Birthday Blogging

I have wanted to blog all weekend but I am sanslaptop presently. I borrowed it to my friend for the week while she was without her own. She needed to organise some love songs for her brother's wedding - my iTunes is in need of some attention but she assured me that it would suffice.

It seems that I'm one of the only people who actually concern themselves with song lyrics when putting together wedding music. More times than I wish to remember I've attended weddings where the blissful couple walk in to a depressing song like "Me and Mrs. Jones" or the guests eat their meal to something equally sad like James Morrison's "Wonderful World".

 When did people stop listening to words?

It's not enough having a beautiful piano or guitar solo or some heart-warming tune. Wedding music should tell a story of love; not love and confusion or saying goodbye to love or even the lead up to love. It should be about love in it's purest form so that if the newly weds or guests happen to find themselves tuning into the background music, that they are uplifted and the event is given a memorable and beautiful status.

Speaking of events memorable and beautiful let me get to the point (s) of this blog entry- my birthday weekend.

In South Africa we celebrate Heritage Day on the 24th September. On this day South Africans are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage and all things that make them similar or different to others. I guess it comes as no surprise that in 2007 the day became known as 'National Braai Day'. Well I am a complete sucker for anything patriotic so a braai was definitely on the cards when I planned my weekend. But first.... allow me to get my bake on :)

THURSDAY
On Thursday evening I decided it would be a good idea to bake my infamous chocolate cake. I am a lover and believer in home-made things. I've only ever baked this particular cake twice- the first time it was an absolute hit. The second time it baked over the side of the tray and dripped into the oven. Since that incident we have had our oven repaired, apparently it was allowing air to escape. I don't want to be a bad workman who blames her tools so I was nervous to give the baking another go.

Recipe for Klop en Gebak Chocolate Cake to follow shortly...

The braai was just for close friends so it was nice and stress-free. And my fiance was helpful and attentive-the winning formula for this days particular mood.

After dinner we made our mission up Lions Heas for the full moon hike. I read about the event on facebook but I had heard little official information despite my frantic googling. The last thing I wanted was to put my besties in danger...in the dark... High above cape town. We arrived relatively late, it was pitch dark by the time we ascended the mountain. Little groups of people passed us- it seemed they were at the top for sunset and caught the last light while descending the trickiest parts of the slope. Smart people. With torches. We only had 2 headlamps for 6 people sp we had to be strategic. We positioned one wearer in front and one at the back. How do I always end up being the person in the group who has to create fairness and balance? It's a hard role to play and one I was not in the mood to be forced into. As a result there was a lot of kind requests to the people upfront to slow down for the (scared) one's in the middle. My fiance and I stayed at the back to make sure no one got hurt or left behind. The moon looked equally beautiful but so different from every part of Lion's Head.

Muay Tired

With my wedding less than 6 months away I need to find a viable way to get into great shape. I'm not fat. I was 6kg ago. With all the groundwork out of the way, I now need a good eating plan to keep the kilos off and an excellent way to stay motivated and get toned.
In my experience there is no one method to lose weight. You have to combine techniques and sort of commit yourself in all aspects of your day. This may require a shift in thinking. Here are examples of mine:
1. Have 2 cups of Green Tea a day/ have coffee only 2-3 a week
2. Try to do some form of exercise everyday, even if it is just sit-ups in my room
3. Eat less in one sitting, instead of pigging out until I can't move. I am trying to ignore the urge to continue eating when I've had a sufficient amount to eat. A good way to do this is to plan something for straight after you eat so that you know you can't go overboard.

Last night I attempted Muay Thai. I live to tell the tale.
I went to Panther Martial Arts in Salt River. In the short time I was there I saw 3 people I know. It seems this place is all the buzz right now as Capetonian men attempt to get ripped for the summer. I went with 2 of my besties and my fiance. Luckily by the time we got there the peak-time class was just drawing to a close. So strange men only got to stare at us warm up for about 15 minutes before we had the trainer all to ourselves. There is just something about the setup last night that worked for me. Small class, hardcore trainer, friends to lock eyes with and laugh, fiance to try to impress... it was pure magic. It didn't feel magical for most part of the hour, but that's how it goes when you push your body that hard.
For me it's an easy thing to get addicted to because you literally lose your mind and the pain gets so intense that you tell yourself you're done and then one minute later you're doing it again. The other appeal is the end result, I keep picturing myself 6 months down the line with no recollection of individual moments of wanting to throw up and pass out simultaneously. Oh and in this future image I have the exact body that I want.
Earlier this year I did the Cape Argus Cycle Tour and embarked on a similar journey. Up the hills along our beautiful coast until I thought the skin on my body would split open for my muscles. Waking up before the sun so that we could be on our bikes just as the light began to define the roads. It was so crazy, just the idea of taking your body to that plane- a place you would otherwise have never known.
People look at you like you've gone mad when you talk about it, I think it's because you probably have for that time.
What was new last night was having someone spur me on. I have never had a personal trainer or anything similar before so it was something I had to test out. It adds a dimension to the way you exercise, suddenly there is someone watching you, relying on you, needing you to finish that set. The sudden responsibility awakens the warrior inside of you. You find yourself watching his every reaction in search of approval. When he held up the mitts and I made weak attempts to remember left right..or is it right left..? and punch at the same time. I remember looking through the mitts and seeing him laugh... I wanted to stop and ask him why. Were my punches laugh-worthy?

Was it the ridiculous expression on my face?

I'm sure thousands have walked through  Panther Martial Arts doors- surely I wasn't the worst of them all.

There is a wisdom in a trainer like Hoosain from Panther Martial Arts. It says he has seen it all. It says he knows exactly how far to push you before you will break. It says that he doesn't have to do the full set with you because he is more fit than your mind can conceive. It says that in one swift movement he could kill you but rather his many swift movements give away his years of experience and achievements. Awesome.

Today I feel it in my calves- I'm having trouble walking. It feels as if someone has shoved a knitting needle into the back of my leg (about 2cm below my knee) I played an hour of soccer before Muay Thai so this could be the reason. I managed about 8 hours of involuntary sleep and I managed to be late for work for the 23rd time this month. I definitely declare today a rest day.
I will definitely return to Hoosain, next to my monthly trips to Meenakshi my beautician, I reckon it's the best R250 I will spend.

A Crown Birthday Present from the Year 2000

Picture by: Lateefah Joseph

So I'm turning 26 on Sunday and I'm having trouble filing my feelings. I could think of it as the run up to a milestone- 26! I mean, I arrived here relatively unscathed. All limbs attached, heart's four chambers intact, principles weathered but still standing. Things are definitely looking up, I'm definitely on my way to better days. The blessings in my life are endless, I finally feel like I  have earned God's favour. I'm riding a wave, part of a movement, basically I'm on a positive trajectory- i think you get the picture.

And on the other hand I just feel plain OLD :( When did I start thinking about making my parents proud, when did I start saying things like "well I wouldn't want my kids to see that picture of me one day", "Lady Gaga is a terrible role model", when did my besties start buying eye cream for wrinkles! I'll call it what it is- scary and totally unoriginal. People have faced and survived these emotions for years. You get old (God willingly) and those are just the facts of life.

And on the other hand (Yes, I have three hands), I have a specific anxiety about my time capsule. 10 years ago, I thought it would be smart to document my life and wisdom on my 16th birthday.
 
Exactly. 
I know!
So the time has come for me to open my time capsule (which is really just a folder of facts/ pictures/ hair clippings) and to see how much my life (and weight) has changed. I remember very little of what is in the capsule and I wonder whether I will be more surprised, disappointing or relieved.

I know and recognise the happiness I have at age 26, but how different were my ideals 10 years ago? All things fantastic and horrible have happened since. I hope I can look the 26 year old me in the eye on Sunday and feel love, despite the newsflash from the year 2000 (literally).

...and cue the blog

How else am I to stay relevant in this day and age? Everyday we are forced further and further into the technological movement and I for one do not want to get left behind. I've played out this very moment so many times in my head, every time trying to justify becoming a blogger. The following reasons should suffice for now:

- Cure and manage Writer's Block (3 year spell)

- Sharpen Social Networking Skills

- Tell Stories about my life when things get interesting enough
- Share useful information

If you're reading this I hope you'll stick around until it gets good.