Conquering coffee

As part of a challenge set down by my Life Group last week, I attempted to give up coffee for a while. The aim was to give up something you 'value' > and ultimately see how, in actual fact, you really don't need it at all. Because at the end of the day, it's just you and God right?

So while I may not have done something as dramatic as give my bed, car or cell phone (one has to live after all!) I did give up something that I ritually drink every morning - and a few times a day.
Just by the way, I did actually live without my phone for Day 1 - after I accidentally, on purpose left it at home - and I survived remarkably well.

This giving up coffee thing turned out to be quite tricky actually as this week was my deadline week so 13 hours of writing, I was a shriveled mess. I actually put myself to bed last night at 9pm because I was barely functioning as a person and could not really bring myself to even have a conversation!

So as part of the new week I made myself a cup of coffee this morning and must admit that it didn't taste that great.
I can really see myself getting out of the habit (well I'll have to report back after 21 days - the time it apparently takes to start a new habit).
But I do not promise to never have a delicious foamy cappuccino with that itsy biscotti nestled into the china the next time I go to Mugg & Bean!

Cheers!

Crying with laughter!

Eye Contact (back by popular demand)

Has anyone seen Aunt Telcia?




Thanks awkwardfamilyphotos.com for making me laugh!

Be wise with your bonus

Some VERY wise words from an extract of a press release I received today

The festive season is upon us again. The spirit of jubilation has started filling the air as many consumers prepare to receive their 13th cheques.

However, if you do not plan carefully on how you are going to use your hard-earned 13th cheque cash, you will be indirectly planning to be broke in January, says CEO of the National Debt Mediation Association (NDMA), Magauta Mphahlele.

She adds that you must keep a cool head over this Festive Season.

“Though there might be emotional, marketing and social pressures to spend big monies during the festive period, try to filter these pressures out of your life by drawing up a budget,” says Mphahlele.
 “The budget should be a true reflection of your Festive season income and how you should spend it wisely so that it does not result in you having to seek loans to cover your expenses,” she says.

“A large portion of your budget should be allocated to necessary items like food, school uniform, debt, transport and emergencies. An insignificant part of your income should go towards entertainment,” says Mphahlele.

“You must make the drafting of budget part of your culture and you must not backslide on this habit,” says Mphahlele. “If you make budgeting a habit, you could significantly improve your cash flow due to the monitoring of spending patterns,” says adds.

The association warns consumers to remember that after you receive your December income, your next pay will come at the end of January – a month that has its own school of expenses.

Tips to be prudent with your spending this Festive season come when the inflation stands at 5.7%. The price of petrol this month leapt to a record high of R10.60 compared to R8.29 this time last year.

“High inflation and fuel prices threaten to erode the purchasing power of many consumers and it is clear that this festive period consumers should spend wisely. Those who fail to do so, might end up unnecessarily being forced to take additional credit,” says Mphahlele.

Tips to save this festive season:

Ø    Buy gifts only for close family and friends that are not expensive and would last for a long time. Where possible make the gifts yourself. This can be a fun family activity.

Ø     Rather entertain friends and family members at home and ask guests to chip in salads and beverages;

Ø    Use your bonus to trim your debt burden by paying off existing debt so that you can start the New Year on a clean slate; and

Ø    Try to buy everything at once when going out to shop in order to save on travel costs.

Ø    If going on holiday choose accommodation where you can book in as a group and share the costs.

ISSUED BY: Fezile Africa
Bullion PR & Communication
Tel: (011) 803 3615
Cell: 083 386 0839
E-mail: fezile@bullionpr.com
Website: www.bullionpr.co.za

Not just angry whites

Curly and I attended the Opportunities Australia Expo on Saturday- just to see what our options were - with a thought of maybe going to work there for a year or two.
As we walked in I heard a voice dripping with pessimism about our wonderful country. Not surprisingly (as stereotypes go), he was a burly 50-something man in two tones.
And that's how I imagined this expo to go - a bunch of disgruntled white South Africans looking to move down under - the land of milk and honey it seems.

I was therefore utterly amazed to see the actual turnout as we sat down for a seminar on Working in the Northern Territory (which, FYI, apparently has a wonderful tropical climate - so a gorgeous six months followed by rain, rain, rain).
I can honestly say that the ratio between white, Indian and black people was pretty much equal. I must admit that made me feel slightly less unpatriotic as I sat there because we (I mean Curly and I, not white people in general) are not the only ones looking outside our borders for a future.
At the same time, it was quite an awakening to see that there are many people - across all race groups - that are not satisfied with how our country and big business is (often) being run (tenderpreneurs, cadres, *cough).

But as I sat there listening to these Aussies boast about their lifestyle, job opportunities etc...it made me remember my, perhaps, rose-tinted view on life when I wanted to make a difference - in South Africa.

Besides finding out that journalism is not one of the crucial skills required by the Australian government, I sense times a-changing...with perhaps a career change on the horizon.

Watch this space.

Our thinking versus God's truth

Some wise words sent to me this morning by a friend

 His Promise is impossible

• All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

I'm too tired

• I will give you rest (Matt 11:28-30)

Nobody really loves me

• I love you (John 3:16)

I can't go on

• My grace is sufficient (2 Cor 12:9)

I can't figure things out

• I will direct your steps (Prov 20:24)

I can't do it

• You can do all things (Phil 4: 13)

I'm not able

• I am able (2 Cor 9:8)

It's not worth it

• It will be worth it (Rom 8:28)

I can't forgive myself

• I forgive you (1 John 1:9, Rom 8:28)

I can't manage

• I will supply all you need (Phil 4:19)

I am afraid

• I have not given you a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7)

I'm always worried and frustrated

• Cast all your care upon me (1 Peter 5:7)

I haven't enough faith

• I've given everyone a measure of faith (Rom: 8)

 I'm not smart enough

• I give you wisdom (1 Cor 1: 30)

I feel so alone

• I will never leave you or forsake you (Heb 13: 5)

Barcelona impressions

Sagrada Familia. Antonio Gaudi's life's work that remains unfinished 80 years after his death. Progress is slow as work is completely reliant on donations!

Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas - the tourist hear of the city. A vibrant kaleidoscope of language, entertainment and food!

Sitges - just how you imagine a seaside town in Europe! Plus a gay beach!

Ironic and/or profound.

Just as you imagine a wedding in a seaside town in Europe.

Pretty perfect.

Viva la Espagnol!

 

Inside Sagrada Familia - majestic glory.

Breathtaking Barcelona.

Snapshot of Barcelona

View of Barcelona and the Mediterranean from Parc Guelle