One Hundred Days until the FIFA World Cup

One hundred days to go until the FIFA 2010 World Cup.  There is celebration and excitement all over South Africa.  Roads are closed and traffic is extreme as South Africa gears up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.  Celebrations in Durban are being held at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and in Johannesburg in Sandton, where streets are being closed for an all day street party.


A Nation Celebrates
It is wonderful to have something to celebrate as the nation looks forward together in anticipation to the spin offs of hosting the World Cup.

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There are people in yellow Bafana Bafana jerseys all over the place, supporting and encouraging our local team.  We are all hoping that our boys will get through their first match, however, regardless of the result, soccer fever is viral in South Africa at present.  Everyone is joining in the spirit of the soccer World Cup.  

A Challenge is Given

With a hundred days to go, the challenge has been presented that we, as South Africans, only speak positively about our nation.  Speaking positively for the next hundred days can only have a good impact on the future of the country.  I say, "Let's do it!"  Go, Bafana Bafana!  Viva South Africa!

Action Netball for the Over Forties

I must be honest, I don't have a clue what the cartoon is about, but I found it highly amusing nevertheless.  Being close to 50 and never having played netball in my life, I now find myself on a team in one of the lower leagues of our local action netball club.  The vast majority of the team being in their twenties, I consider myself a veteran.


Violence on the Court
As the cartoon suggests, action netball is actually a violent contact sport to an over forty sedate (wink wink) woman.  I played hockey and women's football in my day, yet I find action netball to be far more fast and furious.  In 2 practices I have seen 2 of the women sprawled across the court in a most unladylike manner.  I woke up this morning after last night's practice with extremely stiff tendons in my ankles.  For goodness sake, it is my flabby tummy that needs to feel stiff, not my very slender tendons in my ankles!


How to be a Succesful Over Forty on the Netball Court
In 2 practices I have learnt quite a lot while leaping around with young, nimble, athletic girls.  So, for all you over forty women out there looking for a fun workout, take heed. 


1.  Look agressive -  actually it is quite easy to look aggressive just by the size of my over forty body, in comparison to the young gazelles playing with me.  All I have to do is put a scowl on my face and grunt repeatedly.  I wonder why young Candice keeps rolling on the floor with laughter..


2.  Move continuously and jump a lot - unfortunately after 5 and a half minutes of such behaviour I may have to be removed from the court to prevent a heart and lung failure.  My goodness, I do need to get fit.


3.  Act like you know what you are doing - when they shout, "foot error", "net abuse" or "handling", nod your head and tut tut under your breath.  Learn a rule or 2 and keep shouting them out authoritatively when others abuse them.  My pet rule is "3 feet away!" when my opponent is crowding in on me.  


4.  Go to the loo just before you play or practice - oh my goodness, at my age when I put to much enthusiasm into a leap, I find that I nearly wet my pants with the effort.  The ensuing squeals of laughter from my team mates when I mention it, make me join in the squealing and the need to pee is even stronger..


As I learn more, I shall pass on my secrets.  Meanwhile I am preparing for my next practice on Sunday afternoon and my first game next Wednesday night.


Olympic Games, here I come!

How to be an Optimist

I have been told on many occasions that I am one of those people who see the glass half-full. Being optimistic seems to come naturally to me.  In recent times, I have had to face quite a few disastrous situations, yet I somehow always believe that it will all work out.

I've noticed that most people around me allow circumstances to get them down.  So, instead of judging them for their pessimism, I thought about ways to help others to be an optimist.

Focus on Something Positive

No matter how harsh circumstances are, there is always something positive to focus on.  When I ran out of cash in December, I focused on the fact that my holiday accommodation had already been prepaid.  I once heard the illustration of a man driving up a winding road when a ladybug flew onto his windshield.  As long as he focused on the bug, he nearly drove over the edge, but as long as he focused on the road ahead, he drove perfectly well.

There is Always Someone Worse Off 

No matter how bad things seem to be, there are always others in a much worse situation.  When we realize that, we are grateful for the blessings in our own life, no matter how few they may seem to be.

Help Another Person

There is something healing about reaching out and helping someone else.  We can help in so many different ways - volunteering our services or time at a shelter or babies home, clearing out our cupboards and giving away decent clothing to those less advantaged than ourselves, sending a depressed friend an encouraging message, etc.  

Smile

Smile at other people during the day.  It is surprising how people respond.  A smile is such a small thing and it brings others joy.  The vast majority smile back and the minority who don't are not worth worrying about.

Sing

Music is a great mood enhancer.  When we choose our favourite music and sing or hum along heartily,  we'll feel positive in no time.  

Use Our Senses

We all know the saying, "take time to smell the roses".  I say take time to enjoy all of our senses.  Listen, taste, smell, feel and look.  Sensual enjoyment is a very positive experience, but we need to slow down to participate in them fully.

I bet that practicing these regularly will cause optimism in our lives - which the world surely needs.

10 Healthy Ways to Weight Loss

The battle of the bulge seems to be a never-ending struggle, however the following 10 tips will help us to lose weight, or at the very least, maintain our weight in a healthy fashion.

I am on this struggle at the moment and I have found that these 10 things definitely do work.

1. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day - firstly, it is the amount of water our bodies need, secondly it makes us full, and thirdly we are so busy trying to take in our allocated amount that it doesn't leave space for us to drink fattening drinks.

2. Eat loads of fruit and vegetables - the recommended amount of fruit and veggies are 5 portions a day. Once again, they keep us full, they are healthy and nutritious and they are water based foods which will not cause us to gain weight.

3. Eat low GI foods - low GI foods keep us full for longer and are always the healthier option. These days they are well labelled in the stores too.

4. Eat smaller meals throughout the day - this keeps our metabolism busy, but does require some planning. Have a light breakfast, a mid morning snack, a light lunch, a mid afternoon snack, and a small dinner.

5. Don't skip meals - every time I get into the habit of skipping meals due to busyness, I gain weight.

6. Find healthy snacks - instead of giving in to the craving for chocolate or crisps, find healthy alternatives like popcorn, biltong, dried fruit, and crudites. Be imaginative.

7. Eat slowly - the faster we eat, the more we eat. Taste the food and enjoy it. Chew the food properly to slow down. The longer we take to eat, the sooner we feel full.

8. Use a smaller plate - we tend to dish ourselves portions which are too large, but a smaller plate will make the portion look bigger than it actually is.

9. Fun exercise - find a way of exercising which is enjoyable. If we enjoy the outdoors, walking will be a better option than gym. If we enjoy something, we are more likely to make it a habit.

10. Always choose the better option - in different situations where our healthy eating may be compromised, just choose the healthier option available. For example, when eating out and we cannot choose our menu, turn down the starter or have a smaller portion of dessert.

All of these tips need to be incorporated into our lives as a lifestyle, rather than a "once-off". The more we do them, the easier they become. And they really do help.

Do you know of any other healthy weight loss tips to share with us?

A Stroll Through Downtown Durban

It's a long time since this "whitey" took a stroll through Durban's city centre. With the growth of shopping malls, it's not really necessary to go to the city centre any more, however I had an appointment in downtown Durban recently and arrived unfashionably early.

Being too early, I decided to take a lesuirely walk around the City Hall and was pleasantly surprised with the friendliness of the locals.

The Museum

The jolly Indian gatekeeper outside the Museum asked me what I was doing and then tried to convince me to sample the dated delights of the Museum. Knowing that I would not have sufficient time, I declined and we politely chatted for a while as if this was normal city behaviour, which it most certainly is not in the city where I reside.

Pigeons at the City Hall

I rounded the corner to come across an aged woman merrily feeding a large flock of pigeons on the Museum lawn. She looked so content and the pigeons seemed to know her well and hustled to get to her first. I was watching the scene when a security guard came and stood with me and told me that she feeds the pigeons every day and that they have become quite tame. She looked as though she needed a bit of feeding herself, but the pigeons seemed to feed a deeper need in her.

Taxis in Downtown Durban

I continued round the next corner to see the antics of the taxi drivers and their helpers. Hooting continually with short sharp blasts the taxi drivers did not want to waste time stopping for too long to pick up passengers, so they had helpers who leapt out of the moving vehicles and shouted out their destinations to nearby pedestrians and everybody seemed to know exactly who was going where. People leapt in and out of the mini busses in ballet-like precision.

Colourful Flea Market

As I rounded the final corner I spied a flea market across the road. I crossed at the zebra crossing and strolled through the colourful gazebos browsing through their wares. Everything from clothing to matches could be found there and I wished that I had more cash on me.

Finally I looked up at the great clock and realized that it was time for my appointment, so feeling revitalised, I made my way to my destination.

We are generally so rushed as we go about our daily business that we miss the little delights in our routine excursions. I am going to look for the extraordinary in the mundane. I'm sure that will keep a smile on my lips.

Moses Mabhida Stadium Skycar ready for 2010 FIFA World Cup

I am a confirmed Moses Mabhida Stadium junkie. The stadium is a magnificent sight and as I have been in Durban on business for the last month, I have taken countless photos every time I have have driven past the iconic stadium. I was fortunate enough to have been at the opening a week ago and swore to myself that I would ride the skycar before I leave Durban.

Skycar at Moses Mabhida Stadium Open

Imagine my joy when I drove past the stadium again on Thursday last week and saw the skycar making its way up the arch. I promptly pulled in to the parking and bought myself a ticket for R50.

I took the 3 minute ride to the top of the arch, enjoying the view all the way up. I stepped out at the top, 106 m in the air, and admired Durban from every angle. The sea breeze blowing through my hair and a group of young teamsters in training for instructing the adventure walkers were my enthusiastic companions.

Adventure Walks to the Top of the Arch and Swing Jumps

The adventure walk on the other side of the arch takes about half an hour to 45 minutes depending on one's fitness levels. It is a slightly more exciting option which will cost R75. However, for the real excitement seekers, the soon to be opened swing jump will be available. As much as I strained, I could not see where the jump will take place from. Maybe just as well, as that is the next promise that I have made to myself. As soon as I possibly can, I will be doing that jump. Perhaps I can do it with a blast of my new blue vuvuzela, instead of a shrill scream!

World AIDS Day

It's a wet rainy day in Durban, almost as if the heavens are mourning the loss of so many lives to HIV AIDS in the last few decades. I have read that cures for new diseases take at least 40 years of research and development, so hopefully we will see some sunshine on the horizon in the not too distant future.

Glimmer of Hope

One glimmer of hope is being portrayed on the Umhlanga lighthouse this morning as a huge condom was pulled over the lighthouse in an awareness campaign causing one happy woman to win $10 000 and many people to stop and think with a smile brightening their faces .

HIV Positivity

Another ray of positivity would be the countless men and women worldwide who live with HIV positively. They are HIV positive and they are still positive about life, full of the joys of possibility. They live with gusto and they inspire many around them with their attitudes.

I personally know some of these courageous people and would like to make World Aids Day a day to honour them and the many others I have not met. I would also like to honour the many selfless volunteers throughout the cities, townships and rural areas who work with the disadvantaged AIDS sufferers and give them dignity, love and hope on a daily basis.

May today bring some sort of change to diverse lives all around the globe as we proudly display our red ribbons in support of them .