I was awake early this morning, early enough to watch the dawn breaking over the sea, first a sliver of light, and then as the sun rose across the ocean its reflection looking like an enormous fire ball........ almost two beautiful and to bright to watch for long........ I watched as the few remaining clouds left behind from yesterday were burnt up with the heat of the sun. I watched as huge tankers left the harbour and headed out into the open sea................ going to far off lands, back to love ones....... or not....... it made me think of how we really need to embrace life......... not just to exist........ we need to embrace the gift of every day and fill it the fulfilling of dreams........ and desires.
I wanted an early start to the day but to get two teenage girls, my daughter and her friend ready to go out is an adventure in its self...... the problem is the mirror......... there is an enormous one in the lounge and it has a magnetic attraction for these two girls........We started the day with a trip to the harbour and watched a few, massive ships coming in and going out of the harbour, we watched some being loaded and off loaded you really just cannot comprehend how big these ships are........ we saw a beautiful luxury cruiser, obviously owned by someone very, very wealthy............. now it would have been nice going for a cruise on that......... the cruise boats available looked a "little" worse for wear and so we decided to give that a miss.
We went along the beach front, and had a drink at one of the beach front hotels, we then went on a Rickshaw ride which was really funny, I think if I had spent a little more time at the gym, we could have gone just a little bit faster............
We went for lunch at an amazing beach front restaurant which had a live reggae band playing..... very loud...... I could feel the beat......... beating in my chest............ the music was good the bands players were a concern......... I cannot begin to think what could have been hiding in those Bob Marley hair styles........................
We then went to Ushaka World....... an aquarium or I think they call it an oceanarium ............ amazing ...... the whole thing is underground in what looks like a ship wreck, some of those fish are amazing, to see the sharks,sting rays, turtles centimeters away from you to see there teeth and know what they are capable of........... really scary.............
Then to my niece for afternoon tea.......... pizza.............. and everyone is ready for bed........ what an amazing day.............. the end of day two........................
A journey into changing who you are, so you can find true peace with your life
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Sea, Sand and Sun
This is a long weekend for us, Tuesday is a public holiday so we took a days leave on Monday and headed for the ocean..............
We were up at 3.30am and on the road for 4.30 am, my family thought I had lost my mind, but the earlier we arrived the more time we would have exploring...... for most of the journey it was drizzling with rain, the first two hours were really dark.... with only the twinkle of a farm house light breaking the darkness............ the dawn broke just after 6 o'clock, but with the rain it really did little to improve the driving conditions.
The roads were full of trucks, and we saw a couple of bad accidents involving trucks the drivers had obviously fallen asleep at the wheel and lost control as no other vehicles were involved. Van Reenens Pass at the foot of the Drakensberg was covered in mist.... and I must admit...... rain and mist make for a scary trip.............. I was worried that the rain would follow us all the 550 kilometers to the sea, but about 500 kilometers away from home the rain stopped. As we took the South Coast road and headed for the flat we had hired, we landed in the middle of approx. 100 Harley Davidson motorbikes that were on the way to a rally............. as if we had not had a stressful enough trip. On a three lane highway they decided to use the middle lane, driving two a breast each on the white line, it made driving very dangerous, and I held my breath every time we passed one and they have the cheek to say that cars are not considerate enough............
In spite of everything we arrived safe and sound, off loaded our bags, had a cup of tea and headed for the beach ............... there is something about the ocean............ that is relaxing and cleansing............... it helps to put things back in to perspective, clears the mind and warms the . spirit..................... even though the waves were really high and the ocean was just white with the force of the waves breaking, all the no swimming signs were up as the currents were just too strong............. we took a walk up the beach for an ice cream ........ after which we discovered we would have to come back the long scenic route via the road as the tide had come in, and the river we had crossed was now one with the sea............
Had a lazy afternoon, reading.............. the 4.30 start really affecting everyone............ and then we went out for supper, good food good company.......... what an amazing day one of our long weekend............................
We were up at 3.30am and on the road for 4.30 am, my family thought I had lost my mind, but the earlier we arrived the more time we would have exploring...... for most of the journey it was drizzling with rain, the first two hours were really dark.... with only the twinkle of a farm house light breaking the darkness............ the dawn broke just after 6 o'clock, but with the rain it really did little to improve the driving conditions.
The roads were full of trucks, and we saw a couple of bad accidents involving trucks the drivers had obviously fallen asleep at the wheel and lost control as no other vehicles were involved. Van Reenens Pass at the foot of the Drakensberg was covered in mist.... and I must admit...... rain and mist make for a scary trip.............. I was worried that the rain would follow us all the 550 kilometers to the sea, but about 500 kilometers away from home the rain stopped. As we took the South Coast road and headed for the flat we had hired, we landed in the middle of approx. 100 Harley Davidson motorbikes that were on the way to a rally............. as if we had not had a stressful enough trip. On a three lane highway they decided to use the middle lane, driving two a breast each on the white line, it made driving very dangerous, and I held my breath every time we passed one and they have the cheek to say that cars are not considerate enough............
In spite of everything we arrived safe and sound, off loaded our bags, had a cup of tea and headed for the beach ............... there is something about the ocean............ that is relaxing and cleansing............... it helps to put things back in to perspective, clears the mind and warms the . spirit..................... even though the waves were really high and the ocean was just white with the force of the waves breaking, all the no swimming signs were up as the currents were just too strong............. we took a walk up the beach for an ice cream ........ after which we discovered we would have to come back the long scenic route via the road as the tide had come in, and the river we had crossed was now one with the sea............
Had a lazy afternoon, reading.............. the 4.30 start really affecting everyone............ and then we went out for supper, good food good company.......... what an amazing day one of our long weekend............................
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Cafe Le Paris
Cafe Le Paris
We really wanted it to be authentic, so we "built" a road on one side of the hall, with black plastic sheeting, I mean what would a French cafe be, without a road, and pushed all the little tables and chairs to one side, we put up umbrella's , and to make it look French we put bottles of grape juice on the tables with wine glasses ................. and we named our Cafe....... Cafe Le Paris...........
We were expecting about 40 ladies.................... and at 2.00pm they slowly started to trickle in............ I had asked one of the youth of the church to "busk" for me and every now and again he would come through the hall singing and playing his guitar, it really did help to set the ambiance, French music was a problem, I hate downloading music, because those sites are normally full of virus's so we went with instrumental music in the back ground.............
I put on my best French accent and acted as MC for the afternoon......... it was such fun we started off with a talk about the inner woman............ and how beauty really does come from the inside....... how when we look in the mirror, we need to recognise the fact that we are "fearfully made by God in his image".................... and he loves us just the way we are........ WOW............ We then had lunch a platter of different cheeses with French bread, to be broken off and eaten in the true French Style................ it was a blessing to see the ladies really enjoying one another's company, how often is it that we take time for ourselves, take time to enjoy some piece and quiet from our children and take time to sit and have coffee enjoy each others company ............ and at the same time be motivated and inspired............
Then we had a stylist called Sandra Taljaard, who came to do a talk about the outer woman, well it was amazing, I don't think I have laughed so much in ages, in fact I laughed so much that when she was finished I could not get my French accent back..........
We got some amazing fashion tips................ not expensive ones that cost a fortune to execute... she spoke about only buying clothes in 3 or 4 colours so that every item can mix and match, she spoke about layering, shirts over shirts to get completely different looks, she spoke about the use of scarfs and handbags and shoes, some of which were really not designed for walking in, and should only be used for sitting in................. she spoke about no matter what you wear you must have on or carry something with a WOW factor................ she spoke about how starting underneath the clothes is the best way to ensure that clothes fit properly................ so throw away all that holey underwear........... and those stretched bras.....................
Her fashion "NO NO's", were ................... getting out of the car, and removing underwear from your "crack"..... bending over and seeing underwear or having a top to low that your "endowment" slips out when you bend forward , she spoke about our "panic buttons", (nipples) and how you should never see them and if it is a like of yours to show them off, all least make sure they are both pointing in the same direction........ and her favorite one, you always dress..... even if you are at home, throw away the bleach stained shirts you wear for around the house, throw away the tracksuit pants held up with pins........... and throw away or fix........... anything with a hole in................ she then showed us how to make 26 outfits out of 8 items of clothing and a few scarfs.............
And for me her big tip of the day.......... when you go outside of your house.............. you are making a public appearance.................... never be ashamed of what you are wearing and never apologise for what you are wearing........... or you should not be wearing it anyway...............
We ending the afternoon with tea and cake ............ we had some giveaways............. and then when everyone was gone............ we were left with the dishes and the tidying up........... again............ and I find myself asking........... why exactly do I do this.............. and then the theme for the next tea starts to take shape................... "Musical Chairs"............ mmmmmmmmm.... lots of posibilities what can I say I am an events organising junkie.............
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Indawo Yosizo
I am sure that you are all wondering what Indawo Yosizo means......... it means "Centre of Help" and it is an amazing place filled with dedicated people, whose main objective is to make a difference to those in need, and I must say I am humbled by the fact that I am part of this amazing organisation.
Although they are involved in many projects, my passion is the children, mainly because they didn't have a choice about there birth, they didn't ask to live in poverty, they didn't ask to be orphans, we mainly deal with those children who are affected and infected by HIV/Aids, and I really don't think that people are aware of how this pandemic is destroying the lives of millions of people, I am not just talking about the people who are dying I am talking about the children who are left behind to fend for themselves, I am talking about the 13-18 year old children who are left to raise their brothers and sisters because their parents are gone, I am talking about children who don't eat everyday who sometimes only eat twice a week.
We started with this program a few years ago at a school called Sikile Primary School in a place called Ratanda, we started with 5 children, the first time we visited we took along school bags and stationary, these children had only ever used a plastic packet to carry their books in, and were thrilled to have their own school cases, and pens, pencils, papers, ..... they had never had their own always had to share with the other 50 children in their class.
This is Nellie, the teachers said she very seldom came to school until we started to help her, and then she changed from a quiet, surly child into someone who took part in class discussions and who actually smiled............ we bought her a dress as she was wearing boys clothes the first time we met her, and we all thought she was a little boy, only the little pink belt gave us an inkling that she was a little girl...........
This is the children lining up for cold drinks, the school had a heritage day celebration, and we gave all 850 children in the school a packet of biscuits and a cold drink, we had to make up concentrated orange juice as we did not have enough money to buy tins, or bottles of cold drink................... it took us hours........ but it was all worthwhile when I was leaving a little boy ran up to me and hugged me and thanked me for the best day ever.................. it made me cry to realise how blessed we are ........ his best day ever was a biscuit and a cold drink......... how spoilt we are..................
The number of children needing help grew everytime, and before we realised what happened we were feeding 50 children twice a week, and also when funds allowed giving them food parcels, we just couldn't turn anyone away the need was just so great....... how do you say no to a child....
Today two years later we are feeding almost 200 children this is just at one school, there are many other schools that are crying out for help but we just don't have the funds to help them.
I know that God will provide, and I know first hand what a difference one person can make to the life of a child...................
Check out our website.......... http://www.centreofhelp.co.za
Although they are involved in many projects, my passion is the children, mainly because they didn't have a choice about there birth, they didn't ask to live in poverty, they didn't ask to be orphans, we mainly deal with those children who are affected and infected by HIV/Aids, and I really don't think that people are aware of how this pandemic is destroying the lives of millions of people, I am not just talking about the people who are dying I am talking about the children who are left behind to fend for themselves, I am talking about the 13-18 year old children who are left to raise their brothers and sisters because their parents are gone, I am talking about children who don't eat everyday who sometimes only eat twice a week.
We started with this program a few years ago at a school called Sikile Primary School in a place called Ratanda, we started with 5 children, the first time we visited we took along school bags and stationary, these children had only ever used a plastic packet to carry their books in, and were thrilled to have their own school cases, and pens, pencils, papers, ..... they had never had their own always had to share with the other 50 children in their class.
This is Nellie, the teachers said she very seldom came to school until we started to help her, and then she changed from a quiet, surly child into someone who took part in class discussions and who actually smiled............ we bought her a dress as she was wearing boys clothes the first time we met her, and we all thought she was a little boy, only the little pink belt gave us an inkling that she was a little girl...........
This is the children lining up for cold drinks, the school had a heritage day celebration, and we gave all 850 children in the school a packet of biscuits and a cold drink, we had to make up concentrated orange juice as we did not have enough money to buy tins, or bottles of cold drink................... it took us hours........ but it was all worthwhile when I was leaving a little boy ran up to me and hugged me and thanked me for the best day ever.................. it made me cry to realise how blessed we are ........ his best day ever was a biscuit and a cold drink......... how spoilt we are..................
The number of children needing help grew everytime, and before we realised what happened we were feeding 50 children twice a week, and also when funds allowed giving them food parcels, we just couldn't turn anyone away the need was just so great....... how do you say no to a child....
Today two years later we are feeding almost 200 children this is just at one school, there are many other schools that are crying out for help but we just don't have the funds to help them.
I know that God will provide, and I know first hand what a difference one person can make to the life of a child...................
Check out our website.......... http://www.centreofhelp.co.za
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Gym Day
Well Tuesday was "D" day or should I say "Gym" Day, I have been carrying my gym bag around in my car for over two weeks......... just so that it could get used to the idea of going back to gym I didn't want to give it too much of a shock, being exposed to people and gym equipment after spending the last 9 months in the cupboard............ I thought I would take it slowly.
I must say I was very disappointed that when I swiped my card that there wasn't balloons, whistles, and fireworks, that the manager didn't come out to personally welcome me back, he was very surprised to see me, he had gotten used to taking my money each month and us not using the gym, we were one of the first families to join the gym when it opened 5 years ago, why oh why did I stop going .................. I had not swiped for so long that the entrance machine did not recognise my card, and I had to be let in............very embarrassing as then everyone knows .............. your a gym deserter.................
I expected the gym to be very busy, as my eldest daughter and I went there straight from work, I had bought myself some new gym clothes and although I looked the part I certainly didn't feel it......
We spent 15 minutes on the long bike, I cycled 2 kilometers , 15 minutes on the rowing machine, I rowed 3 kilometers, and 15 minute on the upright bike, I cycled another 2 kilometers, when I got off I had no feeling in my "butt" at all........... and my legs were shaking like jelly....... the perspiration was dripping from my hair, like I had just run a marathon, and there were the stairs down to the car .............. they were almost the straw that broke the camels back..............
But writing this I feel, good, a bit of a sore knee.... but that's the one I hurt when I fell in August and it still worries me from time to time............. And I am going back tomorrow to strike while the iron is hot.............. or while the gym bug bites.............. goodbye the Oros Man , hello Twiggy......
When I got up this morning, oh my giddy aunt, I was sore in places that I didn't know I even had places....................... maybe not Twiggy............ maybe something just a little bit bigger......
I must say I was very disappointed that when I swiped my card that there wasn't balloons, whistles, and fireworks, that the manager didn't come out to personally welcome me back, he was very surprised to see me, he had gotten used to taking my money each month and us not using the gym, we were one of the first families to join the gym when it opened 5 years ago, why oh why did I stop going .................. I had not swiped for so long that the entrance machine did not recognise my card, and I had to be let in............very embarrassing as then everyone knows .............. your a gym deserter.................
I expected the gym to be very busy, as my eldest daughter and I went there straight from work, I had bought myself some new gym clothes and although I looked the part I certainly didn't feel it......
We spent 15 minutes on the long bike, I cycled 2 kilometers , 15 minutes on the rowing machine, I rowed 3 kilometers, and 15 minute on the upright bike, I cycled another 2 kilometers, when I got off I had no feeling in my "butt" at all........... and my legs were shaking like jelly....... the perspiration was dripping from my hair, like I had just run a marathon, and there were the stairs down to the car .............. they were almost the straw that broke the camels back..............
But writing this I feel, good, a bit of a sore knee.... but that's the one I hurt when I fell in August and it still worries me from time to time............. And I am going back tomorrow to strike while the iron is hot.............. or while the gym bug bites.............. goodbye the Oros Man , hello Twiggy......
When I got up this morning, oh my giddy aunt, I was sore in places that I didn't know I even had places....................... maybe not Twiggy............ maybe something just a little bit bigger......
Monday, April 5, 2010
Kissed by an Elephant
Saturday, was one of those amazing days in your life that you will never forget...................... it was the day that I was kissed by a 14 year old, elephant called Damara................... and it was amazing, even including the fact that when he had finished I was covered in elephant snot and butternut................. it was one of the most amazing kisses of my life.............
We have been spending this weekend with my sister, she has a small animal, game reserve at the edge of the Magaliesburg mountains, a beautiful peaceful place where you can sit on the verandah and watch the Wildebeeste, the Zebra, the Kudu, the Impala, the Gemsbok, the Blesbok, the Inyala, the Ostriches coming down to the water hole for food and water.
We decided some weeks ago to treat ourselves this weekend to a visit to the Elephant Sanctuary which is about 10 kilometers down the road from where she lives. After some drama with bathrooms in the morning, we were all ready and on our way we arrived at the elephant sanctuary at 6.45 and the morning began......... after we had signed the indemnity forms...... and I could see why this was necessary....... we were all loaded onto the back of a game viewing vehicle, seats still dripping wet from the rain the night before, the mist was so thick you could hardly see in front of you and it was just a little bit on the chilly side ............. but it was adventure time so no one complained about the wet "buts' we all had when we arrived at our destination......... and what a destination, after we had been bounced around on very muddy, very slippery, very bumpy dirt roads, as we turned the corner into a clearing surrounded by mist just ahead of us were two enormous elephants, "Demdem" and "Zigi they are semi domesticated animals, which means although the are taught to interact with humans they are still allowed to roam free for the rest of the day............ they were huge and they were beautiful.......
After some rules on what to do and what not to do, no loud noises, no sudden movements....... and with one word from the trainer, these enormous animals laid down and we were able to touch their skin, surprisingly enough covered in hair like the bristles of a brush, we touch the hairs at the end of their tails that felt like pieces of plastic wire, we touched their feet enormous and hard like a nail, and then we touched there ears, the outside tough like the rest of their skin, and the underside as soft as cotton wool................... amazing...........
And then we were allowed to feed them "Zigi" first because he is the jealous and the more aggressive one............ one piece of butternut you put in his truck, he takes it so gently his trunk so flexible truly like a wiggly worm, every seeking, and then a piece in their mouth so we could feel their tongue, and then we had to put a piece in our mouth and the elephant took it with his truck....... scary with this great big elephant in front of you, who would have been able with a could of steps forward to squash you into the ground and here he was gently taking food out of your mouth..........
Then we were able to do the same with "Demdem" except here there was as a twist to the tale............... when you had finished Demdem did one more thing she put her truck on your forehead and blew you a kiss down her truck............. the power was amazing it blew your hair back, and you were pretty wet from the snot that came with it.......................... but how many people can say they have been kissed by an elephant.................
We spent a couple of hours in the bush following trailing them, following them on their never ending mission for food, and then we walked back to the lodge to have some breakfast, but none of us will forget the day we were kissed by an elephant....................... Life is Amazing
We have been spending this weekend with my sister, she has a small animal, game reserve at the edge of the Magaliesburg mountains, a beautiful peaceful place where you can sit on the verandah and watch the Wildebeeste, the Zebra, the Kudu, the Impala, the Gemsbok, the Blesbok, the Inyala, the Ostriches coming down to the water hole for food and water.
We decided some weeks ago to treat ourselves this weekend to a visit to the Elephant Sanctuary which is about 10 kilometers down the road from where she lives. After some drama with bathrooms in the morning, we were all ready and on our way we arrived at the elephant sanctuary at 6.45 and the morning began......... after we had signed the indemnity forms...... and I could see why this was necessary....... we were all loaded onto the back of a game viewing vehicle, seats still dripping wet from the rain the night before, the mist was so thick you could hardly see in front of you and it was just a little bit on the chilly side ............. but it was adventure time so no one complained about the wet "buts' we all had when we arrived at our destination......... and what a destination, after we had been bounced around on very muddy, very slippery, very bumpy dirt roads, as we turned the corner into a clearing surrounded by mist just ahead of us were two enormous elephants, "Demdem" and "Zigi they are semi domesticated animals, which means although the are taught to interact with humans they are still allowed to roam free for the rest of the day............ they were huge and they were beautiful.......
After some rules on what to do and what not to do, no loud noises, no sudden movements....... and with one word from the trainer, these enormous animals laid down and we were able to touch their skin, surprisingly enough covered in hair like the bristles of a brush, we touch the hairs at the end of their tails that felt like pieces of plastic wire, we touched their feet enormous and hard like a nail, and then we touched there ears, the outside tough like the rest of their skin, and the underside as soft as cotton wool................... amazing...........
And then we were allowed to feed them "Zigi" first because he is the jealous and the more aggressive one............ one piece of butternut you put in his truck, he takes it so gently his trunk so flexible truly like a wiggly worm, every seeking, and then a piece in their mouth so we could feel their tongue, and then we had to put a piece in our mouth and the elephant took it with his truck....... scary with this great big elephant in front of you, who would have been able with a could of steps forward to squash you into the ground and here he was gently taking food out of your mouth..........
Then we were able to do the same with "Demdem" except here there was as a twist to the tale............... when you had finished Demdem did one more thing she put her truck on your forehead and blew you a kiss down her truck............. the power was amazing it blew your hair back, and you were pretty wet from the snot that came with it.......................... but how many people can say they have been kissed by an elephant.................
We spent a couple of hours in the bush following trailing them, following them on their never ending mission for food, and then we walked back to the lodge to have some breakfast, but none of us will forget the day we were kissed by an elephant....................... Life is Amazing
Friday, April 2, 2010
My Baby is 17 Today
I cannot believe that my baby is 17 years old today, it really seems like yesterday when she was born, because I was having a ceasear, they had done a lung function test on her in the morning, and the doctor phoned be to come in, as he had decided to do it that night, I am not sure whether the fact that the following weekend was Easter, and that he was away.......... had anything to do with it............. I like to think not........ When he phoned I was still at work........ yes I know .......even he couldn't believe it, in fact they had given me a surprise stock party that day......... I skidded into the hospital at 7.30pm the deadline, luckily I had not eaten anything since lunch, and at 9.05, we were blessed with a daughter. Although contrary to hospital policy my eldest daughter then 10 was the first to hold her........... and they have had a special bond ever since.We wanted to name her Megan, but she decided that she liked the name Kayla-Jean and told everyone that was her name, so I really didn't have the heart to change it. And so we became the three K's Karen, Kira-Lynn and Kayla -Jean........... post is still a problem...... and my daughters favourite saying is " Mom I am the other one"....... am still mixing the names up.
Well life had been an adventure with her ever since................. the second night in hospital a water pipe broke and being the only person who was not given a sleeping pill, I helped the nurses move everyone to other wards, I wheeled babies out of the nursery that had under floor heating into the ICU.............. the next day I got a bouquet of flowers to thank me for my help.............. This might seem a lot to do after a ceasear, but with both my children I only put on 5kg because I had morning sickness, from week two, until I was willingly torn open and they were removed........... and life with Kayla has been hectic ever since.
At 6 months she had blocked tear ducts, at 15 months she had to have her tonsils removed, and then at 18 months it was discovered that she was CHD she had no hip bone on her right side, something the pediatrician should have picked up...................... from that day until she walked I never took a photo of her. She had six months in a cast from under her arm pits to her ankles, with a big stick in the middle, for six months after that is was hydro therapy, physio, therapy, occupational therapy........... and still she would not walk, and then one day i decided to put her in a nursery school , and within 3 weeks she was walking because she wanted to play with the children outside............
At six we were told that the hip had still not grown and so Kayla went into hospital for her 13th operation....... she still hates people with masks on .............. they moved her pelvic bone around to give her a false hip......... today apart from a small scar, and the fact that it aches a little when it is cold, and no matter how hard the dance teacher tried, she cannot do the splits.......... you would never know......... she does not even limp......... medicine is amazing.........
She has kept us on our toes ever since, she has no fear.......... she will try anything, and everything, she is a true comedian, can alter her accent at a heart beat................... loves everyone and everything, and wants to study to be an occupational therapist, when she finishes school next year, and I am sure that life with Kayla will continue to be hectic........ just the way I like it ........... Happy Birthday my girl........... can't wait to take you on the Elephant Adventure tomorrow.......Life is good.............
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