Mindless ramblings

Transcript for I will be a hummingbird - Wangari Maathai

2011-09-26T12:52:00.005+02:00

An inspirational woman, Wangari Maathai, shares her philosophy about dealing with the world's environmental problems. May her spirit continue to live in the lives that she has touched and in the hope that she has passed on to all the little hummingbirds out there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGMW6YWjMxw&feature=player_embedded

I will be a hummingbird
00:11 → 00:14	We are constantly being bombarded by problems
00:14 → 00:17	that we face
00:17 → 00:20	and sometime we get completely awkward.
00:20 → 00:23	The story of hummingbird is about
00:23 → 00:26	this huge forest being consumed by a fire.
00:26 → 00:29	All the animals in the forest come out,
00:29 → 00:32	and they are transfixed
00:32 → 00:35	as they watch the forest burning,
00:35 → 00:38	and they feel to be awkward
00:38 → 00:42	they are powerless
00:43 → 00:45	except this little humming bird, it says
00:45 → 00:47	I am going to do something about the fire.
00:47 → 00:50	so it flies to the nearest stream
00:50 → 00:53	takes some drop water, and puts it on the fire
00:53 → 00:56	and goes up and down, up and down,
00:56 → 00:58	as fast as it can
00:58 → 01:01	In the mean time, all the other animals,
01:01 → 01:04	much bigger animals, like the elephants,
01:04 → 01:06	with big trunk, could bring much more water,
01:06 → 01:09	they are standing there helpless,
01:09 → 01:11	and they are saying to the humming bird:
01:11 → 01:14	What do you think you can do ?
01:14 → 01:16	Your are too little ! This fire is too big !
01:16 → 01:19	Your wings are too little, and your beak is so small,
01:19 → 01:22	only can bring a small drop of water at a time !
01:22 → 01:25	But as they continue to discourage it
01:25 → 01:28	it turns to them without wasting any time,
01:28 → 01:31	and tells them:
01:31 → 01:35	I am doing the best I can.
01:35 → 01:38	And that to me is what all of us should do,
01:38 → 01:39	..
01:39 → 01:42	we should always flew like a hummingbird.
01:42 → 01:44	I may feel insignificant,
01:44 → 01:47	but I certainly don't want to be
01:47 → 01:50	like the animals watching
01:50 → 01:52	as the planet goes down the drain.
01:52 → 01:55	I will be a humming bird.
01:55 → 01:59	I will do the best I can.

my second speech - What can you do to help save our planet?

2011-07-06T13:56:00.002+02:00

---the message "small actions lead to big results"---

the beginning

Do you know that there is a giant raft of plastic, twice size of Texas, floating around in the ocean? I'm talking, about a huge mass of plastic rubbish that's been cast out by us and left to "disappear" in the big wide oceans...well it doesn’t just disappear. (dramatic pause) This plastic raft has entrapped many animals and caused some to die of starvation. More disturbing is that these plastic toxins get eaten by tiny animals that get in turn eaten by fish and these fish are eaten by humans…does that leave a bad taste in your mouth?

Have you ever heard of of reduce, reuse and recycle and upcycle?

the middle

There are many organizations that will come fetch your paper/magazines/glass/plastic - such as the oasis home for the physically and mentally disabled. They don’t charge and they will make a small profit from your recycling, this provides sustenance and employment for these individuals in our society.

Woolworths plastic packaging is now made up of 30% recycled plastic!! Using pet plastic recycled bottles, they covert these into containers for ready to eat food! The technology is there to make your waste live another life!

Throughout history, communities that have very little, make use of every resource that they have and make sure that they get full use out of every item...so they will use items again and again in different ways. have you seen those beautiful bowls made with paper labels, pilchard and lion brand...---mention some others here if time---

What about being creative and using old wrapping paper and egg cartons to make some fun cards/gifts for your family events. Time spent on making these things could be qualtiy bonding time for you and your family. And who doesnt love a hand-made and tailor-made card?!

the end

I urge you to start with one thing and build on that. it is really simple and it's becoming easier and easier as more people take part. recycle, reuse, reduce or upcycle.

I urge you to make your rubbish immortal.

My first speech – Machu Picchu beckons – by Caren George

2011-06-24T13:56:00.003+02:00

so this is my first speech that I made on Tuesday...

Picture Harrison Ford running up the side of a mountain in South America, after scaling 2500m of rugged terrain, battling altitude sickness, wild animals and the local inhabitants, wiping the sweat from his brow, he looks up and sees the most spectacular and awe-inspiring site in the world.

Like a script of from Indiana Jones, only real and more beautiful than anyone can describe, Machhu Picchu beckons to be discovered.

Built in the 15th century, by the local inhabitants called the Incas, this city sits on a mountain ridge in the Urubamba Valley in Peru. At the height of the empire, it was home to inhabitants who lived there for approximately one century and

The remote location of the estate ensured that this wonder of the world was kept a secret and only "discovered" by the outside world until 1911, when Hiriam Bingham, was led up to the site by a local boy. HE was the first person to tell the world about Machu and this Yale historian spent many years studying Macchu Picchu. He dubbed it the Lost City of the Incas.

I remember first hearing about the Lost City of the Incas when I was a teenager and being intrigued by the beauty of the site. Later on as I read up about the wonder, I became more aware of the architectural and anthropological depth/meaning/significance of the site. A really interesting fact about the architecture is that the technique of stone laying, ashlar, cuting of stone so that they fit exactly into each other, is such that it gives more stability during earthquakes as opposed to the technique which included using mortar.

With all the different theories about the purpose of the city, my favourite, as postulated by Reinhard (2007). He states that it is a sacred religious site which follows/forms part of sacred geometry of the area, as it is located on and around mountains of significant religious importance.

Left this part out due to timing---Recently, I found myself reading a book called the Celestine Prophecy (about a year ago), and found the book to be really intriguing and to my surprise the protagonist's adventure/spiritual trip in Peru culminates in him arriving at Macchu Picchu. A nice co-incidence for me. ---

NOW A unesca world heritage site with hundreds of thousands of people visiting, Macchu Picchu holds different experience for each individual. With so many questions, so many answers yet to be discovered...

Picture yourself running up the side of a mountain in South America, scaling 2500m high mountain and wiping the sweat off your brow to see the most amazing site you'll ever see in your life, Macchu Picchu. So hopefully, I will be taking my spiritual adventure to the next level and seek out Macchu Picchu. I've dreamed it, and will do it, will u?

i fucking love this song!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-05-19T11:13:00.000+02:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oBRgXtyKeE

bucket list

2010-12-02T09:42:00.003+02:00

So, as of the 02 December 2010, this is my bucket list.

Before any of these can happen, I must first relinquish the chicken in me.

1. Do the Inca Trail - and arrive at Machu Pichu on the 21 Dec 2012

2. Travel to India and live in an Ashram

3. Live near the beach - as in, open my french doors and roll out onto the sand *sigh* That would be lovely.

4. Be at peace with the world i.e. myself

5. Own three dogs, a chiuaua, a labrador and a great dane. Named small, medium and large (i kid)

6. Find my passion

7. Trad climb Table Mountain

8. Go scuba diving and or snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef

9. Paraglide off Lion's Head on an awesome summer's day

10. Become a yoga master

11. Stay vegetarian

12. Invent an awesome tasting cupcake recipe that doesn't make you fat

13. Same as above but with chocolate

14. Grow a beautiful garden

15. Design and decorate my own house and interiors - obviously super green :)

16. Earn a living doing something that I love.

17. Oh yes, of course, fall in love with an awesome dude who will worship the ground that I walk on. And possibly have a child, or adopt one or both. And not kill each other in Gugs!

Ok, that's it for the moment, will be updating and editing as I think of more.

Also, I've done a couple of things that would have been on my bucket list. They are the following.
Travel to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
Be in a huge storm at sea in the middle of nowhere and survive. :)
See the Grand Canyon
Put my feet into the Pacific , Indian, Atlantic, Southern Ocean and the North Seas.
Live on an island and look after birds, turtles and cetaceans.
Live in London and walk the streets singing "I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien"
Travel to Europe - still lots to see though
Travel to Canada - still want to live in Montreal

road ragamuffins

2010-11-02T10:51:00.002+02:00

So i was on my way to work this morning, merrily dodging oncoming traffic when I found myself glancing at a van with the company name displaying "Knobs and Knockers"! wtf? (and i don't men what the frikkadel). It made me giggle for half of my journey. Thanks going out to Knobs and Knockers!! :)

i love cape town tv!

2010-10-29T09:58:00.002+02:00

so i was watching this documentary last night about farming and how genetically modified seeds are being used more and more these days. a specific seed "manufacturer" owns a specific gene of these plants!! this is mind-boggling! i am currently researching this and will blog about this in much greater detail. it was just too shocking to not share immediately. and yes, cape town tv was the broadcaster of this documentary! :D growing more love for this tv station day by day. (this morning, they had a doccie on why chocolate is good for you!!)

if there's one thing that you should teach your child, it should be...

2010-10-27T09:36:00.002+02:00

...confidence to unleash his/her potential.

what would you say?

quotest of the mostest

2010-10-12T13:33:00.000+02:00

"i am a genius and i apply my wisdom" - dr j demartini

we come in alone and we leave alone

2010-10-07T12:38:00.002+02:00

this is a note to myself
no expectations
no judgement
no cynicism

the lingering manuscript

2010-09-21T10:17:00.003+02:00

i hate research! there, i said it!!! i have studied for about 7 years, only to realise that i hate research! i mean, i LOVE everything that is the natural world, but for the life of me, i don't want to disect and try to understand every little thing. i mean, isn't it just taking away from the awe or the magic of how everything functions. i mean, this is to say that we can actually understand everything correctly...

ag, anyway, so i am more and more drawn to the idea that the root of the problem of global climate change is greed and that people are searching more and more for comfort in the things that they own. they compete and compete to get things at the expense of each other and the planet and once they get what they want, they want more and it goes on and on. they are never satisfied cos they material things that they want do not fill the "gap" in their souls.

so basically what i'm saying is that, and what many people have said before, that these people need love, unconditional love. i think there should be more and more focus on spiritual deepening and meditation, in order for people to really understand who they really are, the reflection of love.

just a few thoughts, practically speaking, i think it would be a one person at a time thing but hey, i think oprah made a big impression in this light. :) er, yeah, that's all my ramblings for today. i know, garbled, not well constructed but im working on that. for now, it's just getting things out of my head and down on the screen.

the point of this post was actually to say that i am still finishing off my manuscript...

bitch and moan #1 news cafe artscape

2010-03-31T14:34:00.000+02:00

I was sitting at Newscafe at the Artscape in Cape Town and had ordered a ham and cheese croissant with garnish. I had one piece of a croissant and was about to have some of the rocket when I noticed a live and wriggling worm on the rocket!!! I called the waitress over and pointed it out. She then said to me that she'll seat two new customers and then take my plate away. So, she left the wriggling worm for my friend and I to watch for a couple of minutes. She then removed the plate and did not apologize or say anything. She came back after five minutes and said that the manager would be with me shortly. After waiting for over 10mins, I got up and went to the waitress to ask her where the manager was as we were still waiting. She went to the kitchen and the manager appeared. He came over to me and I told him that I had been waiting for him, he replied that he was doing a stock check at the back of the restaurant! He then tried to convince me that they wash their salad, which was ridiculous because the rocket was BONE dry! And how is it possible that a worm was able to withstand rapidly running water and cling on to the rocket? The word "sorry" was never mentioned!

competition

2010-03-01T12:14:00.002+02:00

You win a prize if you can tell me what is being photographed above.
Good luck!

nothing mushy, i promise

2010-02-26T13:37:00.004+02:00

Ok, I'm not sure if I'm the only one that gets a kick out of this but hey, what can I say but that I do.

So at the carnival lastnight, I was having a couple of beers and a jellyshot. no tet shots! (will come back to this later on) Whilst chatting to a friend, I discovered that I needed to use the "ablution facilities" really desperately. This is the one thing that I have to say that I absolutely HATE about drinking beer. Anyway, so I decide that I couldn't hold on any longer and had to go and use a porterloo! (horror!!!!) You know how those porter loos look after thousands of people have been in there, peeing etc. not being clean! arg! But I really had to go, so there were two options; 1 - wet my pants or 2 - go to a porter loo. I opted for the second one.

While walking to the area, I spotted a gap in a carnival stall's tent. I saw two little old ladies quickly leaving through the opening, ever so quietly. I peered through the gap and noticed a great porter loo, that was only being used by around five stall members and the occasional old lady. I decided to make a dash for it, and got my accomplice to keep soute (a look out). I opened the door and it was like I heard angels singing "hallelluyah"...the loo was clean :)

Anyway, getting back to what I meant by getting a kick out of this, I mean the thrill of getting away with something, you know. Doing something that you are not allowed to do (which is harmless to others), breaking a little law, just doing something "naughty".

Image taken from http://mexico-travel.com/images/mexicofan.jpg

Anyway, on the topic of naughty. So at the Mexican tent at the carnival, they start advertising a shot called a Mexican arsehole. Curiosity is something that drives me to no-end, so I had to go and see what the hell a Mexican arsehole entailed. So I get to the bar and this woman in front of me orders one. The barman flips her around so that her back in on the bar counter and he opens her mouth. While her head is facing the ceiling, he takes the opportunity to fondle (wrong word, um, rub vigorously) her breasts before cracking open and dumping an egg, tequila, lemon juice and tabasco down her throat. He then pushes her up and asks her how it was for her. At this point I thought that my curiosity was cured and ran to the other side of the bar to ask for a jelly shot!! Tet shots (tet- being the Afrikaans word for breast) were also being offered, where this woman allowed guys to grab shots with their mouths from between her boobs!! YOr! I wonder if it's really like this in Mexico!

Bome wat nie meer lewendig is nie – vir Zinia

2010-02-15T08:57:00.000+02:00

Die tema van hierdie pos is iets wat na aan die hart vir my vriendin, Zinia, is. Ek hoop dat sy hierdie paar fotos baie geniet. Dankie vir jou uitstekende vriendskap!

’n Cedar boom in die Grand Canyon – halfpad op ’n fokken mooi stap

Die een lyk ’n bietjie spookerig….wooooohooooo…

Die boom is nou vir ’n paal gebruik by a ski-plek in Flagstaf, Arizona.

Hierdie foto is in ’n baie snaakse plek geneem – Sedona. Mense daar dink dat vreemdelinge van ande planete hier geland het! (no jokes!)

white super bike guy

2010-02-01T17:56:00.000+02:00

erm. yeah. so, thanks for doing the forward-pop-a-wheely thing the other day. it was nice of you. sorry that i completely ignored you. will smile the next time u do it, if that ever happens. or perhaps do a donut in the mini :)

a quote on love

2010-01-27T08:48:00.000+02:00

So, I'm just wondering what you guys have to say about the following quote: "The love we give away is the only love we keep" by Elbert Hubbard. It's a short version of what I was trying to say in a previous blog that I wrote last year.

What do you think about this? Do you think that it's true? Do you think it's a load of S$%t?

I had a weird dream last night. I dreamt that I was making out with this guy who was really, really bad at kissing. I mean, I felt like he was trying to choke me with his tongue!!! Any theories on this one? Damn, I hope it's not a premonition. Imagine, the headline. "Girl dies after being attacked by boyfriend's tongue" or in Die Son "Dood by vry!"

My life according to Incubus

2010-01-12T11:33:00.000+02:00

Using song names from only ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to 15 of your friends by tagging them and include me, you can’t use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. Repost as my life according to (band name)

1. Are you male or female?
Southern Girl

2. Describe yourself?
Rock 'n Roll with Ethics

3. How do you feel?
Stellar

4. Describe where you currently live?
Here in my room

5. If you could go anywhere where would you go?
Mexico

6. Your favorite mode of transportation?
Drive

7. Your best friend is?
Martini

8. You and your best friends are?
Azwethinkweiz or Rogues

9. What’s the weather like?
Aqueous transmission

10. Favorite time of day?
Midnight Swim

11. If your life was a TV show what would it be called?
Wish you were here

12. What is life to you?
Priceless

13. Your relationship?
Neither of us can see

14. Your fear?
Beware! Criminal!

15. What is the best advice you’d have to give?
Make yourself

16. Thought for the day?
Make a move

17. How would I like to die?
Nebula

18. My soul’s present condition?
The warmth

19. My motto?
Nice to know you!

cyanide and happiness

2010-01-08T08:43:00.001+02:00

Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net

on the topic of love

2009-12-21T10:47:00.000+02:00

it comes in different forms
from plutonic to absolute adore
in every form it is a blessing

compassion, understanding, giving without wanting
that is the essence of true love

if u have loved, you have lived
if u have received love, you have been blessed

my heart is skipping a beat...sheet

2009-11-17T17:52:00.000+02:00

crushing hard on someone right now
loving the feeling of the butterflies
wondering if this will last much longer
hoping that it will and grow into more
ecstasy, butterflies and fantasies

i miss the nansen

2009-11-11T13:31:00.000+02:00

that's all folks! life on land is just too hard

Dr Fridjthof Nansen

2009-10-21T22:58:00.000+02:00

When we boarded the boat by jumping onto the gangway from the little boat, we were shown to our cabins and were stoked to find out that we had an awesome room. The only drawback was that there were four of us sharing but hey, it’s a great way to get to know people really well. Cabin mates include: Charine Collins, friend from Masters, Kate Munnik, office mate for a month in June, Sofia, Madagascan PhD student. We had a quick tour of the ship, all ~50m from stern to bow. The most important areas were the galley (mmm food), the labs and the “day room”, where the 50inch plasma screen lives.

We unpacked and were familiarizing ourselves with everything. The ship was waiting for some more people to arrive, so we were able to go on land for a walkabout that evening and on an island tour the next day.

It was a bit strange walking around because people were staring at us. I suppose it was a bit unusual to see so many foreigners arbing around.

The next day we went on an island tour which consisted of a drive to the north of the island, through villages and constantly changing landscapes, to the gorgeous crater and to the best beach on the island (according to our local guide, Joseph). This was the BEST beach that I’ve ever been to in my life!!!! The water was something like 27degrees and so clear, the beach had white sand and palm trees, perfectly tropical. We spent some time swimming and snorkeling in the water and had coconut drinks (see pic in previous post).

It was an awesome day. We went back to the ship and started sailing to our first sampling station. And we got our cruise on!

Since then, it's been a mixture of hectic work and then hurrying up and waiting. Ship life has been interesting at times, but more about that later.

Liefies to you all!

Peace!

for more information about what i'm doing...

2009-10-21T07:31:00.000+02:00

check out www.blog.asclme.org

Pics for SId

2009-10-17T14:08:00.000+02:00

We went on a tour of the island and ended up at this beach...

View of our hotel with the volcano in the background

Le Grande Comoros

2009-10-16T09:58:00.000+02:00

We arrived and were carted onto a minibus, almost like our SA taxis, with half our luggage strapped to the roof. About eight of us were squashed into the back of this taxi and we set out on our drive to our hotel. The drive from the airport to the hotel was 20km away but due to the giant pothole, cars driving like mad and people walking on the side of the road, it took us about an hour. We were very happy to get to our destination in one piece. Along the way, we got a glimpse of the island, with tropical vegetation meeting black larva and white beaches, with the poorest people I have ever seen. Gugs is like Monaco compared to some parts of Moroni. There were so many hecticly contrasting scenes.

When we arrived at our hotel, we found out that we had all been given our own rooms. The rooms were really great and they had aircon, which is such a relief in the hot and humid weather. We had supper at the restaurant which took the form of a large open-air patio with wrought iron tables and chairs and beautiful candles. The smell of ylang ylang permeated through the air as we indulged in the local cuisine. I was adventurous and tried the only non-fishy local dish which consisted of lamb liver, kidneys etc. The Kilimanjaro beer went down like a dream.

Aahh, Moroni.  We were bushed after our long journey, so we went on a little walkabout around the hotel and discovered the swimming area in the dark but couldn’t see much.

In the morning, we awoke early to make the most of our time on the island. Our group leader told us that we had to be packed and ready to board the ship by 11. So we missioned to the swimming area at the crack of dawn (no, not that crack and there was no-one called dawn). The water temperature was approximately 27degrees, Durban eat your heart out!  The swimming area consisted of a slipway that was surrounded by black lava rocks. The ocean was a clear blue shimmering delight (cheesy but true). Some of us snorkeled and saw some fishies. We eventually left the area after our stomachs protested and we made our way to breakfast at the restaurant.

On our way to breakfast we met Joseph, a budding entrepreneur. He told us that the Grand Comoros supplies about 90% of the world’s ylang ylang essential oil, which is used as a base for all perfume. And he just happened to be a ylang ylang farmer. So he convinced us that we should get some along with some vanilla pods. He then told us about his side business, think this was his fourth business, of tour operating. What a guy and what a salesman!!! He gave us the low down about all the options and costs and we were keen to go on an island tour but we had to board the ship in a couple of hours. So we hatched a plan with him to take us into town and see the market. The five of us squashed into his Peugeot and off we went.

The market place consisted of many stalls that were stocked with all sorts of stuff, some that were about four metres high with hanging shirts. We went to the centre of the market place which had the meat and fish sections. There were carcasses hanging around in the open with flies everywhere and the smell… The fish were also just lying in water and some just in buckets with flies everywhere. I had a flashback to the meat that I had eaten the previous night and had a bit of a panic attack and felt slightly ill. Anyway, so the ichthy guy bought some red fish, which he believed was a new species.

We then moved on to the stalls with the baskets and colourful wraps, and we got a bit carried away. Six baskets, three wraps later, we had to leave as our time was up. We tried to buy some spices from some merchants but language and the constant chirping at us made us change our mind. Not sure what the chirping was all about but we thought that it was because we were wearing shorts and little tops in the midst of conservative women, who were covered except for the faces…

We hopped into the car again and then off we went to collect our bags and we went straight to the harbour. We were stopped at the harbour gate and after a little karakara (Comorian word for bribe) we were let in. We offloaded everything and waited for the little boat to arrive to take us through to the research vessel. The sun beat down on us and we felt like Patrick and Sponge Bob when they were in the bait and curio shop (in the movie) under the lamp. After loosing about 5 litres of water in sweat, we were picked up and boarded the Dr Fridtjof Nansen Research Vessel. Aaahh, the ship had aircon and water! Yay!!  And ofcourse, we finally made it onto the ship!!!

That’s all folks…well, for now.

More to follow soonish.

Liefies en drukkies!

Cape Town to Moroni, at least they didn't send us to Dubai first

2009-10-09T13:42:00.000+02:00

From the moment we stepped onto the plane in Johannesburg, I knew that this trip would be one that I would not forget.

After touching down in Nairobi we had some time to kill in the transit lounge. This was my first time in Nairobi and it was so interesting to see all the different kinds of people sitting in the airport. I saw this one guy who I guess was from the “jumping” tribe (remember that movie about the basketball guys from Kenya, I’m sure you’ve seen the movie, he was probably an extra), he was so tall. The most interesting person that I saw sitting in the transit section was this old Muslim man, he was wearing his traditional Muslim attire (long white “dress with pants” (help, Sid) and a fez). The thing that struck me was that he was so black and the beard that he had been growing for who knows how long was red!! I guess this shows my lack of knowledge or experience, but I’ve never seen a black person with red hair before. It was so cool. I tried not to stare and I think I managed to get a couple of peeks with out him knowing.

So then we get on our flight to Maroni, the capital of the Grand Comoros. While enjoying our in-flight meal, we find out that we are going to fly over our destination and land at another island to pick up some other passengers. This was all very well and good, as the islands were so close that it would take only another 30mins to get to this other island, Mayotte. It was so cool to fly over our destination island and to see the rest of the archipelago, with the coral reefs and amazing colours of the water. We touched down and waited for the rest of the passengers to get on while the temperature in the tin bird started to increase. We thought, ah well, it won’t be long before we get going and the aircon will kick in. WRONG. To be continued…

Taking a leaf from Sid’s book and leaving it there.

NOT, I freaking hate that!!

Anyway, so then the plane fills up with people, there’s not a seat left. We all are excited to get going and then we start watching the safety video again, as the temperature on the plane slowly starts to creep up. At this point we have not moved an inch, and the captain informs us that there is a technical issue that needs to be sorted out and we should be on our way in 5mins. All fine, except it doesn’t take 5 minutes. The technical issue with the plane is that the starter is not working and they cannot turn on the aircon until the plane starts. We were sitting inside the plane, with 80 people, on a tropical island for 40mins without aircon!!!!!! It was gross to say the least. I though that I might faint. After 40mins they decided to move us off the plane. So then we have the chance to spend some time in the transit area of the Mayotte airport, buying bottled water at 2euros a pop!! About an hour later, we get news that the plane’s technical issue has been sorted out and we are once again on our way. We finally get to our destination, Moroni, at about 3pm on Sunday – travel time totaling approx 19 hours (for a trip that should have only taken us around four hours, bloody cheap skates!!).

That’s all for now, will post again very soon. Hope you guys are all well. Send me an email without any attachments to my gmail addy to let me know what’s happening on your side. Take care!

A few lessons learnt about hiking and hiking with guys

2009-09-28T12:14:00.000+02:00

Listed in order of importance

1. Always be on your guard – you never know when a guy is going to drop his pants in public
2. Spiders are all around us – they’re harmless unless provoked and some of them are really pretty (wolf spider)
3. Know your route – the arrow might point to galg but what does galg actually mean? – it may include all the routes in the area (don't trust the guys)
4. Guys sometimes don’t have filters for what they say – and sometimes don’t care about saying offensive things – a warp sense of humor and/or earplugs are essential
5. Potjiekos made in the rain tastes very good – thanks Carica!

Apologies to the Metro Cop

2009-09-22T10:54:00.001+02:00

Dear Mr Metro Cop

I need to apologize to you. I am sorry that I was checking out your ass while you were doing your very difficult job. I know how hard it can be when you take charge of chaotic situations in Long Street. I apologize for drooling while watching you write out a ticket. I hadn't noticed that you had a ring on your finger, I was so lost in my infatuation. If ever your wife decides to leave you, I'll be happy to give you that shoulder to cry on.

Look after yourself dear hot one!

Caren - aka ur Friday night momentary stalker
ps. yes, i am crazy

ah, climbing

2009-09-15T11:03:00.001+02:00

So yesterday a couple of us went indoor climbing. It was lovely to get back into it. I enjoyed the feeling of using your muscles and solving problems at the same time. :) I can't wait for the outdoor climbing. :) Come on summer!!! We went out for a drink afterwards to one of my favourite hangouts in Cape Town, "A touch of madness", in Obs. It was great to be there and have geselsies with Dizzy and The Don. I can't wait for next week!

Weird animal names #1

2009-09-11T12:54:00.000+02:00

The Peruvian national bird is called the "Andean Cock-of-the-rock". Image from Wikipedia

what to do, what to do?

2009-09-11T11:56:00.000+02:00

I'm going to try and write more often. I feel like it would be a great way to improve my writing skills aswelll as making me contemplate more about things. Some might say that I shouldn't be contemplating any more than I am, but I disagree.

So, what do I have to say today. I'm wondering about my internship and what I am going to do in the future. I was listening to a debate about racism in South Africa this morning. There seems to be more and more talk about people being placed in certain positions because of their skin colour, in order to even out the playing fields. I am not entirely sure that this is the right thing to do, as it merely categorizes people into racial groups. This re-emphasizes the differences between people and leads to further disharmony. I feel quite sad that we are still in a society where some people are given more opportunities than others. I do believe, however, that we don't have to focus on this. I was listening to a motivational speaker a couple of weeks ago, and he really peeked an interest in me. I was thinking that if I am not part of the group that is being favoured at the moment (or was in the past), I have to make a plan to not be part of that system. In other words, I have to think about and eventually start my own consultancy. I'm thinking that it's probably the best way to go forward and hopefully create jobs for people(anyone, irrespective of colour).

Anyway, that's my rant for the day. I'm not sure where this is going, only time will tell.

Feel free to comment.

Have a super day!

a few to whet ur appetite...

2009-07-31T12:36:00.000+02:00

ode to bloggers

2009-04-24T16:20:00.000+02:00

all of u out there
so bored and replete
mostly of obsolete
and mindless sheete
why is my day not complete
without consuming pages and pages
and pages of ur written speech

this one goes out to the one i used to love

2009-01-20T12:16:00.000+02:00

there's nothing better than a brilliant song with even better lyrics. this one goes out to the one i used to love.

3 libras - a perfect cirle

threw you the obvious and you flew
with it on your back, a name in your recollection,
thrown down among a million same.
difficult not to feel a little bit disappointed
and passed over
when i've looked right through
to see you naked and oblivious
and
you don't see me.but i threw you the obvious
just to see if there's more behind the eyes
of a fallen angel,
the eyes of a tragedy.
here i am expecting just a little bit
too much from the wounded.
but i see through it all
and see you.
so i threw you the obvious
to see what occurs behind the eyes of a fallen angel,
eyes of a tragedy.
oh well. apparently nothing.
you don't see me.
you don't see me at all.

These thesis thesissing things

2008-11-14T10:01:00.001+02:00

Ok, so I feel that I need to write a note to myself and to anyone else who might be interested. I should not be checking out or writing blogs until I am am done with my thesis! If you see me leaving a comment, please chastise me!

All in all

2008-10-13T14:32:00.000+02:00

So, I guess, I'm a woman of a few words (the blog evidence would suggest). But I would like to share something with the world, something that my dad always told me. I try my best to keep to it as I believe it is a really good bit of advice. I don't know if he got this bit of advice from someone else or if it was his own, unfortunately I can't ask him now. He said "Don't say anything unless you have something good to say." I take this to mean that you shouldn't be fake in anyway and that you only try and build people up. And perhaps it's the whole deal with quality versus quantity. I am so happy that my friends are not the bullshit talking kind and are happy to just sit quietly until they have something important to say. Also, a past discussion with two of them gave me another realisation. The realisation that we don't really understand how much impact one can have on someone by what you have to say to them. Anyway, that's all.

Yin and Yan

2008-09-10T15:27:00.000+02:00

So, i was wondering why and how it is that life can make such dramatic turn arounds. One minute your completely overwhelmed by everything and the next minute it changes into a place of serenity. I think I love this about life. Even when the shit hits the fan, and it gets into ur hair and clothes, you'll be smelling like roses shortly thereafter. And if ur friends dye ur hair super hectic blonde and then red and it turns out completely uneven, u'll have a gorgoues mahogany do the next day. Come on life, show me what u got!

I am free

2008-09-08T16:40:00.001+02:00

I am free today, free from the confines of my mind
I am free from the heart ache and the constant self-criticism
I am free from my constant pondering and re-assessments
I am free from you!
I am free from me!

to bare all or not to bare all

2008-09-03T15:54:00.000+02:00

would you tell someone that you love them, if you knew that they didn't love u?

And so it goes - Billy Joel

2008-08-20T15:49:00.000+02:00

In every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from lovers past
Until a new one comes along

I spoke to you in cautious tones
You answered me with no pretense
And still I feel I said too much
My silence is my self defense

And every time I've held a rose
It seems I only felt the thorns
And so it goes, and so it goes
And so will you soon I suppose

But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break

And this is why my eyes are closed
It's just as well for all I've seen
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows

So I would choose to be with you
That's if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break

And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows.

- Billy Joel

new to this

2008-05-27T17:41:00.001+02:00

any tips?