Till the sweat drips down my gorge.

And... We're back in Cape Town. 

So after Joburg we ventured a bit to Nelspruit and White River. Then made our way back home after a brief stop at Noupoort rehab. My dad sang at Noupoort and I gave a little talk to the girls (YES ME.... A LITTLE TALK !!) hahahaa nerve wrecking but..... Fire overcomes Fear. 

A group of us decided to go on a "little" hike on Monday morning (it was a public holiday) so we check on line and see oh this Skeleton Gorge looks lovely and the website says its "moderate" and "child friendly" I will have  you all know that websites LIE !! (I should have guessed with a name like Skeleton Gorge.. is it named this because you get so thin climbing it? or because it leaves dead people?? I don't know?)

Never mind child friendly, its not me friendly. it was about 5.5 hours of hiking STRAIGHT up then STRAIGHT down.. Was okay on the way up albeit out of breath and red faced.. but down my one leg just decided to rebel against me and not receive signals from my brain that there is weight on it.. so it just collapsed .. a few times - sending me on a little slide .... AWESOME!!! 
Said leg is still out of action and is refusing to speak to my brain AT ALL other then to send pain messengers. 

After a few steps... wait i am going to see if some poor sod has counted the stairs up that monstrous stairway to heaven .... 
No, it appears no one in this world is that fit to be able to climb and count the stair sized pieces of death. 

Our route was up Skeleton Gorge and down Nursery's Ravine (definitely not named after a childs play group... ) My advice to those deciding that hiking is something they'd like to try... maybe don't START with Skeleton Gorge and Nursery's ravine.

My tips for climbing mountain (in my extensive one hike experience) bahaha

1.  Don't where wooley clothes .. collecting wild flora in top on the walk is not the aim
2. Hiking shoes are probably a good thing to have in order to avoid blood blisters on foot the size (and colour) of a red grape
3. Pack more then one bottle of water (lasted to the top but the need was for the down more)
4. Don't always assume down hill is easier. Its not. Its harder. it makes your legs go to sleep. Forever. REBEL.
5. When at top, take the break.. don't decide to go adventure into the bushes. Your body and legs need the break for functioning on the way down.
6. Pack more snacks (i.e: don't leech of your friends snacks - thankfully my friends didn't mind... but future hikes this may be come a worry) 
7. Don't make inappropriate jokes with fellow hikers the night before the hike- this leads to some awkward introductions. 
8. When hiking near kirstenbosch, even if you are passing through the very outskirts of the garden they expect you to walk down and pay R45 for entrance.. more walking? I think not. 
9. Try to stick to 2/3 hour hike. Not 6 hours. Especially if you are not some one who has been hiking regularly. This leads to multiple problems. Including brain/leg message issues and inability to move for rest of day and next day (and possibly next week) 
10. Should you wish to do something illegal - do it at the top of the mountain where no police man will ever venture unless air lifted there. 

All jokes aside was a beautiful hike. Really loved it and spending time with old and new friends ... 

some tips  found on web  for the mountain rangers: (these are real... posted by real people to the Mountain Rangers)

1. Escalators would help on steep uphill sections.
2. Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands.
3. Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill.
4. Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests.
5. Chairlifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them.
6. The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals.
7. Need more signs to keep area pristine.
8. A McDonald's would be nice at the trailhead.
9. Too many rocks in the mountains.
10. The places where trails do not exist are not well marked.

stuffs

Smell like dog- well dog pooh to be more precise - bloody animals want love after rolling in something :( very hard not to love dogs that look like bears... 

today is last day in Joburg - however we move today to Pretoria for a week - then start the journey home.. 

As I type there is man next to me talking to himself - not mumbling, like conversation - I keep looking at him incase he is talking to me - but its making it awkward cos he evidently is quite annoyed with himself .. #scareyJoburgPeople 

Other then that my Spotted sausage dog is home after her "wedding" now we wait an see if she has little spotty puppies - 

oh wait scarey- shout at himself- next to me guy- is reading over my shoulder now... lets see if me typing this passes on some kind of hint... 

parting thought for today:

 

 

The Problem with Speaking English:

 

Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

Germans drink beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than us. 

CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

stop.fwd.start again

Here I sit at gym again after a failed attempt at working out this evening .. got 20 minutes in and wanted to die... hmm bodies are strange strange things - 

stop, fastforward, start again tomorrow... 

I sit and wait now to go meet Lea for dinner in Randburg? Where is that you may ask... the answer is I dont know, but my freind PADDY does.. He knows everything.... I just plug him into my cigerette lighter in the car and his wonderful Irish accent speaks to me, and tells me where to go- I love him ... Paddy, Pia's personal perfect pitched passanger. ahhh the love... 

Starting to think I am spending to much time on my own. This wait for my dad to get back to Joburg is becoming long,, hahha an now with home just around the corner I think I could be maybe homesick? REALLY??

stop, fastforward, start again tomorrow.... 

I have started lavishing all my attention (which is ALOT As there is not much else to get my attention) on the 5 dogs and 5 cats at the host families house :) so much cuteness in all these millions of animals... and I am being so spoilt by the people... 

Rene (when I saw her the other day) gave me the rest of the homeland series too - but I am saving my Brody love- I am afraid to finish it? then what will have to look forward to?

 Stopping, having dinner with Lea, then starting again tomorrow :)

 

 

 

things that annoy me...

Okay, as most of you (who read this) know.. i have been on a weight loss journey for a while now, only really been getting some where in the last year or so... but finally getting there - my hippo status is hopefully lessening ;) 

Anyway the reason for this post is really just to vent... so a guy, who is on a weight loss/ get healthy journey himself posted a list of what he is looking for in a partner, on Facebook, he is a part of (and a leader) in a network of people who are on mission to get fit etc etc.. anyway he posts things on the list with a bracket and either  (NEGOTIABLE) or  (NON NEGOTIABLE) 

on his list... like number 4.

TIGHT ASS (non negotiable) 

now it has taken me a few days to realize why this has annoyed me so badly... there are literally thousands, of male and female people in this group- now unless you have been training for A LONG time or are genetically blessed as a female you will not be happy with your ASS ... so this post has served to discourage majority of the women on the group... that although we are training and so on - we are not yet good enough for a man to like us? 
Just cos my ASS is not yet tight or i am unhappy with my ASS does this mean I am not good enough?

Not only that, being on the journey himself surely he knows he still has wobbley bits and stuff - like REALLY dude ...why use the platform you created to make thousands of woman who are "not there yet" feel like they are not good enough? JUST SAYING !!! keep that krap to yourself man... or for "guy talk"..

Any hoo... each to their own .. haha needed to put on paper - Feel better. Vent over. Thanks...

half way there

Last time I blogged we were in Port Elizabeth - that is how long it has been since I have been on proper internet.. 

Since then we have been to East London, Queenstown, Durban, Hilton, Pietermartizburg, Joburg and at the moment I am in Pretoria ! Dad has gone to CT for a few days to spend time with my mom and some amazing missionary peeps from the USA. So I am hanging out... in Joburg.... and Pretoria...

Spending a few days at a friend I met in Germany and her gorgeous kiddies. Yesterday got to see Rene at a sneaky airport lunch catch up-OR TAMBO is HARDCORE!!! 
On Monday Leandra arrives for two days - woohoo 

 I cant believe I have been away from home for like over a month! wowzers - feel like I am getting to know how country and really loving meeting all these awesome new people... Like new family :) 

I was also so privilaged to go out to Shalom farm and meet Angus Buchann which was totally amazing, was blown away!! The man just loves Jesus and I really was just blown away !! like super privilaged.. will blog in more detail just now - wanted to let you know I am still alive (well really let myself know- I am sure I am the only one who reads my blogs -my own catcher upper) hahahaha anyway will put it all more detail later ;) waiting for a spinning class to start at gym... um yess - I am going to try spinning ! I am scared - wish my luck and all and all 

 

day 5... I am not napping, I AM NOT NAPPING

Today we were at The Grey School in PE and yesterday at Muir College (which despite people helping me pronounce I still cant say it so read "meer" because that is how I seem to have decided to say it forever and ever amen) The reception has really been amazing ! the kids are really awesome and respectful and just amazeballs !! making me think maybe a post grad in High school ... mmmm still a thought a very very very distant in the way that it will probably never happen kind of thought.... hahah

Tomorrow its Alexander Road the we have VGHS on Monday and Pearson on Tuesday .. then we travel to Queens town (however I have been telling people we are traveling to Queensland) so according to me, we fly to Australia on Tuesday? hahaha

Quite excited, going to see our old Pastor, Steve and his wife Candice and their two amazing children this arvie..  will be nice to have a catch up and just see the kiddies more then anything. 

Have also made a gym buddy- we will be meeting for a little work out sesh tomorrow after Alex high ! woop woop ! feeling quite resoucefull - 
We are staying quite close to the beach front so I am thinking this evening a nice walk and may be some sun tomorrow arvie.. had a look at my armie today and it is paling.. WE CANT HAVE THAT oh no...

Bushy bushy birds nest hair.. and white whiteness ... stupid GHD packed up this morning :( very sad day and now I dont know whether to hang on to it (it weighs like a ton cos of the adapter I have) or just chuck it and have a lighter bag? Ek weet nie :( whats a girl to do (girlproblems) but in all honesty who is gonna wanna be my friend when I look like a crazed lunatic from 19 voetsak?

Anyhoo that's it from me for now.. trying desperately not to have a nap so that I will sleep tonight .. 
must.keep.eyes.open.

so far so good

Been four sleeps away from home now, we've arrived in PE at a wonderful couples house who are hosting us in their really lovely home. 

So far we have spent our days mainly setting up and taking down equipment and driving.. my dad has now sung at New Life church in Mossel Bay, Glenwood house in George and York high school in George.  God has proven,yet again to be so gracious and good.. In Mossel Bay we stayed in a hotel ON the beach - glorious! We then moved on to Fancourt golf estate where we stayed for two nights and as I mentioned we are now at the lovely home in PE. 

Been able to squeeze a run in here and there and the eating hasn't been too bad.  It's hard though when you're on the road, so trying just to make the right choices to avoid hipponess. 

For my praying homies - please keep my dad in prayer he seems to have hurt his back and also just pray for general stuff like safety and car etc... very tough to drive when both of you have droopy eyeballs from tiredness;) 

Today its raining! A welcome relief from the overwhelming heat that was in George and yesterday here .. humid, sticky heat and I'm told it gets worse as you go up the coast??

We're here for a week before we head off to next destination .. this morning we're at Muir College then go straight from there to Grey PE to set up for eaaarrlllyyyy tomorrow morning :) lots of carrying today... 

Better be off 

coffee, teeth, drive. 

Att:

Growing up my dad always told me I was the most beautiful girl in the whole world ... as I carried on growing (width more then height) he would tell me my labola (African  "gift" to the brides father) as a bigger girl- is about 50 cows and as a fitter/healthier girl is about 250 cows...
  - at this point I am some where in the middle.

When my value was closer to 50 cows going out posed no problem and there were no random text messages and stuff - however now with my value getting closer to 250 cows I have all of a sudden started getting attention (don't get me wrong, its all welcomed)- 

BUT what am I to do when ALL the attention I get is from 26 and below year old guys... ??? as a 30 (something) year old am I to worry about this new found attention?
 - the attention is probably not even the problem - I AM...
I am like BASKING in the attention - handing out my number left right and centre ... seriously WHO DOES THIS? 

Meeting new people (albeit younger then you) - I have been told that 23 is within my "rule" for those who dont know about the rule.. the rule clearly states you are not to date any one who is younger then HALF your age.. PLUS seven... makes sense? add it up - its a good rule ... DO IT... 

so I have decided on no guilt ... but do I lie about my age? and how on this God given green earth does one date? I just dont know? 
My tendency to put my foot so far in my mouth I chew on my knee caps would make for "interesting" conversation... OR for my name to ever lost into the land of awkward singleness forever and ever and amen.

SHENANIGANS.engage.
over & out 


hint for the guys:







 

small victories .. baby steps

Been on the almost straight and narrow for almost a year now... 

Have come in and out of two weight loss challenges-

14.6kgs lost in the first challenge and 10.6kg in the second challenge but before entered challenges cut out lactose (which I found out I am actually allergic to) and have lost all together around 28kgs

still want to loose around 10kgs but this process is sooo long * just keep swimming *



    girls night 2012
 
  girls night 2013 


So... you cant see very clearly here ... but ... I wasn't sure about sharing my little costume pics on here ;) hahahhahaaha 


Anyhoo as I battle on trying to stay on the wagon and keeping fit - in the gym and active ... as they say though eating is 90% of it... Anyway I am going on tour with my dad - so will be a traveling hippo shortly and will have to keep y'all posted with eating and exercising

 so this was just a little victory post ... more to follow ... :)