Back with vigor

5 days of camping..in the UK weather...with 45 kids either screaming or raging with hormones would normally be a death wish. Sure, my bed has,now, never looked or felt so magical as it does now; and I now feel that hot baths to soak in should be made an international law...I couldn't think of a more beneficial way to spend your time.

The purpose for the camping trip was to help kids from all over the world(Malaysia, china, Taiwan, France, Holland, Spain etc...) to come take a time out from the racing world around them and get back to basics...back to connecting with nature and most importantly, connecting to their true selves. Who they really are and what's most important in life. Learn to change their bad habits and improve the way they see they world and treat all living entities in it. Practising virtues like compassion, love, patience, tolerance, sincerity and understanding the concept of interconnection, that's what matters, that's what gives true satisfaction in life. Watching them grow and open up in just 5 days was mind blowing...I laughed so much I think I have developed a few deformaties on my face but man it was worth it. I even have a dark confession to share..*ahem*....I...er...well..um...ok...I sang Mariah Carey's Hero at the top of my lungs and loved it hahahahahaha.... I blame the kids..they were a bad influence on me.

The whole experience cannot be put into words on a blog but rather felt through the people who know me and the people I love...my circle of hope is getting bigger....and so is my perception of snotty nosed teenagers who think that the word 'like' can substitute all punctuation in a sentence.

And now...it's time for bed!

Quote of the day: "Take a little time to give a little more. Take a little time to know a little more. Take some time to understand..." Belleruche
Food of the day: Dried Edamame beans
Song of the day: Dark Days by Fat Freddys Drop

It's that time of the day again...

I am feeling a lot like that old willow tree tonight...watchful and waiting..and ..er..lumpy green?well analogies have never been my strong point.
Lying on my black couch by my big bay window listening to mushroom jazz and pondering my existence and the world around me, I get deep...like the ocean( I had to say it)
The past few days have been windy and mysterious with a slight edge in the air. Everyone I have spoken to this weekend has had that undertone. That slight apprehension. They say one thing but they betray something else in their body language. Everyone seems to be in reflection mode but trying to hide its revelations. What is it about a sunday night?Process time. Some long for monday to be back with the escape from home life. Some dread the impending doom of work and another reminder that they aren't quite where they want to be in life. Some are grateful they survived the hangover and are confessing their undying love to the soft welcoming bed. The list goes on.
But me. yes, the writer of this blog...this..this..this reflection of me. I am thinking of the people I love and how blessed that I have them in my life. I am thinking of the things I still need to do, the things I still want to do and the monstrous journey I have already walked. I want to understand and learn more about people and hopefully find a way for them to access an unknown strength that pushes them further to the happiness they deserve. Happier people, happier planet, happier existence. Yes. I will settle for that sunday reflection revelation...registration..nope, I went to far with that last one. Happy sunday processing!

Song of the day: Seashell by Skylab
Food of the day: green lentils
Quote of the day: "Let's blow this popsicle stand" Californication

Things that grate...me

Ok, so ideally looking for a picture of a proper grater with the writing underneath having nothing to do with an actual grater, would be art right? I don't know about these things....so instead I behold a picture of a gate made up of metal flowers leading into the botanical gardens in Edinburgh. That'll do,pig, that'll do...

Conversation in London tends to be mainly about the weather or complaining about...well anything. It can get pretty boring listening to it. I try to keep positive but lets face it,we all have those few dark demons that lurk within our 'crazy zone' that sometimes just seep out into the land of the 'normal'. I have chosen to share a few, not to annoy you but rather to embrace them and have a laugh (probably at my expense):
* One thing that truely drives me nuts is when someone finds the need to stick their tongue out to grab the food off their eating utensil, instead of just USING the utensil to bring the food into the mouth. The tongue may be the strongest muscle in the body but do I really want to see it in all its purple-alien-and-often-not-cleaned-with-a-toothbrush-glory? especially if I am eating a meal too...um..no..I knew this girl who used think licking her food(or drink) before tasting it was sexy...clearly she has scarred me for life and should be shot as a result(or better yet...licked to death by a giant slobbery tongue)

* From anatomy to subtle repetitive noises and gestures....It's amazing how something so small can feel so enormous, even in something as noisy as a bar. I don't know what kind of radar was installed in me at birth but I die a painful death inside if I am in the presence of annoying sounds or gestures ...examples: clicking pens(or jaws for that matter), constantly stroking hands(makes my skin crawl),bouncing legs(made worse if it makes the table wobble in time with it) and of course the ever dreaded slurping noises(I'm all for one big giant satisfying slurp of a milkshake but that's about as far as this bus goes).

*Vanity and conversation, together...don't mix. Don't do it. It drives me bonkers("whoah! totally nuts.."love that cartoon)when people are conversing(oh yes big word, heil me!) but sit and talk to their own reflection instead of looking at me. It's usually about this time I give up and start talking about how I caught Roger Rabbit and now we talk about pilates and his new big blue bowtie...most of the time they aren't listening anyway.

That's my sharing...that's what blogs are about right?saying all that I think it's time for my dose of Curb your Enthusiasm...Larry gets me, I know he does.
Song of the day: Hi without U by DJ Frane
Food of the day: olives, big buttery green ones
Most used stretch of the day: back extension with arms in the air..love stretching oh yeeeeaaaah!

New York no longer

Bright lights, fast living and.. big apples? New York, oh New York! I have never had the desire to visit the US (shock horror)..However, Sex and the City glamourised it and Friends made it more accessible in my mind....why not. I live in London, I could easily do New York? I hate London's fashion of unflattering sacks hung over leggings with big hair and stupid glasses.The Americans tend to hold the flag for better bands too. Yes, I can see why people flock to New York and I thought I was one of those soon-to-be sheep too....Then visiting a city like Berlin has completely changed my mind. Berlin's list of things to do and see are endless and with the lack of skyscapers and excessive noise, it's the perfect city. In a world where people are always looking around the corner for something bigger and better and depressing themselves in the process, why would I want to become a part of that? I am already moving in a time zone that caters for 'avid walkers' of pavement rage...do I really want to move to an even more fast-paced, more loud-opulent city like New York? I'm standing at the cross road and I think I like the idea of working towards slowing down, simplifying and feeling less like a sardine in the proverbial can...yes that sounds good. Loads of fun but without the chaos...sold!

Berlin Bombastic!

A city of tattoos, piercings, delicious beer(and I'm not a beer drinker), ridiculously cheap everything, clubs that stay open til the last person leaves,copious amounts of trees, everyone walks at beach pace(so different to London's blitz walk), best public transport system ever, well cared for dogs and completely different to the rest of Germany. I may just have to move there soon. I can get by quite well on the Afrikaans I speak. For those of you who never considered this mind blowing city as a destination...you are truely missing out. It's so far my number one city.DO IT! LOVE IT! BE IT!







I public swimming pool, in a canal...love it!



The coolest place to have a drink..bars along the canal

Funghi..fun guy

The picture above picture is of my Aunt's gorgeous veggies from the garden...all organic and just look at those colours? The stuff that looks like ginger is actually the most buttery and pungent potatoes you have ever tasted. I can't wait to grow my own food and taste real flavours. I miss South Africa and it's bountyful selection of juicy, scrumptious fruit and veg. We are so blessed on the Southern tip...of ganja strip..Fuzigish..whoah that creeped right up on me..love Fuzigish!



Mushroom stand at Borough Market. You just want to dive into them and toss them in the air and scream " I'm a funghi, I'm a funghi!"...no?just me then. I love mushrooms. They are so Earthy, delicate and chewy...and the flavours...wow...on toast, in broths, on pasta, stuffed, sauteed...it's all heavenly. I have always wanted to do a mushroom picking excursion....hmmm.. better get on that.

YAY to FOOD!

Food of the day: dried mango
Song: Wandering eye by Fat Freddy's Drop
Colour of the day: Black and turquoise
Likes today: tattooed builders in hard hats
Dislikes: getting out of my cosy bed

Doing Monday Solo

I took this picture at a festival...guy waiting for the toilet with his pet plant. It was legendary. He was actually having a fat chat too. Today, being Monday, I feel a bit like that plant..." I'm with Stupid"
Monday is usually a day people associate with the blues..must be a Garfield groupie that started that notion. I love Mondays. Everyone is still in post weekend vibe and the conversation is so much more interesting. Not only that but you realise it's a new week, a clean slate and a new opportunity to smile that big ass smile(because by thursday, that smile will be more like a snarl as old attitudes surface again.
So I may be flying solo today with the Monday love..but amigoes, stop being stupid and emo..join me, be part of the cool gang!
Song of the day: Breakthrough by Fat Freddy's Drop
Food: As long as it's anything but deep fried food.
Likes today: loving gem stones and wood today(?)
Dislikes: nothing, it's monday. ha!