I'm back!

I have been away from the bloggersphere for a month! I am dreadfully ashamed... 

I will give you a brief breakdown of what has happened:

• Uni
• Stress
• Sleep
• Eat
• Uni
• Stress
• Eat
• Sleep
• Skin breakout
• Stress
• Stress
• Cry
• Uni
• Uni goes on strike
• Eat
• Sleep
• Read

And now I'm back! The varsity has given us a break - because a few students have gone bats#it crazy and next week is mid-term break, so I have time to recharge and get into the blogging again before exams!

Life plan- what is that even?

It's terrible. I haven't blogged in nearly a month! I can't believe that it has been so long.

Life in general has been going great. I've been up to my eyeballs in uni work (specifically clinic), family commitments and then when I do have time to blog, I can't think of anything interesting to write about.

I pressurize myself by wanting my blog posts to be inspiring or just generally "good". The fact is that this blog should be about ME. I shouldn't be writing this blog to please everyone else, I started this blog for me- so that's what it should be about! It's my "creative" and thought outlet. So here it goes! 

I spent most of my time today thinking about my future. It seems that those around me have their life "plan" set out. They want to finish their degree, explore, get married, have 'that many' children and live happily ever after. 

And then there is me. I want to finish my degree, and blank. It's so strange for me. I have the tendency to plan to the nth degree, but I don't know what I want to achieve in life. Career-wise I'm pretty set out, I know that I want to do my Community Service year either on the South Coast or in Maritzburg and then I want to work for the government, either at a special needs school or in a clinic. 

I don't even know if I want children. I know that I'd like to adopt if I do end up wanting children. 

I feel like I'm having a "post-teen" crisis! I'm trying not to stress about it, I know logically that what is meant to be, will happen. But today I got a bit bogged down by it.

New semester!

Second semester of second year began with a bang! I have my first speech clinic this semester. I'm so excited, but it can get overwhelming and stressful.

I had my first clinic session yesterday. I can already see how rewarding it is going to be! My three clients are absolutely adorable and my co-clinicians are reliable and as motivated as I am! I have to admit though, having three one hour sessions is unbelievably draining (I'm still feeling the effects today!!!)

As clinic ended I was walking down the corridor and was greeted by this beautiful sunset:

It was such a calming moment for me, the whole of Wednesday and yesterday I was doubting my abilities and just generally over-thinking, stressing and freaking out. But in the end, I had what it took, meeting clients and the running of the first session went really well. All I need to do is take one step at a time and keep looking forward :) 

Thanks Family!

So as you all have probably realised, I love and adore my family. But sometimes, I really just want to gently nudge them off a cliff. A specific incident where I wanted to do some gentle nudging strongly comes to mind! 

Yesterday, most of the family helped my great aunt move into a new flat - that did cause a few homicidal thoughts to spring to life, but mostly it just gave me inspiration to complete my degree as I washed kitchenware for 5 hours straight (NEVER AGAIN WILL I EVER WASH KITCHENWARE FOR FIVE HOURS!!!). After 5 hours of  torture "family bonding", Pops decided to take us for lunch at the local pub. I was delighted. Shame, how innocent I once was!

So we arrived at the local, one happy little family! A cute waiter cheerfully seats us at our table and brings us our menus and drinks. This is where I made the fatal mistake of mentioning to the table that the waiter was a sweet and handsome fella. Idiot and clearly an amateur mistake. I blame drinking on an empty stomach. When the poor unsuspecting chap arrives at our table again, my grandpa's loony girlfriend asks if he's single- he replies no -hearts all around the table break-. THEN she shows her dismay and proceeds to tell him that she wanted him to give ME his number if he was eligible. Thanks Astrid! 

http://giphy.com/gifs/awkward-icarly-nickelodeon-GA89JfpXiTrwc

My mom  (To think that I once trusted you Mother!!)  just took the situation from embarrassing to excruciating! She tells him WHY they wanted to hitch me up! She told him how I had just experienced a devastating heartbreak and that my ex was moving out of the flat on our property that day.

http://giphy.com/gifs/awkward-chloe-moretz-kWHR3f23hTzz2

I wanted to dig a hole and hide. Shame, the guy took it really well. I think he saw how ambushed and beet red I was.

Thanks my FamDam! Expect coal for Christmas! And watch your backs...

21 Questions

I was nominated by my mom (Gill's jottings) to do the 21 Question Challenge. I filled in most the questions on Friday but never had time to finish as I went to the Ballito Pro Free Concert! 

1. What is your current fashion obsession? I love the sneakers (specifically Vans!) and since it's winter, the knitwear tops are a fav with me!

2. What are you wearing today? Jeans and a long sleeve grey T-shirt with purple Tomys and a floral scarf.

3. Hair?  I have a pixie cut. I recently had more blonde highlights put in and my roots are now dyed copper.

4. Do you nap a lot? Nope, I don’t really like sleeping during the day. I get FOMO. But every now and again if I'm really tired or sick I will.

5. Why is today special? I am going to the Tropika Ballito Pro Concert tonight!

6. What would you like to learn to do? I have always wanted to learn a musical instrument, but I don't have the time or patience

7. What’s for dinner today? I don't know! Will see what's at the concert. 

8. What are you listening to right now? Jeremy Loops (ALWAYS), Hozier, Majozi and Echosmith all feature on my playlist. Right now I have no music on unfortunately, but if I did that's what would be playing.

9. What is your favourite weather? Autumn in KZN. It's so pretty and not too cold and not too hot. 

10. What’s the last thing you bought? A pair of shorts and a top from Cinnamon Clothing! 

11. What are your essentials when traveling? Cell phone, water-less hand sanitiser and my iPad.

12. What’s your style? Casual mostly. I like the floral and "flowy" vibes.

13. What is your most challenging goal right now? Finishing my degree with the best marks possible! 

14. If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?  I'd have to say either Venice or Dublin.

15. Favourite vacation spot? The Drakensberg and I love anywhere in Europe.

16. Name the things you cannot live without? My family, my pets, my friends and my glasses.

17. How was your childhood? Fun, lots of time spent outside playing with my brother and sister. I was quite sickly but it never really affected me. 

18. What would you like to have in your hands right now? Chocolate.

19. What are you most excited for? My trip to Aus in December and Speech clinic this upcoming semester.

20. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? Corfu in Greece.

21. Which countries have you visited? I have been very blessed in that my grandfather has taken my family on many overseas holidays. I’ve visited: Egypt, UAE, England, Ireland, France, Monaco, Malta, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Vatican City, Spain, Greece, Turkey,Czech Republic and Croatia. 

I nominate Shaelyn from Just Shae to do the 21 Question Challenge.

Anyone who is interested in doing the 21Questions, feel free to copy and paste it. Be sure to leave your blog address so that I can come and see your answers!

Drakensberg Trip part 2

On Sunday, we decided to do a Geocache at the Mermaid Pools.It was such an interesting and remarkable place. It made one think about how powerful and breathtaking nature can be.  If it had been warmer I would've swum in the pools!

Mlambonja River

Mermaid Pools

View of the river and Rhino Peak (Top Right of the picture)

At the Mermaid Pools layers of fossilised trees in amongst the sandstone have been exposed due to the Mlambonja River carving into the layers of rock. The fossilised trees stick out due to their charcoal colour in contrast to the whiteish sandstone.

Fossilised trees (circled)
Source: http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC39MER_fossils-at-mermaids?guid=4863d38b-d833-4f01-97c4-304c451ae358

On Monday we spent the day in Himeville. We stopped at Kenmo Lake, which is on a piece of land that a family has opened to the public. We found a Geocache there and took plenty of photos of the picturesque scenery. I could only imagine how stunning it would've been a few weeks earlier when the trees flourished in the autumn colours. 

The rest of the week we mostly spent time relaxing, playing board games, and of course roasting marshmallows next to the fireplace! That is what I love most about vacationing in the Drakensberg- there is no pressure to rush or bustle about. The peaceful, quiet and tranquil atmosphere allows for complete relaxation (absolute bliss!).

Mommy and I

I love the Berg, it is my "happy place". I can't wait to go back!

Drakensberg trip 2015

Just before 1st semester exams ended, my parents and I went for a trip up to the Drakensberg. The Drakensberg is about a 3 hour drive away from where I live. We went up on the Saturday and came back home on the Thursday.

On the trip up, we stopped and did a Geocache at Afriston Train Station (for those of you who do not know what Geocaching is, please read about it here.).

Railway line at Alfriston 

Alfriston Station

We had planned to have lunch when we reached our timeshare, however our stomachs started growling so we unanimously decided to stop at Underberg for lunch! We had a lovely lunch at Lemon Tree Bistro. The Bistro had such a quaint and relaxing atmosphere- though, the delish sangria may have caused that! I had the Harissa pasta, it was splendid.

Lemon Tree Bistro

Inside the Lemon Tree Bistro

Pasta Harissa

Pasta Gamberi

We stayed at Riverbend (which are self-catering chalets) within the Drakensberg Gardens Resort. It was so nice just to relax (even though I did study two of the days that we were there) and spend time with my parents. It's weird, many people my age would find it boring and weird to go on holiday alone with their parents, I however thoroughly enjoyed it! My parents and I get on so well, I am very grateful for that! They are a huge support in my life.

View from Riverbend Chalets

Drakensberg Moutains with sprinkles snow

I will post a few other bits and pieces from out little trip tomorrow! Sorry that I have been away for awhile- thankfully exams are over so I will have more time to blog :D