2016: A new Horizon

It's that time of the year again. "The end of another year."

For those many people who had a really awful 2015, know that with the combined attitude of many others like you, like us, you will find 2016 to be filled with more camaraderie and fun, so long as people stick together and laugh more.

I've noticed a change of nature and instances in people's lives mid February this year. Everything just started getting... weird.
(I still blame Friday the 13th the day before Valentines)

So... as this year has already indulged so many "offensivities" here comes another, meant for those to lighten the hell up:
Hopefully people in the world will meet more face to face instead of looking into their mobile devices. Lift their heads up a little and notice the world around them. Those "zombies" needs to be welcomed back into the real world.
I might be a bit sentimental and old school, but when last have people enjoyed each other's company without the need for a mobile device close by? Leave the phone on silent; your life doesn't revolve around and in your device.
Invite someone over for a hot beverage, do something creative, get outside a little more... enjoy the company another human being can provide you.

I have not had a pleasant year either dealing with matters, sometimes/mostly out of my control, and I have been mostly incognito to avoid further stress...

Admittedly, I can take something with me from 2015! It changed me a little as well...

I've learned that while being "incognito" I've had more time to learn a few things, advance a little in life too with some skills. Might even have grown a little as a person during that time...

I've learned that "chatting" isn't a "fun" past-time but meaningful conversations (long ones and/or especially in person) one can keep with you always.

I might even have learned to let a few things go.

I've learned that real friends understand and doesn't mind the space, as there isn't a doubt you'll always be friends. They appreciate you and show it in their own way. Some solid friendships were made, some became slightly dwindled, but we always pick up from when we last left it, which makes you guys and gals awesome!



Seeing now how many other people felt the same way about 2015, I hope for all of us 2016 will be a better year.
Many things in 2015 was wrong, but I hope it made you strong.
May you take some lessons out of 2015, a year many people would like to be over. Experience always makes you grow!

Take 2016 by the horns, let us ride off as bull-riders into the sunset...
(just picture how epic that would be)

Everyday will be a day where you can challenge yourself into making 2016 a better place for you and others.


              To all my wonderful friends and family, I wish you a safe, fun and super 2016!

Couldn't find any bulls....

Snacks - bountiful chips!

Chips...

Here is a perfect picture describing chips in today's world:

I haven't had potato chips in a very VERY long time. After doing some chores (top secret government stuff) I went to the shops to buy groceries and snacks for movie&me time today.

Browsed the chips... damn.., There were specials everywhere! With every bag of chips, large, small or extra large, you do get something extra!
Like, what the heck!? Get half a packet of air included with every pack you buy!

I weighed up the difference between a large pack of Simba chips and an extra large pack. The extra large felt like less..., you just buy the bigger bag (literally) with no chips to fill it more than half.
Smell the air, eat the chips, gulp the crumbs and lick your fingers because you have to get every ounce out of it to make it worth the buck.

Even old reliable Messaris chilli chips or their chutney chips bags... stacked and layered and one could eat for days (provided you are a moderate eater). But nah-uh! These too went on a vegan and air diet and slimmed down a hell of a lot!

They used to have the bags you could see through and here is a pic of how full the bags used to be:

The Chili-chippi you could see through, see how lekker full it is? With the chutney pack on the right the back of the pack used to be clear and it was near full as well.

I miss the good ol' reliable entertainer packs... Now it is all a sealed mystery bag where you can't see through and you just know there is air waiting inside... secretly wishing it is a super lucky packet with more chips than air.

When I want to eat chips, I want to eat that I know I had enough and I MUST put the rest away or else I'll burst! Which reminds me of a Monty Python movie...
I don't want to eat a whole party bag and consider it a one-man "snack".

I'm scared someday when, and if, I have kids one day they would only be accustomed to 5 chips in a over sized bag of air and aroma molecules...

Boxing Day

Yo ho ho and I got-a no rum
Besides the chocolate I got yesterday ;)

(I once tried to get purposely drunk on a box of rum-chocolates, but it didn't work - a story for another time....)

 
Oh, don't mind the photo of the Christmas pudding. :)
I just really like it! Strange how fruit cakes are always seen as a gift nobody wants and passes it on (as seen on tv).
I love the damn stuff! :D

It is boxing day!

While the origins of this day as many different beginnings, like a master giving a "Christmas box" (goodies and presents) to their servants with a day off, or people making a random gift basket for tradesmen or a box where money can be donated to give to the poor, I like to think it is a day where the left over Christmas food are boxed and given to the less fortunate. This is actually the first origin story I have heard as well.
What does Boxing Day mean to you?

I'm not actually the religious sort but it is a very kind thing to be doing today. You don't have to go to church to practice being kind, but only offer a few minutes to someone less fortunate.

     Just a random fact:
     The richest 85 people in the world has as much money as the poorest 3.5 Billion in the world.
     And another fact (also as seen on social experiments) the poorest people are the most likely to            share compared to richer people.
       (Whoa... this blog entry isn't made as an internet guilt trip. haha)



I was with my family yesterday for Christmas, or rather they came to visit me in town. We didn't do a big festive family gathering with a lot of food. We only went out as a family again to eat a meal together, no left overs, but I did promise I would promote boxing day a little today.

I just happened to pass three people on the street on my way to the shops, a small family. Needed cat food and cheese as well. But don't worry... I wasn't going to mask the cat food with melted cheese and give it away! I might have a dark sense of humour, "some days", but that would be ridiculous...

On my way back I bought all three a meal and got them a hot drink. Surprisingly it was quite chilly this morning with the winds blowing around in town. :/ Seeing they used towels for pillows and had a thin blanket to keep warm, I figured a hot beverage would do them nicely too.

It makes a person happy to see someone else happy, even for the most basic things in life, which also makes one very sad because they appreciate the little things in life and we complain about things that really shouldn't matter... Makes me more sad that a person can't help everyone in life, but for that one person it makes all the difference, which makes me happy again... and sad.  
So many mixed feelings...
For that one person it is enough to carry on for another day, and it is the little one person can do for another that counts for them. :)

It reminds me something Mother Teresa once said:

It makes a larger difference than you might think.

Through a child's eyes

I really had a great laugh at the directness and innocence of children today but let's first mention how I got to see this, shall we? :)







It all started on the day before Christmas... not not like your usual snowy, white, red and eggnog filled adventures you see on the television, but rather a really nice outing meeting someone via someone who are just really priceless and awesome, to give some presents too.

A Little Christmas Spirit

It is true that many people, as they grow older lose the "Christmas spirit", but that is because of the hype and rush that is so unpleasant. Over time it just turns into the hype of buying for the sake of buying... It isn't really nice and I can understand the growing of the Grinch inside people, however... the sake of giving is what sparks the spirit again. Really taking your time and investing it into finding something worthwhile for someone. Even if it is making something from scratch, something unique, to show your appreciation or congratulating someone for their kindness and good base of spirit.





But let's get back to those kiddies!

Not the actual baby!

Nothing can beat the directness and unfiltered honesty of children.
While I was sitting with my friend and her two "adopted" children (not to worry, it's only her two nieces :P) she noticed a really cute Chinese baby.
As she pointed it out her nieces took note of it and as the baby came closer to our table he climbed onto a small wall and ninja'd down it sliding slowly down the slope of the wall.
This is also when the nieces started playing around the area and one climbed on the same wall and stood by the pillar. The baby waddled around the pillar to try and find the one niece who was hiding behind it and when he saw her he gave small roars, pretending he was a monster! It was funny though.


But the real honesty came out when the baby left the area, that is when the nieces spoke about how the baby looked different to them, with the eyes and they even tried to mimic it.
As you know, children can be loud at times.... haha
We sat there, embarrassed but laughing at their innocent and honest observations.

Then a Muslim lady walked into the area as well... the comments didn't just stop there. First it was "hey, there is a lady with a blue scarf around her head. Why?" said in Afrikaans. When it was said she shouldn't be making loud observations she assumed the lady didn't understand the Afrikaans language and we said she could. The kid then sat down quietly, knowing she might have upset someone from her verbal notice.




Kids can get away with comments because they are kids. They won't learn until they did wrong, but just like humans experience life, you can learn from your mistakes.
I, on the other hand, have a whole head full of comments, observations, childlike ideas and stating the obvious or asking questions I should have asked looong ago, but I must keep them all in my head to be able to keep my head on my shoulders. I won't be able to get away with what I "can" say, but sometimes a little brain fart manages to escape.... It can be funny at times.


If more people can approach things with a child's mind, asking questions, learning anew and be excited about the small things, I think, coupled with a mature sense of life, the Christmas spirit of giving can come back again.
Even if you don't celebrate Christmas religiously, it is still nice to indulge and spoil someone a little.

Giving is good for your soul

The kiddies had a wonderful time, as they giggled for a while before they passed out (on a mall bench that is!) and I also had a very wonderful time.
The person responsible for the outing might read this and I'd like to thank you for the amazing time!

A little Christmas Spirit

(note to self: at least nothing embarrassing happened like my Pineapple Juice story......)

Almost there

Came home and as I sat to clear my thoughts (and bowels) I figured it is time for another blog entry.
It has been requested by a few people that I should write something again.

I couldn't turn down when a really awesome person asked me today, which also reminded me how kind people can be. The generosity of not taking, but rather letting the wealth be spread among others. I won't ever forget that. :)

I am sure a lot of people can agree that 2015 was a terrible year for them. I agree, it wasn't the greatest one.
For me, this year was me spectating from the shadows. I haven't particularly bloomed or shined this year, and those that saw small flickers that lit up their way, believe me... I can shine a lot more :)
Nothing spectacularly bad has happened to me though, but there were a lot of eye openers and lessons learned throughout 2015.

Lessons I learned from perceiving, listening and asking questions. Maybe I learned a few too late in the year, but I will definitely take it and grow as a person.

For those who see 2015 as a bad year, you don't need a new year number to start living again. You just need the inspirational people around you, some self motivation and learning that life isn't that bad. You're already blessed with love, even if you are blinded by the troubles around you.
Those that makes you feel good in life and good about yourself; keep them close.

There are a handful of people out there that I could really count on; a very few I could stake my life on.
To those few, Your friendship and love will not be misused and I will always cherish the times we are together.

I have not actually posted anything with substance on my blogs lately. I can blame life, and I have, for being very stale; I can blame 2015 for it as well, but ultimately, I blame Facebook.
:P
Actually, I only have myself to blame for not keeping my chin up and noticing the wonderful things around me.

If I could ask one thing on this blog, it is to just sit outside and look at people from a distance. You'll see some vivid things of the world around you. Take that minute or two and just observe. Maybe even act upon something you notice.

To see the world a little differently, try being kind unexpectedly in some way you are not used to. You'll always learn something.

And try to take something out of each day :)