Time has Wings

Is it just me, or does time seem to speed up the longer you are out of school? The other day I was having a conversation with a colleague and I almost platzed when I realised that I have been out of school for 14 years already. And I could swear it was just the other day the World Cup was here and next week it will be November. I need a pause button.

The shopping centres have dusted off their Christmas decorations and most people are organising year end functions and thinking of their holidays looming on the horizon. Mmm, a holiday, I would really like one, but not a drive down to the coast, I want to go overseas and ski, visit Spain and Paris, drink hot toddies and bundle up in layers of warm wollies. There is nothing like a Christmas in the cold. Somehow, a braai just doesn't seem right. I suppose for those who have not experienced a "White Christmas", this statement would not fly with you....it doesn't fly with my Mom either: She hates cold weather!

Most of all, we must not forget what this time of year is all about; A time to give. This weekend myself, my sis and a couple of friends will be volunteering at the Santa Shoebox Project. What a wonderful initiative! I particlarly like it because it provides needy children with neccessities as well as toys. Give them what they need.

All of us have had such fun filling our "shoeboxes" and it has been a hot topic of conversation, but still, so many more of us could get involved and lend a helping hand. Let's forget about the rat race, that we don't have time to do anything...if you are really committed, you will make time. And you will make the effort.

Bill Gates and Willaim Buffett, the 2nd & 3rd richest people on earth, respectively, recently started The Giving Pledge. A challenge directed toward the USA's most wealthy to give away the majority of their wealth to charitable causes. Today, 34 billionaires have signed on.

Now, I know, the majority of us do not have this kind of money at our disposal, but you don't need money to do charitable things. You need time.

Make some, make a difference and feel good about it.

I wait for the change.

Inspired

Wow, this last week has been an eye opener. I have truly been inspired.....

On Sunday I took part in the iThemba Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. I got up early, dragged my butt, along with my sisters, out of bed and tootled off to Marks Park to show my support for those who continue to fight this terrible disease and those who are searching feverishly for a cure. I was most concerned about finding something pink to wear, but it seemed my shocking pink scarf and white and pink striped cotton underwear would have to suffice. Needless to say, I was underdressed! I loved the guys in their tutu's, crazy pink wigs, girls in top hats, dogs with bows and ribbons ( I want my own dog to walk) and kids showing their enthusiasm and stamina...much more than mine! What inspired me most were the young ladies who walked on crutches, due to missing fit or severe disabilities. A whole 5km's on crutches!!??? There are no words to describe such courage. I was in such awe. And I was in awe at the fact that I walked 5km's and it felt great!

Which left me wondering why I was not doing this more often. Why had I become so lazy, so unfit and uninspired? This has got to change.

So, Sunday night I drew up a schedule and decided right there and then, I was going to make more of an effort. Monday morning I got up early and went to gym to do my cardio workout for 40 minutes and Monday night I went to my Pilates class. This morning, I got up early again. And it feels great! If I had to be honest, all those excuses of no time and I hate waking up early, what a load of bollocks! It's about making a decision to do it, and yes, just doing it! Getting up in the morning, with such fantastic weather, as we have here in South Africa is easy. Getting to the gym is easy, getting on the treadmill is easy, doing the workout is...ja, you thought I would say easy, but that part is not, and it shouldn't be.

I've been inspired, by the countless number of women who I read about in the Shape magazine each month. How much weight they have lost, often in very short spaces of time, all because they demonstrated such courage and determination. There are many people who suggest that we should be happy with what we have, and I think if a larger women is happy with her weight, all power to her, but I'm not happy.....particularily when I used to be in such great shape! Not cool...and how did I get here, so fast, without thought or consideration? Once a Dolphin, flip- now a whale!!! Bliksem.

It's about time I dealt with my weighty issues once and for all and now I have no excuse and I will be held accountable: By you ofcourse:0) And if Kelly Osbourne and Jennifer Hudson can do it...why the heck can't I? Inspired.


I weight patiently for the results.

What about a Guy?

At the tender age of .....well, now, would I really reveal my age to you? I'm a traditionalist and a futurist all at the same time. Some things I prefer to do the traditional way, others the new.
Which brings me to my tender age and boyfriends, fiancé's and husbands...of which I have none! Would be nice to have all three.....Yes, this is where traditionalist comes into play.

There is immense pressure at the moment to "settle down", do the ball and chain thing. I'm not sure if I'm putting pressure on myself or if the fact that I constantly seem to be the spare wheel or bringing up the rear, so to speak, in comparison with my family and friends, is the heavyweight.

There is no doubt that I would love to meet "the one" and have a wonderful family life, with my very own pigeon pair, two dogs, a cat, maybe a parrot, swimming pool, large garden, house, I would even consider being Mom's taxi. According to those "in the know" time is running out.

It's the first question I get asked these days: "So, what about a guy? Who you dating?" And for the thousandth time I have to sheepishly reply "Nope, Nobody, Nada. Nothing!" To be honest, I get a tad bit embarrassed. I'm sure I'm not hideous, I'm certainly round on the edges, carrying that sack of potatoes on the butt and thighs, but I'm awesome!! Thoughtful, caring, for the most part funny, passionate about charitable issues and the environment, successful, driven, sport's savvy and down-to-earth. So what the bloody-you-know-what is the issue???

When ambushed with the above question, I'm quick to enquire as to where I'm supposed to meet this knight in shining armour, to which I get a resounding "I have no idea"!! Well, blimey, why don't you have a solution?

I'm not into the club scene, a bar is a no-no thanks to my non-bingeing drinking habits and anti-smoking stance. I did try online dating at the beginning of this year. I found it to be a wee bit like a meat market. It seemed appearance was all that mattered and let's not forget, I'm a traditionalist, it just did not feel right or comfortable. I also found that I too started to become a neurotic snob, putting brawn and good looks first. Sis on me!!!!

So, what is the answer? I'm open to blind dates.....as long as my personal body guard is on stand by in case of emergency; Moooommmmm!!!! A nice meal with some good conversation would be really appealing. And I do eat, I'm not a supermodel in waiting, munching on lettuce and a carrot. I love food, I like to cook, try new things. And although I'm not a binger, sharing a bottle of Red is so on.

I guess this just begs the question..."Don't you have any friends you could introduce me to?"

Yes, I'm still waiting.

In the beginning.....

There is an Elephant in the room....well, a few actually! It seems the heavy weights continue to hang around, no matter what course of action I take to diminish them. Waiting for this, weighting for that. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm ever going to grow up, or rather feel like a grown up.

I'm doing all the things grown up's are supposed to do: work, eat, sleep, work, save, spend, invest, work...workout. Nope, not budging. It all began 6 years ago when I opted to stop swimming and start treading. The "real" world seemed so exciting and scary all at the same time. It was my opportunity to leave the comforts of a sport I had known for most of my life. Stopwatches, endless laps, toned physiques, chlorine perfume, flaky skin, ridiculous hours and the only time I was good at Math, counting tiles at the bottom of the pool. It was time.

For a few years after I clung to the life jacket that was swimming, floating between jobs, in particular swim teaching and coaching.  I thought this was my path, this was all I would ever be "good" at. To be honest, it just became boring and a real pain in the rear. I admire anyone who works in the industry, but it just wasn't stimulating for me.

And so I stuck to my guns and continued to pursue a career in the industry I had studied: Communications. Today, I work as a communications officer and I seem to be picking up the pace. I aint just treading anymore...the doggy paddle is kicking in. Yet, that elephant, those elephants are still there........