"Happy Birthday to you.."

Its my sister, Savanah's birthday today.

And I am so excited. I love birthdays. They give us a chance to really celebrate the people we love. 14 years ago at 7:34am, I didn't even know Savanah. I was easter egg hunting (it was Easter Sunday). We then went for lunch and my grandparents and then we went home. A little bit later, my mom called me - Savanah was on her way. We went to my uncles that evening and then at around 11:45pm, I got a phone call. It was my dad to tell me that my sister had be born. He said she was so beautiful and had lots of black hair that stuck out like she was "Tommy Lee- the rocker". He also said she was wide awake and just staring at everything (I can tell you, after that she didn't really open her eyes again for days).



When I saw her through the glass window the next day, all I could think of was Snow White: "Skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood and hair as black as ebony". She was so beautiful.

That much has never changed. She was my little doll. I was allowed to bath her and dress her up in the most adorable little outfits. When she learnt to walk she tottered around the place and very quickly learnt to climb onto the coffee table to dance to the Spice Girls. Her hair grew longer and instead of spikey hair, she had ringlets. Ringlets! A the rosiest cheeks. She also had an attitude to go with it. I've watched family videos, where she is playing in the mud as Tsitsikamma and Rus, my brother, wants a hug. She is completely not interested and told him to "go way". A little while later, she was trying to get into the tent and she asked Rus for help. He told her (just to bug her) that seeing that she didn't love him and give him hugs, he wouldn't help her. She sat there for about 10 seconds. Then turned to him with the most beautiful look on her face and said "Russel, I love you...come give me a hug". The girl has ATTITUDE! :)

The cheekiness didn't end there. She has the nickname "poison" - She even keeps the Alice Cooper song on her phone. But she is not unfair and she is never cruel. She just stands up for herself. And that is something I am very proud of. I have had this unique opportunity to be a mother-sister and watch her grow and mature. And at every age, she is just more wonderful. She now laughs at my taste in music and we discuss favourite shows. I am proud to say that when she has a problem, she phones me.

I am proud of the relationship we have. The gossip sessions about her friends and opinions.  And although I wish her the best in the world and all the happiness to go with it, I also know that she has the character and strength to deal with the not so nice stuff (girl power!). 

Although, its Savanah's birthday, I feel like I should be celebrating and dancing around. Because of the gift I received 14 years ago. The gift of an baby, a doll, a princess, a rockstar, a little lady, a cheeky teenager and most of all, a sister. Years ago, like most toddlers, Savanah loved (and I mean LOVED) Barney the dinosaur. I'd often sing "I love you..." while she fell asleep. Her favourite, though, was the "Sisters song". Of course, she couldn't say 'sister'- she said 'stister' instead (as a tradition, we still have 'stisters day').

Happy Birthday, my sister. I love you! I promise. I will always be there.

"The Sisters Song"

Sometimes we are real close friends
we stay up late and talk at night
othertimes we dont get along
there are even times we fight
But I know shes always there
and I know she will always care
She's my sister
I love my sister

I've given her a great big hug
when she was feeling bad
then again I have said some things
that have really made her mad
But I know shes always there
and I know she will always care
She's my sister
I love my sister

But I know shes always there
and I know she will always care
She's my sister
I love my sister
She's my sister
I love my sister

I have this line stuck in my head

"This is a gift, it comes with a price
Who is the lamb and who is the knife?"

Florence and the Machine

I have some awesome friends

And yes, we did get to play with a baby red panda.

I've been getting to spend some more time with my friend, Helen which is great. We even went away and played charades. Or at least I think it was charades....

We end up chatting on g-chat a lot. When both of us should be working. Its fun!

And of course I have my cat...My grandfather asked when he saw the mat "Is it the cat welcoming people or welcome to other cats?"

I'm not one of those people that has tons of friends.
Seriously.
I got kicked out of book club (for wanting to read). And I am probably far too close to my boyfriend. And my sister. But I have decided that a few good friends is much better than worrying about the opinions of a large number of people. I think that I am finally growing up and losing the 'best friend' fairy tale. I am not saying that I don't care about my current friends. Not at all. They are totally cool. But I think as a girl, we grow up watching all these movies and reading books that all feature a close group of friends who grow up and stay friends. We have started to learn that we shouldn't let guys treat us badly, but we  let our friends do much worse and forgive worse sins. There is no perfect friendship, just like every relationship is flawed. But for me being able to talk to someone after not seeing them for awhile, or feeling at ease, not feeling the need to fill the silence and just being myself are little signs that show that a friendship is really working.

So, to my friends...thank you!

I got a badge. A 'stylish blogger' badge. Yay!

Okay, it was a pity badge from Helen (the awesomest) and its so pretty!

Look:

Apparently that means 7 things about me and people to give it to. Hmmm.

So, stuff about me:

1. I talk to my trees- I really do. I also name them :)
2. I love musicals. I think it was a cruel joke by the universe that I cant a.) sing, b.) dance, and c.) act but I really would love to.
3. Random fact: Do you know that they said that Fred Astaire couldn't sing, dance or act??? So maybe there is hope for me? Ummm., probably not. Also Judy Garlands real name is Francis Gump. How awful? That was the million rand question in "Who wants to be a Millionaire' once and I was so proud I knew it.
4. I can't see my desk- its currently covered by papers. I am so messy!
5. The sound of a car reversing makes me happy because it reminds me of childhood holidays at the Kruger.
6. I love Twilight and Vampire diaries (I know, they are both awful but still I love them) so don't be a hater.
7. I have currently been listening to Snow Patrol in my car for about a year (with some occassional Goo Goo Dolls and Twilight soundtracks). This is not because I have to, I just seem to find repitition comforting. 

And honestly, there are only 3 followers of this blog so all of you have to take it. And anyone who feels stylish- ever...

I stress too much

Sheesh, its been a tiring few weeks. Work is hectic and I feel in some ways that I am not coping which is bad because I am the 'qualified and experienced' one so my desk should NOT look like a bomb had hit it. My work is weird in that its stressful because of the admin but really difficult at all. I mean, I have so much to do and I don't even know most of my students because I have so many and there are these things I am supposed to do and I have to mark and show people how to use a computer in between it all. But there is no evil boss or huge deadlines. I think I was less stressed at my last job which has the WORST boss in history (Prada- more about him another time).

Also the car has been a nightmare...but once again, only because I stress too much not because its been difficult. My friend, Rob gave me a contact at GM Randburg and he has been  awesome so I should be able to pick up my new Chev Aveo tomorrow. So why am I not jumping up and down in excitement???

Because I am weird!

These are the things that are worrying me:

1. I feel guilty (yes GUILTY) for trading in my Kia (Eugene)- thats what happens when you name your car! I am such a freak
2. I am still worried about the payments which I have checked a hundred times and yes, I can afford but still "what ifs" keep running through my mind. Maybe I should keep Eugene but then I think that Eugene needs new tyres and is making weird noises and I will stay have to pay for TWO years so I decide that the Chev is a good idea...and round in circles we go...
3. Insurance. Insurance sucks. There is a R300 difference because the car will no longer be in my dad's name.
4. I just had to stop writing this because I forgot I had a workshop. How unprofessional is that?
5. My desk
6. Exam day because the computers never work

Hmmm...writing it out didn't really calm me. Better get the exam list ready. Sigh.

For Sarah, with love

My friend, Sarah is in Sapporo, Japan. So 8.9 earthquake and tsunami. Not fun. According to facebook she is sitting with her emergency kit of passport, energy bars and jerseys. And I am so worried about her. So thinking of her and everyone else in Japan.

It's pretty scary...

So I am just thinking of some of the cool wits fun times. These are memories that make me smile whenever I think of them. And if Sarah gets over her blogspot unhappiness (and has access to internet) then I hope these pics make her smile too. We had lots of good times. And when I visit her and her boy in Japan then we will have tons of good times!!! And then I can add to the photos. Yay for more fun times :)

Sarah took these shots: she is an awesome photographer and I love this happy-go lucky shot of me, Sarah and my boyfriend.

Sarah and our wits friends toilet-papered Eebee's desk for his birthday. It was so fun!!!

Laura and I at Sarah's 21st birthday party :)

Our friend, Luke studies Chimps at the zoo (seriously, he does). We all went to the zoo and Sarah, the photographer, was shooting as usual.

Me and Brian at Sarah's farewell braai at her uncle David's place.

My 21st- Sarah hates this pic (sorry but I love it!!!)

So, Sarah if you see this post (please read my blog!), hope it makes you smile. Love you lots because you are awesome and I know that its been scary but I know we all love you!

Love is much better than chocolate hearts

Saw this on http://chocolateblog.xanga.com/ and was so captivated by this poem (Funeral Blues – W. H. Auden) but wow, its sad. So I decided to paraphrase it. Probably, the worst thing to do. But I want to think happy thoughts today...not funeral thoughts.

"You are my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song"

I never celebrated valentines day this year - because I was too busy on my MSc. and also because in my old age, I am kind of annoyed with the commercialism of it all. Love is much better than chocolate hearts. Anyway, I told my boy that we would make our own random Valentine's day on any given day. And today I am sending him special heart-shaped thoughts.

With that in mind, Happy Non-Valentine's Day to you all!

Life

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...

its about learning to

dance in the rain"

I was so annoyed!!!

Stupid car dealerships close at 12pm on a SATURDAY and at 5pm during the week. And yes, I understand that they are human too but when are people WITH JOBS supposed to look at cars???? And how can they add insult to injury with stupid adds about 'people never seeing their family'???

So anyway, I am thinking of getting a Chevrolet Aveo sedan.

What do you guys think??? I want something that is:

1. reliable
2. can overtake a truck on the highway
3. can survive a trip to CT
4. that I can afford

I've had, Eugene, my little Kia Picanto for 5 years now and the residual needs to be paid so it seems like a good idea to trade in but its all so confusing. And I was working on my Masters and so only think about this weekend (and everywhere was closed) and I have to have it all done by the end of the month. Being a grown up sucks.

Hrrumph!

Fill in the blanks Friday

Just some fun from Helen

1.       The phrase or punctuation I overuse most is...ummm....ellipses and...ummm. Also I tell people they are weird. And call them people.

2.      My best friend is  my boyfriend

3.        A quirky thing about me is   that I love old MGM movies. I can quote lines from 'Singing in the Rain" and also I reread L.M. Montgomery when I am sad or stressed.

4.      This weekend I  am going to go looking at cars. I need to trade by the end of the month so...I am also going to watch TV programmes that have been piling up on the PVR for the last few months. It’s the 1st weekend since I handed my Masters in!

5.       Something that worries me is   pretty much everything. I hate lack of control and that something can happen to someone you love and you can't stop it. It makes me really upset.

6.       On my night stand you would find a picture of my sister, some books, a glass of water and medication

7.        Today I am thankful for  the fact that it is friday and my boyfriend is coming home :)

My sister is the awesomest!

My sister is 13. And she is full blown awesome. Like "Awesome" in "Chuck"...she is that awesome.

She came over to stay for the last two days and we watched 'Desperate Housewives" and ate chocolate. I drove her to school listening to "Green Day" (her choice) and apparently the only band better than 'The script' is '30 seconds to Mars'. How lucky am I to have a sister who is not chronically in love with bieber???



The Awesomest Sister in the World

She has other wonderful traits too (besides her music choice). She is sooooo funny. And as my brother says "she knows how to pack a punch". Thats what happens when you grow up with 2 older up brothers! 

Yay!!!

http://live.cricbuzz.com/live/scorecard/2182/South-Africa-vs-Netherlands-16th-Match,-Group-B

Did you ever want to be a disney princess?

I did!

Belle was awesome!

Four years and four minutes

It feels odd to be writing a blog. I have scoffed that blogging since it became cool. Not that I have anything against bloggers, of course. Its just the idea of making your private life so un-private. I imagine, that if anyone is reading this, they are wondering why I don't write about some less private stuff. I don't know...I suppose that if I am going to write, then I feel I should write about things that are close to my heart a.k.a. private. So here is attempt #1.

For the past four years I have been engaged in an epic battle. The evil villian: a postgraduate degree that I inflicted upon myself. Why? I don't know. I was floating on the victory of being the top student in my honours class and winning numerous awards. I was flirting with the idea of carrying on in academia and becoming a "Doctor" (seriously, its a good title). My boyfriend was doing one and so were all my friends and I didn't know what I wanted to 'be when I was grow up'.

In the end, life happened in between. People get old and sick and die. Some people don't cope. Some people think they have to cope and then don't cope. And always, ever present is the 'project' and the 'supervisors' and the deadlines. So do I regret it? Nope. I did learn and its a hell of a personal achievement for me. But I feel old and tired now. People keep asking me how I am celebrating. And they think I am joking when I say 'watching TV and sleeping". But I am not. I am really old and tired. I spent four years, on a project that took four minutes to hand in....