Of all forms of courage the ability to laugh is the most...

There is nothing quite like a deep, down, tummy laugh when things get challenging.


I remember during matric when pressure was at breaking point meeting up with my friends for a 'study sesh' ended up being one, big fat laugh sesh. I'd say it was the therapy we all needed to let off a bit of steam and then head back to our books.


Laughing apparently has benefits of achieving a toned tummy, let's roll! 

Calm down people, let's take it slow

It's that time of year again, when I can't believe that Christmas decorations are already bursting out of shops. It makes me want to say; 'calm down people, let's take it slow'. Don't get me wrong I love the festive season other than the packed shopping malls but my festive feeling can't really start in October, it's a tad early. What will be a bit different this year is that I'll be in Thailand up until 2 days before Christmas so who know maybe I'll miss the large gold, green and red balls hanging in the malls.

Take something away, then you appreciate it.

Over the last couple of months I have been getting stuck into trail running. It something I never would have thought I’d enjoy as much as I do. The runners rush is indeed a reality. Sadly I have hurt my (complicated name) muscle in my foot so have booked off by the Physiotherapist to run for a while and I genuinely can’t wait to get back on the trail. For someone who felt exercise was too sore this is a real revelation. This got me thinking about one of my favourite little quotes - It's true we don't know what we've got until it’s gone, but we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.

The statute of limitations has expired on most of our childhood traumas.

Girls only schools can be a mean place to be. My brief experience of a girls only primary school I would say, is likely to be my most harrowing childhood experience. Many would say that I’m likely that I got away so lightly ,in terms of traumatic childhood experiences. I like the way that guys are so much simpler than girls, when there’s an issues it’s sorted out with a punch or two and then resolved and forgotten, with young girls it’s another story. Oh, yes I have overcome the small -made- big dramas from my long ago primary school days, mainly because I’m now close friends with those who made life difficult. Funny how life works out. 

Only bad things happen quickly - naat

I would agree that bad food can be cooked quickly such as fast food but Jamie Oliver would probably disagree with me as his 5 minute meals are likely to be out of this world. A quick decision under pressure can lead to a hugely positive result but then again there can lead to complete disasters. The quick decision I made to drive all the way to Plettenberg Bay this weekend resulted in an amazing weekend so not all bad things happen quickly.

The Beacon for the weekend!

A last minute timeshare offer at the Beacon Isle lead to a spontaneous decision to pack my bags and head off I went to Plettenberg Bay.  What a fabulous time so far, we arrived to a gorgeous sea facing room and superb weather. Today I have literally spent the whole day on a deck chair, reading my book and ordering drinks with a dip in the sea every now and then.  I could get use to a week of this once a year as most timesharers get to enjoy. 

Last minute plans so often are where one has the best time!

 

Be Bold and Mighty Forces will come to your aid

I can think of opposite times when this statement applies, when I have been bold and when I have been too fearful to be bold. The times in my life which stand out as being life changing experiences have been when I have put on my ‘bold hat’. My ‘bold hat’ I’m sure will need to come out of my closet on a regularly basis soon, as I begin my career and need to make bold decisions and be confident in my abilities. My bold decision to change schools half way through Grade 11. lead to a whole lot of positive changes in my life and friendships which have changed so many aspects in my life. 

The Walk

I wonder and I walk, clearing the pebbles, walking between the boulders in attempt to see the view. I can see the tops of the sunrays but the hills block my sight, I walk on as I’m almost there.

The wind blows my hair in my face as it tries to block my view, the glorious green jungle tugs at my angles pulling me back.

How can this be the right path? I’m sure I saw the sign pointing this way.

The challenging steep climb is seemingly endless but then I see it, I see what I’ve been longing for..

First glimpse of summer...

Gotta love the first glimpse of summer, white winter kissed body an all! 

Yesterday I had my first beach bum session for the summer at the gorgeous Llandudno beach. The beach was packed people were sandwiched between the sea and the reeds, everyone with the same ideas as me enjoying the October rays. 

This summer will have a bit of a exciting twist as it'll be shared between a South African and Thailand summer. To good times!

The (My) Last Lecture

I could refer to Andy Pausch’s Last Lecture speech for this blog post, which I do think is phenomenally insightful but I’m going to go wild and talk about my upcoming ‘lasts’.

I use to say that I need at least one thing to look forward to whether it be a beach holiday, end of term party or getting a new hair ‘do’.  I was so looking forward to finishing high school and leaping into creating a life for myself as a university student. It feels like within a blink of an eye I wrote my last matric exam and sang the school song for the last time. I have very fond memories of high school it really was the ‘shizz’ so I kind of regret trying to wish the days along.

So now that that’s a crazy 5 years behind me and I’m heading towards my last lecture at CPUT and all those ‘lasts’  at school are coming to mind.  With the present work load it’s hard not want to hurry up the time but seeing my Tech ladies almost every day is something that’ll undoubtedly miss so I’m not counting down the ‘lasts’ just yet. 

Watch this SpAce

In a matter of weeks I’ll be in a new phase of my life. Studying my PR Btech will be over and stressful assignments and presentations will be a thing of the past. The next thing on the menu will be the job search, applications and interviews. Hopefully not too many before I find what makes me tick! So many life lessons are ahead which I find quite scary. My fellow pupils and I all come from the same institution which has equipped us with a certain set of skills but how we use them and where we go will, most likely, be completely different. I will be fascinated to see where everyone is 10 years from now. 

Groupon, MyCityDeal, Big Daddy Deals and You Deal addict

I'd say it was safe to say that I'm a Groupon, MyCityDeal, Big Daddy Deals and You Deal addict. I've been able to do very non student budget friendly things because of their enormously reduced vouchers. I find it quite a delight to check my Blackberry while I'm still waking up and see what treats are on offer from these various discount platforms.  So far I have enjoyed dinners at larny restaurants, my hair coloured and done at top hair salons (a few times), amazing presents for friends, not having to put off having a car service,  spa treatments to name a few.  Thank goodness I have to ask to borrow my parents credit cards otherwise this could be a danger zone for me, I'm a sucker for a good deal!

Soccer Mom for a week

Living the dream. Well one of them. This past week I played Mom for four kids. My week was revolved around waking up super early to lift the kids, not before grapping a Nespresso from the coffee machine, shopping at Woolworths, driving the Mom's Mercedes Benz Compressor and enjoying gorgeous meals made by the house keeper Celi, at the ring of the 6pm dinner bell. I could get use to being a Soccer Mom but right now the freedoms of being a student, even on a shoe string budget are pretty attractive ;) 

My favourite Cat in the Hat book is actually not by Dr. Seuss its ‘Where’s Wally ‘

Countless hours were spent looking for Wally in my Where’s Wally books.  The different eras and worlds were fascinating to me and drew me into the make believe world. A few weeks back I was looking after my little cousins and went into the dusty shed to find the box with my old childhood books, to keep them entertained. Interestingly enough my very well worn Where’s Wally book was by far their favourite, so I decided to handover my beloved Where’s Wally book. Sharing the joy! 

Inspired by Ellie Goulding...

Do I expect too much, am I unreasonable?  Am I like a writer deciding the words that you say?  Am I disappointed because you don’t follow what I think you should say and do. It’s too hard to ask won’t you try to help me.  I keep telling myself that you are human and I’m not an artist, I can’t make you out of clay. 

Why I have conversations.

Some conversations can be like food and drink; refreshing and invigorating. Conversation can build you up and take the weight of ten bricks off your shoulders.  I like these kinds of conversations but life seems to be made up of many types of conversations ones that give you wings and ones that break you down.  Fundamental memories in my life revolve around certain conversation s I have had with people. I see conversations as what connects people it’s the foundation of any relationship.

Over commited

Life can feel overwhelming in no time when too many commitments are made. I am having an overload, commitment-wise time at the moment. I realised how frazzled I was when yesterday I forgot to bring my passport to the travel agency to pay for my flight to Thailand before it was cancelled, due to this forgetfulness my flight was cancelled and that specific flight special never to be seen again. To add to my bad day I forgot about an appointment which I had to book months in advance to get a spot. Sheesh!!  Serious bad day material!!   Then I had to gather up the strength to have a serious DMC (deep meaningful conversation) with a friend to clear up some issues. The conversation was actually great and things resolved so at least my wreck of a Wednesday ended on a sweet note.

Bucket list

The first 15 things that come to mind when I think of my bucket list:

1.       Make a life changing positive impact on someone or some people.

2.       Stay on a tropical island where I need to walk along a jettie to get to my cabana

3.       Have a child or several

4.       Swim with dolphins

5.       Go to Fiji

6.       Own a long haired Daschund

7.       Own a Minnie Cooper

8.       Run the Two Oceans Marathon

9.       Take a sauna in Finland and rolling in the snow

10.   Have a personal stylist

11.   Travel to Lesotho

12.   Have a cycling holiday in Provence

13.   Travel throughout Thailand

14.   Take a Thai cooking course

15.   Live in a tree house

Pending

My life at the moment feels like one bit pending experience:

I'm waiting to hear if I've got into the first round of interviews for next years graduate programmes.

I'm waiting to hear if we are going to move to Tokai from Claremont not.

I'm waiting for my boyfriend to come home from overseas.

I'm waiting for my friends nest egg to arrive so that we can book our overseas trip.

I'm waiting for my gym sessions to show some results.

Although that sounds like an annoying place to be with all the waiting, the anticipation is in fact exciting!

My big fat BIG dream

I dream of a job that I can’t wait to get to in the morning and a beautiful home and family that I can’t wait to get to in the afternoon. My dream is to live in a place which is near mountains and the sea. My dream is filled with freedom and love where I have time to really live and experience all the goodness that life has to offer. 

My dream is to always be able to be genuine and honest and to do what I love to my best ability in all aspects of life.

My dream is that at the end of my life my regrets are few that I can undoubtedly say that my use of life was spent on something that will outlast it.