Life in Amsterdam

It’s nearly two months since I left South Africa and moved to Amsterdam. I have also neglected to write or post a single entry on my blog in a while.

Life has been an absolute whirlwind since August. Can’t really grasp the fact that we already in October and December is so near.

It’s feels like forever ago since I left my job, packed up my life and moved to this amazing city which I am totally and utterly in love with.

Life abroad is a completely new experience for me, and it is the first time I had to leave home. Jumping on the plane that night was incredibly exciting, I couldn’t wait to start my journey but at the same time, I was scared.

There is a palpable fear to living in a new country, and though it is more acute in the first months, or a year down the line, I don’t think it ever completely evaporates as time goes on. It simply changes.What I am starting to understand is that once I have settled into a new life and country and as time passes, it becomes less a question of how long I have been here and more one of how long I have been gone, what I am starting to realize is that life back home goes on without you. People are growing up, starting careers, falling in love, and moving on, but I guess that’s the way it works.

Living in Amsterdam has been challenging, the way of life here and the people are vastly different to back home. It’s hard to deny that the act of living in another country, in another language, fundamentally changes you. Different parts of your personality sort of float to the top, and you take on qualities, mannerisms, and opinions that define the new people around you. I don’t believe this is a bad thing, I simply think they we adapt and adjust. I think it’s the whole beauty around leaving in the first place; you wanted to evolve, to change something, to put yourself in an uncomfortable new situation that would force you to into a new phase of your life.

To live in a new place is a wonderful, exciting thing, and it can show you that you can be whoever you want to be. It can give you this new freedom, a new start with new beginnings. A whirlwind of curiosity and excitement.      
                                                                                            
The move to live in Amsterdam with the love of my life, to start a new career and life has been the best move, however to start over, to pack up, say goodbye and jump on a plane doesn’t come without a price, sadly I cannot be in two places at once, and every now and then, I’ll lie awake on random nights and think of all the things I’m missing out on back home...

xxx

Olympic Friday

The opening ceremony of the London Olympics 2012 is just hours away after seven years of preparations. i must admit, I am getting pretty darn excited.

Happy Friday everyone! Looking forward to the next 2 weeks..

Good Luck Team SA

And Mr Reid-Ross

xxx

Monochrome

Let go or be dragged...

I can clearly say that I have no regrets. Sometimes I need to frequently remind myself of this, because it’s easily to slip into that alarming moment of, “Oh shit, I’ve ruined my entire life with that one decision.” And that’s ludicrous and I know that. I need to feel good about my choices, and if I made one I didn’t like, I have to say, “Ob laa diiiii ob la daaaaaaa, life goes on” and not worry about.

I have had this massive desire to travel and live overseas for as long as I can remember. I would have tattooed “Wanderlust” on my wrist just to remind myself not to be silly and take the leap if my mother wasn’t so anti the ink.

There is just so much that I want to do. And I am certain that I will do all of them. A quote that I would love to live by is a “Star Wars” quote which both surprises and worries me: “Do or do not. There is no try” This was said by the ever so cool Yoda! That’s how you live the life- what you want and that’s how you get what you want. You don’t try. You just do. If you have a passion for something, then you don’t try to do it, you just do it with everything you have, as often as you can, and to the best of your ability. That’s what I’m realizing. 

So in saying all of this, and being the ultimate preacher, I have decided to resign from my current position in an incredible company and head to a city I fell in love with a few months ago. I’ll be jumping on a jet plane to Amsterdam with my lovely lad.

I don’t want to just try to do something; I want to just do it regardless of whether I might fail. I haven’t figured out what exactly “failure” could be, but the passion and drive inside of me will carry me along and I am so excited for this new adventure. 

Take chances..
Make mistakes..
Get messy


xxx

Life is peaches...

Although I am nowhere near bikini ready, I have already started shopping for a new summer bikini. I came across a new bikini range called “Peaches Swimwear”

The concept started through the passion for fashion by two local SA girls, Cait and Alex. These bikinis are super trendy and comfortable. I recently received my Peaches bikini and fell in love with it instantly.

What I really love about these bikinis is that you can actually wear them in three different ways. They adjust in size, so fear no muffin tops. They produce them in countless colours and patterns and you can also mix and match them.


This is the bikini that I got. I absolutely love it. This one sells for R500

They have a large collection to choose from. Gorgeous colours and patterns!
Be sure to check out their facebook page- Peaches Swimwear
Summer is near.. don't miss out!
xxxx

For orders or more information please contact us on : peachesswimwear@gmail.com or alternatively :
Alex - 074 111 7334 Cait - 074 141 0289

Not in her storm...

I see the clouds rolling in and oh how it looks like rain. And it is always a fight for the welcome change. When it rains it pours on this heart of mine. So, I take the storms I feel to her each time. But I know she has lived under her own pouring rain. Yet under her water her heart still doesn’t change. She can walk away from what hangs overhead. And, not in her storm, are words left unsaid. Not in her storm have I ever felt alone. Her storm ends, so I, may find my way home It’s for me that she pushes away her own pain. So, that I may find comfort in calling her name. She lives in this world for the sake of another’s heart. God, how she eases the miles when worlds apart. And she never wanders when your world falls through. Not ever in her storm would she do this to you. She has wings that I know not only I can see. Cause only an angel could find strength to carry me. It’s the way that the eyes can surely view. How her heart’s written so clearly in what an angel can do. Not in her storm is her work ever done. And even in her storm she hands me the sun When her world is dark - I always have light. And now how I hold the new color of night. She takes then she gives to an unhappy face. So that many can find an awesome place. I have been able to love her more every day. And with her hand in mine the clouds roll away. Not in any storm that I will ever live beneath. Could ever change what I hold here inside of me. Not in any of her storms have I lost my angels touch. To that angel out there, I love her so much. 

by Sauni

New week...

After an awesome weekend, as Monday rolls in, we do our best to imitate Dolly Parton’s legendary song “working 9 to 5″… It’s actually a good idea, if that was even probable. In this day and age and with the amount of work is a tad difficult to have a schedule for everything we do. At least we all fight for those minutes we get at the middle of the day to enjoy lunch.

Ahhh lunch… that blessed time in which you wish to forget about everything in the office and just enjoy whichever meal you have in front of you. The funny thing is what happens right after lunch, you know that span of time that goes from 3 pm until 5 pm when your eyes get heavy and suddenly a bed would be a better companion. Your eyes fail every once in a while and very inconspicuously you look to see if someone noticed that you just dozed off for a couple of seconds.

I am still trying to figure out how to get through these tough times, yet I do think that an afternoon cup of coffee, or Friday afternoon booze hour will do the trick.

Happy Monday Peaches

Xxx