A common question these days…

What are you up to?

For once, enjoying the no alarm clock, waking up when I wanna, getting showered whenever, relaxed, muscles not tense, smiling, happy.

Yes I am on leave and the answer to the question is sweet nothing …today that is. It’s after 5pm and I am still chilling in my pj’s – great fun!

I have been blogging, only not publicly. My drafts count reached 23 today and I thought the number might just be getting out of hand now. Is it?

The stores are just a little bit too crazy before Christmas so I am staying away from malls, shopping centres especially Canal Walk until January. I decided to save up my bonus and purchase a new camera in January some time when the prices drop again. The only thing is, I can only purchase one but still deciding at this point. Between Canon and Nikon at this point. I can’t wait.  This would be the one gift that would certainly be the best ever for Christmas but chances of someone buying me a camera well worth over R5 500, zero.  In a way I feel like I don’t wish to take pictures anymore with anything other than NOT a point and shoot.  The bar has been raised and so it feels kinda frustrating not having a good camera and not taking pictures now.

Ryan’s dad is visiting from Rwanda for a few days.  We done the whole Paulaner, Waterfront buzz the other day and some shopping – was fun.  I bumped into some tech mates of mine, one working at the Apple Store and the other working at the Adidas store. Yay for new connections at two of my favorite stores

At Incredible Connection, I got stuck in a game as always. I think I am now hooked on The New Super Mario Brothers Nintendo DS game. Oh my hat! At just under R2000, that’s gonna be my new gadget to buy after the camera.  Shame the kiddies were waiting their turn and I couldn’t die cause i was so damn good at the game. There are loads of new tweaks obviously.  Mario at some point eats this star like thing, he grows huge, he  runs right through those green pipes that he normally has to jump onto; the screen like shakes as he runs over the pipes. I am sure you can hear the “I want I want I want” just by my explanation of the game.

After working up a sweat at the game, what better way to cool down and get my ice cream fix at the Haagendazs shop. The flavors I chose this time was apricot, strawberry, chocolate cookie something. I never bought so chose two flavors, third one was a freebie. At R35 for two scoops of ice cream, any south african would consider this a luxury.

Christmas plans

I grew up as a catholic, been confirmed baptised, I don’t go to church with exceptions for funerals, weddings and occasional odd days but I do however celebrate Christmas like any other hypocrite out there. Me, my mom, sisters and brother and their families all meeting up at my aunt’s home in Kensington this year.  I have invited Ryan and his dad along too. So that’s approximately 21 people that I know of and also if I counted correctly.  The JHB crowd (my sis them) drove down and arrived yesterday and safely.

We hiring a jumping castle and water slide to keep the kiddies entertained (Six nieces, one nephew).  At least I got the okay to join in on the jumping castle fun as I weigh under 80kgs. So gazebo style in the backyard, hired chairs and equipment, the chef being Mario (my brother) has planned a menu TO DIE FOR!!

The menu

Selection of Breads, Butternut Soup, Vegetable Curry, Prawn and Mussel Cocktail, Barbecued Leg of Lamb, Honey and Mustard Gammon, Sage and Onion stuffed Turkey, Rosemary and lemon Pork, Spinach and Potato Bake, Moussaka (Traditional and Vegetarian), Selection of Salads and Veg, Christmas Trifle, Death by Chocolate Pudding. Yum Yum Yum

I asked my mom what she wanted for Christmas…(laughing)…No! she doesn’t want airtime this year! (still laughing) … sigh…she opted for lotion, conditioner, shampoo! I was willing to get her a new cellphone but no, she insists on basic day to day necessities as gifts.

I spent last year Christmas lunch all on my own and spent time with Ryan only. Was still hung over the fact that I just got dumped so was depressed and wanted to be alone.  Even with one other, I know best that it is not a nice feeling being alone on Christmas day. For my friends who have no plans for lunch on Christmas day, give me a shout and I am sure one or two more at my aunt’s will be no biggy.

I bought no gifts this year. I guess the lesson was well learned after buying Tim a gift (the only person I bought for last year), I went through the effort of couriering it to him as we had just broken up the 16th Dec ‘07, and then not getting back anything in return. Yes I still remember it to this day but it hurt that I spent all that money on someone whom I cared for and in return I got a fat “I don’t wanna give you your gift and I don’t wanna see you and this relationship is over” and telephonically too!   So since that, I am not too big on the whole Christmas gift thing and this year decided to make cards again.

Hell, I don’t think Christmas time will ever be normal for me again. Yes it has already been a year since the break up and he still avoids all contact. Would have been nice to see him from time to time as my best friend that he was. New best friends always come and go…if they truly are your best friend, you would be able to pick up on the friendship right where you left off after not seeing each other for a few years.

Friends

Like the friendship Cheri and I have, Reef and I have or even Shaun and I. We don;t see each other for years or months, but its always good when next we hook up again.  I haven’t really hooked up with any friends yet since my leave started. Some are away, others still working. I’m missing Boho’s most of all. He & K been away for the last two weeks already, driving up to Lesotho celebrating their  anniversary. Happy for them. Bongs & Tshepo gone to their family homes. Haven’t a clue where the other male homies are at. Today its Janine’s birthday so gonna go to her a bit later. Abby’s is mommy’ing and not answering her cell, Cheri’s is still working I think. Wonder if Reef reading this? Call me if you free to go for a hike.

Health:

I been roller blading again. Loads of fun. Thinking about purchasing a new pair of blades too. Proof …

Walking? Does that count? Went to see the sunset at Llandudno beach yesterday. So I walked down those stairs and up again to get back to the car. Was beautiful but I was feeling a bit ill in the tummy. I blame the indian food of Sunday we had. Not gonna mention from where but certainly not going back there again. Its in Tableview, that’s all I’m saying.

Music:  Sizzla – The Journey Loving this album, just released in June this year. A combination of what I already have but still new in my opinion.

The question

Do people ask this question ‘What did you get up to?” “What are you up to?” cause they genuinely are concerned that I am alone and up to nothing?  Do they wanna invite me out with them?  Sometimes I get a feeling that they ask this just to be nosy and to compare. I ask my friends this question 1) if they been to a new place I normally want to know how it was going there 2) because I am nosy. In extreme cases and certain people, if I am not informed … mmm wa ha ha … evil laugh …

So much to still clean up at home since my place been painted etc. I am not stressing about having a messy unorganised home now, still have until the 12th of January to get that done. Not even thinking about NYE just yet.  After  Obs Festival, seeing 340ml live for the first time, hearing tunes off their new album Sorry for the Delay, seeing Rudimentals, Teba Shumba and the Hogs, I thought thats enough for this month possibly year.

whatever you do get up to,

have a safe and pleasant festive season

Tags: Adidas, Canon, chilled, Christmas, Family, Family Lunch, festive season, Food menu, Friends, Gadgets, Gaming, Incredible Connection, Nikon, Nintendo, Nintendo DS, Obz Festival, on leave, Personal, rest, Sizzla, SLR Camera, taking a break, update, year end

General+Life Stuff, Personal | 1 Comment