5 things that make me smile

• everytime i hear the 'you make joburg great' advert on the radio
• seeing my man after spending a whole day + night without him
• cuddles from my two kitties
• hot, yummy smelling curry
• new stationery

Volcanoes, taxis and working from home

Everyone is talking about the volcano with the funny name. The one in Iceland. The one that caused/causing the closing of airspace over much of Europe. I think it's cool.

Saw a taxi take a bend a little too fast today - the drive hit a light pole and then a tree, killing himself in the process. Poor tree. No sympathy for taxi drivers.

I'm working from home this week. The office move is due to happen on Wednesday next week but in the mean time the current office is being dissolved around us - hence the working from home where there is internet connectivity, a phone line and coffee on demand.

Went shopping today. Bought two pairs of shoes, a shirt, a jacket, a t-shirt and a jersey :) How I love shopping - especially if I'm doing it on my own. Had a leisurely lunch and then came home to find insurance quotes for participants who will be participating in a study on 2nd trimester abortions - fun stuff.

Unmotivated

to do my thesis, that is. I just can't seem to get myself to sit down and write. I have a good plan/outline, a rather detailed one but I can't get going on the actual writing. The worse part is that my thesis is due in TWO WEEKS!

Yes, I know screaming doesn't help.

Tzaneen, Limpopo Province

I'm in Tzaneen today and tomorrow.

I'm amazed at the beauty of the landscape, the friendliness of the people and their rather strange sense of humour.

I'm travelling with my boss. She really is a wonderful boss and a lovely person. 

We had a productive day today despite waking up at 4am, flying to Polokwane, driving to Tzaneen, participated in three meetings and dodged a cow or two while driving. And that just day one. Tomorrow we meet with the Department of Health, the chief of the area we will be working in and visit a clinic.

Right now I'm in a five star hotel - had a long, hot bath and in a little while will be heading down for dinner. Sometimes I love my job :)

Sometimes, I do love my job :)

Update

I'm really bad at this blog writing thing. I read a lot of blogs each morning because people update their blogs each day - unlike me. The great thing though is that this is MY blog so technically I can post something if and when I want.

So what has been happening?

I stopped searching for a new car. I wanted a Honda Jazz more than anything else but after B had an accident last week (yes, a month after mine, God is testing us both, yes at the same time!) I decided to accept my father's offer of using my mother's car until early next year when he will borrow me the money to buy a BRAND NEW HONDA JAZZ! Yay me. Need to cut back on buying shoes and start saving towards new car.

My mum's car arrives on Friday at the train station. I'll be mobile again. I won't have to wake up 6am to catch a 7am lift to work. I won't have to leave the office early everyday to catch a lift home. I won't need to ask B to take me shopping. Feeling very grateful right now. Relaxed too.

Work is as stressful as always. My boss and I came in on a Saturday to start organising the packing process which starts soon. We move offices on the 26 April. Can't wait. I'll be 2km from home. Yay me!

I've still not recovered fully from the flu but have in no way let it impact on my work or social life. I've not spent a single day in bed recovering.

I've taken an extension for my thesis. I cannot cope with all this accident, not having a car, B being in an accident drama - I will work during April on putting together a complete draft that my supervisor can comment on and then take it from there.

I'm trying to be positive. Each day I work at it and think of all the things I have and all the things I am grateful for. I'm still breathing, right?!

Hoping the long weekend ahead will see me working on my thesis and cathcing up on sleep and spending quality time with B.

Happy Easter!

Flu and the long weekend

I spent my long weekend either constantly drugged up or blowing my nose. The flu found me and four days later has still not let me go. Yet I came to work!

Despite feeling like I've been hit by a train, I managed to sit through Alice in Wonderland (in 3D) and Valentine's Day (yes I know it's a month later).

I enjoyed both movies and have another 5 on my current list of movies to see.

In other news - I applied for an extension for my thesis, I'm getting closer to finding a car and work is at a more manageble pace.

I spent four hours at work today without electricity which forced me to do the dreaded tasks like filing...

Remember Me

It's been a while since I cried while watching a movie. The messages that came through strong and clear in this movie, left me feeling... like I've wasted too much time, like I've not paid enough attention, like I've not said the right words when I had the chance.

Let me explain. - the movie is about Tyler who is 'undecided about everything.' His older brother committed suicide at the age of 22, his parents are divorced and his little sister is looked at as a 'freak of nature' by the girls in her school. Tyler is lost in the sense that he has no ambition, no goals and no passion for anything other than writing to his deceased brother. He often gets into trouble with the law and needs to be bailed out of jail. In one particular incident he is assaulted by a cop. He later falls in love with the cop’s daughter and things start to change, and not just for Tyler. Tyler’s sister and father form a better relationship with each, so does Tyler and his father. There is realization which leads to change, love, sense of family and forgiveness of oneself. Having faced the trauma of suicide, the family finally realizes that the pain and guilt they each suffered has driven them apart and are now trying to make things better.

And then 9/11 happens and Tyler is killed.

It was at this point that I realized my mouth was hanging open and there were tears streaming down my cheeks. I had a realization of my own – I am not in control. Death can come at anytime. We often waste time being angry at people we love, we don’t say ‘I love you’ enough, we don’t hug each other regularly, we don’t forgive easily.
There are definitely lessons to be learnt…