Day in the Life

Digital Day in the Life of...Photo Journal

Swap Bot

WW 14

Scroll down for Weighloss Wednesdays

WW # 7

No change in weight or measurements. Still 104.2kg and 114cm at the waist.

This is to be expected as I have been sick. Did not exercise and water intake decreased. Ate
take- out too often.

I am looking forward to a better week.

South Africa Day

One of the largest pizzas ever baked was created in Norwood, South Africa. It was more than 121 feet in diameter.

Record was set in 1990 in South Africa, where the Pick'n'Pay Norwood Hypermarket made a pizza 37m in diameter, using 4 500kg of flour, 1 800kg of cheese and 900kg of sauce.

I got Mail !

I received coffee today from Rebecca in Italy, Bologana.


















Here is Themed ATC I got a few weeks ago from a swap.

Lost and Found

I could not find my camera. In the process of looking for it I found a book (I need your love - is that true? by Byron Katie) I misplaced a few months ago. I finally did find my camera as well!

In the process of finding my stuff, I also found my perspective.

Here is quote from the book:

" Noticing and counting the beautiful reasons unexpected things happen for us ends the mystery. If you miss the real reasons, the benevolent reason that coincide with kind nature, then count on depression to let you know that you missed them. Anger, frustration, and aggressive reasons can always be imagined-and what for? People who aren't interested in seeing why everything is good get to be right. But that apparent tightness comes with disgruntlement, and often depression and separation. Depression can feel serious. So "counting the genuine ways that this unexpected event happened for me, rather than to me" isn't a game. It's an exercise on observing the nature of life. It's a way of putting yourself back into reality, into the kindness of the nature of things."

This idea of becoming an observer or "watcher" - not judging yourself, just become aware, seems like it can be a very useful tool for getting know myself and being able to make positive changes in my life.

I have lost and found myself.

Holy Smokes

My father was a smoker. My mom did not allow him to smoke in our home or near us. When I understood that what my father was doing was wrong, I refused to buy him cigarettes. I once took a box of his smoke and broke each one of them.

I tried smoking once - I was angry with my parents. It was horrible and I decided that even if I was that angry with them, smoking just was not worth it.

Since then, I have done all that I can to discourage smoking. I was the kid who reported smokers to the Principal, I joined TADA (Teenagers Against Drug Abuse). I spoke in various churches, youth groups and schools about the dangers of cigarettes and alcohol. (I have always felt that the acceptable drugs are more dangerous than the illegal drugs). When I was in the States I jumped at the opportunity to become a qualified Breathe-Free facilitator.

My "proudest" accomplishment was talking in the Newland's East Roman Catholic Church (Durban). She went cold turkey and has never relapsed. Every year she tells my mother how tankful she is for the message that I gave.
My "sadest" moment was realising that I could not help my sister.

My sister has now been smoke -free for two years. Its been a long battle for her and she is winning.

Surprisingly my father died of liver cancer ( he did not drink).

Hookah pipes not so safe May 30, 2007 - 6:28AM

Water-pipe smoking may pose the same health risks as cigarettes, the World Health Organisation said today, adding that more scientific research was needed into the link between hookah use and a number of fatal illnesses.

"Using a water pipe to smoke tobacco is not a safe alternative to cigarette smoking," the UN health agency said in a seven-page document on the practice.

Safer' Smoking Method Even Worse Than Cigarettes? Written by Doug Ware - KUTV.com

“A 40 minute session on a hookah produces the same amount of carbon dioxide a person would get from smoking five packs of cigarettes, which is incredible.”

In 2005, the World Health Organization even issued an advisory on the use of Hookah warning of its potentially harmful effects.

Some studies have even shown that after Hookah smoke has passed through water, it still contains high levels of carbon dioxide, heavy metals and cancer-causing chemicals – especially if charcoal is used to heat the tobacco.

Another risk to consider: Communicable diseases like hepatitis, tuberculosis and herpes, passed from person to person through the common use of the Hookah’s mouthpiece.

Why go smoke-free? According to WHO

Because...

• Second-hand tobacco smoke kills and causes serious illnesses.
• 100% smoke-free environments fully protect workers and the public from the serious harmful effects of tobacco smoke.
• The right to clean air, free from tobacco smoke, is a human right.
• Most people in the world are non-smokers and have a right not to be exposed to other people's smoke.
• Surveys show that smoking bans are widely supported by both smokers and non-smokers.
• Smoke-free environments are good for business, as families with children, most non-smokers and even smokers often prefer to go to smoke-free places.
• Smoke-free environments provide the many smokers who want to quit with a strong incentive to cut down or stop smoking altogether.
• Smoke-free environments help prevent people – especially the young – from starting to smoke.
• Smoke-free environments cost little and they work!

Idealist

One of the most important things to me in life is to know that someone understands me. that somebody gets me. I think one thing that I really like about personality test is that so far I have not found one that does not reveal something about me that is not true.

Your Personality Is

Idealist (NF) You are a passionate, caring, and unique person. You are good at expressing yourself and sharing your ideals. You are the most compassionate of all types and connect with others easily. Your heart tends to rule you. You can't make decisions without considering feelings. You seek out other empathetic people to befriend. Truth and authenticity matters in your friendships. In love, you give everything you have to relationships. You fall in love easily. At work, you crave personal expression and meaning in your career. With others, you communicate well. You can spend all night talking with someone. As far as your looks go, you've likely taken the time to develop your own personal style. On weekends, you like to be with others. Charity work is also a favorite pastime of yours.

The Three Question Personality Test

Cocoon State

At the moment I feel more like a snail than an emerging butterfly. Hiding away in shell and hoping that when I look out my problems will be gone.

Of course I know that is not going to happen. My logical side of my brain tells me that I have a choice.
Damn, I tell my learners every week that even if someone else is holding a gun to your head you cannot stop the person from shooting you can choose how you are going to die.You can die physically fighting back, praying, begging/negotiating, silently etc......

My brain short circuited today and I slipped right back into my depressed way of thinking - its been building up - I did all the stuff that did not work in the past - lost myself in television programs, a state of not thinking, working in crisis mode, procrastinating, working really hard on things that have nothing to with the problems or their possible solutions. I verbally and mentally gave up. I broke a promise to myself and that I made to others.

I slowly trying to regain perspective. I know I need to forgive myself and focus on the positive.

Cool TAG

Been tagged again by Opinion Minions!

Here we go:
“~Start Copying Here~” and copy all the things listed without removing the links (Of course, the train would be no use without those links).

Move all the sites labeled “Enjoyable finds” to the list labeled “Oldies”.

Add 5 sites that you want to include in the train under Enjoyable Finds and make their “Visit My Site” link like this: http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect? along with this add the url of the blog you are choosing.

Then invite them to join the train.

Visit all the listed sites using the “Visit My Site” link. (I hope the blogs I have chosen will participate. I would appreciate it bunches if you do and please let me know if you have .

Make sure to go to Alexa and see your blog rankings .

Enjoyable finds:
The Search for an Authentic Self ~ Visit my site
The Brothers ~ visit my site
Gomoto Diaries ~ visit my site
CRITIQUE MY BLOG! ~ visit my site
Two Moms In A Blog ~ visit my site
Oldies:

Annelisa's ~ visit my site!
katelyn's ~ visit my site!
madd's ~ visit my site!
Maryam's ~ visit my site!
Mimi's ~ visit my site!
The Technobabe's ~ visit my site!
Terra Shield's ~ visit my site!
TopChamp's ~ visit my site!
The Urban Monk ~ visit my site!
whenn's ~ visit my site!
TorAa Mirror ~ visit my site!
RennyBA’s Terella ~ visit my site!
Coffe 2 go ~ visit my site!
maremagnum ~ visit my site!
Tricia’s Musings ~ visit my site!
aka R’acquel ~ visit my site!
Fruit Of The Spirit ~ visit my site!
Hootin’ Anni ~ visit my site!
Irish Church Lady ~ visit my site!
lazaza83 ~ visit my site!
Soul Glo ~ visit my site!
Sword Girl ~ visit my site!
Frolicsome Kid ~ visit my site!
Dackel Princess ~ visit my site!
Lifecruiser ~ visit my site!
Writer’s Cramps II ~ visit my site!
Quilly’s Quips ~ visit my site!
… a work in progress ~ visit my site!
Ever After… My Way ~ visit my site!
Insanity Prevails~"Visit my site"
My Romantic Home~"Visit my site"
fairiebees~"Visit my site"
Exceedingly Mundane~"Visit my site"
Smokey Mountain Breakdown~ "Visit my site"
Kaliblue - Visit My Site
Just me shann - Visit My Site
Tigger Bob’s- Visit My Site
Star8278- Visit My Site
Asara Dragon- Visit My Site
A Little Piece Of Me - Visit My Site
The Rocky Mountain Retreat - Visit My Site
Scrappin…with life in this New Year of 2007 - Visit My Site
Rhonda’s Blog - Visit My Site
Skittles’ Place - Visit My Site
Cruftbucket- Visit My Site
Goldercoaster - Visit My Site
ComedyPlus - Visit My Site
eJabs- Visit My Site
UntwistedVortex - Visit My Site
The Chronicles of My Life - Visit My Site
I am Who I am - Visit My Site
WebStyle - Visit My Site
Endangered Spaces - Visit My Site
CoolAdzine for Marketers - Visit My Site
Rinsem’sRink - Visit My Site
Sean’s Ramblings - Visit My Site
MacBros Place - Visit My Site
Can’t Coach That - Visit My Site
Critical Assumption - Visit My Site
Foreign Perspectives - Visit My Site
Carl Pei - Visit My Site
Swapw - Visit My Site
Life of a School Bus Driver - Visit My Site
Tamiki - Visit My Site
Bobs’ Reformat This - Visit My Site
Shawn Knight - Visit My Site
Kelly Cho - Visit My Site
JohnChow dot com - Visit My Site
DoshDosh.com- Visit My Site
Jane May Blogs - Visit My Site
Ms. Danielle - Visit My Site
Stock Trading 101 - Visit My Site
Ed Lau - Visit My Site
Derrich.com- Visit My Site
Nate Whitehill - Visit My Site
Gary Lee - Visit My Site
MakeMoney Online with a 13-year Old - Visit My Site
pauly's ~ visit my site!
peter's ~ visit my site!
kai's ~ visit my site!
Simone's ~ visit my site!
Shaz's ~ visit my site!
Sarah's ~ visit my site!
pauly's ~ visit my site!

~End Copying~

WW # 6

Please scroll down for Wordless Wednesday

11 April 2007 Current Total Loss Goal Starting weight: 107.7 kg 104.2kg 3.5kg 65kg
(237.4pd) (7.7 Pounds)

Starting waist: 118cm 114cm 4cm

I feel like my clothes are starting fit me more comfortable. I am relieved that being ill for the past 2 weeks has not reversed my gains in weight.
I am still not well enough to start my exercise program again.

I will lose 39.2 kg in during the next 11 months, increase my fitness and health levels.

WW 13 - Blast from the Past

The faces of Simone's metamorphis

South African Day: Child Protection Week

"my child is your child;
your child is my child"

Celebration of Child Protection Week

"Through Child Protection Week, which was instituted in 1997, the Department of Social Development and government as a whole seek to mobilise families, stakeholders and communities to work together to address the complex socio-economic needs of children.

“Since 1994, Government has introduced a host of programmes to protect children from vulnerability. A total of 7 233 989 children have been registered for the Child Support Grant while more than 330 000 receive the Foster Care Grant. New laws, including the Children’s Bill and Sexual Offences Bill, mark significant progress in arming our society to end the abuse of children and to promote their rights and development.”

He added: “It takes a village to raise a child, and the achievements we have scored so far result from the co-operation of all sectors and communities. However, despite all our achievements, a lot still need to be done by all to promote children’s rights – the non-governmental and community based organisations, labour, faith-based sector, the private sector, traditional leaders, the media and many other interest groups”.

The CPW theme is “Caring Communities Protect Children”, with the green ribbon as the symbol of child protection. The concept of “my child is your child; your child is my child” remains the cornerstone of child protection in the country.

The observance of Child Protection Week is linked to the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN Convention), and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child." from SA Government Information

Therapy

There's a 53% Chance That You Need Therapy

If you think you need therapy, you probably do. But there's a good chance you don't. Like everyone else, you have your fair share of problems. And unlike most people, you're fairly good at solving them yourself.

Do You Need Therapy?

I think therapy can be a good thing. Finding the right one for you is very important. My best therapy has been Biblio-therapy - therapy through books. Martha Beck's book - Finding your North Star gives a good outline on how to find the right therapist for you.

People of Importance

I've been tagged by Whenn from Opinion Minions .

Here are the questions asked:

1. Name 1 person who has changed the course of your life for the better
2. Name 2 teachers who has contributed to your learning
3. Name 2 colleagues who make your job worthwhile
4. Name 3 friends who have helped you in your hours of need
5. Name 4 people who make you feel special
6. Name 5 people you need in your life & why?

Sjoe!

1. My mom - Elizabeth Mary Le Fleur.
2. Mrs Francis my grade 6 (std. 4) teacher. She told each one of us the reason we were in her class - mine was because I would keep the balance. She also has a classroom library and challenged us to read.
Mr Ash - my Afrikaans High School teacher. Even after he left our school - we wanted to do well so that he could be proud of us. I hope that I can be a teacher just like him.
3. Mr van Horsten
4. Ruth, Claudelle, Claire and Denise
5. Jeandre', Debbie (my sister), and my 4 friends above.
6.
My daughter Jeandre' my reason not to give up, to continue becoming the person I want to be so that I can be a good example to her and support her in her journey.
My husband Weiers the love of my life.
My mom - she is my anchor and my inspiration.
My 2 sisters and brother - my support and I am theirs'.

mmmmm....... I tag ????????? YOU.
If you read this and want to play - join.
Leave a comment so I can read yours.

Concerned

I am very concerned about myself. I have been moving from one illness to another since February. I am wondering if this may be part of a cleansing process in my life or just the fact that I have come out of a very stressful year - my body is finally caving in.

On the one hand I know that the beginning of my health and happiness starts in my mind. I wonder if by typing the above paragraph I am empowering the negative energy around me. At the same time I just cannot seem to break the cycle my body is in - I am trying to understand it. Last week I had a chest infection - this week I have Pharyngitis. My nausea, dizziness, vomiting, shoulder & neck pain and 2 month menstrual cycle was brought on by a bacterial infection and low iron levels. The end result has been that I have not been functioning at optimal levels and now I am feeling very stressed at work.

Plan of Action - up my fluid intake again, long relaxing salt baths, Annique ginger detox tea, prayer, yoga and positive thinking. Less procrastination and keeping focused on the plan to keeping working on tasks as I broken them into small manageable pieces. I have always enjoyed making list and then ticking it off as I complete each item.

WW 12

Visit Jarid & Caydon's Wishlist
Vote for Mom's picture on: https://www.crestock.com/blog/photography/contest2007/entry.aspx?

Swapping Hearts

SWAP BOT

HEARTS:

If someone sends you an extra special swap package that far exceeds the swap requirements, you can give that person a heart. The option to give someone a heart only appears when you give them the highest rating ("I got my stuff and it met posted swap requirements"). Under this rating option a check box will appear that you can mark if you want to give a heart. You do not have to give anyone a heart just because you gave them the highest rating. We suggest that you reserve giving hearts to those swappers who you think deserve even more than the highest rating (more than 5 points). The number of hearts a person has collected will be shown on their profile page next to their average rating. Lots of hearts indicates a very special swapper!

Here the hearts I have received !

Windchimes on May 19, 2007 in Coffee/Espresso ATC swap gave a rating of: 5 +
Comment: What an absolutely adorable card! It is fantastic - You did a great job and I have your first one :) I am so pleased. :) And thank you for the coffee sample - I will definitely be trying that - it smells incredible!!

Poggy123 on May 13, 2007 in Coffee/Espresso ATC swap gave a rating of: 5 +
Comment: She also sent extra papers & great smelling coffee beans.

glolinde on May 11, 2007 in I Love Movies gave a rating of: 5 +
Comment: Love it! Thanks a bunch!

Smiley on Mar 13, 2007 in Diet Support International swap gave a rating of: 5 +
Comment: Really extra special package.. thanks for all the extra effort and valuable comments you added to the diary. cheers

Reflections

Last year I made the decision to see a counselor. I had been to a psychologist and psychiatrist. I was anti-depression medication. These two people and my doctor had helped me through a critical time in my life. But I had a feeling that needed something else, something different in order to connect with myself and realize my potential. I wanted to not just be

surviving and I wanted to live.

What manifested in my first session was very surprising to me. Deep down I had always felt as if I was rebelling against the messages I received from the people I loved and from my Church family. I always knew that it formed a significant part of who I was and how I handled situations. I had been feeling religiously drained and spiritually unfilled for sometime – I just did not realize how much that had an affect on my relationship with myself and the people around me.

Letting go of the unconscious guilt and fear that I felt, allowing myself to be free to search for a new path has brought me so much peace. Knowing that I can still give stability to my child and husband without sacrifices myself at the same time.

The images that came up in this session and subsequent sessions have really been significant to me. I have been able to hold on to the positive imagery I created to help me not lose hope. I am also no longer scared to allow myself to feel. I know that I will not just collapse into puddle of murky water. The feelings will actually help me find my way not block it. This was particular helpful this when together with my doctor, we decided that my body was no longer benefiting from the anti-depressant. Despite the fact that we could not find a significant difference in my hormonal levels, my body was acting up hormonally. During this difficult physically period I felt myself almost slipping back into a depression. The skills I learnt from the psychologist and my counselor helped me to stop, listen to my body and choose to healing and life.

I have been exploring my spirituality on my own and with my husband. In the process we are both growing and able to support each other.

I feel that I gained a lot of insight into myself. It has cleared of things in my mind, emotions and helped me to know that I am okay and that I will be okay.

SWAP

Coffee ATC Swap











I got these sweets with some really interesting movie list.

Now I will hunting to see if I can find the DVD/Videos of a few. In the meantime I am enjoying the music from the CD and eating a few sweets a day!