“Do not promote begging…”

…was a little sign that caught my eye today in Kloof Street. Got me pondering on the change I so often readily give away, sometimes feeling obliged even, thinking it would make a difference in some person’s life. This little sign had me wondering how much of a difference am I really making.

Begging is everywhere in Cape Town. Sometimes, quite frankly, it makes me sick to think that I cannot go anywhere without being pestered by somebody, somewhere for “something please”. At the robot intersections, wherever you park, along a walk, sitting at a café …. I really don’t think I need to elaborate here. Yet all these people continue doing what they do because WE reward it. Are we really helping beggars by just giving as generously as we do? By now they know very well of our generosity or bank on “agh shame” and “Agh voeitog” - quite happy just sitting there and…. waiting for it. No inclination to do anything else whatsoever to help themselves…. why bother anyway… there’s no need to work or make any effort when others so readily do it for you.

I’m not saying stop giving at all. I’m hinting at … there are far better ways to offer your money and assistance to those in need. There are plenty and plenty of NGO’s that often desperately need our assistance… be it money, time or skills. These are organisations, big and small, that are dedicated to helping others …. caring for babies that have been dumped, abused women and children, displaced refugees, helping many from unthinkable circumstances not only get back on their feet, but also offer hope and support for a better future.

Donating to an NGO’s of your choice seems like a far better way of ensuring your donation goes to good use – and bear in mind… it does not exclusively have to be with money. And if giving to some NGO doesn’t quite feel you, consider an extra tip to those people who are actually doing something for themselves…. like waiters, the car wash guys, the petrol attendants, buy a craft from the guy selling at some intersection, heck…even the dude with jokes-for-money etc. These at least are people who show some initiative and are prepared to do something to help themselves other than just sitting on some street corner or robot intersection waiting for “agh shame” to come a long.

Next time you fork out some change at the robot intersection, think about how much you’re really helping that person. With more of us giving in more constructive ways- we might just be able to make that envisioned difference in some person’s life.

(Pic: http://is.gd/gO3nP)

Social Media on the run… addictive?

I don’t know about you, but heck…. I find it difficult to even think of a day without social media in my life. Hmmm… wonder if Shabz is online… or Claire perhaps (calculate time zones and check anyway)…. hey what’s everyone got to say on Twitter…

Probably one of the first things I do when I wake is check emails and Twitter updates on my phone. I have deliberately not added the mobile Facebook application, since I already have GTalk, Yahoo Messenger and Blackberry Messenger…. in addition to two email accounts and oh… an additional Twitter account too. These seem more than enough to keep me occupied and connected whilst on the go.

When my phone went in for repairs, I felt officially lost! I promise you…. I’m convinced I had withdrawal symptoms. These 3 weeks truly seemed like the longest 3 weeks of my life. Initially, it was as if I just didn’t know what to do with myself and this built-in inclination to check up on statuses, messages and chats. How could technology do this to me!!! Don’t they realise how much I need it?? How dependant I’ve become on the convenience? No red little flashing light to check?? What now?

The first week was super hard and slowly the realization sunk in that I need to occupy myself in other ways and just live with my little scenario. Ultimately… I think I calmed down a bit. I chilled bit more, read more, didn’t feel the need to check little red light (cos well I couldn’t even if I wanted to). And sitting at the PC is just not the same. Needless to say- happiness returned once my phone got back.

I have the habit of putting my phone on quiet mode – not even silent or vibrate – with the idea that I check up on things when I want to, when convenient for me, particularly when with family and some friends. So the thinking was that I managed my time pretty well when it comes to social media. Well- my 3 weeks of perceived hell certainly proved me wrong and I couldn’t help but think… am I addicted … me?

Make no mistake, obviously I love social media and being connected, yet my 3 week abstinence taught me that I need to strike a healthier balance between time spent online and off.

Love it or hate it- it’s now a part of our daily lives…. learn to deal with it or you may find yourself networking with the 12 steps.

(Pic: http://is.gd/gCqkF)

Guy Fawkes

Remember remember…. the 5th of November. Fireworks, bright colours and sparks… the excitement of watching the spectacle and having fun with friends is how I remember Guy Fawkes.

I grew up in this short little cul-de-sac and we were a bunch of 8 kids that did practically everything together – playing all sorts of outdoor games mostly like hide & seek… cowboys and crooks, king and dodge ball. We built our version of little club houses in our backyards and these served as strategic meeting points where brilliant ideas were concocted of how we could get up to mischief. My brother had bright ambitions of building an underground club house once. Sadly, this mission didn’t get much further than the massive hole we started digging in the backyard…. Daddy of course didn’t think the idea was that bright at all. Anyway- Guy Fawkes was one of the momentous occasions we all looked forward to celebrating.

Weeks before I’d start accumulating my array of fireworks and sparkles and the afternoon of Guy Fawkes , waiting for sunset, just seemed like the looooongest flippin afternoon ever. When sunset fiiiiiinally decided to grace us, it was off to whichever clubhouse was the designated meeting point for the evening. First we’d examine the array of fireworks we had between us- then pick what to fire up first and decide which ones we’d keep for last. And a fun filled evening of bright sparks, colours and games was off. Happy times!!!

The tradition was born of a bit of sad story though. On November 5, Londoners were encouraged to celebrate the king’s escape from being assassinated by Guy Fawkes by lighting bonfires. Guy Fawkes elected to jump from the gallows moments before his official hanging.

These days, I’m just not sure whether celebrating it is such a good thing anymore. I’ve heard stories of people getting injured and killed on this night. And then there’s the big debate, particularly by animal activists, about whether fireworks should be banned altogether.

Irrespective, if you’re considering lighting up this November 5th, be sure to keep it to restricted areas.

(Pic: http://rtfitch.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/fireworks.jpg)

Summer survival kit for Cape Town

Cape Town is an absolutely perfect place to spend your summer. It’s also usually the time of year when tourists flock. To survive it though, you’ll need a few things, particularly if you’re not Capetonian. Here’s my list what you need to survive a summer in Cape Town:

* Sunscreen
* Cozzie & a towel
* Map of theCity… if you not from around here
* Cape Town Phrase book- idioms included!! (vital for CT also if you not Capetonian)
* An open mind – we’re a rather diverse bunch
* Hat, bandanna or umbrella – or you could risk frying your brains
* Braai tongs – you do know that you have to braai right?
* A picnic basket
* Comfy walking shoes- if you’re exploring
* A machete for the jungle area - naaaaaaaa just kidding:-)
* A biiiiiiiiig smile – we’re super friendly here

And now with your survival kit you’re all set for an amazing summer of beach… braai… laughs and simply too many awesome things to see. Happy times here we come!

(Pic: http://is.gd/gAisI)

How to make a signature mousse – that’s foolproof

My personal recommendation…. and an all time favourite. You simply cannot go wrong. It’s extremely easy to make and a guaranteed hit. Chocoholics – you might wanna save this somewhere.

What you’ll need:
• A 200g slab of milk chocolate (dark = my personal preference)
• 24 white & pink marshmallows
• 2 tablespoons of cocoa
• ¼ cup of hot water
• 1 can of chilled ideal milk

How to:
• Dissolve the cocoa and hot water over a low heat
• Add your chocolate (which you broke into blocks) and when a bit melted, add your marshies
• When all dissolved, remove from heat and allow to cool
• Now whip up your ideal milk till light and fluffy and beat into chocie mixture
• Pour into desert bowl and chill overnight (for best results I’d say)

Aaaand vwala!!! You have a signature mousse and will be loved by everyone who dares to devour your little creation. Decorate with whipped cream ooooor grated Peppermint Crisp or nuts… or just have as is.

Warning: yes… it’s rather rich and addictive… so small doses people… relish in small doses.

(Pic: http://is.gd/gAhnR)

The last lecture

…. is something that kinda makes me sad, happy and excited. Sad that another year has passed…. happy that I made it… excited about what lies ahead. I absolutely love this part of my life journey…. the learning bit that is …. throughout my school says and now at university, even the short courses I did in between like TEFL etc.

Now about that sad part again… I guess the sadness largely comes with the parting of a teacher or lecturer. I have always always revered my teachers and guides in life…. for these are the special people that give me the kind of gift nobody will ever be able to take from me. And with this gift I am able to do much more. I don’t know if it’s possible to thank these special people adequately…. my gratitude certainly runs deep.

Along my TEFL journey last year (the gap year I took before more PR)- I learnt that in South Korea they actually have a whole day dedicated just to teachers… where kids and parents spoil teachers rotten for the entire day. Ain’t that super fantastic??!!! They should really have this everywhere I think.

As sad, happy and excited I once again am ….. it’s the last lecture I hope to have for many more years to come.

(Pic: http://is.gd/gzvfq)

Watch this space

It was quite something for me when writing up my bucket list recently, for it also got me thinking of the things I couldn’t add to this list… those things that already got the tick…. like attending a Wailers concert… visiting Anne Frank’s house… and climbing Table Mountain.

I am grateful and feel blessed for the experiences along my journey that brought me to my goals. I have felt fear, anxiety, pain, frustration…. along with the love, immense happiness, joy, enthusiasm and hope. Reaching my goals, big and small, is the very stuff that makes this journey so rewarding.

The exciting things is- it doesn’t stop there. As fantastic as it is to achieve a goal…. what’s even more exciting is that it marks the starting point of yet another. Watch this space.

(Pic: http://is.gd/gzjem)