Tag: Inspiration
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 1st 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.
What’s your excuse?
As South-Africans, we don’t have many people to look up to.
Here is one of the most inspiring South-Africans I have seen in a very long while.
Lucas Sithole
Winner of the wheelchair quad singles title at the US Open tennis tournament this year.
Lucas lost both his legs and an arm in a train accident as a child.
What’s your excuse for not getting off the couch again?
Have a good day!
N
Book Review: The Reef by Nora Roberts
Book: 39/100
Searching for the pendant named Angelique’s Curse killed James Lassiter. He was murdered by Silas VanDyke, who was diving with James at the time. VanDyke’s obsession with the pendant drove him to madness, and even after he had to accept that they were at the wrong wreck, he spends his entire life seeking for it.
Matthew Lassiter, James’ son, was on the boat the day his father died. Helplessly angry and heartbroken, he turns into a reckless, arrogant young man raised by his uncle Buck. The two meet the Beaumont family under water when they discover the same sword. Matthew enrages the Beaumont’s daughter when he finds the sword before she does, but she has to accept that they will be seeing quite a bit of each other because their families are now working together. Tate and Matthew fall in love, and together they discover the shipwreck beneath the sea. Tate is willing to give up everything for Matthew, but he knows he will never be worthy of her. Tragedy strikes and Buck loses his one leg in a shark attack. Matthew breaks things off with Tate because he knows he has to take care of the mountains of bills his uncle will now generate, and a heartbroken Tate returns to university hating him.
Years later, Tate is working on her doctorate while being a successful Marine Archaeologist. When she learns that it was because of the influence of Silas VanDyke that so many doors opened for her, she flees the ship where she has been working on and returns to her parents. There she learns that the Lassiters had made reappearance, and together they will seek the ship most likely to hold the cursed necklace. Joining them this time is LaRue, a French-Canadian with a love for the ladies. LaRue finances part of Matthew’s new ship, and becomes a diving partner to Tate’s father.
Will Tate and Matthew be able to work together without falling in love again, and will they finally beat VanDyke?
Rating: 6/10
I immediately started on this book when I finished the Villa, which I adored, so I probably would have enjoyed it more had I read something mediocre previously. It is typically Nora Roberts – not overly creative, a good, mad villain, two attractive people falling in love, and this time, the search for a legendary necklace. I enjoyed it, but seemed a bit loose at the edges – it really isn’t as well done as some of her other books.
Weekend and Stuff
Hello! I hope you had a perfectly nice weekend. Here in South-Africa, we got graced with the presence of President Barack Obama, and everyone seemed very excited. Furthermore, we kept praying for our National hero and first democratic president, President Nelson Mandela, who is currently still in hospital for a recurring lung infection. He is so loved and revered across the world, and yet it seems that they only understand a little bit of the love we as South-Africans feel for him. I hope you are in no pain at all, Madiba, and that you can go on if you must. You deserve peace after all this time.
Friday, as mentioned in my previous post, was dedicated to the Body Worlds Exhibition in Johannesburg. It was amazing and educating. The exhibition highlighted to me the power of our Heavenly Father, and the amazing work He did in creating us. It motivated me to continue my healthy lifestyle – seeing how obese people’s organs look is a sure way to inspire motivation.
My tablet miraculously survived its crash to earth. The screen is a bit chipped, and the buttons had to be replaced, but it is working, and for that I am endlessly thankful. I am now overly cautious about where I put my baby, so that it survives.
On Saturday we drove all the way to Greenstone shopping mall to go and watch Man of Steel, the new instalment in the Superman franchise. I will hopefully manage to get a review on later this week, but I can honestly vote that it has been the best film of 2013. It was amazing and epic and everything. Henry Cavill is Superman. He perfectly portrayed the sad hero that was called for. I would have been unimpressed with a happy, perky performance – Kal-El is after all the last of his race. If you haven’t seen this film, make the time now. It is worth the expense!
On the book challenge front, I finished one book and started another. Both are part of a Nora Roberts trilogy, and I am really enjoying the frothy romance.
Most of my Unisa results came through, but I am still waiting for one examination result. I will share everything when I know for sure. But I can mention that I am happy so far J
I kept on exercising through the weekend, and will continue today. I am really excited with my progress. I want to start looking into doing a 5km walk around Johannesburg – any ideas?
Enjoy your day!
Some quotes for the inspiration needed on a Monday 🙂
Happy Monday
Happy Monday!
Today is FREEZING in South-Africa (everyone on social networks seems to feel inclined to mention this especially), but I am in a pretty good mood. It has been a while since I posted some motivational pictures, so please see below, and be motivated 🙂
This quote describes perfectly how I have been feeling lately. I wish people (including myself) would stop being obsessed with what other people think of them.
This quote by Gandhi has always been one of my favorite quotes ever.
I am a worrier. There is always something to worry about, but I am training myself to worry less and be more productive about things.
Have a good day!
N
It is so difficult being a girl
Here is an ode to the girls:
Who stand up each morning and:
Do their nails
Do their hair
Do their makeup
Gets outfit ready
Makes food for herself/her family
Works her ass off
Excersises
Diets
Studies
Live
No man can really ever get it.
Last night I realized how much work we put into our appearances.
So girls, lets support each other instead of bringing each other down.
Blair Waldorf is my favorite kind of biatch 🙂
Have a good day!
Natasha
PS: I know men works their butts off too.
Thursday Quotes
Good morning 🙂
I am so happy it is nearly Friday. Returning from study leave, or any leave, is always quite challenging. It always amazes me how tiring work is! This week has actually been good to me. I have studied, read, exercised, and worked normal hours. For today, please see some quotes I find inspiring, and some pictures I just find funny. Have a good day!
This could be my blog manifesto. I love it!
My face in winter when I wake up.
🙂
This Past week
My life
Dieting and Exercising
Currently in a crisis phase. I guess I will have to restart everything. I haven’t been focused on either, with the exams going on. However, most of my papers have been written, so I cannot make excuses any more.
Unisa
I wrote three exams. Three. It was the most challenging week of the year this far, and I really studied very hard. No matter the results, I really know I did my best.
Three papers of Unisa got leaked and postponed. None of which were my subjects. Go figure.
PS: t was financial accounting subjects – a vocation where you seriously need to be honest, always. LOL.
Weather
Weather: It is finally winter. Whoop.
Reading
I got a book at a second hand book shop for R20 instead of R50. BARGAIN.
I will be posting a lot of reviews this week! Finally managed to review most of the books I read this last month.
I decided my two favorite magazines are Marie-Claire and Grazia (both South-African editions). I want to try sticking to buying only them from now on, as it will save me money, and both are great reads.
Electronics
Laptop crisis has escalated. I need proper internet and computing facilities right now. Dream list of electronics now include: Laptop, tablet, camera and new phone. Sigh.
Celebrities
I have finally accepted I am obsessed with celebrity news. I cannot stop reading it, and really, why should I? It makes me laugh, and it is interesting (At least to me) and is great conversation topics.
Justin Bieber left South-Africa. Halle-fricken-luja. This country had been going insane over him (I have never gotten the point of him, but anyhow). Because letting your daughter queue outside a stadium in Soweto is a fantastic example of good parenting. Legit.
Angelina Jolie revealed she had a double mastectomy to prevent breast cancer. Amazing. Really. I just think that every single woman on the planet who either went through a mastectomy, or such preventative measures, should be as celebrated as she is.
In real life, out there
Prof. Cyril Karabus finally landed in South-Africa. He was sentenced in abstentia last August in the United Arab Emirates for the death of a Yemeni girl he had treated for cancer. 1) How do you lock up a doctor for the death of a cancer patient 2) a “Yemeni” girl should have a name, 3) the UAE should be ashamed of themselves, and realize what message they sent out to the world in regards to how they treat the doctors who come to help in their country. Sies man.
Rest in peace Vuyo
The wonderful Vuyo Mbuli, presenter of Morning Live has passed away. I am still in shock. He was a great journalist, and a kind man. It touched me to read all the wonderful news, tweets and posts posted in your honor. It is refreshing to see a man so well loved by the entire nation.
Have a good day!
Weekends, books and stuff
Well, hello 🙂 this weekend was pretty nice, although I had a few moments where I wondered about the galling personalities some people have.
Books:
Finally read through Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. What a fantastic book – it was so amazing to read it again. It will always be one of my favourite books in the series. I started on the Deathly Hallows, and am wondering what book I will start on when I am finished – maybe some brand new writer I have never read before.
Weight loss:
I lost a kilogram! I have never been so happy to see the scale drop down. It has been on my mind how rapid weight loss diets are negatively impacting the way we see a healthy lifestyle. Healthy dieting means losing at most a kg a week, and I, being used to all these wonder diets, had been expecting 3-4 kg’s a week. Do you have any weight loss stories to share? Also, I was supposed to give up coffee from today, but I guess I will start that tomorrow :). Last week I managed to 30 minutes of exercise for three days – a record for the past few months! Keep those fingers crossed that I will do it this week as well.
I watched Lord of the Rings – Return of the King, this weekend. It was as superb as always. I really love those films.
Relationships:
Are so complex. Why do I have to deal with broken relationships (that has long ended) right now? Honestly, I have better things to focus on. The best part this weekend was when someone had the audacity to try to give advice about things they do not understand, or have no experiences in. Meh. Seriously, start dating then I will listen to your opinion, okay.
On the studying front, I didn’t make much progress. I had been working so hard on my last assignment submissions last week that I couldn’t find the energy to start again. I will be studying through the week now.
And lastly, some motivational stuff for a Monday. Enjoy
Life of this city girl 