Seize the Day

Life is Short
Life is really too short not to enjoy each moment.  I know that there are times when we need to grieve or contemplate, but generally we find it easy to grumble.  I think that we need to find more moments in each day to simply enjoy.  We need to find the small things to delight in.  We need to seize each moment of fun and document it in our hearts. 

Life has it's Hardships
I know that hardship is a part of life and i've learnt that what doesn't kill you, strengthens you, but I also know that we need to move on.  We can't get stuck in those miserable places.


A Mission in Life
So, I am making it a mission to grab hold of a fun moment in each day.  Yesterday's fun moment was while looking for something in a party shop.  Trying on silly glasses and hats and taking pics and giggling.  Such a small thing, yet causing much laughter and fun.

The Simple Life
It is the simple things in life which bring much joy and laughter.
Little moments which we so often miss.  A smile, a helping hand, a cute puppy.  I saw a man give a few loose coins to a homeless man yesterday, then he handed him two cigarettes, and finally he lit one of the cigarettes for him.  Such a little thing, yet it left the homeless man smiling.  It also cheered me up.  Somebody showed a little concern.


Look Around
So now I am going to be actively looking for simple joys in the everyday.  That aught to take the mediocrity out of the mundane.  Put a little spring in my step.

Football Friday

Being proudly South African, I have decided to jump on the "Football Friday" band wagon.  I was very kindly given a Bafana Bafana shirt the other day and I have been patiently waiting for Friday to arrive so that I could wear it with all the other South Africa supporters.


WHERE ARE ALL THE 'FOOTBALL FRIDAY' FELLOWS?


I must say that I felt a little lonely as I gaily stepped out in my yellow and greens.  There were not too many others dressed similarly.  As I went about my business, I kept peering around to see more soccer shirts.  Each time I saw someone else wearing Bafana kit, I was so excited.  I felt like a little kid on Halloween allowed to go 'trick or treating'.  It reminded me of school days, when we could go to school in 'civvies' instead of our regular school uniform.  Now, I just want to see more of us enjoying the treat.


SPORTS UNITES A NATION


Having recently watched "Invictus" and remembering the incredible vibe at that time, encourages me to get behind the boys and support them wholeheartedly in this 2010 FIFA World Cup.  I recall when we won the Rugby World Cup in South Africa all those years ago, how we danced together in the streets and celebrated as one.  Well, we probably won't win this one, but let's celebrate nevertheless.


BUY A BAFANA BAFANA SHIRT


Beg, borrow, but please don't steal, to obtain a Bafana Bafana shirt and join the already initiated every Friday.  Schools are joining in the fun, workplaces are getting involved, so now it is time for the individuals to gear up.  


What better cause than to cause a nation to unite once again.

  

White Water Rafting in Parys

Henry Georgi/Corbis

Parys

I have never been to Parys before and I must say that I was most pleasantly surprised by this quaint little town.  It is reminiscent of Clarens, full of arty decor stores and trendy coffee shops and restaurants.  Although a small town, it is full of character.

Things To Do

Our first stop was Hoi Polloi, an ecclectic restaurant with the most amazing decor and prettiest rock shandys.  Another visit of interest was the photo shop, Kiki's, where we had loads of fun trying on old outfits, including boa feathers, antique gloves, hats of every kind and the most incredibly heeled shoes.  Never to forget our next drink stop at The Deck, nesting against the Vaal River, where we were coaxed into drinking their famous "Pink Drinks".  It was a toxic, yet refreshingly deceptive cocktail of outrageous proportions.  Each one of us staggered out after the drink, a little pink around the gills.  

White Water Rafting

The highlight for me had to be the white water rafting on Sunday morning.  We mounted our two man inflatable kayaks and joined a group of adventure seekers, the youngest being seven years old, and made our way down the Vaal River.  We had missed the floods of the river by days, but saw signs of the rush of water all along the way.  Rowing under bridges, we saw huge tree trunks stuck in the bridge structure above our heads and saw the water level marks along the banks of the river, perilously close to some homes.  We leisurely rowed along until we heard the white water ahead and then we took it in turns to take on the mild rapids.  It was really great fun and there was a slight surge of adrenalin. It was a perfect introduction and I am definitely planning to take on bigger rapids in the future.

All in all, a great weekend getaway.

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.

worldcup.blogsfc.com

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?