Portugal - Week 2

So after realising that we had less than a week left before we had to fly back home, we got out the tourist book and did some strategical plotting on the sight seeing front, in fact I thought that if we don't get our a into g we will never see everything we want to.  So decision was the next day we would be up early and head for Tomar which would be the furtherest point we would travel that day, then coming back stop in Fatima and lastly in Batalha.

Tomar

So next morning we managed to get out by about 9 a.m. and headed up to Tomar, by the time we arrived it felt like it must certainly be the hottest day of the year, driving into Tomar had such a nice feeling to it especially as we got into the old city and towards the beautiful castle on top of the hill.   Walking into the grounds of the castle, I wondered what it would be like to have lived there almost 400 years ago.  The grounds and the castle were absolutely stunning and so well preserved.  The chapel inside the castle is beautiful, it has a center section that is so awesome it leaves you speechless.  I would love to go back when it is not so hot or crowded, because it really is worth seeing again.  I found a little bit of History on Tomar on the internet that reads:

Although a small town, Tomar plays a large role in a very important stage of Portuguese history, with links to the Knights Templar andthe Discoveries, and remains an attractive and interesting place to visit.

Its story begins in the eleven hundreds when much land in the area was donated to the Knights of the Temple of Jerusalem by the then Queen Dona Teresa and her son Dom Alfonso Henriques. Upon this land the Master of the Order of the Temple, Gualdim Pais, instigated the building of a castle which would continue to grow in size and grandeur throughout the ages until the 17th century. 

Legend tells us that the position of the castle, and indeed its name, came to the Templars in a vision upon their arrival in the area.  The castle and the Knights of the Order served to defend the centre of Portugal from attack and invasion, and often they were besieged, but by the 14th century there was a movement throughout Europe to ban the Templars and so came about the extinction of the Order. However, they continued to be supported by the Portuguese royals and so in 1319 Dom Dinis eventually succeeded in negotiating with the Catholic powers the establishment of the new Order of Christ, which would basically take over from where the Templars left off, with the same people, property and privileges. It was this Order which worked alongside Henry the Navigator in the 15th century and whose knowledge and financial backing aided his voyages of discovery. The knights became explorers in their own right with a remit to extend Portuguese influence in the world and to spread Christianity to these new lands.

These voyages and discoveries over the ages are represented in the enormous variety of architectural styles which adorn the castle and convent.

After spending a few hours there, we walked through the old town however everything was closed as it was obviously now Siesta, so off we went to find a nice little restaurant for lunch.  Tomar is such a pretty little town and the river that runs through it, the Nabão and the park just make it stand out from all the other towns we visited whilst in Portugal. 

Fatima

Next stop was Fatima, which according to the books is what Lourdes is to France and Bethlehem to Israel a place of pilgrimage where every good Catholic person want to visit.  D went exploring and came across what was almost like the Vatican, however could not go in because they were having some kind of ceremony.  Now I realise why almost every second Portuguese girl in my school was called Fatima or had it somewhere amongst all her names.

Overall I was not very impressed and spent the hour or so we were there going up and down the souvenir street, which was rather tacky to put it mildly.  I couldn't wait to leave and get onto our next stop Batalha.

Batalha

Batalha was not very far from Fatima, and driving into the town the first thing you see is the huge Medieval Gothic monastery absolutely stunning.  It was getting late so we did not have time to explore too much and only went into the "Founders Chapel" which was completed in 1434, It contains the tombs of King João I and his English queen, Philippa of Lancaster (daughter of John of Gaunt), whose stone effigies lie in repose with their hands entwined. The tomb of their famous son, Prince Henry the Navigator, is nearby.


Very beautiful, however a 7 year old does not fully appreciate all this history and while D was snapping away and exploring I had to try and keep her from dying of boredom, with the heat from that I think she had already had 3 ice-creams but who's counting.


We eventually decided it was time to go home, it had been a long lovely day but now was time to depart.  On our way we saw the sign for Nazare and I said that seeing as we were so close we may as well go and see it.  However, driving into the town was a nightmare, it is obviously a very popular holiday destination and has wonderful beaches and restaurants, probably like Durban was in the late 70's, so we managed to bypass with out going in and took the scenic route home.


The next day was a well deserved rest day and then onto Sintra the following day, another palace and castle to explore - well in actual fact you probably need to spend a few days here and again not in the height of the summer tourist month, we only managed to see the palace in the middle of the town, so will return to do the castle someday.

The palace however was something else, the Palácio Nacional de Sintra, one wonders how many royal families there were in Portugal to have so many many palaces and Castles and not small ones either.  It is the best preserved mediaeval Royal Palace in Portugal, having been inhabited more or less continuously at least from the early 15th up to the late 19th century. It is an important tourist attraction and is part of the Cultural landscape of Sintra, designated World Heritage Site by UNESCO.  It also seems that every place we visited in Portugal has be designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.


I enjoyed walking around this palace however once again Em was bored, which you can't blame her, going through the rooms one by one was eye opening, imagining the queen retiring to her bedroom whilst walking past this gigantic bed where once she slept, and the wardrobe that once housed her many fine clothes.  The Swan room which was probably used for entertaining, the beautiful chandeliers that hung in huge ballrooms.    The kitchen where copper pots and utensils still hang around the iron stove.  All you can say is wow.

Palaces, Castles and Cathedrals - Portugal Week 1

Well although the holiday now seems like a distant memory, and I am in the end stage of a chest infection and conjunctivitis, my will to finally blog again seems it may have returned.

So, the holiday was wonderful although I can't say very relaxing as we did a whole bunch of sightseeing, we flew into Lisbon, then got the car and headed up to our accommodation 90 KM's north of Lisbon in a golfing estate called Praie Del Ray, you can always Google it on Google earth if you want to see exactly where it is.   Although none of us are golfers or anything, the accommodation seemed perfect for touring up and down the coast of Lisbon which it was, close to the beach and pool.


We took 2 days just to acclimatise and then ventured out on the Thursday albeit not too far, we went to one of the closest villages called Caldas da Rainha, we arrived just before lunch which wasn't such a good idea as most places were closing for Siesta.  We stumbled onto the Farmers market in the middle of the town and when we saw the fruit and veggies, wished we had not just done a shop the day before.  It's amazing how fruit and vegetables can have so much flavour when they are organic.

The next day we had made arrangements for D's folks to see mom's long lost niece who had moved to Lisbon  about 15 years earlier, so we ended up at their lovely little house near Estoril for some family memories and beautiful Portuguese chicken and salads.

Saturday we decided to relax and just do the pool thing, which was great!

 Alcobaca 

On Sunday we headed out to a town called Alcobaca which is home to Portugal's largest church, although I enjoy seeing all the old churches and stuff, I am not obsessed by every detail which in one way D is, so after a walk through the main church, Mom, Dad, Em and I excused ourselves and left D to explore all the alleyways of the church.  We opted for shopping for souvenirs and having ice-cream at the pavement cafes. 

The traditional hand painted crockery is really nice, although not quite the style I would like to decorate my house, but very beautiful.

One thing that struck me was the amount of money spent on building lavish churches and decorating them with expensive works of arts, surely in those times the money could have been spent on other things that would possibly have benefited the people.  The church in the photograph is called the Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaca, it is renowned for it's medieval architecture and was founded in 1153.

In the 2 weeks that we spent in Portugal I think D managed to take 700 photographs and of course I took at least 300, although I must say mine contain people and not just statues.

Peniche & Obidos

Two days later we headed off to a little fishing village called Peniche and then over to Obidos, although we had had dinner in Peniche a couple of days earlier we had not done any sightseeing there, to the side of the town there is a 16th century Fortazela used as a prison during the Salazar regime.  It also harboured South African soldiers during the Anglo Boer war, not quite sure what they were doing up in Portugal but I am going to Google it and see what I find.

Just about lost everything trying to Google what I read, but did not find anything, so I guess we will leave that bit of history for another day.

Obidos 

After a lovely seafood lunch, although I decided to try the grilled sardines for a change and really not to my liking, I think sardines are just meant to belong in cans and fed to cats.  We head over to Obidos which is one of the towns closest to where we were staying.  A beautiful village still enclosed by it's 14th century walls.  The castle is now a boutique hotel and you can view it here:  http://www.pousadasofportugal.com/portugal/pousada/obidos.html  

Obidos is now a tourist haven and you battle to find parking let alone walking space in the height of summer time, we had a lovely afternoon tough, Emily had her caricature portrait done and we browsed all the little souvenir shops in the alley, we had intended taking a walk around the wall, but being unprepared in the scorching heat we decided to give that a miss.

Choices

Life is full of choices, how do we know if we are making the right one or the wrong one - how do we know what the consequences of our actions would be months after those choices?

Dumping Friends and Influencing Garbage

Dumping Friends and Influencing Garbage

This is something I have been wanting to blog for a long time and it has been put so brilliantly in this post.

Holiday

I know I have been a useless blogger for the past while, what with work, a child and visitors keeping me busy, but I thought I would let you know that I have not abandoned you and will be back in full swing in a couple of weeks, with lots to tell you about our holiday in Portugal.  Just to make you envious I found some photos, we are staying in a village near Obidos, called Praia del Rey which is 90km's north of Lisbon.  Will be basking in 39 degrees and eating loads of seafood and spending plenty of time at the pool.

Till we meet again, have a wonderful two weeks without me.

Life's a Beach ...

Thank you God, now do you think you could get them to legalize it! 

How can anything so natural be bad for you?

Christmas in July

The in-laws / grandparents arrived yesterday from Johannesburg and it felt like Christmas. I have never seen so many packets of Woollies Raisin chuckles in one place before, beside in the store, and D was chuffed to bits with a kilo of Rooibok bok and a kilo of Ostrich biltong, wow. I got my annual dose of South African magazines, The Fairlady, Getaway, Country Magazine, GeoAfrica and the cosmopolitan.


Emily got loads of Dresses and stickers from her fairy godmother and she sent us load of South African paraphernalia from the Soccer world cup, rainbow nation scarves – which we will proudly wear when we watch the Boks being annihilated by the Irish in November (as usual). Wow just so many things.

My sister sent some really cute stuff for Em and the sister-in-laws went overboard with the sweets and chocolates, peppermint crisps, and all kinds of things. Em got beautiful pyjamas and another beautiful dress from her cousin.

Just so many things to comprehend and take in, a beautful cookery book from Melinds by Evita Bezuidenhout.  And Gran knitted tons of dolls clothes for Em's baby born, that's when you realise how much we miss out on family by living 6000 miles away, although I must say that when we do have them visit we manage to spend loads of quality time together.  Must dash ... later.

End of the Week

So what do we do at the end of a cr@p week , hell yes go out and party ... I am still suffering with a hangover, so as soon as I have rested I will tell all.  Oh my word what a "Jol" and I never even took my camera with!

New kid on the block

I'm the NEWBIE as J.D. would have called me in scrubs.  This sign should say Welcome Newbie, handle with care!

I really hate being the new kid on the block, I have had the F*cking worst week of my life at work.  The senior lady is out, so there was only Mr T. and I in the office, then someone called and said they had been waiting 15 minutes for someone to answer the phone.  So I went to the big Boss and said put me on calls, I can handle it, I mean there is nothing like being thrown in the deep end to learn.  But ... besides not understanding half of these peoples accents (all corners of Oireland I tell you), when I ask Mr T. to help me, he gives me attitude.

By Tuesday evening I was ready to throw the Towel at Mr T., at 17:30 on the dot, I stormed out of there and the next day dragged my sorry ass back in at 9:00 a.m., Missy D could see how upset I was and told me to go and speak to the big "D", so I toyed with it all day and decided I would stay late and then go and chat to him, I had spent the day ignoring Mr T. and the other dude.  But it turned out that Mr T. stayed late too, he must have had a premonition or something.  Then today he's as sweet as honey to me, F%ck he is worse than a woman with PMS, so now what to do - then I had some B*tch phone with a query and start shouting down the phone at me, and Mr T. and dude were all so nice to me.  Turned out the itch didn't know what she was talking about.

Then spent the afternoon with the big "D" sitting at my desk because of a crisis, which unfolded because another itch went on the war path, I am starting to wonder if I will ever cope in this job ... I hate being the new kid on the block especially when these kids know more than I do ... but only for the moment!

Got to get myself one of these ->>>>>>>>>

Voted Best Joke in Ireland

John O'Reilly hoisted his beer and said, 'Here's to spending the rest of me life, between the legs of me wife!'

That won him the top prize at the pub for the best toast of the night!

He went home and told his wife, Mary, 'I won the prize for the Best toast of the night.'

She said, 'Aye, did ye now. And what was your toast?'

John said, 'Here's to spending the rest of me life, sitting in church beside me wife.'

'Oh, that is very nice indeed, John!' Mary said.

The next day, Mary ran into one of John's drinking buddies on the street corner.

The man chuckled leeringly and said, 'John won the prize the other night at the pub with a toast about you, Mary..'

She said, 'Aye, he told me, and I was a bit surprised myself. You know, he's only been there twice in the last four years. Once he fell asleep, and the other time I had to pull him by the ears to make him come.'

Annual Summer BBQ

The weather tunred out just perfect even though it was raining buckets an hour before D put the Boerewors on the braai!  But we had loads of fun with good friends, too much to eat as always and lots of little ones to keep us entertained.  Louve Summer and my friends, you are all awesome!!!

Danyel Gerard - Butterfly 1987 (English)

This song popped into my head yesterday, it was originally made in 1971 and I loved it. It must have been a one hit wonder though, because I can't remember anything else Danyel Gerard sang.

Howzit

Jislaaik, ever since I read the ol' slang from the home town I have soooo wanted to write a post in my own slang.  Jees I can't remember the laas time I did speek like this, probably the time I was ripping off my ex brother in-law for the way he spokes English. He was pretty Dof too.  Anyways bokke let me tune you what is happening in our little world.

Well we are having our annual braai, for all the old Irish peoples, you check every year since Trish bought her new digs we have been having a braai at her house and every year D ends up doing the braaing.  So this year I decided well lets have it at ours, so we invited all the China's and they are going to pitch up at about 3 bells on Saturday arvie!  Somma a bring and braai, jou dop and jou chop.  Guess I'll be making most of the salads although most of them are not big salad eaters so will just do a small one.

You know whenever we had a braai back home, I always used to drink "spoeg & diesel" or Brandy & Coke as they say in English, but hell since the old age has kicked in, I really hate waking up with a babelaas, so I don't think we will be partaking, besides we have to go and see the old folks on Sunday and can't pitch up with a barbie!

Anyways, most of the people whos all coming to the braai are peoples I worked with at the "Society", the one Damo who is always big mouth about these events, went and double booked his day, ja well no fine so I told him in no uncertain words that he had better come else he will get moered stukkend, so I guess he is only showing his face but that is fine, can moer him later.

I think Saturday night will be quite a Jol, it won't be a mad party as most of the folks with kids are coming, and D has ordered some lekker boerewors from the butcher in town, so it will feel a bit like back home.  And with the kids running around there won't be any dagga or anything like that, it should be all pretty civilized, will curb the drinking a bit too, except possibly for those single characters who maybe putting them back.

Yissis I am really moeg now so this post is becoming a bit difficult to write, especially as I have to keep referring to my slang list, gone are those days where I's could just roll them off the tongue like it was my mother language, now I have all the Irish slang tucked up in this kop, you know like yissis we would say bejaysus.   One thing the Irish do have in common wif the Souf Effrikens is the term ewes, do ewes know where you are going?  Hey ewes oakes, except they don't use oakes.

Anyways like I said I is lekker moeg, had a day of driving and walking all over the dorpie, so I am going to hit the sack, but look out for my next "blast from the past" post using our long lost Souf Effriken terminology to boot!

Nightie Night.

Two little Dicky birds ...

Two little dicky birds sitting on a wall,
One named Peter, one named Paul.
Fly away Peter, fly away Paul,
Come back Peter, come back Paul!

Come back TERRI

Come back GAIL

Come back EILEN

I really miss your blog posts updates!!!  COME BACK!!!  I have to endure all the other blog which are no where near as interesting as yours!

I haven't felt much like blogging lately, but I religiously go into my blog to check the updates, and only get Maurice having his mid life crises, (where to from 40) with long posts about his emotions - which honestly (don't tell him) but bore me to tears.  You're 45 now Maurice, Mid life crisis over unless you are planning to live to a hundred.

Then there is Headrambles who regularly has a post each day but does nothing but moan or complain about something, but I like keeping his link as he does post some interesting stuff about Ireland.

Then the I love SA blog, mainly negative stuff about SA but I like to keep updated with what is going on, and sometimes research the stuff to see if it really true, I think if every South African believed everything that is written on Iluvsa, there would be no whites, coloureds or educated blacks left in SA, oh wait forgot about the injuns sorry the Asians seeing as even though apartheid died 16 years ago, everyone still gets classified into race groups so they know not to employ the whities.  Still going to change my name to Rosie Matwetwe and see if I get a Senior post on the SABC board - :) 

My Dublin Life is a Canadian girl who has been studying in Ireland and has made it her home for the past 2 years, she loves Dublin so advertises all kinds of cool goings on, which is great to find out about up coming events and stuff. 

My super Yachting experience is my hubby's nephews new blog, now this is one kid I am as jealous as hell of, he is doing all the right kind of things that young kids should be doing.  He matriculated last year, spent the most part of the first half of this year down in Cape Town getting his seaman's licence to sail yachts, then got a Shengan visa, hopped on a plane and went off to the parts of France that I can't spell, to party with the rich and famous and find a job.  He has had quite a few jobs earning 100 euro a day - more than likely tax free and is having the time of his life.  Now why didn't I do that ... what kept me at home, it's not like I got on my parents or anything, I guess when I started working I was just enjoying life too much to contemplate leaving home, wish I could roll the clock back 30 years! 

Then there is getting legless with Lorna who currently has the most grotesque photo of an open wound.  Lorna shot her self in the abdomen and started the blog to write the whole experience, I admire her courage as she realizes that she made a big mistake, I mean haven't we all made mistakes in life, some are just so much bigger than others. 

And then there are others that haven't updated them for ages, but I really love seeing updates to Terri, Gail and Eilen's blogs.

SO COME ON GIRLS PLEASE COME BACK SOON!

South Park and Facebook

This is Excellent and every Facebook user should watch it!  Just shows you how ridiculous Facebook can be!

2nd Part

Movies

I can't tell you the last time I saw an "adult" film at the movies, its seems that since Emily came along the only movies I get to see are animated, however I shall not complain because before Emily came along I can't remember when last I actually went to the movies to see a movie, oh wait I think it was in 2001 when D was in Ireland and I went to see run away bride with Heather, or of course with the girls on a girls night out in Dublin to see one or other Sex and the city movie.  However, I don't remember going on a movie date with my husband since before we were married ... sad.  But I enjoy the kids movies and today our little family went to see Shrek forever after, which as always has snipes in it that only the adults understand.

There were two adults sitting next to D thoroughly enjoying the movie, and guess what they had no kids with them, so just shows you that "DreamWorks" are very cunning in getting adults to watch their "kids" movies too.  Anyway it definitely is a must to see, and the Tooth Fairy and of course the plan is to see Toy Story 3 in 3D next, so watch this space.

Oh yes and of course Em enjoyed it so much she was clapping after the show!

Countdown...

I decided to change my background on my blog as this is the start of my countdown to my holiday, 3 weeks and counting and then we are off to sun and sea for 2 weeks .... can't wait!

Pass Love On ...

South African Lingo and Jo'burg by night

While doing a workout tonight I was watching the news on TV but with no sound and it's funny how I recognised Jo'burg within a few seconds of it being shown on TV, I guess you always know your home town.  (Not my birth town though, it was only my home town)  - Here is a picture someone sent me of Jo'burg by night, with the soccer stadium in the front.

Another friend sent me an email for the foreigners coming to the South African world cup.  

Check out the Video beneath which has different ones and is very comical!

40 South Africanisms you should know 

BABBELAS (BUBBLE-US): Hangover. Usage: "Jeez, I had too many dops last night. I've got a hectic babbelas."
BAKKIE (BUCKY): What Americans would term a "pick-up". A two-seater light vehicle with an open rear cargo area. The rear is often used to transport an impossible number of workers who stare back at you in traffic and make you feel awkward and a bit guilty.
BERGIE: Term used for a type of homeless person in Cape Town. Originates from "berg", which is the Afrikaans word for mountain, referring to the homeless people who used to live on Table Mountain but who now live mainly in the city. Pronounce the harsh "g" as if you've swallowed an insect and are trying to clear it from your throat.
BLIKSEM (BLUK-SEM): If you're in a pub and you accidentally spill a beer belonging to a man with a thick neck, he may say: "Do you want me to bliksem you?" Don't respond. Just run. Run for your life. It's the Afrikaans word for hit or strike or punch.
BOET: Means "brother" in Afrikaans. An affectionate (though not too much) term for a friend. It's like saying "dude" or "buddy".
BROEKIES (BROOKIES): Panties or underwear. Usage: "I phuza'd with this girl last night and she came back to my hotel. When I woke up this morning, she was gone but she left her broekies behind."
CAR GUARD: Found in most urban areas, a car guard's office is the parking lot. He keeps an eye on your car while you're at the match, in the mall or at the pub. You're expected to tip him when you return to your car and it hasn't been stolen or broken into. No. That's a lie. You'll be expected to tip him even if it has.
DAGGA: Again pronounced with a harsh "g". Marijuana. Illegal, but admittedly very easy to get hold if you're so inclined. Just ask your car guard.
DINGES (DING-US): An indeterminate, nondescript thing or term for an object whose name you've momentarily forgotten. Like this: "Please pass me my dinges there." "What?" "My dinges. I want to blow it." "You mean your vuvuzela?" "Yes, my vuvuzela."
DOF: Stupid.
DOP: If someone says "Do you want to go for a dop?" always say yes. It means you'll be going for a drink.
DORPIE (DOORPEE): Small town. But no matter how small, you'll always find a KFC. And a pregnant 17 year old.
DOSS: Slang for "sleep". Usage: "Is it cool if I doss at your place tonight?"
EINA (AY-NA): Expression of pain, as in "ouch". Usage: "Ooh, looks like Rooney just shattered his pelvis. Eina!"
EISH (AYSH): Common term that denotes a wide range of emotions from joy and surprise to confusion and anger. When in doubt, use it.
EITA (AY-TA): Casual African greeting, like "Hey". Actually, it's the same as "Howzit".
GATVOL: Literally means "hole fill" in Afrikaans. Means you've had enough of something that's making you angry. Usage: "Boet, I'm gatvol of this ref's bad decisions." Again with the harsh "g".
HUNDREDS: Normally repeated twice in a sentence as in "Hundreds, bru, hundreds." It expresses either total agreement with what someone has just said, or confirmation that your life is all good (eg: "How are you?" "Ah, hundreds, man, hundreds"). Can also be used as a way of simply saying yes.
IS IT?: Actually pronounced "uzz ut". It's a casual way of saying "Oh really?". Usage: "Dude, I saw Messi coming out of a ladies toilet yesterday." "Uzz ut?"
JA-WELL-NO-FINE: Nobody really knows what this means, because it doesn't really mean anything. But we like saying it.
JOL: Party. Can be used as either a noun or verb, as in "That was a lekker jol" or "I went jolling last night and ended up in Fabio Cannavaro's hotel room. It was great. We set fire to it."
JUST NOW: An indeterminate amount of time. If a waiter says "I'll be with you just now", it could mean anything from five minutes, to 10, to never.
KAK (KUK): Literally "shit". Popular uses include "What a load of kak" and "Don't talk kak".
LADUMA: Celebratory exclamation when a goal is scored. For best effect, try to hold the "u" for as long as possible on one breath, so that the "ma" comes out as a desperate choke. Laduuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu-uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.ma.
LANK: Beyond cool is lank cool. Also means a large amount of, as in "There were lank vuvuzelas at the game last night."
LEKKER (LAKKA): Great, awesome, amazing.
MAMPARA: Idiot.
MY CHINA: Or just "China". An affectionate term similar to "boet". "Howzit China" is a standard South African greeting. Except when meeting an actual Chinese person. Then you probably shouldn't say it.
MZANSI: Popular term for South Africa. Best describes our country's gritty energy and loud African spirit.
NOOIT (NOYT): Expression of disbelief or disdain. As in "Aah, nooit! There's chewing gum on my seat!" or "When I saw that advert with Ronaldo striking a homoerotic pose in a pair of tight underpants, I just thought 'Nooit, bru!'"
NOW-NOW: Not to be confused with "Just now". Now-now is a much smaller indeterminate amount of time. Hmm. Don't worry - you'll get it.
PHUZA (POO-ZA): A drinking session. "Phuza Thursday" is a noble tradition in South Africa. Try to uphold it while you're here.
ROBOT: When you're asking for directions and someone says: "Left at the third robot," it is not because our streets are overrun with menacing cyborgs made by Japanese scientists. No. A robot is simply our word for traffic light.
SHARP-SHARP!: Okay. This is a complicated one. An expression of agreement. Or a greeting. Or a way of saying goodbye. Or a way of saying "Okay, sure." Or a way of ... forget it.
SIFF: Gross, disgusting. "Check, that guy is picking his nose." "Siff, boet."
STOEP: A verandah or porch.
TEKKIE (TACKY): Common word for sneakers.
TSOTSI (TOT-SI): Not just the name of the Oscar-winning film made by local director Gavin Hood. Tsotsi is a township term for a young boy who's already committing crimes like hijacking cars and stealing. Hopefully not from you.
UMLUNGU (OOM-LOONG-GU): African word for "white man". For a laugh, if someone says "Eita, umlungu!" reply "Sharp-sharp!"
ZHOOSH: Very fancy. A word normally utilised by well-kept women with French manicures who will never, ever understand the off-side rule. Use the word if you must (it feels nice in the mouth), but aggressively avoid these women

Wobbly bits ...

So as those of you who regularly read my blog will know I started at the Gym at the beginning of May, while I was unemployed I was going 3 to 4 times a week and mainly for the aqua aerobics classes and a workout.  The main reason I signed up was Health, I was a smoker for many many years and gave up 5 years ago.  After giving up I had a very bad bout of bronchitis which almost turned into pneumonia, have also had a bit of high blood pressure - so have been trying to follow Patrick Holford's healthy lifestyle and doing exercise.  When I started working on the 8th of June, I had to cut down on the gym visits but have been going regularly twice a week to aerobics and once a week for a workout - and tonight for the first time while doing my bit in the pool, I was feeling round the old body and realised that the wobbly bits were reducing and toning up.  So two months has been all well worth it, now I just have to keep myself motivated!

Today ...

Today was dragging so badly that I decided to note things that happened in my day of any significance and blog about them this evening.

08:30  Firstly my day started off by me flying into work on the M50 doing 120 in a 100 zone, when some idiot cut in front of me who was only doing 100, so I swore at him and flashed my lights brightly - I mean really what idiot does that kind of thing, so as I always do when I eventually get past that person I glare at them, except this time as I was passing I recognised the Rumpelstiltskin red beard.  Oh, oh thank goodness he did not look back, so eyes in front I continued to speed off.  I mean, how was I supposed to know it was my boss, firstly he was not driving his own car but an old banger!  I got to work and 10 minutes later he arrived, not knowing whether he had seen me or not, I thought I had better say something and make light of the situation ... so I proceeded to say, do you like cutting in front of me on the highway, he had NO idea what I was talking about so explained what happened and we both had a good laugh.    But later just before going home time, the director was sitting near my desk and they were talking about the old banger my boss was driving and what had happened to his car and he proceeds to tell the director how I was throwing zap signs at him while I was overtaking him - lol :) gross exaggeration and of course I said now I didn't all i did was flash you, well I should have just kept quiet!

10:30  Looked at my clock on my PC and could not believe I had only been working for an hour and a half, surely 4 hours should have past already.

10:35 Email Dianne and tell her the day is dragging ... I know she sits next to me but there is a partition between us, and there are somethings you just don't want other people to hear.

11:15  Time for a 2nd cappuccino just to waste some time.

12:00  Got irritated again, why do people who sit one desk away from each other phone each other?  I mean I can hear both sides of the conversation, surely they could just get up and walk over to that persons desk??? Can't believe it!  If you don't want people to know you are talking to each other then email each other!

12:56  Only 4 minutes to go before going to lunch with Dianne

13:00  Quickest time I have ever got out of the office at lunch time, jump in Dianne's car and off we go.

13:05  Dianne decides to take the scenic route thereby losing valuable time, but hey what do I know - not my turf.

13:15  Park the car and walk over to the Martello Bar opposite the beach front in Bray - how stunning, sitting outside and it is hot, very very hot.  Order a quick panini and diet coke.

13:30  Food Arrives, have a natter and enjoy food ... gossip about work

13:55  Got to rush back to work, leave the stunning scenery and return to the salt mine.

14:05  Walk back into work, oh dear 5 minutes late and everyone is dead quiet working away, hope no one noticed but just get down to work.

14:15  It's damn hot in the office but noone seems to notice

14:30  Boss comes over to explain something on the system to me.

14:45  Boss says it's hot and proceeds to go and put the air conditioner on higher - thank you Boss, here I am thinking I am having menopause!

15:00  Boss says he has to go and get his car and will see me later.

15:15  Oskar phones, now Oskar is the spanish dude who is a taller version of Manuel from Fawlty towers, werid how he works for the company yet lives in Spain, near Balboa and yet his on the same switchboard,  the technology of today is just marvelous.  So O phones re a bug I registered on fogbugz and wants me to run a script on the sql database, but O speaks with a "Manuel" accent so I have to listen very carefully.  Thank goodness I am always trying to mock accents (not really) so I soon realise that ggg say it like in Afrikaans ggghhh that hard German way, but with a softer tone Ghappy is an "h" or you ggghappy (happy).   Praaaawns are programs, check the praaaawns to see if they are working.  Boooootin is the button so if you click on the boootin the praaawn for the recruitment system on vucansees (vacancies) it should work and you will be ghappy, because ghopefully that will work!!!  Yes it does okay Oskar even though you can't pronounce half the stuff I understood you!

15:30  Another cappuccino - laugh to myself about O and tell someone about my conversation.

16:00  Tested stuff the boss asked me to test and while check my hotmail, boss has come back and sneaked up on me to find out how it is going .... F *&ck need to get a desk at the back!  So fumble over everything, but I actually found a bug that nobody else had, show this to the boss and he is quite impressed, u see you didn't hire me for my looks only!

16:30 How much longer can this day actually go on .... drag drag drag drag

17:30 YAY going home, in the car and off we go - lot more traffic tonight than normal - Highlight of the day, lunch on Bray beach.

17:55  Take the off ramp - loads of traffic, those stupid traffic people have changed the sequence of the robots (traffic lights) and now we are inching forward.

18:10  Eventually pull into the driveway at home, greeted at the door by daughter and hubby to hear all the days antics - D had the day off because Emily finished school for the next 9 weeks!!!

18:15 - 22:00  Skyped in-laws, had dinner, put Em to bed, read her a story from "I Carley" ...

22:26  Finishing this post and going to bed ... G'night!

Bray Beach Front

Martello Bar

Stunning Photo

I saw this photo on : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1290289/Greece-lightning-Ancient-Parthenon-lit-storm-breaks-Athens.html how stunning is that:

Controversial Vuvuzela's

Was it growing up in South Africa, that I actually don't even notice the noise from the Vuvuzela's, or the fact that I don't really care to much for Soccer anyway!  I seem to remember we never really watched much South African soccer, but the Vuvuzela has always been there. 

 When in conversation about the world cup, and the fact that I am from SA, the topic seems to change immediately to the  Vuvu and how annoying it is etc. etc.  Someone sent me these comic strips today which I thought were quite funny!

Sunny Days

Em and I caught the LUAS in to Dublin to meet Bob & Damo, so we had a nice casual time, stopping off at the Green to feed the ducks, then off to Eddie Rockets for her Milk Shake and then a late lunch with the boys.  We left them at about 7:00 pm and strolled back up to the green, when we got there, there was a young boy who could not have been more than 15 at the most playing the most wonderful piano concerto's.  I recorded them on my mobile phone so must see if I can download.

Wait till I eventually get my new camera, I will be able to record anything!

It's Hot ...

So what am I doing here blogging, well I was just thinking how lucky I am ... husband busy in the Garden, daughter watching TV and I am off to meet the "Boys" at the pub in Dublin town.  I have to be very grateful that I am not married to a jealous husband!   Although I would rather be taking Em to the park or beach, but I haven't seen the boys for so long - I had better go and see what the Mad Feckers have been up to!  I will report back.  Enjoy your day.

Okay, so back from my afternoon with the boys, decided to take Emily with as it was such a beautiful hot day, and I don't get to spend that much time with her anymore.  I don't think the boys minded too much, we ended up at the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, behind powers court and managed to get a table outside.  Em was very bored but the boys managed to occupy her by getting her to draw pictures.  She was actually very good, sitting for almost 3 hours with adult conversation.

Kindness

The Circle of Life

Week 3 of new Job, wow I can't believe I have been working for 3 weeks already it just doesn't seem possible. We are trying to get ourselves into a type of routine, but don't know how long it will last - the nights just seem to be so short.  As it is, it is now 22:36 and I know I should go to bed because else tomorrow I am going to be tired, oh well it's Friday and maybe it will be quiet, but maybe not.

Up at 6:15, shower, dress and in the kitchen by 7:00 in between fighting with Em to get up and get dressed, go down stairs, make coffee for D, get breakfast plates out, cereal for 2, porridge for me, call to Em to hurry up, fight with her to finish getting dressed, 7:30 nag her to get to the car, so endless nagging from 6:30 ish till 7:30 ish.  Once D & Em have left get my lunch ready for work, do odds and ends, check the mail on the computer, out the door by 8:15.

Arrive at work 28km's later at 8:40 work, work, work, work, work, work, work, lunch, work, work, coffee, work, work, work, work - leave @ 5:30 - so Monday & Wednesday off to the Gym and other days straight home to get dinner on the go.  Arrive home @ 5:55 dump bag and belongings, straight to kitchen to sort out dinner.  6:30 D and Em arrive home, homework, bath, dinner, bed - 9:00 pm ME TIME - Blog, read blogs, read mail, facebook, blog, surf, bed @ 11:00 or 12:00 - beep, beep beep, beep beep beep that damn alarm goes off for the next morning - and so the circle of life begins once more :)

No more Yummy Briyani

On Fathers day we had our friends J&C over with J's Mom and Niece, they were really the only South African friends we made when we moved over to Ireland because they are such a genuine nice couple.  No hang ups ! And of course there is baby 'x' who is the most beautiful baby boy I have ever seen in my life, except of course for my godchild Daniel.  

Anyway J made the most divine Chicken Briyani and brought it over, and it must have been one of the hottest days we have had so far this summer.  So we lazed around in the back garden and after, Lunch, desert and tea we went up to the top of the mountain so that Mrs M and T (J's Niece and mom) could see the view over Dublin and Howth, I can't believe it's only 10 minutes up the road from us.  Here are some photos.

We had left over Chicken Briyani for 2 nights, but sadly it is now all finished, have to watch J make it next time so I can make it too!

A year Later

I finally got all our photographs from our Around the world trip into one Photo Book which should be arriving any day, if you want to see the book, here it is:

Happy Fathers Day

DAD YOU ROCK!!!

"M" and I were not very organised this year for Fathers day, so we baked a cake instead, M instructed me how to decorate it and I think between us we did a pretty good Job!

YouTube - Trevor Noah - JuJu

YouTube - Trevor Noah - JuJu

YouTube - Trevor Noah - Julius Melema and Racism

YouTube - Trevor Noah - Julius Melema and Racism

When the sun shines

Living in Ireland you really do appreciate the sun more than most people I reckon, today was another one of those gorgeous days where it was hot and sunny.   I took a drive down to Greystones beach at lunch time, but only had half an hour, so tomorrow I am going to go at one and take my lunch down with me.   There were kids in the water on the beach, people walking enjoying the wonderful sunshine, and the best thing of all, last night it was still light at 11:00 PM, but really only for one more week and then the days start getting shorter again.

I took some photos on my trip today but left them in the car, I will make sure I take them out tomorrow and post them up.  Roll on many more days of sunshine!