Lists

I was reading swap-bot - one of the list swaps when I came across one that ask you to list "Ten accomplishments that I am proud of"

I have joined it - sign up date ends only on the 22 June 2007. I too excited too wait until then.

So here is my list. Whoever my two partners will be will be getting the same list printed out of-course.

In no particular order of importance to me.

1. Been chosen to carry the torch in Kwa Zulu Natal (Durban) for Women's Bejing Conference and meeting our then speaker of Parliament Dr F Ginwala.
"The African Women’s Peace Torch has traveled across the continent - from South Africa, Angola, Kenya, Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi, Mali, Liberia, Ethiopia – delivering messages of peace and solidarity to women in conflict countries before proceeding to the Beijing for the opening of the NGO Forum of the Fourth World Conference on Women. Since 1995, the Torch has traveled throughout the continent, where it has become a symbol of African women’s quest for peace, freedom and development. It is anticipated that the Torch will travel throughout the continent, from one conflict-affected country to another in the course of 2004, sending messages of peace and hope for the women of the continent."

2. Fundraising project for Reach for a Dream.

3. Being involved the organising and running Youth Constitutional Camps with DYIC sponsored by Holland and The South African Constitutional Committee.

4. Organising Careers Fair & Programs for Aeisec UDW (Durban Westville University)

5. Dux Award
6. Stop Smoking campaigns - spoke in various churches and schools as a teenager.

7. My Wedding Day

8. Giving Birth to Jeandre'

9. Training teachers & other participants in Environmental Education -
as a employee of WESSA (Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa).
10. Getting my driver's license, Degree and Post Graduate Certificates.

You've Changed 52% in 10 Years

You've done a good job changing with the times, but deep down, you're still the same person. You're clothes, job, and friends may have changed some - but it hasn't changed you.

How Much Have You Changed in 10 Years?

Disney Princess

It's a tie!

You are part Jasmine. You are loyal and would visit the ends of the earth for what you believe. You would never let obstacles stand in the way of true love.

You are part Pocahontas. You defy convention and sometimes do what is considered taboo. Unfortunately, others do not always appreciate your differences, so it's good that you are so strong-willed. You are loyal and you believe in fate. Your true love will find you one day.

Book Give Away

Please scroll down for the ROCKIN GIRL BLOGGER AWARDS



Head over to Overwhelmed With Joy if you want to sign up.
She writes:
I just read an excellent book that a friend from work gave to me and I want to pay it forward by sending this book to one of my faithful readers.

Blog is Rated.........

Please scroll down for the ROCKIN GIRL BLOGGER AWARDS

Mingle² - Online Dating

This rating was determined based on the presence of the following words:

* pain (1x)

Sjoe, that is a relief. Hehehehe.

Wonder how accurate this rating really is.

Rockin Award !

WOW - Thanks Whenn from Opinion Minions for the award. I am wondering who started it?

This is what Whenn said:

"Simone is my fellow South African blogger. Her blog is a true inspiration and reflection of her faith and kindness. Besides participating in a lot of memes, like Wordless Wednesday, Simone also takes us along on her journey of self improvement, and she's doing a rockin' job of getting there! :)"

Thanks Whenn and right back at you.

Now the award goes too...................
..............

1. Nicole the modern Goddess,very inspiring. Nicole's aim is to empower women, I feel she is really doing a great 'job'.

2. Amy's Random Thoughts, I met through Amy's WW and then she hosted a Blogger's scavenger hunt. I got to know her and her husband(Valtool's Box) even better. Down-to-earth, fun and very interesting blogger.

3. Addies' Random Thoughts,fellow South African blogger that I met through Whenn and Wordless Wednesday's. I really enjoy her well written posts, really funny pictures/cartoons and memes.

4. Ruth's Place,Ruth is one of the few bloggers' who was my friend before she became part of my RSS feed. She has a great way of expressing herself, talented crafter, she has a way of inspiring people to think and do more and she makes me laugh.

5. Dalyla My Pen and My Pain,this is my favourite poetry blog, her poetry speaks volumes and expresses emotions and feelings in a very provocative manner. Dalyla you rock!

AND

6. Claudelle Brothers Wishlist, she is one of my best friends so needless to say I am biased! What like most ablout Claudelle's blog is that she varies her style of writing and has great photographs.


I hope that these five recipients can pass this along to six other Rockin' Girl Bloggers but if not, sit back and bask in the glow of being a rock star in my book because you all are!

WW 17

WW#10

Check out my interview

"Weight Loss Tips and Success Stories - Lose Weight and Be Inspired by Reading Weight Loss Interviews We Do with Real Live People!



Welcome to WLTips.com - Weight Loss Tips!

Come read our interviews with real people who are on a weight loss regimen. They come from all walks of life, from all economic and social categories in various parts of the world. Obesity does not necessarily discriminate between the sexes, races, or geographical boundaries, as our interviewees show. What you will find here are real-life examples of individuals who have decided to take control of how they look and how they feel. And they are more than willing to share the struggles and the rewards that they find along the way.

Losing weight is a personal issue that many of us are struggling with. If you've ever felt like nobody understands what you're going through, that trying to shed those excess pounds is just a matter of vanity to the people around you, then you just might find that this Web site will be a valuable resource for you. WLTips.com will connect you with real people who most probably have gone through -- or are going through -- the same things that you (or a loved one) are undergoing at the moment.

Here you will find interviews with men and women who are just starting out with their weight loss programs, those who are who are in the middle of the road, and those who can be called "success stories." We believe that the stories and advice you will read here, shared so generously by our interviewees, will help motivate you to stick to the lifestyle changes that you've decided to make and encourage you to achieve the goal that you have set out for yourself."

Free Association # 1

Last Sunday Whenn from Opinion Minions introduced an interesting meme from Unconscious Mutterings

1. Compulsion :out of control,can't stop:


2. Spiritual :deep, emotional,satisfied:


3. Spray :garden, smell:


4. Compatibility :happiness,boring:


5. Pursuit :adventure,journey:


6. Fake :unreal:


7. Mobile :phone:


8. Ceremony :dance:


9. Ribbons :fun:


10. Mozart :music:

mmmmmm nothing really revealing or amazing. Maybe an indication of a mind lock down? I certainly hope its not an indication that I slipping into a boring monotone of thinking (Does that even make any sense?) Who knows what could come up in the future.

Feeling Blue? no - You are blue

Blue just happens to be my favourite. Its seems to be my colour of strength and weakness.

BLUE

You give your love and friendship unconditionally. You enjoy long, thoughtful conversations rich in philosophy and spirituality. You are very loyal and intuitive.

Find out your color at QuizMeme.com!

Interesting Links regarding the colour Blue.

Blue Colour meanings

Blue the colour of the Throat Chakra

Mind?

“What is mind? No matter. What is matter? Never mind!” (Homer Simpson)








I am very busy marking today. Need to go into hyper-drive. Hence the quotes!












"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts."
-Albert Einstein*

Cyber Hugs

Thank you for caring enough to give me hug.

Thank you for leaving comments.

Thank you for your support, encouragement and advice.

Thank you for sharing a bit of you with me.

WW# 9

SCROLL DOWN FOR WORDLESS WEDNESDAY
I like the idea of following my weighloss in pounds instead of kgs. I suddenly realised that over the last two months the kgs I lost amount to 10 pounds. That sounds so much more!

Starting weight 107.7kg (237.4pds), Waist 116cm (46inches)
Down 0.5kg(1.1pd) - to 103kg (227pds) and waist 112.5 cm(44.3inches)

INTERESTING FACT

BMI ? BMI Calcultor
BMI is a really good indicator of your health risks but not the best tool for your goal weight, as it ignores bone density and muscle content.
Together with my dietician we established that my goal weight should be 65kg about 7-10kg more than my recommended BMI weight. My husbands goal weight is 20-25kg more than his recommended BMI weight.

TIP FOR WEEK

If you don't have time to exercise fidget a lot. I first read about this in 4 Day Win (Edging into Exercise). Martha recommends that you divide exercise into 4 Workout categories:
A: All Out effort
B: Slow Burn
C: Strolling About
D: Augmented Fidgeting

"Each day for the next 4 days, I'll observed and record my favourite ways to fidget, stroll about, do mild formal exercise, and go physically all out." from Choose New Moves 4-Day Win.

Articles on Fidget Fitness:
Fidget fitness>
Fidget Your Way to Fitness
Fidget? No! Walk? Yes!
Fidgeters 'likely to be thinner'

WW 16

OBSTACLE COURSE MANIA

SCARY or NOT ?

Going back to College

Arg!
I do believe in life-long learning. But by now I was hoping that I would be in full control of my own learning. I foolishly agreed to teach a subject this year that is proving to be a lot of work!
CAT - Computer Application Technology.

The first term was fun - I knew the work and the short cuts (microsoft word and powerpoint). The second term was slightly more difficult but still not tooooo bad (excel) - now next term is going to be the real challenge. First I have to get a positive attitude and then I need to get the knowledge. DATABASE .

I am entitled one free course at Helderberg College because my husband works for them. I just sent an e-mail off to find out if they will teaching Database in the second semester and if I am lucky , most of the classes may be in the afternoon. In the meantime, this holiday it will be me and the textbook!

Next year I would like to study my Honours in Education (Part-time - 2 years). One of dreams it to have a doctorate in Education. I am interested in studying how learners learn.

Developing People Through Libraries

Yesterday I represented my school at a Library conference - 8am -5pm. I have no responsibilities in our school library. In fact our school library is not functional at the moment.

I love libraries. It's one place I really feel at home.

I would plan expeditions to the town library just for fun. The Durban Library is housed in the City Hall which includes the Natural Science Museum and Art Gallery. Just round the corner is small History museum. I would pretend to be a student doing research. Sometimes fooled people into thinking I was older.

The year I turned 15, our local library finally opened, right next to my High school
(Hillview Secondary).





When I really feel stressed, spending an hour or two in the Library helps calm me.

One of the first things I do when I move to a new place, is find out where the library is.
I really loved the the Libraries in the USA, they were not only a place of refuge, but a fun place to take the kids to and my entertainment supplier. It was there I got hooked on listening to books on tape when travelling on the bus. The area in New Jersey that I lived in I had access to 3 libraries !

Butterfly Kiss

Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.



Here are 3 interesting sites I found:

Kissing - one of man's better invention ( I agree)

"Kissing can help our teeth by fighting plaque and cavities......"

What's in a kiss?

The Magic of a Kiss: Legends and Myths

Kissing was the one of my favourite past times growing up. I was once convinced that God punished me with tonsillitis because of it.

From Adolescent Adulthood
Why Kiss?

People kiss because they are trying to satisfy a hunger within them, a hunger that is as natural as the need for food, love, a decent internet connection (are you listening AOL?).

It is the hunger for passion and the need to touch someone else, to wrap your arms around the one you love that drives two lovers to each other. This craving for human contact is instinctive. It comes naturally and cannot be taught.

You Are a Passionate Kisser

You are the most likely type to kiss a sexy stranger Your kissing style is unpredictable and free spirited You could kiss anyone at a drop of a hat It's all about where your passion leads you

What's Your Kissing Style?

You're an Passionate Kisser

For you, kissing is about all about following your urges If someone's hot, you'll go in for the kiss - end of story You can keep any relationship hot with your steamy kisses A total spark plug - your kisses are bound to get you in trouble

What Kind of Kisser Are You?

A "butterfly kiss" consists of two people putting their eyes close to each other and fluttering their eyelashes upon one another's.{cn} A caterpillar kiss consists of two people rubbing their eyebrows together.

South Africa Day # 8

"I am an African … I owe my being to the Khoi and the San … the migrants who left Europe … the Malay slaves from the East … those transported from India and China … the grandchild of the warrior men and women … taught never to dishonour the cause of freedom." – Thabo Mbeki, opening of the new SA Constitution, 1996.

What's in a (South African) name?
Sharon Marshall

Saddled with the burden of apartheid and colonial-slanted textbooks, South Africans have tended to take their identities from their political leanings. But "mixed marriages" are as old as South Africa itself. As the meaning of democracy dawns, more people are finding family tree research the key to understanding their own heritages........

The Huguenots

In 1688, a new influence brought with it another European aspect to the cultural kaleidoscope: the first French Huguenot Protestants escaping Catholic persecution in France were brought out by the Dutch.

Settling the area now known as Franschhoek, many of the Huguenots owned slaves to cultivate the winelands, and half-caste children, born mainly out of wedlock, were among the unfortunates who produced children who failed to pass the apartheid government's pencil test over two centuries later."

I am in the process of tracing my family roots.It is looking very colourful (no pun intended). South African Genealogy

Blogging Story Carnival

Inquiring Minds Want to Know: Your Blogging Story Carnival

Visit Chili if you want to participant or find other participants.

How did you start blogging?

Introduced to blogging by my husband. I have always kept a diary or a journal off and on. I thought an online journal could be more useful getting feedback from others and that I would be more regular and committed in writing.

What do you hope to achieve or accomplish with your blog? Have you been successful? If not, do you have a plan to achieve those goals?

I closed my first to two blogs. The first one achieved its purpose and was veering off course, then second just backfired. I started this blog as a creative outlet, hobby, means of clarify my thoughts and feelings, sharing with family and friends. I pretty happy with the way this blog is developing.

From CRITIQUE MY BLOG

"Regular and down to earth is the feel of this blog as Simone blogs about her life and times and everything in between. Side bar is formatted with all the right bells and whistles and content is well written."

Has the focus of your blog changed since you started blogging? How?

Not really. I have approached this blog with a broad focus. Several themes have remained constant.

What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you started?

That is a hard question to answer. Even the things I did wrong taught me so much, I would not change anything of

Do you make money with your blog?

No

Does your immediate or extended family know about your blog? If so, do they read it? If not, why?

Yes. They never leave comments on my blog.

What two pieces of advice would you give to a new blogger

Being involved with a meme like Wordless Wednesdays brings more meaning traffic to your blog.
Don't just bookmark interesting blogs and sites, have a back up.

8 Random Things About Me

I was tagged by Opinion Minion for another meme and the object of this is to post “8 Random Facts About Myself”. The rules are as follows:

1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.

2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

3. People who are tagged need to write their own post about their eight things and post these rules.

4. At the end of your post, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.

5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

8 Random Things About Me

1. I sometimes like to drink coffee and coke light at the same time.
2. I only really feel a part of something if I get involved.
3.Cope well with stress that I choose.
4. Have 2 sisters and a brother. I am my mom's 3rd child and my dad's 1st. Have 3 other sisters that I don't have contact with from.
5. I decided I wanted to become a teacher when I was 10 years old and never changed my mind once.
6. Was an AuPair in the USA for 1 year - this experience had a profound affect on my life.
7. I have been on the TV news and newspapers 3 times.
8. Extrovert


I tag newcomers Jalafamily, then ..... The Brothers , Authentic Woman and Addie's Random Ramblings.

If you want to play just leave a comment and I will read & comment !!!!

WW#8

For Wordless Wednesday, please scroll down.

YAY - I am starting to see progress and feel great about it too.

We visited the dietician yesterday. Next appointment is one month. My husband is coming down nicely, the last two months he has lost 7kg. I have lost 4kg. Which is great, cause slow and steady wins the race! In this case the race is our lives!

We tried out making a pizza base with half white bread flour and half soya. The Soya flour brings down the GI of the base. It came out more like a pie. I liked it. My hubby says we will try 1/3 soya flour next time.

Down to 103.5kg and 113cm around the waist.

I am going to start implementing the 4 Day win concepts.

WW 15

"Not out of the philosophical woods yet."

From Cowbogdog

DreamWeavers

In yesterday's post, I told you that we stopped at a house on our drive just outside of Simonstown.
In the process I learned a lot about Play Areas. Well, their blog is and running.

"We at Dreamweavers believe that all children need a magical place to climb, play and daydream in. Therefore we create beautiful organic jungle-gyms custom built into your special spot in the garden, whether it’s built into a tree, freestanding, by the pool or tucked away in that secret corner - we build them all. We also specialise in big jungle-gyms and play structures for the schoolground....These are all mode of organic, naturally shaped tree branches and strong colourful ropes"

Winter Picnic

Yesterday we went for a drive and picnic along the Cape Peninsula.

The rain came down in short big spurts intermittently.

We had lunch at a beach in Simonstown.































Stopped at an interesting house in Scarborough(got lots of information on children's playgrounds and recycling).
































Last stop was at the Imhoff farm and snake park.

I knitted in the car and at Imhoff farm.

Check out the interesting links about knitting for Peace and Knitting in support of Breast Cancer Foundation, in the post below.

Knitting Fever

I knitted in Public today - did you?

Why?

Knit for Peace.
Knit for Breast Health Foundation

The World Is A Butterfly's Wing

The World Is A Butterfly's Wing by Allen Cohen An awareness arises from within the mind where God hides waiting to be called, whispering hauntingly " Come deeper, find me! The world is a butterfly's wing. Be gentle and come deeper." Decoding Spring There is an intelligence that impels flowers to bud encoded in every cell of the tree. The code says, "I will flower- I will leaf. I will fruit. I will seed and I will create more of me. I will breathe C02. I will use the light and heat of the sun and I will be. I will provide the nectar of the flower, the sweet fruit and the shade of my leaves. I will breathe out Oxygen and countless beings will be created and flourish and they will be healed and nourished by me. They will help spread my essence and preserve me - my plan is perfect. Through this giving with this constant beauty through these endless creations in the hidden world of my seed nesting in the dark passivity of the earth there will be a paradise." An awareness arises from within the mind where God hides waiting to be called, whispering hauntingly " Come deeper, find me! The world is a butterfly's wing. Be gentle and come deeper." The World is a Butterfly's Wing Song Cycle Poetry by Allen Cohen Music by Nancy Bloomer Deussen © 1999 by Nancy Bloomer Deussen and Allen Cohen