Puppy love***

Ever since I can remember, I have had this huge love for animals, all animals. I feel this deep connection with them; it’s hard to explain… I'm not talking about the "aaahhh cute, I want to hold him" (although I do say things like that as well), I mean a deeper care for animals.

I often drive past informal settlements and underprivileged areas where I see a wide variety of stray and injured dogs, or horses that are tied up with no water and nothing but sand, rubbish and dry grass to eat. I can’t tell you the amount of times that I drive with tears in my eyes; it upsets me in a way that I have no control over… I realise that NGO’s and NPO’s such as the SPCA, African Tails and PAWS can only do so much, but I feel very strongly about government who has a responsibility towards these animals. On two occasions I have driven on the N1 where a man was holding two puppies by their necks on the side of the road, wanting to sell them to people driving by. I contacted the Traffic department and Police station both times, but each time they were very unhelpful as they obviously had better things to do with their time than collect the puppies and sort the man out that was selling these puppies illegally. I would’ve stopped myself, but was not comfortable with being alone with a stranger who could easily jump in my car and high jack me… However, next time I experience this, I will be stopping and taking these puppies away from these people who do not understand that these animals are also created by God just as we are and that they also have feelings and needs as we do. Animals, unlike humans cannot fend for themselves, and that is why I feel that it is our responsibility to take care of these precious creatures.

My dream is to one day create my own shelter for uncared for and unloved animals, to give each dog, cat or horse a loving home. I want to own a piece of land which is dedicated to providing homes to these animals. I know it may seem impossible to give every animal a home, as there are too many, but each person can make a difference. Many of my friends share the same dream and I feel that we can each make a contribution to the lives of these animals. Providing each animal with the love and caring they deserve in their lives… One day, my dream will become a reality! J 

If I were the boss...I'd create a happy working place.

I don’t know how many of you have ever worked in the restaurant industry or been exposed to it, but I have experienced a number of restaurants where I have been a waitress, and let me tell you, it’s nasty!

Most of my experiences have been fine, however, you always get that one manager at that one restaurant who thinks he/ she is way better than the person below him/ her and treats them like dirt. If you think about it, that manager was more than likely a waiter once in his/ her life, probably started out as one, and knows exactly how it feels to be treated badly. So why continue the vicious cycle of being a plain old ass? Working with other waiters, I’ve experienced the anger and irritation from their (and my) side and can never really understand why the ‘boss’ has to be so unreasonably rude. Sure they need to 'prove' they are the boss and in control, but is it really necessary? I know that if my managers were just a slight more pleasant to work with, I and other waiters would be more willing to work harder and want to spend more time on the job. 

If I were the boss (no matter the industry), I’d treat my team fairly and provide them with understanding that I am in control, but make them feel comfortable approaching me with questions and queries by creating a happy working environment. Happy working environment equals happy employees! J

HAPPY Baking :)

When I was in school, I often used to experiment with baking and cooking. I love both; however I must admit I have a bit of a sweet tooth, so I would have to say baking is my favourite. This weekend I decided to relive my school years and bake a batch of my Great Grans’ butter biscuits.

My favourite part is finishing that last bit of dough left in the bowl. There’s nothing like cookie dough to take away a sweet craving. J They are pretty simple to make. After the dough has been mixed, you roll it out, break off small pieces, roll them in small balls between the palms of your hands, flatten, and press with a fork in the middle to make a pattern.I decided to add 100s and 1000s and some other toppings to give them some colour. I ended up having extra dough, so decided to make some heart shaped ones and my final biscuit took the form of a gingerbread man (without the ginger – a work of art I might add J )

They were perfect! Now my mornings are complete with a cup of tea and biscuit or two J    

Two people walk out of a building and into a story...

Two high school sweethearts have been dating for 6 years and after a very romantic proposal, decide to tie the knot... 6 months later the big day arrives... It's the day they will be making the commitment to spend the rest of their lives together...

Not only lovers, but best friends...

As the door of girlfriend and boyfriend closes, the door to a new chapter in their lives begins. Their love will now go on to create a new chapter in their life story... and so the story begins...

Designer PR - a trend?

Public Relations has evolved since its birth in the early part of the 20th century. It has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry. It is no longer only big corporations/ companies, politicians, or celebrities that use public relations professionals as their spokespersons. I find that individuals now use PRPs to act as their spokespersons. It has become a kind of 'trend'.

One example which has recently caught my attention is that of the Anni Dewani murder case which happened in Cape Town last year. Most of us have our suspicions and believe her husband, Shrien Dewani is responsible for the plotting of her murder. I recently saw an interview with Mr. Dewani's so-called publicist, Max Clifford ( a very experienced PR professional who has been in the PR industry for 40 years). It makes me wonder, what happened to the days when a murder case was just a murder case and the lawyer was responsible for everything that happens and what is said? Shrien Dewani has become a so-called celebrity with a publicist. Max Clifford is being paid to say everything Dewani wants him to say, regardless of what is right and what is wrong. It makes me think, how does a 'murderer' become a 'star'?

All the information which the publicist shares with the public is aimed at influencing and changing public opinion and attitutdes about the 'murderer'. Can you imagine how easily, with the correct wording and information sent out to the public, can influence their opinion on Shrien Dewani... (Taking into consideration that the judge and jury also form part of the public). Even though the lawyer is in court with the client, what is being said outside also plays a very important part in determining what the public says about the person.


I find it ethically incorrect that a person who is being charged with murder or any crime for that matter has the right to a publicist and feel that the law should take a deep look into putting a stop to this trend.

LoVe*

Love can be so many things, but there is one section of the Bible that describes love in the best way possible, the only way it should be described... 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 says "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

As human beings, we are not able to survive without love. Most of us have been lucky enough to grow up with a loving family. Without the love from the people in my life, I would not be who I am today. Often we take our loved ones for granted, without thinking about what the consequences of tomorrow may bring. My biggest fear is the fear of regretting not telling the people that I love, that I love them, and making sure that I am not just saying it, I truly mean it. That is why I strive to live my life and love as we should in 1 Corinthians 13. Life is hard and to love as we should is a challenge. With the world as it has evolved today, many more challenges are thrown our way which we must overcome in order to make a success of every relationship we have. Whether it be a friendship, family bond or lover bond, each relationship we build requires love in order to be successful.

2011 Challenge*

Every year its the same old, same old new years resolutions. So, now that we all know that most of us find it hard sticking to them, I thought maybe the wording 'resolutions' was the problem. (Just an observation from my side). So I decided to rename this years' goals to '2011 challenges'. I find great satisfaction in overcoming a challenge, so I figured I would most probably be more able to 'achieve' this challenge.

I love spending time in the kitchen, whether it be cooking or baking. Before I decided to take on the public relations field, I always wanted to be a chef, and there is still a part of me wanting to. I have been living away from home for 3 years, resulting in me having to prepare my own food. My first year at varsity consisted of mainly Woolworths ready-mades, however I soon got sick and tired of the same tastes.

Second year I cooked quite a bit for myself, however cooking for one isn't great, kind of boring. When third year arrived, my boyfriend and I did quite a lot of cooking together, but got into a kind of routine cooking the same dishes most of the time.

This year, 2011, I am making a commitment to get out my many recipe books which I have received as gifts and use them. With inspiration from the movie Julie & Julia, I will be trying at least one new recipe a week. I am, however still a student and only have so much time on my hands, so one new recipe a week will have to do, for now. (Don't worry, I will be honest and report on each recipe).

'Achieving' this challenge should be fun and I hope that you will enjoy this journey I pursue in the next couple of months! Till then...

I am...

I am... Let me rephrase, who am I? This is an ongoing question I find myself pondering about. So I'm Amy, but who is Amy? What is it that makes me tick? During my school years, I had an idea of who I was, but knew that I had so much to learn about life, myself and had lots of space to grow. Last year, I was convinced that by my 21st birthday (12 October) I'd have found myself and know exactly who I am... This was very naive of me to think, as once my birthday arrived, it struck me... I wasn't going to know exactly who I was for a very long time. I'm not saying that I am completely clueless as to who I am, I do have a pretty good idea. There are however, still blank spaces that need to be coloured in, and as we all know, in order to make a picture perfect, you need to spend much time and effort with each dimension of the picture you are creating……

So I find myself concluding this battle with the question "Who am I" with this... I am Amy, I am a young, confident, inspired woman, with a passion for animals and nature. I am curious about life and everything it entails. I love learning new things and absorbing as much information as possible. I love spending time with the people I care dearly about and making new people a part of this group. I have so many dreams and aspirations for my life …..goals that need to be met in order for me to be successful within myself……this is what I know …for now…. 

As an artist of life, ever looking for inspiration and new ideas, I will be finding myself one small step at a time... filling in the pieces of the picture that I am already aware of...