Halloween Party

For the past 4 years of during my studies, I was not able to attend a Halloween party due to ‘that time of year’, where you have to behave and study for exams. Every year I hoped to be able to attend a Halloween party, this year that wish came true. This year I was lucky enough to not have exams or have to study just yet, I did have work due but I dedicated the rest of my weekend to my work.

About a week before Halloween, I heard there would be a Halloween party at the Two Oceans Aquarium so google’d it. The party did exist and then soon after that our tickets were bought, all that we needed was costumes. I was super excited and had crazy ideas for a costume, like Desmond Tutu, Freddy Kruger, Robin from Batman and Micheal Jackson.

I then really wanted to dress as Micheal Jackson, but I had a slight problem…I had boobs. That didn’t get me down however, i just thought if anyone were to ask who I am I’d tell them “Micha Jackson”, lol. So, when we got to the party there was a lot of different costumes, a lot of devils, angels, count dracula’s but I was the only Micheal Jackson J . Overall I had a great time as that was my first time at a Halloween party and my first time at the Two Oceans Aquarium.

The statute of limitations has expired on most of our childhood trauma

Some of us are stuck on looking back at our past (our childhood). Some even try getting remorse from friends by telling everyone about the trauma they survived. Others don’t and have practically become better people from the trauma they experienced. No matter your past, change is the essence of life.

I, like many others, may not have had a prefect childhood (no traumas) but one thing I can say for certain is that by learning to live in the present, we can move forward in our lives. By living in the past, we tend to linger about how tough life is and to my opinion this clouds our vision to look forward in life and make the most of what we have at the moment.

Bad things happen quickly

Rather than looking at the bad things that happen quickly, I’d like to focus on the good things (happiness), just because I’m optimistic like that ;) .

When something good happens the effect lingers for longer however when something bad happens we try and find a solution to fix it immediately. Good things take time. The following words found from my search on google – say it better than I ever could:

“When we think about the things that alter our lives in a moment, nearly all of them are bad: phone calls in the night, accidents, loss of jobs or loved ones, conversations with doctors bearing awful news. Virtually all the happiness-producing processes in our lives take time, usually a long time: learning new things, changing old behaviors, building satisfying relationships, raising children. This is why patience and determination are among life’s primary virtue.”

Quick easy recipe

This week I’d like to share a recipe from a Pick n Pay “Fresh ideas” booklet, I tried out over the weekend.

Ingredients:

Olive oil

1 onion, sliced

2 leeks, sliced

2 cloves of garlic, sliced

1 can (400g) chopped peeled tomatoes in tomato juice

3 cups (750ml) frozen garden mix

8 cups (2L) vegetable stock

1 cup (250ml) elbow macaroni

1 cup (250ml) frozen spinach

Salt and pepper

Grated parmesan, for serving

Serves 4-5

Instructions:

Heat olive oil in a large pot.

Fry onion and leeks until soft.

Add garlic and fry for another minute, stock and pasta and simmer for 15minutes.

Stir through spinach to wilt and season well.

Serve drizzled with a little olive oil and a grating of parmesan.

Bet you didn't know...

Mother Teresa

At the age 18, Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu voluntarily left her parental home to join the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish Catholic religious order in India. Over the course of her life she devoted herself to caring for the ill and impoverished in Calcutta, India. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and made a saint after her death in 1997.

The Dalai Lama

Born into a peasant family, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people has a doctorate in Buddhist Philosophy. In 1959 he was forced into exile after the Chinese military occupied Tibet. He’s worked tirelessly to set up both cultural and religious institutions in order to preserve the rich heritage of Tibetan people, and he’s championed peace across the world.

Mahatma Gandhi

After completing a law degree in London, Gandhi spent several years in South Africa working to improve the living conditions of Indian minorities in KwaZulu-Natal. Upon his return to India, he initiated a series of non-violent campaigns against British rule. His resistance to oppression through peaceful demonstration won him worldwide praise.

Benazir Bhutto

Born in Pakistan, Benazir came from a prominent political family and held degrees from Harvard and Oxford universities. She became prime minister of Pakistan at the age of 35, and was the first woman to do so in an Islamic country. During her reign she brought electricity to the rural countryside, built schools and improve healthcare. She was assassinated in 2008.

Be bold and let mighty forces come to your aid

William Benjamin Basil King (1859–1928) was a Canadian-born clergyman who became a writer after retiring from the clergy. His novels and non-fiction were spiritually oriented. He was born on February 26, 1859, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

A major turning point in King's life came from a teacher who spoke of the ingenuity and adaptability of the life-principle, which had somehow arrived on earth and for eons had continually met adversity and remained undefeated. King realised he was allowing his own wealth of ability to lie fallow. He rose to the challenge but still struggled with the seeming fate of Nature and his own untapped spiritual faith. He needed to heed his own advice: "Be bold-and mighty forces will come to your aid."

The last lecture

Besides having almost the best year, I have learnt an insane amount of things in class, whether it was subject related or about the friends we have . . . I enjoyed it. I’d also like to add that I had a great pleasure meeting new friends and they are awesome in their own ways!!

About the last lecture . . . I believe that it may be sad for some of us and a relief of the amount of work we had, all at once, for most of the time. That was annoying!!! I think that our last lecture should not be spent in a class but rather at a mutual venue where we can all let loose and just chat to one another. And because that may be the last time we ever see each other, I think it would be a good opportunity to say good bye and exchange contact numbers as part of networking.

I fear. . .

. . . Grasshoppers

. . . Ignorance

. . . Neglect

. . . Rejection

. . . Disapproval

. . . Loneliness

. . . Failure

. . . Judgement

. . . Defeat

. . . Loss

. . . Death

. . . Disrespect

. . . Silence

. . . Intolerance

. . . Weakness

. . . Fear itself . . .