Project 365

I think I may be getting in over my head here.
Lying in bed last night I realised just how much I miss my camera and taking beautiful photos.
I spent a lot of money on a fancy camera and now it sits inside my cupboard. Alone.

I have literally spent hours reading various websites and getting ideas for photos. I came across a wonderful idea called Project 365.

Just what it says - the aim is to post a photo every day. This is going to require lots of commitment. I hope I am able to stick with it, I think it will be alot of fun.

I need to work less and do more for me.

The photos can be of anything you like.
I like this idea. It keeps you thinking of interesting photo opportunities, but also documents your life.

I uploaded my first photo today:

Pink Hair

Looking at the submissions so far - I can see I am going to be part of the "ordinary" crowd. But that's ok. I hope that with this project, one day I might be that little bit of extraordinary

You can also follow me on Flickr here

Wish me Luck!

Bitch & Moan Session

Unhappy
While everybody else is winding down and gleefully making holiday plans, I am resentfully watching them and wishing I could be them.
Christmas is my favourite time of the year. My nephew is almost 3 and this will be his first actual Christmas where he is old enough to enjoy it.
Instead of planning my annual Christmas party with present swapping games, I am not doing anything.

I have been given several new projects at work and have no time to complete them. I will be a month behind schedule when the new year comes.

With all this work weighing on my shoulders - I don't have time for a social life. This is bullshit. It is so easy for friends and family to tell me to regain my balance.
HOW? When I have so much work to do, how do I in good conscience do this.

We will not be receiving any bonuses. Despite the fact that I have worked at least 2 hours over time every single day this year. No bonuses puts me under serious pressure to save for my 2104 trip with mom. Looking at projected savings at the moment, I will not have enough to go over.
I have so much leave due to me that I lose it if I do not take it, but where do I fit it in when I am so far behind schedule?

I will not be getting the assistant that was promised to me.

I have gained so much weight that my fat clothes are now too small for me. I am feeling and looking uncomfortable.
I am sure this is what is also having a huge impact on my mood.

The whole debacle that happened earlier this month hits me every now and then and just adds to the overall feeling of misery.

And that is my moan session complete, thank you for listening. Tomorrow tune in for the happier version of me.

You & I - Ballad

You & I - Audio
There are songs we like & there are songs we love.

Then there are songs that touch your core. 
You listen to the words and they take your breathe away. They evoke a multitude of emotions that wash over you and soothe your soul.

This song makes me want to cry, but smile through the tears. 

Tell me it isn't a beautiful song?

You and I

I figured it out.
I figured it out from black and white.
Seconds and hours.
Maybe they had to take some time.

I know how it goes.
I know how it goes from wrong and right.
Silence and sound.
Did they ever hold each other tight
Like us?
Did they ever fight
Like us?

You and I.
We don't wanna be like them.
We can make it 'til the end.
Nothing can come between
You and I.
Not even the Gods above
Can separate the two of us.
No, nothing can come between
You and I.

Oh, you and I.

I figured it out.
Saw the mistakes of up and down.
Meet in the middle.
There's always room for common ground.

I see what it's like.
I see what it's like for day and night.
Never together
'Cause they see things in a different light
Like us.
But they never tried
Like us.

You and I.
We don't wanna be like them.
We can make it 'til the end.
Nothing can come between
You and I.
Not even the Gods above
Can separate the two of us.

'Cause you and I...

We don't wanna be like them.
We can make it 'til the end.
Nothing can come between
You and I.
Not even the Gods above
Can separate the two of us.
No, nothing can come between
You and I.

You and I.
Oh, you and I.
Oh, you and I.
We can make it if we try.
You and I
Oh, you and I.

Travel Tuesday: Germany

The first country I ever experienced snow. I can still remember arriving at our little wooden cabin and chucking the cases inside so that we could come back outside and experience the feeling of snow crunching under our feet.
We stayed in a small town called St. Goar

Crunchy Snow

The German folk were extremely friendly and more than happy to offer advice to the newbie tourists.

Loreley Rock

In summer there are boat tours and you get to see the famous Loreley Rock.

In early times, it was reported that many ships sank here.
Apparently it was due to a pretty, naked, blonde woman, who distracted the skippers from their work through her songs.

Fickle men!

I bought my cuckoo clock after many agonising minutes spent choosing the right one.

Gorgeous Beer Steins. I bought 1 for my dad and my friend Grant. 

Years later I had forgotten about it and complimented his gorgeous Stein one night over dinner! At least I know I have the same taste all these years later!

Wine-tasting in the cellar

Can you tell I am at a wine-tasting? The rosy cheeks and broad grin are not a giveaway sign at all!

 I actually still have that wine-tasting glass....

Manicure Monday: Negative Spaces

Late 1 night while randomly reading some articles, I came across a nail art post that mentioned "negative space" and thought this would be something different.
Once again I cannot remember the website/blog that inspired me, but here is my take on Negative Space Nail Art.

I used:
Catrice Fred Said Red (Gorgeous shade)
OPI Is that Silva? for the accent line

Prep nails with a base coat, then I cut tape and stuck over the cuticle and part of the nail.
Add another piece of tape over the end of the nail leaving a thin strip bared and paint the accent line.
Wait to dry fully.
Stick tape over dried accent line and paint the rest of the nail.
Finish with Top Coat and Voila!

 

Snail Mail Collective: Gifts from Texas

The Snail Mail Collective is a clever little idea by The Nectar Collective & Lost in Travels
The theme was Autumn Adventures. We are currently in our Summer months, so it was a challenge to think Autumn!!

I was paired with an amazing photographer from Texas; Christina

I was worried about my parcel getting to her as I had used the South African postal service - not known for it's efficiency or speed. (FedEx quoted me R800 - $80 to send a box that weighed a couple of grams and was 23cm x 9cm)

Our spend limit was R50 ($5) and I was not paying that much for delivery!

With all the worrying about her parcel, I forgot that I was getting a parcel in return!

I was having a crappy day when my parcel arrived and I was in such a hurry I snapped some photos with my cell phone and ripped it open!

It was packed with goodies!!

Look at everything I was spoiled with:

1. Sparkly nailpolish Pink Bling - I mean how perfect is that?
2. Addorable little Thanksgiving stickers
3. Autumn Leaf post-it notes
4. Heavenly smelling waterless hand gel
5. Yummy gum with fruity centre
6. Scented candle that smells so good - my cupboard still has the scent
7. An absolutely gorgeous notebook with pink flowers and my initial on it (Which I see I very stupidly covered up in the photo)
8. A selection of postcards, but not just any... 2 of these postcards are Christina's actual photos (which I had loved before I even knew it)

Christina's photos: American Flag  (top left)
Little VW minivan (Top middle)

This lady is a very talented photographer - I recommend that you check out her blog for some amazing photos of her roadtrips: Route Bliss

Christina and I will continue to exchange postcards - I have not yet figured out what I will have to say, but it is always fun receiving a postcard/letter in the mail isn't it?

Hurry on over to join up for the next Snail Mail collective on either of the blogs above - and let us know how it went!