Dear South Africa

Dear South Africa

Just a few days ago 2 police officers were tragically killed in England. The continuous reporting and outcry has been broadcasts since the incident took place.

In South Africa, police officers are killed daily. What worries me is the lack of sympathy for these people. Someone has just lost a child / parent / sibling / friend / mentor / hero while defending OUR country, and I make special reference to OUR because it is all of ours to protect, love and enjoy. These police officers have made a commitment to defend, protect and enforce the law on OUR behalf.

Granted, our police force has its problems more often than not we have more bad to say about them than good, but looking deeper into the matter the problems could stem from lack of funding, training and leadership.

Here is a short video clip of the amount of respect that has been shown for the police officer that was killed while responding to a call while on duty in England. This would never happen in SA. But why?

 

Every child at some point wants to be a police officer or a fire fighter while growing up. Partly because of the uniforms and partly because we are taught that these brave people are respected and do good for people and make a difference in the world. I think as we get older we forget that.

My please to SA is to start changing our attitudes towards out police force, appreciate that SA has a police force to help protect us. Let’s show them a little more respect, a little more appreciation and a little more admiration. Being a police officer in SA is a tough job and it takes a very braver person to go onto the streets of SA to protect a nation that is more often than not against them rather than for them.

Roll on October

So this week marked the start of a new month. October has arrived. The scary realisation that there is only 3 months left of 2012 and the realisation that I have been living this adventure for almost 6 months.

I am particularly excited about this month because I have a very exciting trip coming up. I will be travelling to Prague in the Czech Repulbic and to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. 2 places that are on my bucket list and I am so excited to tick them off.

I love that my days are filled with reading up on the history of these 2 amazing places, I am filled with knowledge and excitement at the same time.

Initially when I set off on my adventure one thing always stuck in the back of my mind. If I go alone, I will be alone. All the places I want to see are possibly going to be done solo, something that I had accepted and was prepared to do. While you are travelling you meet so many amazing people and you plan these unbelievable trips to discover the world together.

Once again, I am forced to righten up my budget and be a lot moer careful of my spending so that I can splurge out and have an unforgettable holiday. Its all worth it. And im getting quite good at this budget thing. As my build up continues I shall take you on my adventure.

Should I stay or should I go?

So often I say the words: "I will blog more" and so often I dont, however, this time I can defend myself. I had ordered a new laptop and it took forever to arrive. My order somehow managed to get lost in the system but not to worry I have it now and can continue to share with you the exciting adventure that I am on.

After being in London for a month, I will admit I struggled in the beginning. Having left my heart in Israel (I completely fell in love with the country and would never forget the experience I had)I didnt know if this was the right decision. Being in a country that spoke english, drove on the same side of the road as South Africa and had nearly the same products as South Africa, I thought I would slip right in and feel at home. This was not the case.

My confidence was down and the thought of having to start over again, for the second time this year, scared me. Making new friends. Getting into a new routine. A new job. A new house. It isnt as easy as it sounds in your head until you put it on paper and try and make sense of it. I was ready to move back to Israel and spend the rest of my time there.

I was talking to one of my dear friends a few days ago who has had such a whirlwind year (divorce, changing jobs, moving house) it has been a tough year, she had pointed out to me that although my year seems broken up it too has been tough.

2 weeks ago I spent Rosh Hashana with my Jewish family and last weekend with some childhood friends that now live in London and what a difference it has made. I can now see the world in a different light as I know that I do have support and I am not alone.

Not having access to the internet has made it difficult too as I have not had much contact with my family and friends in South Africa but now I am pleased to say that I am happy and that this is going to be a great journey.

I remember the reasons why I had decided to go on this adventure and I have new found excitement.

The Holocaust Museum, Jerusalem, Israel 2 May 2012

Gloomy day in Israel today. I wanted to go to the old city in Jerusalem but sand storms and a bit of rain it wouldn't be very nice.

Instead I went to the Holocaust Museum. No words can describe it. Its a hard hitting realization of what Jews went through during the time of Hitler; the German takeover, the killing of Jews, women and children alike. If they were not being shot at point blank range into the pits that they themselves had dug, they were being gassed in huge chambers.

You are not allowed to take photos inside the museum, there is just too much to tell about, something everyone should see, if not because they are Jewish but because it has to be heard and people should know about it. It was a hard hitting realization of what people of families went through and the tragic battle they had lost.

Throughout the museum, there were many artifacts and remains such as letters, clothes, shoes and jewelry from the people that had died.

I remember reading a book called "the boy with the stripped pajamas"today after seeing the actual 'stripped pajamas'- the uniforms that Jews had to wear during the Holocaust - sent shivers down my spine.

It is a real moving experience. A lesson I learnt from it was that no matter who you are - black, white, pink, blue, Jewish, Christian, Hindu or Muslim - everyone has a past, everyone has a dream and everyone deserves a future. We are all people and should be given the same respect and humanity as anyone else

Week 1 in Israel

Greetings.


I arrived in Tel Aviv, Israel on Thursday, 26th April 2012. Not knowing what to expect I was excited and more that ready. After a very long stop in Germany I was tired and very irritated. 


My cousin met me at the airport when my flight came in at 3 am. I was lucky that I could go back to her house and sleep for a while.


It was independence day here on the 26th April so much celebration was taking place. We went to a barbecue (braai) the day I arrived where it was very interesting to see how there were so many people coming and going, each person that arrived had a dish in hand and settle into the festivities.


After spending the day here it suddenly hit me that I was a million miles from home and so far out of my comfort zone I was blown away. For weeks and months before I left, i was hardly phased about my departure and I was waiting in anticipation for the moment it would sink it. I think that moment struck while I was getting out of the cat at O.R Tambo International Airport where I thought I was going to have a heart attack but I survived it and started my journey. It was not until I was in Israel that I had realized and it had sunk in.


It was a tough day but I was fortunate that I had family around me. I think the hardest thing to comprehend was the language barrier, I was fully aware and prepared that I was going to a country where English was not in fact the first language, however I don't think I was fully prepared to the extent of my limitations. Not being able to open the fridge and read one word, not being able to watch a lot of TV, small things such as getting into the car on the wrong side. looking the wrong way when crossing the street. It is all part of the experience though and I am learning day buy day. I am already adjusting quite well I think, well... I can at least get into the car on the correct side for now.


I spent the weekend (Friday and Saturday) at the beach where everyone plays 'tennis' - bats and balls, plays their guitars and plays backgammon - apparently a very big thing in Israel. I have learnt how to play backgammon while being here, its not as easy as it looks but not as hard to learn either. Still very confused but im sure i will get better. 


I have 1 week before I go to the Kibbutz so will be trying to do a bit of traveling while i pass time. Would like to see a bit of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in the next few days.


'till next time

A post from Germany

So, yesterday I left South Africa - what an emotional rollercoaster. I honestly didnt expect it to be this hard to say goodbye to my family.

I was so calm building up to the event until I got to the airport. But with the new life in mind and the full support of my family behind me made it easier to get through.

I landed in Frankfurt, Germany this morning to very chilly weather, thought the sun would come through but not today. I fly out again tonight and should arrive in Tel Aviv, Israel in the very early hours tomorrow morning. It is Independence Day in Israel tomorrow so will be spending the day with the family, whatever we will be doing.

Will be posting another update when I get settled in Israel, hopefully by then I will know what Kibbutz I will be going to and what I will be doing there.

Until then...

Im out.

My last day at work

Today marks the last day of work.

As I look around and start my goodbyes, I am reminded of the last few years that I have been here. Truth is, it hasn’t always been easy. There have been some extreme lows but I have also had some really good days. More importantly I have learnt a wealth of knowledge that I cannot only use in my career but also in life.

I am excited to take the next step in my life and learn so much more.

My graduatation day

As most people do, I went straight to university when I finished matric. As a naïve 17 year old, I had no idea what I was in store for. I had no idea what I wanted to be, what I was going to study and what was expected of me.

Luckily having an older sister who was already in the university system I thought I knew or had an idea of what I was doing. Little did I know.

I remember orientation week, where you go and mix with other first year students, a week where you are supposed to make friends and find your way around. It was not what I had expected and really thought and still do think that it is unnecessary.

Over the years of studying, I made some incredible friends and created bonds with some amazing people that will carry on for a life time.

University teaches you life experiences that you cannot learn anywhere else. You are given a timetable and left to be, you learn so much about yourself in terms of what you can handle, how you handle situations and what you can do to overcome it.

Varsity life. There is just no way to describe it until you have lived it. Partying all night, 7:30 lectures in the middle of winter, a staple diet of burgers and toasted sandwiches, winging exams, lift clubs, the library – the single most distractingly quiet place on earth.

I could not have gotten through the years if it was not for my family and friends. They were behind me every step of the way.

Thank you to all who were apart of my experience!

Happy Easter and Chag Sameach

 

HAPPY EASTER!!!!

Hope that this weekend is filled with lots of family, laughter, love and lots and lots of chocolate.

To everyone who gave something up for lent, I hope it has been a success and I hope what ever you gave up is just as amazing as you remember it!

CHAG SAMEACH

To everyone celebrating the passover,hope you dont eat too much Matzah.

Love life

Have you ever spent so much of your life doing what other people want you to do, thinking the way other people want you to think, being someone you are not?

It is so draining.

I go against the grain, not because I want to go out of my way to be different but because I am. I like to do things my way and I like to make sure that it is something that I am proud of. Whether it is to prove to myself that I can do it or so I know in my heart that I tried it and did the best that I can.

The past couple of weeks I have started to ‘learn to let go’. I try not to let petty things get to me and I do my best to live a life that I can look back on and be proud of – not a life that someone else wanted me to live.

I found the above picture and it is so true. If you accept life and take it as it comes instead of planning every move you will enjoy it more and have more fun.

LEARN TO ENJOY THE LIFE THAT YOU HAVE, IF YOU DON’T CHANGE IT.

LIVE FOR YOU AND LIVE A LIFE THAT YOU CAN BE PROUD OF.

When you wake up in the morning remind yourself that this is YOUR life and that you will live it how YOU see fit.

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!

Wowee, it has been such a busy few weeks.

I have such amazing news to share

Yesterday I resigned from my job. I am deeply saddened that I will be leaving as I have become quite attached to some of the people; however there are exciting things in the works.

I have decided to take a year or 2 sabbatical. I am going to spread my wings and go where the wind takes me. I have the first few months figured out… slightly.

I will be leaving sunny South Africa at the end of April and hope that you will share my journey with me.

Such exciting times ahead.

29 February 2012, leap year

If anyone truly understands the meaning of a leap year it would be a erson that was born on this day.

Some cool things happened on this day:

-         Julius Ceaser proclaimed this day

-         Hugh Hefner opened the first playboy club in Chicago

-         A few wards happened including Queen Annes war, American Civil War, WW2 and the vierman war

To all the people that celebrate their birthdays every 4 years – you live a life in dog years. (almost dog years infact you are better off – 1 dog year is 7 of our years, only 1 of yours if 4 of us normal folk.)

Another famous custom this day is for the ladies to propose to their men on this day (and rumour has it) you cannot say not because it takes balls to do such things and women do not have any and they are super sensitive so say yes … do it!

Happy February the 29^th. Go out and enjoy it. They are rare. And stop trying to convince your boss that you deserve an extra day because you have to work an extra one.

New Years Resolution vs 3 words

For the first time in many years I was not looking forward to New Years, possibly because 2011 was such a tough year and such a busy year. On would imagine that I would be excited to see it go.

Each year we make these “New Years Resolutions”. What for I ask. Each year one sets unrealistic goals; loose 10kgs; run a marathon; stop smoking; stop drinking; buy a house; get a new job; go to gym everyday; the list is endless. Essentially we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. Year after year we try to change who we are. I decided not to make any new years resolutions.

Instead I came across a blog by Chris Brogan. In his blog he talks about 3 words. Read about it here. I think this is such a fantastic thing to do. Instead of making empty promises to yourself dedicate your year to 3 words and rather dedicate your year to incorporating these 3 words into your life.

My 3 words are:
    Learn. Explore. Simplify.

Learn:
I will take opportunity to learn about other people and learn about myself. There is so many things that happen each day that we take for granted and do not learn from them.

Explore:
I will explore this amazing world that we live in. Explore different cultures, different people and different lifestyles.

Simplify:
I will simplify my life and keep in it only the essentials. I will learn to let go of things that complicate my life.

What are your 3 words?