Project Me birthday

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Stolen from but not robbed – project me day 631

Posted by jodene September 26, 2011 4 Comments »

I’m going to make this short considering I am trying not to get too dramatic about my birthday weekend that ended up being one I wouldn’t like to repeat in a hurry.

It goes a little something like this! My amazing man gave me a beautiful bottle of perfume in the early hours of my birthday morning. Mom had slept out so I got my phone call with happy birthday wishes and she told me she would be home in a few hours. I still wouldn’t see her because we were heading out to my long awaited birthday night at the luxurious Mount Grace Country House and Spa.

The 1 and a bit hour drive was awesome but the arrival at the hotel was even better. The second I walked in the door I was greeted with birthday wishes from all the staff! Whoever helped us or saw us knew it was my special day and I was beyond excited for a dream night (our first night away as a new couple).

I’ve never been one to switch off my phone, no matter how I know I need some time out. I have always worried that someone might need me and I know it might be a little neurotic but that’s me. I did put the phone on silent though and only checked the phone once … when a gorgeous plate of chocolates and fruit were delivered to our luxury suite. I grabbed the opportunity to check the phone and there was the strangest message from my brother asking why Mr Unexpected had left his car in the middle of the road and left the gate to the house wide open.

I knew it … house broken in to!
They must have seen the signage on my man’s car and knew not to take it so they moved it out the way and stole mom’s car instead. They took both mine and Mr Unexpected’s laptops, the flat screen TV that was the last gift we gave my dad and all mine and my mom’s jewelry.

For my international friends who have shown their love and concern … no, they most probably won’t catch the guys and NO, nothing will be returned. That is the reality of SA. Not one that I’m thrilled about but it’s the reality. Yes, I’ve counted my blessings and it’s amazing that my mother wasn’t home because she is always home on the weekends. They also closed the door behind them and my kitties and parrot are both safe. My sister drove past the house and saw Mr Unexpected’s car in the middle of the road and thought he was moving it out the way so I could take my car out … Thank the gods she didn’t come in to check!

So … I’ve counted my blessings and although I was stolen from I was robbed of nothing. I have spent the past few days feeling so lucky that no one was home, my pets are safe and that we didn’t come home to tragedy …

Now I’m entitled to be honest and vent for a moment! I can’t believe that we are so accustomed to getting robbed that when the amazing staff of the Mount Grace got the call, they could all empathise on some level and welcomed us back whenever we are ready. The warmest thank you to Clayton Howard and his staff for personally meeting with me and wishing me on my safe journey home … although I was in your company for a fleeting moment it was on that I will never forget.

I couldn’t believe that when I tweeted it everyone told me that I should be lucky no one was hurt … I couldn’t believe that it sits so much in our psyche to be stolen from that we have slipped into the next best auto mode of being lucky everyone is alive.

No one should be stolen from!! It should not be the norm … and no, I don’t know where I’m going with this or what I expect to be done about it! All I know is that it was heritage day and I am very proudly South African. I refuse to blame a nation for the one or two thieves that invaded my home. I never talk politics and maybe because I feel like it’s pissing in the wind … but I could blame a whole lot now!!

I’m not going to pretend that I’m not upset that some material things were taken … the perfume my man just gave me a few hours before, my D & G watch that my mom gave me knowing I always wanted to own 1 thing from them, my ring my mom just gave me for my birthday the night before, the flat screen TV that was the last gift we gave my dad (yes, I said that) … and my laptop!

It’s crazy to try blog off my phone! It’s crazy to try function off my phone! It’s crazy that I got that sponsorship not so long ago and it’s crazy that I’m back at square one in need of a laptop!

Yes, we are all safe … Yes, I was stolen from … Yes, I’ve counted my blessing … Yes, I was robbed of nothing I can’t replace … Yes, I’m pissed off and don’t know what the hell to do about it!

On a special note … thank you to the Twitter and Facebook communities for your incredible birthday wishes and support as my weekend went mad.

Another special thank you to my family for rallying together and making the rest of my birthday weekend so special.

The biggest thank you to my beautiful man for making me feel so safe, keeping me smiling and reminding me that love grows when times are rough … I’ve truly found my cowboy!

With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour

Jodene’s birthday tribute from Hustler Girl – project me day 629

Posted by jodene September 24, 2011 2 Comments »

Today is a special day, not only because it is Jodene’s birthday but also because Jo has asked me to guest blog on Project Me for Day 629.

Let me introduce myself, *ahem* drum roll please…. I am Kimmie otherwise known as Hustler Girl.

Jo and I go waaaaaay back. I knew Jo before Project Me was even a twinkle in her eye. Jo was my Business Management lecturer at Beauty College. Our paths crossed again through the wonderful world of social networking on a little thing called Facebook, you may have heard of it. We reconnected and soon after that Jo started blogging and she hasn’t stopped since!

While I am busy typing this post Jo is off on a well deserved naughty romantic getaway with Mr Unexpected at the Mount Grace Country House and Spa.

Birthdays are always a good time to reflect on the past year and acknowledge all the successes that you have achieved. Jo, I hope that you look back on the last year and give yourself a “PAT” on the back for a job well done! J What a wonderful journey you have been on since starting Project Me. I have watched you grow so much as a person and overcome so many fears. I admire your perseverance and that you continue to push yourself and achieve goals which you thought you never would.

I am so proud to call you my friend. We have shared so many fun times together and I look forward to many more.

I wish you a very Happy Birthday filled with the best things that life has to offer. May all the dreams you have become reality.

You once read out the lyrics to this song at college and it really had an impact on me so I sign off with these lyrics as a reminder that we must live life to the fullest and appreciate and embrace each moment.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be
it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by
scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
than my own meandering
experience…I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not
understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and
recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before
you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you
imagine.

Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as
effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing
bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that
never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm
on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing everyday that scares you

Sing

Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with
people who are reckless with yours.

Floss

Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes
you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with
yourself.

Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you
succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your
life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they
wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year
olds I know still don’t.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe
you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky
chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t
congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your
choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body,
use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people
think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever
own..

Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for
good.

Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the
people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you
should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and
lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you
knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live
in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will
philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize
that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were
noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund,
maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one
might run out.

Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you’re 40, it will
look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who
supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of
fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the
ugly parts and recycling it for more than
it’s worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen…

With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour

No light, sparkle or twinkle – project me day 629

Posted by jodene September 23, 2011 2 Comments »

So tomorrow’s my birthday!

You wouldn’t believe it if I told you I was sitting in the dark, miserable as hell.

I’m doing my best to snap myself out of it before Mr Unexpected and I head out to my very exciting and much needed night away at the Mount Grace Country House and Spa, but the day went a little something like this.

I woke up this morning to no electricity, a dying phone and the realisation that this month just isn’t going financially according to plan. I’m also sitting with the knowledge that I’m heading into a new numerological cycle and I am so scared to start it wrong and set a whole 9 years off on the wrong course. I have managed to convince myself that it’s not worth the stress and I’ve fallen into the very trap I teach people not to. I’m asking myself why it’s not easier if I’m living my passion, loving my life, being conscious and grateful. So … I cried as I woke up and to be super honest, I only dragged myself out of bed after 10am.

Not a great way to end a year either, never mind start a new one.

Thank heavens for my mom!!! Without electricity it was the perfect time to do a big grocery order and shop for hours. We also did a lunch where I completely overindulged in comfort food that consisted of a hot dog and chips. The chat comforted me more than the food with a whole lot of reminders of how I am actually on the right track and how I have been laying the foundation and I am beginning to see the rewards.

Only in my world does all the electricity in the street come back except for at our house. Firstly, mom and I were too lazy to be bothered to take parcels in so we literally left them in the car … besides the chicken and milk which we shoved in the fridge that had no power anyway.

It’s supposed to be a breeze having a landlord and not worry about being the owner with all the issues. The only problem is that we have landlords from hell who just don’t give a damn about their home so nothing gets sorted. We’ve been moaning about electricity for 6 months now and that got me all fired up and twinkle-less again!!

I could go on and bitch and moan and sound like a total brat, but I just got a Tweet that said: “Our Fearless #FollowSA leader > @Jodenecoza” … @JayGibbs09, thank you!

The lights might be out all around me and I might not feel like there is much sparkle inside, but the soppy saying talks about someone being the match that lights the flame … that I intend to shine with for the next 9 years!!!

With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour

My birthday present to me – project me day 620

Posted by jodene September 15, 2011 No Comments »

When I was little I would have a list of all the things I wished for on my birthday.

I’ve always been a big birthday girl because it’s the day I was put on this pretty planet and I love celebrating it. For years it was about how I could celebrate it with everyone around me and the older I am getting the more it seems to be about my gifts to myself.

The gifts I want to give me are things that money just can’t buy … I have a very special blog to do about my adventures of yesterday and today but all I want to do is crawl into bed.

A friend of mine told me the other day that I should consider stopping the daily blog because I seem tired of it. I’m not! I’m just tired! I still find such importance in this blogging time and giving it up would be letting a very special relationship I have build with myself. But ..

All I want is one day where I don’t have to blog! Mr Unexpected and I are leaving early on the morning of my birthday … 24 September for anyone who missed it! We’ll be driving to the Magaliesburg and settling into the blissful escapism of the Mount Grace Country House and Spa for an entire day. It’s what keeping me going at the moment. Knowing that bliss, beauty and luxurious accommodation and service are calling my name. Knowing that I’m not taking my laptop and that Mr Unexpected and myself are going to be far from the everyday distractions that have us talking about work for hours on end.

And my gift to me … NO BLOGGING! I know that on Monday I will have so much to tell you about my very special birthday gift from the Mount Grace but as for Saturday and Sunday … I’m breaking routine! It’s true that some things are just priceless and no money can buy the gift of a well deserved escape!

9 days …

With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour

What’s in a year? – project me day 515

Posted by jodene May 30, 2011 6 Comments »

I can’t believe Greggie is another year older. It feels like the first real milestone I can distinctly remember from when the blog began. I remember his birthday party last year as if it were yesterday. I even remember sitting down to blog for it. The memories were so clear that I decided to do what I hardly ever do … go back and read the post from last year.

Some things have changed dramatically and others are exactly the same.
It’s the day I can pinpoint my back being sore for the first time, before it finally sequestrated and disks collapsed in about August. That’s a long time to have pain, but that the bitch about hindsight.

From an esteem point of view, I’ve come leaps and bounds but 365 days ago I was still on about my body and my weight. Actually, it wasn’t one of my finest days and I wouldn’t blame anyone for thinking I was pretty negative at some points. One thing I did notice is that I ended that day finding the good in it and I’m thrilled that I am at least getting that right.

Yesterday was so much fun and it was great to have Greggie’s party at Thava Indian Restaurant who have been very loyal sponsors and supports of ‘project me’. Okay, so that day I remember clearly too. The day the sponsorship was confirmed, we went to dinner at the restaurant and the next day my disks collapsed. All in all, this has become a very interesting time as I reflect on where I was and I contemplate where I’m going.

Of course, that will all unfold as the days go along. Right now all I want to do is give myself the pat on my back at where I am emotionally … and it’s such a special place.

A year ago today … I was miff and here’s proof: Flashback 365 to day 149 – Here it is in the words of my low self esteem.

That was then … and this is now:

Greggie, Emmanuel, me and Hustler Girl’s Ponkie (who isn’t on Twitter … sigh!)

Okay, so I forgot to organise a cake, but some very yummy Thava pudding did just fine!

Hustler Girl and Me

Oooh, look … there’s my Risky Business!

All the Twits from Twitter

Another very big thank you goes to the Thava Indian Restaurant for making Greggie’s birthday so special. Every person raved about the meal and it’s always a joy to share our time in such a special place.

With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour