#100HappyDays ROUND 2: Days 21-30

Greetings, everyone who still comes here. Sorry I’ve been so scarce. I’m currently in data wars with my service provider again, and I had to take a necessary break to prevent me having to buy yet more data. Soon I’ll start naming and shaming them.

However, this is supposed to be a HAPPY post, and we seriously need one right now. I’m doing quite well on this challenge. I’m actually at Day 40-something now, so I just know how long I’ve been missing from here. So, without further ado, here we go!

Day 21: I am also currently in a war with unhealthy eating habits and carbs in particular. It really isn’t easy, but on this particular day I actually chose a nice and healthy option at a restaurant here in South-Africa. Since that said restaurant has been in the media for unsavory reasons as of late, I’m not willing to praise them too much right now. Day 22:
There is a coffee machine at my work that makes us cappuccinos. YES, I am that lucky. They get me through the mornings where anything other than caffeine would be scoffed at and chased away. It was delicious!

Day 23:

To be honest, this was another day where I had to work really hard to get something to post. I was still dieting really good, and this picture really is the truth, so there you go.

Day 24:

My mom bought me these shoes from Woolworths for my birthday. They are so comfy, pretty and corporate that I can work in them in ease and still look professional AF.

Day 26:

I know. I took a bathroom selfie. I’m so ashamed. That jean is officially hanging on me now (starting to sag already in the pic). So yay for progress!

Day 27:

Went to see Kong. It was such a fun, popcorn-entertainment film.

Day 28:

Yoh. Let me tell you that this particular day tested my patience. This cappuccino was literally the only thing that kept me from biting people.

Day 29:

We had some dinner at John Dory’s. I love good seafood when I can find it, and this was really delicious!

Day 30:

My sister, myself and mom pictured above went to the Botanical Gardens here in Johannesburg. The drought that plagued Gauteng for two years was recently broken, and this is evident looking how gorgeously green and in full bloom the garden is right now.

What have you been up to lately? Tell me in the comment section!

April 5, 2017April 5, 2017 by Natasha Categories: 100 Happy Days, 2017, UncategorizedTags: 100 Happy Days, Cappuchino, Gauteng, good times, happy, Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, John Dory's, Kong: Skull Island, Life, Seafood 1 Comment

March to May: Watched, Read, Loved

I was all over the place with this post , claiming that I would do some monthly rundowns. I was planning to, I really was, but as you know life is a busy little bastard and all you can do sometimes is hold on for dear life and hope not to fall off the wagon.

In Cinema:

I’ve been to cinema quite a lot the last couple of months. There were a few films I wanted to watch before the internet spoiled everything, and for the most part I walked out relatively pleased.

1. Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice

The biggest problem with Batman vs. Superman? It lacked heart. Not all films should be lighthearted, but BvS had no comic relief and no passion – you need either of the two. I didn’t hate it though, but I do think that DC should have worked a little harder if they really plan to have a fighting chance in an environment so dominated by their biggest rivals.

2. The Huntsman: Winter’s War 

I will definitely watch this again – it is easy, comfortable watching, not necessarily great but it was quite fun. It also contains my husband, and that can’t be ignored!

3. The Jungle Book

Beautiful and charming, it impressed me with its gorgeous CGI and traditional storyline. Not my favorite Disney live action film, but it was good nonetheless. I am still the most excited for Beauty and the Beast next year. I CAN’T WAIT.

4. Captain America: Civil War

Woohoo!! This was so great! It probably deserves a higher score from me, because on reflection I had a blast with it.

At Home:

Blindspot:

March: Love Actually – it was OKAY. Not really my favourite romantic comedy and I won’t be watching it again.

April: Home Alone – not gonna lie, I hated this. I am way too old for this shit

May: Warrior Sooo good, but not something I’d recommend as a pick me up.

Other films:

Begin Again (2013) – I really enjoyed it! It is surprising and not really as close to a romcom as it might sound, and I especially enjoyed the track.

The Fast and The Furious (2001) – This way Throw Back was the best and entertaining. I had the best time even though it is as ridiculous, gawdy, a murky story line and terrible acting. It’s all about investing in the future films, you see.

Wild Child (2008) – Wild Child is a favorite movie of 2008 for me. It has everything – the teenage drama, the love story, the gorgeous hero, friendship, everything! I had to force myself not watching it again right after!

Series:

I’m rewatching The Vampire Diaries at the moment and having a complete and utter blast.  I stopped half way into Season two to focus on exams, but I am so onboard getting my ass to season 7 eventually! Can we just say #teamDamon all the way?!

Reading:

Last Chance Salloon (Marian Keyes) – hmmm, not my favorite Marian Keyes. It was good in some places but it took me ages to get through it – long, laborious reading.

Me Before You (JoJo Moyes) – surprising and good, well thought out, not overly sloppy.

The Welcoming (Nora Roberts) – for the life of me I can’t write a review on this for some reason. It is very bland, definitely some of Nora’s most basic work. It isn’t bad or offensive, just pretty tame and nearly put me to sleep in some places.

I finally finished Big Magic after months of searching for it! I’d love to read it again, with a highlighter and a note pad.

Currently also reading:

Evening Class by Maeve Binchy. – this book is a real drag, to be honest. I don’t get why the author is compared to the likes of Marian Keyes – Binchy writes books that make me fall fast asleep. I thought perhaps this book was different from the other one I read by her, but it is shockingly the same – the exact same format and story if you take away all the frills.

Collaboration:

I reviewed over on T9M’s site The Help (2011) – such an awesome flick!

I also reviewed for Kim and Drew‘s 80’s blogathon – When Harry Met Sally – what a great film, definitely worthy of a classic status.

What have you been up to?

May 20, 2016May 19, 2016 by Natasha Categories: 2016, Life, Life Lately, UncategorizedTags: Alan Rickman, Alex Pettyfer, Anthony Mackie, Batman, Batman vs Superman, Begin Again, Ben Affleck, Bill Nighy, Billy Joel, Blindspot 2016, Books, Captain America: Civil War, Charlize Theron, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Colin Firth, Damon Salvatore, Don Cheadle, Emilia Clarke, Emma Roberts, Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Evening Class, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavil, Home Alone, Hugh Grant, Ian Somerhalder, Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton, JoJo Moyes, Keira Knightley, Last Chance Saloon, Liam Neesn, Liam Neeson, Life, Life Lately, Love Actually, Maeve Binchy, Marian Keyes, Mark Ruffalo, Martin Freeman, Martine McCutcheon, Me Before You, Meg Ryan, Michelle Rodriguez, monthly rundown, Nick Nolte, Paul Walker, Robert Downey Jnr, Rowan Atkinson, Sam Claflin, Sebastian Stan, The Fast and the Furious, The Help, The Huntsman: Winter's War, The Jungle Book, The Vampire Diaries, Tom Hardy, Viola Davis, Warrior, When Harry Met Sally, Wild Child 2 Comments

The Saddest Goodbye

It is a universally accepted truth that no parent should ever bury their child.

I’m not about to disagree with that because it is true – it is the way life is supposed to go

But what is really never discussed is how painful it is for a child to bury their parent.

My father Jan Hendrik Stander passed away on the 19th of September 2015.

He had a short battle with liver cancer.

He was first hospitalized in May 2015.

He died four months later.

Cancer is not kind. It is not romantic and it isn’t what they make in the movies.

There is nothing beautiful about it.

I saw a strong, funny, hyper intelligent man turn into a deathly pale invalid that could not move himself.

Cancer reveals what love is. 

But it isn’t this pretty thing that people think.

It’s a painful, maddening love that makes you weep hysterically.

It makes you shake your fist angrily at whatever deity might be listening.

Cancer makes you question religion. I think it is impossible to blindly trust God at times like this.

But cancer makes you also realize what is important – family and a handful of friends.

Earthly possessions holds no value.

My father was a wonderful man – he had a sarcastic sense of humor, and he could be so negative that I could sometimes only laugh. He was incredibly well read and intelligent, he was kind to car guards and to waiters, he had faith that he based on facts and not because he was told to believe.

It is unreal that he is gone – how can life just be wiped away so completely?

I will miss him forever. He was one of the best men I will ever know, and the void in my life feels huge. I know the sadness will fade and that life will move on, but he will always be my father and I will love him to the end of days.

September 28, 2015September 27, 2015 by Natasha Categories: General, LifeTags: Cancer, Death, Goodbye, Life 38 Comments

Currents

Location: Potchefstroom NWU University for my Microbiology practicals. I always like it here but it also always feels like I am living someone else’s life – the full time students with nothing but time. It feels so weird.

Reading: Insurgent by Veronica Roth. This is where Tris is the most annoying, so it is a slow process.

Watching: Trying get into the swing of Vikings. Everyone keeps raving about it so I am willing to give a few episodes a try.

Recently watched: Heathers, Insurgent and the Longest Ride on the movie side of things. Heathers was by far the best movie of the three, and I am going to gush about it if I ever get to writing a review for it. I reviewed the Longest Ride here, and I am first finishing the book Insurgent before I properly bitch about the movie – a girl needs her priorities straight.

Thinking about:

Grief: About how it doesn’t really change you, but it shows you who you really are. I finally feel like all the bullshit has been scraped away from my eyes because for the first time in a long time I know what really matters. I am not ready to word yet what has been going on in my life, but I’ve realized that your heart can keep on breaking every single day and you can still have the power to keep moving through life.

Savings: Like, I really need to start. I have to be able to live in Potch next year for six weeks and I have no idea how I am going to carry myself financially through 2016. I just love ADDITIONAL stress, you know.

Health: It will fully incorporate into the whole GRIEF post eventually, but I’ve just realized again what a life of bad eating habits does to a person. Healthy eating and regular exercise is also a way to combat depression, so I need to start doing both because I think that depression is not that far from where I am at this point. I am seriously considering Banting – I’ve heard great testimonials from people I know and they all look and feel great. I plan to start next week when I am back in Johannesburg, but will obviously only keep you updated if it works for me.

Excited about: Honestly, not much. I am really happy it is getting warmer here – I HATED THIS WINTER, and I am both happy and sad that Downton Season 6 is on its way.

How about you? What is going on in your life?

September 1, 2015August 31, 2015 by Natasha Categories: GeneralTags: Downton Abbey, grief, Heathers, Insurgent, Life, Quotes, random posts, Reading, The Longest Ride, Watching 8 Comments

Thoughts: Moving and what accompanies it

This past weekend was one of those “No fun allowed” kinda weekends. I moved out of the home I had been living in for 25 years (i.e. my life) and I can now say that moving is the most draining experience you will ever undertake: physically and emotionally.

However, I am miraculously mostly settled in, and that prompted me to make a list of the random thoughts I had while moving.

How can I have so many things?

Letters, books, DVDs, clothes, shoes, bed, blankets, tables, chairs, make-up, brushes, bags, double copies of books – DOUBLE COPIES OF BOOKS THAT IS INSANITY, pillows, fridge, stove, kettle, toaster, MORE BOOKS.

How is it possible that I fit so many objects into my old place?

Really now. What spatial miracle did I do the first time around and why is it not working this time around?

I HATE carrying things

They are so heavy and bulky and many. WHY do we have to carry things around?

My car will be less packed if I went on a trip to Uzbekistan for a month right now.

I did not know my car could carry such a load. I am duly impressed.

Have I mentioned SO many things?

Bubblewrap is suddenly not only there for endless popping entertainment. It is an incredibly helpful tool to wrap things in. It is a miracle.

Carrying boxes through the rain… NOT FUN

I will never entertain the ridiculous notion that rain is in any way romantic ever again.

Ladders.

They are beautiful things helping vertically challenged individuals like myself reach places.

Plastic bags are wonderful

They are somehow much easier to carry than boxes, they don’t stink or damage your stuff when it gets rained on, they can be packed VERY full. Beauties.

Selection process: TWO times

At your old place, go through your things and decide what you want. Then, at the new place do it again and trash the stuff you suddenly realised is useless mainly because it will never fit.

It’s “Gifting” season

You are just being a nice person if you give things to people they can use and you have no space for. It doesn’t benefit you more than it does them, nope not at all. You are being kind.

Don’t listen to advice when it is about moving your stuff in a certain way.

Especially if you know for a fact that you have a better eye for dimensions than the other person. You will just tire out yourself by moving things around three times before settling on the way you knew it would work in the first place.

Storage solutions for small places

Were designed by some kind spiritual being for small places.

Well, that is mostly it. Feel free to comment below with your horror stories about moving!

March 25, 2015March 22, 2015 by Natasha Categories: General, Thoughts, UncategorizedTags: general, Life, Moving, Thoughts 22 Comments

Happy things

Morning…

(image source)

As you may have noticed by my narky rants the last while, I have been in a slump. To combat this attitude, I am writing a list of things that make me happy.

I list everything in life – shopping lists, to-do lists, what I spent money on, what I will take on vacation, what exercises I did, etc. Why not make a list of things that makes me happy?

Writing happy lists will most definitely make you feel happier afterwards. It will pull you out of your slump and remind you that this earth contains beautiful and funny things that make life worth living.

(image source)

A list of things that make me happy

Rain

Listing to the rain pattering on the roof.

Nicky Noodle, my little Jack Russell. She is so damn happy all the time it is impossible not to respond in kind.

Flowers

Walking my dog in the afternoon

Blogging

Remembering funny moments and having a silent giggle about it

Seeing someone you haven’t seen in a while and having the best time

Reading

Discovering good blogs

Sitting in my sunny living room on a Sunday and enjoying the sun and drinking coffee

The fact that there are people who love me with ridiculous amounts of love

I have a job, a house and food to eat.

I have no diseases.

Suddenly understanding a formula or function in math or chemistry

Nerding around and creating beautiful excel spread sheets ❤

(image source)

What makes you happy?

October 17, 2013 by Natasha Categories: QuotesTags: Life, lists, Positive thinking, Quotes 2 Comments

5 things Friday – 5 things

This week went by fast – I only started working again on Wednesday, so it wasn’t much of a week. For a quick one it has been quite eventful. Here are Five things that either happened to me or in the world this week.

Independence

While my sister is on her honeymoon, I am taking care of their flat. It is unbelievable how free it makes me feel to be completely on my own. The independence is staggering and very educational. It isn’t so easy to take care of yourself, is it? Funnily enough, I miss my parents. It is natural to want to live alone after a certain age, and I can’t wait to be out on my own, but I still miss them when I don’t see them after a certain period of time.

Friendships

I mentioned last week that I recently got contacted by a person who I banished from my life a few years ago. The banishment was justified, and in the last while I haven’t given it much thought – it is natural for people to go on with their lives. It was all well until the contact happened. I am supposed to see said person tomorrow. I think I will only be certain tomorrow if I will do it.

Then there is another person who is extremely close to getting an earful from me. She has been my friend since we were seven years old, and I really thought we would be friends forever. I am in no way saying that people should put their relationships before friendships, but there has to be a balance. We had arrangements this week to meet up, and once again, she cancelled. Not only did she cancel on me, she cancelled after she told me at the wedding she would certainly be there – I suspect that she knew then she wouldn’t come. There is no way to say this nicely, but her new boyfriend is an ass. He is most definitely behind this as I know he dislikes me. So for once (apart from a slightly childish Facebook post from my side) I walked away. I discussed my feelings with someone I trust, and just left it there. I am not sure what I am doing right now about our friendship, but I have mastered the ability to keep my mouth shut – no small feat.

A quote from my diary at work – very apt.

“Wisdom is divided into two parts: (a) having a great deal to say, and (b) not saying it” – unknown

So, the idea of friends and what it means have been bugging me. My friendship group is big and complicated, full of fights and drama, but also of love and laughter. These two people above are not part of my intimate group of friends, for which I am grateful, but shutting them out permanently will break my heart. I really have no idea what to do with them.

South-Africa blushes – again

SA is known for many things – braaing, beautiful scenery, crime, and corruption, a president without basic education, Oscar Pistorius, crime, corruption, and crime.

After the terrorist attack in Kenya at the Westgate mall, where more than 70 people were killed, it is rumoured that a woman nicknamed the White Widow was one of the masterminds. There is now a red alert issued from Interpol to find her. What does this have to do with South-Africa, you ask? It would seem that this woman lived in SA with an illegal South-African passport for three years, while she was still being searched for by the United Kingdom for suspected terrorist involvement there.

Let’s all just hang our heads in shame, SA. Our country is not only a hotbed of criminal activity, but apparently also a convenient hideout for terrorists.

*I really love South-Africa. This just seems like a bit much.

Branding

Last week Friday my blog broke its record for most views in one day – thank you! It was amazing to see when I logged back on after the weekend. I am so excited about my blog – it is constantly growing. I finally have an outlet for all the opinions I have.

I have been playing with the idea of a second blog, focusing on fashion and beauty. I love both, and would be incredibly happy to start a blog for it. I am still planning and organizing my thoughts, as it would probably triple the amount of work and writing I am currently doing.

Personal branding is very important, especially on the internet today. I want to find a name for my work that will be instantly recognisable – I don’t think my blog’s title is very memorable right now. That said; I am worried if I change the title again, it will confuse my current users. Any comments or suggestions?

Love for RPattz.

I am watching all the Twilight movies again, and I have been reminded how much I liked Robert Pattison. For some reason, I forgot how looky he is. I have been reminded. Thank you, Twilight.

Have a good one!

September 27, 2013 by Natasha Categories: Breaking Dawn, Five Things Friday, WeekendsTags: crime, Family, Friday, friends, Independance, Kenya, Life, Parents, Robert Pattinson, South-Africa, Terrorism, The White Widow, Twilight 1 Comment