New Beginnings and Adventures - Cheers to 2016

The ending of 1 year and the begnning of another is always an exciting time for me. One of the things that I like doing is taking stock of the good things which happened and plan and pray about the things which I intend to achieve in the following year. 2015 was a good year and God blessed me abundantly. So many amazing things happenned so there is much to celebrate and be thankful for. Some of the things which came to pass where things on my life's to do list:

1.  We were blessed with the cutest nephew - the 1st grandchild for my parents.
2. I was blessed with a new job. I have been praying for a specific kind of job and this year it finially came. 
3. In May a friend treated me to a pampering at a massage parlour. Yes I had never gone to a parlour for a massage and it was on my life's to do list.
4. I finially got my driver's licence in September. This was something on my life's to do list which I have been itching to tick off. 
5. Visiting America has been one of the things which has been on my life's to do list. End of October I went to Washington DC.
6. This one is a two in one happening. In December (a few weeks ago) I went to Joburg threatre and watched Sleeping Beauty. So I watched a play, Broadway like show and it also had ballet so in a way it was a ballet play (life's to do list).
7. In December I became a partner to a certain marriage focused ministry. I watch their programme and I made it a goal to become a partner so as to help save and build marriages all over the world (another thing from my life's to do list).
8. I travelled to 2 other countries I had never been to before- Ghana and Kenya.

2016 I am looking forward to you and all that you have to bring my way. 

A Picture of Love

I love this picture. It is one of my nephew (in the blue) and Junior the baby of one of my good friends (who is now a family friend). My sister had gone to visit our friend and the two babies were playing and then this happened, I am so glad she was just in time to capture the moment.

No one expresses love like children. Their love is so genuine and so pure - just like God's love. As we celebrate Christmas I cannot help but appreciate God's love for me and the whole human race. He loves us unconditionally and was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice by giving up His Son to die for our liberation. Fully knowing that we were sinners and we would sin in the future He still went ahead so that we might fall under his grace and righteousness. I love this God of mine. He is the best. Thank you Lord for loving me with all my faults and shortcomings, there is no greater love than yours.

Sleeping Beauty - A Theatre Story

I have always wanted to go and watch a Broadway like show but for one reason or another the right moment never seemed to come my way. I decided to make the right moment because I realized if I didn't make the effort it wouldn't be happening any time soon.

I chose to go last Friday (11 December)after work to Joburg Theater to watch Sleeping Beauty - this is going to be my first of many visits to the theater I must say. The show was absolutely brilliant. It was entertaining, well put together, humorous, quirky and they even told jokes about President Zuma struggling to read numbers and songs like Hello by Adele, Haven't met you yet by Michael Buble and You cant hurry love by Phil Collins were sang. Ok, time to share a few pictures:

The Fairy Tale Begins

The king Sleeping Beauty's father making a narration

Guess what? There was a minion in the play. And two nice who were brilliant and danced so well. Here they had the audience up on their feet to do what was called the Panto Nae Nae dance. Yes, I joined in the fun.

Really loved these two mice. Were one of my favorite characters.

Look at that -the two love birds before they met when he kissed her into life. At this state he was a figure of her imagination - the 'man of her dreams'. I am a sucker for romance.

Right after the prince had kissed her back to life after sleeping for 100 years

There was lots of danceing of course. This was at the wedding of the prince and princess.

More dancing and celebrating at the wedding.

This was right at the end of the show. That is the evil fairy who places a curse on the princess.

 It was a beautiful experience, enchanting and fun. I had good night out.

Lala Salama

November was a very interesting month for me because I travelled with work to Kenya 1st and then Ghana the following week. This was just after coming back from Washington DC. I might just be warming up to the idea of flying. So here are some pictures. The ones from Kenya I was still using the not so good camera but the ones from Ghana I had replaced it (yippee!!!) so they are much better. Here goes:

Kenya
The traffic is Nairobi is something else. The day we arrived we were stuck in a horrible traffic jam from the airport. I have experienced traffic jams before but this one was something else. I also had a bit of drama in Kenya as I searched for a hospital where I could get a yellow fever shot because South Africa  requires it and would not allow me to enter with out it. At one hospital I was told I had to wait for 10 people because the vaccine was dispatched as a batch, I finally was able to get a shot on my 3rd day at Aga Khan hospital.

I really loved the hospitality we got in Kenya. They have this thing of giving you hotel towels before eating. I was pleasantly surprised when we checked in on the 1st night to find someone approaching with the warm towels and a drink at reception.

Stuck in another traffic jam on day 2 as I tried to find a hospital so as to get a yellow fever shot. At one point my taxi driver almost got arrested for attempting to make an illegal turn. I would have  been left stranded in the middle of Nairobi since the taxi had been hired for me by the organization where we were doing some training and getting another one would not have been simple.

Kenyatta University is where we were doing the training for YALI Fellows.

Do you see that color? The greenness in Kenya was good for the eye especially considering that in Southern Africa we are experiencing a drought. I was reminded how beautiful it can get when the rains are good. 

Hope for tomorrow. That's the Swahili words I remember :).

Ghana
Ghana was hot and humid. As we got off the plane I was hit with a wave of hot and humid air. There were no traffic jam incidences here. To my delight our hotel was right next to the beach. On entering the hotel to check in we were greeted by cool air - thanks to the good air conditioning. Inside all was well it was only on going outside that one was met by the unbearable heat.

Guess who I met whilst in Ghana???

Bono for the band U2!!! Of course I had to get a picture with him.

It was an honour to sit in the same room with 1 current president, several former presidents and many dignitaries.

Winner of the Mo Ibrahim governance prize for 2014 -  the former president of Namibia Hifikepunye Pohamba. My goodness this man can talk - the moment he went on for 10 minutes just making acknowledgements we knew we were in trouble. One thing that touched me though was that he was quick to invite his wife on stage and thank her for the support. I think they really love each other because they kissed when she got on stage and he kept her close and they kept looking at each other. It was beautiful to watch. But my goodness his speech was really long, he had to be politely cut off in the end.

Bono wasn't the only rock start present. The Grammy award winning Angelique Kidjo was present. This woman can sing and she is so full of energy. By the 2nd song she had people out of their seats dancing.

See what I mean - people on their feet. She is a natural perfomer.

Labadi Beach Hotel is where we stayed. It was a beautiful hotel. Loved it.

Also got a chance to laze around the pool...

And go to the beach which was just behind the hotel.

Love love love the beach. This one was a sandy beach, liked the feel of sand on my feet.

Look at those palm trees.

Taking pictures of my feet after the water had washed back into the sea.

I did a bit of writing on the sand but the sea was not willing to let it stay.

This guy was very persistent in offering a ride on his horse. He kept waiting and wiating willing me to change my mind. I took his picture instead.

After a long walk along the beach in the scrotching hot sun. I finially settled down on one of the deck chair for more relaxation.

Went to this market near Kwame Nkurumah Museum to get some soveniors. It was at this market where I was stalked by a certain necklace. Funny story really. When Carla my friend and I entered the market I expressed an  interest in a certain necklace but decided not to buy it. As we went around the market the necklace kept appearing with different messengers asking me to buy it. Right till the point we left the market the necklace was still following me. That was persistance right there on the part of the seller.

Ok that was the update on my Kenya and Ghana trips - two lovely countries. I am looking forward to doing more travels next year. Let's wait and see what the future holds.

Washington DC

My trip to Washington was a whirlwind. I arrived on Monday evening and left Thursday afternoon. Tuesday, Wednesday and part of Thursday I had meetings. Actually I had to leave the last meeting in order to go to the airport. Talk about a tight schedule! I wish I had been given more time to see this amazing city - I felt as if I was robbed of that chance. To make matters worse the camera I had did not take very good pictures so I was not able to capture much. Despite all the up and downs I made the best of my time there and I am still glad I took the trip. Anyways here are some of the better pictures from the ones I managed to take. 

Stayed at the Hotel Monaco which is right next to the Spy Museum, which I hope to visit next time. 

The weather forecast and a treat from the hotel. 

Yes, I managed to rush to the White House, there was no way I was leaving without going. 

I think this is the Treasury Building which is right next to the White House.

Waiting to board the plane. Flying is a necessity which unfortunately  I cannot avoid. Hoping I will warm up to it. My return trip was a direct flight and it was a long 20 hours or so.

Jolly good show!

Jolly good show indeed! The title of this post is a quote from Pops one of the characters from my idée fixe of the moment - the Regular Show. I am crazy about this cartoon and I always have a good laugh when watching it. My favorite characters got to be Rigby and Benson. Rigby is mental and Benson - you should see Benson when he is upset.  Remember some of my favorite cartoons I have shared before? Courage the Cowardly Dog and Phineas and Ferb make part of the list and now this show has made it into the list
I wonder if I will ever outgrow cartoons.

He is Always Listening

Exactly one year ago I stood with two friends at OR Tambo Airport on our way to Durban. We happened to stop by the international flights board and I declared after scrolling through the board that I was going to go to Washington DC in 2015. My two friends laughed, I am sure they thought I was crazy, who could blame them, I thought I was crazy I probably was but...God was listening.
Today exactly 1 year from the day I made my crazy declaration I am going to Washington DC. Talk about timing, God decided to make it  a perfect year.

I am encouraged, I feel challenged, I feel brave, brave enough to ask from God with confidence and with expectancy. This year my theme was I Should be Brave. I Want to be Brave. I am going to be Brave.I am going to keep going with this motto for the rest of the year because...being brave pays especially for those who depend on God with  reckless abandon. So I am learning.

Take My Breath Away

I am always on the look out for inspiration and beautiful things, the other day I came across one such thing. I know that one day I will be able to feel this way about some little sweet being/s . I saw this in one shop when I was shopping with a pregnant friend and I knew that one day I would want to have this up on my babe/s bedroom wall. Enough said.

My Ongoing Love Affair

It was the book Heidi by Johanna Spyri which ignited my love for Switzerland.  Reading about her love of living with her grandfather in the Alps Mountains created this wonderful picture in my mind which I couldn’t rub out. I made up my then young mind that one day I was going to visit or live in Switzerland. Since then I have had a fascination with Switzerland, with it being one of my top go to places.  Every time someone asks me which is the place I would like to visit the most, I don't hesitate to mention  my sweet sweet Switzerland. Sometime ago my love for Switzerland was intensified by this:

The OHCHR is headquartered in the historic Palais Wilson building in Geneva, Switzerland.

Yes, this is my dream work place. I want to work for - The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). I refuse to give up on this dream one day...

In 2009 I had an opportunity to visit Switzerland but I blew it and I regret it. A friend of mine was getting married in Bern and she invited me for her wedding. I hesitated ... I wish I had not. Next time I get an opportunity to go I will grab the chance because really I have waited much too long for you Switzerland. Maybe now that I have put it out there my dream is closer to coming to pass.... I hope so.  

Be Still

There was a time when I hated going on Facebook. The many update from friends, colleagues and family would drive me crazy. Updates on new jobs, marriages, birth of children and so forth, I would log out of Facebook feeling like a failure after comparing my progress in life with others. At that time, for sure I seemed to be stuck in a moment and a lot of things were frustrating me. Then something happened, I can’t really say what but something happened because I over time stopped beating myself up so much. I remember one of my former colleagues who I used to vent with regarding our job, getting a new wonderful job and although I was surprised, I found myself genuinely happy for her and inspired that if God could do it for her He could also do it for her. 

Gradually, I have been learning to be still and trust God that when the time is right things will come together. My Pastor preached on Psalm 23 a few months ago and it was like I had never really understood the meaning of that Psalm before until that moment. Simply put Jesus is my shepherd and he will and is leading me to green pastures but I need to trust Him like the way sheep trust their shepherd. So nowadays my attitude is if it doesn’t happen now when I want it to its okay, maybe it isn’t the best time, when the time is right it will happen. So far so good, some things that I have been wanting and praying for have been unexpectedly coming to pass. So yes, I will be still (at least try), my Shepherd will lead me to that green pasture. It may take time but my time will come and I will eventually get there.  After all, life is full of surprises, a seemingly ordinary life can in an instant turn into a fairy tale.  

Laughter Therapy

It has bee crazy crazy hectic at work (today is supposed to be a national holiday - Heritage Day but I went to work, that is how busy it has been) so I thought it would be nice to share some funny things I have come across of late. Laughing is good for the soul.

This is one scenario I would not want to imagine ... at all.

Got ya!

Lol!

Flawless

This is my current Idée Fixe. I simply cannot get  enough of this song.  God's grace is something which never ceases to amaze me. I am so undeserving and yet there He is telling me its not about what I have done or should do but that the cross is enough and that His grace is a gift. This song puts its across so well. I feel so humbled and honored to belong to God and to experience His unconditional love.

Unexpected

Although I am not very good at keeping my blog up to date L I read and follow a lot of blogs. I enjoy reading anything and everything – things happening in people’s lives, travel, food, beauty and hair tips. So it was a pleasant surprise the sometime ago when I saw the author of one of the blogs I follow (Aisha from My Fro and I) on the bus on my way to work. I have never thought that I would actually meet one of the authors of the blogs I read and follow thinking, honestly I have never thought of our worlds colliding in real life. The first time I saw her I was too shy to approach and talk to her, but fortunately for me I saw her again weeks later and this time I was courageous enough to approach her and talk to her. It was really nice talking to her and she was so friendly and as beautiful (and more) as in the pictures on her blog. Reading her blog has revolutionized the way I treat my natural hair. 

In the past I would never be caught rocking my natural hair, I always had it plaited. I simply had no idea how to tame it and style it. Now thanks to her and a host of other natural hair bloggers I have become brave and I actually enjoy and embrace my natural hair.  I now enjoy experimenting with my hair and trying different styles. I am sure glad that winter is over and summer is here. I can continue my love affair with my hair.  Thank you all natural hair bloggers out there you make me brave in managing my hair. Uuuuummm I wonder who I am going to meet next?

Hello July

I know that I am a little too late in welcoming you but you have been a good month so far.
A couple of cold days but it hasn't been too bad. You have brought along with you some very welcome changes July and I am very excited.
As the days unfold I look forward to the goodness you have ushered forth - something that I have been waiting for, praying for - for like forever. It finially came to pass in this your month July. I smile, I laught, I am in awe. It is all still sinking in. Thank you Lord for July.

Madamme Tussads and HM Belfast

This is a 2 in 1 post documenting my visit to 2 popular tourist attractions in London in July/August 2008. Eeeeish that was ages ago. Be warned, this is a picture heavy post.

Madame Tussaud's is definitely one of the to go places in London. Why? Because it is the place were all the cool, famous people hang out. Madamme Tussad's is a wax museum with wax images of many famous people. I have to admit some of the images look so real. As a prank I sent some friends pictures claiming to have met certain celebrities  and they believed me. Yes, some of the wax images are that good. It is a museum worth visiting.

View from outside.

See what I mean all the celebrities hang out here?

Yes Michel Jackson is also there. Doesn't he look real?

And yes of course, he is there too.

No, need for introductions here.

Mr George Bush and Mr. Tony Blair.

When I think of Kylie Minogue I think of dancing and fun.

I think Justin Timberlake looked too seriouc for my liking here.

Britney Spears - this really captured the phase in her life she was in at that time.

The making of Beyonace's wax image.

Gary Barlow from Take That. Are these guys still together by the way?

Marilyn Monroe, of course.

Okay so that was the sneak peak of Madame Tussaud's. Don't want to spoil it for those who have never been there.

I also managed to visit the famous HM Belfast Warship Museum. The ship is moored in London in the Thames River. This ship experienced some action during World War 2 and continued being active until 1967 when initiations where made for it to be set up as a War Museum. For those who are into History, this is a very good place to visit. Here goes:

Part of the ship in all its glory.

Ahoy!

Those guns must have been fired a lot during the ship's hey days. 

The Thames is quite busy with boats.

Checking out the captain's cabin. This must have been one of the regular scenarios in the ship.

Come on mate, lets chop that meat.



Ha! Definitely one of the most important rooms - the kitchen.





Hello, Mr. Dentist. Even men at war have tooth problems.

Yep, the ship even had a sewing room.



Of course the sleeping quarters.

Like I said before London is one of those places where you can never say you would run out of things to see and do. It feels like the places I managed to visit were just testers and there was a whole lot of London which I did not even get to explore.