Literally Ladies - Part Two

Ladies I cannot believe another month has passed into this challenge (or at all, really) because it feels like I was just deciding whether I wanted to join the challenge or not just the other day and now... Well now... I've just about finished it! I can't believe I've read 10 well actually I've read more than 10 but I'm still finishing off 2 categories.. 

Also, slight disclaimer for this crappy set up. My laptop is acting up so I'm posting off my phone which means I can't share links to the link up or my previous posts until I get back on to it properly. But I am linking up with Kay, Kari and Kristen! 

So from where I was last time, I've read the following:

1. Paper Towns by John Green this may be swapped into my previous lists for the YA category but I haven't made my final decision.

Paper Towns was totally not what I expected it to be and tbh I was slightly disappointed. It felt as if I've read this story or watched this movie a million times. The geeky boy next door obsessed over the hot girl next door  who used to be friends and then there's a reconnection of some type etc... I found Quentin just downright annoying  with his obsession with Margo and I found I wasn't even rooting for him. I will though, of course go watch the movie because you know... FOMO! 

2. What Alice Forgot by Lianne Moraity... This book was boring me and surprising me simultaneously. Strange I know, but the thing that kept pulling me into it was thinking, "What would my life be like in 10 years time?" It's so odd to think at the natural progression and regression of some relationships and how we don't think anything in our lives will change and then it does. Coincidentally I didn't understand the whole level of how huge Gina's friendship was to Alice and how she could even take her "memories" as her own. I found it bizarre. 

3. Grey by EL James this was surprising too, I thought I would have somewhat enjoyed it because I enjoyed the 50 Shades series but for the most part I didn't! I'm sorry to all the 50 shades fans out there but seeing things through Christian's eyes didn't make me comfortable at all. 

So it seems like I haven't enjoyed my last few books but that isn't true I am truly enjoying them I think it's just because I'm reading so much that my level of expectations is so much higher. 

Also I will tell you I'm very close to finishing Where we belong by Emily Giffin and I am LOVING it! 

That being said, it's 20 minutes later, my laptop is still frozen (not good news) and I have to get back to work! Have an awesome weekend and tell me about your views on the books I've read... Or recommend something and make it good ;) 

Don't forget to check in with the other ladies doing the link up and I'll update this post soon with pics and links and buttons! 

X nats

Steven Gerrard

I've shared my obsession for Steven Gerrard and Liverpool Football Club on this blog before and then a couple of weeks ago I went through the uprooting of my life and moving to another city and my blogging took a dip. I did spend a lot of time on Twitter and Instagram sharing reflections about him but he deserves a post which is dedicated to him.

At the beggining of the year, Steven Gerrard announced that he would be leaving Liverpool FC and I was beyond heartbroken. I watched his interview where he discussed it and I cried my eyes out, in fact as I recall it and while I am typing this my eyes are filling with tears again. 

You see, I've read Stevie's books (more than once each) and I know him as much as he's allowed the fans into his life. I have watched any documetary I could get my hands eyes onto and I have loved this man - so much. I wish I could pin point what it is that I love about him but I think it's everything, it's his insipring nature, his beautiful blue eyes, the permanent frown lines, he's incredible talent and his overwhelming passion. This man is a man. He's had a lot of tough moments as a Liverpool player and captain and he's come out on the other side the better man for it. 

I've often said to my family if I could find a man that I love even half as much as I love Stevie, I would be happy for the rest of my life. I know that sounds strange but there's this odd feeling I get when I see posts or read articles or think about this man so I know the way I love him is sort of how I would love my husband, unconditionally and with admiration for the man that he is. However, I digress, this post isn't about my future husband, no, it's of Stevie. 

You see, this weekend the new English Premier League started and a part of me dreaded it. I love EPL football but the fact that Stevie wouldn't be featuring in it just felt wrong. I've spent over 10 years watching and loving this man and this team and well, obsessing over him and suddenly I've felt slightly lost. So yesterday was the game, Liverpool FC versus Stoke City FC and it was good because we won but as it ended I really just missed seeing Stevie playing. 

In case you were wondering, Stevie is still playing football or soccer now for LA Galaxy. He's even scored already... he looks so happy with is family in LA, I swear Alex Gerrard was made for Hollywood. I am so pleased that he has adapted to LA life but I will miss him being a part of the EPL. It's just not the same without him... 

Also today is a public holiday in South Africa because yesterday was Women's Day but because it fell on a Sunday we get Monday off and while I'm still working it's a more relaxed mode.. so if you're in SA or wherever you find yourself in the world, have a great Monday!!! 

Embrace Your Unique...

While I was skimming through facebook as per my daily routine (#ImNotEvenSorry) I came across this article and I'm just going to leave it here for you to give it some thought. 

Also... how is it August already??? Seriously it feels like I just blinked and Winter is almost done. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle the humidity of a Durban summer..  however for now, as hard as it may be - I am going to embrace my unique and I think you should do the same. 

Now tell me, what's your plans for August?

No One Is Permanent

I don’t usually just find sudden inspiration for a blog post or at least when I do I usually want to cultivate the thought process and not just spew it all out. Today is different.

This morning while I was in the shower I started thinking about someone and I couldn’t remember whether I had spoken about them recently or thought about them or dreamed about them. It wasn’t romantic it was just a thought or a flash of happy thoughts and it got me thinking this –

NO ONE IS PERMANENT IN YOUR LIFE.

Now before anyone gets upset, for those who live by faith (as do I) I know that God is my only constant but what I’m talking about here is that we go through our lives at all ages but especially as kids to teens to even our twenties (I’m hoping by your 30s you’ve had this realization) and in those precious moments that will guide us to be the adults we were meant to be we look at the people who surround us, the boyfriends, the girlfriends your boy – friends and girl – friends, teachers and even some family members and think “ they are so important to me. I love them. I can’t imagine my life without them.”

That may be the case – at.that.time.

However in reality, the inevitability of people flowing in and out of your lives you will have to live your life without those people. It’s not a bad thing and I think that’s actually what the point is of this post. It’s ok that you love or loved those people. They are exactly what you needed at that time in your life but as you transition into new phases and new places it’s OK that you won’t keep in touch like you did before. It’s OK that you have no idea who they are dating. It’s OK if you don’t get invited to their weddings (I’m not sure if this part is really ok, lol ) but basically it’s all OK because no one is permanent.

Your parents will eventually pass on, your siblings will probably get married and create a family of their own and you’ll become their secondary family. That is also OK because when you decide to get married that’s when you have your permanent person. That’ s why marriage is so important to people and the decisions we make as to who we want to share our lives with mean so much because that person, they are your permanent until then, everyone is just passing through.

Some will stay longer than you expected some will leave sooner than you would like but if you make peace with the fact that life is unpredictable but that you like yourself because you will always be the common denominator then at the end of the  changes in friendships and relationships you will maintain some of your sanity because you would be at peace with the inevitable changes life will bring your way.

Thoughts, anyone??  Too deep for a Wednesday?