Birthdays and stuff February 25, 2007

I turned 19 yesterday…

my first birthday without my parents

I never thought I’d enjoy it so much, but they say you learn something new everyday and I guess that’s true.

I spent the weekend with a new friend and her family. It was quite strange to share my birthday with people I’d never spent any time with. To have someone else’s mother wish me a happy birthday before my own mother has.

We were in a small seaside village that I had never visited before. Pringle Bay. It is such a beautiful, peaceful place and it reminded me of the fact that we must all make time for peace and quiet in our lives… especially in this place, with all its activities, committees and all the academic pressure…

hopefully this week will be a peaceful one

my life needs more peace right now!!!

have fun

Does anyone know what this is about? February 13, 2007

Why is it that, whenever there is something that has to be organised or done within a certain organisation or group, it is always the same people that pitch up to do it?

We had a function in res tonight where we as first year residents had to serve a meal to our House Committee. There are 45 first years in my res. Only 20(and it’s always the same 20) of us did the actual work of decorating the room, serving the courses and cleaning up. The other 25 or so didn’t even come downstairs when we made an announcement to ask for additional hands when we had to move the tables…

Nikita (a good friend of mine) and I decided to have a drink at Bohemia (only the best place to hang out at, any night in the week). Once again there were no open seats available – it was just after 9pm and we didn’t feel like walking to one of the other places, so we stood outside, practically on the street and had our drinks.

To get back to the walking thing… South Africa is not like Europe, the US or Australia where the public transport systems are efficient (and actually in existence) or where people walk around in towns, especially at night. But in Stellenbosch everyone who’s anyone walks to wherever they want to go, because everything is close and finding a parking spot is hectic if not impossible.

That was yesterday…

Today hasn’t been so good. I feel terribly ill, and I still have one lecture to attend at 2 o’clock. And then we have an obstacle course (“Crash and Burn”) to complete at 5. It’s one of the final orientation activities that the entire first year group of the University has to take part in… You may or may not understand why I’m not particularly excited about taking part.

The highlight of tonight will most definitely be the braai (South African barbeque) that is being held at the church for all the first years. Hopefully I will be able to spend some time with the friends I made on the first years’ camp I attended before the orientation programme started… I haven’t really had time to catch up with them…

I can’t wait for the dance on Friday night. The House Committee will be waiting on us (a reversal of last night) and we’re all dressing up to impress our dates (luckily I’ve known my date for years, so I don’t have as much impressing to do as others… )

Gotta run…

Quote from post February 11, 2007

Arthur Rubinstein (1886-1982): “Of course there is no formula for success except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings.”

Advice?? I don’t really know February 11, 2007

They say that everything happens for a reason. I don’t really know who they are, but I tend to agree. (most of the time, anyway)

I don’t always appreciate the great things that happen to me while they are happening, but in hindsight I understand why they happened and I learn to appreciate them as I go along.

Am I making any sense? Probably not… It’s Sunday, I don’t function all that well on a Sunday morning, so you’ll excuse me – right??

Arthur Rubinstein (1886-1982) said the following about success: “Of course there is no formula for success except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings.”

Smart man (I think), and good advice, too…

Accept the things life throws your way and know that it’s happening for a reason.

Maybe I should start taking my own advice  

Quote of the day February 10, 2007

“There’s pleasure sure in being MAD, that none but MADmen know.” – Dryden

As good as it gets… today February 10, 2007

Tonight I walked out of the cinema while the movie was still playing! For the first time in my whole life I didn’t watch the whole thing… “Harsh Times” they called it… Suitable title…

My friend and I decided that instead of doing the normal Stellenbosch-student-weekend thing of going out and partying we would go to the Eikestad Mall to watch the 8pm film… we were back at Res at 8:45…

Stellenbosch is approximately 1500km from my home town, and I’m in my first year of studies – I’ve only just finished my first academic week: I AM HOMESICK!! They say it gets better with time…and I’m sure it will, but today really wasn’t such a good day for me. Most of my friends went home for the weekend, since they live only an hour away at most.

I had my first bad experience with a guy a week ago. Really dodgy, totally freaked me out. I think I’ll remain single for just a little while longer… It’s been difficult to avoid him, but it’s better for him that I did.

 I wanted to go to Cape Town tomorrow to watch the cricket – South Africa is playing against Pakistan in an ODI… I know it’s weird for a girl to enjoy watching cricket, my friends keep reminding me, but I love it, and that’s that.

To anyone who might be reading this: I appreciate any ideas, comments and/or criticisms that you have to offer. I’m new at this…

And to all the South Africans out there: Ek hoop jy’t ‘n lekker dag!!