20Turn to 11

What a year it`s been...the biggest highlight for me and many Africans was the FIFA Soccer World Cup held for the very 1st time on african soil...can I just say this again, for the VERY FIRST TIME in AFRICA. yup it was spectacular, the thrill, the african vibe which the world got to see gave us hope; one may say its just a sport get over it you didn`t even get close to winning and true we didn`t but it wasn`t all about a win it was more than that.

It was about Africans can do it, Africans hosted a successful world cup (despite all the things people hear or see on TV) for once we were seen as a people vibrant, FULL OF LIFE and united by one goal. For us South Africans it was a lil more (extra extra we`d say in SA) we saw our one-ness in this rainbow nation that we are...if you didn`t know SA is very diverse in culture and ethnicity hence we are known as the Rainbow Nation. We supported our Bafana wearing those gold/yellow jerseys and raised our colourful flag all over, above all we BLEW the VUVUZELA like never before. Like a swam of bees we sounded YES!!! we are loud and extremely colourful if you noticed. we are very much hospitable (I won`t deny we have issues like any other country has problems so please don`t judge unless you`re perfect).

Soweto my hometown in Johannesburg was buzzing the concert in Orlando stadium, oh BTW this is the very same Soweto many of you saw during apartheid. So much one can write about this one event personally it was the highlight of my year. Just to shed more light to those people who know little about us South Africans and sports, honey we have the Springboks who won the 2007 Rugby World Cup and the 1995 Rugby World Cup (watch Invictus for a detailed story), did I mention the Proteas thats our cricket team with some of the best cricket players.

I forgot to mention Zakumi I know how could I forget the ayoba mascot I think he`s really AYOBA. Yeah to cut the long story short the SWC was really special and gave me and many other Africans a sense of pride. What was the highlight of your 2010, of course it may not have been a smooth year but surely there`s something that made you smile or crack in laughter.

World... much love from a chocolate African Sister.

Here`s to closing 2010 with a bow, and in history it shall remain a year of the noisy annoying ayoba Vuvuzela hahaha

I`m alive

Onetime I was feeling down , my friend reminded me of the words by Desiderata "you are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars you have the right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should."

These words kept resounding in my ears and I found comfort too as I heard the echoes of friends, family, nature, and God`s love. I`m alive that`s all that matters...

Inspired woman

"MAYA ANGELOU"

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a youth she's content to leave behind....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a feeling of control over her destiny..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...

Love Life and Loss

"Those we love don’t go away,
They walk beside us everyday,
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear."

"Death leaves a heartache No one can heal;
Love leaves a memory No one can steal."
"He/she left before you A place to prepare In the shelter Of our Lord’s care In the sorrow you bear."

Author: unknown

Dedicated to friends, legends and loved ones we`ve lost...

Just as the sun rises it also has to set.....

May their souls rest in peace.

Be Inspired

I believe in Dreams and I dream big, for "it is in dreams that we go to places we`ve never been and in dreams you meet and dine with Kings and Queens"

Life is a gift hence with each day I count my blessings. Ever experienced the beauty of life`s mysteries? If you do tell me about it...

Japan has really made me appreciate many things that I previously took for granted. It`s amazing how they celebrate each season in Japan, and the beauty reflected by each season is truly appreciated.

I love the flowers here, on a beautiful sunny day I never missed the dandelion; I just had to pick one for myself.

"You need a certain level of motivation to do everything in life. Motivation is central for personal and professional success, and in all areas of your life." HANI AL-QASEM Soul magazine (http://www.soulmag.co.za/)

I love this last stanza of the Poem Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

Out of the huts of history's shame

I rise

Up from a past that's rooted in pain

I rise

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise

Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise

I rise.