Today is my day

My cousin Candyce posted this picture on my Facebook wall and I felt so incredibly uplifted and inspired by it. I love this Dr. Seuss book... It lets us know that we all have what it takes to get going, to face the challenges before us and come out the other end smiling.

On the plane - 19 January 2013

The most incredible thing about my journey so far - and this is just the beginning - is all the support and love and excitement I've felt from all every person in my life. It's so very easy to be brave when there are people who are rooting for you at every turn. Thank you to you all - your belief in me and my adventure makes it unbelievably simple to follow my heart.

I had a good run through the airport this morning. Two of my best friends, Sarah and Vicky, dropped me off at the Gautrain, their smiles and hugs made it so easy to say goodbye with a smile on my face. I got to the airport a little later than I'd wanted to but it was ok and it didn't take long for me to get to the check-in counter... I also needed that time to stuff my yoga mat into my bag, I was incredibly impressed with my backpack by the end of it.

Early this morning I suddenly felt the urge to check if I really did need that return ticket, proving that I wasn't planning to overstay my welcome in Indonesia. So I did some research and finally decided that I'd book a cheap ticket to Singapore in two months time. This meant that I'd get my visa on arrival and then get an extension for another month. 

Once I was at the check-in counter, It became obvious, very quickly, that Cathay Pacific had other ideas. I would not be let onto the plane with a ticket booked a month after my visa would expire. Of course I tried to explain that this was ok, but they weren't having any of it. I suppose I should have done a little more research. What ensued was a 20 minute phone call to my parents as they (very calmly) booked me another ticket for a month's time. 

A good few deep breaths and R600 later (drat) I was running madly through the airport ... Taking the wrong escalator, arriving at the wrong gate, running down the moving walkway in the wrong direction (very difficult and unbalancing) I arrived at my boarding gate - sweaty, breathing  heavily but still smiling.

I was ok...just a little poorer, but still on my way!

Ceire's Kitchen

I have a gorgeous friend who I've known since I was 11. It took us another five years to actually become real friends. It all started in the back of the geography class. Alice, Ceire and I chattering away and making comments about the teacher - and generally enjoying ourselves (as a teacher myself now, I feel like our constant giggling was probably a bit of a nuisance).

After school we met up in England and then went to Paris together. It was a pretty disastrous trip - although Ceire will tell you otherwise - but it has made for some funny memories and a special bond between us. We booked into the dodgiest 'hotel' in Brazzeville, lost each other twice in one day, first in the Lourve and the on then Eiffel Tower, and then took the tube in the wrong direction at 2am in the morning. It was a bit much for my young nerves. 

Two years ago we found ourselves living on the opposite sides of Kloof Street in Cape Town and we spent many an evening wandering the neighbourhood of Tamboerskloof. Wandering is probably not the right word, we fast-walked and fast-talked. I had to keep up with Ceire and she had strict rules about bending ones legs as one walks down hills - apparently that's good for them.

Our friendship is now maintained through regular voice notes on watsapp. Ceire is now living it up in Sydney, and has begun her very on food blog with short YouTube cooking videos. Ceire brings together her love of food, pretty things and being in front of audience - the result of which is a brave leap in the world of social media and criticism. 

Well, I love it. I love her too which makes loving it all the easier. I'm proud of her - these things take courage, hard work and time. So please, do yourself a favour and visit ceireskitchen.com - you'll see why I made a friend in the back of the geography classroom all those years ago.