Acceptance

WOW - this really has a ring of truth to it - I can Identify with it. Doing personality tests and quizzes is one of my hobbies - Blogthings sometimes has some ridiculous stuff but its fun.

This one really speaks to me. When I try to fit in the mould other people have cast for me or that I think they have cast for me I really lose my way.
I have always seen myself as a strong personality - however as I have gotten older I have tried to be more accomodating of others to point where I am not always true to myself. Now that I have identified my weakness I am conciously trying to not lose myself while still being open to others. Its a delicate balance at times. One thing I try to remind myself is that just as I accpet people for who they I - I too deserve to be accpeted for who I am. That acceptance starts with me.

The Keys to Your Life

Anything good in your life comes from your ability to play and be free. The best way for you to solve a problem is to let go of it. Anything bad in your life comes from not being true to yourself. Trust your instincts and follow them. Only you know what's best.

The Keys To Your Life

Attention Span

Well i should be at the airport when this post is published.

Hows that for multi-tasking!

Your Attention Span is Medium

Your attention span is just about average. You may think that you have a short attention span... But being distracted is something most people struggle with. The most important thing is that you're aware that your mind wanders. If you find yourself daydreaming, you can usually snap out of it. It may be tough to concentrate at times, but you can do it... if you want to!

How's Your Attention Span?

Sharing The Love

Gill is passing on this award on to me and others on her blogroll.
"Award to me a little while ago, this award has a very special story attached to it, it was created by Crystal of "Memoirs Of A Mommy", in honor of the donor who saved her son's life. Her son Noah had to have a heart transplant when he was just over a month old. This award is intended to help raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.

So, here are the rules Crystal gave: “The rules of this award are: SHARE THE LOVE!!! Share this award with all those blogs out there that you love. All the people who make you smile. All those that make you laugh. All those that make your day. All those that leave uplifting comments on your blog. **All I ask, is that you include a link to this post with the award and ask your recipient to do the same**As you may have recently seen on my side bar, I have finally created a custom blog award!! I have wanted to do this for a long time but never came up with something that “fit”. I didn’t want just anything. It had to be something that meant something to me. And what could mean more than Sharing the Love by giving you pieces of my heart??
So I created this award in Honor Of The Donor That Saved Noah’s Life. I share this award with those of you whose love and friendship have enriched my life and made my world a better place.I hope by passing this award around the blogging world we can all help raise awareness of the need for Organ Donation.”

If you are on my blog roll, I'd really like you to accept this award and share the love!

100 Movie Meme

If you have been following my blog - you know about the 100 Lists swap I start inspired by Luciano Passuello from Lite Mind. I have since done a few other things around the number. So when I saw this meme I thought why not.

Italicize the ones you've seen and Bold the ones you actually liked. I thought I would've seen more. Of those I'd seen, I'm surprised how my instinct on italic vs. bold went.

1. Titanic (1997) - $600,779,824
2. Star Wars (1977) - $460,935,665
3. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) - $434,949,459
4. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) - $431,065,444
5. Spider-Man (2002) - $403,706,375
6. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The (2003) - $377,019,252
7. Passion of the Christ, The (2004) - $370,025,697 (Could not watch it - i did try)
8. Jurassic Park (1993) - $356,784,000
9. Shrek 2 (2004) - $356,211,000
10. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The (2002) - $340,478,898
11. Finding Nemo (2003) - $339,714,367
12. Forrest Gump (1994) - $329,691,196
13. Lion King, The (1994) - $328,423,001
14. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) - $317,557,891
15. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001) - $313,837,577
16. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) - $310,675,583
17. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) - $309,125,409
18. Independence Day (1996) - $306,124,059
19. Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) - $305,411,224
20. Sixth Sense, The (1999) - $293,501,675
21. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - $290,158,751
22. Home Alone (1990) - $285,761,243
23. Matrix Reloaded, The (2003) - $281,492,479
24. Shrek (2001) - $267,652,016
25. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) - $261,970,615
26. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) - $260,031,035
27. Jaws (1975) - $260,000,000
28. Monsters, Inc. (2001) - $255,870,172
29. Batman (1989) - $251,188,924
30. Men in Black (1997) - $250,147,615
31. Toy Story 2 (1999) - $245,823,397
32. Bruce Almighty (2003) - $242,589,580
33. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - $242,374,454
34. Twister (1996) - $241,700,000
35. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) - $241,437,427
36. Ghost Busters (1984) - $238,600,000
37. Beverly Hills Cop (1984) - $234,760,500
38. Cast Away (2000) - $233,630,478
39. Lost World: Jurassic Park, The (1997) - $229,074,524
40. Signs (2002) - $227,965,690
41. Rush Hour 2 (2001) - $226,138,454
42. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) - $219,200,000
43. Ghost (1990) - $217,631,306
44. Aladdin (1992) - $217,350,219
45. Saving Private Ryan (1998) - $216,119,491
46. Mission: Impossible II (2000) - $215,397,30
47. X2 (2003) - $214,948,780
48. Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) - $213,079,163
49. Back to the Future (1985) - $210,609,762
50. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) - $205,399,422
51. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) - $204,843,350
52. Exorcist, The (1973) - $204,565,000
53. Mummy Returns, The (2001) - $202,007,640 (Would not normally watch bu there was a South African Actor in it)
54. Armageddon (1998) - $201,573,391
55. Gone with the Wind (1939) - $198,655,278
56. Pearl Harbor (2001) - $198,539,855
57. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) - $197,171,806
58. Toy Story (1995) - $191,800,000
59. Men in Black II (2002) - $190,418,803
60. Gladiator (2000) - $187,670,866
61. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) - $184,925,485
62. Dances with Wolves (1990) - $184,208,848
63. Batman Forever (1995) - $184,031,112
64. Fugitive, The (1993) - $183,875,760
65. Ocean's Eleven (2001) - $183,405,771
66. What Women Want (2000) - $182,805,123
67. Perfect Storm, The (2000) - $182,618,434
68. Liar Liar (1997) - $181,395,380
69. Grease (1978) - $181,360,000
70. Jurassic Park III (2001) - $181,166,115
71. Mission: Impossible (1996) - $180,965,237
72. Planet of the Apes (2001) - $180,011,740
73. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) - $179,870,271
74. Pretty Woman (1990) - $178,406,268
75. Tootsie (1982) - $177,200,000
76. Top Gun (1986) - $176,781,728
77. There's Something About Mary (1998) - $176,483,808
78. Ice Age (2002) - $176,387,405
79. Crocodile Dundee (1986) - $174,635,000
80. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) - $173,585,516
81. Elf (2003) - $173,381,405
82. Air Force One (1997) - $172,888,056
83. Rain Man (1988) - $172,825,435
84. Apollo 13 (1995) - $172,071,312
85. Matrix, The (1999) - $171,383,253
86. Beauty and the Beast (1991) - $171,301,428
87. Tarzan (1999) - $171,085,177
88. Beautiful Mind, A (2001) - $170,708,996
89. Chicago (2002) - $170,684,505
90. Three Men and a Baby (1987) - $167,780,960
91. Meet the Parents (2000) - $166,225,040
92. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) - $165,500,000
93. Hannibal (2001) - $165,091,464
94. Catch Me If You Can (2002) - $164,435,221
95. Big Daddy (1999) - $163,479,795
96. Sound of Music, The (1965) - $163,214,286
97. Batman Returns (1992) - $162,831,698
98. Bug's Life, A (1998) - $162,792,677
99. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) - $161,963,000
100. Waterboy, The (1998) - $161,487,252(saw parts of it but could not sit through it)

Tag - Answer 6 Questions

Picking up a tag from Skittles Place.

"The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer."

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
   
   Just returned to South Africa from Au Pairing in the USA and met my husband to be.
   


2. What are 5 things on my to-do list for today?
   
   1. Take more files and books to school. 2. Clean up my classroom 3. Post 2 boxes to N. Ireland and Swap-bot swaps 4. Blow-dry my hair 5. Shopping

3. What is your favourite snack?
Microwave popcorn, yoghurt, chips

4. Things I would do if I was a billionaire?Buy a house, car, travel and do charity work.

5. Places I have lived?
Durban, Rumson (New Jersy, USA), Pietermaritzburg, Port Sheptstone, Heidleberg
(Gauteng), Helderberg (Somerset West Cape Town).

6. Jobs I have had?
Secretary, Factory worker, Branch Assistant, Laboratory Assistant, Wildlife Guide and
education officer, Teacher, Lecturer, Tutor, Au Pair, Baby Sitter.

Almost Ready

3 Days to the big move to Northern Ireland. Just have a few more odds and ends.

Packed my suitcase a few days ago to make sure the weight was okay. Decided to just leave it packed. So now I am truly camping - sitting on camp chairs, cooking out of a small pot and living out of a suitcase - fun.

No so fun my daughter and I both have a cold. Had to take her to the doctor yesterday. I got up this morning feeling ill.

Yesterday one of my collegeaus said I should stop smiling so broadly. I hope that I will continue to smile no matter what.

Got a few more good byes to say.

Bible Verse Swap Photography

"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD."

Psalm 25:4-7

Line

HEADS: LINE
To play or find out more click here

What comes to mind when I think about line?

Here is my unconscious mutterings:
(Free association is described as a "psychonanalytic procedure in which a person is encouraged to give free rein to his or her thoughts and feelings, verbalizing whatever comes into the mind without monitoring its content." Over time, this technique is supposed to help bring forth repressed thoughts and feelings that the person can then work through to gain a better sense of self.)

1. One liner
2. Standing in line
3. Straight
4. On the line
5. Washing
6. Long
7. Pine
8. Banks
9. Shopping
10. Irritating
11. Border Crossings .....................

Unconcious Mutterings is a meme hosted by Luna Nina

Friend from Abroad

Got this post from my best friend Denise. She moved to New Zealand in January 2008. Its amazing that she is actually there.

I was the one who always had dreams of travelling to different places. Claire, Denise and I made a little ritual of going to eat at a special place together before one of my travel adventures.
Last year Claire flew me up to Johannesburg because of Denise's plans, little did we know that I would also be going on a great adventure soon.

Think I am going to start cataloging the postcards I receive.

Unconscious Mutterings hosted by Luna Nina

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Goodbye :: Bonvojage
   
2. Cage ::Bird Cage - Nicholas Cage
   
3. Buddy ::fuddy duddy
   
4. Magic words :: please
   
5. Library :: peace
   
6. Fall in love :: Rick Astley - When I fall in Love
   
7. Tense ::shoulder pain, I need a foot massage!
   
8. Work! :: Oh no - I need a break
   
9. Empty ::full
10. Heat wave::Miami
    

Water

Life is not about Weight

Its not? Wish somebody told be that earlier - hehehehehe
No seriously.

Growing up I was always teased about being chubby. For the first three years of my life I went to a small school and I was the biggest. When I started high school in grade 7 - std 5 I was the third smallest in my class. But I still felt fat.
I really laughed the other day when my mom said she felt I looked anorexic as teen. I remember only wanting to wear tight clothes and costumes when taking photographs to proof that I was not fat.
The year I turned 19 I foolishly went on a shake diet to support my friend. Since then I have struggled with my weight. When I went on the pill it went out of control and after I had my daughter I officially became and still am extremely obese. I weighed 58kg nine years ago now I weight 109kg.

I have been to two dietitians, Weight Less program, my doctor put on a shake diet, I have read many diet books, I got exercise videos and DVD's, I even have one of those CD's that you must listen to change your subconscious mindset.

At times my whole life seems to be focused on my weight and it has gotten worse instead of better. In fact it is one of the subjects that is top of our moving to Ireland list - now that I will not be working I need to plan my family life and eating so that we can all lose weight become more healthy. Tall order - In two weeks time we will be there and I will start recording my plan and progress in my 4 Day Win blog - I will use the Low GI plan from my dieticians and the 4 Day Win book by Martha Beck.

Here some of my favourite funnies and a peom:

Life is not about Weight

you do not measure my life
with the weight
of this and that
or the length

whether light or heavy or long or short
or time,
life is not that
life has something to do more with the quality
of your laughter
and tears, the way you shout your joys
and scream your grief
the way you love
how deeply
and truly and intensely like light
which does not bend
or bow
it has color and when you filter it
it gives more colors that you
did not really know
or imagine
it has warmth too
and goes straight in space
dissipating and then
you think it is gone
but it is still
there
like the air touching again
the skin covering
your soul
your cheeks feeling

MuKaKo MuKaMo

Mutterings Wek 281

Run by Luna Nina

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Purchase ::buy, spend money
   
2. Squeaky clean ::suspect, too clean
   
3. Blended ::colouring, mixed
   
4. Wednesday ::prayer meeting
   
5. Function ::Hall
6. Look down :: look up
   
7. July? :: 4th (USA), winter rains in Cape Town
   
8. Raspberry :: strawberry
   
9. Assertive ::forthright
10. Cracker :: Jack (The Pretender)
    

Sunrise

Taken this morning outside of our flat at Helderberg College.

What does the future hold for me?

As the time draws nearer for my move to Ireland I find myself tentatively dreaming about what may be. Up until now I have tried to remain focused on work here and getting rid of my stuff.

Now most of our is gone. We are basically camping in our apartment. Still have losts to do for work - my stomach is in knots just thinking about it. But there is a little more time for daydreaming.

The house we are moving into is basically furnished and the couple who we are renting from has given us first choice on some of the stuff they are selling. We are buying most of what they are offering. Its given us a sense that we improving our living standards.

I have made contact with the Stitch & Bitch group in Belfast via Swap-bot. Looked at some possible causes like Digital Photography I could take up. The library is in walking distance from my new home - YAY.

Considering walking my daughter school everyday 2.2km, hope we can - prbably need to be ready to walk in the rain often.

Our main focus as a family is eat more healthily and all lose weight. I don't want to presume what our new schedule. We need to make sure that we design our lifestyle to support healthy living and ensure we can maintain when i do start working again. I have never really seen myself as a stay-at-home mom and when I did I always pictured myself being very busy with charity work. Its going to be a whole new experience and I am really looking forward to it.

Le Fleur

Click on the picture to see other participants or instructions to play along.

Its Heads this week and the topic is Flowers.

"Inside every man lives the seed of a flower

If he looks within he finds beauty and power"
Read Poem Here

My maiden surname is Le Fleur. In French this can be intepreted to The Flower or Male Flower.
As a teen I like the later intepretation.

This causes me to reflect on my thoughts and actions in relationships. After I turned 13 I discovered that my mom had been married before, my dad adopted my older brother and sister from her first marriage. A year later my parents got divorced. In the community I grew up in there were a lot of teenage pregnancies and I witness a lot of broken relationships. I determined that no guy would ever hurt me. At the same time I really enjoyed the excitement of a new relationship. I decided I would date for the fun of it and as soon as it was no longer fun or I though the guy was going to hurt/dump me I would move on. And that is exactly what I did from age 14 to 17. The year I was 17 going on 18, I had a really serious relationship that turned my thinking and my life around. Unfortunately that relationship did not work out but it taught me a lot. I became more aware of the other person's feeling and less self-centred.

I guess I am a different flower now - no longer a bud but a woman in full bloom.

mmmmm..... Think I will do a Blogthings quiz - have not done one in a while.....

You Are A Lily

You are a nurturer and all around natural therapist. People see you as their rock. And they are able to depend on you. You are a soothing influence. You can make people feel better with a few words. Your caring has more of an impact than even you realize.

What Flower Are You?

Funny I carried Lilies down aisle.

Les Fleurs

I found this a while ago when I was looking for inofrmation on my maiden surname Le Fleur.

Les Fleurs

Will somebody wear me to the fair?
Will a lady pin me in her hair?
Will a child find me by a stream?
Kiss my petals and weave me through a dream.

For all of these simple things and much more a flower was born
It blooms to spread love and joy faith and hope to people forlorn

Inside every man lives the seed of a flower
If he looks within he finds beauty and power

Ring all the bells sing and tell the people that be
everywhere that the flower has come
Light up the sky with your prayers of gladness and rejoice for the darkness is gone
Throw off your fears let your heart beat freely at the sign that a new time is born

You can hear a clip of the song at http://www.minnieriperton.com/sub/1sub/laudio/lyrics/lesfleurmp3.html

That site, http://www.minnieriperton.com is a good one for reading about the artist.

Unconcious Muttertings

Hosted by Luna Nina

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Rambling ::on and on and on...........
   
2. Magnetic ::pull, earth, north
   
3. Again! ::and again.........
   
4. Acoustic ::guitar
5. Mahogany ::table
6. Promises ::should be kept ( as the saying goes - are meant to be broken)
   
7. Ill fitting :: ugly, uncomfortable
   
8. Sublime :: super, beatiful, undercover, mysterious
   
9. Poop :: Ahoy! (from the children's story)
   
10. Disoriented :: dizzy, overwhelmed, me at the moment.
    

Girl Interrupted

Written by a grade 10 learner

Inner Peace Leads Outer Peace

The question that comes up time and time again is why bother. What difference can putting a picture on a blog make. I feel that what is important is the fact that we are no remaining indifferent. We are recosgnising and acknowledge a need.It first must be conceived as a thought and then it can become a reality. Participating in making and sharing my globe is part of the dream, it is part of creating.

Enjoy reading this poem.

Feel at Peace

Embrace the wonder that you are,

With a forgiving, respectful love

Have faith in your strength to persevere

As you lay your head to rest each night

Be still in the darkness

Wait in peace and listen

Trust and believe

All you desire is on its way

Awake with a smile

Greeting a new day

Feel the love and gratitude within

For this feeling is like no other

Treat yourself with compassion, reverence and empathy

Spread your wings

Fly free like a butterfly

Share kindness with the powerful energy of your "wing wake"

And may the light of your spirit

Shine upon the path of another

So they too may feel at peace

It’s so wonderful to finally feel at peace

by Tina Marie from Health Home and Harmony

Wordless

Mutterings

Hosted by Luna Nina

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Gossipping ::idle talk, can't help yourself, Desperate Housewives
   
2. Misplaced :: lost
   
3. Spaceship ::Battlestar Galatica
   
4. Ignore :: sadness,
   
5. Bodily :: harm
   
6. Tweezers :: unwanted hair
   
7. Goodnight :: sweet heart its time to go
   
8. Curls :: to die for
   
9. Faucet ::tap
10. Right? ::wrong!

Number 7: My dad used to sing me this song when he put me to bed. I sometimes sing the chorus to my daughter. The Goodnight, Sweetheart(1954/1955 Version, by the Spaniels).