Always finish what you start.

So my husband says I never finish anything I start.

All I have to do is look around at all my half-finished, half-baked, half-arsed attempts at drawing, guitar playing, photography, jewellery making, learning Spanish, an interior decorating course and various Unisa degrees started over a decade ago!

There are at least 5 unfinished books, 105 602 attempts at a proper gym workout, 2 yoga classes and a visit each to a homeless shelter and girls town.

Yes … there it is. The giant, angry, purple elephant in the room that I always keep my back to and never make eye contact with.

“You will feel an enormous sense of accomplishment, when you finish something” he says.

Easy for him to say, he has a disease where he has to watch paint dry. Just to make sure its good and dry. Over the years his love of watching documentaries to the end has left him well endowed with a fountain of general knowledge. I’m thinking he might have a point.

So in good spirits and with good intentions I embark on my quest to finish something I’ve started.

First off, I am reading book 4 of the Harry Potter 7. Since reading has always been my strongest point this one is almost too easy. So I cannot in good conscience give myself full points for it. Though I do promise to read it word for word and not speed read like spy in a hurry.

Secondly, I have an unfinished pencil drawing of a butterfly somewhere that is in mid-copy mode… just need to remember where I put it...

For now, just the two then. I’m quite eager to experience the zen of accomplishment!

PS. I DO finish some things. Like chocolate and all the spending money in my bank account.

PSS. I already have 5 new things waiting in the wings! (belly dancing, rock climbing, photo course, pilates & pastry making!)



"Give us the tools and we will finish the job."   -    Winston Churchill

When did we become the people of excess?

Our parents and the generations before them had the courage and grit of fighters. Persevering through all of the tragedies and obstacles placed before them and in the end emerging with character and soul. Some would argue that poverty has a sense of romance while others would be shocked at the idea of having nothing.


But there is some wisdom and a sense of freedom in having nothing. We would have less decisions to make, less bills to pay, less stress about debt. So what do we do? Sell everything and move to a remote location where we churn our own butter from the two cows we own? Or do we strike a fine balance between having too much and having too little. A lot easier said than done.

The hoarder in us refuses to allow us to live on faith and the belief that God will provide. Surely this abundance is Him providing, we tell ourselves, as we stock up on food we don’t eat, clothes we don’t wear, shoes that collect dust. Yes, He is providing, but we are taking way more than we need. And we are giving away a lot less than we should. We care about our neighbours a lot less. We share a whole lot less than what we used to when we all had nothing.

Some of us remember the taste of poverty and fear to taste it again. So we make sure we are provided for in more ways than necessary. In fact we over provide to our detriment. Excess, is the bane of humanity. Too much money, too much food, too many possessions, too many, too many… This thinking is destroying us. We are destroying the planet and ourselves. Look around at everything we have that we do not need.

Next time you see a hungry, homeless person take the time to give him something of yours. Something he could use. Something that will make him believe that he is not alone in his poverty.

Something that will release you from your bonds of excess.

If you ever find yourself in Thailand ... Top 10 things to do.

1. Remember that everyone loves their king. Asking "who's that", gets you a look of disdain. Yes, they like big pictures of him. Please stop by and see his ginormously huge palace in the city.... i'd hate to see the size of his country home.










2. Make peace with the fact that there is NO FRESH AIR in the entire city of Bangkok. You dont need a mask. How will you enjoy the pungent, deeply layered odour of rat and damp city while wearing it??

3. Take time to meet the locals :) the little people if you will... They're super friendly and very relaxed.
 

4. Eat something halaal... if you can find it. Thai people love pork. Its the damn chinese influence. Everything has bit of miss piggy on it! So watch out.

5. Take a longboat ride in Krabi and see the best beaches in the world... dont let any drunk Germans sit next to you. They will think you're one of the local girls and try to touch your leg by pretending to wipe their brow with your towel! Horny german males visiting for the sex industry should be banned from Thailand.

6. The compulsory Elephant Ride! Loads of fun. And when your husband thinks he's the king of the elephant and tries to 'take charge'... dont be nervous, they're very calm creatures. Except when you wave a snack at them! Elephant skin is so thick you'd have to weld it for the elephant to feel anything.

7. Hire a scooter! ... And the king of the scooter showed up. We whipped around Krabi at high speeds with the wind on our hair! It was awesome :)

8. Do some shopping and do it WELL. This place is cheap and everything is handmade!

9. Dont fall for that nonsense about the biggest flower in the world! Its a tourist trap designed to have you hiking in knee high mud for 3 hours to find a fungus!

10. Dont forget to have a good giggle... and dont overplan.

Dear God, please help Chile...

The Chilean people are kind and humble. They have an almost childlike quality that makes you feel as if you're in never never land. South Americans have a strength that flows deeply in their bones. They're the people of the Incas and also the people of the trees and the forests. Please God, keep them safe and help them recover easily from the quake.

Hasta luego Santiago... you can bet on it! :)

India ... December 2008

I always said that India would be the last place in the world that I would visit.

I always said I'd visit Australia before visiting India... but when India beckoned, I found myself willingly succumbing to her...

A thousand times we've heard the story, a thousand times we've rolled our eyes.... but only when we truly behold the magic of India can we nod our heads and agree that India is breathtakingly beautiful and heartbreakingly poor.

A country ravaged by colonialism, ravaged by religion, ravaged by poverty, ravaged by nature still glows like an old yellow diamond... priceless, loved, tarnished. India demands certain criteria from its inhabitants, you will not survive without a deeply spiritual root, without the love of and for your fellow man and without the love of curry.

The Grand Mosque, Medina Baye, Senegal

This is a beautiful mosque.

It has one level for men (front) and women(back).

The mosque is the biggest building in the town. It stands tall with four huge towers. On the right is the tomb of Shaykh Ebrahim Niass (R.A) grandfather to Shaykh Hassan (RA). This is now the resting place for both Shaykhs.

Jumuah at this mosque is the most amazing sight. Every spot on the sand, every spot inside the mosque and tomb is filled with brothers and sisters.

Shopping in Medina - January 2008

Yes, during my time in Medina Baye, I managed to squeeze in some shopping. The markets are the most fascinating places. Everything is sold at the market, food, meat, clothing, furniture, chickens, everything! All in one market. It was definitely fun negotiating as I could not understand any Wolof. Amidst the pointing and finger counting and head shaking we managed to negotiate good prices for scarfs, bangles and fruit. I even managed to get an outfit made at the local tailor! ... with the help of a picture and a prayer! hehe.

Silver jewellery is rather cheap with unique West african designs. Everything is locally made and artisans are usually manning the shops. Those who could understand us explained to us how various items were made.

Do not attempt to shop without a guide or some rudimentary understanding of the language and value of the currency.