Rambling

Its about that time of the year again when the wheels start turning, and change is coming. The time when you look back at the recent past one more time before you step across a new threshold, before you jump in head first.

Only a third of the year has gone by and already I feel I have accomplished so much more than I'd hoped for. For lack of creativity, my new year's resolutions have always been to be a better person than I'd been the year before. It was never anything specific. Just general ideas like trying to be more patient and less angry at the world.

But this year I actually put my goals into words. I decided I wanted to achieve more at school and try and get an 80% overall average. I decided I wanted to start actively taking care of myself from the inside out. I actually learned to wash and style my own hair after years of leaving it in the hands of the saloon women ( I dare not call them hairstyling professionals because they're definitely not that) and I cut down my daily skin care routine to just 3 products! That might not seem significant to some of you but for someone as self conscious as me, that is a major feat.

Here's my list of accomplishments this year.

1. Learned to let go sometimes and let things take their natural course.
2. Learned to recognise when to say no to certain situations
3. Learned to take care of my own hair
4. In the process of learning to make good meals.
5. Learned the value of simplicity and taking one's time
6. Reduced the quantity of artificial products I use overall

Now that I have put it into words, it doesn't seem like a big deal, but I'm sure you can picture the proud smirk on my face anyway.
And you know that....The best is yet to come.

Sunday afternoons

The ceativity and execution of this idea just makes you stop and admire beauty in odd places

When the world has slowed down to a less hectic pace, you are left alone with you wandering thoughts. For me, Sunday afternoons are just so full of contemplation and reminiscing that I often find myself returning time and again to I wrote this for you and PostSecret just to remind myself of the signficance and potency of hope, love, faith and honesty, and to gain a little sense of companionship.

Even from anonymous strangers.

Hair-raising.

As more and more women fall into the natural hair movement, I find myself stuck at a crossroads, often questioning if I should follow suite. I have had natural hair before, twice, by my own free will. But both times I couldn't handle all the effort and work that went into maintaining it and getting it to look decent. I am much happier with my chemically treated hair. I find that its easier to manage, feels and looks healthier [because there isn't as much breakage] and is overall a joy to have.
But fearing the judgement and prosecution that is gathering speed against women with straightened hair, [cue India Arie, I am not my hair], I have been prowling around the net, keeping myself updated on the natural hair blogs. So imagine my surprise when I came across this article;

Rambling

Dreams are the illustrations...from the book your soul is writing about you - Marsha Norman

Here I am wondering out-loud again. Wondering where true inspiration comes from. So many say they are most inspired by the people around them... But it just so happens that sometimes the people around you are killing your inspiration instead. And you find yourself wanting to inspire them...

It is not so often any more that I come across something new and I go: "Brilliant idea! How creative!" Nowadays, the reaction is more like: "Oh that looks familiar, can't people be more creative?"

So here I am, wondering whether I will ever have a moment of pure brilliance, a Eureka! moment; and feel like I have contributed something significant to the world I live in. All this DIYing and sewing often has me feeling like a perpetual copycat, so come on people.... Inspire!

Cat-eye Sunglasses

Warning: this is an impertinent post!

I didn't know a pair of sunglasses could make all the difference. On my recent trip to Cape town, my sister and I stumbled upon a street vendor selling some not so average sunglasses and I bought myself a pair of cat-eye sunglasses. They weren't anything unique or expensive but I was pretty pleased with my purchase.

Now I live in a not-so-urban part of the country and I can barely, just barely speak the language (which is frustrating cause everyone refuses to speak English) but I get by. And yet for some reason, ever since I started sporting these new sunglasses even the usually stubborn taxi drivers automatically speak to me in English. I get a different vibe now. I could say there is an inflection of respect in their address but that would be stretching it a bit: Nothing else has changed. I still have my long old braids and my skin is as dark as ever.

Is there something special about these sunglasses?

Waiting on the world

I was one of those kids...the over achievers.The ones who tried everything, read all the books, got the good marks and were on everyone's good side. And this kid grew into an over ambitious power hungry young lady. I could blame it on my small stature and always feeling the need to prove myself equal to anyone else, but deep down I always felt I was destined for greatness and the rest of the world just didn't know it yet.

Well, through my past and very recent trouble with wr3ckreation, I have persevered because of this conviction. After having started and failed at a couple of things I felt like to give up once more was not an option. I had to work harder...and harder till I made something of it.

Eventually I hope I will get there.But in the meantime...I'm just waiting on the world.

Aspiring ambition

Made this dress for a friend of mine (she altered the bottom) and she looked too good in it for me not to share

It has taken a while for me to finally feel like I have grown into myself, into the person I aspired to be. I just recently finished a big, REALLY big project (sewing 10 dresses in 2-3 weeks, not counting the two extra dresses I had to do last minute…) and I have to say, I’m reveling in this encompassing feeling of having successfully achieved something. I have achieved acknowledgement from my peers, and appreciation for the effort I put into my work.

I can’t help but have this cat-satisfied smile on my face as I bask in the congratulations and simple praises. The dresses themselves were nothing fancy, barely elevated from casual dresses by the use of colour blocking: but even I was quite skeptical when I volunteered in the beginning on whether or not I could get everything done in time. I am very glad (and proud) though, that my over-ambitiousness paid off and all I have to do now is actually try and make a monetary profit from the dresses.

A special thank you to my ever supportive siblings and friends who kept on insisting I couldn’t fail. If for nothing else, I couldn’t let all of you down. My back on the other hand, won’t be thanking you for a few weeks.

Ps: A dear friend and reader, shout-out to Marlon, suggested I blog about something I’m clueless about, like rugby. I wonder how I could ever integrate rugby into wr3ckreation. Any suggestions?  

Work.HARD.

via outsapop.com/

I haven't been able to post in such a long time and it felt like missing an old friend. I hate it when school and life get in the way of things I love but just as I was browsing through my daily blog reads, I found this really inspirational post. It fell right into my lap at the perfect time, as I'm currently falling apart over 10 dresses that I have to design and sew before 31 March....On top of my school work load!

But here I am, all perked up and ready to give it my all. *deep breath*
Wish me luck

PS: Its good to have yet another friend join the blogging community, check out her blog crippledreality.blogspot.com/

The Winds At My Feet

beauty is odd

You always know when a change is about to come. It is that instinct that has gotten our species this far. But very often I find myself wanting to go the other way. To turn my back on change. To try and maintain things the way they are. To hold onto what I know. And that time is now. I can feel the boisterous winds of change at my feet. Gnawing at my ankles like hungry dogs; and I don’t know which way to turn. The hurts of last year are still too fresh in my mind, and the infestations of doubt and denial are spreading. I feel trapped, not because I have nowhere to go, but because this is not the road I want to be on.

All I can do is hope that this road, will get me to where I need to be.

Thank You

Its so blazing hot down here its refreshing to see a white christmas

As the year  approaches its end, we are constantly reminded of the moments that made the year eventful, both the ups, and the downs...And as usual, this is the time I find myself most grateful for the people in my life who've kept me afloat during my trying times and who've laughed with me during the lovely times.

I wish you all a pleasant,prosperous and memorable 2012.

Bizzare?

Is it just me or do some of these confessions leaving you wondering...WTF?
[All photos via PostSecret]

Secrets

 Image from Post secret

I just got a phone call from a really dear friend and she reminded me that life is what you make of it. I was feeling a little down and out earlier, about nothing in particular, but it was just one of those days.

I am generally scared of large open spaces BECAUSE they make me feel insignificant but i love being out on rooftops or on empty roads early in the mornings or late at night just because they do make my problems seem tiny. I love the general idea of  posting random secrets to be published for the world to see. I find many of the secrets inspirational and wonder about the people who wrote and sent them. I would post a secret myself but I fear that I don't have any secrets worthwhile?
I'll give it a try.One day soon
Anyone hearing Secrets by One republic in the background?

Maximum height

This is one of my favourite pics ever. This is one of my best friends V showing that a little attitude goes a long way. Given we were a little drunk, it was a memorable night. I miss her.

Numerology

To start off with, you have to know that I'm one of those people who believes in practically everything [although not so publicly]...from horoscope to the whole "the world is ending in 2012" nonsense. i'm a believer.

I was watching some tv show today, which you'll forgive me for not mentioning, and they talked about life path numbers and how they influence our lives. My curiosity was piqued and  soon i was googling away.
Although i found a whole bunch of different sources [unsurprisingly] and different ideas, i found this to be the closest to my heart.

This is a short excerpt of what it generally says:
The number 11 Life Path has the connotation of illumination describing its general focus. This is the number associated with spiritual awareness. As one of the two master numbers, the 11 yields understanding and knowledge beyond the grasp of others. The attitude toward life of those possessing this Life Path is somewhat extreme; extremely intuitive, avant-garde, idealistic, visionary, and cultured. These extremes make you an interesting, if unusual person, with much to offer society.

http://www.lifepathnumber.com/en/ here is a useful link for all interested
cheers