And I have returned to my home town. Strange does not quite describe it. I’m trying to figure out when it hit me that I have returned.

It was not at Cape Town Airport, taking 2 screaming cats through security checks and sending them off to the cargo department.

It was not after take-off, taking in the breathtaking sight of Table Mountain towering over Cape Town and the harbour in all it majestic glory just after dawn.

It was not during the approach to the runway at OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg.

It was not during the hour long drive from the airport to Vanderbijlpark.

And then it happened. The things that made me realize that I am back.

Having to wait for some cattle to cross the highway leading into town, it made me burst into uncontrollable laughter and I thought “This is it. I have returned home.”

A delicious lamb stew for lunch, like only mother can make it, with the oh-so-necessary nap after lunch to aid in the digestion of a heavy meal.

Afternoon tea with a slice of my favourite carrot cake (like mom makes it ) about 5 minutes after I woke up from my nap.

Yes. I am back. At least for now.

Words escape me … what more can one say after a sunset like this … I love living here !

Sunset from Bloubergstrand, South Africa, 31 May 2008

Just when I needed something uplifting I stumbled across a scrapbook layout created last year. Little did I know what is in store for me back when I wrote this letter … and tonight I am pleased to find inspiration in my own words.

Love yourself young girl.

You do not have to be like everyone else. It is ok not to fit in with people that do not share your dreams and passions. You are not different, you are unique, and all you ever have to be, is the best you that you can possibly be.

Being a dreamer is not a bad thing. Know that one day you’ll connect to your dreams once again and start living them.
Until then, learn the lessons that life is teaching you, make the most out of every situation. And no matter how terrible things might seem, you’ll get through it.You’ll make it and you’ll be stronger, wiser, happier than you were before. Know that you are on course.

One day you’ll look back and realize this, but until that day, don’t stop believing in your dreams, in yourself. It’s worth it, you’ll see.

You can not always choose what will happen in your life, but you can always choose how you will handle it. In the end, you are in control of your emotions. How I wish that I can fast forward the time so that you can be here right now, just for a moment, just to know that you have nothing to fear from the future.

Do not let other people project their fears onto you.One day you will not be afraid any more. But perhaps you learned to conquer your fears at the right time, when you were ready and strong enough to do it.
Do not mull over the regrets you have.
Realize that everything that will happen to you was meant to be and will make you the woman you will become one day.

Don’t be afraid, don’t hesitate, do not procrastinate.
This is what will keep you from reaching your full potential.
This is what will make you look back and regret the things you didn’t do.
But when you realize all this, know for sure that it is not too late to live your dreams

Living with Tequila and Titus is far worse than living with a man.

Following a tough workout on Monday with a squash game the next day left me lying in bed this morning, trying to be grateful that I can at least still feel the muscles in my body. Even if I am not able to move them. After dragging myself out of bed I realized that I need coffee to wake up and a hot bath to soak my aching muscles. In this household, and with my cats, this proved to be easier said than done….

Mitzie switches on the kettle for some much needed coffee and start running some bath water while waiting for the kettle to boil. The water looks so inviting, she decides to leave the coffee until later and make her way to the bathroom.
After wrestling Tequila off the side of the bath she can get in and feel the warm water heating up her aching muscles. Tequila is not impressed and decided to spite Mitzie by lying on her towel. Mitzie gets up and kick the cat off the towel.
She gets back into the bath, and shut her eyes as she lies back to really soak those muscles. She forget about the risk of doing so and before long it happens. Titus the great warrior attacks the innocent toes.
Another cat gets slapped.

Since Titus can not open the tequila bottle to drown his sorrows after being kicked off the side of the bath, he settles for binging on the rest of his food.
Mitzie is happy, she can lie back in peace. And then, Titus having eaten too much, gets sick.
In front of the bathroom door.
Mitzie decides to relax in the bath and deal with that later.

There is movement. Tequila is back. She does not go down without a fight
She is trying to get to the water in the bath and eventually looses her balance.
Mitzie receives a few scratches while Tequila scrambles to get out of the bath.

It was expected that Tequila will now jump on the bed with her wet fur and start to lick herself dry.
But she has a better plan and decides that it is a good time to use the litter box,
leaving a trail of cat litter that got stuck to her fur all over the apartment as she makes her way back to the bathroom.

She tries try to settle on the towel again.
Mitzie decides to give it all up and get out out of the bath as she is chasing the cat off her towel with brutal force.
She should have had the coffee before the bath.

Mitzie continues to dry herself and rub in all her lotions and potions all over her body … finding it rather soothing. She is calming down.
It is chilly and she runs for the bedroom to get dressed.

But she forgot about the regurgitated catfood …

A friend so dear
for so long we were not near
Though time was not on our side
memories will forever be vast and wide

We are never truly apart
you have your special place in my heart
You are watching over me
and forever I know that is where you will be.

In loving memory of my dearest Cornè (May ‘75 - Aug ‘02)

Also known as Chinese Venice … During my recent trip to China my colleague and good friend made arrangements for a quick trip to Suzhou, a city that surely has the potential to be a very romantic experience if you focus on the canals and gardens. I definitely want to go back there for a little boat trip on the canals … I kind of ended up having to choose between shopping and the boat ride and that was of course a no-brainer ! It was a great weekend, the fun factor was in overdrive and by the Sunday night I was just too pleased to use the next 12 hours on a train to Beijing as a good excuse to take it easy and get some much needed rest.

A few images from Suzhou …

Why is it that I tend to only remember the photographed events ? The most memorable moments are often those without the pictures …

It was 1999, a *daring* team building exercise and I can remember the excitement, the doubts, the fears …

What an amazing experience it was … the doubt crept in when we were taken through the preparation and my ‘mind’ did not play along. We were holding a ball on a piece of string between thumb and forefinger and had to ‘move’ the string backwards and forwards in our minds. After 5 minutes mine was the only one not moving. I was told that I am ruining the experiment (tongue in cheek of course) and that the point to be proven here is that everyone was actually starting to move their fingers and that is why the ball is moving … illustrating that sometimes you think your mind is controlling something but it still require some physical involvement. By now I was a bit concerned that my ‘mind’ would not be able to tell me that the coals are cool !

But standing in front of those coals … facing them and then taking the first step, doing the actual walk, crushing them under my feet, getting to the other side and not being burned. It didn’t feel like glowing coals … it felt liberating and uplifting.

So what am I on about ?

Just that sometimes things are not as they seem.

And sometimes things do no turn out as expected.

And sometimes, it is time to face the firewalk. Whatever may be.

After all, if we avoid the fire, how will we ever know ?

The acomodador or giving-up point. An event in your life that is responsible for you failing to progress. “It can be a trauma, a defeat, a disappointment in love that has lead us to loose our courage in life. The development of our self-awareness can only proceed if we can liberate ourselves from the ‘acomodador’ “

Another bit of inspiration from a remarkable book by Paulo Coelho. Is it possible to read his work and not be touched in some way ? Usually a personal-beyond-comfort kind of way.

I read The Zahir just over a week ago on a plane from Dubai to Cape Town. The pages kept turning and as the plane was touching down on the runway there were 20 pages to go - I couldn’t wait to get home to finish the book.

And of course the acomodador has been playing on my mind ever since … So many things that I have started just to drop it too quickly. Too many regrets about things left hanging in the air. Time to tackle these things again. Perhaps I will share them some time. But I have taken the first step … even a few more …

It has been identified. And I’m liberating myself from it.

No thoughts on why it is not possible. No procrastinating. No stagnating.

Just do.

Still on the topic of wildlife …. a few photos of up close and personal experiences with a Giraffe, Elephants, Lion Cubs and a Cheetah.

Each one of these experiences were indeed very memorable … and it is good to know that by having the experience you are also contributing to funding for research and care of them.

But there is something to be said about seeing wild animals in a natural habitat … a whole different experience.