The Beauty of an idea...

I have been told recently that I like the beauty of an idea much more than the actual idea when it comes into fruition. I spend a lot of time in my mind, exploring all my neat and curious ideas.. when one finally comes to pass, it feels anti-climatic.  I am then dismissive about it and want another new idea to find refuge in.

My life is often a tragedy because I feel so strongly and my emotions can outweigh my rationale, but then when I start getting my mind involved, it is quite the comedy.  

Me and my twin are quite the pair.  I have a fierce sense of Independence, I roar like a lion and anyone who gets in my way, beware~. Do You see this life I enjoy - I made it.  ME! 

Delise FREAKING Moore!!!

I crafted it with my imagination, my unwillingness to accept no and the power of my perseverance.  The keen, passionate conviction that nothing but the best will do. 

However, My twin thinks she has helped.. because she, on the other hand.. needs her hand held by many friends. Needs to have her beauty and charms noticed and shouted from the rooftops.  Acceptance, appreciation and mostly approval.... 

While I was creating myself, she was looking for romance and love and daisies...

Love and hate are very strong with these two. She has fits of jealousy camouflaged as love, she cries and yet I.. have a strong willed need to be alone. I think I am my best friend, I never feel lonely and no one needs to come to my aid!

All of this being said because, I find myself in a place of turmoil at this point in my life.

The fiery twin.. yeah she is asleep right now.  Oh, and the one who just wants to bounce and frolic in the pretty flowers of life's pretty little rainbows.. she - too is asleep!

This perennial torture and inability to get up from out of it, has taken its toll on me.

I have googled "what to do when life gets you down"..  with the sheer amount of information out there - the one thing seemed a painfully obvious message:

YOU GET BACK UP!! That is what...

Simple.  Nothing else is relevant. 

No one can motivate you

No one can pick you up

You just have to DO IT Already and stop complaining!

BAM!

Evolution and such

Here I am having a moment of Random ramblings with myself again. 

So, I turn to my good old friend.  "My Blog"

This past weekend I went to Disneyland.  It was so much fun to be a kid again. Ofcourse, I am not THAT much of a kid, that my sense of fear has eluded me enough to try crazy roller coaster rides.

Nevertheless, a midst the constant teasing and name calling about how lame / weak / or a wimp I am.. I just took it in my stride, in good fun and didn't take anything personally.  I went on a few kids rides, had a few laughs - exaggerated the fun for the sake of the kids, screaming and laughing, throwing up my hands and being goofy - it was liberating and fun.

At the end of the day, I am just one of those people who can dish it AND take it.  Many of my name callers.. not so much - the minute they get dealt some teasing.. all of a sudden it becomes "personal attacks" - They get all defensive or become silent and miserable or even resort to insulting.. so - what? I will be the wimp of the day.  I am cool with that.  Life is to short to sweat all this small stuff...

Also, nice to experience people in a completely different environment.

Reflections: 

As my 40th birthday fast approaches and this year races on like nothing I have ever known. I have come to a few conclusive facts about myself:

Though I feel and look like a lessor version of my youthful self,  I can truly now say, I am So much less vain.  Oh, isn't that the irony.. You are so encumbered with vanity when you are youthful and fit, your skin is amazing, and you can drink the hind legs off a donkey and shake it off the next day!

But when the beauty fades and all is stripped away.. things suddenly become more real. You start to value who you are as a person in this world.

I haven't "saved" anyone lately, I find myself having to be the product of being saved!

Thanks to my very close girlfriends and my life coach.. I get pulled up out of the rubble of my own mind.. and then I can see clearly again.

That does not mean that I don't still get depressed about it - I have just realized the fact that how my face looks, largely is up to genes and fate - ofcourse I need to keep trying to be healthy holistically. But there are some things, you just cant avoid.

Secondly, I learned that My body looks the way it looks directly because of the lifestyle I live. Nothing more nothing less. I am the only one who allowed myself to look this way.

Once I have faced those facts> I am now liberated to change it / accept it / love it or hate it.

So, today - instead of freaking about how much I ate this weekend. I just keep starting again - over and hope I can be consistent in the midst of a pretty crazy life!.

Less sugar, more veggies, more exercise. The more I do that, the more success will find me.

And in the meantime - Just love my curves. But not allow them to become bulges and bumps!

Sounds good?

Hooray!

BTW in 2007 - that picture isn't Photoshopped.. or enhanced by some phone APP>. that's really how my skin looked.  

Celebrate who you were.

Celebrate who you are

Celebrate who you will be

warts and all.

<3

Wisteria Lane...

Oh, you remember the show... the women who were all beautiful, well-dressed, married, divorced or otherwise having affairs with young, hot men...

They all lived in this little Suburb and had much dirty laundry and a possible body or two buried in their backyards.

Well, I give you:

Exhibit A:
My New House

Ok, So I made quite a tough decision. I decided to give up my city life in a nice apartment, feeling like the perpetual Single Young Female, in favor of the family life.

It happened quite suddenly actually and my head has been spinning ever since.

Well, the things one does for love is often questioned by others and then when the euphoria wears off, questioned by yourself.

However, I do love this house.  Mind you - I moved in 3 weeks ago - before I even slept in the house, I had a Scorpion visitor, which freaked me out! I hired a guy to hunt for them and he found none.. it took him 3 hours to check inside / outside and came up empty - which I was thrilled about (Actually an hour of that was him telling me his life story!) - Nonetheless, I was chuffed.

The A/C decided to conk in.  As my boo brought his belongings over, a bunch of sentimental items got lost / shifted / misplaced or mysteriously vanished... causing quite the drama. Things went missing, things got scratched and broken. It was like a war-zone with alot of casualties.. one of which was my sanity!

There I was putting together kids' bunkbeds with drills and tool kits, and doing a ton of laundry.. Oh, did I mention at this point I didn't yet have a washing machine .. so I have been bundling up my dirty unmentionables and taking it over to another house to do my laundry.

I spent days moving heavy furniture up and down stairs. Trying to calm the chaos within...

My landlord had no keys for my postbox (still being sorted out), utilities, trash services and all sorts of other stuff to deal with.

This "movie" looks nothing like "Gaby's" life.. she just wore cute clothes, seduced men around the neighborhood and had a maid.. Oh wait - I left that life back in South Africa!!

Now, I have cheesy Halloween decorations on one side of me and snotty kids running around in the streets in the middle of the night.. And no, its not the ghetto either!

*Side note distraction** I was actually once on the set of Wisteria Lane and I met Terry Hatcher -  what a tall ,gorgeous woman - she made me feel like that ugly hobbit from.. wait all hobbits are ugly.. she made me feel like a hobbit! 

But no.. my life is nothing like that.

On the flip side. I have SOOO much space! I have spread my entire closet over 4 rooms.. well the kids don't have that many clothes, so they can share ;)

So, now I find myself 3 weeks shy of having done any sort of workout.  My belly spilling over every clothing Item I wear.  I am exhaustedballs!!

No time to.. ugh whats the use.. You get the picture!

Watch this space for my ComeBack!

Its coming.!

#selfie - because  racecar!

London, Ireland and Beyond

My Boo and I took a trip to London and a day in Ireland.

This was a much needed getaway from routine, work, kids, family, friends.. well just escape our regular life!

It is so important to share your passions in a relationship, this not only tests your relationship, it helps you see how the other person deals with stress, or how they behave when they are out of a regular ho-hum.

I must say, we did pretty well. Apart from psychological assessments, we had a blast!  It was a wonderful  time to see my brother albeit for a very short stint.  But it was great to be engulfed in the London culture once again. 

I have always loved London.  I am not sure why I feel so at home there. I mean, the weather is crap (except when we were there it was sunshine everyday!), its expensive, people are miserable.. but for some odd reason, whenever I land myself in London.  I feel like I came home.

We did all the touristy things.  We did regular run of the mill things.  We walked alot! Ate alot! drank alot! Laughed alot!

I must be getting old, since it has taken me nearly 3 weeks to recover - well in all fairness it wasn't JUST the trip...

When I got back, My boss made HIS way to London, which meant I was still working London hours - not good for trying to get back into a regular routine. Working at 2am - AND having to work at regular times to accommodate my life.. But Slowly my humanity is returning to me.

The day after this amazing trip we had Boo's kids' 10th birthday party - it was at a kids water park and there were ALOT of kids.. what ensued after the sun, the noise and all the fun was Migraines, cold sores, thyroid dysfunction, sleep deprivation and more HAHHA

My body just decided it had had enough.. 

But now - back to reality - I feel normal and am on a charge to lose 10 pounds (again and again and again )

peace out!

Happy 39th Birthday!!

WOW!! I can hardly believe it.......

And I am anxious.. Not in a negative way - but the prospect of turning 40 in less than a year is just a weird feeling because I feel SOOOOO Young. I guess that is everyone's story!

My birthday was a blast - I took the day off and spent it relaxing, brunching with a girlfriend and dinner with my honey.   The kids took me for dinner the next day and gave me all sorts of fun gifts which they made.. Kids are the best!

The highlight though was that I was gifted a surprise birthday party on Saturday and it was SO much fun.

Now, if any of you know ANYTHING about me, you would know that this is NOT an easy task and here is why...  I have ALOT of friends.. 

However, my closest friends live out side of the State of AZ and mostly outside of the country!!

I have 3 really close friends here and a few acquaintances / who I don't hang out with regularly but would for sure call friends! Those were the ones at my party.  And it was awesome..

Kudos for the creativity on pulling a party group together hahahaha. That was a feat!

Delise Moore (nee Jones) - Finally get a birthday party!! HOOOORAY

So, this year  - last year in my 30's.. and I have already done SO much - not just with my life, but with this year. I have decided to get reconnected with family and start paying more attention to my physical well-being - after all -> my body is gonna give me what I gave it - oh boy.. sorry liver!! REALLY sorry hahaha

well.. this year is almost officially half done.. 
Lets get to it people...

The world needs saving
I need more fun
and I need to get more awesomer!
:) love you all.

Thank you - thank you!

The Study

Two months have passed in somewhat of a flash.

My life went from the crazy train x 1 (just me) to the crazy train x about 10 (a whole new world and family).  àmore on that later.

As many of you know, I am a very passionate person and I long to and strive to connect with all parts of myself – I never leave any stone unturned in what I desire in life, or want to explore.

I joined a Hollywood Bible study group a few weeks ago– we have video calls online.  My life coach joins us occasionally, but in general we meet in our small groups to talk about life, to grow together and become who we were meant to be.  Sadly, my celebidols = Bill and Giuliani Rancic are not part of my group boo hoo J

We are currently reading the Bestselling Book: “Thrive” by Ariana Huffington – We are learning about how to put our lives into a balanced success by following the 4 principles of:

‘Well-being’, ‘wisdom’, ‘Wonder’ and ‘Giving’

These being the pillars by which to ground ourselves.

Yesterday we had a surprise special guest on video – an old friend, very famous person, whom shall remain nameless. After the video call, I was so sparked with thoughts, my spirit literally jumping in me with excitement to learn and grow and become more… better.. awesome. I couldn’t sleep… I made notes. I pulled out old blogs / writings task sheets. Suddenly, my heart was awake! My spirit – Alive!

He spoke about your individual Human Energy – and how if you have wisdom you know to follow wherever there is great energy, “Success Energy”  – you need to follow that Energy for you to achieve your own measure of success, its infectious.. BE! infectious.

So, day by day now, I am learning to tune into people’s Energy not just in person, but in every person I read, things I see, things I watch.  People I encounter etc.  Wherever wisdom can be added to my life, that is where you will find me.

My “New Life’

Ok, I exaggerate when I call it “My New Life” – I mean really, it’s just another evolving piece to who I am and where I am going.

My relationship, not without its challenges, is going pretty well.  It has been quite a few months.. and we are growing together.. learning a new sort of connection. We have both been married before. As most of you know, I was married to an awesome person, had an awesome life – so I dare not compare.. life just had other plans for each of us individually – so we chose paths that didn’t converge any longer. That love, still strong and which will always be a part of the building foundation of who I am --> I take it to the future with me. Not the romantic love, as that needs to be put aside. But that human love, for a person who is such a huge part of my history.  And Who I am happy to say is very happy and thriving in his own new life.  It’s the circle of life.  

Remember the story of “Candide’ – by Voltaire?  And how at every turn, he faced some ungodly, unimaginable challenge which caused him to want to just throw himself off a cliff - and even that couldn't happen, when he tried to die - death ran away ! LOL .. He met a beautiful lady with whom he meant to run away and make love all day long,  (Whom he called (and I quote): “ gem of all women , Nature’s Masterpiece”) until she was abducted by barbarians and ravaged as a play thing day in and day out  - by the time he found her, she was such a lesser version of herself than she had ever been, ravaged and beaten up.  He decided he still loved her and married her anyway – but the minute he married her, she grew “ugly” to him – the funny quote in the book:

“ I grow older and my wife grows uglier… woe is me” HAHHA. Well, not so funny – :"/

Ok I just have to paste an excerpt:

"What a series of shocking calamities!" cried Candide. "But after all, I
have some diamonds left; and I may easily pay Cunegonde's ransom. Yet it
is a pity that she is grown so ugly."

Waiting for the next thing

Candide was always in the midst of a calamity and crisis, trying to get to the next best thing.. Like Candide, we, too are sometimes waiting for “this to pass” so that we can get to that greener pasture.. or even just a good thing.. but in the end, we have to realize – every challenge, every “bad” thing.. IS our lives. We have to live IN and through those moments and find the greatness in ourselves as much as look forward to the other side.. or we will miss the mystery of ourselves and the beauty of life. Easy? HELLS NO!

(Ironically the Name “Candide” Means Optimist.. haha He was anything BUT!)

Candide travelled with Pangloss.. his wise counsel – who incidentally turned out to be quite the fool, actually! His mantra was that everything happened for a reason (sounds good? ) But he would always add – therefore nothing is worth anything, because it will happen anyway.. why hope.  Now THAT is the energy you need to RUN from.

My relationships

My relationship finds me –  THE solo gypsy who gets up  anytime, any place and floats through the world, wakes up and does what she is inspired to do.. I now find myself in a family. 

Children, parents, Aunts, Uncles and routines.  Oh AND dogs!

None of them my own.  At first I looked around and asked myself, how did I end up here????  – feeling like I am happily absorbed, BUT don’t fit in this situation at all..  But you know life and God have a sense of humor. And the passion that I feel draws me to continue wanting to experience this journey. It’s hard. Oh, boy – don’t get me wrong.  It seems easy to people who have continuously been absorbed in family or structure.  And they won’t really understand how tough it is for someone like myself who is used to being the captain of my own space and time.. to pull in the reigns for this new experience.  It’s quite the mental and spiritual challenge.

The most important relationship I have is the one with myself. I am conscientiously and continuously aiming to be better, do more, be more -> .. but also achieve that B word that eludes us all…. And then there are times, I realize I need to just free fall…

I free fell for a minute and found myself in love again.  Not a bad way to hit the ground!

Easter

I spent Easter with the two precious kiddos and the family. They were dressed up so beautifully, hair all done. And the food was delicious. What a generous family.. Why do I always land in the same sphere as incredible people?  I pay attention...

We hid Easter eggs and ate, and laughed.  It was fun. I can’t really remember Easter in South Africa.

(Vaguely remember holidays, Hot-crossed buns, Easter eggs, Picked Fish and church)

Anyway, my family was largely dysfunctional. We spent a lot of time doing our own thing.  We never had “family” things – well cousins came over sometimes, it was always unpleasant, there was always drama that left everyone sour.  My mom’s laughter always turned to sadness. Makes me sad to think about.   But in the end, we all survived. I like to think I thrived regardless. 

So, I mention that because I am wondering how to be in a family.. what it really means, what part do I play.  Even when I was married. We were always the awesome two-some. Globe trotting. The occasional awkward Christmas lunch and visit here and there… was the sum of the family experience. Everything always seemed so forced in my family. No one is perfect.  I just feel so displaced. Yet, God continues to pull me into these weird situations.

Haha - I mean honestly, I am a very awkward person in family situations now. But its ok - I guess they think I am jst quirky ;)

Children = aliens?

Even after the foster experience of the AIDS babies.. They were never really mine, so my heart, though moved, never connected as if they were my own.  Not that these two that I have the pleasure and privilege of experiencing are my own.. But probably the closest I will get (who knows)  – continue to enlarge my heart and tear down all my comfort zones.

I am so awkward. But I am enjoying the experience of the inexperienced :)

The March of FUN

Working Backwards…

In March, I planned 9 fun things for us to do. 

1.      We went to the batting cages. I must say even with arm flab – I didn’t do too badly! Yes people, believe it! I can now be classified as a voluptuous woman!

2.      We did brunch at the Wriggly mansion, that was fantastic

3.      We went on a foodie tour in old town Scottsdale and met the drunkest, fun people

4.      Re-created our first date – was weird cause we met online hahaha. But it created this air of excitement again

5.      Played tennis and never stopped, we now try to go every Friday (arm flaps and all)

6.      Breakfast all day in bed

Some other fun things we did was take the kids to the Butterfly Pavilion and Lazer maze in Phoenix and then also to a Hawaiin festival and Jum Street, where we jumped on     trampolines for a hour - I lost my breath and had to use my emergency Inhaler.. (old!) teehee

I can’t remember the rest, but with kids, hectic work and social schedule, it was quite the task to pull this altogether LOL – but we did it and it gave us a new appreciation for each other and the world!

Long Beach -April

Yes yes yes – I went AGAIN  this time just for the day – but it was SO worth it. Got to eat at the South African place nom-nom and also got to see South African friendy  (Chrishands) and her roomies which were SO delightful!! What great and SUPER strong Martini.. I think half the night was lost in that drink! I know Matthew McConaughey was involved, there was a dog - no wait, there were two dogs.. and an actor in a suit, and a guy with salt/ pepper hair and LOTS of Designer bags .. Nevermind its all too fuzzy. ;/ Those who were there know what went down..

And how we are here in May….

This month is a lot of saving money, spending time at home and getting ready for London in July. 

Also, trying to plan for a future and get things going in a direction. Work has been unbelievably busy – but also, with all the travel, I have had some flexibility to be part of days off.  Playing tennis, spending time by the pool as it is getting hot (well, not ME by the pool!) - Just trying to stay away from the stores.

I might be going to Costa Rica in June on a Missions trip – trying to see how I can pull it off.  I need to find away to convince my boss that I need 8 days off a month before I take 8 days off

So, as far as updates go – that’s enough – yes?

Peace out peeps J

8 year Anniversary – March 23^rd 2014

Sometimes I can hardly believe the road I have walked in the last 8 years.  I landed on American soil early hours of the morning of March 23^rd, 2006.    2006 was the year I started chatting on “Prodigits” _ man I wish I could remember my username.. I still had an old Samsung LOL. I STILL have it for old times’ sake.

I won’t take a lengthy walk down memory lane – since I have done so at many points.  I would like to share a few thoughts.

America has changed me. I suppose no one can really be the same after the passing of 8 years, unless you are the world’s most boring, predictable, unteachable person!  I wonder what I would have been like had I stayed in South Africa.  Be that as it may, it was my destiny to be here, and be who I am today.  I grew up a lot.  I learned so much about myself, my limitations and my ever-changing desires. I also had a few unkind collisions with reality.

 I certainly have learned how to be patient with people. I have also learned that I am a little stuck in my ways in certain areas and haven’t been a very open minded person.  Most of all, I  have learned that conviction isn’t a reason (or excuse) to not be accepting, embracing and understanding.

Ok, don’t go getting all huffed – I am not talking about compromising principles. I am talking about putting judgment aside and listening to other people’s beliefs, accepting it and sharing your own, so they can come to know the truth, but without prejudice or criticism.  My eyes have been opened to many new and different things which have given me a renewed compassion for people.

I have also realized, I still swop between British and American English and end up looking rather uneducated.. oh well. Education and Grammar seem quite the option these days ;)

America has also made me appreciate HOME. I am so grateful to come from a country where people are GRATEFUL, appreciative and so happy to have  just about anything.. they don’t build and base their lives on ‘things’ – it helps me stay grounded.. because truthfully, here in America I have it all.. I have all the 'things' that people generally want.  But the African in me refuses to be defined by, or get swallowed up in any of it. I have humility because of it. And wake up each day, saying nothing but: 'Thank you, God'.

Now, 2014 – my chat tools are 'Whatsapp' and 'Facebook'.  I am settled and have a job I love, and a love in my life..  What can I say.. never say never – never give up hope. And never stop loving yourself and others.. Just embrace life and be true to who you are.   There is no higher existence than to live in TRUTH.

Say not, 'I have found the truth,' but rather, 'I have found a truth.' Say not, ' I have found the path of the soul.' Say rather, 'I have met the soul walking upon my path.' For the soul walks upon all paths. The soul walks not upon a line, neither does it grow like a reed. The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals.” --> Khalil Gibran

I do believe in absolute truth. A high truth that belongs to and comes from God, undisputed.  But the passage above is indicative of a personal truth.  Finding your own self and your own sense of truth of who you are in this life..

I started this blog by saying it was a journey of deep intimacy, deep, raw truth.. and it has been…

On this journey, I have found many faces of my soul. I have met and been surprised by many varieties of my heart. Many facets of pain and emotion. Many versions of joy and spirituality. But in the end.. from birth till now.. I have always strived to be my true self.

Thank you for sharing it with me…

I look forward to reading back on this blog when I am 80years old.. reliving my life.. from wherever that might be - and reliving again and again my path.. before, present and what lies ahead.

God save the Queen (and by queen.. I mean me J)

 

 

My Travels

2014 has started out with a bang.  I have hardly had time to think, let alone plan my year – then again, us Gemini’s plan but don’t plan at the same time.

Formula 1 Season is almost upon us and I cannot wait to start getting back into the season!

Ok – So, London is on the radar for July to see my brother, my nephew and explore a little bit of Ireland with my boo.

I was rummaging through old photos reminiscing about this wonderful life I have had the privilege of living thus far... looking back, I have had so many travel adventures and so for this blog, I have decided to take a walk down memory lane and write down each destination and recount a few stories or feelings..  (In no particular order!)

Barcelona!! Meeting Vere – my friend from school CJB - fellow Cheerleader! and having a jolly good catchup – Spending it with my best friend made it that much more enjoyable. Flamenco! Yeppa - and ofcourse F1 - :)

 

 

 

 

Singapore – Watching the first F1 night race and meeting Fernando Alonso in the flesh.  In Singapore I had my food poisoning body – it was fabulous… The lights, the people. Wonderful city.  It was such an amazing, blissful feeling and electric atmosphere, I wanted to move to the city that seems to work so well, people are so orderly.

Shanghai.. So much to say about Shanghai.. Meeting Moya, my China - my travel pal -  and drinking wine, going for massages, meeting famous people and watching her teach dance! Dinner with the French Ambassador - Ah! Wonderful. I fell inlove with the vibrance of the night sky - and I really want to see Beijing next!

London – Countless visits. Pooped on by birds in Trafalgar square. Seeing my brother, meeting my nephew.. the list goes on – taking trains to visit all my friends around England. Good times….

I cant even recount all of the fabulous people who are in my heart who live in London.  My family.. Sarah and Andy, friends from my youth, who have impacted my life in big and small ways and who have helped shaped who I am today.  I have been to London 14 times and yet, it never gets old. The drippy rain.. the grey angry clouds, the people scurrying around to the tubes to get to work half wet.. focussed on the task at hand. Newspaper under arm, running, suits that dont fit well... and  the tourists wondering in and out of shops. Cornish pies in Cavadish garden, The Opulence of Harrods and many more.  Yet, I cannot wait to go back in July - in the summer where everyone is out, the pubs are full and people actually smiling!

 

Dubai - I visited my cousin, Buddy and had a smashing time. Spent NYE in the Hilton hotel eating very expensive Vietnemese cuisine and danced with the son of a Sheik. What a brat. Celebrated a non Christmas-Christmas and just had a wonderful 3 weeks! I learned so much about Arabic Culture - Dubai is such a stark contrast of old and new world traditions. Very chique and refined place. Also, a little opressive...

 

 

Hong Kong – 5 Star hotel, late nights, jetlag, panda bears and shopping – oh and turtle soup eeeeu – with my short hair!  (Dn't judge me by this pic it was HUMID, my hair had gone home to Africa - really the short hair looked fabulous at one point!) When I went to Hong Kong, It felt as though I was just a gypsy wondering the earth, it was so fabulous as it was a quick 5 day trip - big city - big lights - > Energy~! There is nothing like Landing in Hong Kong where either side of the runway is the ocean! eek.

Belgium – Great Friends, A visit to Bruges, Mannequin Piss (not sure why everyone is enamored with this toddler peeing) – driving a GTI to Spa Francorchamps  – what a wonderful two week trip tasting the Belgian beer, chocolates and listening to French, Flemish and Dutch. Dont forget watching F1 at the best corner ever! Eu Rouge! :) - And Ferarri Wins! Hooray.

 

Small stopover in Amsterdam –

 

Really it isn’t just about weed, prostitutes and gorgeous men – no wait –--> it IS! <----- LOL but I can understand them when they talk hahah BONUS! - I love Amsertdam - everyone is fit and in shape. people cycle everywhere with a purpose. People stand and read actual books along the canal. People look you in the eye - and disarm you with their looks and then they leave you with the check!! hahah  I <3 Amsterdam -

                                       after Amsterdam - we went to Bruge for a water boat tour and connecting with this gothic little city. wonderful architecture. Beautiful graveyards.

 

 Honeymooning in the Bahamas with my first love and then husband of 19 years. What bliss! Love the accents of the people.  One person asked me on the beach if I was one of the "Miss Universe contestants” – whoo whooo to be 21 again LOL - I remember thoroughly indulging in the clear blue / green waveless ocean- watching the little sea creatures swim around my feet.  Wearing my black and orange bikini. I was sunkissed and toned from my crazy workouts leading up to my wonderful wedding day. I felt fabulous and what a wonderful little place to relax and be in love. :)

 

 

Good day Mate – family, friends, laser tag, the beach – I felt like I was in Cape Town.. every second person is a Saffa.. most have Aussie accents – confused! LOL – Jetlag and spending NYE in flight over the Indian ocean only to wake up to NYE again.. wowzer – headspin...

 

I did get to see the sunset from inside the cockpit during takeoff – next to Captain James whatshisname… In a long blue skirt and black tank top.  Smiling from ear to ear (me - not him!) - Perth was wonderful though Unimpresive.. I need to go back to see it again :) Well I want to go to Syney and Melbourne next (OFCOURSE there is a F1 race there.. DUH!)

 

PARIS! Who even has accurate words to describe Paris? Being in love with it all….The Louvre, Champs Elysees, coffee & croissants, men sitting down uninvited at your table at a restaurant whom you don’t know, just starting random conversations about love and romance!

My room was way too small – so  we decide 0 LIGHTBULB.. lets move some furniture around and dang we break the closet into pieces.. oops!!  Long walks  to the New City and up the Arc de Triumph – crying at the Notre Dame. Ah Paris, my love I will see you again.
 – the Eiffel tower, anniversary dinner of Seafood

 And then there was VENICE... - celebration of the turn of a decade - my 30th! Toasting with Champagn on a gondola, Like I had dreamed when I was 16  years old.  Walking my feet flat through all the side streets, being in awe of and curious about everything.. and drooling in the Roberto Cavali store. Ah! Gelato! :)

 

 

Italy - (Sorrento, Rome, and most of the Southern Part) – I was 18 – my first trip out of the country.. a train ticket in hand and adventure in my heart  -3 weeks of Oh MY GOD fun, frustration, world cup, huge heavy luggage with no wheels.. Assisi!  Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love…and a random Patrick Swayze song.

This is where all my adventures began.. where the bug bit hard. Italy is forever in my heart. There is nothing like an Italian summer... love, festivities, loud people, just enjoying life. Siesta~!!



 

 

 

 Check out the shorts ---->
YIKES!!

 GABON
We got stuck here.. not by choice  -one week of HELL – well, it turned out not so bad.  We were enroute to Italy when they kicked us off the plane, and told us "it is not possible" (response to every question) in African-French accents NO ONE spoke English.. cab drivers revelled in ripping us off.... and the next flight out was in a week...  met A weird man in whose home we stayed... porn... I slept in a hammock>? No wait really?, watching people build a boat and the best crab curry of my entire life!

 

Thailand.  Orchids are brought by beautiful women to your hotel room every night, the women present them and say goodnight - wishing you a lovely evening... 5 star living. Beach massages, snorkeling, waking bare foot on the white beach sands of Pee-pee island, bartering for goods that already only cost $5!

 

Zimbabwe – getting sprayed by the falls. Dinner boat cruises, tons of crazy hippos and good friends. The joys of Africa!  This was a work trip and the people I worked with were wonderful - we laughed and watched the sunset from a river cruise over the goregous falls of Africa!

 

Swaziland by bus – beautiful women, church trip and my first beauty pageant~! J

 

All of my US trips have been well documented in my blog..

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a wonderful way to go down memory lane.. and so much more to come!

Stories honestly told and deeply contemplated offer us a glimpse of the meaning and desires of our lives. As long as I have known myself and been aware that I had desires, dreams and a soul. This world called to me from the deepest depths.. Not because of anything anyone else had said, or something I had read or seen on TV – it deeply planted in my soul this yearning for adventure - to explore this world.  The seduction of what lies outside every border that I am in, entices me like nothing else on earth. 

I want to be fierce, courageous and honest in pursuit of my life’s desires. So here I go – like a wrecking BALL!!! :-)