Catch Up

Ok so sad have just checked and I have 15 draft posts. Don't know why I didn't finish them. Today will be fun trying to remember what I intended to write. So I'll start with now and work back. Wont that be confusing.

So I had a great day yesterday hanging with Niki Botha who is to those in the know the Queen of the Universe. She took me to hang out in Long Street which is and I quote "an institution" in Cape Town. A funky eclectic street which if you've been to Melbourne is a lot like Smith Street and Brunswick Street. People were much more casual and relaxed than those around Constantia Village. But at the same time the casualness seemed to be a little contrived by some. Designer grunge if you will.

But I had a great time picked up a first addition book as a gift for my dad as a thank you, some cool beads that look like African masks / shields and a CD on how to speak Xhosa.

The host kids are also in town Cecil and Kaylene such great kids. We had much fun in the pool yesterday. And today promises to be a cracker as well. Alright posting now and starting on the others.

And it kept coming.

So I was sick and it continued for two more days. I felt 3000% better than the first day but the aches and pains were still there, the bathroom was re listed as my place of residence and a bio-hazard unit had come to take away the alien material all calmed back down.

But it is very hard being sick in someone else's house.

So very sick.

Today has been awful. And before you read further despite the euphemisms it will be graphic.

I was awake all night with a combination of vomiting and #2's which smelt like death. So bad the dog growled & yelped when he came in after the flush!!!

Combine that with the night sweating and the fact I was sleeping on the bathroom floor as it was the only place I felt comfortable and you know I was not feeling tops. When I looked in the Mirror this morning I saw a creature from the black lagoon. So to try and feel normal I had a shower only to find being vertical for too long took a toll.

So I have spent the day rising and trying to be human and returning to bed after about 20mins for 2 & 3 hour stretches.

This afternoon has been a little better but I have found lifting Issa or trying to the hokey pokey has left me weak.

So much so I am signing off now to return to my place in the water closet.

The month so far.

Well it has been hot ever since I arrived. But it looks like it will be wet for the next week. And yet that will still be fun. Have been taking a lot of opportunity to swim in the pool. Even if you push off and reach the other end or two strokes to the end.

I have managed to hook up a contraption that ties to the filter port and then around my waist so I can pretend to swim laps. Sounds arduous but it works. You can kind of see the pool in the attached pic. Will add a better one once I figure how to upload from my dads camera.

Received the first piece of ID required to get my UK ancestory VISA and am now waiting on mum to send hers.

Issy loves the pool so we have been practicing. She is amazing for 21 months!!! Can duck dive, climb in and out and her kicking is great, I plan on getting her a kick board.

Have also been searching for jobs internationally and it all sounds very promising. Looking at HSBC, Darnell International and some other finance postings. But as I have been online for almost 6 hours. My eyes are about to go square. Signing off.

Wednesday

At right is a picture of Issy with Brendoline the emergency foster child who has now gone on awaiting a chance to go back to her parents.

I will be sad to see her go on Friday.

Its odd but despite the fact my life is not a social whirlwind or an ongoing sightseeing tour I am enjoying myself.

It is nice to spend time with my family. I appreciate having someone to "really" talk to in Dani.

Today I was up at 6am. Did Yoga a 7 - 7:30am. then some crunches and a bit of running. Read bit of running as 10 times up and back the drive probably 50 metres one way. But for those of you who know me you would also realise his is quite impressive as I HATE running. I don't know why I make myself but in the words of Ned Kelly "such is life"

And as I haven't done yoga in about 3 months that too was a struggle. I know it sounds a bit Bridget Jones but I am maintaining an intake of at least 6 x 300ml water with some days as high as 9. Not sure my weight is any better but I am feeling fitter. Trying not to eat to many carbs at exercise every day.

Isabella is a hoot. Now that dad is home I am no longer the favourite. I am not even allowed to read her a bed time story :(. But dad is away on another trip next week so hopefully I will be allowed to put her to bed again.

More steps in the right direction.

So now I have been inspired to start tracking the ways in which I am progressing to who I want to be and have joined "traineo" check the link to my progress down the bottom.

Out of the ashes

So it is 8.50pm in Cape Town, South Africa on the 28th of January. I am still a little tired from yesterdays Australia Day party and have finally got baby Brendoline and my sister Issa (Isabella) to sleep. (Will update with pics at a later stage.)

Have sent my Father (Peter) and my step-mother (Dani) off for a romantic dinner while I babysit. Since I arrived on the 18th ? or 19th I hadn't seen dad till Friday night so I have no idea how long it is since Dani saw him.

I guess it was a while as Issy and Baba (the dog) wouldn't let him out of their sights.

I have decided this is the year of new starts hence my allegiance to the Phoenix. It will be my axiom. Now all I need is a battle cry or a dictum. Ok this year is meant to be simpler and I am going "way" to deep.

So for all of you I am sending the posting out too. Australia Day was celebrated with some very nice bubbles and some white wine. On that note I like my white wine chilled but I obviously didn't know how cool it could be. Every person who accepted a glass of white put ice in it!!! To me very odd but apparently the norm here. Watered down white ??? It takes all kinds.

We served our guests shrimp from the braai (BBQ) and springbok sausages to even the playing field. Lots of salads and for those who know me you would know I can't resist the opportunity to bake. So Pavlova and Lemon Meringue Pie were my contributions to the meal.

We also had Dad & Dani's host children (Cecil 14 and Kaylene 13 - brother & sister) here for the weekend. Such sweet kids. They were teaching me rap and how to dance. Michael Jackson eat your heart out. I felt I needed to show them I memorised rap when I was younger (what a geek I am) and I repeated verbatim Morris Minor & the Majors - Stutter Rap. Who knew that in the recesses of my brain that had lurked for 2 decades!!!

So I downloaded the words and they are determined to memorise them by the time they come back.

So I will write more. I am here for 6 more weeks. And then unless I get a job offer I am back to Aus. We will see.

goodnight