The Build-up Type

In the last week I have come to realise how important it is to surround yourself with people who build you up rather than tear you down. Luckily for me I definitely feel like I have the building up type.

It seems the end of a long term is when a lot of drama happens. This person is not friends with this person, the next person is having relationship trouble, and yet another sinks into depression. I am not making light of any of these situations, believe me, I have been through most of them, but it is these situations that show who your real friends are.

My friends will know that I am a great listener. I do not judge, I try not to get emotional and when I can I offer rational advice. Psychologist in the making. So I hear all the stories. When I hear what some people say and do to each other it makes me incredibly grateful that I do not have those types of people in my life right now.

A friend shouldn't use you as a punching bag and then not accept it when you want to do the same. They shouldn't ignore you for weeks and not tell you what is wrong. And when you confront a true friend they should be able to come to compromises or accept when they have been wrong and accept apologies when wronged.

If your friends are making you feel down more than they make you feel happy, then something needs to change. No relationship goes without a hitch, its the real ones that are able to work through it.

So here's thanking all the people in my life that surround me with love and build me up. You know who you are.

It takes some time but we will eventually get it right. In this pic Sindi, Myself, Judith, Lesley, Garth and the one in our arms is Carla

A single moment of complete silence

I hate awkward silences. As in I will do anything, even sing random lines from songs to stop an awkward silence. Yet there is nothing more comforting and enjoyable than purposeful silence.

Over the weekend I visited the Benedictine monastery just outside of Grahamstown. I went there with my church as a silent retreat.

After an insanely busy term, the idea of spending the day outside of Grahamstown, in the hills, in silence, was ridiculously appealing. So off I went.

Now whether you believe in a higher power or not, there is something very spiritual about being alone with your thoughts in nature. I took a walk around the grounds of the monastery and soaked in all the views and took time to sit and just enjoy the warm sunlight embracing me and listen to nothing, but the birds and the wind. Autumn colours everywhere and leaves scattered waiting for me to run through making that satisfying crunch.

Just one of those beautiful moments. Photo By ME

This silence was far from awkward.

Taking those moments in your life to just be still and escape the loudness that is live, can make the world of difference. 

A little bit of activism

So anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely love nature and animals and as you all know I recently visited Addo Elephant Park. That same weekend I came across this video...

Is it just me or did you also desperately want the elephant to charge this man!

I don't care how big you think you are, or how entitled you think you are, no creature deserves to be teased, annoyed and threatened, when they are innocently roaming their natural territory.

Respect. That's all I have to say.

Zandile Day 5

Today she was running a fever. She had no interest in playing with any toys, all she wanted to do was hold our hands. So we took her outside so she could hear the sounds of the street and get some vitamin D from the autumn sun.

It was a quiet day. I am hoping that we can come up with some new ideas of what to do with her. It is difficult, because while we know she is not bored, doing the same thing week after week can be a bit draining for us. This makes us feel a little less motivated, which is not a good sign considering we have another 7 months to go. But we have to stay positive and hopefully we can start trying new things soon.

Stay tuned.

Mothers Day

So yesterday was Mothers Day. Figured I would have something to say about my very special mom.

She became my mom on 2 June 1992, but before this she was mom to my sister from 5 August 1989.
She got us through our formative years (can't remember much of those). And apart from her effortless fulfilling of motherhood duties she also made epic birthday cakes.

Notice the cake? and that's not even the best one

The truth is I wouldn't have got very far without my mom. She brushed the knots out of my hair, dressed every wound, taught me right from wrong, guided me in my faith and most of all she is always there when I need her.

So while you may think you have the coolest mom. My mom is the coolest and best mom for me.

Love you mom.

Road Trippin' with elephants

So for about a month my friends and I were planning this trip to Addo Elephant Park, which is about one and a half hours from Grahamstown. 11 May finally rolled around and we set off on our adventure.

Nothing quite beats road-tripping with your friends. Listening to awesome music, laughing at crazy jokes and sharing memories that will last for a life time.

Carissa, Ange, Kel and I planning our route around the park. Photo By Carissa Govender

We were lucky and saw lots of elephant (stands to reason) as well as zebra, warthog, jackal, a secretary bird, red hartebeest, Kudu and a couple of random rodents. Yet the most we laughed was every time Kel pointed at something excitedly and shouted "WHAT'S THAT??"  and it turns out it was just a log, or a branch, or a brick, or an anthill. Poor child.

We should really take the time to appreciate the country we live in. The fact that we have the chance escape into untouched nature is something that as South Africans we should be very proud of. 

Some zebra. Photo By: Carissa Govender

Beautiful family of elephants. Photo By Carissa Govender

While driving through the park we discussed what animal we would want to be. My opinion was that being an elephant wouldn't be bad at all. Apart from the fact that they have no major predators, they are also some of the few animals that have genuine relationships with others, and you are never alone. 

I guess we are all like crazy animals sometimes. We just need to take the time to appreciate the fact that we are all in this world together and enjoy that moments we have with each other. 

My crazy friends. Photo by: Random guy at look out point

Link to Carissa's Blog: http://another-reason-to-smile.blogspot.com/2013/05/adventures-at-addo.html

Zandile day 4

Day 4 was just me.

Zandile and I hung out like two teenage girls. We listened to some music and chilled out in front of the television. It seemed to relax her, which made her more open to the exercises and more responsive. It's great to see her feel more relaxed around us as she gets to know us.

Zandile day 3

So I haven't blogged in a while.

Flu season has landed and has taken me down with it. Last week I felt like death on steroids, which is so not cool. Unfortunately this meant that I missed out on going to see Zandile last week, which was probably a good thing because my partner informed me that Zandile was sick as well. So I don't have much to report in that regard. I shall be visiting her again today.