Slave to the Ordinary

It's Official.

2009-06-08T02:00:00.000+02:00

Well, things are all moved over to Wordpress now!

So please find me at http://touchingjoy.wordpress.com

Here's to many many more posts! :)

New ness is revealed.

2009-06-07T02:00:00.003+02:00

So, you got up Early just to hear what's happen with Slave to the Ordinary right? Right.

I needed to change, honest I did. This blog has all been based upon the quote in the upper right hand corner. Being daring, impractical, being anything that inspired those around me. And I did.

I succeeded.

Now, I have another journey to embark on. The journey of not being a pain in the ass but soaking up every little bit I can of this life.

Am I still a slave to the ordinary day? No.

No longer is this blog accurate. It's like finding an old diary and trying to reapply those thoughts to your current outlook. It just cannot be the same.

I have uploaded all these posts onto WordPress- all your comments too. I really do hope that you will find me over there and continue with me as I embark on this new journey.

Ok, enough jibber jabber. (ten points if you NAME THAT QUOTE!)

The new and exciting journey I am embarking on is:

It might be a few days before everything is up and running. But I have posted a few pages with new crap on them and all. So take a moment and change your reader.

Oh I haven't told you where I am posting? Bad bad me. You're gonna have to wait until tomorrow.

Just kidding. You can change your blog reel to:

http://touchingjoy.wordpress.com

What do you think? Will you be following me over there?

Moving?

2009-06-06T04:13:00.001+02:00

That's it. I am moving. I hope you'll be following me too.

I didn't get my own domain, but rather am in process of moving all my posts etc over to wordpress. I like their setup. I want multiple pages. The restriction of bloggeer is frustrating. Blogger was fabulous to step into the blog world on. Next step is Wordpress. It's like the pull ups you wear before the big girl panties.

I also think that in honour of being just a few posts away from the big 200th post, made me rethink my blog life.

It's time to dump the depressing name. It's time to unify my image. I don't know if I will be changing my twitter account yet. You all can still follow me there for the time being.

I havn't actually moved over to wordpress, I am merely warning you as I set up my blog over there.

Are you anxious to hear my new blog name?

I'll tell you tomorrow. I think it's perfect.

Happy Friday

2009-06-05T08:33:00.000+02:00

I have a secret

2009-06-04T10:23:00.000+02:00

I've heard that everyone has a weird neurotic trait. For some, its an alterego. For others it is a tick or learning disability.

I have several imagined neurotic traits. Several neurotic dislikes that I have accepted as a personality trait.

I've got to be the biggest freakshow occupying the planet.

But, the most embarrassing and frusterating and not imagined trait I have... is my secret.

I stutter. *cringe*

I work hard to not let it take over my whole speech all the time. Hubs thinks it cute. My family thinks it slightly annoying. But when I am excited or nervous my words sound like they are in a blender.

It's do frustrating to not be able to communicate like a normal human being. Or to be angry and have my words tumble out sounding nothing like I meant them too.

So it's share time. What is your secret or not so secret trait?

Keyword Wednesday

2009-06-03T08:19:00.000+02:00

It's that time. The time when all your secrets are displayed on my stat counter. I know what you searched for to find me.

These are the recent keywords that readers have used to find me on Google.

Sometime I've gotta wonder...

1. Messy Beauty- This obviously links to Klara's Blog. But seriously. When I looked it up on google I got nothing but random ridiculous searches. What are you looking for?!?!(Unless you are looking for Klara's blog. And if that's the case, go check it out!)

2. One day as slave- we we forced to harvest tabacco. Are you serious?!

3. guyus as slaves- Sounds like porn to me! Try again later.

4. Tea for my aching tummy- Rooibos (or red bush)tea, honey. Does it every time.

5. letting go- It's hard. But a good Facebook clean out does wonders!

6. stood up quotes- If you don't stand up for something then you'll fall for anthing.

7. Best friend getting married letter- Glad they found me. I could totally help with that. Not.

8. mullet with a farmers tan - Oh the wonders of the internet

9. dahlingitsme- Hi.

10. oh my tummy aches- Why are you tellin Google?

11. funny crap to say- Now this is something I can help with!

12. why do people meddle?- Why the heck should I know?!

13. "the day of destiny" - Tada!

14. How to make my husband a slave- Um.

Pretty Nutso me thinks.

Pop (goes the weasel) art.

2009-06-02T04:05:00.000+02:00

They {Pop art pieces) don't pretend to be precious stuff; they'll be torn down in a little while and others will be put up and so on: they don't give a damn! That's great- and that's art by God, and the best kind, mixed in with life, art without any bluffing or boasting and with in the easy reach of ordinary guys. - Felix Feneon

Not so much into the nicknames...

2009-06-01T02:52:00.001+02:00

Apparently I slightly resemble Betty Boop. Cute right?

Not so much.

This has unleashed many horrific nicknames spurred from this...

Bethie Boop

Boopie

Betty Boopie

Bethy Boopie...

And the greatest Bethie Boob.

Nice right?

I'll let you be the judge here:

Betty Boop? Maybe not so much...

What do YOU want?

2009-05-31T07:45:00.000+02:00

I read more than 100 different blogs every day. I don't usually comment, but I read.

I have gleaned some incredible things from these blogs.

Something I have been excited to impliment is a weekly dose of some of my favourite things.

I want to know what you want to hear about.

Do you want more pictures? (Grandma, I'm putting you down on this one as a yes?!)

Some recipes?

Art Techniques?

Creative writing examples and encouragements?

Guest bloggers?

Cartoons?

Money/time saving tips?

Funny crap that happens to me?

Books I read/shoes I love?

I suppose, I am leaning the blog away from me and more into things I am passionate about.

I have said 'I' a lot in this post and I want YOU to leave a comment stating "I want you to have..." And give some feedback...

The Journey of the Giraffe which is probably the least eventful story in the world. But is complete with pictures.

2009-05-30T19:28:00.007+02:00

Of course, I have many giraffe stories. However, I have yet to have a giraffe story with a CAMERA on hand. Lucky for me, while on a walk through our chalet park, we stumbled across this:

I know. Adorable.

I had a camera this time. No make up on my face mind you, but a camera. Proof:

Make-up aint nothing when you are staying in a chalet with a private pool.

We walked 20 metres up to the guy on our side of the fence and he decided to step forward to greet us.

He halved the distance in one step.

I chickened out. Ran away and used the zoom.

Magnificent.

The End.

Things I am not a stranger to...

2009-05-29T14:22:00.005+02:00

It's been officially three months since Hubs and I returned from honeymoon. Boy, has it been an adventure. Which is fabulous because, as you know, I am no stranger to adventure.

Or Danger...

or beauty

And definitely not hugs.

I like my husband.

2009-05-28T22:31:00.003+02:00

Hubs is a great guy. He took me to the art store when I told him that everything was 50% off. (In SA the best sales are 35% off at best. This is a BIG sale) I was so excited. We waltz through the steel gate into paradise.

And I saw them.

Inkadinkado Rubber Stamps.

They are gorgeous.

Hubs looked at me when I pulled them off the shelf. I begged he conceded. As I pranced with the joy of holding beautiful objects, he casually mentions "Babe, I have wooden blocks at home for you to decorate." Oh how sweet! I giggled and thanked him and we paid.

Utterly confused, Hubs says, "I'm sorry. How in the hell are you going to fit a BLOCK OF WOOD into a book."

A block of wood?

A block of rubber stamping wood.

And then everything made sense.

Poor supportive Hubs. He did everything to make sure I found joy even if it meant gluing blocks of wood into a book.

Doesn't he win?

Sometimes we all need a little giggle.

2009-05-26T12:07:00.004+02:00

Third week of surpressed joy.

But this cartoon unleashed it! :)

**image via whiteninja.com

I eat toast in bed for revenge.

2009-05-25T14:14:00.002+02:00

Oh crumbs. I ate my toast in bed last night.

Oh crumbs Hubbles. Did you really think I'd forget?

Oh crumbs. Crumbs. Crumbs.

Crumbles.

Take that, Mr Hubs.

Take those crumbs.

I got my reveng-umbles.

Blog Crush Monday

2009-05-25T12:14:00.002+02:00

I am hereby admitting to my one terminal downfall. I fall in love easy. And there are just so many writers that make my heart ooze joy.

So even though frequently my posts have been lamer than lame, and more noob than N00b, I am going to point you in the fabulous directions of some of my favourite Blog Crushes. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Megan at Somewhat Voluble. She probably thinks I am stalking her now. Poor thing. But She is also one of those crazy girls who got married before 21 and her blog is utterly heartwarming.

ScoMan at A Name in your Recollection He recently joined Twitter, and we've become great friends. He posts once a week now a days, and even though I protest daily, he will contiue to do so. Sad Day.

Ron at Ronzworld has taken the blog world by storm. He is witty and fresh and inspiring.

Brandy at It's like I'm...mmmagic Its like reading my alterego at times. Utterly fabulous!

Kerri at Your Wishcake. Another ridiculously heartwarming blogger. *sigh* She's like the nice girl in all of us.

So there you have it. My newest blog crushes. I seriously have a reader of a gazzillion blogs and love them all. *double sigh*

Have a fabulous Monday dear ones! :)

It's about you.

2009-05-21T08:35:00.003+02:00

Today is about you:

What do you wish there was more hype about?

Or

What do you wish there was less hype about?

Less hype about: Winter

I am so over winter. Let's not talk about it any longer. Maybe if we ignore it it will go away.

More hype about: Sleep.

Sleep. There should be more of it.

Your turn

My best friend is getting married. Wait. What?!

2009-05-20T14:59:00.007+02:00

Meeka is getting married. She's getting married! While my joy is indescribable and my anticipation to save enough cash to be in the States for her wedding is reeking havoc in my mind, my nostalgia is even stronger!

Here is a picture I found of her and her sister and my brother and I. We've been BFFs since we were five. She's come to South Africa twice and I am so excited to join up again.

Rare is the friend that puts up with me for 16 years!

Tough Tuesdays

2009-05-19T16:08:00.002+02:00

You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life

***Winston Churchill ***

Standing up

2009-05-18T11:55:00.007+02:00

Personally I don't consider my self either conservative nor liberal. The closest political word for my beliefs is Right-Libertarianism. I believe in freedom. I believe in small government. I believe, like Ronald Reagan, that government is the problem not the solution.

I don't want Gay-rights limiting my opinion. If homosexuals want to have the same rights as heterosexuals- fine. Just don't make me have the same opinion as you do. Give me the freedom to disagree and protest without labelling me a bigot.

I don't want the NRA limiting my opinions either. I don't support the gun laws. I want the right to say so. I also don't support the anti-gun movement. I want the right to say they are both ridiculous.

I don't support abortion. I believe that babies have rights. But I believe that if it's legal, I want the right to say I think it's wrong, just as if it's illegal you want the right to protest about the woman's choice.

I don't like President Obama and the socialist practices he is implementing. I don't approve of President Zuma and the communist policies he is shoving down our throats.

I wish to reserve the right to disagree. And this right is so slowly dissolving under the word "tolerance" and the dogma of being narrow minded.. What is narrow-mindedness? According to Merriam- Webster narrow-mindedness is lacking in tolerance or breadth of vision. According to many, I am narrow minded because I don't agree with popular opinion.

But real narrow mindedness is placing your opinions above others. Being narrow minded is the lack of width in your vision, that you can't see that all this mumbo jumbo is truly just that. Mumbo Jumbo.

Isn't that what tolerance really is? It's not supporting gay rights. Nor is it supporting liberal ideals. True tolerance is respecting opinions, both those that support your view and those in disagreement.

Free Speech as a constitutional right is slowly disappearing. God forbid that Facebook refuses to shut down Aryan Supremacist groups! Where has the freedom to state unpopular opinions gone?

I support a new kind of tolerance. Not of the popular Obama catch phrases but of the respect of differences.

Martin Niemoller said: "In Germany, the Nazis came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak for me."

The same can be said for our constitutional rights. First they came for Gun rights and I didn't stand up because I didn't own a gun...

The 'tolerants' are coming for Free Speech and I am standing up.

What are your thoughts?

I quit.

2009-05-15T12:27:00.003+02:00

I am hereby handing in my resignation to today. I quit today. I quit this week. How do you feel now week?! How do you feel now today?!

I win.

My week. White Ninja Style

2009-05-14T14:11:00.004+02:00

**click on image for enlargement**

Love Letters

2009-05-13T12:11:00.003+02:00

Dear Nissan,

Why oh why do you install tape decks into post 2000 Almera's. It's uncool. The radio and obscure tapes I happen to have from when I was 8 are really old now.

Please take note. The next car we get will either be silent or equipped with the top of the line Ipod dock. Thank you.

Regards,

Girl who can no longer tolerate Jeremy Mansfield or Garreth Cliff. Nor the Backstreet boys.
*************************************************************************************

Dear Blogger,

Why do you do your maintenance at 2:00 PDT? This happens to correspond perfectly with my lunch break. The globe just don't run on one timezone.

Sincerely,

South African who likes to eat at 12:00 exactly and type up a post.

*************************************************************************************

Dear really big coffee cup,

I love you. And I love the copious amounts of coffee inside you.

Love,

Girl who feels overworked today.

*************************************************************************************

Dear Hubs,

Thanks for staying up late with me last night. It helped me feel more like I am 21 and not 81. Plus you talked me through all my internal issues. Who gets a husband like that?! You are the bomb.

Kisses,

Your 21 year old wife

*************************************************************************************

Dear Co-worker

If you seriously don't stop talking about food, while I am trying to diet.... i will kill you.

Thanks,

Girl who already has shed 2 kgs and only has fifty million more to go

*************************************************************************************

Happy hump day you all you out there! Have a better day than I! :)

Letting go Version II

2009-05-12T10:07:00.000+02:00

**Don't forget to vote for your favourites!**

Sometimes I envy Hubs.

Not in the I-wish-I-had-a-penis-so-that-I-could-sit-on-the-couch-and-play-xbox-or-computer-games-until-4:30 in the morning-belch-when-I-feel-like-it-and-leave-stink-bombs-in-the-car-for-my-wife kind of way.

Obviously. Ew.

No, what I envy about Hubs is his amazing ability to let go. He no longer feels bitter over his despicable Exes. He doesn't secretly wish that his grade four crush would find him on Facebook to notice how sexy he has become. No longer does he feel the pangs of teenager regret.

Oh to have this skill! I have a hard time letting go!

Remembering kills me sometimes. Nostalgia leads to aching.

I am gearing up to my Facebook clean out. Why am I friends with my fourth grade crush?! Why do I constantly double check my profile picture to make sure I look as thin and beautiful as possible? It is ridiculous! I need to clean them out. I need to be able to let go. I need the courage to know that once I release them, I won't ever need them.

I have everything I have ever needed. So cest la vie

Participation Required

2009-05-11T16:15:00.005+02:00

Weirdest thing happened.

I wrote a post.

I posted it.

I got doubled my hit count.

Wait, What?!

Ok, so hello to all those new readers out there. Introduce yourselves dammit!

I've been overly lame lately. So come on.. Please?

I am excited for the growth that has been evident over this blog. While I haven't posted many posts, it's been over two years that I have written here. I have posted a few of the most popular links and a poll.... Tell me which posts are your favourites and need to have a permalink. You can select as many as you wish.

I am also super excited for some additional fun things I am working on! (No Mom/Grandma/Aunties! No babies!)

So vote! And Delurk!

My calling is The Calling

2009-05-08T09:15:00.003+02:00

I have really cool taste in music. I won't lie.

I can literally mosh with the metalheads (or Hubs whatevs.)

Or Swoon with the lovers...

Or dance like the hooker on the bar to Kanye West. If you catch me with one too many anythings, I'll be

Quick to the point to the point no faking
I'm cooking MC's like a pound of bacon
Burning them if you ain't quick and nimble
I go crazy when I hear a cymbal
And a hi-hat with a souped up tempo
I'm on a roll and it's time to go solo

Ahem.

I have really cool taste in music.

And Rock is my passion. Maybe it's the three guitars that take residence in our home that gives Hubs and I away as rockers or the slammin' guitar solos screeching from my Hifi or perhaps its my pierced and tattooed body that make the sweet, nice kids run from us.

But behind this...ahem... rough and tough... music genre facade, I have a sweet spot for one of the girliest bands that has ever graced the rock scene.

The Calling.

Where did I meet them?

In my favourite chick flick. Coyote Ugly.

Sigh.

This is my favourite song by them. Go check it out and mock me later!

Have a fabulous friday everyone!

A break

2009-05-07T05:26:00.004+02:00

This might just be because I am tired. I might just be tired because Hubs feels the need to be awake at four this morning. I might be overreacting.

However, I am feeling the unrequited need to take a break from life. A break, not from work, not from marriage but from life. From thinking too much. From being sad for no apparent reason. From drifting away.

It seems so weird that I can be so emotional for no reason. I am not usually this way.

I blame it on the upcoming exams. Exams stress me out in the weirdest way. *sigh*

Sometimes it's so rad to be who I am. Othertimes... I wish I could go back to sleep.

And ace exams without a worry.

*double sigh*

Top (Kinda) ten things that make today what it is.

2009-05-06T07:49:00.003+02:00

1. The plumber arrived... before 8 am... to fix our yucky pipes. God bless him! As I write he is in there tinkering away in the kitchen with Hubs.

2. It sounds as if Hubs has made a new friend. Dinner with the plumber anybody?

3. I got a frantic sms from Pookie, which let to a drunken phone call which can all be rectified today once she wakes up and has less of a hangover.

4. I was able to lay in bed past 6 am... past 6:30 am and only got my lazy ass up once the plumber knocked on the front door at 7:30 am...

5. There is something in knowing that my daily quota of foul language is used up by 7:31am.

6. Tonight I will be able to wash dishes in my kitchen sink again! Oh joys!

7. I can no longer fend off Hub's moans about not having clean clothes... because now my pipes will be fixed. Sad day.

8. Thankfully I can only think of eight things right now. Cut me some slack, its only 28 minutes since I got up!

9. Wait I thought of one more, no wait. It's gone.

10. Skin and bones.

11. Johnny Depp.

Yep. I did conclude my list with Johnny Depp. because he s alive today enhances my chance meeting with him like 100%. SO here's to you Mr. Depp!

Custom Stationary? Yes Please!!

2009-05-05T14:47:00.002+02:00

Mrs Newlywed posted a fabulous giveaway for custom stationary Go check it out!! http://misadventuresofanewlywed.blogspot.com/2009/05/basically-im-jealous-of-my-own-giveaway.html

Kids say Funny crap II

2009-05-05T08:42:00.003+02:00

I checked my emails this morning only to receive an email from my 10 year old sister. She just got an email address to help her keep in contact with her friends that are moving away. She needed technical assistance, so she sent me this email.

subject: What is Dom's thing?

i have it but i has drafts what is wrong???????

I has drafts too. It's a lot like swine flu. Deadly.

Twirl in the mirror... Always twirl...

2009-05-04T10:15:00.000+02:00

Saw this on my friend's facebook profile. I don't think she took the picture, but it made my day, so I thought I'd share it!

(can't see what thee fuss is about? Look closely at the lady's behind...)

Intimacy and lack thereof

2009-05-03T15:40:00.000+02:00

I am a big abstinence supporter. I saved sex for marriage.

It was something that was very important to me.

I wrote this a while ago. It too held a place on my now dead blog.

Intimacy

Virtue, cast not away from me
Marriage let not my heart stray…
Chasteness hear my plea.
Long lashes tremble
Rock and roll ‘til the fever breaks
By and by as strength weakens
The quiet echoes
Patience and grace hold true…

My blood.

2009-05-02T07:23:00.000+02:00

U2 frontman Bono once said: "My definition of art started with: you put your hands under your skin, you break your breastbone, you rip open your ribcage. If you really want to write, that’s what you ought to do. Are you ready to do that? Or is rock ‘n’ roll for you just a pair of shoes and a haircut, or a certain sour existentialism or a certain sweet decay? That is one of my first definitions of art. Blood."

This is my blood.

My intentions when I wrote this poem where to echo my current thoughts in certain post-modernistic thinking. I did this in two ways. Firstly, following the belief that everything that is created has already been created before, I used either a line from another poem, another song or another work of art for each individual line. I also tried to allow the cyclical nature of the subject matter of the poem to further echo this sentiment. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

A Love Song for a Saviour

Tarnished with things unseen

I’m taking the blame

Since the words to comfort

Suddenly rebel at questioning.

Longest I’ve been impermanent

Unsettled and unkind

Shuffle to grace

Summon my demons

Just to push them away…

Falling silent

To stumble...

Grapple with heaven’s mercies

Simple and stained

Searching remains to find you again.

Love’s soft breath strokes the cheek

In time to find…

Resolved, I am to love you

With whatever means are mine.

Words that may not fit sometimes do.

2009-05-01T03:07:00.001+02:00

I wrote this as a worthless experiment. It was launched on a separate blog that I am in the process of shutting down.

I want to share it with you.

syntax
syntax
forgot
in the eve of
the tiresome
paragraphs
cant break
beginnings
period.
breaks Love's
trust bonds
and
when the pause
comes
effect
no longer

Giveaway winner!

2009-04-29T09:02:00.002+02:00

Oh so exciting! Thanks to those who entered...

I have been trying all morning to rangle a screen shot of the draw. Because you know, that would be friggin' awesome.

It was fun collecting all the points for everyone. Scoman had the highest, Hillbilly the second and Ron the third followed closely by SleepyJane and Being Brazen.

But it all came down to the draw...

The winner of the books and accessories is...

**Hillbilly Duhn**

**Congratuations!**

Please send me an email within 24 hours or it falls to the second in the draw.

Again, thanks to those who entered!

xxoo

Tweeter... err Twitter.. err something like that.

2009-04-29T02:39:00.002+02:00

I'm now on twitter.

Follow me at http://twitter.com/RHiccups

Catch ya on the tweet side...

(Lame I know. I can't help it, I was born this way)

Sigh

2009-04-28T10:34:00.003+02:00

Just a reminder:

Please nominate a post for your favourites!

And enter **the giveaway!**

I had a fabulouso birthday! Hubs let me sleep in...brought me breakfast in bed... got me beautiful presents...took me shopping...

And cohorted in throwing me a surprise bash!

After which we had a party at the Mugg and Bean with Amaretto and coffee. Which as always, makes me rather happy...

And after that, we stayed up way too late watching Boston Legal. *sigh*

I love birthdays.

Giveaway!

2009-04-27T02:55:00.001+02:00

Today is my birthday and the end of the poll...

Only one of you were right.

I am officially 21 today.

Boo yah.

In order to celebrate, I am posting a giveaway! Like I promised. So many times :)

One of my favourite things in the world is reading. In this giveaway, you will receive some awesome and amazing books and accessories.

I love these books.

Not just because they are classics. Nor because syaing that I have read and studied themmakes me sound smart. But becuase they are the size of my ID book. Approximetly 10 X 15 cm, they fit perfectly inside your pocket or handbag. Plus they are only around 100 pages long (most are extracts of the orginal).

I will be sending you, the winner, a list of the titles I can get my hands on. You will have the option of which two titles you would prefer. You can also expect some other awesome goodies thrown in just for good measure.

Are you in?

If you want to enter this fabulous giveaway, all you gotta do is write a comment in this post. Your points will be added and entered into the draw.

Points go as follows:

1 point for:

Commenting this month. (Thats one point per comment for the entire month of April)
Nominating a favourite post

And 5 points for:

Posting about this giveaway (or how awesome I am) and telling me about it.
Following Slave to the Ordinary

Worth it? I hope so! :)

Giveaway closes 30 April at 00h00 (GMT +2). Results determined by Random.org

Kids say funny crap

2009-04-26T14:51:00.002+02:00

Last night was my father's birthday. My 8 year old sister leans over to hubs and says...

"I know stuff. Jacob Zuma is a very bad man. And Barrack Obama kills babies."

I could have died! How funny is that?!

I post twice in one day when I get angry...

2009-04-24T12:47:00.003+02:00

I like having criminals in government.

No wait. I don't.

But over 67% of South Africans sure do.

What bothers me about this...

No one else seems bothered.

Why aren't South Africans as angry as I am?

15 years of ANC rule has left SA with broken promises, crime and corruption. Will Zuma spare the country from another 5 years of detriment? Doubt it.

This is bullshit and no one gives a damn. Get angry. I have a US passport. I can leave when I choose. Not everyone can. And it seems as if thinking South Africans have just rolled over. Maybe they don't care.

Maybe it's not my fight. Maybe I shouldn't care either. Maybe I should just leave.

And maybe, just maybe I will.

The one whereby I steal Scoman's ideas

2009-04-24T04:14:00.000+02:00

Don't misunderstand. I am totally anti-plagerism. However... I need to theive. Kleptomania... sometimes takes over me....

Scoman mentioned in on of his posts that there is going to be a top post link list on his blog and now I WANT IT!

So please nominate Your favourite posts of mine. I'll put them up on a post to vote for your #1.

I am just that narssastic... I know it's the one with my looking h.o.t. right?

Or the one about the Moose?

Or the one about being Naked?

Come on... Nominate... :) Top 3 get permalinks in my sidebar. :)

xxoo (btw 3 days until my birthday and some sembalance of a giveaway! :) )

I can't get no Satisfaction.

2009-04-23T09:02:00.003+02:00

You know things are in a bad state when Political leaders are shot during voting...

Somehow this is peaceful.

Somehow this warrantes a single sentence inside a story about how the ANC is winning...

Is there a problem here? I think so.

Ugh. Sad Day.

Sometimes I am a tad Bipolar...

2009-04-22T10:01:00.000+02:00

I have unhappiness oozing through me today, as South Africans go to the voting stations to elect South Africa's morally corrupt and corrosive new president. I wish I could just state all my concerns in this blog. But, alas, the web can only hold so much hatred.

----- HAPPY BREAK-----

And on to something totally different and completely unrelated.

ScoMan tagged me.

What is my interior design style?

Oh so much fun... How did he know?

My flat is a modge podge of Art Deco. why? Because it makes me happy.

It's ironic. I actually hated studying Art Deco as a movement. It's just too... slap you in the face.

But now? I absolutely LOVE it!

(oh my the way, Those photos actually are nothing I own (sad day)... yay to google images for those babies)

Hey hey a mere five days until my birthday. Have you voted in my poll? GO DO IT!

Before I get PMS on your ass...

Yesterday I learned

2009-04-21T09:11:00.002+02:00

1. I am no good at HTML

2. My side bar is too cluttered.

3. Being eight years old is the best age in the world.

4. Kindred spirits often have differences about really important things.

5. Sometimes I get really frustrated with those I love the most.

6. Men are really confusing.

7. Mac and Cheese was meant to be eaten with ribs.

8. Eating too much Mac&ribs make a really sore tummy when topped off with birthday cake.

9. At times, I am interested in nothing but sleeping.

and

10. I am not a ninja and should really stop trying to high kick the door frame. or Hubs' face.

Two in one day?! I am awesome

2009-04-20T14:05:00.008+02:00

Two posts, one day. I know. Awesome.

I have created a button. YAY!Edited: Apparently a non working button... I know I suck... Re-edited to say: I totally fixed it. Victory! You can totally disregard any doubts in my geekiness...

Here she is...

Hopefully I can figure out how to give you the URL to add this to your own beautiful site...

Oh, and you can totally add Slave to the Ordinary to your RSS feed now. Woohoo.

I feel so geekified. Hubs would be proud.

Apparently I blog about South African politics a lot.

2009-04-20T13:06:00.005+02:00

I like South Africa. Honest.

And I like politics. Double Honest.

Politics in South Africa scare the crap out of me.

It scares me that Jacob Zuma is predicted to be elected on Wednesday as the next president of South Africa. btw... read that link above any other link on this post.

Next election I want to be president of South Africa. Oh wait. I can't.

Maybe if I just get a criminal record first, then I will be applicable.

This is a crock.

The South African so called democracy is such a bunch of flooey.

Pity. Because I like this place. Honest.

Fantastic Friday

2009-04-17T09:17:00.003+02:00

Today is fantastic. I have decided and firmed up my giveaway a little bit. Woohoo... Sneak peak?

I don't think so.

But I can tell you... it is gorgeous. It's is one of my obsessions and it will be in just your size.

So stick around and you may just see a few more hint-aroonies later in the week.

Giveaway scheduled for... my birthday... or just there after...

Watch me get a little scandalous.

If you haven't noticed, there have been a few references to points. Know that everytime you do something awesome, you get a point. I am just letting you know. Refer someone to me. Point. Follow me? Point. You know how this works.

There's some hints. It's going to be awesome. I won't lie.

Btw. New poll. My first poll... Give it a shot-aroonie. Wow that is fun to say. Awesome.

My life is so much better than yours

2009-04-16T15:43:00.006+02:00

Click image to view....
HA!

(fmylife.com)

Me on a silver platter

2009-04-15T11:10:00.008+02:00

So, it's no new news that I am not shy. Meek, mild and gentle are not my characteristics. No one has ever classified me as laid-back.

These are things I am not.

I am, however, arty. I blame it on my mother. I am contantly in book stores researching a new playwrite or enjoying an old one.

I found a blog today that... I could have written myself... without sarcasm and overt snarkiness.

Chic Geek appeals deeply to the finer details in everyday. I am hooked.

She posted a meme that looked like a lot of fun. And by fun I mean a chance to wow you all with my seriousness.

I am not always a snarky biotch. Unless of course you ask my neighbors...

1. Have you ever been influenced by a work of art – music or painting– and if so, how?

I have to narrow this question. It's like asking what types of foods keep you alive-

It's all of them.

Paintings.

This piece by Goya rocked my world:

Saturn, Goya 1820-1823

It haunted me. How can somehting so disasterous be so beautiful? How can I be appalled and enchanted simutaniously? I would call this painting the cornerstone of my view on art. Beauty is not limited to beautiful objects.

Music.

I saw this video a few days ago. I wouldn't say the song inspired me. I wouldn't say the woman inspired me. I wouldn't be able to actually pinpoint a certian anything that made this performance extraordinary. Maybe it is truely just her story that rocked my spirit. Take a peak and see what I mean.

Also, my personal fight song has to be Foo Fighters 'Best of You'. It was so commercialised it saddened me as it spoke to my guts like it belonged there. If you don't know it click here. But even if you do know it, watch the video and be amazing any way.

2. If you were a chocolate bar, what type would you be?

I like chocolate. If I were a chocolate bar I would be a self consuming canabal and I am so oveer that idea. Sorry but no.

3. What is your secret weapon to lure the opposite sex?

My eyes are fiery green most days. Some days they are milky brown. Either way, they helped Hubs fall for me. Them and my outrageous calves. One flash of those hotties...and...men crumble.

4. What, in your opinion, is your greatest accomplishment?

Already I have lived in two opposing cultures for several years, learning their positives and negatives. I have learned to adapt and change and learn. I have had to question my religion, my self, my future and my ideals. I have found my soulmate and started over. These are all my greatest accomplishments. I may have a few published poems. I may have begun my writing career with a bit of a bang, but those aren't what I count as accomplishments. I am a growing and mature woman who is certian. And that, to me, weighs more than any silly piece of paper.

5. How many friends do you have on your Facebook account?

273. I recently had a friend purge to only those I actually keep in contact with.

See? Wasn't that glorious? If you are keen, send me the answers to those questions either on your blog, in a comment, or even in email.

xxoo

Noisy Neighbors

2009-04-14T15:11:00.005+02:00

We have new neighbors at the Hiccup's home.

No I am not being cute here. I really did get new neighbors.

Not cute ones either. They have lived there one night and I have learned the following things about them:

1. They like many things mainly, short big men... who are very short; dance music at odd hours and lots of alcohol

2. Favourite activities include: stealing my parking and singing very loudly along with the 'beep beeps beeps' of doof doof music

3. Habits include: leaving the front door open during their clothed orgies, and irritating us by knocking on the door to ask us odd questions when we have ultra conservative guests over.

4. Reason that I dislike them: They hit on my husband with their sultry drunken eyes

And so, I plot my revenge.

Passive aggression is awesome.

Happy Easter White Ninja Style

2009-04-12T06:30:00.000+02:00

I don't feel like I need to share my faith with you today. How cliched! Instead I am giving you a treat- a break from the piousness that easter brings. Enjoy.

(from whiteninja.com)

Happy Easter!

A break from the sugary sweetness

2009-04-11T01:16:00.000+02:00

I love treats. Obviously.

However, what good is sweetness without the sour? If we did not know hate, would we know love? Without an enemy would we value friendship?

Of course not.

I have been focussing on the treats in my life. All while a brief email from someone I knew in the past shook me back into reality.

I may be in love with the greatest man on the planet. He might treat me like a princess, but if I don't remember the boys who didn't treat me like he does, I'll never really appreciate him. I'd grow complacent in his love.

The email was from one of those who didn't see my beauty the same way Hubs does. He didn't see my value. He didn't realise my potential.

I may have cared about him long ago, but now? no thank you.

I choose Hubs everyday anyday over you and your kind Mr. ukboy.

Because I live food.

2009-04-10T11:22:00.001+02:00

One of my favourite Easter treats can’t be found in South Africa.

Peeps complete my life.

For a wonderful Easter gift my aunt who resides in Florida sent my mother 15 boxes of Peeps. Today she shared one tray with me.

Life is glorious mainly because the sugary goodness is staring at me at my office desk reminding me that it is still a few more hours until lunch.

Once lunch passes they will remind me that I neeeeed to go back home.

Even just to stock up on my favourites.

Why are peeps so awesome you may ask?

Check what they can do!

And even

Rock on Peeps. Rock freakin’ on.

What is your favourite holiday treat?

dirty messy beauty = Treat of the day

2009-04-09T06:29:00.000+02:00

Besties make the best blogging treats.

Maybe because I get the behind the story story or something... I don't know.

Klara and I in the internet world are like Tia and Jenbun. In Hollywood we're Paris and Nicole, and in serial killers? we're Bonnie and Clyde (in my world Clyde is just a fabulous woman with a slightly masculine name and ultimately fabulous shoes).

Anyway, somehow I managed to talk her into sharing her story. She's an incredible writer. She's hilarious. She's amazing.

In fact, if you like me? You'll love her.

Her life may not be show-stoppingly clean but it is real. And authenticity is something many of us forgo. Drama chases her and, boy, the situation she manages to get into... and out of... makes one hell of an awesome blog.

Please go check her out. And by check I mean read her blog and comment. There is extra points in there for those who do! **giveaway hint maybe?**

A Hillbilly in the Holler Hole

2009-04-08T07:00:00.001+02:00

Here she is, as I promised you... Hillbilly Duhn.

To read the beginning of this strange tale go to: Hillbilly Duhn

Hillbilly Duhn was beginning to get tired of sitting in the holler watching squirrels jump from tree to tree. Once, a woodpecker flew by to land on a nearby tree to tap, tap, tap. And twice a rabbit hopped by to nibble on some clover, another time some dandelion leaves, only to hop away again, lost from view behind an old oak tree.

The Hillbilly plucked a piece of wheat grass that had been swaying in the wind to stick in her mouth and chew as she ponder the trees and critters around her; feeling the warmth from the humid day, she leaned back against the nearest tree.

Feeling a little languid from the lazy afternoon, sleep was knocking, knocking on the Hillbilly's lids, when suddenly the dandelion chewing rabbit ran so close, she could reach out and touch him.

Be it the sleepy haze the Hillbilly had fell into or something far more extraordinary, she was bewitched by the sight of the rabbit and thought she heard a whispered voice floating upon the wind, "I'm late."

Hillbilly Duhn took pause in this. Looked around quickly for evidence of another person, and then back at the rabbit once again to find it standing to the right of the old oak tree upon it's hind legs. The rabbit glanced over at the big eyed Hillbilly, smiled, winked and disappeared down a hole....

Hillbilly Duhn jumped up so quickly she stumbled on a tree root. After righting herself, thought, "Well, that's just ain't right." and quickly ran after the rabbit.

Without hesitation, followed the rabbit down the hole.

It seemed like days, weeks even, before she reached the bottom. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as she slowly fell down the darkened hole. And finally when she reached the bottom, she fell into a stack of branches and twigs in the middle of a forest.

Looking around, it wasn't the same forest she left. There were trees, grass and all, but not the same. Everything seemed larger some how. Bigger. Hillbilly Duhn looked around and saw a passage up ahead. It looked well traveled, for the grass was beat down and the trees canopied above.

Standing, Hillbilly brushed off her backside and started toward the path...

She came upon a sign, that read, "You are here." With a tiny picture of a sable antelope.

Now, this much the Hillbilly knew, cause Hillbilly's know their critters, sable antelopes were a critter born to Africa. And out loud the Hillbilly said, "I sure as heck ain't in the holler anymore."

And continued on down the path, in search of the rabbit...

So, here I've landed in Africa, ME, Hillbilly Duhn, in a land so foreign to me. I decided to continue on down the path. I feel lost, a little out of place. When to my left I happened to notice a hall.

"A hall?" I said out loud to the trees.

I walked toward it, to see it lined with many doors, all locked, and no keys to be found. So I continued on.

When I stumbled across a tree that had been cut down into a table trunk, upon it lay a tiny golden key. Too small for any of the doors the Hillbilly had passed. Confused, and beginning to feel tired and more then just a little out of place. Hillbilly Duhn sat down on the dirt floor next to the tree trunk table, fingering the little golden key and sighed.

It seems my friends, that I've followed a character into a story and found myself in the land in which Random Hiccups resides. I'm wondering if she's around here somewhere, down in the holler hole. I'll keep on looking about this place, trying to find the door that fits this tiny key, until then, I'll rest with my head upon my knees...

**To follow the adventure of the Hillbilly in the Holler Hole, Tomorrow, Hillbilly Duhn will be guest blogging at ScoMan's - a name in your recollection Hope to see you there!

If you want to be featured or guest post on Slave to the Ordinary, send me an email!

Wasn't this fun?!

Treats are fun because it's nearly my birthday

2009-04-07T09:28:00.005+02:00

I am having lots of fun planning lots of fun treats for you all as a month long celebration of my birthday. If I weren't a lady I'd tell you my age, because I am very proud of it. However, lady code says I am not allowed. *pity*

Yesterday's face lift was treat number one. No more eye injuring bright colours for you lovely people.

(Plus Photoshop experience is needed in my new position at work and I like to keep skillz fresh and all)

In any case. This month's shenanigans may or may not involve a giveaway. (I know I have said this before and not followed through but this time I mean it... maybe) A giveaway of one of my favourite things. I learned this was my favourite thing not long after Meeka arrived a few months ago. Story to come...later...

It all boils down to me. And my birthday.

Tomorrow, a treat for you my lovely readers. Hillbilly Duhn and I go waaaaay back. She was one of my first loyal readers and we have grown into wonderful bloggy friends. Can't wait to read what you have down your sleeve Hillbilly!

Let the treats begin!!!

Change is muy bueno

2009-04-06T16:06:00.002+02:00

Do you like the new facelift?

I can't resist changing things around. What growth from my first post!

I'm a fan of change.

Searching for Fool's Gold.

2009-04-03T14:28:00.004+02:00

When I was a kid I truly believed that I was the richest girl in the world because I had a treasure chest full of gold. My foot locker had serious bling-age. Eye blinding sparkly goodness.

I was happy rummaging through my pieces of gold, emeralds and amethyst. I had even found a few precious white rocks from the gravel that I was convinced would turn into beautiful stones with time.

I was happy. I had my sparkle. But I didn't know that my precious gold and gems were merely polished rocks with a slight glimmer.

I spent a lot of my life happy with a little glimmer. I found the boys who would glimmered just a little, the friends with glimmer and the church with glimmer.

But that's all it was- a little glimmer.

The first diamond I have ever owned was given to me by Hubs. I still get lost in the sparkle and shine like I did as a child admiring my polished 'jewels'. Except I know that this is costly. This is real.

This life I live is real. The choices I make are real.

No more fools gold for me. No more imitations. I am no longer searching for more fool's gold.

Heavy meddle.

2009-04-02T16:11:00.004+02:00

So, I consider myself an adult.

(Apparently, previous to being married I considered myself an-almost-adult.)

Anyway, now that I am an adult I have all these new *wonderful* experience.

Like.... the wonderful joys of...meddling.

Previous to marriage no one gives a rats ass about your future plans in life. No one seems to give a crap about how many children you want to have (and conclude with intellengent people having more children to repopulate the planet with clever children. Or how 4 children is too many for the earth to sustian), whether you want natural birth (because it's the 'natural' way), or whether you are using the pill as contraception (because it might just maybe make you sterile). I never had any of these conversations before.

No one cared how often I did my laundry or if I fed my husband five fruits and veggies a day and gave him a multivitamin.

Now, however, these are questions that are asked. And I am still dumbfounded.

(Allegedly I am now his lover, mother, house keeper AND doctor. hmph)

Apparently.

My mother's birthday was yesterday and she was hit with the meddling aunt. And boy, did I take notes! She was very gracious and kindly thanked the aunt for the advice and firmly corrected her. These things in her life were just fine. The aunt may not have shut up right away, but she did eventually.

Bonus.

I learned so much last night about handling meddling friends and family (and people who think they are or should be family).

How do you handle meddlesome people in your life? Extra points if you share a story.

(Because I'm totally into the point system)

April is birthday month.

2009-04-01T02:57:00.001+02:00

I’ve been craving birthday cake…and for good reason. In the next four weeks I have 9 birthdays of my family to celebrate including my own.

Parties are the bomb.

Stay tuned for the chaos to come...

In little town called Kickapoo

2009-03-31T06:00:00.001+02:00

I love a good stoner flick.

And I wish I were joking.

Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny is possibly the top stoner DVD in my home. Hallelujah. I can’t get enough. Whether or not I’ve seen it earlier today I want to watch it again.

I’ve got a rocker thing because Jack Black totally does it in that movie! Give me Dave Grohl any day over Brad Pitt. Give me Johnny Depp over RPazz. Give me freaking Johnny Cash over George Clooney.

Any day.

Especially Johnny Depp.

Thanks.

Elizabeth thinks rock is magical and rad. (And rockers are even better)

*Off I go to change my Facebook Status to the most legend line ever*

Bad case of the Mondays

2009-03-30T15:03:00.003+02:00

Some days I like to think that I am going to have a good day. I like to think this way, it keeps me motivated. Good day good day…

Until I get out of bed…

Maybe it’s a little post-wedding blues. Maybe it’s the changing of seasons. Or maybe just maybe it’s intuition being a bitch. I can feel when my days are going to be crappy. It’s my gift and my curse. The days when Hubs moved the soap so far away that I can’t reach it from the bath or when he used the last of the loo paper without replacing the roll, I just know deep in my gut that I should go straight back to bed.

But I don’t. I trudge on. Trudging means hope. Hope that tomorrow will be smoother. Hope that in a few weeks I will catch a breath. Hope that in the end things will get better. I will be okay.

That’s what I choose to believe anyway.

Maybe if I believe in unicorns strong enough too they might just collect me to take me on a magical ride…

*sigh* ...Magical ride...

Although, in actual fact, I hate horses. And that picture completely freaks me the heck out. So nevermind. I'll deal very happily with the misplaced soap and lack of loo paper thank you very much!

I have been a naughty girl.

2009-03-27T11:01:00.000+02:00

I have completely neglected this blog! Typical. I have this problem. Honest, I do.

Yesterday I was looking for something to do whilst Hubs surfed the net (I mean what is there to do without internet?!)

Clearly not much.

So I found my knitting. It was a half completed square of nothing. Sad.

I found my record handbag that I am trying to sew together… I started it in high school…. Several years ago…

I found my wedding scrapbook from our engagement… with all the stuff I want to use in it but nothing actually assembled.

I have a problem.

I found an oil pastel drawing… with only the basic shapes drawn out and highlighted.

I found three different photo albums that have not been completed, six journals that arer half filled out…. And a pile of colour sorted laundry next to my washing machine.

hm. And I accuse Hubs for not having any follow through….

I’ve got a bit of plank/eye syndrome…

Obviously

A Moment to Muse.

2009-03-16T11:13:00.000+02:00

Growing up is difficult.

Growing up means dirty dishes, dirty laundry and dirty bath tubs. It means late night dinners, early morning breakfasts and the occasional forgotten lunch.

Growing up means no more ‘free food’, ‘free internet’, ‘free television’, It means quiet in you home. It means organising cupboards and knowing where the knives are actually kept.

Growing up means late night parties. Sometimes means eating cookies for dinner and cleaning my own throw-up… Taking him to the doctor, the dentist and the grocery store.

Growing up means constant nostalgia. It means quiet aching. It means mine and yours and ours.

Growing up is difficult. Growing up is grand. Growing up and stepping out and testing the land.

Sometimes finding it stable and sometimes it’s merely sand.

The Wedding overview

2009-03-09T16:29:00.006+02:00

Ok guyus. this is the last post I'll post about the wedding. Unless of course you HAVE to hear more... But then even that is a gamble. There is just so much going on in my day that I can barely breathe nevermind think about how glorious my wedding was.

So here is the final post about the wedding. Next I promise to bring back the humourous, snarky insightful writer you all fell in love with (please you are too kind)

Here are our centrepieces:

We sunk gladiolas, roses and... get this... chillies... in vases.

This is our guest book. We had a scrapbook for our guests, they signes and decorated the page as they liked and we took their photo to place on the designated square. It was a huge hit. Awesome.

This is the hall we held our reception in:

The arches sasid, Cherish, dream and live. Our wedding theme was: "Cherish yesterday, dream tomorrow, live today".

Here's where I met my groom. My baby sister is behind me. Love it.

Random Photos...

Love it!

Can't stop being excited!

2009-03-06T08:45:00.002+02:00

Tomorrow we get all of our professional photos. I stole this one from her website. *sigh*

I am very excited....

Moments that I cannot erase.

2009-03-04T15:09:00.003+02:00

This might be the most random snapshot I have of my day but it is my favourite one of just me. Perhaps it's because the giddiness I felt at the moment was perfectly captured and I can look at the haziness and remember the blurry joy that danced around my vision as my husband and I exited the chapel.

There are some moments that pass us by without being remembered. This moment is one that will outshine them all.

The last Two Weeks have been pure bliss...

2009-03-02T13:34:00.004+02:00

I am not too sure why I couldn't tear myself away from life to update my blog...

Oh wait. Yes I can. I was busy getting married, going on honeymoon and getting a promotion. Thank you very much. That is why.

I can't yet decide how best to entertain you with my commentary about the week preceding and the week succeeding my wedding. I am not too sure how to fill you with the love and tears that filled my wedding day. I do not know how to explain the joy I hold in my heart.

I may just wait until I have some photos... Then you can maybe feel the joy... and see the love and taste the yummy cake! :)

Hope the last few weeks have been filled with love, joy and peace for you. xxoo

Stood up for Love

2009-02-13T13:31:00.006+02:00

I saw this quote from one of my new favourite blogs in South Africa. I can actually read an entire post in one sitting! So go check it out ya'll.

Today she posted this quote: “Do you want me to tell you something really subversive? Love is everything it’s cracked up to be. That’s why people are so cynical about it. It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for. And the trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.”- Erica Jong

Emotion may play a large role in my life because, often, my emotions are more stable than my logic skills. However, by my very nature I am not an ooshy gooshy person. Things are cut and dry, black, white or grey.

I used to be a cynic. I used to never believe love would or could happen to me.

But I was wrong.

The best things that have ever happened to be were due to love. Whether it is God's love, the Fi's love or the love of my friends and family, love has permanently revolutionised this love cynic into a hopeless romantic. A hopeless romantic who is about to marry her best friend and soulmate.

I stood up for true love this Valentine's Weekend. Suck on that cynics.

Green things make my heart happy

2009-02-10T10:12:00.002+02:00

Nope, I am not really going to talk about saving the environment and all that nonsense. I am going to talk about plates. The environment will just have to wait for a few more posts.

Plates. These plates are ADORABLE! And I want them. now.

Go here to enter. And tell her I sent you.

But don't mind if I win... Because I really need those plates. Really.

Side note: Watched the grammys last night...

My take:

and this:
=ssshameful

The one when I tell you the story of the new profile picure

2009-02-07T02:16:00.000+02:00

I loaded it. The Fi looks over and says, "You shouldn't post pictures of you in the shower."

I am not naked. I am actually wearing my wedding dress... but that had to be cut off because I don't want the Fi to see... But I could tell him that either. Now he thinks I post naked pics online. Does that make me an online visual escort? I sure hope not.

The End

The one when I tell you about Roast Chicken

2009-02-06T09:39:00.003+02:00

A few weeks ago I wanted to know how the roast chicken for our wedding meal would be prepared since they don't offer any tastings. I called our caterers. This is how the conversation went:

Me: Hi! It's Elizabeth, the bride from the wedding on the 22nd. I have a quick question for you.

Old Afrikaans lady: ok

Me: How do you prepare your roast chicken?

OAL: ok

Me: maybe she didn't hear Sorry, how do you prepare your roast chicken?

OAL: How do we prepare the roast chicken?

Me: Yes. How do you prepare the roast chicken.

OAL: Well, honey, its a roasted chicken.

Me: yes. How do you prepare it?

OAL: Well we cook it in the oven.

Me: Yes but how do you prepare it?

OAL: Well we take it out of the package and put it in the pan and put it in the oven and roast it.

Me: Well, yes, but what do you do with the chicken?

OAL: We put it in a pan.

Me: What recipe do you follow?

OAL: I just told you.

Oh cluck it. They put it in a pan and roast the damn thing.

Update: My mother was disturbed at my conversation and called herself. Turns out it's put in the pan, roasted and served with a wine sauce. Like duh.

I thieve regularly

2009-02-04T06:31:00.000+02:00

I totally stole this from Newly-wedded Wife's post. I am totally okay with that too.

Don't think less of me ok?

So the game goes like this. Go to your fourth folder in your pictures and click on the fourth folder. Find the fourth photo, post it along with an explanation.

The fourth photo in my folder is from my engagement party. A family member took a few snapshots of us... These two are my favourite and are number 4 and 5 in my list.

and

*sigh*

Cool/ Uncool Tuesday

2009-02-03T08:57:00.002+02:00

Today we're taking a bit of an exploration into the cool/uncool world of... my life...

I know. You are already riveted.

Cool: Meeka and I are rocking up life
Cool: My university documents all came through without any hang ups. I now work full time and study part time. Woop.
Cool: I got an award from Hillbilly Duhn for saying the big no no word in my blog. Yes. I said fuck. Don't believe me? Go here and discuss your view on profanity and censorship of profanity.
Cool: Now I get to list 10 random facts about myself
Uncool Fact #1: I can't eat tomato sauce (ketchup) because I worked 2 years as a waitress.
Uncool Fact #2: I am constantly freezing cold.
Cool Fact #3: I love to cuddle.
Cool Fact #4: I major in English Lit and Creative Writing
Uncool Fact #5: I have terrible grammar.
Uncool Fact #7: I have an inability to count.
Cool Fact #8: I am getting married in 19 days
Cool Fact #9: I watch grey's anatomy religiously
Cool Fact #10: I enjoy blogging more than I enjoy eating. Which, by the way, is a lot.

Cool: I also get to post a meaningful quote: This quote is the theme of our wedding.

"Cherish yesterday, dream tomorrow and live today"

Cool: My bloggy friends. Technically I need to tag 5 people who say the big no no word in their blog... So if you are reading this, have said the no no word, consider yourself tagged. *ching*

Over and out. xxoo

The Picture of Destiny

2009-02-02T11:08:00.002+02:00

I'm not too sure if I need to comment on this one.

Remember I did warn you.

Today is the day of DESTINY!

2009-01-29T12:01:00.002+02:00

Meeka, my BFF love, is arriving in a mere 3.459 hours.

Oh, I will be posting photos... So be warned...

Tummy aches and Rooibos tea

2009-01-28T11:04:00.004+02:00

I woke up yesterday feeling pretty crappy. I pulled myself to work, barely managing to crawl from the desk to the copy machine. But I did it. I managed to eat some dinner and, despite feeling like tossing it, I kept it down. I didn't think it was a problem to stay up until this morning in a desperate attempt to get things ready for when Meeka arrives from the States (which is tomorrow! YAY!). Staying up late was really dumb.

I woke up this morning just before 6 with the tummy ache from Satan himself. My muscles, my tummy, my head, my throat, my eyes and, yes, even my teeth throb with unrelenting aching. But I've got leave taken for my Honeymoon and I can't stay home so here I am at work unable to eat anything. (I'm thinking this might not be a bad thing since I've always wanted to lose a few more dress sizes for my wedding. So maybe not eating will service my goals. hmmm)

In any case, when I am ill I am a sucker for rooibos tea. It's a SA specialty made from some red bush thing (rooibos means red bush. That's the only reason I know that. Here's a handy wiki link. It's fasinating. When you are bored. Only.) and it tastes like nothing I've had before. It's incredible. Like a gigantic party in my mouth.

So I'm going to stop complaining now about how yucky I feel. I will stop rejoicing with the rooi-to-the-bos-to-the-tea. And I will return to working on the Fixed Assets form.

(because it's determining the fixed assets that makes my heart skip a beat)

(And will one day lead to my tragic heart-attack inspired demise)

Humiliating the Aussies.

2009-01-27T07:55:00.004+02:00

This morning I got such a beautiful wake up listening to our local radio station. Darren (whackhead) Simpson pranked 2day Fm in Sydney. How brilliant is this?

As payback for recent criticism, Simpson posed as Tom Cruise's crew and claimed to offer Kyle and Jackie O a phone interview with Tom Cruise. 2day FM promoted and prepared for the interview extensively only to find that they had been fooled. The Australian prankers had been pranked by South Africa's very own Prankster. I will admit, Kyle and Jackie O handled the surprise very graciously. Go Darren!

I can't help but wonder (and look forward to) when Jackie O gets Darren back for this wonderful morning guffaw (let's be honest, it wasn't a mere giggle but a "lets get the guy sitting opposite to me in traffic to stare at my open mouth and closed eyes" guffaw)

If you want to listen to the prank yourself, go here.

Oh yes, and didn't South Africa kick the Aussies in the Cricket? I sure think they did.

How off beat are you?

2009-01-23T14:56:00.003+02:00

I like to throw spanners. Metaphorical spanners of course... I'm not too sure what an actual spanner actually looks like.

But I digress.

I'm not to into the 'traditionality' of anything. It's a wonder that I stayed in res as long as I did. (My res was really just a sorority with a different name and more booze. And more traditions. and more booze)

This has been a bit of a heater when it comes to the wedding. Well meaning familiy members are concerned about the untraditional elements in my wedding and the strangeness that is me. All I have to say to them is "merr". Which is not an acronym for anything but rather a sound emitted by the non-caring.

I go to church and have piercings and a tattoo. You would probably guess this, so it probably won't come as a surprise, but I have been told no less than 3 times in the last few months that I may or may not be going to Hell for 'disgracing' my temple. Merrr.

All in all, I have elements of myself that do not fit into the classic labels that I have either adopted or been forced into.

But what I am not into is the contest to show off how off beat (weird?!) I am. Not into this. My little bro is big into labels. He's 17. Who can blame him?

This irritates me to no end. If I hear about how 'jock' something is. Or how 'emo' or how freakin' 'preppy' something is, I may or may not rip out my gullet and slap him with it.

My conversations are usually:

Me: What are your opinions of the guy across the street?

Yoshi: He's such a jock I totally hate him.

Me: And his sister?

Yoshi: Ah she's ok.

Me: Why is she ok and not her brother?

Yoshi: *looks at me like my brain is dripping from my ears* because she's metal.

It's fantastic that he says this. Because then I get images of metal people.

I full-on don't understand why you would want to put yourself into a certain label. Every person I have met is more complex than any label.

So I am asking you, (if you are still reading this) what labels have you adopted? Why have you adopted them and why you don't actually fit into this label?

Myself as a six year old

2009-01-22T17:12:00.003+02:00

When I was a kid I wanted to be a race car driver/dancer/pediatrician/teacher. I had it all worked out. I even had time in the afternoon after my lunch break to be a beautician if I so desired. There were so many hours in the day without nap time to do things that I desired. I truly believed I had the world at my feet.

And I did.

Despite my confidence at age 6, as I grew taller the days grew shorter. I am nearly 5' 11". The days are freakin' short now.

Age muddles things. Dreams are less clear as we fight cynicism. Things are not bright and shiny and crystally any longer. I no longer know how I will make my contribution to society. I feel fear. I feel regret and I feel hesitation.

Not everything has changed since I was six though. I am still naive. I am still ridiculously sassy. My hair still forms ringlets and despite training myself to stop believing in fairy tales, I do still believe in happy endings.

My happy ending is approaching.

Happy Endings may never be happily ever after. But the Fi is my happy ending. Marrying the Fi is my happily ever after.

(That might just be naive bride-to-be speaking, but go with it people. Just go with it.)

I am de weeeener

2009-01-20T12:25:00.002+02:00

I won my first little bloggy award. Thanks to Sco-man for offering it to me! :)

Things have gotten so insane around here that I can hardly breathe. Meeka my BFF is arriving in a mere 9 days and the wedding is in 33. So booyah. I am busy.

Deal with it.

My own personal moose. And why I dislike him and would prefer a Canadian moose instead.

2009-01-15T12:25:00.004+02:00

Ok, I am over my little deppro moment of self reflection and yadda yadda.

Now I would like to tell you all about my own moose. Just in case you didn't pick that up in the title.

All this silliness about Canada and Mooses makes me giggle a thousand times over. Sure it's a fun joke but I actually have a moose as a neighbor.

I kid you not.

Due to privacy resrictions its uncool to post his actual photo here but he looks a lot like this.

Again I kid you not.

He looks like that. Only human. He's my own personal mooseguy.

He's big and clunky and as bright as his dirty fingernails.

I wrote him a letter before I rip out my gullet and slap him across the face with it.

(Because that may or may not be overtly disgusting and painful [both for me and for him])

Dear Moose,

Please keep your mating calls quieter. I live across the street and can still hear you hoopin' and hollerin' from my own bedroom. I understand the natural instinct to breed with every moosette but really, I would prefer to not hear your sexytime parties from my bedroom.

Thank you,

Girl who knows the track that gets you screamin' the loudest.

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr (moose for Cheers)

Doubts.

2009-01-14T08:57:00.003+02:00

I have to admit I frequently think about giving this all up. I am not a brilliant writer. I am not the funniest person on the web. I don't have wonderful insights into human nature and I definitely do not have any more witty commentary on the world.

But I look at my followers list and read the encouraging comments I receive and write the next post. I write for myself in other mediums. I write on this blog for you.

As my writing lecturer said, writing is a form of communication. Communication involves a sender and receiver. Why communicate if the receiver is uninterested? This blog is for you. My awkwardness, my successes and my failures are written here for you.

So thank you for being interested. I have greatly appreciated every one's support and commenting love. As always, know that you are welcome to criticize argue and (obviously) love me!

My newest Love

2009-01-13T02:35:00.000+02:00

South Africa is home so so many beautiful musicians.

Dave Matthews was born in Johannesburg. And we all know how I feel about him. Tree63 is from South Africa. Although their *questionable* musicality is another post for another time. Seether (previously known as Saron Gas) is South African. Stealing Love Jones (previously known as Love Jones) are also from good ole , uh here.

Lately it is not those bands that I am in awe with.

The airwaves have been filled with the most extraordinary song.

Prime Circle.

Prime Circle is South African extraordinaire.

Take a listen for yourself. Tell me what you are thinking about it. Personally, I give them a 9.5 *purely because sometimes I'm hard to please*

If you are actually attending the wedding don't you dare read this!

2009-01-12T03:59:00.000+02:00

I just LOVE our new design for the table centrepieces and I have got to share them with my design concious amigos. Check these out....

and flowers like these inside....

I am getting super excited now. The Fi and I are getting married next month. Whoa!

Gotta get back to doing the stuff...

Mocking J Crew led to Mocking the biggest geek in the world

2009-01-11T00:19:00.003+02:00

Confession Time

I said it.

The Fi and I were walking through a clothing store making fun of J Crew. Look at this:

Um. No. Not. Ever. J Crew. I. Am. Ashamed.

So we're makin' fun. Then I said it.

Referring to various other bloggers who, for some reason, adore J Crew, I mentioned my bloggin friends. Yes, I called you my blog friends.

The man who counts Star Wars and Lord of the Rings in his top 10 movie list, who awaited the arrival of the Xbox 360 version of Assassin. The man who does not understand that wearing an olive t-shirt with black pants and red running shoes is a fashion misstep christened me the geekiest person ever.

I know I have my cultured moments. How can you study English and Art History and not be a bit geeky. But referring to the blogsphere as my friends? Number 1 real world deadly sin.

I'm going to go sit down now.

The Silver Mullet ...I mean Bullet...

2009-01-09T09:40:00.000+02:00

Sometimes I enjoy living in South Africa. The sky is more beautiful here than anywhere else I've been. The culture is so diverse that I learn so much everyday about other people. I get to try my hand at 11 different languages of which I have mastered one. English.

I have many reasons why I do not in fact like living in South Africa though.

Top Three Reasons I Hate Living in South Africa

1. Black Empowerment. I am not black. My parents are not well-off. 'nuff said.

2. Theft. Family car was broken into recently. Thankfully we still have our car (unlike last time) and no one was hurt in the process.

3. My Farmer's tan. The walk from the car to work this morning left me with a slightly darker forearm than upper arm. Hooray! Now I look like David Letterman's feet.

Joy of all joys.

Sometimes I count down the years until I move back to the states. Then I watch Gossip Girl and am thankful I am right where I am.

Final Day of Open Heart Surgery Applicants

2009-01-08T08:42:00.005+02:00

Today is your last day to send me any questions you have. Remember my address is neveralone107@gmail.com. Sweet. Moving on...

Hillbilly Duhn is one of the first readers I had. We have become wonderful bloggy friends and this makes me so very happy. Her blog is touching. It's insightful. It's hilarious. Sometimes it's even a little outrageous. I love it. Give her a shout out and tell her that I sent you...

Here's what she asked:

21. You're getting married, what do you think makes a good marriage, one that lasts?

I think a marriage is a bit like a house....

It boils down to the strength of your 'bricks' and the strength of your 'foundation'. I think the difference between the marriages that I have seen succeed and the ones I have seen fail is the strength of the foundation of the relationship.

I think it's also important to meet your partners needs and allow them to meet yours. I think that there is no one thing that makes a good marriage but a lot of daily things. It's the daily thoughtful things that 'cement' (in terms of my metaphor) the house together.

22. Do you have a hero? A person in whom you hold high on a pedestal or one that deserves a credit for the person that you are today?

When I was younger I was very close to my great grandmother. She encouraged my dreams of becoming a writer and would listen to every story I could write for her to hear. She fell very ill and passed away in 2001. It's nearly 8 years later and I still consider her my hero. She taught me a lot about working hard for what I want, even if that means picking raspberries in order to replace your roof. She encouraged me to follow my dreams. I have her photo framed near my writing station because when I feel like this is just one big pipe dream, I think to myself, "she believed in me. I can still make it."

23. Why do you write? Any particular inspiration or just felt compelled?

I have always written. I am not good with words. When I get very enthusiastic I stutter. My grammar is terrible when I speak (hence why it's so bad on this blog!) and I have a very difficult time expressing how I am feeling with my speech. However, when I write properly... I feel as though all the doors are open. As though it is only through my word that people can see who I really am.

Speech can lie. It's fleeting, forgettable and relies largely on body language. Words are permanent. They can be referred to and only depend on one person, the writer.

This is why I write.

24. If you had one gift of word to give to someone, what would the word be?

Hope. There is always hope. Hope does not depend on circumstances.

Sleepyjane another South African blogger sent these questions through. You really should check her blog out as well, because well she's South African and totally awesome! The blog is really cute and filled with random bits of her life. All that ends up being pretty entertaining!

25. If you could choose any talent to be blessed with, anything at all, what would it be and why?

I have never ever been athletic. I blame it on having four toes and a stump that should be a toe. I would love to run fast purely because when I run now I look a bit like Johnny in Pirates of the Caribbean

26. If someone said that they would pay you X amount of money but you are NEVER allowed to blog again, what amount would you accept?

I am really broke. In fact I was thinking how much I could sell an ovary for... Why? Do you have an offer?

27. If you could have been born in any other country, which one would it be and why?

I have an internal love for Italy. Being born there would make me Italian and Italians are beautiful.

And they know yummy food. I mean KNOW. and YUMMY.

Food can just stay uncapitalised there.

28. Tell me something that you are proud of, like some goal you reached?

I've puked in public. Multiple times.

29. If you could be a member of the opposite sex for a day, no strings, would you do it and why?

Yeh. I have always been mystified about the male attraction to skanky whores and the compulsive need to scratch the nether regions in public. It would make a lot of things clearer in my mind.

Plus then I could wear (and get away with wearing) nothing but a baggy pair of sweatpants. i would sit on the sofa with a beer in each hand and burp and scratch until my heart's fufilled. I'm too much of a lady to sit and fart though. ew.

I would say that as a man too. Ew.

And the madness continues...

2009-01-07T08:13:00.002+02:00

Today is the second to last day of my open book opportunity! Surely you are in fact, burning with desire. To ask me a question anyway!

Today's segment is from Ron. His blog is seriously one of my favourites. He writes very passionately and sends me from tears to giggles with each post. The photos he takes are moving and spirited. If you don't go and at least check him out, you will regret it. So go. Right now if you have to.

11. Please elaborate on the title of your blog.

I figured I would get this question. I figure this mostly because I like to think I have physic capabilities. In any case, the title of my blog originates from a quote from Cecil Beaton. He said, "Be daring, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace and the slaves to the ordinary."

This blog is a statement of my inherent need for the ordinary. It is conversations that I have in my daily life. I post random thoughts I have. This blog is a statement towards my own slavery to the ordinary. However, whilst posting about the ordinary and common-place I personally chase purpose, vision and vibrancy. I feel as though this blog is a testament towards the beauty and the joy in daily life.

12. If you could invite three people for dinner, dead or alive, who would they be?

Bertha would chose 3 musicialicious men to enjoy. They of course would be: Johnny, Gordon and Paul for Chinese in order to discuss the impending doom of globalisation.

I would choose to meet with Leonardo De Vinci and Steven King. Gordon can come along too... Then the three of us can discuss art, love, and melding the two.

13. Ever see America's Funniest Home Video's when they show shots of the groom falling over during the vows because he's wasted before the wedding? If that happened to you (god forbid), what would you say to him?

"You are an idiot. Take a friggin' aspirin when you wake up. Alone" That would probably be followed up by an evil laugh resembling "mwahahaha."

14. Iced Tea, sweet or unsweetened?

I like Liptons Peach Ice Tea Light. Technically sweetened, but with rat poison.

15. What's the weirdest thing you've eaten? (Sorry, last question about food).

I am a terribly picky eater. The most exotic I've eaten was a wildebeest. It looked like steak and steak is yummy. Wilde ain't steak. I've also had Kudu, Ostrich and Human. Well the last part is sorta a lie and sorta not.

16. What are you afraid of?

Insects, the dark and Schalk Burger.

I'm afraid.
You should be too.

17. How many times does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll lollipop?

The number of licks it takes to get to the centre of a tootsie pop is directly proportional to the inverse of the degree of the temperature of the atmosphere multiples by the density of your individual whistle calculated by the air wind speed of an Africa Swallow carrying a coconut.

18. Michael Jackson- Better looking before or after plastic?

Tough.

or

Must admit I'm kinda into the barbie face there. and look at those full lips contrasting with the pointy nose with the wide eyes... Yum.

19. Ever been kicked out of some place?

Consistently kicked out of the Library... Also been asked to leave a restaurant... And when I say restaurant I mean something else.

20. Why must you hate on my beloved country of Canada?

Because I am a hater. And still have never seen a Canadian moose.

Feeling a little old and dirty...

2009-01-06T14:47:00.008+02:00

Happy 100 posts. I have managed to litter the blogsphere with my ramblings for 100 posts. It was very slow going at first but finally I am here in all my exposed-to-the-world glory.

As I promised, I have some questions from ya'll for ya'll that will give you waaay more information about myself than you ever wanted to know.

Sco-man, my ever present bloggy friend emailed these ten questions to me. Go check out his blog. I read it everyday for my dose of giggles. He seriously cracks me up. So go read and enjoy!

1. What would be your reaction if the Fi wanted to play "Highway to Hell" on the way to your wedding?

Obviously it would be perfect! We already have Lit's song- I'm in over my head for the garter toss. If he suggested it I would possibly die laughing and not make it down the aisle.

2. Who was your first celebrity crush?

I blame global warming.

3. Would you invite a werewolf or a vampire to a dinner party?

Have you read Chronicles of a Vampire? Doesn't the curiosity of seeing that and feeling that intrigue you? I suppose I would have two conditions. 1. Not Edward Cullen and 2. Not that guy from x-men. Whatshisname. Wolverine. Their faces are annoying. Unless Wolverine shaved. Then he's in.

4. If you could remove one countries impact on history, which one would you choose and how do you think it would change the world we live in today??

If I could remove one country I would choose Canada. Its like the friggin hat of the US. Who needs a hat? It looks crappy up there anyway.

5. Have you had any experiences with ghosts or haunted houses?

I once thought I saw a ghost when I was in grade 5. It was actually just a really pale woman. Scarred me for life.

6. Looking a bit ahead, what would be the ideal way for you to spend your 10th wedding anniversary?

It would be freakin' brilliant to go to Italy and travel through the rest of Europe. If I can't go to Europe, I'd want to go to Brazil and chill out there with the Hubs.

7. what is your favourite fast food meal?

I'm all about the Mc Flurry baby! And you thought that wasn't a meal...

8. What is the worst injury you have ever had?

I broke my wrist twice. Don't ask how I did either of them. I think though the worst injury to me was the smash to my ego the day I got stuck in the climbing tube at McDonald when I was 7. I wasn't too tall people.

9. What is the strangest name you've heard?

Well done to the Paltrows. I still have not heard a name more stupid than Apple. And I have heard some keepers. Like Ivana. Not so bad? Her surname was Mandick. But Apple wins.

10. Can I stay with you until the heat dies down?

I'm not too sure if you meant to put the Kaiser Chief's lyrics in my brain. But if you did well done. Let's be friends.

Huge thanks to Sco-man! If you wanna get in on the action email me your questions. I of course reserve the right to not answer something but heck, maybe I'll feel generous! Deadline is still the 8th of January.

Feel like some incentive? Free plug not good enough? Give it a shot and you might just grab something fabulously delicious!

The great 100!

2009-01-05T10:38:00.004+02:00

This post is my 99th post, meaning my next one will be numero 100!

I have been going back and forth as to what to do to celebrate. I was thinking of giveaways, parties and nothingness but I decided to celebrate a little more lame-ly. (Because I'm lame like that.) You get an opportunity to get to know me better.

I will be answering 100 questions about myself. Dun dun dun! I am giving you, my loyal readers, a chance to ask me anything and I will answer it and give your blog a shameless plug. So ask away.

Send your questions to neveralone107@gmail.com by 8 Jan to get a chance!

Things that make me blush...

2009-01-05T09:20:00.005+02:00

The Fi and I are currently undergoing pre-wedding counselling with our pastor. It has been a very enriching experience as we look at the biblical view of marriage. The Fi and I have chosen to align our marriage as closely as we can with the biblical standard. Not that I will be pregnant and barefoot in the kitchen though! I have chosen to allow him to be the responsible party for our family and household, and I will take the position of assistant and helper role in the management of our home.

We are old fashioned about marriage and have also decided to keep various other special things only for marriage.

Our pastor has given us an assignment whereby we have to purchase items that the other person would normally purchase. merrr.

Just thinking of buying these are making me blush. I don't blush easily but when the impending post-nuptials are concerned I light up like a freakin' stoplight.

Hello, my name is Elizabeth and I am scared of the impending humiliation.

I'd rather share my personal life with 10,00 strangers than walk into the store right now.

Definitive moments

2009-01-02T00:06:00.000+02:00

I have had several moments in my life that I place in my definitive category. Some I will never find words to express. Some are so deeply entwined in my core that to remove them, analyze them, and reveal them would strip them of their power.

But some of them only have power when stripped open. Some moments yearn to be shared. These have no shame. Like the beggar at the traffic light, they cry out to me. Sobs of fear, regret and desperation are met only by my own heartache and incompetence.

I had another dream about her. Her name was Sali and I first wrote about her here. Lately, she has been invading my subconscious, crying out to be shared.

I met her July of 2008 in a small village in Mozambique called Panhame. Her lifestyle is what you see on National Geographic with little comfort and even less guarantee of tomorrow.

Yet, she aroused no pity from me.

Sympathy, sure. "Man, somebody's gotta do something" sure. Pity? No.

This does not mean that I am immune to the sadness of seeing impoverished people. I felt no pity because she felt no pity.

This was her life. She is 4 or 5 years old and herded her family's goats. She helped her mother with the only meal of the day. She would probably never get an education or learn where babies come from before she was married. This was her life and, at her age, she seemed to accept her life in all its entirety.

I am no photographer but here she is:

And these are my words:

To the girl who aided my heart recovery:

Sali

The great expanse of dust packed still
By bare feet trampling
The shadows pool beneath Marula tree
And dusty rocks, undisturbed, watch

Sali toddle across the plain
Heavy laden, haunting eyes
And the beads and bracelets clanking

And she tumbles
Embracing shrouds
The dust- scarlet and steaming

Tear neglected she leapt
To chase the goat
And fade into the blackness.

The New Year has left me Baffled.

2009-01-01T10:25:00.007+02:00

This morning family from Dubai arrived for part 2 of their visit. Our home is bustling with new year fever- resolutions that already have been broken and breakfast dishes that need to be washed.

Daily life has continued despite the changing of the calender, as it always does.

I make resolutions differently than most people. I make goals. I use today to define how I wish to live my life this new year. I use it as guidelines. Although I fail to succeed in the 'resolution' completely, every year I grow further into the person I desire myself to be.

This year I will be doing the same thing.

I have a stronger desire to grow this year than last. 2007 and 2008 were years of waiting, of growing in the big P (patience) 2009 is a year of new marriages, new families, new homes, new cities, new jobs, new opportunities. This year will define my character and my virtue.

I have stepped out of most of my 'humanitarian' work (I use that word loosely, as I dislike the connotations of humanitarian workers) in an effort to concentrate on my education (I was too stressed last year with the youth projects and Mozambique outreaches) and my marriage.

All these new things demand my attention and I have to focus on these before I can focus on others.

Proverbs 31 is the guidelines I want to work towards.

An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight. She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She senses that her gain is good
Her lamp does not go out at night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff,And her hands grasp the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen. Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.
She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
"Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all."
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.

These words reflect the type of woman I want to become: Rare, Precious, Trustworthy, Kind, Diligent, Joyful, Disciplined, Giving, Prudent, Energetic, Elegant, Helpful, Industrious, Poised, Wise, Praiseworthy, Distinguished, God- Fearing, and eventually Honoured.

Tall order? Yes. Not through me but through Christ.

2008 and it's vibe

2008-12-31T08:41:00.004+02:00

Due to the craziness that continues across the country as we are still on holiday, I have had a really difficult time sitting down and focussing enough to write something worth your time.

This has technically always been my problem. When have I not wasted you time? Maybe
only here.

And that's because I didn't even write it!

Today is the 31st, despite my own constant forgetfulness about the date. It is indeed the final day of 2008, a year overflowing with joy, happiness, friends and family.

I found this questionnaire here. Her blog is great. Give it a read because she is funnier and a better speller than I.

1.What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Being proposed to. Had a *severe* wardrobe malfunction. Went to university. Got a Ta too.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I make the same resolutions every year. Every year I fail miserably. Next year I will probably make them once again... I am just that sadistic.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No! The group of us married (slash me being soon-to-marry) girls are all waiting to see which one will fall preggo first. They have all been married a year or two longer so they shoudl get on it!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No. Thankfully God has been gracious.

5. What countries did you visit?

Mozambique and The Free State. I am pretty sure The Free State is it's own strange and backwards country.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

A Husband. A South African Driving Licence. A smaller butt.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

16 August, the day that the Fi proposed. *sigh*

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

This. It's one more step away from her.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I lost my wit. Here I can just link this entire blog...

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Sprained ankle twice. Several icky flus and colds. Multiple mystery bruises and the most recent unknown injury to my toe that has left it purple and in pain.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My tattoo. It's my constant reminder to breathe life in.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
The Cope. Next year South Africans might actually have a Democratic election and a chance to break away from the corruption of the ANC.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The choice of the US election candidates.

14. Where did most of your money go?

University and the revolving items. And developing pictures.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

The wedding.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

Sting. His music was the soundtrack for my year at university.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
b) thinner or fatter?
c) richer or poorer?

Happier definitely. I'm probably the same size. And most definitely poorer in money. But I am most definitely richer in other areas of my life.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

I wish I enjoyed res more.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Less stressing about Spanish!

20. How did you spend Christmas?

With the family and the Fi. Chilling SA style.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?

Re-fell...

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Whose Wedding is it Anyway, Grey's Anatomy and Army Wives

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Probably. I am a really not-nice person most days. But lucky for them I am also a terribly forgetful one as well.

24. What was the best book you read?

eh, I read a lot of books this year. The best one? Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles were actually surprisingly good. I had not read a book like that before and really enjoyed it.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Wind it by Jody. Can't get that song out of my head despite hate/loving it

26. What did you want and get?

A ring.

27. What did you want and not get?

A discontinuation of country music.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Were there any great films of this year?

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 20 and went on a picnic with the Fi and the family.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

A licence or maybe the set box of Greys.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

This year my personal fashion consisted of the "I'm too broke to buy clothes" look, combined with the "I live at res and res food sucks so bad that I am putting on weight and don't really have anything to wear" look, followed by the "I am no longer in res and losing weight and can't keep my clothes on"

32. What kept you sane?

Weekly phone calls from the Fi. Dancing with the flatmates. Chilling with my gnomies.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Johnny Depp.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

South African politics always stirs me up.

35. Who did you miss?

Meeka the BFF

36. Who was the best new person you met?

I met the most incredible group of girls that I lived with.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

Things don't always work out the way we planned but sometimes better!

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"That was when I ruled the World"

Today I have nothing to say.

2008-12-29T08:47:00.003+02:00

Because I have no words today. See ya'll when I find some.

She's BAAAACK!

2008-12-27T21:33:00.003+02:00

I know you loyal readers definitely missed me. I know, I know. It's good to be back.

I had a wonderful Christmas with my family and the Fi. The entire day was spent lounging around, braaiing and eating said braaied food. Yum. Over and over I looked around and thought, 'Man, I am so blessed'. Because I am.

After the whole debacle about Christmas presents, everyone thought up gorgeous presents for the Fi and me.

I must have been a very very good girl this year.

My parents bought us one of these:
Since we didn't have a television. It is glorious! I can't remember the make or size or anything of it, but its ours and that makes it special. In addition we got one of these too:
Same unknowledge of make and size and things. That's what the man is for! You know what I know? I know that ours is black and ours. and shiny. and plays DVDs. Hooray!

The Fi spoiled me with a puzzle with a beautiful picture that I have been lusting after and one of these:

It's possibly the nicest wallet I've ever owned. I mean Mr Price R30 wallets PALE in comparison! Thank you! :)

So that's my bragging! Especially because my sisters, brother and aunts all spoiled us with magazines, kitchen goods and photo frames. *sigh* I must have been very very good.

The Fi and I have been busy moving his junk...err... things around into the place we will be living in after we are married. It is a beautiful flat complete with balcony and an extra room deemed 'the study'. This makes us sound educated and intelligent and well, that's the vibe I am going for. Inside The Study we have his books (soon to be joined by my books) and his desk (soon to be joined by my desk) and all the smart things we can possibly cram in there to be- you know- studied.

I do suppose that is the best synopsis that I can give you, dear reader, this evening. I am tired. I have 70 more Thank You for Attending the Wedding cards to produce. I probably should go do that.

Or maybe I'll just go to bed and sleep off the cramp in my tired-of-moving shoulder.

Merry Christmas eve!

2008-12-24T11:34:00.001+02:00

The title pretty much says what I wish to say. Have a wonderful holiday today and tommorrow. Drive safely, drink responsibly and all the rest of it. :)

Until I see ya'll again! xxoo

Bertha is a stalker.

2008-12-23T00:56:00.003+02:00

Facebook has enabled many different things. I am able to see when my friends hook-up/break-up/argue/cut their hair/stir their coffee and all the other GLORIOUS aspects of facebook-dom.

Its amazing the people who invite you. I wasn't really popular in high school because I preferred to keep a small group of good friends and a lot of acquaintances. These lovely folks that I hardly knew in high school ALL have invited me on Facebook. The cheer leading girls who drove me insane in gym class are living it up in France and the nerdy boys who sniffed snot all throughout English class are astonishingly good-looking and well rounded individuals.

Let me just say that I, Elizabeth, am anti-stalker. When I lived at the coast I had my fair share of 'stalkers'. I do suppose they were just love-sick puppies hoping for my number, but seriously following me to the beach/work/home/school is creepy. And a tad stalker-ish. Stalking is uncool.

Bertha, however, does not have the same ethical boundries that I have.

I know all this information about all these randoms because Bertha facebook stalks them. They invite me as friends, she checks out the photos and information they post and heck, I know more about them now than I have EVER known about them.

Bertha is creepy.

Then there are those blog comments she posts. Yes, Scoman, she does this to you excessively. She has the most outrageous way of sounding like a weirdo.

For this I apologise.

On behalf of Bertha.

She is a creep.

What I LOVE about Christmas

2008-12-22T08:19:00.007+02:00

Today is a glorious day! I have completed the Christmas shopping. Hoor-freaking-ay!

I must admit I am not a fan of Christmas shopping and every year I end up thinking to myself that I have GOT to start earlier. I am a very bad Santa's helper. OOh, I enjoy gift giving. I enjoy finding fabulous finds for my loved ones based on my personal financial strain. Love that.

I am a big fan of shopping in general. It's grand and fabulous, especially when you have cash to spend. Halle-freaking-lujah.

But what can't stand, and encounter every freaking time I went out Christmas shopping, is the dreaded, the horrible, the irritating 'stop-directly-in-front-of-you-to-chat-to-some-distance-
acquaintance-about-the-weather-and-block-not-just-the-
aisle-but-the-entire-corridor-making-it-impossible-to-
get-by-until-they-finish-the-dumb-conversation' Person. The 'SDIFOYTCTSDAATWABNJTABTECMIITGBUTFTDC' Person is usually the affluent Bimbo parading around in high heels with gazillions of parcels being juggled by their significant other. The SO of the SDIFOYTCTSDAATWABNJTABTECMIITGBUTFTDC stands there shifting their weight awkwardly behind the SDIFOYTCTSDAATWABNJTABTECMIITGBUTFTDC and stares awkwardly at you, the extremely irritated unable to walk shopper.

This strange traffic jam enables the second dreaded person to irritate the Unable to Walk Shopper. The dreaded Neck Breather comes up behind the Unable to Walk Shopper and breaths from their nose upon your irritated neck. This allows you to feel two steaming streams of toxic nose breath colliding into your neck hairs. The stench is horrendous, the claustrophobia is growing and you.are.angry.

And you can't do anything about it. Until the weather-talkers realise they actually don't want to talk to each other and continue on their merry ways. Until the Nose breathing Neck tickler holds his breath, you are stuck.

*sigh* Christmas Joy. Christmas Cheer. Yeah, I love Christmas.

Shameless Plug

2008-12-21T03:00:00.001+02:00

So yesterday my baby bro started his own blog. Please go show him some bloggy love. Thanks. Check it out here

Have a wonderful Sunday!