Sun, Sea & Harley Davidson's

My mini holiday away was absolutely awesome. Some may not agree but I enjoyed it and my partner in crime enjoyed it and that's all that matters, right? Teehee!! So there we were sitting at my house with a huge glass of wine on Tuesday night (22 Sept) thinking of going on a road trip and not knowing where the hell to go. We're broke as sh!t and payday is a week away but we have petrol through my petrol card (I always make sure I have enough petrol money in the card and it's a stand-alone garage card - no going through a credit card or anything - which I don't have by the way. =D).

ANYWAY! So we contemplated Potchefstroom, Middelburg, Cape Town and my friends farm. Boring. Finally, with our head set on the seaside, we (read: ME) decided on Richards Bay in Kwazulu-Natal. Google it if you want. I don't care. It's a seaside town close to Durban. I grew up in Durban. I couldn't wait!!

So Wednesday night we packed our bags, got our sh!t together and assured the parents we'd be fine. (It's the "partner in crime's" first week with a license. Therefore she hasn't been driving very long and now I'm taking her on a 800km drive to the coast. You can imagine.) We left Thursday morning at the crack of dawn, but first made a pitstop at her friends' house for coffee. Although we were bargaining on breakfast at least. Oh well. We left there around 8am and hit the long road 'home'. Well for me at least. Heehee!

We made a couple of pitstops, had brunch at a roadside Wimpy and checked out Howick Waterfall (Lovely btw)... At least we had a GPS with us so the navigation went well... enough. As we get to Richardsbay, at 5h30 PM might I add, the GPS tells us to turn left at some point, so naturally, we turned left. I mean we've put in the address we need to go to and everything. We stayed over at a friend of mine for the weekend, I hadn't seen her for 2 years. She's my age with 2 kids. Great. So we turn left... and realize that we're f$%^ing off into the BUSH! NOT where we want to go I can assure you that. We drive a kilometre or so thinking maybe she lives in a farmstyle house... ya never know! But alas... no. We started freaking out with the blue ball monkeys staring at us and the strange ppl walking around so we just turned right around and headed back to the main road where the GPS had to recalculate itself. See the worry in my eye. It got us there eventually, thank goodness.

Turns out we headed into the now crocodile farm, it used to be a short cut to the area where the friend lived. Fantastic. *Sorry Ma'm but your daughter was eaten out of the car by a crocodile while at the ocean on holiday.* Oops.

Thursday we relaxed a bit but couldn't sit still for long so we headed into town, GPS at hand, to check out the local pubs/clubs. We drove past a couple just to come to the conclusion that it looks dodgy and 3 girls going in there alone might not be such a good idea. So we ended up at Dros (well known restaurant) for a drink and a plate of chips to share and headed back home for some rest.

Friday, the friend (the one we stayed with - Arista) took us shopping. But who wants to go shopping when the beach is a kilometre away?! We didn't stay long in the shops but I got a cute pair of sneakers and some slops, as I didn't have any decent ones anymore. And I was at the beach for petesakes! =D We dropped Arista off at home since she had a migraine to sleep off and headed for the beach. Not the best beach in the world to be honest... but it was nice.

We didn't stay long though. We drove off and went to check out the next beach, Pelican Island, not far from there, and from there we went to the harbor... drove around a bit and came across Kiss Tattoos and Piercings. Of course we had to stop.

At Kiss Tattoos and Piercings we met a couple of people and had a couple of drinks and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, strange enough. I sat down that same day for touch-ups on my tattoo. I'll take a picture to post. Looks better than it used to. Not that most of you know what it used to look like... haha! My partner in crime, Pixie, was first set on getting a tongue ring and getting me a nose ring but so many ppl have said to me that a nose ring won't suit me... So no... I don't think so.

By Saturday she wanted a tattoo but couldn't decide what. And I'm sorry, you shouldn't get a permanent tattoo if you don't know what you want. It's going to be on your body the rest of your life. It should mean something. Really mean something. Or is that just me?

Anyway, this is such a long post but I guess it's more for me than you. Hehe! Sorry.

Friday night we went to the Zululand Expo in Richardsbay. Huge showgrounds. Lots of stalls. Lots of Hong Kong Sh!tties for sale. Lots of beautiful arts and crafts and products for sale. Fun rides to go on and some live music on a big stage. But the one thing that can go wrong will go wrong - the weather was rainy and cold. Urgh! It was fun, though we were so tired when we got home eventually. Slept like babies... (What a k@k statement btw).

Saturday we went back to the harbor and met some more random ppl with the nicest bikes... some took us for short rides. I love meeting new ppl. I love being so random. (And the tattoo artist, Mervin, turned out to be rather cute. There's something to him that we liked.) That night we babysat the kids for a while then went to the Hippo Rally in Richardsbay where we met up with Mervin and just sat chatting and drinking by the poolside. Later we went to the beach a bit and eventually home at around 3am. We got up at just before 7am to head back home. Unfortunately. Urgh! =(

So there... mini recap of my road trip weekend. I enjoyed it and I relaxed a bit. I truly, madly... deeply... hehe... needed it. I feel better. Revived. But also sad. In a whole different way. But that's another post altogether. Soon...

Making a Change

Where I Mix a Bit of My Weekend Update with The Hillbilly's Awesome Giveaway... (That ScoMan Won)

As I stood there, looking out at the darkened ocean... the waves tickling my toes... the thoughts of just walking into the inky black waves with the cotton white tips almost overwhelms me. The wind pulls my hair in all different directions, the sand sticks to my clammy skin. And I am calm. This is my home. This is where my heart lies. I have already made the decision to leave everything I know behind me and move to the place of my birth. The place where I belong. I'm not meant to be inland... not me. I want to spread my wings and find the life I'm meant to live. And I'm quite sure that life does not include taxi's, traffic, limited time, scraping for money, no time for myself, fighting and being taken for granted. I'm pretty sure that life includes spending time with the people I love, relaxed driving, working in a place that appreciates me, doing what I really want to do, not what people expect me to do, finding love in my life, quiet dinners in front of the fireplace with the sound of the ocean all around me... Get my drift?

As I stood there, looking out at the twinkling lights of the faraway ships... I savor the wind in my hair. The smell of salty water tickling my nose. The clammy feeling on my skin and the sand between my toes.

I think of the days of my grandfather and I, playing on the beach, building sand castles with dubi (baby sunscreen) on our noses. Yes, both of us. I remember how he took me into the 'Big Sea' where the kids aren't allowed to swim. He was so strong. He never let me go. I recall the long walks we took on the beach, looking for crabs and scouring the ocean for dolphins and whales. He was always just as fascinated as I was at my young age.

I remember the time of my great-grandmother and I... we also took such long walks on the beach. A lot of times we had to stay on the brick sidewalk because she couldn't walk in the sand for too long. But then she'd let me walk or run where I wanted to. She came to sit on the beach with me and helped me build sand castles or even just sat there talking and laughing with me. My great-grandmother always took me outside to see the flowers and 'get fresh air'. Because of her, I never really liked staying inside to watch television. I loved the outdoors. I loved nature. I still do. And that's a very good thing. Especially in a child...

As I stood there on the beach in Richards Bay looking out at the darkened ocean... the waves tickling my toes... I promised myself ... I promised the sea... that I would come back. And soon. I made the conscious decision to move to Durban. I have to. For my own sanity. My problem is I'm very family orientated. I love the people and things in my life and I hate change. But change is good, isn't it? I hope so. I'm taking a leap of faith to sort of 'start a new life' in Durbz. I can't wait. I don't belong inland. I don't feel right here. I need to hear the ocean song every day and feel alive.

I have a couple of friends from where I live who want to move with me! Haha!! I think we should get one helluva big house and all move in together. We're young! Why not?! Yeah I know I'll have to think it through. We all have to. And find jobs down there and everything. But it's not impossible. We'll make it work. I'll make it work.

By 2010 I will be in Durban, Kwazulu-Natal. I promise myself that.
What an adventure...

Roadtrip!

A friend and I decided on Tuesday to go on a roadtrip... so 700km's
later we're sitting in Richardsbay on the beach!! Whoop Whoop! Can't
wait to post more as soon as I have a normal internet conection! Wish
me luck! I've needed a holiday for so long and at this point 4 days
are fine for me... =) Have an awesome weekend Sweeties!

Just Pix

Images : Desktop Nexus

Bloggie (Music) Luv

My Dear Bloggie Buddie Thrice (From the STUPIDEST corner of my mind) is putting up her 'Pretty Please Face' (Read: Puppy Dog Face)

For her dear friend Steve... Who sings... And makes music. Awesome music! Well if you're into it of course. Tastes differ I know. He has some funky tunes, soft tunes and musical tunes. Pick and choose... (Please see FDX Tunepak on my sidebar if you would like to listen to it). Otherwise go HERE for more info and sounds. Hey it's worth checking it out and she's sending out the bloggie love to help a friend... which I support any day! Go Thrice!

So go check HER & HIM out... what are you waiting for??
Maybe we can help this guy to boost his music.. even if it's just in a small way.

Thank You Followers (Old & New)

Do you remember the post where....???

Do you remember the post where I rambled on about a guy I 'met' again after 14 years?? Do you remember how I said "Dear Heart, I 'met' a boy this weekend... prepare to shatter?"

Yeah well. It shattered.
Okay maybe I'm over exaggerating. It didn't shatter. It just bruised a tiny bit. He's in love with someone else. But it's so damn complicated and dangerous I'm trying to talk some sense into him. Strange thing is... I think it's a good thing that there's probably no chance for us. He's a great friend. We have fun together and we can share sh!t with each other. I need that. In someone who won't judge too much. I like that.

Story of my life huh? Well, my new life. I'm trying. I really am. It's hard being alone. Especially when you're not used to it. It feels like I have SO MUCH love to give and no one to give it to. So I'm spreading it out over my friends. And my BFF's new baby that's on the way. I can't wait. I might just be more excited than the parents-to-be. (I'm the motherly type alright? In case you haven't noticed already).

In other news:

• I think I said my car got stolen.
• Did I mention my house keys was in the car that got stolen?
• Someone broke into our house a week ago. No sign of forced entry. They didn't steal any big things... but they stole 3 of my moms' rings. VERY fcuking expensive rings. Family heirlooms by the way. One of them - My grandmother's engagement ring. The diamond alone worth about R30 000. It's heart sore you know?
  
• I'm sure they tracked my car registration to my house address. It's possible right? Anything is possible in South Africa... haha!
• My 'new' friend, RandomPixie, (we found each other again three years after we went to high school together and hardly knew each other) is back from Holland and I'm SO excited to see her again!!! I missed her terribly.
• I'm very excitedly calmly awaiting my fabulous prize parcel from Hillbilly Duhn

That's all for now. What a random ramble huh??

100

Yes I've finally reached 100 posts! I never thought it would happen. That I would stick around so long. But it's all thanx to all my amazing bloggie friends. The blogging community turned out to be such a supportive group of people. All over the world. I would recommend blogging to anybody. Makes you feel less alone and isolated. I can be who I want to be, who I really am on this blog. And whoever doesn't accept just won't make their presence on my blog known. Which is fine with me. So thank you to everyone I've met in this crazy time. You're stronger than you think - Putting up with my ramblings for so long... Haha!

So to get to the damn point (Yes thank you I heard you) - I'm having a bit of a give away. And I'm new to this so bear with me please... I'm having a Truly South African Give Away!!!! Yeah I'm so predictable. Thank you. So here are the yummy prizes to be won (all together of course):

• Biltong - Dried, raw meat. SO YUMMY!! Go here, here and here if you want to find out more.
• Maltabella The Malted Porridge - Directions on the box to make it. Really easy. REALLY yummy. Believe me on this one.
• Mrs Balls Chutney - An amazing South African sauce. Best with any meat or in a sauce.
• Simba Chips - Self explanatory. Just yummy South African potato crisps.
• Marmite - A spread for sandwhiches and used for cooking as well. Very rich protein spread. MUCH better than the picture looks (and says)... try it with cheese as well... Mmmmmmmm.
• Fruit & Brandy Cake - We call it Christmas Cake over here. I'm not a big fan but hey, each to its own. Throw it away if you don't want it. But remember that my grandmother will be making it.
• Rusks - The ones my grandmother makes. Not the ones in the 'Ouma Rusks' picture. It's like cookies that you dip in coffee. Just so much better. You gotta know what it is. If you don't, that's just sad.
  

I'll also throw a little African Curio into the mix for your horror pleasure. (Okay I find them freaky. There's nothing I can do about it. They are actually really pretty and the talent these people have of making them is just amazing).

So here are the rules my sweeties:

• Make sure you follow me. (And tell me about it will you?)
• Post about it. Even if you just mention it. And leave me the link in my comments section.
• Then the mother of all 'things you gotta do...' - Write a short story about your 'visit' to South Africa. Real or fictional. Short or long. (This should be a breeze for Hillbilly Duhn. IF she enters...). And make it funny/scary. Because as you know we South Africans are both. =)
  

In all honesty... the one who appeals to me the most will win.
But that's okay because I'm the one giving this shit away right?
(Still can't believe I'm doing this).

Haha!! *Evil Grin*

So if no one enters, tough. More for me. If two of you enter, well then it's gonna be easy. If all of you and some random people enter, it'll probably be harder but I'll do it nonetheless. My email address is in my sidebar. Pls email the story to me. If you didn't know that already don't tell me coz you'll get me upset. I LoVe LoVe LoVe Emails. Keep 'em coming.

So there you go. There's ME shooting myself in the foot. Coz I have no fcuking idea how much the postage etc is going to be because (obviously) I have no idea where I'm sending it either. Maybe I end up sending it within South Africa. But that'll be a waste won't it? They'll receive stuff they can buy at ANY story close to them. But that's okay. I'll do it just because I like you so much. (The fact that I have extra money coming in end of the month does help a little I admit).

That's That Then. Good luck.

Edit Note : Competition ends 2 October 2009

It's Great to be a Souf Efrikan

This is a great country because:

1. You can eat half dried meat and not be considered disgusting.

2. Nothing is your fault, you can blame it all on apartheid.

3. You get to buy a new car every 3 months and the insurance company even pays for it.

4. You can experience kak service in eleven official languages.

5. Where else can you get oranges with 45% alcohol content at rugby matches?

6. It's the only country in the world where striking workers show how angry they are by dancing.

7. You're considered clumsy if you cannot: use a cell phone (without car kit), change CDs, drink a beer, put on make-up, read the newspaper and smoke, all at the same time while driving a car at 160 kph in a 60 kph zone.

8. Great accent. (!!!)

9. If you live in Johannesburg, you get to brag about living in the most dangerous city in the world.

10. Burglar bars become a feature, and a great selling point for your house.

11. You can decorate your garden walls with barbed wire.

12. The tow-trucks are the first on the scene for most major crimes, without being called.

The police you have to call about three times.

13. Votes have to be recounted until the right party wins.

14. Illegal immigrants leave the country because the crime rate is too high.

15. The police ask you if they must follow up on the burglary you've just reported.

16. A murderer gets a 6 month sentence and a pirate TV viewer 2 years.

17. The prisoners strike and get to vote in elections!

18. The police stations have panic buttons to call armed response when they are burgled

19. Police cars are fitted with immobilisers and gearlocks!

20. Condoms for free - shopping plastic bags for sale


Ja nee!! Dis lekker hier!!

25 Signs You're Grown Up

1. Your house plants are alive, and you can't smoke any of them.

2. Having sex in a twin bed is out of the question.

3. You keep more food than beer in the fridge.

4. 6:00 AM is when you get up, not when you go to bed.

5. You hear your favorite song on an elevator.

6. You watch the Weather Channel.

7. Your friends marry and divorce instead of hook up and break up.

8. You go from 130 days of vacation time to 14.

9. Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as "dressed up."

10. You're the one calling the police because those damn kids next door won't turn down the stereo.

11. Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.

12. You don't know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.

13. Your car insurance goes down and your payments go up.

14. You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonalds leftovers.

15. Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.

16. You no longer take naps from noon to 6 PM.

17. Dinner and a movie is the whole date instead of the beginning of one.

18. Eating a basket of chicken wings at 3 AM would severely upset, rather than settle, your stomach.

19. You go to the drug store for ibuprofen and antacid, not condoms and pregnancy tests.

20. A $4.00 bottle of wine is no longer "pretty good stuff."

21. You actually eat breakfast food at breakfast time.

22. "I just can't drink the way I used to," replaces, "I'm never going to drink that much again."

23. 90% of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work.

24. You no longer drink at home to save money before going to a bar.

And lastly...

25. You read this entire list looking desperately for one sign that doesn't apply to you.

Now Really... WTF

Skinny people irritate me!

Especially when they say things like,

"You know, sometimes I just forget to eat."

"Now, I've sometimes forgotten my address, my mother's maiden name,

and my keys. But I've never forgotten to eat.

You have to be a special kind of stupid to forget to eat.

Cards that SHOULD be available

1. I always wanted to have someone, someone to love. And now that you've come into my life... (Inside card) - I've changed my mind.

2. I must admit, you brought religion into my life... (Inside card) - I never believed in Hell until I met you.

3. As the days go by, I think how lucky I am.... (Inside card) - That you're not here to ruin it for me ..

4. Congratulations on your promotion. Before you go.... (Inside card) - Will you take the knife from my back? You'll probably need it again.

5. Happy Birthday! You look great for your age.... (Inside card) - Almost lifelike!

6. When we were together, you said you'd die for me... (Inside card) - Now we've broken up, I think it's time to keep your promise.

7. Congratulations on your new bundle of joy.... (Inside card) - Did you ever find out who the father was?

8. You are such a good friend. If we were on a sinking ship and there was only one life jacket... (Inside card) - I'd miss you terribly and think of you often .

9. Your friends and I wanted to do something special for your birthday... (Inside card) - So we're having you put to sleep.

10. Looking back over the years that we have been together, I can't help but wonder..... (Inside card) - What the hell was I thinking

11. I'm so miserable without you... (Inside card) - It's almost like you're still here.

12. Thank you for being part of my life..... (Inside card) - I never knew what evil was until I met you!

13. Congratulations on your wedding day! (Inside card) - Too bad no one likes your husband.

14. How can I say this.... (Inside card) - Your cooking kills me

15. Hooray..... (Inside card) - You're divorced.

16. I just want you to know that I'm sorry for what happened... (Inside card) - Especially since you survived.

17. Congrats on getting married... (Inside card) - It's not everyday you decide to ruin your life.

18. Someday I hope to marry... (inside card) - Someone other than you.

19. We have been friends for a very long time.... (inside card) - What do you say we stop?

The Final Analysis

People are often unreasonable, self-centred: Forgive them anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you, but be honest anyway. What you spend years to build, someone could destroy overnight. Build anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow. Do good anyway. You see, in the final analysis it is between you and God; it never was between you and them anyway.

What I (apparantly) hide from the world... (Turns out it's true)

You tend to laugh and joke around when you are with everyone, but you feel lonely and empty when are all alone. you cry alone when you have stress and problems. you often have many problems that are bugging you, but you never show them out on your face. you are not as cheerful as they thought, but you just don't wish to spoilt the mood of everyone, hence you hide your emotions inside. you are just a weak human with feelings after all

A-Z of Me

A - Age: 21
B - Bed size: 3/4 Bed... try sharing that with a cat! You only get 10% believe me
C - Chore you hate: Vacuuming and Ironing
D - Dog's names: Simba
E - Essential start your day item: Top Secret! But 2nd thing? Shower!
F - Favorite color: Red
G - Gold or Silver: Gold
H - Height: Dunno
I - Instruments you play: Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Urgh!
J - Job title: Senior Administrator
K - Kid(s): None yet!

L - Living arrangements: Single Girl living with my Single Mom... and loving it! I moved out once.. didn't last long.
M - Mom's name: A3
N - Nicknames: Maryx, Mega, Squeek
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: 2007. When I had an operation on my bum... Aaarrrggghhhh!
P - Pet Peeve: Dishonesty; South African Taxi Drivers; Hygiene and tons of other things believe me!
Q - Quote from a movie: Johnny: "I've never known anybody like you, Baby. You look at the world and you think you can make it better. If somebody's lost, you find them. If somebody's bleedin'..."
Baby: "Yeah, I go get my daddy. That's really brave. Like you said."
Johnny: "That took a lot of guts to go to him. You are not scared of anything..."
Baby: "Me? I'm scared of everything. I'm scared of what I saw. I'm scared of what I did, of who I am. And most of all... I'm scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life, the way I feel when I'm with you." - Dirty Dancing -
R - Right or left handed: Right
S - Siblings: None
T - Time you wake up: Just after 5am during the week and whenever on weekends
U - First word that comes to your mind for "U": 'Us'
V - Vegetable you dislike: Broccoli, Spinach & Beans
W - Ways you run late: Stuck in traffic & Overslept... yeah it happens! Couple that with traffic?! Sh!t
X - X-rays you've had: Brain & Spine (after a car accident) and dental... if that counts?
Y - Yummy food you make: Macaroni & Cheese, Mince Mate & Delicious Pork Spare Rib Chops!
Z - Zoo favorites: ALL the big cats, The Sea Lion, The Polar Bears...

Just Pix

I'm A Hillbilly Winner ! ! !

Prof Coetzee – Laat ons reguit praat oor ‘n paar sake

Yes Dear Readers... another Afrikaans post. I just had to share it.

Baie mense beskou blykbaar diefstal en roof as heel aanvaarbaar, jy moet net beweer jy was daartoe gedryf deur honger, gebrek, apartheid of die waan dat jou oer-voorouers onderdruk was. Laat ons dus maar vandag oor 'n paar sake reguit praat:

'n Mens steel nie omdat jy honger of arm is nie - jy steel omdat jy skelm is. Niemand was nog ooit in hierdie land so volledig onderdruk soos die Afrikaner na die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog nie.

Ons voorouers wat die oorlog en die konsentrasiekampe oorleef het, het na die doodse leegheid van vernietigde plase teruggekeer - uitgehonger, hartseer en verpletter. Maar hulle het nie geroof en gemoor en gesteel nie. Hulle het met harde werk, deursettingsvermoë en swaarkry so presteer dat hulle weldra nie net hulleself nie, maar ook hulle huidige onderdukkers, goed kon versorg.

Toe hulle kinders in Engelse skole gestop is en gestraf is as hulle dit durf waag het om Afrikaans te praat, het hulle nie klippe gegooi en skole afgebrand en geweld gepleeg nie. Hulle het hard geleer, hulle eie CVO -skole gestig en uiteindelik bo uitgekom sodat die Afrikaner vandag vir niemand op akademiese, tegnologiese of wetenskaplike gebied terug hoef te staan nie.

'n Mens moor nie omdat jy voorheen benadeel is of omdat jou werkgewer jou nie tederlik genoeg behandel nie - 'n mens moor omdat jy 'n barbaar is wat
nie verdien om deel van die samelewing te wees nie.

Na die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog het Afrikanermynwerkers absoluut geen regte gehad het nie en moes hulle gesinne met minder as 'n hongerloon probeer
onderhou. Maar hulle het nie bejaardes gaan doodmartel en gesinne uitgemoor nie.

'n Mens word nie 'n agtergeblewene omdat iemand anders nie genoeg vir jou doen nie. 'n Mens word 'n agterblyer omdat jy nie presteer nie. Niemand het die Afrikaner na die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog vooruit gehelp nie – ons het self gewerk en volhard om sukses te behaal.

En elke ding wat ons het, het ons verwerf - apartheid het nooit plase en poste en posisies aan die Afrikaner uitgedeel nie.

As alles altyd vir jou verkeerd loop sodat jy voel jy maak nooit enige vordering nie, is dit dalk 'n goeie gedagte om op te hou soek wie anders as jy self vir al jou ellende verantwoordelik is. Ruk jou reg en presteer jouself in die voorspoed in.

En dit geld vir ons eie mense ook. Net ons eie werk, prestasie en geloof gaan bepaal of ons as agterblyers in die vergetelheid gaan wegsink en of ons weer as trotse, beskaafde, gerespekteerde volk sal opstaan.

Selfs in die nuwe Suid-Afrika is daar steeds geleenthede vir vindingryke, geesdriftige mense wat bereid is om hard te werk en vir hulleself 'n
toekoms los te spook.

Mag die Afrikaner nooit pateties raak nie...