I just want to wish Jim a very happy birthday. I am sad I can't be with him on his day, but I know our great friends are making sure he is very happy. I hope everyone has fun tonight at Sogo's and party it up at my casa on Saturday. I hear the party continues over the weekend in Morristown on Sunday for another birthday celebration. I hope Lauren has a good time as well.
On a South African side note... Happy Spring!!!!! Hanging with my girl Yvette tomorrow. Only 3 more weeks left here. I am already starting to get sad. I am going to miss the country and all the great people I met. But no mushy stuff just yet. First up a weekend of fun and jetting off to Egypt on Sunday. Let all the adventures continue.
Happy Birthday Jim!!! Xoxoxo
Friday, August 31, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
A great weekend....until....
This weekend was moving day. My friend Yvette moved from her family's large land in South Africa to her own little flat. She moved because the commute (which most of us State people know too well) was just too inconvenient. However one of the things that differs from her commute and what I am use to is the large sign that says "Danger Hijacking Zone the next 10km." Could you imagine working till 9 pm at night, being female and having to drive that alone everyday? Not to mention the fact that there is traffic and it is a good half hour away from work! I think she made the right call.
I got to meet Yvette's family. Such a welcoming and lovely family. I had such a great time with them. I did get to her flat a little late and all the heavy lifting was complete. However we dropped off her mom at the lodge and then Yvette and I went back and unpacked her whole flat. I could tell the amount of work she had to do versus the time was stressing Yvette so we watched Dane Cook and went to town on the apartment. It looks great. It has a very nice home feel to it and I think Yvette is happy. That is all that matters. The next day I went to her family's gigantic land and had some delicious BBQ. Again, the welcoming of their home was great. It was a family away from my family.
Though the happiness and warm feeling ended a little later in the day. Most of you know I am prone to getting sick. I am SHOCKED it took me this long to get sick but it happened. Around 6 pm I started to get the chills, headache and that blah feeling. Yvette and Veronica (The lodge host) even noticed something was wrong. After eating my meal, I went straight to sleep. I don't think I slept more than a constant half hour. I was sweating, than I had chills and a pounding headache. I decided to work from the lodge today. My South African boss called the lodge in a panic to see if I needed to go to the doctor. In the end, I got some rest, drank a hot toddy (yeah that's right) took some tablets and I feel better. I am not going to push it today....but all in all I feel better. I don't know what I had, but I am glad it has come and gone so fast. Maybe I was bit by something....who knows...but I am much better now. I just think everyone was having a heart attack because I was sick. LOL! I must feel better...Egypt in 6 days!!! :-)
Being sick though didn't stop me from designing new templates for specifications! Work work work! I felt bad missing a day because I am so limited here. At least I accomplished a good amount.
Happy Monday.
I got to meet Yvette's family. Such a welcoming and lovely family. I had such a great time with them. I did get to her flat a little late and all the heavy lifting was complete. However we dropped off her mom at the lodge and then Yvette and I went back and unpacked her whole flat. I could tell the amount of work she had to do versus the time was stressing Yvette so we watched Dane Cook and went to town on the apartment. It looks great. It has a very nice home feel to it and I think Yvette is happy. That is all that matters. The next day I went to her family's gigantic land and had some delicious BBQ. Again, the welcoming of their home was great. It was a family away from my family.
Though the happiness and warm feeling ended a little later in the day. Most of you know I am prone to getting sick. I am SHOCKED it took me this long to get sick but it happened. Around 6 pm I started to get the chills, headache and that blah feeling. Yvette and Veronica (The lodge host) even noticed something was wrong. After eating my meal, I went straight to sleep. I don't think I slept more than a constant half hour. I was sweating, than I had chills and a pounding headache. I decided to work from the lodge today. My South African boss called the lodge in a panic to see if I needed to go to the doctor. In the end, I got some rest, drank a hot toddy (yeah that's right) took some tablets and I feel better. I am not going to push it today....but all in all I feel better. I don't know what I had, but I am glad it has come and gone so fast. Maybe I was bit by something....who knows...but I am much better now. I just think everyone was having a heart attack because I was sick. LOL! I must feel better...Egypt in 6 days!!! :-)
Being sick though didn't stop me from designing new templates for specifications! Work work work! I felt bad missing a day because I am so limited here. At least I accomplished a good amount.
Happy Monday.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
30 days...or not???
So I got in my car yesterday and realized that I had only about 30 days left of my South African Adventure. A mixed bag of emotions came over me. Of course I am so excited to get back to the homeland, my family, my friends and my kitties, but I truly was saddened by what I have to say good bye to. I then turned on the radio and Bruce Springsteen came on and Born In The USA was pumping throughout my American Chevy automobile. I was stoked The sadness went to pure excitement. I walked in to work and my boss and the director asked me to stay an additional 2 weeks. And there it was...the pure joy of going home being kicked right out of me.
Now please don't get me wrong. I love it here. I especially fell in love with the great people I met and the environment. However not to sound too cliche, there is no place like home. And to now know I have to stay till October is a little disheartening. BUT...I plan on making the most of it. I will get to spend more quality time with the amazing people I have met, go to places I haven't been and soak in more of the culture. It truly is a win for me. 2 additional weeks isn't that long, but I am sure it might feel like forever. I am positive though that I will have plenty to do, places to see, and delicious food to eat. And let's not forget the weather is getting AWESOME! High today 79 with bright blue skies and sun. No humidity and a slight breeze. Amazing. This also gives me some time to lose the muffin top!!! :-(
I will take this opportunity to start preparing my top 10 things I will miss from South Africa. But in the meantime....I will prepare for my trip to Egypt (on labor day weekend)
Now please don't get me wrong. I love it here. I especially fell in love with the great people I met and the environment. However not to sound too cliche, there is no place like home. And to now know I have to stay till October is a little disheartening. BUT...I plan on making the most of it. I will get to spend more quality time with the amazing people I have met, go to places I haven't been and soak in more of the culture. It truly is a win for me. 2 additional weeks isn't that long, but I am sure it might feel like forever. I am positive though that I will have plenty to do, places to see, and delicious food to eat. And let's not forget the weather is getting AWESOME! High today 79 with bright blue skies and sun. No humidity and a slight breeze. Amazing. This also gives me some time to lose the muffin top!!! :-(
I will take this opportunity to start preparing my top 10 things I will miss from South Africa. But in the meantime....I will prepare for my trip to Egypt (on labor day weekend)
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Swaziland part 2
So I might have a fabulous place to stay in Jo'burg and accommodations that are fit for someone more important then me, however let's not forget how hard I work for these perks. Swaziland this week not only had wildfires that I had to deal with it also had gruesome hours and work load. This is my job however so I must do it to my best capability. 6 am flight on Monday with a full day work. I enjoyed a delicious meal only to start the day bright and early by 7 am the next day. I worked till about 5pm (which doesn't sound too bad) however I had about 3 hours to recooperate and eat only to go back to the plant by 9:30 pm and then finally leave at 1 am. After about 4 hours of sleep, I had to wake up and doing all over again. Very rough week however I think it was worth it.
I drove for the first time in Swaziland. It was pretty easy to maneuver, but there are no street lights and it is pitch black, and the addition of the smoke from the fires didn't help matters either. When I was in Swaziland, they had a thunderstorm which made the power go out. I was walking in the middle of the botanical garden and then it went PITCH BLACK. I will have to admit, it was the most scared I have been since I landed in South Africa. It was a scene right out of a horror movie. LOL! If anyone knows the Summerfield Botanical Gardens, they can tell you that it is a maze of paths with grass fields and flowers. When the power goes out, there is nothing!!! I have NEVER been so glad to have an I PHONE. After the power went out and my mini panic attack happened, I grabbed my phone and turned on the LED light. I got my barrings and walked briskly to the hut. Speaking of the hut...I got upgraded to a suite. Not that I was able to use it since I worked the whole time, but it is nice for a couple who are vacationing.
The weather here is finally getting warmer. The high's for the next week look to be in the upper 70's. Winter is gradually ending and with a bang. I still can't get over the snow. LOL! Nor can other citizens here. When I was leaving Swaziland the only thing that was on the news was the shoot out from the miners. The pictures they showed on the local news and on the newspapers was disturbing. I can imagine how people were referring it back to the apartheid era. The miners want and deserve more money and when workers don't get what they want they strike. A common thing ALL over the world. However the actions taken to solve the situation differ from region to region. Not to say that the United States is a tactical force at dispersing a situation like so. The states actually have their own issues...different then here, but somehow related. In the end, the same thing occurs....multiple stories and recreations of the incident and the blame game. It doesn't matter what or who was the cause, a large amount of people died for no reason.. The last thing a growing nation needs in more factors that make the government unstable. This incident is definitely rocking the boat and making the people nervous and angry. This isn't just in South Africa though...it is the world.
Speaking of people being nervous, I ran into a peacock at the Botanical Garden. I never knew that the female peacock is so ugly and the male is the attractive one. Anyway..the male didn't want anything to do with me when I was trying to take its picture. It looked at me and flung at me. I never let out a larger scream then that moment. LOL! I started to back up and walk away from it. It sounded like it was hissing at me. I think this male peacock had a vendetta against me because at 4 am it was perched outside my door giving me a wake up call. Let's just say he wasn't my biggest fan!
I hope you all are having a fabulous weekend. I spent the weekend lounging around, having a few drinks with my dear friend Yvette and went to see a movie. The Expendables 2. If you haven't seen it you should. It is entertaining. And there is Jason Statham. Enough said! :-) Here are some pics from the trip....
Female peacock
Another female peacock
Living room in Manzini. Check out Marilyn in the background
changing area
Front door
View from my window
View from the dinner table
I belive this is the bastard who attacked me.
And his brother......
Happy Sunday!!!
I drove for the first time in Swaziland. It was pretty easy to maneuver, but there are no street lights and it is pitch black, and the addition of the smoke from the fires didn't help matters either. When I was in Swaziland, they had a thunderstorm which made the power go out. I was walking in the middle of the botanical garden and then it went PITCH BLACK. I will have to admit, it was the most scared I have been since I landed in South Africa. It was a scene right out of a horror movie. LOL! If anyone knows the Summerfield Botanical Gardens, they can tell you that it is a maze of paths with grass fields and flowers. When the power goes out, there is nothing!!! I have NEVER been so glad to have an I PHONE. After the power went out and my mini panic attack happened, I grabbed my phone and turned on the LED light. I got my barrings and walked briskly to the hut. Speaking of the hut...I got upgraded to a suite. Not that I was able to use it since I worked the whole time, but it is nice for a couple who are vacationing.
The weather here is finally getting warmer. The high's for the next week look to be in the upper 70's. Winter is gradually ending and with a bang. I still can't get over the snow. LOL! Nor can other citizens here. When I was leaving Swaziland the only thing that was on the news was the shoot out from the miners. The pictures they showed on the local news and on the newspapers was disturbing. I can imagine how people were referring it back to the apartheid era. The miners want and deserve more money and when workers don't get what they want they strike. A common thing ALL over the world. However the actions taken to solve the situation differ from region to region. Not to say that the United States is a tactical force at dispersing a situation like so. The states actually have their own issues...different then here, but somehow related. In the end, the same thing occurs....multiple stories and recreations of the incident and the blame game. It doesn't matter what or who was the cause, a large amount of people died for no reason.. The last thing a growing nation needs in more factors that make the government unstable. This incident is definitely rocking the boat and making the people nervous and angry. This isn't just in South Africa though...it is the world.
Speaking of people being nervous, I ran into a peacock at the Botanical Garden. I never knew that the female peacock is so ugly and the male is the attractive one. Anyway..the male didn't want anything to do with me when I was trying to take its picture. It looked at me and flung at me. I never let out a larger scream then that moment. LOL! I started to back up and walk away from it. It sounded like it was hissing at me. I think this male peacock had a vendetta against me because at 4 am it was perched outside my door giving me a wake up call. Let's just say he wasn't my biggest fan!
I hope you all are having a fabulous weekend. I spent the weekend lounging around, having a few drinks with my dear friend Yvette and went to see a movie. The Expendables 2. If you haven't seen it you should. It is entertaining. And there is Jason Statham. Enough said! :-) Here are some pics from the trip....
Female peacock 
Another female peacock Living room in Manzini. Check out Marilyn in the background
changing area 
Front door 
View from my window
View from the dinner table
I belive this is the bastard who attacked me. 
And his brother......Thursday, August 9, 2012
Women's Day and NOT TOP 10
Today is National Women's Day. A public holiday in South Africa. The national march of women occurred on this day in 1956 petitioning against legislation that required African persons to carry special identification documents known as "the pass". 20,000 women marched in Pretoria to protest against the amendment and stood strong and proud for Africa freedom during the apartheid era. More than 50 years later, this courageous act is still honored and coins a phrase for the South African women "You strike a woman, you strike a rock" ..a protest song the women sang during the event. Here's to strength, beliefs, respect and honor....
Since today is Thursday and a public holiday, majority of my coworkers will be taking an extended weekend. When one of my coworkers was leaving, he was asking me what I was doing for Women's Day and the weekend. I told him I was going for a run, relaxing and actually working. Marcus told me not to work too hard because work life balance is essential. I couldn't agree with him more. He did give me an assignment...he asked me to come up with 10 things I miss from the US (besides my family, friends and kitties). So here it is...my not top 10!!!
#1. HEAT! I miss heat terribly. For those who know me well, I am cold in 80 degree weather...the freak snow storm and cold front in South Africa is something I didn't expect. Nor did majority of anyone else since there is no heat!
#2. Diet Mt. Dew. Deliciousness in a can!
#3. My kitchen and cooking. I miss cooking in my kitchen
#4. The Yankees....enough Cricket already!
#5. Sundresses, shorts and tank tops. I am missing prime summer weather and cute outfits!
#6. TARGET!!!!!...I miss the bulls eye
#7. Standard Measurements/"Imperial Units" ...come on metric system! You are killing me.
#8. Certain fast food chains and restaurants (I miss the Whippany Diner, The Cheesecake Factory, Qdoba, Jose Tejas, Smashburger, DD and even Chic-Fil-A. With all their press...I could go for a delicious chicken sandwich!! SO YUMMY!
#9. Bathroom Outlets. There are no outlets in the bathroom for safety in South Africa. I hate doing my hair in the bedroom.
#10. My watch. I was told to keep everything valuable at home for threat of being carjacked or stolen.
Have a great Thursday...and a special shout out to all my strong female friends!! :-)
Since today is Thursday and a public holiday, majority of my coworkers will be taking an extended weekend. When one of my coworkers was leaving, he was asking me what I was doing for Women's Day and the weekend. I told him I was going for a run, relaxing and actually working. Marcus told me not to work too hard because work life balance is essential. I couldn't agree with him more. He did give me an assignment...he asked me to come up with 10 things I miss from the US (besides my family, friends and kitties). So here it is...my not top 10!!!
#1. HEAT! I miss heat terribly. For those who know me well, I am cold in 80 degree weather...the freak snow storm and cold front in South Africa is something I didn't expect. Nor did majority of anyone else since there is no heat!
#2. Diet Mt. Dew. Deliciousness in a can!
#3. My kitchen and cooking. I miss cooking in my kitchen
#4. The Yankees....enough Cricket already!
#5. Sundresses, shorts and tank tops. I am missing prime summer weather and cute outfits!
#6. TARGET!!!!!...I miss the bulls eye
#7. Standard Measurements/"Imperial Units" ...come on metric system! You are killing me.
#8. Certain fast food chains and restaurants (I miss the Whippany Diner, The Cheesecake Factory, Qdoba, Jose Tejas, Smashburger, DD and even Chic-Fil-A. With all their press...I could go for a delicious chicken sandwich!! SO YUMMY!
#9. Bathroom Outlets. There are no outlets in the bathroom for safety in South Africa. I hate doing my hair in the bedroom.
#10. My watch. I was told to keep everything valuable at home for threat of being carjacked or stolen.
Have a great Thursday...and a special shout out to all my strong female friends!! :-)
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Let it snow...Let it snow...let it snow
That's right people...it snowed in South Africa today. Lets move past the fact that it hasn't snowed here in the last 20 years but focus on the rapid change in temperature. Saturday, Sunday and Monday the high was 75. Today's high was recorded at 37. What the hell is going on with mother nature? I am telling you...she knows where I am and sends the crappy conditions my way.
Though I do have to admit, seeing my co-workers faces was priceless. A snow flake fell and people were cheering, smiling from ear to ear, taking pictures and e-mailing them to their kids and some even left early because they were afraid of traffic. Up north there was some snow that stuck on the ground but here in Jo'burg the ground was too warm. It would snow for about 5 minutes, then abruptly stop for the sun to come out. Then 15 minutes later it would snow again.
My coworker said it best...their enthusiasm of seeing snow would be equivalent to me seeing a lion. LOL! That is so true. I wouldn't constitute it snow...more like snow flurries that made me annoyed since I wore ballerina slippers today. No where in the forecast today did it mention snow showers. The weather people here are just as bad as up north. They predicted today's high at 58. They were 20 degrees off. PLUS SNOW! :-)
When I read about South Africa's winters, it mentioned average highs of upper 50's-upper 60's. This does NOT warrant a winter coat. However today's temperature does merit the look. Too bad I didn't pack one. Instead I have 4 sets of awesome sandals. Yesterday I wore a pretty sundress with a jean jacket. Today I wore my heaviest sweater with fur. Crazy global warming. Oh did I mention that my lodge only has heated floors and no heat? Why heat a place that never gets snow and their winters only last 2 months with temperatures that equal our Spring?! Looks like I will be wrapped in blankets on the floor tonight. What an experience....enjoy the pictures.
back of the building
front parking lot area
car port
Adults being kids :-)
the beginning of the snow
back of the building
Though I do have to admit, seeing my co-workers faces was priceless. A snow flake fell and people were cheering, smiling from ear to ear, taking pictures and e-mailing them to their kids and some even left early because they were afraid of traffic. Up north there was some snow that stuck on the ground but here in Jo'burg the ground was too warm. It would snow for about 5 minutes, then abruptly stop for the sun to come out. Then 15 minutes later it would snow again.
My coworker said it best...their enthusiasm of seeing snow would be equivalent to me seeing a lion. LOL! That is so true. I wouldn't constitute it snow...more like snow flurries that made me annoyed since I wore ballerina slippers today. No where in the forecast today did it mention snow showers. The weather people here are just as bad as up north. They predicted today's high at 58. They were 20 degrees off. PLUS SNOW! :-)
When I read about South Africa's winters, it mentioned average highs of upper 50's-upper 60's. This does NOT warrant a winter coat. However today's temperature does merit the look. Too bad I didn't pack one. Instead I have 4 sets of awesome sandals. Yesterday I wore a pretty sundress with a jean jacket. Today I wore my heaviest sweater with fur. Crazy global warming. Oh did I mention that my lodge only has heated floors and no heat? Why heat a place that never gets snow and their winters only last 2 months with temperatures that equal our Spring?! Looks like I will be wrapped in blankets on the floor tonight. What an experience....enjoy the pictures.
back of the building
front parking lot area
car port 
Adults being kids :-) 
the beginning of the snow
back of the building Sunday, August 5, 2012
Save the Rhino...
Today I joined a 5K run to Save the Rhino. I have been seeing commercials and advertisements all over the shopping centers for this charity so I decided to pick up a pamphlet and do some research. The extent and severity of the extinction of Rhino's in Asia and Africa is extreme. The donation for the run will go to the international charity to help prevent poaching, monitoring, environmental education and wildlife programs. I am excited to help the country in anyway I can. Now I just need to get back into shape to survive the run.
Speaking of charities, I was talking with some people I met at the lodge I am staying at about charity events. I mentioned the Autism charities I am involved in and we had about a 2 hour discussion about Autism. It is not common here at all. I pulled up some research on the net and spoke to them about my nephews only for them to break down and cry right in front of me. They said it perfectly, "Every country has their issues it being government, money, wildlife, poverty, violence what have you. But I feel the worst is to know that 1 out of 85 children in the US are diagnosed with Autism. This surpasses everything since it is your child. Everything else pales in comparison." It really does put a lot into perspective.
Since the weather is fabulous this weekend, I took it upon myself to start training for my charity run which is in 3 weeks. One thing I have noticed is that everyone here either drives a BMW, Mercedes, or GTI. They are everywhere. Each time I see one (BMW that is)....I keep thinking...I could see myself driving that! LOL! Definitely different than my jeep.
I will be going back to Swaziland in 2 weeks. I am hoping to take more pictures of that area. Again, to put things into perspective. Then after that I am off to Egypt. Again...life is good. I can not complain.
Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend. Missed my family get together at the clam bake. :-( And apparently my parents sent me a care package a week ago. I haven't seen a UPS truck, mail service or even a police man around here so who knows when or if I will get the package. LOL!
Speaking of charities, I was talking with some people I met at the lodge I am staying at about charity events. I mentioned the Autism charities I am involved in and we had about a 2 hour discussion about Autism. It is not common here at all. I pulled up some research on the net and spoke to them about my nephews only for them to break down and cry right in front of me. They said it perfectly, "Every country has their issues it being government, money, wildlife, poverty, violence what have you. But I feel the worst is to know that 1 out of 85 children in the US are diagnosed with Autism. This surpasses everything since it is your child. Everything else pales in comparison." It really does put a lot into perspective.
Since the weather is fabulous this weekend, I took it upon myself to start training for my charity run which is in 3 weeks. One thing I have noticed is that everyone here either drives a BMW, Mercedes, or GTI. They are everywhere. Each time I see one (BMW that is)....I keep thinking...I could see myself driving that! LOL! Definitely different than my jeep.
I will be going back to Swaziland in 2 weeks. I am hoping to take more pictures of that area. Again, to put things into perspective. Then after that I am off to Egypt. Again...life is good. I can not complain.
Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend. Missed my family get together at the clam bake. :-( And apparently my parents sent me a care package a week ago. I haven't seen a UPS truck, mail service or even a police man around here so who knows when or if I will get the package. LOL!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)