Quick.... the Hogwarts Express is ready to leave from 123 Listen 2 Me Platform 9 and ¾, so jump on and join us in Podcast #30 - the quintessential Harry Potter Episode

Alohomora! It is HP week - FINALLY! A new book and a new movie - does it get better than this? At 123 Listen 2 Me the excitement is so high that we didn’t need Wingardium Leviosa to lift us into the air!

Think you can cast a spell to get yourself out of a tight corner? Can you charm a Mandrake? We test you Harry Potter Fans with questions that Hogwarts 5th formers need to know for their charms and spells OWLs.

We translate “Harry Potter” and – HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED - into different languages – and in Vocabwise, we stupefy you with “Incantation” and “Apparate”.

In 123 Global Podnews – our special guest is no less than Hermione Granger …. well, the real live Hermione Granger voice for EA video games. How cool is that! Harper Marshall shares some juicy tidbits with us –yummy!

Did you know what the ennervate charm is? Which charm would you use to cause people to freeze for a few minutes? Why would you eat chocolate frogs? Stay tuned – and we will reveal all in our Harry Potter Funfacts.

And last but not least - Hear Part 2 of Robert’s newest adventure: Robert the Rabbit and the Circus in Town. From potential snake snack to hero – no messing around with “Wobbert”!

All this, plus Sarah and Nina’s tummy ticklers in the chuckle corner, equals a magical Podcast #30.

So, don't forget to phone and leave us a message on our voice comment line – (+1 if you are not in the US) (206) 203-0906 or email us at 123 Listen 2 Me (123listen2me@gmail.com).

Our Skype address is: the_123listen2me_girls

You can leave us a message there too. We love to hear from you.

Australopithecines, Hominids, Little Foot and Mrs. Ples - do you know who your ancestors are?

Dig it Podlings! In our 123 Listen 2 Me Archeology episode coming to you from the Cradle of Humankind, we dig into our past to find out who our ancestors really are. We meet two new friends - Mrs. Ples and Little Foot - two famous australopithecine fossils - AUSTRALO - WHO? WHAT?

Our guide from Sterkfontain cave gives us some great insight into how Little Foot might have ended up in the cave. Was Little Foot being pursued by a Sabre Tooth cat? There is still a lot to be discovered as the excavations continue.

We learn how to translate "cave" into different languages and in Vocabwise, our words of the podcast are "Evolution" and "Paleontologist".

Did you know why the hair stands up on the back of our necks? Do you know where the word Dinosaur comes from? What do you think prehistoric people ate? You won't believe how old we are... you can find out all about it in Funfacts.

Hey! HE'S BACK! We know you missed him. Is that a snake we hear slithering up behind Robert? Will he become snake snack? Hear Part 1 of Robert's new adventure: Robert the Rabbit and the Circus in Town.

All this, plus great jokes in the chuckle corner, equals a fun Podcast #29.

Don't forget to get in touch by phone on our voice comment line +1 (206) 203-0906, by email at 123listen2me or on Skype at the_123listen2me_girls, where you can leave a message too! We always love to hear from you....they don't call us "the_listen2me_girls" for nothing!

Hola I Benvingut - welcome to 123 Listen 2 Me Podcast #28 coming to you from sunny (if ccccold this week) South Africa.

This is a very musical episode Podlings, and just wait til you hear all the great sounds we have in store for you!
As you know, the 123 Girls are always on the move... and this podcast is no different. We will tell you about our trip to Pretoria where Nina performed in her first Suzuki Concert.

Sarah will tell you all about school assemblies and will delight you with a few of her choir songs.

To help you train those vocal cords for your next performance, we translate "sing" into different languages.

Our Vocabwise section is back! This time we explore the meaning of Dubious and Invigorating, very useful when describing the (dubious) benefits of cold (but invigorating) South African winter days.

Our Funfacts for this podcast will be music to your ears. We will tell you about the longest song title, share some Beatles trivia and tell you where you can find the oldest musical intruments, so turn up the volume! Yeah Baby!

Our 123 Global Podnews comes to you today from Catalunya. Antonia tells us about life in the countryside, and what kids do for fun there. If you would like to tell us what it is like where you live, please let us know.

To wrap up we say thanks to all our Podlings for voting for us at the SA Blog awards, and close with a special Thank You song.

All this, plus great puns and jokes in the Chuckle Corner, equals a fun Musical Podcast #28.

Don't forget to get in touch by phone on our voice comment line +1 (206) 203-0906, by email at 123listen2me or on Skype at the_123listen2me_girls, where you can leave a message too! We always love to hear from you....they don't call us "the_listen2me_girls" for nothing!