Haven't posted in a while.. again.. let me summarize the last few months in a few short paragraphs..
For summer holidays I took a trip down to my homeland, which is South Africa, and spent a few week long, emotional visits with bits and bobs of my family. The visit with my grandfather was possibly the most heart wrenching. Like any normal old man, he is aging.. therefore getting one step closer to the end of his life here with us. Unfortunately the death of my grandmother and uncle had weakened him and caused him to suffer from Parkinson's.. I cannot possibly describe the type of heartbreaking love I carry for him, that good bye was possibly one of the longest, hardest goodbyes I've ever made.
In a lighter view, I had one of the most enjoyable visits with my great aunt, who is very very dear to me, and whom I love and admire so very much. I still miss our long walks along the breezy beach of Hartenbos, and spotting the porpoises and whales frolicking about in the waves. Next year just seems too long, that goodbye was also hard.. but for a different reason. Even considering all the messed up political dramas, South Africa still holds a deep untouched passion inside my heart. I simply cannot part with my motherland... however, after attending a few years there for college, I'm sure my opinion might alter a bit!
After the awesome visit we had in the land down South, we departed for Namibia where we visited my older sister and future husband. I really missed her, even though when we're together we fight worse than cats and dogs, hey.. I never said I'm fully mature.. I guess no matter how old you get, when siblings get together it's as if they'd entered a time capsule back to the time when arguing over the remote control and pulling at each others hair happened on a daily bases. Love her so much though, I've discovered a whole new protectiveness I have over my family... does it come with age.. I wonder?
Back to Namibia; one of the most exquisite, breathtaking untouched countries in this world. Took a trip down to the coast where the ocean is bluer than the cleanest sapphires, and colder than the inside of a refrigerator. However, the most special thing about it however, is that when you look on your left, you would see a wide span of water, dazzling in the sun.. and on the right, well, you find a magnificent, velvety desert spread out around you. That's Namibia. After that we headed to Sossusvlei, an actual desert in the heart of Namibia, with blood red sand shifted from the Kalahari desert, it was.. simply amazing. You would have to experience it for yourself to truly feel the magnificence radiating off the country.
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end.. and we retired back to our home, Tanzania. The last year of my school had started, and it is exciting, as well as overwhelming and depressing.. not just the work, but the fact that we are now one step closer to leaving our nests behind.. our shelter of motherly, paternal love and protection. But hey, I guess I'm one step close to becoming an adult! Which is terrifying, as well as exciting... to fully register. I'll get over it.
Now I'm on the topic, I celebrated my 18th birthday the other day, and it was..awesome. Absolutely legendary. I loved every moment of it, didn't think I had such amazing friends as I did on that day. Sweet, sweet memories. Oh, I have a pool now.. and a very hyperactive jack Russel who is fanatical about balls... so, put a bunch of teens into a backyard with a pool and a soccer ball.. add a jack Russel and you can imagine the mayhem! Good mayhem though.. very good!
On a more personal basis, I feel the best that I have in a very long time. For some strange scientific reason, as soon as I got off the plane, I started losing weight and I'm happy to report that (in my opinion) I am looking great. I feel great, look great, great family, great friends.. what more does a girl need! Boys? nah.. I figured I really don't need that kinda drama in my life.. having them as friends are just fine!
Let me end on the quote of a very great writer whom I admire very much. P.J Schoemann.
For summer holidays I took a trip down to my homeland, which is South Africa, and spent a few week long, emotional visits with bits and bobs of my family. The visit with my grandfather was possibly the most heart wrenching. Like any normal old man, he is aging.. therefore getting one step closer to the end of his life here with us. Unfortunately the death of my grandmother and uncle had weakened him and caused him to suffer from Parkinson's.. I cannot possibly describe the type of heartbreaking love I carry for him, that good bye was possibly one of the longest, hardest goodbyes I've ever made.
In a lighter view, I had one of the most enjoyable visits with my great aunt, who is very very dear to me, and whom I love and admire so very much. I still miss our long walks along the breezy beach of Hartenbos, and spotting the porpoises and whales frolicking about in the waves. Next year just seems too long, that goodbye was also hard.. but for a different reason. Even considering all the messed up political dramas, South Africa still holds a deep untouched passion inside my heart. I simply cannot part with my motherland... however, after attending a few years there for college, I'm sure my opinion might alter a bit!
After the awesome visit we had in the land down South, we departed for Namibia where we visited my older sister and future husband. I really missed her, even though when we're together we fight worse than cats and dogs, hey.. I never said I'm fully mature.. I guess no matter how old you get, when siblings get together it's as if they'd entered a time capsule back to the time when arguing over the remote control and pulling at each others hair happened on a daily bases. Love her so much though, I've discovered a whole new protectiveness I have over my family... does it come with age.. I wonder?
Back to Namibia; one of the most exquisite, breathtaking untouched countries in this world. Took a trip down to the coast where the ocean is bluer than the cleanest sapphires, and colder than the inside of a refrigerator. However, the most special thing about it however, is that when you look on your left, you would see a wide span of water, dazzling in the sun.. and on the right, well, you find a magnificent, velvety desert spread out around you. That's Namibia. After that we headed to Sossusvlei, an actual desert in the heart of Namibia, with blood red sand shifted from the Kalahari desert, it was.. simply amazing. You would have to experience it for yourself to truly feel the magnificence radiating off the country.
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end.. and we retired back to our home, Tanzania. The last year of my school had started, and it is exciting, as well as overwhelming and depressing.. not just the work, but the fact that we are now one step closer to leaving our nests behind.. our shelter of motherly, paternal love and protection. But hey, I guess I'm one step close to becoming an adult! Which is terrifying, as well as exciting... to fully register. I'll get over it.
Now I'm on the topic, I celebrated my 18th birthday the other day, and it was..awesome. Absolutely legendary. I loved every moment of it, didn't think I had such amazing friends as I did on that day. Sweet, sweet memories. Oh, I have a pool now.. and a very hyperactive jack Russel who is fanatical about balls... so, put a bunch of teens into a backyard with a pool and a soccer ball.. add a jack Russel and you can imagine the mayhem! Good mayhem though.. very good!
On a more personal basis, I feel the best that I have in a very long time. For some strange scientific reason, as soon as I got off the plane, I started losing weight and I'm happy to report that (in my opinion) I am looking great. I feel great, look great, great family, great friends.. what more does a girl need! Boys? nah.. I figured I really don't need that kinda drama in my life.. having them as friends are just fine!
Let me end on the quote of a very great writer whom I admire very much. P.J Schoemann.
'Herinneringe, mooi herinneringe, is die droe brandhout wat elke mens vir hom versamel vir die donker winternagte wat vir een en almal van ons erend op die ver paaie wag'
'Memories, beautiful memories, is the dry firewood which each person collects for himself for the dark nights which awaits each and every one of us somewhere on the far paths ahead'
'Memories, beautiful memories, is the dry firewood which each person collects for himself for the dark nights which awaits each and every one of us somewhere on the far paths ahead'
