Category Archives: f

Beautiful day, Namibia, possibilities

One of my favourite moments of every week is just before I fall asleep on a Friday night. As I climb into bed, I make a mental list of all the things I could do, and WANT to do over the weekend. I could go surfing. I could go hiking. Or I could simply do nothing and veg out in front of the PC. It is a great reminder that tomorrow is full of possibilities.

“It’s a beautiful day , don’t let it get away.” Hums the rest of the song because she doesn’t know the rest of the words.  

Talking about possibilities, the girls and I have been talking about driving to Namibia at the beginning of next year. We’re thinking of spending 7 days there. As yet we’re still in the early stages of planning and haven’t figured out the details. But I’m hoping that the girls, who are clever, hilarious and read this blog, are open to the idea of white water raftering down the Orange River. Pretty please?

This weekend … dragon boat racing, stereotypes and Austria

This weekend I…

  • Attended Juan and Dizzy*’s housewarming. The theme was ‘embrace your stereotype’. Naturally I turned up as a terrorist. I wore a scarf and a jilbab and strapped a clock to my chest. I’d hoped that the clock would clearly represent a bomb. Unfortunately some made the assumption that I’d actually turned up as the “Girl, whose biological clock is ticking”.
  • Went dragon boat racing with my running club. So. Much. Fun. Seriously. I’m actually considering organizing this for my 30th birthday.
  • Bid goodbye to the lovely Mr Schnapps and Dark Knight, who leave for Austria in a couple of days. Since it might be YEARS before they return to Cape Town, they have been gracious enough to extend an invite to visit them. 24 hours later and I’ve already Googled the crap out of Slovenia and Italy, two of the countries I might call on before heading to Austria.

Always an adventure with these two

Today, Cougar, Fahiema and I, woke up at 05:30 to run a 15km race in Eersterivier. While I was busy concentrating on attaining a new PB, they were making new friends.

After the race, I found these two swapping pleasantries with an OLDER gentleman. Besides the fact that said gentleman had spittle in the corner of his lips, he seemed genial enough. This was of course BEFORE he asked me to touch his man boobs. I politely declined.

*

I’m actually thinking of hitting a hot yoga class before heading off to the Vodacom Funny Festival.

Crazy/beautiful – Langebaan edition

Thanks to these beautiful ladies (and some men not pictured in the above pic), I had a lovely weekend. We ran a short little race (21.1km).

Woke up at 04:15 on race day, only to have a bus load of marathoners laugh at us.

 We had a potjiekos cook-off.

Played an intense game of Jenga, 30 Seconds and Uno. There were allegations of cheating.

 

Rapunzel I ain’t

People, I have a HUGE problem. It’s my hair. It’s in a dire state. It has reached that point where comparing it to straw would be a compliment. It’s so coarse and dry that I am too ashamed to leave the house without the cold comfort of a cap, or a wig. Yes, I’ve reached the point where synthetic fibres are preferable to my locks.

But don’t worry I’ve called in the experts. I have an appointment with the hairdresser tomorrow, for a cut and blow. I have a feeling that she will need way more than conditioner to turn me into Rapunzel. A wand, perhaps?

And in other unrelated hair news …

Langebaan

My friends and I will be heading to Langebaan for the weekend. Where some of us will be running the Weskus half marathon and others will be doing things that don’t end in tears or regret.

Scholarship and Argus Cycle Tour

This weekend was rather boring, and most of it was spent in front of the computer filling in an application form for a grant. If successful the grant will cover some of my expenses to attend a conference in California. The application form asked such relevant questions as, “What is your GIS expertise?” and “Are you willing to sleep in a tent.” I kid you not!

Unfortunately my dedication meant that I missed out on Juan’s participation in the Argus Cycle Tour. Sad face. Apparently the girls had gone to great lengths to support him. Special cheerleader outfits were created and trains were taken on the day.

Sandboarding

I will also be going sandboarding later this month. I’d promise to upload lots of pics and provide a full detailed report. But considering that I have yet to report back on my shark cage diving, stand-up paddle boarding and ziplining adventures, maybe it is best if I don’t make any promises?

 

That’s about all folks! What’s been happening with you?

February Life List 2012 Update

February’s been a fairly good month, and I’ve managed to cross off a number of items from my Life List 2012.

  • I’ve read two books this month – “The Rum Diary” and “Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim“.
  • I’ve tried two new dessert recipes – Red Velvet Cupcakes and Blueberry Cupcakes. (Not too fond of the Blueberry Cupcakes. I thought it was too bland, and it isn’t something I’ll attempt again.) Next up? Bar One Springrolls? Key Lime Pie?
  • I’ve completed a 10km race in 55 minutes. I’m hoping that this time gives me an E seeding for the 2 Oceans half-marathon.
  • I’ve achieved my original goal of running a half-marathon at sub 2:17. The goal has since shifted, and I’m hoping that by the end of the year I’d be able to complete a half-marathon in 2:10.
  • Oh and yesterday I realised my dream of spending a day at Bainskloof.
Disa floating in the water. It’s illegal to pick Disas!
  • I also went zip lining in Ceres, which wasn’t on my Life List but is still nice to mention.

*

Managed to injure my leg on Saturday. Sad face.

V Day Dinner, 30 Seconds and Jimmy Choo

Yesterday was awesome. I ate too much. Laughed too hard. And got home late. But let’s start at the beginning, shall we?

 

A couple of my friends arranged a dinner party last night. Guests were asked to bring along a dish. And by dish, I don’t mean actual plates. Nor do I mean a sexy person, although I do think that this option should be explored. I mean that we were all asked to bring along a meal or dessert. More than ten people were invited. You do the maths. There were red velvet cup cakes, two different types of curry, two types of pie, quiche, chocolate, salad etc. At the end of the evening I could be found rubbing my stomach and saying, “I think I should have stopped eating 30 minutes ago.”

Of course, it wasn’t just the food that made last night a success. There was a quick game of 30 seconds, where I learnt that the Boer War wasn’t about the whites fighting the blacks. My team was unjustly labeled as the spawn of Satan. And Cazz apparently has trouble with the alphabet, believing that “K” comes after “L”.

Oh and sometime during the evening the phrase “anal mouth” was uttered. Yeah, I can see that one’s going to require some explanation.

It all started innocently enough, as most things do, with Dizzy* talking about farting competitions. Just, you know, everyday polite conversation. And this prompted the start of a conversation revolving around gurus, who instruct followers to suck up air through their “anal mouths”. Juan, “It’s known as analation”.

*sigh*      

These are my friends. And I honestly won’t trade them for all the Jimmy Choos in the world.

La Perla, Seapoint, Cape Town

On Saturday evening we celebrated my 29th birthday by having supper at La Perla in Seapoint. La Perla is on the corner of Church and Beach Road, directly opposite Seapoint Public Swimming Pool.  As with all restaurants situated on Beach Road, the view of the ocean is simply stunning. So if you are thinking of heading that way, DO opt for a table on the balcony.

 

But beware, prices are steep. I ended up paying R95 for my basil pesto pasta, which really wasn’t that fantastic.

Other than steep prices and mediocre meals, I had an absolute blast. I loved hanging out with my friends, some of whom I haven’t seen in over a year!

Oh and let’s not forget the awesome gifts =) Vintage Kafka, a gorillapod, chocolate and a Guess wallet.

Side note: I absolutely love taking photos of Barry’s gf, Seattle Coffee. She’s so photogenic.

 

 

Lion’s Head, Cape Town

If you’re ever in Cape Town, one of the things you absolutely HAVE to do is hike up Lion’s Head. Seriously, the views of the city from above are simply stunning. And on really clear days you can see Robben Island.

 This hour long hike, is particularly popular on nights when the moon is full.

Lion’s Head is also a popular launching spot for paragliders. I should know I actually attempted this a few years ago. Feels like an eternity.

If you are planning on doing this hike, do take along some water since there is very little shade along the route. For more information regarding this hiking route, click HERE.