Facts About Me { #Blogtober14 }

I've been wanting to link up again for Blogtober but been a bit lazy to actually work at the topic that's why today's topic is simple PLUS I need to redo my about page so this is me working some of those kinks out... 

* I am OCD

*I am an Aquarius and while I don't follow the whole star signs thing anymore I think it's interesting to know. 

* I believe in love at first sight

*I'm a qualified lawyer

*I'm obsessed with travelling and there's not a place in the world I wouldn't go to, just once. 

* My favourite place is Ireland. I've been twice and I know I will be returning many times over. 

* I love my horse. 

* I'm obsessed with soccer/football and my captain fantastic Steven Gerrard

*I'm a bibliophilia

* I have my person and I didn't always understand the relationship we have until Shonda Rhimes showed it to me!

* I'm basically a TV addict. 

* I like the Kardashians, especially Khloe. 

*I've been on a contiki trip and I recommend it to just about everyone

* I'm a nerd at times

Yes, I'm repeating last week's image.. I'm a bad blogger!

* I love different types of music especially country and folk which is only gaining popularity recently in South Africa

*I'm South African - this is the most surprising fact which I receive comments from other bloggers... yes we read blogs in SA.

* I'm in the middle of starting a new adventure but not ready to share the details but I'm so excited by it all. 
* The Script and One Republic both follow me on Twitter, so you should do the same!

So I sort of cheated by bringing a lot of my old posts into this one but these are all facts about me.. do we have anything in common??? Share in the comments!

And of course, I'm linking up with Helene and Tay so go check them out!

U is for Uptothemoon (A to Z Challenge)

Uptothemoon is my race horse, my animal soul, my friend.

Our first meeting

While a lot of people laugh at my attachment to Uptothemoon or think it's crazy that I think she and I understand one another - it does not matter because I know she gets me. She feeds off my moods and has the ability to alter my mood within minutes.

After her first race, she had grown so much!

I mean if taking a selfie with a horse isn't the cutest thing, I don't know what's going to make your day better :)

Just relaxing her head on mine.

13 Moments of 2013

This is the last of my 13 of 2013 series but more so, it is the last of my post for the year. A year ago, I didn't even have a blog to post on but here I am writing to you, not knowing who you are are where you are in this world but here I am once again sharing very private things with you and this post will be no different. It's the 13 moments from this year which I will remember.

1. My admission as an attorney. 

2. Returning to Ireland, and the moment I had my first drink.

3. The moment I found out Nelson Mandela had died.Coupled with the day after when my colleagues and I went to the house. The scenes there were incredible. 

4. Being lost in Brussels for 5 hours all on my lonesome.

5. Pepe Reina waving at me (and Charne)

6.Sitting at the Moses Mabida stadium for the Liverpool Legends game thinking, if this is how incredible the atmosphere is here, thousands of kilometers away from Anfield, I can only imagine what it feels like to be at Anfield during a game.

7. Justin Bieber's concert - the whole day was crazy and a once off experience. 

8. Arriving in Hamburg and thinking "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING COMING TO COUNTRY WHERE YOU DO NOT SPEAK THE LANGUAGE ALL ALONE?" Thank goodness for nice people on trains who speak English!

9. Leaving Juls and Oli at the train station in Mainz. I remember feeling so grateful and excited but scared for what I had experienced in Germany and what would still come.

10. Resigning from my job and the reception from my colleagues after that was humbling.

11. Leaving Ireland, I was so grateful that I had no one next to me on the flight because I cried a lot more than I would have ever expected.

12. Uptothemoon, after her last win, when she was upset with me and she was so angry. 

13. Family moment montage, from my mom's 50th to family picnics to music shows... great food, joking around to walking on the beach.

While I cannot lie to you and tell you this year was perfect or even great I can tell you that this year I achieved incredible things. I had so many moments wherein bringing it down to 13 was extremely difficult. However, I also closed a lot of unopened chapters this year which can only excite me about what 2014 holds.This year was difficult and challenging but I can say I have made it through and I am thrilled that I get another chance at trying again in 2014....  What will you do to make a difference in 2014? 

What was your moment of 2013?

Have a great New Years Eve... and I'll see you next year!

Blogtember : 30 Sep 2013 - Something Treasured Through Time

Blogtember Challenge

 

So after my previous post earlier today I wasn't in the mood to post but then I thought... participating for most of the month of September - I should do myself a favour and keep to the last day! SO here it goes....

 

Monday, September 30: Share a photo of something old. Maybe something that has personal history for you, that was passed down to you, and that has special meaning to you. Tell us about it and why it's special.

 

 

 

Our first meeting

 

Ok maybe Uptothemoon isn't exactly old but in terms of her racing days.. they are definitely numbered. I am not someone who would be considered an animal lover. I mean I love animals but I don't usually allow them too close because I've had to say goodbye to too many of my pets that I loved. But Uptothemoon changed all that.

 

We bought our share of Uptothemoon three years ago, she was two years old.  We waited nine months before she ran her first race but in those initial nine months, I connected with her in one of the biggest ways. I've often tried to explain why it is I love her so much even though she is "just" a race horse but the truth is, she has the most incredible temperament. I didn't fully comprehend that until  I started visiting her more and just chatting to her. 

 

I don't think there are enough words to explain how much of a calmness I feel when I am around her. Even when I am feeling off, she picks up on it and she can either try to cheer me up by hugging me or chewing my hair OR she can decide to be off and pull away from me.

 

I knew her and I had a connection but when I moved to Cape Town and she stayed in Johannesburg, I missed her so much and when I visited her - I could feel that she missed me! But then others started noticing that she was calmed by me or excited by my presence or upset by it. I've also taught her to pose whenever the camera is around ... she even knows when we are doing self portraits  : )

 

 

Do you have anything old that you treasure? Have you ever connected to an animal?

 

 

Soulful Sunday : Good things come to those who wait

As much as this is a lifestyle blog I try to keep a lot of my personal happenings private because I haven't figured out what exactly I want to allow into the public but I suppose it's one of the things I'm learning as I continue to grow my blog and myself.

So what I want to say is that things this year have been challenging to say the least and very little has gone according to plan but I must be honest, just letting go and allowing God to choose my path has been the most gratifying thing.

I have previously mentioned that I own a racehorse, Uptothemoon and I promised I would be blogging about her more in the future.. well the future is here! Yesterday she ran a handicap race and she WON :) And yes, today I feel like a proud mama!

Uptothemoon is beautiful and I know she is not a pet in the conventional form but she is somehow so deeply connected to me that we just get one another. We often joke in our family that she has my personality which is a good and a bad thing. You see, she can be extremely warm hearted - which is what her usual temperament but I think over time I have spoilt her with lots of visits and pictures and quality time so in recent months when I have failed to visit her she felt sad, neglected and angry. So yesterday I missed her race, through many dramatic moments, but Candice and I got there just before she could be paraded into the winners circle.

Initially she was ok but then when her adrenaline calmed down for a bit she realised it was me standing in front of her and she lost her cool. I have NEVER seen her react like that. She was angry and tried to bite me to make me let go which I did. Now you must be wondering what this has to do with Soulful Sunday but the thing is she was written off by a lot of people, gamblers or just spectators which said she was injured and would never come back to form and I am so proud of her that she has proved them all wrong.

Also, I need to schedule time in to go see her because the truth is, I miss her. I think she may be my twin animal soul... if there is such a thing?! Am I rambling? This feels like rambling....

Well, point of my story is

1.) I hurt Uptothemoon but she still won ;

2.) Even when people write you off, you can always show them that they were wrong to count you out before they got to three ; and

3.) Life will not always go your way but the earth is round so if you just bide your time.... your turn to be on top will come because things can only get better.

Either way I am really glad to have a little time to myself to blog and to read my blogs because I miss reading about what's happening with everyone. This will be another intense week because I will be going away for a few days so let's hope I get some posts in! What's happening in your life? I've missed hearing from you!

Unfortunately I have lots of pics but they aren't uploading... so be warned, some time this week I may have a post dedicated to Uptothemoon .....

3 Random Memories by the girl in the "white jumper"

I've had a rather strange day because as the day has gone on, I have had flashes of memories in the top I wore today so I thought if share them with you...

 

 

1. Memory One

The first time I met my baby, Uptothemoon, in the picture below, you can actually see how frightened I am of her. I thought she was big then but now I look at her and see how tiny she was here. I think it's sort of awesome how I actually have the moment I met her and she's my kindred animal spirit. I'll be sure to blog about her soon!

 

 

 

2. Memory Two

A day which brought me much joy.. This is the day that Alicia and I went to Malahide Castle , the Jameson Factory, dinner at O'Neills and then drinks at Citi-Bar (or "C-E bar")  This is possibly one of my favourite days of my entire life.

 

2. Memory Three
Is the first time I experienced snow, which was part of Memory Two but somehow in my mind I don't associate them together
 

Those are the random three things I remembered today.. Did you have any random memories today? Or do you have an item of clothing that brings back memories?

For Fathers

Yesterday was Father's day and I was fortunate enough to spend the day with my own father, not many people have that same opportunity and it reminded me that I should relish the time that I get to spend with him.

I have always been a daddy's girl and at 26, that - has not changed. My father is the one person in the world who can infuriate me and push my limits but he is always going to be my father. He is the man who taught me the love of football/soccer and has connected me with my baby Uptothemoon and he is the man who has showed me what I should expect from my future husband and father.

I saw this on Barack Obama's Facebook page and I think it is so accurate.

Also, although I am lucky enough to have both my parents in my life, there are a lot of single mothers out there filling in both mom and dad roles so those woman deserve to be recognised over this period as well!