Coal is here

I wrote this post, It's Time for a Cat in early 2014. I ended it off:

I need to get a cat...stat. He/she will be black and dubbed "Coal". And I shall love Coal forever more.

I am so thrilled to announce I've gotten her. Coal is real and has invaded my heart, mind and soul. I already love this little furball with everything I have, and more. 

Because memories can so easily fade, I'd like to chronicle Coal's adventures as she skittishly explores her new home. 

Coal's Chronicles - Week 1 

On the morning of 16 April  2016, I woke up with nervous excitement, butterflies causing a riot in my tummy. I had good reason - I was going to pick Coal up from the shelter. 

During the last week of March, I strolled into Cat-a-holics, the shelter in Rosebank and asked if they have a black female kitten for adoption. They did. Merien, one of the owners, directed me to her cage. There were three other kittens there too. Coal was shy, and she ran behind her bed. The other kittens were suckers for attention. I liked Coal because she was shy. It reminded me of  myself. I paid the deposit for her and told Merien I'll get by 16 April. In the interim, I visited her twice. Once, with my editor, Mary, whom Coal hissed at. It showed me how feisty she is.  

I spent the two weeks chatting to my good friend, Alysha, and Mary, both cat owners and self confessed cat lovers, about what I should get. Their knowledge and expertise proved invaluable. I felt I could prepare for the little one's arrival more than adequately. I spent two weeks slowly shopping for her things.

Alysha and I went together to the shelter. For years, she's been sending me pictures of black cats in pet stores, asking if she could get me one. We agreed  when I do find my cat, we'll go together. And so we did. 

I set up the downstairs bathroom with everything Coal needed: litter box, a scratch post, toys, covered bed, blankets, food and water bowls. She immediately sought shelter behind the toilet. I thought I should let her be, but Alysha has experience with cats, she has one of her own, Loki. She retrieved Coal, and trimmed her claws for my sake since I had to admit, I was a little afraid. 

So after my first week having Coal, these are some of the highlights: 

• She managed to wriggle her way out of the bathroom by early Tuesday morning. While doing yoga, I saw her paws push out from under the door, then her head. I had to let her out, and left her in the house for the day. I worried and fretted about both the state of the house and Coal the entire day. By Tuesday evening, S.O and I managed to barricade the bathroom door so she can have her two weeks in there, as recommended by the shelter. 
• I bought her a covered bed, but the roof zips off. She managed to topple it face down and spent I-don't-know how long trapped in her bed. I felt really bad, I should have checked on her before I slept. But she was fine, and when I let her out, she bee-lined for her food and water. Poor little thing! We've now put in a heavy door stopper in the bed so it cannot topple over and so far, it works. 
• She's slowly, skittishly and bravely exploring the house bit by bit. She's still very nervous when I take her out of the bathroom and won't easily come to me. But in the bathroom, she is oh-so-loving and responsive. She calmly sits on my lap, purrs, and even rubs against my legs. She feels safe there, and it really shows. 
• We've established a spray bottle as a disciplining tool. While cooking one afternoon, I found her hanging by her claws on the curtain. I shouted and sprayed her face with water. I hope she learns. 
• I've seen moments of intense energy where she'll go mental with her toys, and bite her bed with all her might. It's the most adorable thing ever. 

Respect is earned, not given. Get it?

Growing up, I was never surrounded by strong women. Instead they were too caught up in their misery. They allowed their problems overcome them so they became a mere shell of themselves. They, not once, thought about seeing the better side of things, nor did they seek to better themselves, their lives or skill set. To be in their company became (and still is) intolerable. They were the ones who wanted someone to swoop in and save them, to make their lives better.

No. Things do not work that way. Everyone is responsible for the choices they make.

“Never be a prisoner of your past. Become the architect of you future. You will never be the same,” wrote Robin S. Sharma in The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari: A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams and reaching Your Destiny.

Luckily, I have managed to find many strong women in my life as I got older. I admire them for their perseverance, their can-do attitude and their infallible resilience. I admire them for making me want to become a better person, to strive to do more and achieve more. From housewives, to singles, a few mothers, and even career women, there is something in all of them that screams bravery and courage. Yes, they come in all forms, and roles.

I feel privileged to have these women in my life to depend upon, and form a secure support structure. They are always there to lend a helping hand or simply answer any sort of query and share their infinite wisdom.

To these strong women who help mold me every single day, I salute you.

Mother City beckons

There's something about Cape Town that makes me feel it is the beautiful Cinderella of South Africa, and Johannesburg, it's ugly step sister.

The S.O* and I went to the Mother City for a blitz, first year anniversary trip.** I once again fell head over heels in love with Cape Town... the ease of transport, the location, the beach, the vibrancy... there is an atmosphere there that allows me to breath easier, where I can be more myself, and enjoy more outdoor activities.

Johannesburg, however, does have its perks as well. There is a great work ethic in this city, and if there is anything you are looking for in South Africa, you'll probably find it in Johannesburg (except the beach).

The gorgeous Bo Kaap.

Charly's Bakery... 

An early morning walk on the Promenade, with a sea gull to keep me company.  

A trip to the Aquarium. 

All pictures taken by myself. 

And as I publish my blog post, I find this read, "15 Reasons Cape Town Should Be No. 1 On Your Travel Agenda" on Huffington Post. 

*S.O - Significant Other 
**The company I work for sent us on this trip, after I had what I like to call a mini break down due to the intense busyness we were experiencing. 

And Just Like That, It Is 2014

I began writing this post in December 2013:

This has been such a strange, stressful but wonderful, crazy year.

While I got married and I am loving creating a home with S.O*, I hated every millisecond of the wedding... the event itself and the year of planning. I really thought it was going to give me an aneurysm. Seriously, weddings are so over-rated. I would have rather invested all that money into my future home, or future endeavors like travel or study.

Then there is married life and maintaining a home... not easy when you are working practically six days a week and work is intensely busy. I feel I have neglected myself, my S.O, my writing, my well-being and my new home. But I have learnt something through all of this - no matter what, don't kill yourself for the sake of work. And that will stay with me, even going into this new year. In all likelihood, work will be even busier than this year. But I need to remember my life while fulfilling work obligations.

I immensely enjoy having S.O in cuddle distance. We waited to live together, and only did so after marriage. It sure is a treat to have him around! However, balancing our two very different personalities has been a great learning curve. We challenge each other, but we also comfort each other. 

To sum up, my highlights of the year has been:

• Taking months to renovate our new home, and especially the kitchen (You can see pictures of the house here)
• Having an epic bridal shower 
• Surviving the wedding, and the memorable honeymoon thereafter. Mauritius is certainly a food haven for vegetarians!
• Seeing so many loved ones from abroad, and far away, attending the wedding
• Moving into our new home, and being so welcomed and loved by S.O's family 
• Learning to live with my S.O, and having him challenge my way of thinking, taking me out of my box
• Building a structure and pattern for our new lifestyle - but feeling as if we are playing house! :) 
• Waiting the entire year for the Doctor Who 50th anniversary special (I know, I know... but I am a self-confessed, proud Whovian!)
• Attending an unforgettable Amazing Race Party, and learning so much about Jo'burg I didn't know. Mind you, we did this dressed as pirates.... arrr! (Pictured above) 
• And still to come - a quickie trip to the coast for a friend's wedding and then another to Doha to see some of my favourite people 

Dressed as pirates! 

Two of the photos from the wedding, taken by Joylight Photography. 

The bridal shower cake.

Travelling to Doha has left me seeing with a new pair of eyes. I appreciate the freedom South Africa enshrines in its constitution, but it has left me missing my dear friends even more. I love that when we see each other, it is as if no time has passed and we slot right back into our comfort zones. 

Hope 2014 is good to each and every one of you! 

S.O - Significant Other 

Do you listen to "She and Him"?

I gotta admit, I have a harmless girl crush on Zooey Deschanel. It is no surprise then that I also listen to the music from her band, She and Him. Zooey directed their latest music video, and yes, I enjoyed every quirky moment.

I want more of Mauritius

Mauritius is a place where a lady can wear a flower in her hair everyday. It's an island that thaws your stiff bones with the warmth of the sun, its people and fiery, vegetarian friendly cuisine. Its where local dancers can really move their hips! And it has become a destination I would want to return to.

"Let me do the cliched thing and go there on honeymoon," I thought. My needs were simple: I wanted to go to a place that was not too far from South Africa, I wanted a visa free destination, I wanted some peace and stillness from the intense busy period of the wedding and by George, I also wanted ample, tasty vegetarian food. I cannot tell you the amounts of times I ended up eating tubes of Pringles and chocolates...for the entire holiday. Mauritius emerged as the shining beacon.

A view of the beach from the reception area literally took my breath away. "This is going to be good," I thought. I felt instant relief and a weight off my shoulders. S.O and I made our way to our room, and my initial thought of things being good, improved to better. The room was magnificent, with the beach a short walk away. Perfect for some RnR.

It felt like any other holiday S.O.* and I had been on, there was no pressure to make it special simply because it was the honeymoon. We spent a lot of time on the beach, doing water activities like snorkeling (sea water kept on going into my eyes and troubling my contact lenses, so I gave up), the glass boat, the pedal boat, and sitting on a tube while being pulled by a power boat. There was time for gym, touring, morning walks on the beach, aqua aerobics, attempting to water ski (S.O.) and yoga.

I simply revelled in the fact that wedding was over, my time was mine and I was not neck deep in wedding chores! In fact, there was absolutely nothing to do except eat, relax, drink and take in the salty sea air and warm sun rays.

S.O: Significant Other 

I have good reasons for my absence

A work colleague once told me that getting married and getting a new house in the same year is a bit over ambitious. Now I understand what she meant. Since December last year, I have been "Wedding Mode Engaged" plus trying to move house. It feels like I have not had a weekend since then.

Two of my closest friends (more like sisters, really) flew to South Africa from Doha for the wedding. They hosted such an epic bachelorette and I was so touched. It was the only weekend that I really enjoyed this year! They were also invaluable in the week run-up to the wedding. It was so busy and overwhelming, I am so grateful to have had them there.

Thankfully, the 17th of March came and went, with only a few glitches. What else can be expected out of a wedding, right? The honeymoon in Mauritius was much needed RnR, and then there was just another week to set up the house before I returned to work. It felt like I came right back into intense busy-ness! (Is there such a word?!)

I am now sitting at my office desk, feeling all of this has happened to someone else. It has been a surreal experience - me - getting married?! I see pictures friends and family took, and I sit there gobsmacked. Surely, that is not us...surely.

Pictures of the new house and the wedding (when I have it) to follow in the near future!

A New Home

The house hunt is over. Last night S.O* and I picked up the keys to the place we bought. That's right, we have bought a house! Since then, I have had this silly smile on my face. I can't help it. Who knew that something as simple as keys would turn me into this sentimental, mushy character? You know, the one that wants to shed happy tears, hug everyone and tell them how much I love them...that sounds awfully a lot like my tipsy/drunk-self too!

The thing is, I always wanted a place of our own. I have desperately wanted to leave my parents' place for many reasons. After living on my own in London, I could not wait to do it here in Johannesburg! For various reasons (safety, cultural aspects, financially) I have not gotten a place sooner. It feels right though, to do this with my S.O. Once we are married, we will move it together - that is because of the traditions our parents hold dear. In the mean time, we will start to furnish the house, re-do the kitchen and a few other things.

The seller and his family seem like lovely folk. He bought us a pot plant with a card that read: "To wish you everything of the best in your new home, may you spend as many happy years as we did in it."

*S.O = Significant Other 

I'm baaaack

Those times when work is all consuming, and you're working long hours and weekends, and that does not seem to be enough...that has been me over the past few months.

If you do not know what I do, I am a journalist. My career has veered off to an online medium in recent years and now I am in a role that involves certain South African TV shows - amongst them Idols and MasterChef. Being the online person, everything seen on the official websites and social media comes from my team and I. The new skill I picked up is live social media interaction over Facebook and Twitter during broadcast of these shows. It is nerve wrecking and exciting at the same time. But God help you if you make a typo - the online audience descend on it like vultures to a carcass! I cannot say it is my dream job, but hey, if it helps me pay the bills, so be it. If you're in SA and you watch these shows, you know they are over. So it is time for me to:

1. Pause.
2. Breath.
3. Learn to live my life again! I think I've forgotten...
4. Breath some more.
5. Get neck deep into my wedding planning.

I have also sorely neglected my wedding planning during this time. Now when I think about it, I begin to hyperventilate knowing that March 2013 is not at all far off (I am not counting December 2012 and January 2013 because everything comes to a standstill in those months). When I see my  to-do list, what I have ticked-off as complete seems far too little compared to what still has to be done. Sigh... (Ward off panic mode!)

The S.O* and I have also managed to find a place to stay! Can I get a round of cheers, please? And pop the champagne! I am so happy about that. I am so glad we are getting a chance to live out lives and not stay with the in-laws. They are great people, but I really do want us to have our own space. The paper work is still in process and we shall only move in once we are married. This is the part that I cannot wait for. The wedding itself I can do without, but this what is important to me - a life, together. Look at me, getting all soppy this early on a Tuesday. Hahaha...

What has Bloggerville been up to? What has changed? What is new? Please, do tell! You know, I've missed everyone!

*Significant Other.

Cupcakes and playlists in Japanese

The Red Velvet cupcakes for S.O's Bday.

The S.O* had his birthday recently. I decided to bake Red Velvet Cupcakes with a Cream Cheese Frosting to celebrate the occasion. This was the first time I had ever attempted to bake such cakes. Usually I stick to my go-to-quick-and-easy eggless cake recipe, so trying this out was a bit of a risk. Added to that risk was that the recipe called for eggs (I do not eat anything with eggs) so I used Egg Replacement. I was terrified it was going to be a huge flop, but thankfully it did not. The only problem was that they rose beautifully, but sunk a little after baking. Thankfully the icing covered it up! Since I do not usually eat desserts (eating only eggless goodies limits my options), I found the icing much too sweet. Other than that, they were yummy.

The playlist in Japanese. 

On a different note, I recently bought a CD - yes, some people still do that. As I ripped it to my computer, this is the music titles that came up. Who else understands Japanese? Bizarre and curious, don't you think? Has something like this ever happened to you? And here is the other strange part of this story: the music came on two CDs and the second CD pulled through the English music titles!

*S.O = Significant Other 
P.S: Happiest of birthdays to S.O. Celebrating this special day with you for the past 11 years has been beyond awesome. 

World's. Largest. Chocolate!

OhMyGosh - I read an article about the largest chocolate sculpture and man, oh man, I want it now! 

Qzina Speciality Foods built it to celebrate their 30th anniversary. Read the article here on the Gourmet Guys website.  I love how they pay homage to the Mayans, and take into account the Mayan calendar too.

Excuse me as I wipe the drool off my computer.

**Still salivating though.**

PS: They may sign me up to 'destroy the structure' in December 2012.

Are you a fan of these tales of yonder?

There seems to be a fierce resurgence of fairy tales in popular culture. Think about it, there are current TV shows like Grimm and Once Upon a Time alongside movies like Mirror Mirror, Snow White and the Huntsman (upcoming), Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters (upcoming) and Jack the Giant Killer (upcoming). Am I missing out on any? Please do let me know!

All I can say is that I am really loving this period. I have always adored fairy tales, and still buy as many books as I can. Even though I am almost 30, I have to admit I still enjoy browsing through them, soaking in the artwork and the goodness.

From what I have seen, some of these new adaptations refresh the old tales with modern twists that are witty, entertaining, scary and hey, some characters are even empowered more so than the original story. Some stories merge beautifully and it leaves me thinking: 'Why couldn't I think of that?' The escapism leaves me feeling so refreshed, and looking at the world with eyes of wonder again. And that is very important for a writer, I reckon.

It could very well be introducing these stories to an entire new audience, and that is always a huge plus. These stories manage to teach about bravery, being good, following your dreams, being courageous and even though women were more the 'waiting for a prince to save me' sort in the originals, the new versions throw that notion out the window and door.

Have you managed to watch any of these TV shows and movies? If so, let me know your impressions!

A century of chocolate-ness

Guess what? The humble Oreo biscuit turns a hundred years old today! Happy birthday to one of the best treats around. These sort of chocolate related milestones should rightly be acknowledged and celebrated! :) Read the entire story and get great recipes on the Eat-In website.

That Oreo martini really catches my eye. Note to self to try and make it at the next braai*.

*Braai - South African term for the word barbecue. 

Chocolate Monday: Week 1

I was not one of the scant cars on the road this morning, which means most people are back at work today. It could mean more of a shock to your system since it was a pretty long break for most people. I worked right through though, so a holiday is screaming for existence, but that is another blog post all on its own.

Drum roll, please, for the first Chocolate Monday of the new year! I reckon most people will feel like this today, especially today:

Picture sourced from Imgfave.
Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.  

Don't you love it when books speak to your heart and soul?

"My dad says that being a Londoner has nothing to do with where you're born. He says there are people who get off a jumbo jet at Heathrow, go through immigration waving any kind of passport, hop onto a tube and by the time the train's pulled into Piccadilly Circus they've become a Londoner."
- Moon over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch 


I think my heart and soul cannot be in more agreement.

Well, that's that, then!

What sort of a year has 2011 been? Personally, it's been filled with:
...denial, anger, pain, frustration, bitterness and hurt.
...hiding, isolation, loneliness, solitude and confusion.
...a blur of remorse and tears.
...a fight to keep the threads of my life sewn and to keep on breathing.
...forgetting my passions like writing, cooking, reading and blogging. Thereby forgetting myself too.

And because of all the above, the last two months or so has been filled with:
...rebirth, renewal and revitalisation.
...an re-awakening of all my senses.
...promises to build a better 2012 - and onwards.
...talk of engagements and weddings. (My own! Eek! God, help me!)
...hunting for a place to call home.

So I reckon 2012 has gotta be better - full of those sorta huge life changes. And I hope it is not my misguided optimism at this time of the year. Maybe S.O* and I are on our way to a Happily Ever After.

These two secrets from Postsecret  pulled at my heart:

Finally, a very happy new year to you! May 2012 fulfil every wish and dream, even those in the deep corners of your imagination. Shine and thrive, everyone!

*S.O= Significant Other

Sharing the sunrise

Now that it is summer in South Africa, the sun is rising as I leave the house in the morning for work. Sometimes the sunrise is bleh, meh or simply stunning. Here is a picture of one with lovely colours that looks like it was soaked with the strokes of a happy artist.

Happy Birthday Google

So this is the Google Doodle today. Happy 13th birthday! If it weren't for this search engine, we'd all be straggling the Internet - lost, alone, and very confused. Now that it is 13, I hope it doesn't get that "I know it all" teenage attitude.