US of A....

So I am here in the warm and charming town CHARLESTON-SC. I have had an amazing week one and am loving experiencing a new world.I am not going to blog much on this trip as I am keeping a written journal while here. Will try to update a line now and then though.Off to a 2 hour yoga session real soon-cant wait!

Parking tickets

Next time you get into the parking lot or exit look at how many people keep the ticket between their lips.Its actually funny watching some people keep it there for ages.I have had some moments where I have cut my lip especially with the gym parking lot tickets as they stick to your lip and then when you pull it off your lip it cuts your lip!!!!Yesterday this dude in another car and I were both leaving the parking with the tickets between our lips(note he was in his own car-it was not between OUR lips...LOL) and I chuckled at how silly we looked. The parking ticket.....can so easily be lost and cause a frustration as when you get out of the car you generally tend to slot it in somewhere convenient as your mind is not on the location of where you placing it and more on where you heading to so 6/10 when you trying to find your ticket you cannot locate it quick enough.Funny this little piece of paper material can cause frustration-you should observe people paying at the pay station-it can be amusing.

Live your life

I have been having such a run of productive weeks-I AM LOVING IT!!!!!This week was supposedly a short work week but it sure felt long but awesome.I had such special moments with people and I achieved so much on the work front.
Yesterday a reminder was sent our way that life can be so short.Jeremy and his friend went climbing and are experienced climbers however they had an accident and both fell and Jeremys friend did not survive.They were two good friends heading out to do something they enjoy and are passionate about and who would have thought that this was going to happen.This is life....it is unpredictable...When I heard about this I thought about Richard Branson and when he wanted to go in a hot air balloon around the world and he knew he was taking a big risk as the first person who attempted it did not survive.Despite him having a wife and children he said that he must seek adventure and live his dreams.He followed his heart and survived-Jeremys friend also went out doing something he is passionate about however had a freak accident.

Single in the city

On Saturday past I got to spend the day with one of my closest and dearest friends "Tatum"aka "Taits".We were more so excited that we were going to see each other as I have not seen Tatum since she did the More to Life course.We now as I mentioned to Grant "belong to the same tribe."LOL No...no people it is not a cult or anything zany.We met at the "Osumo" at Canal Walk and got chatting over breakies.Of course no one else would get a chance to gap in when we get chatting.Our phones are in the background and its just heart to heart chats.We had a yummy breakies I might add.I had the bircher muesli with cinnamon and grated apple and Tatum has the health breakies-fruit and muesli.We had a vida coffee to accompany this yummy breakies but let me tell you that this was the first time I found the service to be sloppy!!!Anyhoo the blog entry this time around is NOT about service standards which as you know is one of my biggest passions in life.We decided to leave the mall as I really do not like being in this big indoor buildings without fresh air and being able to see the beauty of nature.Before we left Tatum asked if we could go past "Browns." I thought as in the clothing store as it was Grants bday and Tatum had not got him anything yet and then a few mins later I clicked that Tatum said she wanted me to see what she has in mind and share it with me....the rock!!!!!Silly me!Just shows how I do not think in those lines.I must say that it was the weirdest feeling sitting there seeing Tatum trying on rings and talking ring lingo with the assistant.Clueless me sat there admiring all the bling and when the assitant asked me if I would like to try something on as I do not have to be getting married to do(Duh!!!) I had this turn in my tummy at the thought of one day making this huge step in my life and having to compromise my selfish life at the moment where I do not have to consider another.Tatum also asked me later in the afternoon if I was ready to meet someone which got me thinking if I have given off vibes all this time that I aint.Well the answer is "YES" I am open to it and I have been telling people for the longest time now that "HE" is looking for me and everyday I feel he is a day closer to finding me.Life as it is is booming for me and 2010 is my year so if he joins me for the adventures of 2010 that will be swell and if not thats just as swell.Girls often say they are tired of people saying "When the time is right..." but you know what??I truely believe in my heart that when the universe would like to send someone-a life companion my way it will.For now I will continue enjoying being "Single in the City..."

A response to my thank you note

Good morning...it was such a delight this morning to come in and see this response to my e-mail that I sent to the trainer that did the last MTL weekend where I assisted on team.This really warmed my heart this morning.My wish for you today is a "world class day" and I hope you have many heart warming moments too.

"Thank you for giving me some more background Soraya, it really helps to see how far you have come and all you have changed in your life to be Masterful!!!! Well done indeed. It was such a pleasure to be with you and your pretty dress and shoes, so immaculate and conscious, it was a true feast on so many levels."Briggy Kiddle

A sad farewell

Today we bid farewell to our MD who has managed the hotel for the past 21 years. Him stepping down came as a complete and unexpected suprise. Today was his party in the ballroom and to see this gentle soul give his speech was moving. Gee-after 21 years of fantastic service how do you say goodbye??He sure did give a great speech and our new MD taking over made light of the matter and cut the sadness in the air.Hmmm I must say that at this hotel they do say that you can tell your worth by the spread at your farewell and I must say here they pulled out the spread including a carving station with yummy looking beef.It was so touching to see past staff members come to bid farewell.It was a surreal moment for me to see this person who gave 21 years of sweat and blood conclude his service in this speech.He held his composure so well despite the circumstances-up until now we do not know the real reason he was let off and I am sure it was not pleasant.I admired this man standing up there delivering such a fantastic heartfelt speech. A sad farewell however as he says a change IS good and I look forward to experiencing our new Italian gent at the reigns!!!!!

A saturday morning spent with my boet

Yesterday was one of those awesome mornings spent with my boet.We headed off real early to Home affairs to fetch Adhils ID and then got to the Biscuit Mill for breakies.I love getting there early in the morning for numerous reasons and if you know me well enough I do not have to explain to you why I love early mornings. We waited patiently for our Origin coffee which is usually the first round we have at the market and that is a given.We waited patiently as the power cut at the stand however I got chatting to someone in the line.Here again I loved it as really who said that we cannot chat to the person standing next to you as you dont know each other from a bar of soap.Seems she used to sell wines to the MNH so we had lots to talk about.Dills and I did not indulge this time around and all we had was some great fruit.You can never go wrong at that fruit stand and the selection of fruit in there is so good.We then headed off to the Cape Quarter in search of the Origin coffee headquarters where we had another coffee and took in that rich aroma of the beans.Nice little joint and as Adhil said my search for this place has now come to an end.I then also managed to scout the location of Cafe Max which I believe serves awesome brekkies and I have been invited by the manager to try it out. We just drove by and once again I had this grin on my face loving the fact that there are all this hidden little gems in CPT.I have to hit the shower now as Yas and I are off to the Taste fair but do come back for the continuation of this blog post.Back to finish this post.....So all in all it was a great morning with my boet and I can stamp it as a "PERFECT" morning. Got to say goodbye to Dills again on sunday morning and am glad to hear he is safe and sound in the U.S.The Taste fair was a nice hour and a half out in the sun and a great atmosphere but for me a rip off of note.R80 gets you into the grounds and R 20 for parking.You then have to buy a booklet of vouchers for R100 minimum and each of the good samples you want to try from the top hotels who are showing off their skills and cullinary delights charge you about R40-R50 for thre fork fulls!Hmmm for me it was so not worth it and thank goodness we had comps.
Yas and I then spent the afternoon @ Anu where we had a most delicous veg lunch.It was so good to sit in a family environment around a table.REALLY MISS THAT!
It was a most enjoyable and well balanced weekend once again and I am so looking forward to this long weekend as I aim to finish my book and learn more spanish on the earworms cd-borrowed it from Adhil.It teaches you spanish and it plays a tune in the background which helps you learn.Its been great fun thus far and now and then I find myself dancing to the music and shouting out the words!