#100HappyDays: Days 63 – 68

Happy Monday everyone! This challenge is heading along nice, even with all my numbering faults. (I managed to have day 63 twice this week, which makes no sense, but I think I may have skipped a day somewhere – sure I did – so it will balance out!)

Day 63 (1):

Love my eldest sister!

Day 63 (2):

I watched Shakespeare in Love for the first time all the way through and crocheted on a top secret project. I do hope the recipient of this project loves it when it is finished!

Day 64:

There are some things in this world that makes me ridiculously happy. Two of them are: Free things and Loyalty cards. Our – amazing – canteen at work has a loyalty based point system and I got a delicious meal out of it last week!

Day 65:

To say that the past week was hectic and full of stress is the understatement of the year. However, I somehow pulled through in one piece, and my managers thought I was amazing. It is a really good feeling to finally work in a place where recognition occurs.

Day 66:

Yep, more food. This chicken wrap was divine!

Day 67:

We spent Saturday with some friends that we’ve known for ages, and it was a lovely experience. It is the best feeling to just completely be yourself, because everyone at an event knows you from when you were in your primary school clothes.

Day 68:

Instead of resting AS ONE SHOULD on a Sunday, I finally took the time to super clean my room. Things were moved, repacked, thrown out, cleaned, new bedding was put up and curtains were hanged. I am SO happy with the results!

What made you happy this week?

March 14, 2016March 26, 2016 by Natasha Categories: 100 Happy Days, 2016, UncategorizedTags: 100 Happy Days, bedding, Cleaning, delicious, eating, Family, food, friends, Healthy, healthy lifestyle, room 7 Comments

#100HappyDays: Days 43 – 48

I can’t believe this challenge is going so quickly! Not going to lie, my penchant for self sabotage sometimes peeks out and … motivates me to only post two posts on one day rather than on separate days. However, this is my challenge, so it makes me quite happy 😀

Day 43:

Spent Valentine’s day with my sisters and my mom, had a fantastic breakfast at Life in Mall of the South and finally found a copy of the long searched for Kill Bill Volume 1.

Day 44:

The caption on my Instagram post says it all: These books attacked me and forced me to buy them. I had no say whatsoever.

Day 45:

Winning the war on sugar is not easy, but the days where I evict the victor is truly marvelous and very frequent lately.

DAy 46:

Had a GALentines day and went to watch How To Be Single. So much fun!

Day 47:

Woohoo! Finished Season 2. It is better than Season 1 at least.

Day 48:

I was so impressed with Takealot. I firstly got my Unisa textbook on a 50% sale, and chose two cheesy Afrikaans DVDs to be delivered with it. Much to my surprise it was delivered the following afternoon.

What is making you happy as of late?

February 22, 2016February 19, 2016 by Natasha Categories: 100 Happy Days, UncategorizedTags: #100HappyDays: Days 43 - 48, 100 Happy Days, Arrow, As Jy Sing, Books, healthy lifestyle, How To Be Single, Liefling, Marian Keyes, Running, Series, Unisa 6 Comments

Life Lately: February 2016

So, February. I am totally okay that you are here. January wasn’t even bad, but it was the trial month for the year and I am happy to get things in full speed right now.

 

#100HappyDays: This project is still ongoing, and I am still enjoying it. There are days where I struggle to find things to post about, so the challenge proves its’ point: you need to be able to find something happy daily regardless of how small it might seem to you.

Blog: I am actively considering renaming my blog. I’m not going to say what the title is going to be right now, because someone might nab it before I have it set up, and then I will be mightily upset with whoever it is. (#paranoid). I DO like the sound of it and have run it by my confidantes, who agree. I just want to work out the logistics of things before I go full speed into it.

 

Reading: I somehow misplaced my darling Big Magic book. I am so peeved. I need to finish reading it and then I need to gush on here about it. Like, WHY universe? I will find you book! I also started with The Longest Ride. It is written by Mr. Soppy himself, Nicholas Sparks. It’s part of my book reading list for this year and I just want to get cracking on it.

Blindspot: This is officially in disaster mode. I swear I have such affinity for ignoring the fuck out of deadlines. Each. And. Every. Time. I looked around a bit for copies of what I need to watch, gave up pretty quickly, and am now stuck. ANYWAY, I’ll get watching soon and be posting ALL THE REVIEWS.

 

Series: Goodness. Finally got around to Arrow. The acting. Erm. It is… SPECTACULAR? The plot is good enough, the acting and the effects are just a bit hilarious tbh.

Tinder: I should seriously get up a few posts on my experience over there. Let’s just say restraining orders and a dictionary are things I want to get for some of the guys I’ve spoken to.

Unisa: Studies and assignments, here I come. Now that I know what to expect for the practicals, I am really excited for that too. Just still so disgusted with Unisa that they mess around with their students so badly.

Being healthy: I’m really excited about this. I’ve said from the start I am not going to starve or deprave myself, and I certainly won’t be following any Fad diets. I just want to find a way of lifestyle that is maintainable as well as healthy. I’m getting there. The hardest right now is the sugar. I’ve cut it out that I’m about 98% sugar free in whatever I consume. I’m still growling at hidden sugars. They are the reason I have trust issues. Moving on. I plan to write about my revelations about changing your eating habits, and what myths I’ve come to believe and not believe about losing weight. I can tell you if you use the word “diet”, I don’t like it. It contains about as much positive reinforcement as the phrase “New year’s resolutions”. Sure, lifestyle change sounds way pompous, but if it isn’t a lifestyle change, it’s not going to work. BOOM.

Tinder. I hope to get up some posts about his experience in the next two weeks. It is just the right time of year for all the romantic fools out there.

Excited for:

Literally ALL THE WEDDINGS. I have two weddings and an engagement party in March and another wedding, bachelorette and kitchen tea in April.

How to be single – this looks so great

DEADPOOL!

 

 

 

 

February 10, 2016February 6, 2016 by Natasha Categories: 2016, Life, Life Lately, UncategorizedTags: Arrow, Big Magic, Books, Deadpool, Elizabeth Gilbert, healthy lifestyle, Life Lately, Nicholas Sparks, Reading, The Longest Ride, Unisa 10 Comments

#100HappyDays: Days 31 – 37

Happy Monday everyone! Back today with my weekly updates on the #100HappyDays challenge. So far, so good.

Day 31:

I… bought shoes again. Oops. Actually they just jumped into my car window and I had to take them home. What’s a girl to do?

Day 32:

Had this delicious halloumi salad at work. It was so NOM.

Day 33:

Had a lovely run at the Kliprivier Nature Reserve and some thinking time with a friend.

Day 34:

These clouds while I was running. Sometimes it is so wonderful to realize how insignificant the human race is.

Day 36:

So. I started drinking herbal teas instead of a straight dose of caffeine through the day. It hasn’t been easy, but rooibos is delicious and it makes life somewhat better. I’m not completely insane and am still drinking a cup of coffee in the morning. But. I might growl at people in the afternoon due to severe lack of caffeine.

Day 37:

Spent the day with a lovely bride to be, celebrating, and eating way too many fudge brownies. I am not eating ANYTHING next week. Okay, I’ll eat. But not brownies.

What made you happy the past week?

PS: Did you pick up the mistake?

February 8, 2016February 6, 2016 by Natasha Categories: 100 Happy Days, 2016, UncategorizedTags: 100 Happy Days, clouds, exercise, fashion, healthy lifestyle, healthy-living, Kliprivier Nature Reserve, nature, Running, salad, Shoes 5 Comments

#100HappyDays: Days 1-8

Happy Monday everyone!

To make this shitty day better, here is a recap of my first 8 days on the #100HappyDays challenge

Day 1: Spending time with my bestie is always the most magnificent time. Just as a side note – she makes AMA-ZING cottage pie.

Day 2: Adventures across Nelspruit: Wool shopping (I was coerced, hem hem); very delicious iced Coffee to combat the heat; as well as a lurvely meal with lurvely people to say bye-bye till next time.

Day 3: Roadtrip back home: More Iced Coffee, this time from Mugg ‘n Bean (yes, you are spotting a trend).

Day 4: The consumer based market knows everyone way too well. They had a massive sale at one of the big retailers here in South-Africa (who isn’t getting a shout-out because their service is atrocious). Anyhoo, got these New Balance running shoes on half price and I was dancing all the way.

Day 5: Continued running and made myself some healthy and delicious dinner afterwards. So happy with my steak – I am so not a master at making it but this turned out lovely!

Day 6: The University I study with had me in a constant stressball for the last couple of months. I had to update my course code, and they had changed all their systems and what-whats. Needless to say, I was freaked out when it ran into the new year and I still hadn’t received feedback from them – you do NOT mess with a part-time student that is this close to graduating. They FINALLY got back to me this week and I was doing somersaults in the office

Day 7: Gifts from Hermanus, Western Cape

Day 8: The heatwave has been pulsing through Gauteng like mad. We’ve been running around at 40 degrees celcius a day, and about 22 degrees at night. It has really felt like hell on earth and everyone has been miserable in this heat (and incredibly stupid on social media, but more on that later). On Friday the rain finally came pouring down from the skies and the people didn’t even moan. I had a terrible drive back from work – think roads steaming from the heat and rain contact, poring rain and a highway – and no power thanks to the thunderstorm, but it has been absolutely amazing just to cool down a bit.

Well, there we go. Feedback on noticing the everyday happy for the first week (and one day). What makes you happy? Let me know!!

Up this week:

Tuesday, 12 January 2016: Blindspot 2016 choices

Wednesday, 13 January 2016: Book Review: The River House by Margaret Leroy

Thursday, 14 January 2016: Series Review: Supernatural Season 2

Friday, 15 January 2016: Movie Review: Inglorious Basterds

January 11, 2016January 8, 2016 by Natasha Categories: 100 Happy Days, 2016, UncategorizedTags: 100 Happy Days, Bestie, Cottage Pie, crochet, ere is a recae of myyyDAca, healthy lifestyle, Heat Wave, Iced Coffee, mugg and bean, Nelspruit, New Balance, part time student, steak, Studies, Training, Travel, Unisa, veggies, Visit, Wool 6 Comments

Thoughts

I read an article suggesting that mosquitoes target blondes more than brunettes. This is a LIE. I have been tortured senselessly the last couple of nights by those little buggers.

My sister broke her computer. Apparently it is not only me who has that dubious talent in our family.

Burned my toe on my straightening iron this morning, which fell on the floor and I didn’t notice.

The file that held all the books I’ve read for the book challenge has been corrupted. I can recover what’s on there by going through all my previous posts, but still not happy about it.

Speaking of books, I am currently in a slump. Just not in the mood to read, and I really need to get through the last twenty books of my book challenge. I really want to the read the Great Gatsby, but have yet to get myself to do it.

Need to register with Unisa ASAP.

Best business idea ever: Take down other people’s Christmas trees. No one likes it – it is difficult to detangle the mess you made putting it up and depressing to take down something that symbolizes the best part of the year. RICHNESS! (Note that this business venture is hopefully only feasible in late December/Early January)

Ways to increase sleep:

Drink less coffee

No phone for half an hour before sleep

Don’t watch Suits till eleven at night

Move to Antarctica

And lastly, a weight loss pic to motivate you all

(Source)

 

January 7, 2014 by Natasha Categories: UncategorizedTags: 100 books, Christmas, healthy lifestyle, healthy-living, Reading, Sleep, Unisa, Weight loss Leave a comment

Weekend 11-14 October 2013

Friday

Friday night I babysat my friend’s daughter. She is six months old, and an absolute sweetheart. I am sure that she is the sweetest, most well behaved baby on this planet. She may be the reason that will convince me to have one of my own one day. Sneaky little thing, I tell you.

Saturday

Saturday we went to Gilroy’s brewery. It had the most wonderful atmosphere. The place was packed, and it was enormous fun. It is sadly too far away to go frequently.

I am really enjoying summer. The weather has been great – it is not scorching yet.

Watching

My new obsession at the moment is Friends. I am now at season two. I have seen bits over the years, but have never made a real effort to follow it. It is so amusing.

Reading

The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. It is good, but I find myself vacantly staring into space sometimes. Perhaps it is one of those books who would have been great had it been better edited. Finished the second book last night, Frostbite, and took out Shadow Kiss to start on if I have time today.

Eating and Exercising

I have mostly gotten my outrageous need for food under control. Mostly. Some people tell me it is the heat; some tell me it is the frequent exercise. But the truth is, I need to plan my meals better then I won’t be hungry all the time. Starting today, I am eating better, and keeping up with the exercise, which is going great.

Studying

Exams are getting close – my first one is the 1^st of November. It is chemistry, so I am stressing and studying to the maximum. I try to put in at least an hour each night, and have so far been {mostly} successful.

Irritating

Men. In general. I’m sorry, but dating and relationships are just frustrating. Contemplated giving it up permanently, then remembered that I don’t want to be old with fifty cats and a bad attitude (I already have a bad attitude, just scared of the fifty cats)

Religion

Not a huge blogger on religion, but I have thinking about all the different types and what it means a whole lot lately. Am told that it is normal with my current age to question everything. So at least I am normal in the sense that I question everything. Will let you know my conclusions.

Charlie Hunnam is not Christian Grey anymore

He dropped out. I am happy because I love that man, and I loathe those books. Yes, Charles, you do not want to lose your badass persona from Sons of Anarchy because of this. No, you don’t

Block

Not feeling the writing bug today, which is weird since I had it the past two weeks.

Nearly voting time

In South-Africa, we vote around April. A relatively new democracy, SA hosts a bunch of the most ridiculous political parties you can imagine. The latest one now is the EFF, started by the suspended ANC youth league president Julius Malema. I cannot accurately describe the antagonism I feel towards this man. I have very ugly thoughts about him and his ideas. Read about the joke of the DECADE here.

To sound off, here is a motivational pic, because we all need it on a Monday.

(image source)

October 14, 2013 by Natasha Categories: Books, Reviews, Unisa, WeekendsTags: 100 books, Bloodlines, Book, Books, Charlie Hunnam, Dating, Democracy, entertainment, Exams, Fifty Shades of Grey, Fitness, healthy lifestyle, healthy-living, Inspiration, Julius Malema, literature, Men, politics, Reading, Relationships, Religion, Review, Reviews, Richelle Mead, Vampire Academy, vampires, Voting, Weight loss, Writers block Leave a comment

Weightloss Motivationals

I have been struggling with eating healthy.

Or, I will be happier if I can just stop eating so much.

Some pics that might hopefully motivate me. (and you)

October 9, 2013 by Natasha Categories: UncategorizedTags: healthy lifestyle, healthy-living, Quotes, Weight loss Leave a comment

October Love

Welcome to the second post of the day. It is October! We can rant for a few seconds about how quickly the year went. It went FAST. From the first of October it is approximately 85 sleeps till Christmas (Whoop! Mom, Dad, buy me a car :D). And December is closer than ever, which means sun, and holidays (Sun for us Southern Hemisphere folks, in any case ;)) I love this time of the year in SA – it is warm, but not as hot as January till April (scorching time)

Here is my to do list for October

STUDY

This is the most important thing I have to do this month, as I am writing CHEMISTRY the 1^st of November. YUCK. I am telling myself if I could pass Statistics (the greatest achievement of my life) I can do Chemistry. I am refusing to fail. Then at the end of November I am writing again, but I am not overly stressed about that subject.

SAVE MONEY

I want a car by January. It will be a birthday present to me, from me. BUT, I need to save cash first. Which leads to the next point on my to do list.

STOP SPENDING

Like, stop spending money on all the stuff you spend money on. I need to curb my shopping appetite, and I will not spend anything if I can save it. At least until December.

EXERCISE

I am exercising like a boss at the moment, but I really am focused on not losing momentum.

DIET

I am NOT dieting like a boss right now, so I need to get back to that. ASAP. Or all the running in the world wouldn’t tone me up.

BOOK CHALLENGE

Read 10 books. I know it sounds steep, but I have proven to myself that I can read a lot fast.

SERIES

Finish Sons of Anarchy Season Three and Start on Four

HALLOWEEN

Halloween isn’t such a big holiday here, but I still think it is fun and deserves a party. And who doesn’t like dress-up?

What are your goals this month?

October 1, 2013October 1, 2013 by Natasha Categories: Books, UnisaTags: 100 books, Book, Books, entertainment, Exams, Financial freedom, Halloween, health, healthy lifestyle, healthy-living, literature, Money, October, Reading, Review, spending, Studying, Unisa, Weight loss Leave a comment

What happened this weekend, feeling sorry for myself and such matters

Image source

Truly, nothing much happened this weekend. I devoted my entire Sunday to reading. More on that to follow.

Saturday I saw my one uncle. My extended family aren’t close, and I really don’t care much for it, but I arrived to say hi on my grandmother’s request. Which she turned around so it seemed I was dying to see him. Queue extreme irritation.  It was nice to see him, but also very obvious why my mother isn’t interested in staying connected with them. I am content with the family I have, as cold as it sounds. I don’t need people who only deign to show their faces every seven years.

Afterwards, I went to the shops, spent money I shouldn’t have, and got a new book. My little sister found a DVD she has been searching for ages for – Letters to Juliet. We also got Breaking Dawn Part one. That night we watched both. I will be posting reviews sometime during the next couple of weeks.

Books read

Last week I read about four books, and turned towards madness when I read Nora Robert’s the Witness the entire day yesterday, and finished it. 488 pages.

I think I will be giving reading a break, even if it is only for a few days.

PS: it was an amazing read

Feeling sorry for myself

My newly married sister and her husband are returning from Mauritius from their honeymoon, and it means I am back at home. I love home, but it is very crowded at the moment. I will miss my freedom and quiet so much. It is true motivation to get in a place where I can live in my own place.

Diet, exercise and studying

The three things I really need to get done. Like right now.

Starting with exams the first of November, and it is extremely close.

Chemistry, here I come.

September 30, 2013 by Natasha Categories: Books, Breaking Dawn, Movies, Reviews, WeekendsTags: 100 books, Book, Books, Breaking Dawn, entertainment, Family, healthy lifestyle, healthy-living, literature, Nora Roberts, Quotes, Reading, Review, Reviews, The Witness, Unisa, vampires, wedding, Weekend, Weight loss Leave a comment