13 News Stories of 2013

So I missed 2 days of the series, I suck, I know BUT I promise to keep up with the rest of them. 

Since my last post, I am now in Cape Town, it has taken me days to finally catch up from my sleep deprivation but I'm on the mend.

So here it is - 13 stories which peaked my interest this year, whether it was celebrity fluff or hard hitting world news - this is what kept me coming back to News24 to see what's happening.

1. This kid hitting his teacher in school. This Grade 8 pupil felt like he had the right to hit his teacher and then a fellow student encouraged him and video taped it. 

2. The first Pope retirement and the new first South American Pope, Pope Francis

3. The birth of Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge . 

4. I hate to admit this but North West's naming more than her birth. 

5. The murder of high school child - with homemade weapons. 

6. Miley's Twerking

7. Oscar Pistorius killing Reeva Steenkamp 

8. Khloe Kardashian Odom  finally leaves Lamar

9. Paul Walker's horrid death.(This is still unbelievable) 

10.Cory Monteith's death

11. Justin Bieber in South Africa

12. Fifty Shades Cast announced. I am still disappointed with Mr Grey but whatevs....

13. Nelson Mandela's death

I am blessed and if you're reading this so are you!

This weekend, I got to take an impromptu trip with my parents to Durban. We drove on Saturday afternoon, arrived on Sunday, went for dinner with my family to celebrate the milestone birthdays within last week.

I decided to give into my spontaneous side, which I thought I left in Ireland (I promise I will post about it soon!) but I went with it and ended up in Durban for a good 27 hours until I would have to hop on a plane and fly back to Joburg. The weather in Durban wasn't that great (like the last time I went) but it was still fun and comforting to be with loved ones.

Dinner was really good on Sunday, in fact the only person missing was my brother who had prior arrangements with his cricket game. Maybe I should add that my dad's side of the family is but big. there were over 20 something of us there.. relaxing, eating and talking. It's amazing how you can just be with your family and find such comfort.

It's actually strange that this week I was with my dad's side of the family but last week Sunday, my mom's side of the family got together to picnic which was also sooooo much fun.

That would be Reason 1 why I am blessed.

Reason 2 : On Sunday morning, I got to have an amazing hot stone massage and it was really reasonably priced!It was my first hot stoned massage and I really enjoyed it, in fact straight after it, I went for a nap before just hanging out with my parents and then off to Sun Coast where I got to spend some quality time with Megan.

Reason 3 : When I arrived in Joburg last night, it was safe enough for me to wait for my brother to pick me up and I stood their secure in this knowledge.



While, Reason 3 seems arbitary, it is the moment I felt this post was necessary. There have been some really HORRIFIC things happening with a child hitting his teacher in Johannesburg last week, bombings in Pakistan and shootings in the Westagte Shopping Mall in Kenya.


There is so much of pain currently in the world and I don't even know if you read the news but these events have been so intense it's been in my face and it's frightening and overwhelmingly sad! All I keep thinking is I am so blessed that despite all the chaos going around I am warm, safe and alive.

And if you are in a position to read this, you are blessed too! Embrace it!!!

Have a great week!

x

Football Friday: Welcome back Barclays Premier League

I am beyond excited that the Baclays Premier League is back! Soooo in honour of my returning adrenaline rush I thought this post could introduce some of the new players in the premier league! I though it was going to be easy but this was hard... where's all the eye candy going?

I tried really hard and this is all I could come up with..

Manchester City was the first real potential: Jesus Nevas (Previous Team Sevilla)

 

Our next contender comes from Norwich City - Ricky Van Wolfswinkel (Sp
orting Lisbon)

Tottenham Hotspur :One of my old post's on footie hottie - Nacer Chadli

While there is so much in the news as to who's staying and who's going I can safely admit that I have no idea who is goign to wint the premier league this year.

It will be fun to have Mourinho back at Chelsea, it's good news, for now, that Luis Suarez is staying at Liverpool and this will be my first season of watching the premier league and there will be no Alex Ferguson.

I always feel like the start of the premier league is a chance at  a new beginning - I'll post more about that this weekend!

Also, remeber I am looking for guest bloggers


Have an awesome weekend peeps

xxxx

Football Friday : Woman's Day Special

I decided for South Africa's National Woman's Day I would do a recap with links to all my previous football Friday posts. Have a look at them and tell me which you like most?

* The Most popular footballer of our generation (or Ever!) David Beckham

* The player you either love or hate, Mr Cristiano Ronaldo

* Pepe Reina, who I am still, heartbroken has been loaned out of Liverpool

* A little special on the Spanish vs Germans

* The ultimate Italian Stallion, Fabio Cannavaro

* Bad boy Belgium hottie, Eden Hazard

* My Favourite man in the world, Liverpool's amazing Captain Fantastic

* My second favourite man in football, also the man who made me cry when he left, Fernando Torres

* The Spanish Stopper - Iker Casillas

* An unexpected find in Nacer Chali

* And most recently, Soccer Veteran, Sexy Freddie

Also, in the news this week, I must be honest I have been extremely preoccupied with the Luis Suarez saga and to be upfront with all of you, I am absolutely disgusted at the way in which the matter has been handled by Luis Suarez AND Brendan Rodgers. Now I am understanding of Luis Suarez being a hand full but I do not think that Brendan Rodgers needed to respond in a child like manner.  I do appreciate that John Henry's Liverpool's owner has stepped up and had the balls to say "Luis Suarez is not for sale".

I am not sure what the outcome will be but I think that no matter what happens, Luis Suarez is ANOTHER player who the Liverpool faithful have handed their hearts too who is practically spitting in their faces.

Football Friday : Freddie Ljungberg

Ok so I am sort of cheating with this week's Footie Hottie by using an old fan favourite in the form of Mt Freddie Ljungberg BUT considering that the Barclays Premier League will be starting this month I can't help but reflect on some of my old favourites including him.

Freddie is a retired Swedish footballer BUT he was also a Calvin Kein model, and by the pictures below, you'll understand why!
Freddie played for a number of teams over his professional career but most noticeably, Aresenal. He was part of what could be considered one of Aresenal's most successful teams.

He endeared himself to Arsenal supporters by having a bright red stripe in his hair."We love you Freddie, because you've got red hair, we love you Freddie because you're everywhere, we love you Freddie, you're Arsenal through and through" Later when he shaved his head this was updated to "We love you Freddie, because you've got no hair").

It's no wonder that they have now named him an Aresenal ambassedor of the club.

 

Onto Some Football News:

*Apparently Gareth Bale is desperate to leave Tottenham Hotspur for Real Madrid. I suppose he wants to get more of the Spanish sun in. The big question is, if Bale leaves, who will Totts buy to replace him?

 

* Rumour has it that Cristiano Ronaldo may be on his way back to Manchester however this purchase will cost around 80 million Euros!

 

* Also, Wayne Rooney, may decide to stay at Manchester United, depending on how the fans receive him during the pre-season friendlies.

 

*Is Liverpool FC up for sale again? According to Fenway this rumour is not true.

 

*Lastly, Liverpool loaned Pepe Reina out to Napoli and he wrote an open letter to the Liverpool fans AND the emotion which comes through his letter is so thick and you can tell he is incredibly hurt by the way in which the loan deal occurred. I have to tell you, I am so angry with Brendan Rogers as I really don't believe that we should have loaned him out.

 

Either way, have a good weekend everyone! x

 

 

 

The Royal Baby has arrived

I must be honest, I did not picture myself ever dedicating a post to the birth of William and Kate's new born but like so many people, I now find myself completely engulfed on all the little details about the little prince.

~Credit~

It's strange because I remember thinking why would anyone out of the United Kingdom care about their wedding but then found myself on Yahoo! the whole day watching and reading highlights about the dress, the kiss etc and this time, it's no different.

I didn't really care to follow much on Kate's pregnancy other than noticing she always seemed to look really nice but now I keep reading articles on all the news that the Royals have let out on the Prince's arrival.

~Credit~

This is what I know so far, he is a big baby - 3.75kg is bigger than I was (which is apparently big), he was born yesterday, the 22nd of July, which makes him a cancerian and they have managed to follow old school protocol for the "reporting"of a royal baby's arrival.

Credit - Also I love that there is this deep tradition as to how the world will be told about the birth of a Royal

I am not sure what it is that has everyone so fascinated in the birth of the new prince but for me, I think it's the old traditions and the idea that HELLO THERE IS A NEW PRINCE  and say what you like, how can I hold anything against a little baby prince?

I am sure we will be hearing the news of his name soon and we can bet (as I am sure they are doing in the UK) that it will be a name which carries history of previous Kings because as much as this little guy is third in line to the throne, he is more than likely going to be the King.

Arb question - will they change the national anthem to say "God save the King"?? I am serious about this question, I don't really follow royal protocol so it's all new to me.

I tappears everyone is sending their well wishes to the Duke and Duchess from President Barack Obama to the Muppets.. Good on them, let's spread the love!

Are you excited by the birth of the latest Royal? Do you care? If you do care, why do you? I want other people's opinions... let me have it readers....

xxx