It’s holiday time…

http://livinglindsay.com/2011/07/24
You can always feel when Easter is approaching. We get our first slice of cold weather, well for us Capetonians at least, the roads seem ridiculously full, and there are more than the normal amount of people around in the streets as well as out and about.

My plan for this Easter is to get away from Cape Town. Open my mind up to some inspiration; see something different other than a class room, some different people other than my class mates, because, that’s where I’ve been for the entire term.

My point that I’d like to make is, consider giving yourself some time to relax this holiday. Don’t over do it, don’t under do it. Allow yourself the space to breath and relax. This is important for you. Over and above that, have fun!

How do you step from a 100-foot Pole?

http://oliviakannemeyer.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html
You know the saying you dig your grave now sleep in it. Trying to step down from a 100-foot pole could seem challenging, but how the hell did you get up there in the first place?

Some people might find it challenging once being very successful in life to ground oneself. Someone said to me the other day,’ No matter how executive or important you are, there should be no reason for you to speak to anyone differently because of the position you are in. Grounding yourself is vital to everyday life. Have a clear understanding of where you are, and don’t get caught up in the moment, otherwise you’ll find yourself having to jump down to the ground. In most cases you’ll never be able to get up again and gain the respect you had when starting at the bottom. Expect to be treated the way you treat others.

Eyes wide open

http://nihilisticpoetry.com/tag/tomorrow/
A few months ago I was given the opportunity to help organise a conference at the Upper East Side hotel in Woodstock. The conference took the form of a retreat for 20 delegates from around the world who all sit on the board for the Global Fund. The Global Fund represents civil society and all the NGO's that support TB and HIV. People from as far as Hong Kong, Jamaica, Panama all such passionate activists in their different fields. I learnt so much from them. What inspirational people.

To hear some of the things these people have done in their lives is really remarkable. Although I do not sit on the board, I was still apart of the meetings, so I was able to really get to know everyone properly.
The experience really opened up my eyes to new possibilities. There is so much more out there than just Cape Town, as much as I love my home!

We are what we do

guidos-bros-douchebags-fratboys-suddenly-it-all-makes-sense.org
Ever watched the series Jersey Shore? OMG
After some one had given it to me, I decided to see what all the good and bad fuss was about.
In my existence I have never come across a bunch of people like these. And, if one day I do, someone please slap me not once but twice through the face. What a culture shock!

To link to my point, these people are what they do. They have subjected themselves to being scrutinized and judged by the public because of the way they act. They are aggressive, provocative, sexist you name it, they are the epitome of reality TV, South Park has even made a mockery of some of them.

If you’ve never heard of the term Guido’s and Guidettes, please do yourself a favour!

We are afraid of the wrong things

http://www.google.co.za/imgres?start=235&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=653&tbm=isch&tbnid=d6V6aEJW7_ihYM:&imgrefurl=http://www.roadto2010.com/2010/11/africa-scores-exhibition-to-open-in-cape-town/&docid=Z8Yd58XWUfnvDM&imgurl=http://www.roadto2010.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/APN307958-copy-e1278415524589.jpg&w=500&h=332&ei=WP5iT5DdK9K0hAePuI2ICA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1049&vpy=211&dur=1078&hovh=183&hovw=276&tx=168&ty=89&sig=106201096982100314437&page=11&tbnh=144&tbnw=180&ndsp=26&ved=1t:429,r:19,s:235
Africa united behind Ghana's Black Stars in the quarterfinal

I remember that day, the sun was shining, the people were out, yellow was all around and you could hear vuvuzela sounds all the way into Gardens, Cape Town and further up the mountain. It was insane.

Myself, as well as a few friends decided to get ready and make our way to the Parade grounds in the CBD for the opening. Everyone fully geared, kitted in yellow.

I could describe it as one of my proudest moments. It could counter any bad thing that’s ever been said about this country. It proved to the world that we are not a poverty stricken corrupt government-owned country. We are more than that!

My point is; many doubted what South Africa was capable of during FIFA2012, and look what happened, look how it turned out. We are afraid of the wrong things..

Culture Shark!

A picture taken from an Adventure sports website of a Adult swimming in a cage near sharks. This is typically what shark cage diving is all about in Cape Town.
http://www.google.co.za/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&biw=1366&bih=653&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=UHYu0UbecppL4M:&imgrefurl=http://www.teamhalti.com/shark-diving-cape-town-style/&docid=trZVC3h0YRD72M&imgurl=http://www.teamhalti.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Shark-diving-backpackers-in-cape-town.png&w=347&h=250&ei=dqNgT-ePH4eGhQe9q6DGBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=551&vpy=160&dur=3463&hovh=190&hovw=265&tx=105&ty=93&sig=106201096982100314437&page=2&tbnh=143&tbnw=187&start=21&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:21

Doesn’t it sometimes scare you how Cape Town is the home of sharks. Just admitting I’m surrounded by shark infested waters scares the daylights out of me.

When visitors come to visit Cape Town, I always find it hysterically funny when they fill their agenda’s up with shark cage diving and other extreme adventurous activities.

For those of you who aren’t aware, yes we have sharks in the water, and yes they do eat you. Don’t be fooled.

I’m Capetonian and have never ever in my life thought of going shark cage diving.
After watching Infamous shark attack survivor, Micheal Cohen’s lifeless body floating over a wave just after being mauled by a shark, I couldn’t think of anything worse than coming face-to-face with one.

On the other side of things, could you just imagine being the visitor that coincidently visited that specific spot on that day which resulted in him or her being the witness to a gruesome event such as that? I couldn’t.

Fish falling from the sky!

roadsafety.wordpress.com

Recently I discovered a horrifying video on the web where a taxi driver violently hit a pedestrian over and then again with his mini-bus, and thereafter pursued to kick him in the face!
I couldn’t believe what I had just seen. The anger with which the taxi driver did that to the pedestrian was almost sickening. Who does that? Like fish falling from the sky?
Never in a million years would I ever think I’d see that happening on a video in front of my face.
I thought to myself, hell, if this is what the world is seeing about South Africa, imagine what they are thinking! Something needs to happen in our society for the world to see we are undoubtedly so much better than what’s perceived out there…

Tips on dealing with culture shock

brotherpeacemaker.files.wordpress.com/2012/02


I know for many it isn’t easy leaving your home town and starting a new life in another place. A feeling of anxiety and unfamiliar surroundings puts you out of your comfort zone and makes you feel uneasy.

Learning new ways of getting around and finding the little corner shop closest to you always makes you feel a little bit more comfortable. However, one faces many challenges when trying to find their ‘place’ in a new environment.

Here are some tips on dealing with culture shock:

o When feeling out of control, don’t waste energy on things you cannot control, focus on what’s important

o Don’t make a ‘mountain out of a molehill’. What’s a huge thing in your culture may mean almost nothing to the other

o Ask for help, network with others in your target culture, find some, this will help you to meet people like yourself too

o Record your frustrations; this will give you a healthy outlet for expressing your emotions