We are afraid of the wrong things

As a little girl, I found myself being afraid of things like: darkness (what might come out of it), the boogieman, dying, blood, noise, dogs, the dentist and not to mention the villain in a scary movie and then not being able to fall asleep. Mostly paranoid and make-believe fears. As we grow older, the things we fear change... We fear the things we do for a reason. Something may have happened that has made us fear that specific thing. I don't believe that the things we fear are wrong to fear, but believe that what we fear add to our personalities and form a part of who we are... To me every fear is a challenge and I gain great pleasure in overcoming each challenge I take on in life. The more fears we can overcome, the stronger we become. 

The things I feared when I was younger developed as a result of my experiences I had growing up. For instance, my fear of dogs developed because a dog attacked me when I was really small, but as I grew older I came to realize that not all dogs are dangerous or vicious and this fear turned into a passion, because I adore animals today. Most of the things I feared when I was younger I still have a slight fear for today, but that's okay. Can you imagine if we were afraid of nothing in life, how boring it would be? 

The things we feared as children may not have been of much importance, just petty things, but at that stage in our lives, it may of been important to us. As we grow older, we learn more about life and what is truly of importance; the people we love (our family and friends), our lives (living each day to the fullest), our careers etc. All the things that revolve around these important factors in our lives carry fears with them. For example, the fear of losing a family member or friend, the fear of having a major car accident, the fear of missing out on an adventure, the fear of making the wrong decision at work and having to bare the consequences thereof. These are normal fears, however I do believe that if we sit around and continuously worry about things, that life will pass us by. So I guess that's another fear to overcome - afraid that by sitting around, that life will pass us by and then we may have missed out on it. 

So after years I have come to realize that the boogieman doesn't exist, blood is just a red fluid, darkness can't create a monster and noise is pretty awesome. However, there is one fear which I have not yet been able to overcome... The dentist. I have had to endure a number of root canals and as straight as my teeth may be, I just seem to have very bad luck with the inside of them. You would think that after all the appointments and procedures that I would have had the chance to overcome this fear. But no... I still fear every dentist appointment I need to attend. I'm hoping that one day I will overcome this fear, but for now, every dentist appointment I endure, I walk out a stronger person (only until the next one is scheduled) :p 

The Adventures of Cleo the (Princess) cat*

A few years ago, we had a new addition to our family... She had come from an abandoned warehouse, as skinny as a rake and as nervous a fish out of water. It took her quite a few months to get used to us and her new home, but once she had settled in, she was living a life of pure luxury :) Cleo, the princess had officially arrived (I gave her, her princess title ;) ) The cat with the most personality I had ever seen...

This is no ordinary cat, she truly is a little princess. I do however think my family has me to blame for that, but I don't care :) She deserves all the love and attention in the world. We've tried putting down a basket for her to sleep in, but she just doesn't seem to like them. She has her own couch (take note, COUCH) that she sleeps and sits on. You could say the couch has her name printed on it... When we have guests around, no matter who, and they dare sit on her 'thrown', she walks up to them, stares, meeuuws and that is her way of telling them "Excuse me sir, you are on my thrown'. If the person doesn't move, she'll lie next to them (on the floor) and continually give them the 'hairy eyeball'.

Giving me the 'Puss in boots' face from Shrek

A day in the life of Cleo consists of:

Anytime from 5am: Meeeuuwwing for food
After breakfast: Walking around the house, finding the perfect 'illegal' (my mom or sisters' bedrooms are off limits. Mine isn't ;) ) spot to sleep ALL day long. If she doesn't find a spot, her couch is the chosen one.
Once we all get home (Approx 17h00): Climbing onto the windowsill and lazing while the sun bakes her.
Anytime from 6pm: Meeeeuuuwing for food
After supper: Patrolling the house, and meeuuwing to go outside and look for her new play toy (whether it be a fly, moth, Christmas beetle or moll). Exploring the garden and lying in between the ferns like a tiger :)
Once she has completed her nightly patrol, she heads off to her bed.

She LOVES food, and lets just say she has a weight issue. We have tried putting her on a diet, but nothing seems to work. The fact that she has such a good sense of smell and hearing doesn't help the issue either. The minute the fridge opens, no matter what packaging the cheese is in, she knows its cheese and the next thing you know, she is sitting by your feet waiting for just a taste. We often say no, but it is so hard to say no to this little face :) The extra weight does add to her character, so it's okay...

Posing with her red ribbon (not very impressed)

She also has her days when she is full of stories to tell. She literally speaks to us (in her own way). It's the cutest thing. Some days I try my luck at a piece of string. Dangling it above her, while she lies on her back. It's my way of working her 'abs' ;)

I could go on all day talking about her, but it really will take all day :) Although I now live in Cape Town in the week, I look extra forward to weekends when I can spend time with my princess!

Fish falling from the sky*

The first thing that came to mind when I read this topic? Cloudy with a chance of meatballs... (Its a movie, for those of you who think I'm going crazy ;) ) It's about a wannabe scientist who creates a machine that converts water into food. This machine accidentally rockets off into space and starts dropping food from the sky like rain, with the wonderful option of allowing them to order what they want.

The two writers, Phil Lord and Chris Miller had very imaginative minds and after watching this movie I thought... With today's rapid development of technology, anything is possible. Can you imagine what a wonderful invention like this could mean to the world? It would end world hunger for all eternity!

Obviously this machine would have its advantages and its disadvantages, but that is what real scientists could work on :)


Even if the machine only allowed fish to fall from the sky, I suppose everyone would be serving the catch of the day :)

(Note: I'd definitely recommend this movie for a good laugh, it's one of those classic funny animations, you'll enjoy it, guaranteed :) )  

New home away from home...

So a few months ago, when my lease from the flat I had been living in for the past 3 years was coming to an end, it was time to start searching for a new place that I could call 'my home away from home'. It was indeed a big struggle, but after much debate and thoughts on how this year would play out, I decided to find a place with my sister and boyfriend.

I know, you must be thinking, 'crazy woman', but even though I had my thoughts of how ugly it could get, I decided that as much as I was doubting if it was a good idea, my main instinct was that it was a great idea :) I've had to deal with messy, unhygienic and noisy flatmates in the past and must say, having my sister and boyfriend around would be a sigh of relief. There's to be no awkwardness in having to confront them about irritations or situations that I should not have to tell them what to do and what not to do, as I had to with my previous flatmates. (Its a lot easier to be honest and to the point with a person you are close to).

My sister and I have always had a good understanding and know each other well enough to know when to do or say something or not to do or say something. We get each other :) Likewise with my boyfriend, he understands me an I understand him, so I can pretty much say I see it as a win-win situation :) These are also people very close to my heart, the people I want to have in my life as often as I can... Of course I realise that it may not be all sunshine and roses at all times, as we all have our days... but that's just us being human...

The view I wake up to every morning, stunning!

It's only been 4 official days of us living together in our new place, but so far so good :) and I must add, the view is amazing and I love Cape Town (we all do), so I'm in a happy place... Although I miss spending the good quality time with my mom in the week, I always have weekends to break away from 'my home away from home' and go back to my 'home, sweet home'  :)

The colour of the wind*

In order to see the colour of the wind, we need to pull ourselves away from our everyday lives where the wind is transparent and step into our creative minds to discover what colour(s) the wind is to each of us.

I came across this poem by Peter Howard, and discovered that I do not see the wind as being an individual colour, but as different colours, depending on the situation I experience the wind in...

"The Colours of the Wind

What colour is the wind
That ruffles unseen
The leaves on the trees?
The wind is green.

What colour is the wind
That kissed me I think
With lips like an angel's?
The wind is pink.

What colour is the wind
That takes me from you
Blows our paths apart?
The wind is blue.

What colour is the wind
That fills me with dread
As it fans the flames higher?
The wind is red.

What colour is the wind
That steals from the old
The sweetness of childhood?
The wind is gold.

What colour is the wind
That travels by night
Leaving cold drifts of snow?
The wind is white.

What colour is the wind
In the streets of the town
Kicking waste papers?
The wind is brown.

What colour is the wind
That splits with a crack
My old broken heart?
The wind is black."

With each experience of the wind, my emotions and feelings are affected. No matter what the colour of the wind, it is a powerful force that also helps me interpret the feelings I am feeling...