Sunday, November 30, 2008

Rest is near dear child.



I am weary. I am tired. I need my rest. Tomorrow I will get it.

Today is the end of Nablopomo.

I have learned through this that I may not have that interesting of a life. I am not as witty as I thought I might be and I really don't approve of too much multi tasking. Blogging might just take a back seat for a while.

Then after a few days of some well deserved rest, I will stun you all with my incredible wit, intellengence and perfect grammar once again.

Congrats to all you who made and defeated the Nablopomo monster! Gold Stars all around!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Plans to hijack Airports Consume my Life

The wedding day Itinerary. Who thought of this? Really. I would like to punch their baby. How the heck am I going to know how long it is going to take to do things like speeches -How long I want to spend dancing- What the optimal time is to cut the cake?

Its too bad I can't make the celebration last forever. There are people like the BFF who are flying in. The Fi's best man is flying in from the UK. I want to spend the entire celebration with them. And of course the new Husby.

So I choose to not have an end. Nope. Maybe I should hijack the airport to keep those I want here... Anyone wanna help with this?

Less than 80 days... holy crap.

Friday, November 28, 2008

College Lessons

NaBloPoMo 2008 is almost finished. Somehow I have managed to actually post more than the required amount, write my finals, pass all 13 or my subjects and get three distinctions. yay me. gold star.

I found the following quotes on A Corner... of my Soul. I had to appreciate them. Because well, amen.

"I learned three important things in college - to use a library, to memorize quickly and visually, to drop asleep at any time given a horizontal surface and fifteen minutes." - Agness DeMille, Dance To The Piper, 1952

"A college education shows a man how little other people know." - Thoman Chandler Haliburton

These are the things I learned this year in college. Especially the sleeping one. In fact, I could do with a nap right now...

Thursday, November 27, 2008

The normal Thanksgiving schpeel

Apparently today is Thanksgiving. So Happy Thanksgiving! Eat, Drink and be Merry.

Obviously Thanksgiving isn't a holiday (or even mentioned) here. This makes me sad because we could always use a little count your blessings time.

Blessing #1

There is a program that a local radio station is conducting. It is called the Christmas Wishlist by Highveld The idea behind this is that businesses donate goods in order to help people who have had a hard knock in life. This morning an 18 year old girl was the person helped. She was looking at raising R125 000 in order to pay for University. She had lost both parents recently and could not affford this despite being accepted into a very good design school. Standard Bank donated to her all the funds for her fees, meals and everything she would need for the next 3 years.

Generous people who care, this is Blessing #1

Blessing #2

Last night my mother stayed up late with me in effort to finish these damn invitations. Purely anyone who can tolerate me for that long deserves a metal. In this catagory are my incredible friends without whom I would be a blubbering mess of an idiot.

My friends and family is blessing #2

Blessing #3

The Fi. He never fails to make me laugh (even though sometimes its AT him)and to romance me. I am so thankful for him. *sigh*

Blessing #4


I have a job. I do not have a life-threatening illness. I have people around me who support me and those around who don't. I have a place to live. I have food to eat.

Life's big little things is Blessing #4

Blessing #5


Opportunities. There are few people whose pipedreams become reality. I really can obtain my dream. I have so many opportunities to do what I want with my life and that in itself is a HUGE blessing

These Top 5 things are the things that this little South African/ American is thankful for today.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Mememememememememe!

*oops! I posted this without an edit and noticed there were parts that were written really crappy. Ok so maybe I didn't catch all of them but I at least gave it a once over and my laptop has not eaten portions of the text!! :) *

Last week I was tagged. But since I had so many posts half written I forbade myself to skimping out and doing the easy meme. So now that I have cut down on my blog
portions, here I am fulfilling my tagged posts.

This taggity was from Hillybilly Duhn. She is seriously the coolest Hillbilly I know. My Mother's Father lives in Missouri and trust me, she is way more fabulous than him.

1. What is your funniest childhood story?
When I was a kid I liked showing my way cool princess panties to every friend I could. Especially the neighbor boy... I got caught that time and got the worse hiding of my life. Still remember the pain even now... Not funny I know. I am just a not funny kinda gal.

2. What would your dream dress look like if you could design it?
um Pretty. And probably utterly fabulous. And totally not like anything anyone else has worn. It would be shocking!

3. What weird habit does your hubby have?
Hubby-to-be has a few really weird habits But if I were to pick the weirdest...When he gets angry or tired he blows on both his arms. And it relay bugs him if I counter-balance his equilibrium. In fact, it's really really funny when I counter-balance the equilibrium. He freaks.

4. How many cookbooks are in your kitchen?
Just one actual cookbook. The Fi gave it to me for our year landmark of being together. I am still not sure what that means... Maybe I am really that bad of a cook.

5. Granny panties or loyal Victoria Secret girl?
Neither. Temptations baby.

6. My favorite memory from 2008 so far is?

The day that the Fi proposed. *sigh*

7. I secretly...

stutter. Its not really a secret if you've ever heard me do it, but I have gotten really good at not do it. Except when I get really excited or speak spanish. I am a spanish stutterer.

8. I could really go for...

Ice cream. or chocolate. or anything Carb orientated. *sigh of diet sorrow.* *sigh of looking freaking good in my wedding dress*

9. We are going to have a big snowstorm and you will find me...

Dancing in the snowfall then locking myself in the house with candles and hot chocolate!

10. I knew he was the one...

gradually. There wasn't a specific moment when I thought to myself, "I am going to marry this man" Apparently, the Fi had this moment. I just had this peace and sense that gradually grew.


Now to tag 3 more people. I choose...

Sco-man (gotcha back- mwahaha *evilness inserted here*)
Yaya
and
Anna Lefler

PS Totally gotta check out those blogs. They are F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Jack Handey is the Bomb Diggity

There are a lot of things that really amuse me. Men with their flies down while trying to pick up girls is hilarious. Funnier than that are the women whose dresses get stuck in their bum cheeks. These are even more funny when either of these people are being jackasses.

However. there is one thing that will ALWAYS get me giggling on the floor.

Jack Handey's little quotes are the funniest things in the world. Except maybe when you watch someone laugh so hard they pee their pants. That probably takes the cake.

Here is a collection of my favourite Handey-isms.

It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words - "mank" and "ind". What do these words mean ? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.

The face of a child can say it all, especially the mouth part of the face.

If you define cowardice as running away at the first sign of danger, screaming and tripping and begging for mercy, then yes, Mr. Brave man, I guess I'm a coward.

When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges.

To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography, and the dancers hit each other.

We tend to scoff at the beliefs of the ancients. But we can't scoff at them personally, to their faces, and this is what annoys me.

Probably the earliest flyswatters were nothing more than some sort of striking surface attached to the end of a long stick.

Better not take a dog on the space shuttle, because if he sticks his head out when you're coming home his face might burn up.

If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is "God is crying." And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is "Probably because of something you did."

If you saw two guys named Hambone and Flippy, which one would you think liked dolphins the most? I'd say Flippy, wouldn't you? You'd be wrong, though. It's Hambone.

If you're a young Mafia gangster out on your first date, I bet it's real embarrassing if someone tries to kill you.

Children need encouragement. If a kid gets an answer right, tell him it was a lucky guess. That way he develops a good, lucky feeling.

Instead of trying to build newer and bigger weapons of destruction, we should be thinking about getting more use out of the ones we already have.

If you ever catch on fire, try to avoid looking in a mirror, because I bet that will really throw you into a panic.

Sometimes I think I'd be better off dead. No, wait, not me, you.

Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Sometimes, when I lie in bed at night and look up at the stars, I think to myself, "Man! I really need to fix that roof."

If you go flying back through time and you see somebody else flying forward into the future, it's probably best to avoid eye contact.

I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it.

Whenever you read a good book, it's like the author is right there, in the room talking to you, which is why I don't like to read good books.

Instead of a trap door, what about a trap window? The guy looks out it, and if he leans too far, he falls out. Wait. I guess that's like a regular window.

If I ever get real rich, I hope I'm not real mean to poor people, like I am now.

For mad scientists who keep brains in jars, here's a tip: why not add a slice of lemon to each jar, for freshness?

It's sad that a family can be torn apart by something as simple as a pack of wild dogs.

I hope that after I die, people will say of me: "That guy sure owed me a lot of money."

If you get invited to your first orgy, don't just show up nude. That's a common mistake. You have to let nudity "happen."

*sigh of joy*

Monday, November 24, 2008

Delurking Day

Today we are delurker-ing.

I don't have fancy prizes *sorry* BUT! I want to know who reads these insane posts of mine. So if you read, comment. Then I'll do you the favour.

Even if its just, "Yo yo my home-girl."

Ok?

Ok.

Ready, Steady, Go.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Tagyoureit

Thank you for the tag Average20something and Sco-man!

Here’s the rules for this tagyoureitgame:

1) Each player starts with eight random fact/habits about themselves.
2) People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3) At the end of your blog post, you need to tag eight people and list their names.
Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’ve been tagged and to read your blog.
4) If you have already been tagged and do not wish to go through the exercise then let the taggee know.

Let's rock this thing: Ok...

1)My little toe isn't really a toe. It's more like a stump. No one knows why. The poor things hardly even grow nails...

2) I have three colours of fingernail varnish, bright orange (given to me by Meeka my BFF), grey, and burnt pink (which is nearly finished). So if you wanna send me some more, in more fabulous "married person" colours, it would be appreciated. ;)

3)I have this thing about checking my email. I. Need. To. Check. It. Constantly.

4)Right now I am refusing to eat bread, pasta and potatoes purely because I ate so many of them while I was a starving student

5)My favourite thing to drink is strawberry juice. I feel like a kid everytime I have to suck the seeds from my teeth...

6)I learned this was my favourite drink while working as a cocktail waitress. If anyone asks me if they should be waitresses, I scream a loud NO!.

7)As I type this, I have hairdye colouring my gorgeous locks... And I told the Fi that the time he sees me he had to notice. And tell me I look beautiful!

8)I am terrified of insects. Really freakishly scared. I see one, I cry.


Tagged-a-doodle

1) http://hillbillyduhn.blogspot.com/- The most frequent commenter on my blog
2) Your Artistic View- My first follower
3) Betsy- The woman who introducted me to the Mochaclub
4)Carla- Because her blog is so inspirational.
5) Savy- She is a 'starving' student like me
6) Cindi- She's a fellow 20-something and her blog is raw, honest and a blast to read

Saturday, November 22, 2008

The presence of wrinkles made me rethink life

No longer can I look surprised. This facial expression has just become dis-allowed. There is a presence of not one, not two, but three! Wrinkles. On. My. Forehead. ALAS!

Add these to the beginnings of crow-feet on my eyes.... I’m just biding my time before I am a wrinkly saggy woman with a cat on my lap screaming at the neighbourhood kids to stay out of my precious petunias. Oh Lament!

I can see it now... AHK!

Patty Cake

I know what I want. I like lime green, orange, red, grey, brown and black. I do not like yellow. I do not approve of rainbows, flowers, bows or heart motifs. They make me vomit in my mouth.

In fact, to the great dismay of the amazing women trying to help me plan the decor of the reception, I don't ever accept (EVER) something at face value. Something will need to be changed, tweeked or just plain thrown out. I think these are good qualities for a bride to have as long as she can stick to her decision. Which I do. Mostly.

I am getting more and more excited for our four tiered chocolate sponge cake with buttercream icing and fondant. Finally got the picture of what I discussed with the cake artist to show the Fi and I think he is as excited as I am. (Although I think it has more to do with the cake being all chocolate than the design)
This is the design I want. Sort of. It will look like this, except the foundant will have a silver shimmer. The ribbons will be blood red and satin. And instead of weird, random leaves, I would love to have some exotic white flowers cascading down the edge. *sigh*

Our colours are apparently "difficult". It has been a mission to find anything in Blood red and chocolate brown. This cake though, it just worked. This, my blog-friends, makes me a very happy woman.

More pictures to come! Once we finish the invites and do a few mock ups of the table arrangements. (You see anal retentive bride means she and her team of magical women are compiling the music, centrepieces, invites and stationary, decor and set up of the venue. These fairies are the best for putting up with me!)

xoxo

Friday, November 21, 2008

The Pursuit of the Grown Up Within Me

I live in-between worlds at the moment. I am not yet married, but no longer single. I am an adult back living with my parents. I am no longer a student, but don’t really have a steady job yet. I kind of have a position here and there but still drift in almost unemployment. I am almost registered at the distance learning institution but not quite. I still have to find the funds for the first instalment of payment. I am kind of this and kind of that but not definitively in anything.

I am not normally this girl. I usually have a plan A, a plan B and if all else fails, a miserable plan C. I bounce between plan A, B and C but never ever drift between. So this is new and strange to me. I like categorising myself. Giving words to myself makes me feel more understood by myself and even more place-able in the world.

Most of my dissatisfaction stems from my own confusion regarding my studies. I love studying. However I love the Fi more. And so I have to compromise. He is also compromising in his own elements for me and I do not feel at all cheated by this concept. Instead of returning to a University to attend formal lectures, I have opted to study via correspondence. Since the Fi is changing jobs to a company in the East Rand (40 minutes without traffic from Pretoria) I just cannot envision myself having the patience to drive everyday to Pretoria. Maybe for a few weeks but since I want my Masters in English; I cannot promise doing it for a few years. I am just not that motivated. I currently battle to walk the 15 minutes to my lectures. See? Would not happen.

Other motivations are perhaps more personal and revolve around my desire to not tax my marriage from the start, personal convictions about the importance of an education, and that burning edge to get a head start in the writing business are all feeding my hurry to get enrolled.

Not everyone is seeing it this way. The disapproval is based on many of my seemingly bad choices. I am again reduced to that little girl who cannot remember how to tie her shoelace. Ugh! This shouldn’t affect me. I’m too... me to need the green light from others. But I have to be honest here. I need this green light. I need that acceptance.

But I am not going to get it.

I guess this is how one grows up. They make decisions despite their approval rating and take responsibility regardless if it flounders or flourishes. Maybe they drift in-between until they decide and move forward.

So here I am deciding. Moving.

Hoping this doesn’t bite me in the ass.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

University has brainwashed me into thinking Trains lead to death.

I am what I call an independent thinker. Or at least I like to think I am. To my parents great dismay I am not a Republican. To societies great dismay I am not a Democrat. I am the great Fence-sitter of philosophical matters.

We were presented with this situation. I would like to hear what you would do. Because I am fence sitting.

Remember it’s my world. So what I say goes ok?

Ok. There is a train travelling at full speed with 10 people on board. The train is heading straight for a brick wall and at impact all 10 people will die.

However, you are capable of changing the path of the train. You can change it to travel down the other path where it will run over just one person. Do you change the path?

Most people in the discussion said an emphatic yes.

But then what if that one person was carrying the cure for cancer or AIDS, would you still change the path?

Most people said an emphatic no.

Then the question was posed, what if that person that would be run over was your child and the person carrying the AIDS cure was on the train... Would you change the path?

I am evidently not a very caring person. I would not change the path regardless. How can one life be any less important that then lives of 10? I am too irresponsible. By taking action I am responsible for the consequences and there is no way I would want to be responsible for the death of someone. The other 10 shouldn’t gotten on a train heading for disaster. But see, it’s irresponsible. And I can talk this in circles for hours ... because no thanks. I will be avoiding trains for a while. A long while.

I just can’t handle this no-answer-makes-you-look-like-a-nice-person situation...

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

i am a pompous word person.

i am a pompous word person. i am the anal retentive person who hyperventilates when she sees the damned ‘Ten items or less’ sign in the supermarket. Count nouns require ‘fewer’ not ‘less’. Grr.

All the signs for the movie Two Weeks Notice. Ugh. It should be two weeks’ notice.

But i am an inconsistent word person. my own grammar sucks. but i’ll correct your grammar.

i think i suck. and i am terribly sorry my suckiness permeates even grammar. Ugh. suckiness isn’t even a word. blast.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Art people are pompous snobs.

Perhaps I should clarify a few things for my readers who do not know me personally. I am an art person. I am extremely interested in the impact of society and economics on art. That is why I do Art History. It expands my mind, it makes me wrestle with various thoughts and ideas that are explores through art. Ok. So I like art. I am an art person.

BUT! Art people really drive me crazy. Being art people, they are frequently not word people. And they try really hard to be. My lecturer is one of such people. She is really smart and she fancies herself an intellectual. This means she uses really big words which have little meaning to explain a really simple concept. UGH! This is a huge pet peeve of mine.

Why focus on the modernity of something? Instead focus on why something is progressive. Is it necessary to discuss the implications of the ramifications of the socio-economic modernity or can we just say that we need to look at the impact that society and economics play in the modern world?

Perhaps I am a pompous word person. But I just have to say it... clarity in writing is difficult enough to achieve. Don’t try and throw in big words. You sound stupid to those who understand what you write. Big words used in a row can often have undetected (by the writer) redundancy errors. HUGE pet peeve.

In any case, for the average sane person, the meaning gets lost and then what’s the point to writing something no-one understands/ has no significant meaning?

Exactly. There is no point.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Geeky post about books

I recently finished Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. I have a few things to say about it.

First though, for those who haven’t read it or forgot the basic storyline....

The story is set on a boat in the late 1800s. Marlow is the main guy and he is telling his four rich ship mates the story of when he did fresh water sailing in the Congo. He got a job with The Company who was concerned with the ivory trade. Marlow is sent to fetch Kurtz an important guy who was known for his methods in ‘dealing’ with the natives. Marlow hears a lot about this Kurtz fellow and when he finally reaches him, Kurtz kicks the bucket. In a nutshell that is the storyline. If you want the actual details go read the freaking book.

*breath*

I tried reading this 77 page novella several times. Each attempt I would reach page 5 and be so exhausted that I couldn’t continue. However, when I did manage to finish I was really impressed. Ok I know, it’s a classic for a reason and I am a fan of classics and yadda yadda but seriously. I was really baffled by the various standpoints the author took on common issues addressed in modern novels.

Firstly the standpoint on Imperialism is very different to modern novels. Conrad’s resounding thought throughout the book is that imperialism has far reaching negative effects, but his focus was not on the natives but on the Europeans. The maxim, ‘Absolute power corrupts absolutely’ is fitting. Conrad’s point is that Europeans, without a check, were more detrimental to themselves that to the natives.

This is interesting to me because if I have to read another book about how evil the European people are who came to Africa to exploit the natives are, I will puke. I am sorry that I am white. I am sorry my ancestors were dumb. Let’s stop writing books saying the same thing ... Yes I am talking about you Poisonwood Bible. Colonisation and Imperialism were atrocities.... So it was nice to not read another book about how mean the whites were to the natives. Because we KNOW they were bad and mean people with bad intentions and yadda yadda (brainwash mumbo jumbo)

Second interesting point: The Role of Women. According to most feminists thinkers, Heart of Darkness is novel that degrades women. Surely they have a decent point. Marlow is constantly annoyed at the naiveté of the women he encounters. But when one thinks about it, Marlow himself was just as naive in his dealings with reality, refusing to see things (especially Kurtz) as they were. Even subtle minor characters, like the Russian guy, held this same innocence. Conrad doesn’t dismiss women as silly and out of touch with reality, but people in general, men and women alike.

Sigh. It is nice to read something that doesn’t blatantly address the female gender as the superior gender. Equality is not superiority. So there.

That is my blub about the Heart of Darkness.

Weigh in. What did you think of Heart of Darkness? What are your views regarding the betrayal of Imperialism (or colonialism) and women in novels, both classic and modern?

Lemme have it!

Oh and can I do this more? Or shall I skip the analysis of the books I read next time (unless of course I HAVE to say something. Cuz its my blog and I can make it suck if I want to) But I don’t want to have the suckiest blog in the history of suckiness. So let me know if I should skip to something else next time...

Because I love my readers I will listen to what you want!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Introducing the Alter-ego

I have an alter-ego. She lives there inside that part of my brain that I don’t really like to look at very much. Bertha is her name and she... scares me.

(I am thrilled to learn that I am not the only one with a split personality. Hillbilly's confession here.)

When things get uncomfortable for the normal me, Bertha comes out in her annoying squeaky voice. If Bertha ever decided to rampage my body I would be one bad ass mother trucker. She’s fat and doesn’t bath and probably lives in her pickup truck on the side of the highway in my skull. And there she'll live, like a parasite...leeching...

And that’s nasty.

I have to admit; most people who see Bertha on a regular basis know her antics well. Those who don’t... well they don’t. And when I try and blame my alter ego.... well, they don’t take too kindly to it. Shifting blame? I am not. I am just telling you about my mental instability.

You see, the brilliant are mental cases. That makes me brilliant. And beautiful. Because Bertha tells me so.

And if no one else will compliment me then Bertha will do it. As much as I hate her treatment of those around me, like that poor girl who used to live in the flat above mine, ehm. Bertha sure is damn nice to me. Its hoes before... everyone else. So maybe I’ll extend her rent a little longer for free. Just tell me I’m pretty again ok? And tell that girl she’s a slutty whore for me too.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Two fewer mochas a month..Totally do-able.

So Betsy commented on my blog post last week regarding an non profit organisation that is concerned with the needs in Africa. I checked it out.

They are attempting to allow normal people like you and I to help with the desperate situation in Africa. For the cost of 2 mochas a month ($7) you can make a difference in the life of several African people.


They have six projects that you can contribute your money to. HIV/AIDS, child mothers (described by the site as: "These young women are called "child mothers" because they were only children themselves when they were abducted, trained as fighters, and given as sex slaves to rebel soldiers in the LRA. Now that they have escaped or been excused as expendable, the community at large rejects them and their children."),Orphan care, Education, Job creation and Sudan regrowth.

The part I like best is this little phrase, "All of our work is through trained indigenous leaders: Africans developing Africa." As a white person in Africa, we are viewed with a whole different level of stigmatisms that only an actual person who had lived in Africa for several years can understand. Americans especially. I find this difficult because I love Africa. But becuase of the understandable nuances that come with being of a different culture I seem helpless to actually provide accurate assistance. But when we can gve the resources and training to indigenous leaders who can teach the general public, we might have a chance to help.

For $7, a lot can be done.

I applaud the mocha club. It's about time that we get involved in the world around us.

If you are interested in getting involved the web address is mochaclub.org

Do something.

To Write Love on Her Arm

Yesterday I wrote love on my arm.

It is a campaign to promote awareness about Self-Injury worldwide. Thousands of people worldwide wrote on their arms in red ink to raise awareness about SI.


This campaign is close to my heart because the cutters I know are close to my heart. No judgements no stigmatisms.

They need understanding. They need hope. They need Love.
See more at towriteloveonherarm.org

Friday, November 14, 2008

Don't stop reading if you think I am lame.

Busy studying today. I know a certian few of my faithful readers might enjoy the thought behind this joke. If not, stay tuned. Because I will try to be more intertaining after examns. (Why does NOBLOPOMO coordinate with the toughest exams?! ugh!)

Ok so heres the joke:

A teacher was retiring after 30 years of teaching, so each child
decided they wanted to bring her a special retirement present. A
little girl who was the daughter of a fine chocolate dealer brought
her a box full of fine chocolates.

A little boy who was the son of a florist brought her a big bouquet of flowers. Another little boy who was the son of a fine liquor dealer brought her a big box that was sealed, and it had something leaking from the bottom of the box. The teacher said, "I bet I know what this is!"

She tasted some of the juices that were leaking from the box and said, "I bet this is some wine!"
The little boy said, "Nope!" She tasted it again and said "Liquor?" The little boy said, "Nope!" She tasted it again and said, "Beer?" The little boy said, "Nope!" She said, "Well what is it?" The little boy said, "A puppy!"

Thursday, November 13, 2008

No more Pauses

Today I just want to keep the post short, sweet and simple. This is one of my favourite ee cummings poems. It betrays my... cultured... side and my ridiculous No regrets- love life side. Let me know what you think!

since feeling is first
ee cummings

since feeling is first
who pays any attention
to the syntax of things
will never wholly kiss you;

wholly to be a fool
while Spring is in the world

my blood approves,
and kisses are a far better fate
than wisdom
lady i swear by all flowers. Don't cry
--the best gesture of my brain is less than
your eyelids' flutter which says

we are for eachother: then
laugh, leaning back in my arms
for life's not a paragraph

And death i think is no parenthesis

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Quick little barf of words

Wedding plans are going fantatically. yay!


The invitations are almost ready to be shown to the world! It has been so much fun to handmake them. My amazing mother helped us sooooo much. She pretty much designed them herself and they are GORGEOUS!

Even my dad got in on the action of Weddin' cooordinatin'. He actually knows a someone who makes fabulous cakes and flower arrangements. BONUS! We met with her and I can't wait to get started! yay!

Wedding planning is fun. But its CONSUMING MY LIFE!! But then its only 14 weeks until the big day!
Maybe I can hold out going crazy until then...

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Cultured is now the politically correct term for Geek.

The last exam I wrote was my English grammar exam. *yes I realise that despite this class I sometimes say a lot of crap very badly*

Anyhow, We were waiting for the exam to begin when people sitting behind me began this convo:

Chick #1: What do you think about this class?

Chick #2: I think it's lame. Who could possibly enjoy a class about grammar. Its like, so boring.

Dude #1: You'd be surprised.

Chick #1: Ya, there are people who actually specialise in this subject.

Chick #2: Holy Crap! You're kidding! How geeky is that?!

Me: (shrink down staring and the giant yellow card in front of me... the yellow card that betrays my field of study. Yes, I am the geeky connoisseur of the English Language who is indeed specialising in grammar.)

My friend Pookie (She would hate knowing that I just called her that in public) has called me a geek since I moved to SA. I didn't read the right magazines, or watch the right TV shows. I did not attend the awesome parties even though I was invited (which apparently is the epitome of Geek-dom I guess). I listened to rock and roll. I tried to read as many books about as much as I could (which might actually BE the epitome of Geek-dom).

But I have decided. Geek is SO last year and now Cultured is the politically correct term and more widely accepted way to refer to us... special people. Plus it sounds more fabulous. And me? I am fabulous. or something. *sniff

Monday, November 10, 2008

The Phone Call of Destiny

I just got the phone call. Every BFF drools over the moment when their BFF from overseas wakes them up with a phone call to tell them something very exciting. Today I got that phone call.

Meeka called to tell me that her boyfriend got down on his knee and popped the ‘will you marry me question’. The subsequent sounds of joy that radiated from my mouth were not really words so much as squeals of joy and excitement. This is so exciting! Not only are we both getting married but we are getting married within the same year! We are so blessed to go from grade2 cuteness into grade 3-6 awkwardness together. We were blessed to go from grade6 into middle school awkwardness together. We were blessed to go from middle school into high school. Although I left before graduation and prom we ‘went through it’ together in spirit. We got our first tattoos together, fought with our dads together, found our faiths together and pretty soon we will both be going from single-dom to man- and-wife-dom pretty close to together.

So here's a huge shout out to my newly engaged BFF. Congrats Meeka! May your lives together always be full of joy and love.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Making the Fi do the hard work.

Making invitations is hard work. The Fi is measuring and cutting squares of papers, my mother and her friend are stamping on the squares and me? I man the printer adn look pretty. Or maybe woman the printer. (Sh, they don't know I am actually blogging and not arranging the RSVP wording.)

I think I have found my favourite part of wedding planning. The arranging of details and the preparing of fun stuff just tickles me! The wordings the colours the smells and tastes. Perhaps I have missed my own vocation. But then something goes wrong and ugh. I am so glad I am doing this once. SOrry Fi you are stuck with me! I am never doing this again!! :)

ahk! Ok so I have been caught...

The gig is up.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Christmas beetles buzzing in my ear means its time to pull out the fly swatter.


Christmas in South Africa is tainted. Not only is it blooming hot and sticky over the 'snowy season' but you have to get a plastic tree. *Cringe*

Also with this time of the year the blasted Christmas beetles come out to play. They are excellent pilots when they are aiming for my open mouth or blinking eyeball. They are lame. Today I saw my first one of the season. Bring it on beetle! I got the super fab fly swatter. You are going down...

Friday, November 7, 2008

Refusing to forget Joy

Today I am admitting to my most pathetic attribute. I have my moments of sentimentality. I know. I am lame. Today is the 7th. Meaning me and the Fi have been together for 18 months. Maybe I am pathetic but this makes me happy.

I like thinking about the things we have gone through and the things we have accomplished. It is fun and inspiring.

Like the time we played putt-putt and I slipped in the water and he caught me. *sigh* or the time when he brought me flowers after my surgery. And the time he wrote me a song. And the time when he pgot down on his knee to ask me to be his wife... and the time.... See it's fun!

So enjoy today and relish in the moments that you may forget if you let yourself.


Keep the joy today! And happy Friday! And day...7 of NaBloPoMo!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Music Actually Rules the World....We just don't realise it yet...

Happy Thursday everyone! It is a glorious day considering 1. We have already passed Wednesday, the worst day of the week and 2. because tomorrow is Friday. And although I write an exam until late and will thus be missing the normal Fri night with the Church youth playing games and chatting about life, love, and Jesus Christ, I am really looking forward to one week closer to being done with this year of University.

Because today is so incredibly rocking, I have a game just to pass the time. Yes these are lame. No you don't have to finish reading this post. Unless I tagged you. In that case, you better or the force of a thousand ninjas on speed might just harass you in your dreams....

RULES:

1. Put Your ITunes/ music player on Shuffle

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER WHAT (or else tiny leprechauns will come to your house and eat you! or something)

Here we go:

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY?" YOU SAY:

Man Who Sold the World- Nirvana

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?:

Falling for the First Time- Bare Naked Ladies

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?

Nothing Ever Changes- DC Talk

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?

And Can it Be? - Rob Watson

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?

Knocking on Heaven's Door- Guns and Roses

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?

Introduction to Destruction- SUM 41

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?

Du Riechst So Gut- Rammestein (Like I even know what this means! They just rock hard and tight)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?

I Alone- Live

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?

Bloody Sunday- U2

WHAT IS 2+2? (WTFH?)

Show me Heaven- Jessica Andrews (No, no, no. I can't believe I have this on my playlist! BARF)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?

Zero- Smashing Pumpkins (LIES! I love my BFF!)


WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Crash - Dave Matthews Band (*Sigh)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?

Am I Understood- Relient K

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

Bats- Tourniquet

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Elderly Woman Behind the Counter- Pearl Jam (LOL! I just died laughing.)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?

Son of a Preacherman- Dusty Springfield (Ok.. so the Fi is a son of a preacherman...)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?

The Closest Thing to Crazy- Katie Melua (Uber cute... awwwww)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?

I Believe in a Thing Called Love- The Darkness (Um.)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?

One- Simple Plan (Um. again. Maybe disgruntled maladjusted teens?)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?

The Battle of Forevermore- Led Zepplin

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?

Over the Hills and Far Away- Nightwish (The definition of ironic. This song, this question. I miss my BFF!)

WHAT SHOULD YOU POST THIS AS?
Pain for Pleasure- Sum 41 (Fitting I guess...)

WHAT IS YOUR THEME SONG?

End the End- Linkin Park

TAGGED:

1. Hillbilly Duhn
2. Your Artistic View
3. Carla
4. Will Robson
5. Savy


Ok, so if you are bored- this was amusing. Give it a try... Especially if you are bored. ha! Or just writing exams like me and do nothing exciting despite trying to post more frequently. Lame!

'Til the morrow!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Life in the Big City

This post was saved and I accidently posted it early before I was ready for it to be read. I am sorry if you read it before I could remove it. My comedic genius was working on making it funny (obviously!)...

Yes I do realise that Pretoria (or Tshwane as we are to now call it) is far from a thrilling city. Full of the backwardness of poor city planning I am now knee-deep in dutchmen-ville. I do get teased for the way my South African accent is turning more Afrikaans and that I no longer need to read the subtitles of 7 de Laan. I say things like 'too much of' , 'ja', and I have even caught myself saying the dreaded, 'Can like to be'. My grammar has gone out the window. All because I study English at TUKKIES! (too bad I can't record the way that has to be said. Because there is a way to say it so that is sounds strong powerful and very Afrikaans.)

So, that leads to today's thought. These are my top 13 tips to living as an American in Pretoria.

1. Don't tell anyone that you are American. Either they will ask you something retarded like whether or not you know Oprah or their third cousin twice removed who lives in Canada, or they will try to rip you off trying to make you think that you have to pay to walk on the sidewalk.

2. Don't leave your windows open at the traffic lights. The beggars/hawkers will reach into your car and steal your stuff. And you probably like your stuff and don't want to chase a one or two legged man down the street just to get your cellphone back.

3. Try not to speak. You accent will give your nationality away. See Number 1.

4. Learn Afrikaans. It is a lot of fun to eavesdrop when no one knows you understand what they are talking about. Hours of entertainment here... Especially when you get the luck of them talking about you while you are in the room.

5. Don't drink the water. No, really, I think someone might have died in the reserve they pump it from. When people drink it for extended periods of time they begin to like Steve Hofmeyer and adore Vernon Koekemoer and say things like 'Can like to be'.

6. One word. Loftus. Avoid it and the traffic created by it.

7. Don't bother trying to find parking. Walk everywhere. Sure it might be more dangerous, but if you take your car it will most likely get stolen then you will have to walk home anyway.

8. If someone says 'for you my friend I'll give you special price' understand one thing. You are not their friend, everyone gets the 'special' price and you are most likely getting ripped off.

9. Buy a new map book every 6 weeks. Pretty soon after all the name changes you won't know where you are going. Ever. Try and keep ahead of the game.

10. Don't give money to ANC supporters. Despite failed promises, a collapsing economy and increase after increase in everything from the 60% increase in electricity prices to the incredibly ridiculous taxes to interest rates they will continue to vote ANC until they die.

11. Learn how to ride a dead horse. You have to deal with things not working. Broken this and that, Bank systems will be offline and even power outages when you want to cook dinner/dry your hair. If you understand how to ride a dead horse maybe you will cope easier with all the dead things in Tshwane.

12. Eat at Po's Kitchen. It's the best Chinese in the world. Expect maybe in China. And say hi to Po for me!

13. Don't carry money while you walk home. Spend it all while you shop. Black people who are dressed better than you, who actually still have a car and have their party of choice in government will probably stop you and give you a long story about their brother's sister's cousin's child who is hungry and how a neighbor gave him a meal and now he needs money to buy a thank you gift to the child's neighbor. Confused? I was too.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Missing the Rainy State

Sometimes I really miss Oregon. REALLY miss it. I found this list (thanks mom!) and had to share it for some joy!! You know you are from Oregon when....
  1. You feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash.
  2. You use the statement "sun break" and know what it means.
  3. You know more than 10 ways to order coffee.
  4. You know more people who own boats than air conditioners.
  5. You feel overdressed wearing a suit to a nice restaurant.
  6. You stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the "Walk" signal.
  7. You consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain.
  8. You know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Oregon, Yakima, and Willamette.
  9. You consider swimming an indoor sport.
  10. In winter, you go to work in the dark and come home in the dark—while only working eight-hour days.
  11. You never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho.
  12. You are not fazed by "Today's forecast: showers followed by rain," and "Tomorrow's forecast: rain followed by showers."
  13. You have no concept of humidity without precipitation
  14. You know that Boring is a town in Oregon and not just a state of mind.
  15. You can point to at least two volcanoes, even if you cannot see through the cloud cover.
  16. You notice, "The mountain is out" when it is a pretty day and you can actually see it.
  17. You put on your shorts when the temperature gets above 50, but still wear your hiking boots and parka.
  18. You switch to your sandals when it gets about 60, but keep the socks on.
  19. You have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain.
  20. You think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or people from california
  21. You buy new sunglasses every year, because you cannot find the old ones after such a long time.
  22. You measure distance in hours.
  23. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit under a raincoat.
  24. You know all the important seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Raining (Spring), Road Construction (Summer), Deer & Elk season (Fall).
  25. Your grandparents drive at 65 mph through a rain storm without flinching.
  26. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.
  27. You carry jumper cables in your pickup and your wife knows how to use them.
  28. Driving is better in the winter because almost everybody stays home.
  29. You blame everything that's not right on ex-Californians.
  30. You are sitting at a red light surrounded by Subaru Legacy Outbacks.
  31. A tree or mudslide has ever damaged your house or car.
  32. You live equidistant to a symphony hall, a winery, and a volcano.
  33. Your children learned to walk in Birkenstocks.
  34. You complain about Californians as you sell your house to one for twice as much as you originally paid.
  35. You only honk your horn if collision is imminent and never for anything else.
  36. You consider something a "hill" (not a mountain) if it doesn't have snow on it or has not recently erupted, regardless of its altitude.
  37. You find a wallet with $500 and give it back to the owner.
  38. Know at least eight people who work for Intel or Nike, or used to work for Tektronix.
  39. You think skiing always means being covered from head to toe, in snow or water.
  40. Have ever called your insurance agent to ask if your homeowner's policy covers falling trees, flooding, or mud slides
  41. You believe swimming is not a sport but a survival skill to prevent boating deaths.
  42. Obey all traffic laws except "keep right unless passing."
  43. You think downtown is "scary" because you were panhandled there....once...
  44. You know that Burgerville has the best hamburgers...ever.
  45. You have only used 5 main freeways/highways: I-5, 217, 205, 26, and 84.
  46. You know that Kindergarten Cop and The Goonies were filmed in Astoria and Cannon Beach, respectively.
  47. You know where Astoria is.
  48. You think that the Beach is the best place to go for vacation, or just for a day off.
  49. You love going to the Original Pancake House....because its original....
  50. You take pride in Lewis and Clark and know who Sacagawea is.
  51. Were excited when the Crater lake, Oregon quarter came out.
  52. You went to Washington Square....just to eat lunch at Panda Express...or Scoozi.
  53. You love the smell of rain.
  54. You are the only person in the line at the grocery store who asks for paper, not plastic (because while paper "kills trees" it is recyclable, and plastic bags will sit in our landfills for the next millennia).
  55. You know the exact day you had school off because it snowed like....one inch.
  56. You have been to camp 18...or just driven by it.
  57. You are sad during christmas because it never snows in the valley.
  58. You know where the valley is.
  59. You go out of state and wait in your car for someone to pump your gas.
  60. Your state and local legislatures are republican but your state executives and national representatives are democrat.
  61. You are more concerned about packing a sweatshirt or a jacket when going to the beach than packing a bathing suit.
  62. You smile at people you don't know as you walk by them on the sidwalk.
  63. People call you a hippy and you just smile because you can't hear them over the grape-nuts.
  64. you make subtle remarks about washington drivers, but save your real road rage for california drivers.
  65. You've witnessed 300 nude bicyclists just cruising around downtown like its no big deal.
  66. You yield to pedestrians who are standing on the sidewalk.
  67. You know that it is illegal to buy or sell marijuana, but it is legal to smoke it on your own property.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Television heartbreak

I am not a big fan of the TV. I don't have access to one 5 days of the week and its only when I stay with my parents that I veg into oblivion in front of the TV. I hate it. Don't get me wrong... I love certain progams (obviously!) And certian movies- (like yesterday I sat drooling, plastered to the TV watching Health Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You *sigh*) Ok, so despite my adoration to certain elements of TV, there are very uncool elements. Like my unstimulated brain. I come up with no new ideas, no new explorations, no new thoughts while I am absorbed into the TV. Where as when I read, I marvel at more. Even when I watch movies I can think about what makes it successful, why I am enjoying it (other than great looking men). Because as a novelist, you are trying to keep your readers attention for 2+ hours just like a film writer/producer/director.


I received this is a post from Dumblittleman in my email box the other day. Other than my weekly one hour of Wives or Greys, i really should cut out the other crap- like How do I look, Isaac and Clean House (TSN network should die! It is the ultimate time sucker)


Treating The TV Addiction
  • Thirty Day Experiment. Take it upon yourself to start a 30-day experiment, in which you will not watch a single minute of TV. After this month is complete, feel free to analyze the results and make an informed decision. After the 30 days, it's solely up to your discretion if you want to go back to TV, or if you'll take on a new, more fulfilling hobby.

  • Journal Your Progress. In retrospect, it's not always easy to see day-to-day progress because we simply and easily forget our experiences. Your mission will be to take a few minutes at the end of each day to write about how you spent your TV-free time, how you felt about this, and any other ideas that you have during this time period.

  • Insert Good Habits. Whenever you're taking out a bad habit, it is important to insert a good habit into the void. Otherwise, this void, which works like a vacuum, will suck you right back into your bad habits. Below I will list 5 things you can do during your prime time, other than watching TV.

  • General Task List. Make sure you keep a general task list of things you can pick up and do at absolutely any time (much like the items you see in the list below). This way when you get a brain freeze and can't think of your next action, and your daily to-do list is empty or requires action from someone else to begin, you'll have something productive to do to fill in the time-gap.
5 Smarter-Than-TV Tasks
  • Clear You Mind (And Your Desk). It's common sense that when you're in a clean and organized environment that you're mind will be clearer and more focused on the task at hand, instead of the mess at hand. Take a few minutes to make a clean-task-list in which you'll categorize which areas of your work-area, or your home, need to be cleaned up.

    • Work Desk
    • File Drawers
    • Book shelves
    • Bathroom
    • Bedroom
    • Kitchen
    • Living Room, etc.

    I know it can be mind-boggling to look at the way you've let your area go, which makes it hard to get started. However, if you take 15 minutes a day in order to speed-clean a certain area, it will make it much easier, or unnecessary to clean on "cleaning-day." This is a task I love to do while plugged into an audio book or into some speedy techno music.

    Other than organizing your living area, you'll also want to organize your mind by having yourself a...

  • Mental Vomit (Onto Some Paper). One way to clear your mind and focus is to organize your physical environment. Another very useful way is to organize your internal environment. This includes sitting down with that ol' pen and paper (or in my case MacJournal), and doing some major planning. Some of the things you can plan out are:

    • Tomorrow's Task List
    • Weekly Goals and Task List
    • Monthly Goals
    • Yearly Goals
    • 5 and 10 year Goals
    • List of things to-do before you kick the bucket.

    At this point you must think I'm some kind of organization freak, even if I do only half of the things that are on this list. However, experience dictates a few very important facts about organizing your thoughts into task lists.

    1. If you trust your mind to remember what's important, you're going to forget.

    2. If you keep too many open-loops of things you need to be doing, you're going to procrastinate on getting them done.

    3. If you write it down, your much more likely to get it done.

    Remember, planning is a time investment that earns huge dividends. Without constantly setting goals that make you reach outside of your comfort zone, you're bound to settle into a life that is neither exciting nor anything greater than mediocre.

    While measured output is a great way to spend time, another productive skill set to adopt is...

  • Read For Fun and Profit. What are YOU filling your brain with today? Is it the TV junk that's all geared toward making you a top-of-the-line consumer, or hand-picked books that will improve your character, increase your knowledge, help you get some culture, and teach you skills that you've always wanted to have?

    Prime time is a huge chunk of time that you can use to read. Reading is much better for your brain than television, because it's 'usually' not full of commercial advertisements, and doesn't flip between images every 7 seconds or more. With reading, you really have a much better chance of monitoring your brain's input.

    You can read novels for fun, self-improvement books, or books that will help you make money directly or through your field of work. It's also a pretty nice way to unwind and relax after a long day of work while expanding your vocabulary.

    All this sitting around is highly productive, but once that's over with, it's time to get your butt up and...

  • Burn Baby, Burn! (Like disco inferno?) Okay, well, what I'm talking about is exercise. You've been watching TV for so long, and gawking/envying all the hard body actors and actresses, that you're practically an expert of what sexy is, and know just how sexy you'd like to be yourself.

    I don't want to tell you that you'll be happier if you get your body into stellar shape. It might, or it might not, that is really not of any consequence. What I can tell you is that you'll have an overall feeling of well being if you do daily exercise, which will strengthen your muscles, give you more energy, and invigorate and focus your mind. Some of the ways in which you can do this are...

    • Take up running. This is something that I just got into myself. If you're not in the best shape of your life, you can start out by walking, then walking faster, then jogging, until finally you're able to run. The key is constant and never ending improvement.

    • Pick Up Games. You can find a fun pick up game at your local park, gym, or social club. The key here is that the people and the fun will keep you coming back, and the sport will get your sweaty and feeling good.

    • Exploration/Shopping. You want to be active, and you need to do this no matter what. A fun way to do this is to walk around (or bike, or run), and explore a new area. Explore a new city, park, or even a shopping center if that's what you're into. Go at a fast pace that is comfortable, but challenging, so that your heart rate is increased and you're actually doing some work!

  • Bondage, bond... I mean family time. Someone somewhere gave family time a bad name. It doesn't have to be arguing, fighting, and hating on each other as often portrayed on TV. The difference between TV and real life is that on TV someone else makes the plot; in life our actions and decisions dictate how the movie will play out.

    Generally speaking, your family members are the group of people whom you can most trust and rely upon. On the other hand, these people can be the most critical of you as well, which could make them a less than ideal group to come to when you have problems.

    This creates a fun game you can play during prime time every day. Build the amazing relationship that you've always wanted with your family, while they're still around for you to enjoy them. You can do this in so many ways, that the possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

    I'm talking about cleaning together, planning together, reading together, exercising together, and yes, even having family time together as a family. I know it's a stretch. You can make money together, pray together, accompany each other to social events, aid each other in fortifying your morality, ethics, and character.

    When you start thinking of your family as home base and strengthening this social foundation of your life, you'll notice a lot of magical things happening. You'll feel better in general, as well as get a lot of support in areas of your life. Next, you'll notice that your relationships with other people are getting exceedingly better as well.
This list represents just a few things from an infinite list of activities that are better and more productive than watching TV. I'm sure you can think of even better ways to spend your TV free time.


Written on 10/27/2008 by Alex Shalman. Alex is an avid reader and is constantly learning how to improve his life. You can catch him at Practical Personal Development .

Ok, so I definitly cannot commit to everything on the list. But I can cut out TSN. Except for Whose Wedding - thats like IDEAS time! :)

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Princess is SO last winter

What is it about wedding dresses that are so dang appealing? I must admit to the THOUSAND times that I paraded around my house with a sheet draped over my head pretending to be a bride. Or princess. Or the Bride princess. Or even the Princess Bride. (man I loved that movie... 'No more rhyming I mean it... Anybody want a peanut? *Sigh*)

Yesterday my mom and I paraded around Joburg in search of a less expensive wedding gown (the very last thing on my to-do for this week) than the previous dresses I had liked. Let me just set the scene here:

We drive by the place once. Why because it is dirty, mangy and not at all bridal-esque. Both of us were... apprehensive at best. We walk in to a few brides trying on a few dresses and are led into the back with the racks of dresses. Two assistants tried to help us, jabbering away in Afrikaans. After trying on the first few ugly dresses we decided to ditch the help. So they went and ate potato chips on the bench. The main seamstress lady decides she knows what I want. So she wants me to try on the meringue dress. (Gosh, if there could be an dress that is the antithesis of me and my personal style it would be this dress) Sure, it's pretty and a lot of girls would kill for a dress like it... But me? No thanks. I can't help but giggle to think of me in such a... thing. I would look like a cupcake dropped upside-down and made into a meringue tart.

We tried on all sorts of dresses. And this was frustrating. I knew what I wanted and I wasn't getting anything CLOSE! I didn't want to be picky, I just wanted to look great and feel great.

I tried on a dress with the train longer than I am tall. And I am a tall girl, 5'10 and a bit. It was massive. When it was bustled, Which was quite a mission in itself, the fabric tugged on my bum pulling it towards the ground with its weight. UGH!

I got to look Medieval. Which was funny. Too bad the web page doesn't offer a photo of that dress. What is the difficulty of clean, modern lines?!?

I tried this dress on. It looks way better on the model. But not by much... In the end, Just as we were about to leave the store thinking everything was hopeless... We tried it. The one that sat there in the corner. The dress with the... details that cried out for attention...

And it was it. And after negotiation R1300 off the initial price, she is mine (for the day anyway!)

What? You think I am going to put picture up of it? No ways! You get to wait until the wedding. What if the Fi saw? Exactly. *Disaster*

Saturday, November 1, 2008

NaBloPoMo fo'sho

30 posts in 30 days. That's all I gotta do. November is National Blogging Month and so hello! I am blogging away!!

I learned about the 30 day challenge and well I already knew I had wanted to blog for 30 days in a row just to see what I could come up with. So here I go, NaBloPoMo!

I am #9197 of NaBloPoMo baby!

If you want in on the action go to NaBloPoMo

Let's rock!