New Blog ...

A friend asked me about my blog last night and we decided I was "All blogged out" but am I , every now and again I still feel like just ranting my feelings or diarising what I have been doing, but as I said this one won't let me add any more pictures, so I have created a new blog.  If you are keen on reading what I am thinking then you will find me here:

Installing Winter in Ireland

Just like summer never arrived, Winter is proving to be exactly the same, it's been between 12 and 17 degrees most of last week.

INSTALLING WINTER IN IRELAND.....

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44% DONE.                              

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∞One Friend∞

LOOK AT YOURSELF AFTER WATCHING THIS.mp4

Where the f--k is Webb Ellis- for the 2011 Rugby World Cup from TV3 Sport

Nickelback - Far Away

Friendship

Friendship ~ None of that Sissy Stuff

Are you tired of those sissy 'friendship' poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality?

Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship.

You will see no cute little smiley faces on this ~ Just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.

1.. When you are sad ~ I will help you get drunk and plot revenge against the sorry bastard who made you sad.
2. When you are blue ~ I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
3 When you smile ~ I will know you are thinking of something that I would probably want to be involved in.
4. When you are scared ~ I will rag on you about it every chance I get until you're NOT.
5. When you are worried ~ I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining.
6. When you are confused ~ I will try to use only little words.
7.. When you are sick ~ Stay the hell away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.
8. When you fall ~ I will laugh at your clumsy ass, but I'll help you up.
9. This is my oath .... I pledge it to the end. 'Why?' you may ask ~ because you are my friend.

Friendship is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, but only you
can feel the true warmth.

Unhinged: Surviving Joburg - Teaser to an Exciting New Film

Gallery: KwaZulu-Natal snow

Gallery: KwaZulu-Natal snow: "Widespread snowfalls interrupted morning routines but South Africans did not mind - they took to the internet to share their snow pictures."

Things to do before I die

One of the guys at work today was telling me he was going to the "Galway Races", as it is Galway festival time, and he recommended we go sometime, so I said I would put it on my list of things to do before I die, so he said "now it's not that important", so I said I would make sure it is underneath the "Rio Carnival", and it just got me thinking of the Top 100 things to see before I die.  Amy Winehouse used to be on my list as was Elvis but I guess they died before me, so scratch those out.  So what is on my list?  Okay I am going to list these in no particular order.  My top 10 first and I will keep adding to it.

1.    Sydney for New Year one year
2.    The Rio Carnival
3.    The Galway Races
4.    The Greek Islands
5.    The Taj Mahal
6.    Hawaii
7.    Jamaica
8.    Cuba
9.    Rocky Mountains
10.  Alaska Cruise

Amy Winehouse - You Know I'm No Good

One of my favorite singers of all time, I somehow new she was going to join the likes of Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Brian Jones who all died when they were 27, mainly from drug overdoses.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/27_Club

I was reading this today and thought of you...xxxxxxxxxx

A very special friend sent me this today and the words are just so true ... 
Before you say “I can’t”
Make sure you’ve already tried.
Before you let doubts stop you,
Confront them with facts.
Before reasons convince you it’s impossible
Pursue the one reason that makes it possible.
Before failure enters your mind
Hide success in your heart.
Before fear holds you back,
Go forward with faith.
Before problems interfere with your plans,
Use them to accomplish your goals.
Before you hold back because others are better,
Show others what a winner you are.
Before you settle for less,
Hold onto what is most important.
Before you believe there is no way,
Keep going and you’ll make one.
Before you give up,
Be at peace inside.
Before you dismiss your dreams,
Wait until they’ve come true.
Before you go looking for happiness,
Make your own where you are…..

There is a God

I never blogged about the most important thing that happened to me this year.  Well I have to go back to when I was unemployed and looking for a job, which is not easy when you are a foreigner in a recession hit Ireland.  Anyway I got a job with the company  I was previously contracting to, but a much junior position but hey it was a job.

Anyway my new "boss" found it in her to use me as her protégé, I don't think she had much experience managing adults before because we immediately had a personality clash, I am not going to go into the whole story, just that I was unhappy for over a year - which caused a lot of stress in my life.  But at the end of June she was moved to a different section, and life became wonderful ... all I am hoping for is that it lasts, I mean after all you spend most of your awake life at work.

I think my friends also got tired of me wining on about her, but I think they must have all prayed very hard for me, because I realised there is a god out there after all.

150+ Hilarious Funny Facebook Status Updates Ideas!

150+ Hilarious Funny Facebook Status Updates Ideas!

Remember...

Inspiration Line - Daily Inspirational Quotes - Friendship and Love

Inspiration Line - Daily Inspirational Quotes - Friendship and Love: "In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."

Thought for the day

The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon...but that we wait so long to begin it

Gino's ... in da South

This morning I was thinking about what I really miss from home, and the first thing that popped up was decent Pizza.  There is no one in the world not even the Italians that can top the Pizza's made @ Gino's in the South.  Gino's started in the 80's and they were the start of people in the South being able to go out and eat at affordable prices, back then you could go out and have a starter, main course, desert and a bottle of wine for about R25.00. The waiters would score big time, because the meal was so cheap you would give them and extra tip.

When we were home in April, my brother-in-law suggested Gino's and I was worried that after 28 years the standard would have dropped and the food wouldn't be great.  But it did not disappoint it lived up to it's excellent standard.  Still run and owned by the same Italian family, it was wonderful and although the prices had increased, it was still a bargain, starters, main course, desert, drinks and Don Pedro for round R100.00 including a tip, that's €10.00, which would buy you a chicken wrap and coffee in Ireland, nothing more.

I also started reminiscing about all the times we had been to Gino's, how we had waited one evening for 4 hours for a table (they never took bookings, but you could wait in the bar), and how by the time we got to the table we had, had so much to drink that my friend actually passed out in her food!  Hopefully Gino's will be around for another 20 years so that we can enjoy the food every time we go back.

Just check out their menu

Zumba Fitness - Que Te Pica

I thought I would share one of the Dance songs we do at Zumba, awesome class again tonight!

I just don't get it...

Tonight I was at the Gym doing my 20 laps or more before our Boot camp aerobics class, when in waltzes the skinniest girl I ever saw, long blonde hair almost down to her waist, wearing only a "GOLD" string bikini.  She waltzes up to one of the gym instructors who was busy doing his yoga exercises.  Now I know I shouldn't stare but it was quite obvious from the body language that all she wanted was him, the meeting was very short and sweet and she ambled over to the Jacuzzi and half put her body in, so that the other half was sticking out for everyone to see, and then not 10 minutes later she was gone.

Did I miss something, were they looking for a new BOND girl at our local gym?  Not that I would have been chosen - lol :) , sometimes I just don't get woman!

Brilliant Status on Facebook tonight:  Destiny may decide who touches your Life ~ Your heart may decide who touches your Soul ~ But...Tequila decides who touches your body... :-D

Do we work to Live or Live to work?

Funny thing, being in Ireland for 10 years now makes me think that when we were living in the rat race, we were always working and life really revolved around work, whereas the Irish have it right, they work to live!  Nobody rushes in to get the work done, because whether you rush or get there when you have to the work will still be there, nobody worries if you are a few minutes late in the morning, because sometimes you just have to stay that few minutes extra in the evening.

And what happens when it is a sunny beautiful day, well most Irish people take the day off - who wants to be stuck in doors on a beautiful day.  Week-ends well if the sun is shining, forget about the housework, it can always be done another day, get out and enjoy the sunshine!

I think I could get used to this, although they say the Aussies are very similar and I think I would prefer the weather.

Chilean Volcano

Someone sent me these photos today, which I had to share with you because they are absolutely awesome, they were taken of the Volcano in Chile.

Zumba Class

So I went, and I had so many flashbacks, firstly I can't dance, secondly I have absolutely no co-ordination - but I did it.  The guy who took us is a South American guy, so the Latino dance music is in his blood.  It was fast and furious and required both arms and leg co-ordination which just didn't work with me, it reminded me of my first aerobics class that I went to with my friend Sheila in Edenvale, she spent the entire hour killing her self laughing watching me than doing the exercises.

After 10 minutes I really thought I was going to die, but I stuck it out and after 60 minutes I thought well blow me over it's time to go, but our instructor had other intentions and kept us there for another 10 minutes.

Will I go again ... Absolutely!

Fitness

Well after our walk along the cliffs to Greystones, I have become a bit more motivated with my exercise.

On Sunday I went off to the pool at the gym and did 35 laps and some aqua aerobic exercises.  Then Monday I did 15 laps and 20 minutes of Aqua aerobics, the new trainer on a Monday is not so clued up and needs to find his feet.

Then Wednesday night I did 21 laps and 30 minutes of Bootcamp Aqua aerobics, wow I loved it, loved being pushed to the limits and trying to keep up with the ultra fit instructor, who sometimes goes on like those rabbits in the ever ready battery ad.

So I decided that tomorrow night I would try the Zumba class, it's on for an hour, from 7:30 tomorrow night and then afterwards go for a swim, Jacuzzi, sauna and the steam room.  What a way to spend a Friday!

I think I am getting fitter and I can definitely feel that I am more toned, however still long way to go.  So want to come along and join me?

Summer in Ireland

INSTALLING SUMMER IN IRELAND.....

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404 error: Season not found. Season "Summer" cannot be located.    

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Google Earth

I was amazed at the new Google Earth, that actually shows you the house quite clearly almost like a photograph but in 360 degrees because you can move the camera around and see everything.  I first googled our address, and the satellite image was obviously taken when we weren't home, which is weird because when you do the aerial view, you can clearly see washing hanging on the line and both our cars in the drive, yet when you do the street level view there are no cars in the drive, so they must have been taken at different stages.

Our number has the cars in the drive and the front door open.  I Google Earthed some place in Australia and you can actually see the people walking in the street and almost identify them.  When I started putting in addresses in South Africa, the aerial view is quite good, but if you try go to street level is just blurs it out, the same with America, is this to stop burglars using Google Earth to see how they can access a house, then surely they should blur it out anywhere in the world, I mean after all their are burglars in Ireland and Australia too, not just South Africa and America.

It's mind blowing though, try putting in your address and then once you get the aerial view click on the plus button until it gives you the street level, you never know you might even see yourself there.

Sunny Sundays

Today was one of those days where you weren't quite sure what the weather was going to do, but we took the chance and packed a picnic basket and went off to Marlay park.  It turned out to be a beautiful hot day, and my car temp read 27 degrees.

After having our picnic and Em playing in the park for almost 2 hours and meeting a new friend Sophia, D arrived and he took Em off to a party and I went and spent a relaxing 2 hours in the pool at the gym, well sort of relaxing, I must be getting fitter as I managed to do 35 laps and exercises in an hour.  Then went off to Wild and Greene for a quick take away smoothie before fetching Em from the party.

10 Years Later...

I suddenly realised on Wednesday the 21st of June (Longest Day of the year) that I had been in Ireland for 10 years.  I remember the day so clearly, I was laden down with so much luggage on a Swiss air flight from Johannesburg via. Zurich to Dublin.  I arranged with Eva a girl I met in Australia in 1998 to meet her at the airport in Zurich as I had a 2 to 3 hour stop over.

She met me laden with all nice Swiss goodies it was so lovely to see her.  Then onward to Dublin, and D was waiting for me at the airport, he had hired a Ford Ka, which must have been the smallest car I had ever seen because he had already collected the unaccompanied luggage and had to rush home to take it as there was no room for anything else.

Anyway it was so nice seeing him after almost a month, D had left on the 18th of May as he was starting work on the 21st of May.  Well I was quite surprised by the apartment he had rented, I expected it to be really old and dark and dingy, but in fact it was Bright and lovely.  And yes he never lets me forget how long it took him to clean it and how filthy it was.  It's amazing the things we experienced in the last 10 years.

For the first year we never had a car and would go shopping walking to Rathmines from Milltown with a backpack, actually walking everywhere.
My mom came over for a few weeks and sadly she passed away that same year, we have had loads of visitors.
We've met some wonderful friends and some not so wonderful.  We have met other South Africans, some who have arrived and left either to go home or proceeded on somewhere else.
I have revived old friendships with friends I lost touch with 12 years ago and are living just across the sea - Thanks Google.  Actually thanks to Facebook, SA reunited and Google I have got in touch with people I haven't seen or heard from in almost 30 years, some who I hope I will stay in contact with for the rest of my life.
We have seen some awesome concerts, and we have traveled to places we never have even thought of going to had we still been living in SA.
We had the most wonderful addition to the family "Emily" who also may not have come along had we still been in SA.
I have learnt a lot about the Irish nation, mostly how they are ruthless in business and will smile and shake your hand while stabbing you in the back, even on your mother's funeral.
However I have also learnt that Irish people are just as friendly as South Africans and once you make a true friend they will bend over backwards for you.

Most of all in the 10 years gone by, I can finally say that I think I am now content with our choice, we made some good decisions and we have made some bad decisions, but the decisions we have made have been made and there is not too much we can do about them.

But I often wonder where will I be in 10 years time, I know where I would like to be but I guess sometimes we just can't have everything we want!

By the way the photo at the top is of my friend Bob who I started working with in 2001 so his probably one of my oldest Irish friends!

Today's Quotes

“Love me when I least deserve it, because that's when I really need it.”


“This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control your own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy.”


“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”


“Meeting you was fate, becoming your friend was a choice, but falling in love with you I had no control over.”


“If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.”


“Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or will stay awake just to watch you sleep... wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks you're just as pretty without makeup on. One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares and how lucky his is to have you.... The one who turns to his friends and says, 'that's her.'”

My Daily Quote

“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.”

We walked the Walk

How I managed to get D out of bed by 8 on Sunday, God only knows but we managed and we left the house by  9:10 a.m. to meet Lisa in Bray by 9:30, we started the walk slowly from outside the Porterhouse and managed to get to Greystones in just over 2 hours, with a lot of stops on the way - we had to watch the Dolphins frolicking in the bay, listen to Em complain.

It was a stunning walk and one I will do again, and I am so proud of Em as she was the only kid on the walk and managed it.

Walk the Walk is a video showcasing the fantastic Bray to Greystones Cli...

The Parlotones - Stars Fall Down

What a life ...

I was just thinking what an amazing life my child has, she has been around the world, she has traveled extensively, and she really does have a wonderful life.  Last week was her birthday party and we did Movies "Kung Fu Panda 2" with her friends, and then went off to Eddie Rockets for a kiddies Meal.

Then on Sunday we had the adopted Grandparents over, Joe, Carla and Lisa and some kids from the neighborhood for snacks and cake.

Monday we did something but for the life of me I can't remember now, oh yes we took the LUAS into town to go and explore the new Disney store on Grafton street (what a disappointment, but I will leave that for another post).  Then on the way home, I took her to the gym for a swim.

Wednesday was sports day at school, I took the afternoon off and that night she had a sleep over at a friend (mid-week) only because D and I were off to the Def Leppard Concert, and then Friday she had a Birthday party after school a "pajama party".

Friday night I got a call from Granny Yvonne, who's daughter is here from SA, and her granddaughter Sarah wanted to spend time with Emily, so Saturday I went and picked her and her daughter up, who is a year younger than Em, took them Marlay park, then to Dundrum for some retail therapy, ice-cream for the kids, Coffee for the moms and a walk around Hamley's (so way over priced)!


Then back to our place for lunch and playing and finally dropped them at home on the way to our concert, and as it turned out D went and got Em a ticket for the Journey Foreigner Concert so she came with us.  We stopped at Milano's on the Quays for dinner first.  Then walked over to the O2, well I should do a post about that separately because my child was head banging standing clapping waving her arms just like a really Rock child (mum a wee but embarrassed)  - lol but I got over that :).

Today has been a home day because we got home so late and it hasn't stopped raining the whole day!

Journey to a Foreign land competition

This morning I was in the kitchen listen to Radio Nova  as usual except this time we were childless, Em had a sleep over at a friend while D and I went to the concert at the O2, anyway in the mornings they have all kinds of competitions and this morning they had "Journey to a foreign land" and they played a recording in a different language and you had to phone and tell them what country the language came from, so the recording was: "Ons kantoor is nou toe, skakel asseblief .... blah blah blah", like hello why wouldn't I know where that was from.  So D said phone and I did, but I never expected it to ring or for "Pat" from Radio Nova to answer, and I said "Hi, Pat it's Rose here" and he said "aaaah, I know you are going to know this" he recognised my accent.  So I got it right and got into the draw.  Well I the winner was going to be chosen at 9:50 and they would get tickets to see "Journey & Foreigner" at the O2 on Saturday night.  I left my phone on my desk sort of hoping I would win, but never expected to, but lone behold at 9:50 my phone rang and it was Pat to tell me I had won.  So I was on the radio twice in one morning!  He kept me on the phone for a while and also told me what a beautiful voice I had and he bets I get told that all the time ... a bit of flirting going on there you think?

Anyway D is going round to pick up the tickets from them tomorrow and I have to get a baby sitter.  Looking forward to it.

Def Leppard, Thin Lizzy and Alice Cooper

Well the main aim of the concert was to go see Def Leppard, but after seeing them in Belfast in 2008 I thought last nights gig was not that great!  However, I have a new appreciation for Thin Lizzy and Alice Cooper - wow what a show.  It started at 7 with Thin Lizzy coming out and belting out some of them well known hits, The boys are back in town, Black Rose and Whiskey in the Jar along with some other really good hits.  They played for over and hour, then after a half hour break while they changed the set, Alice Cooper came on and although I know some of his songs I did not expect him to be the performer he was, the sets were amazing and the python wrapped around him was like a female Glenda Kemp except he kept his clothes on.

The last act was Def Leppard and they definitely did not keep the best for last, because although the songs from their new album are good and they belted out some oldies they just did not perform up to the standard we had seen in 2008.  I also think coming out and telling the audience that they were not as great as the audience they had in Belfast really pissed some people off.

Between D and myself we took some amazing pictures.

Alice Cooper ~ Poison (with lyrics) AWESOME VIDEO

Looking forward to an awesome Concert at the O2 tonight, Def Leppard, Alice Cooper and Thin Lizzy!!!

Lost Continent: Cinema of South Africa - Movie List on mubi.com

Lost Continent: Cinema of South Africa - Movie List on mubi.com

Happy Birthday Em

The final product that took 4 nights to make!

Suicide

Why?

A dear friend of mine came to work yesterday and was really upset, a friend of hers in her neighborhood had committed suicide by hanging himself.

Of course when she told me so many memories came flooding back of people dear to me who had committed suicide, and although she was really upset I had to tell her that it is so selfish, because they don't realise what they do to the people they leave behind.  She was beating herself up about it, just as I had done when Norman committed suicide.

I know that when you are in that moment of depression you are only ever thinking about yourself, and you think the world would be a better place without you but that is never the case.  90% of the time suicides are related to Alcohol.  That was the fact in every suicide that I know of, which makes me think that alcohol like cigarettes should be banned.

Most suicide victims are just shouting out for attention, wanting someone to show them that everything is going to be alright, why also are majority of suicide victims "male"?

If I could have 5 minutes with each of the people I know that committed suicide, would I be able to change their minds?

Often I have been in the situation where I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel and things just keep going wrong, but I realise there are people worse off than me!  D also always makes me think, what is the worst thing that can happen in your situation?  I could get fired?  then what?  I look for another job?  What happens if I can't find one? I go on the dole? then what?  99% of the time there is an answer and there is always someone out there willing to help - the problem is a Suicide victim would never go up to someone and say "I am thinking of committing suicide", because majority of the time these things are done in haste and if they could have woken up the next morning, I am sure they would have regretted what they had done the night before!

The worst funerals I have ever been to have been because of Suicide and I think it is something we need to tell our children about.

Summer is arriving on the week-end

Lookout Dublin, Summer is arriving on the week-end and I think it's supposed to last an entire week :), well in general for the last few years summer has arrived on Em's birthday which is the 4th of June.  Last year we had her party on the 5th of June which turned out to be the hottest day of the year!  Hopefully this year will be no different, but as we plan not to do anything at the house it won't matter.

I just don't have the time this year and can't be bothered with annoying mothers, so have decided just to do it outside of home.  Sunday I will have the adopted Grandparents over and some friends and that is it over for another year!

Princess Castle Cake

http://www.bettycrocker.com/videos/videolibrary/birthday-cakes/pink-castle-cake#ooid=dveXQ5MTrBOSZVaktAiVwfprAdadqVCv

Slainte! Barack Obama toasts Irish ancestors with a Guinness

Imelda May - Johnny Got A Boom Boom

A historical day in Irish history and my new found love for GOOD Irish music! Imelda May I love your style.

Winnie the Pooh quotes

http://www.quotesdaddy.com/quote/280036/winnie-the-pooh/if-you-live-to-be-100-i-hope-i-live-to-be-100-minus

Happy Birthday my BFF

I must say that I am so lucky to have one of the Best "Best Friends" in the whole wide world, today is my BFF's birthday and we have been friends for 29 years, but it seems that it was only yesterday that I met her.  She is the most genuine, kind hearted generous persons that I know and I have never ever met anyone like her in my life.  We have been through death defying experiences together, experienced laughter, tears, pain together and through our ups and downs have remained friends all this time.

Gwen I love you like a sister, I am truly blessed to have met you and as long as we both shall leave you will be a true friend.  Happy Birthday!!!

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares. ~Henri Nouwen