Lesson 3

Lesson number three was rewarding. I had a lot more balance and confidence. My feet didn't hurt as much as in the beginning. There seems to be banter in our group and many jokes making the lesson interesting.

Having a lesson indoors is generally less daunting as there aren't people staring or cars trying to pass.The heat on Saturday was suffocating and we were therefore craving a breaze to dilute the extreme weather. The lesson was focused on practising our A-frame turns, the heal stops from the previous lesson and learning, or should I say teaching us the theory of, the parallel stop. It looks to easy when skaters do a scissor turn. The clue lies in the fact that your upper body turns to the direction of the turn, your inside leg slightly forward in a scissor.

I'm so eager to master the parallel turn. This week I'm going to buy my own inline skates and padding as my rental skates are due back on Saturday.

Lesson 2!

During the week I tried practising a few of the tips we had learned at the course. I fell a lot. I think the reason for this was mostly the little cracks and rough cement I tried to skate on.

Lesson 2 was fun. I had a lot more confidence. We were shown how to do an A-frame turn and how to stop. The stop is made up of three phases. The scissors, moving the right foot in front of the other and whilst straightening it ,placing the heal on the ground. Your weight should be shifted to the middle. I still need a lot of practise with the stop. I seem to bend forward instead of keeping my back straight.

I hope to practise more this week to make the most of my lessons.

Learning to skate!

A few weeks ago I found a website offering inline skating classes in London. I decided to face my fears and sign up for a four week beginners course. I had no idea what to expect. Instead of spending time worrying about it I just went to see what the first lesson would turn out to be like.

It was rather scary at the beginning. I felt like I had no control over the movements under my feet and had no idea what I should be doing. However, the instructors were extremly helpful. Firstly I was shown how to put on the inline skates and the protective gear. The second step was helping me on my feet. Kneeling, with only one knee on the floor, both hands on the bent knee and leaning forward I pushed myself up. It sounds so simple. Let me tell you how daunting it can be. I had no idea whether to lean forward or back. Slowly I did a bit of a duck walk. My feet pointing outwards in a V-format. One step at a time. Then gradually the first strides started.

The lesson focused on how to fall safely, how to do a simple stride and doing an A-format glide.

By the end of the two hour lesson my arches in my feet were aching and I was utterly exhausted.

May in London

It's been a while since I've posted something.

In the meantime I was back in South Africa for a planned 6 days that turned into a lovely 14 days break because of the sudden ash cloud that drove the british air space to a halt.

These two weeks have made such a difference to the weather and scenery in London. Gone are the long dark days of constant bone-chilling rain. This year's record cold winter is forgiven and out of the picture. England is breathtakingly beatiful. Everyone seems to have a smile on their faces, a picnick basket in their hands and on a mission to sit in the colourful parks.

The days are lighter for longer and I'm making the most of this. During my lunch break I sit in the park on the soft green grass. Under my favourite tree I listen to music, eat a sandwich and watch people pass by. They all seem so peaceful and relaxed.

What is important?

We are such complicated creations. There are very few straightforward answers in life.

There can be two completely different people that see life through contradictory colours, have clashing world view-points who fall in love and begin to see eye- to eye. What they have so rigidly fought for dissolves in hypocrisy; or is it an opening of eyes?

What happens to us physically effects us mentally. For instance if a person would lose his legs in a car incident, he would most probably get deeply depressed at one stage. The person's attractive confidence is suddenly covered with a sad hopelessness and questioning in life.

Emotions will play a large role in our decision making. If we had a bad day it will be that more tempting to give less and be harsh when it is uncalled for. How we treat others will shape the way others treat us. Some will repay kindness with kindness whilst others will walk all over you.

When we find ourselves bursting with laughter and joy the one moment, the next we could be faced with a tragedy that will make the next years an incredible struggle.

One self help guru will swear on his helpful principles, whilst another will have evidence disproving the effectiveness of those points.

If we believe something but don't live it, it becomes powerless in our sphere. I can believe that being organized at work will save time in the long run, but if all I do is a mess and is never cleaned up then what I believe is useless.

When my thoughts centre around anything but Christ, and how to please Him, I believe it becomes time wasted. Who would know how to separate truth from lies and answers from confusion but the one who designed us and all we know around us.

When all my time is invested in something like finding love, money, happy emotions which will at one time get lost and taken from us then I strive for nothing. My goal is ultimately only an illusion. How disappointing it would be if I run a difficult long race only to find out it is all a tragic wild goose chase? Disappointing would not be the word to use; it would rather feel like something evil leaving you without breath. The ultimate deception.

However if my thoughts are not on my own abilities and my time is constantly invested in pleasing the creator, my life is an aroma to God. Whatever comes and goes in life is not important. If my eyes are always fixed on God's character my North is always fixed and I can never get lost.

Freedom never has short cuts

There are so many intangible thoughts and vague desires that I'm beginning to realise and cannot fully express. Have you ever felt a restlessness and unease that you're trying to 'figure out' or a deep peace in turmoil that doesn't seem to make any sense?

Some people's actions, a good film or book can touch me in a way that I want to jump up and down, proudly saying that this is some kind of clue for my life. I want to bookmark that particular page of my history.

I can relate to a discoverer finding important landmarks on his treasure map. In every person, I believe, can be pure desires to be met. These things are often small and large.

I've recently gone to one of London's libraries and taken out 'A long walk to freedom' by Nelson Mandela. I'm paging through the book, taken aback by his humble start, his perseverance and forgiving attitude. Not only is he a man that will stand up for what is right, he chooses to believe that which can be. He is not intimidated by the facts, but he seems to adopt the truth which has not realized yet. Freedom never has short cuts.

Success in life seems seldomly dressed in outwardly attractive gear. But rather in robes of forgiveness, patience and a compass showing North at all times.

like a chocolate in my pocket...

I make a habit of remembering and celebrating all the good and strong moments in my history. Good memories are like currency in life. They buy strength to earn and make some more special recollections.

I have many memories of funny and loving moments. They paint colourful stories unique to me. They're kept close, with in easy reach like a chocolate in my pocket. The proof of joyful times in my past encourages me to take risks and triumph until there is breakthrough.

Baguettes, mocha and thoughts on paper...

Whilst eating my french baguette and drinking a warm mocha, during lunch, I scribbled down a few ideas and goals for the next year. I have this habit of drawing, sketching and writing notes when I feel things I can't otherwise decipher. Today I found myself in my little world of mystery again in a small cafe'. My imagination and heart kicks in and I feel my real desires become alive through my pen and note book I always keep in my bag. At times I write things down several times a day and at other times the pages remain blank for weeks. Today, however, the magic sprung to life.

My frustration is eased and I feel my life is going the right direction.

When I look at my life I realise how much strength was never tapped into. These past years have thrown several big 'adventures' at me. I am still here. I have not sunk yet. I am more alive than ever and more excited about the next turn of events than what I could ever remember. None of this is because of me- there was definitely a Godly favour and power around me encouraging me quietly but mightily.

Now faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

"You should start talking rather than listening to yourself" this is the most profound statement I've heard in a while. I tried looking it up on the Internet and can't seem to find who said or wrote it. The crux is this; we, I in particular, easily start spiralling downhill if my thoughts aren't checked with truth. On the other hand when I start speaking truth my thoughts seem to just go along with it.





When I feel low being thankful can be like doing my chores. I hate doing them but as soon as I start I remember why I need to be thankful and soon enough I don’t want to stop.


Seeing so little sun in England makes my mood absolutely dark. When I’m around people I’m fine but as soon as I’m alone I start seeing the world through dark sunglasses. I guess every person goes though times like this.
I’m feeding myself with good music, uplifting books and reading biblical scripture which builds me up. I feel like I’m walking through a sand storm. Fortunately the truth is that my emotions don’t necessarily depict where I’m at in life. The truth is that I’m carrying onwards, step by step. Soon when the storm subsides I’ll look back and see how far I’ve trudged through the desert

My oasis awaits me.

Things you might not know about me

• I worked for a company that organized the Top Gear Live show
• My mother is a famous painter
• I saw Hugh Grant, through the window of a bus, walking the streets of London
• Until I was 5 I couldn't speak English
• I had a pet pig- we used to call Hempies
• I have 3 older brothers whose names I couldn't pronounce as a baby- so I called them by unique names I decided to make up
• I enjoyed playing with cars rather than dolls
• I love tomatoes- can eat it with almost every dish
• I've never dyed or cut my hair shorter than shoulder length since I was 2 or 3
• My grandfather was a professional hunter
• I used to be crazy about Arabian horses- spending all my extra money buying Horse Magazines from England
• I used to dislike my name and be very disappointed that my parents never gave me a second name
• I don't eat airplane food- the last time I did the paramedics wanted to take me off the plane with a stretcher
• My favourite colour has always been blue- it reminds me of freedom
• My regrets: not playing a musical instrument, never having done formal dance lessons and not being able to talk French
• My future wishes: Visiting all 50 States in USA, Owning an Arabian horse, having an amazing husband and living in a house big enough for children to run around in
• Favourite things to do: look at the stars on a warm African Summer's night

Linguistically diverse city in the world

101 reasons for Loving London

Reason 2: Diversity in this city is astounding

One of the first things that struck me when I arrived in London was the amount of languages spoken by its people. There are more than 300 languages alive in this city, making it the linguistically diverse city in the world. Every language has a different rhythm and pitch, all of them beautiful. I can read, write and speak 3 languages, understand two or 3 more and can pin point others that are spoken in a conversation. The rest I would not even have a vague understanding of which country they would come from.

I've met people from Germany, France, Algeria, India, Brazil, USA, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Holland, Canada, Ivory Coast, India, Belarus, Poland, Australia, New Zealand ,Ireland, Latvia, South Africa, Russia, Italy and Eritrea. The different cultures have specific ways of greeting, diffent foods that they enjoy eating, values, strengths and weaknesses and behaviours that seem out of this world.

In the work place it can be quite interesting to see these different cultures become unified and work together. People from rival sub-cultures within a certain country seem to accept each other in a country outside their own.

The art, clothing, theatre celebrate the unique heritages of its people. You don't feel like much of a foreigner when most people in this city are originally from another country.

Every person seems to understand and respect your story of why and where you come from because they too have rich pasts that they're willing to share.

101 Reasons why I love London

In celebration of keeping my head above the post holiday blues I've decided to start a series on "101 Reasons why I love London".

101 Reasons to live in London:

Reason 1: London has public transport system

When you read this you might just roll your eyes comically, laugh it off and disagree with me. Let me explain why I'm seriously using this as one of my reasons for loving London. London's underground might not be the most modern public transport system, however it is an affordable, safe method of getting around London.

If everyone had to drive to work with a car or bicycle not only would we never hear the famously annoying phrase 'Mind the Gap' but we would be broke and crazy paying for fuel, congestion charge and parking. We would be stuck in traffic on the narrow roads even longer and never have the privilege of staying on the tube just listening to our ipods, reading a book or having a peaceful thought processing time without having to concentrate on the road.

I can appreciate that I have can see who lives in London. What I mean by this is when we're in a city where the main transportation method is cars we don't actually know who lives in our city. You might meet people in your circle of friends, your workplace or wherever you might habitually visit but travelling in the tube you get a firm understanding of the city's residents.

I've often spotted friends, work collegues and even former university pals that I didn't even know where in this country on the underground. Many conversations were struck up, jokes were shared and I've even heard of romantic relationships that have started on trains.

The next time you're squashed in the underground in peak traffic and think you can't help but feel like a sardine in a food can maybe it's time to laugh it off and imagine yourself a lucky fish- you might just be standing next to a potential friend or someone who might turn into something more...

A day at home

My cold is lingering longer than I want it to. I stayed at home today, resting and sleeping.



This morning I made a skype call to my parents.

I've learned to listen but make my own decisions. Too much advice from too many poeple just brings confusion. Even if I make the wrong decisions in life making a decision is part of the first steps to gaining confidence and standing strong, on my own feet.



I've made a decision to do a 7 day Daniel fast to pray and seek God's guidance. Saturday will be day one, by then most of the dairy and bread will have been eaten. I found a great website listing which foods to eat and eliminate.

http://danielfast.wordpress.com/daniel-fast-food-list/

Tissues and sneezing...

My cold seemed to develop at work. It started with the odd sneeze and before I knew it all my tissues were used and ,embarrassingly enough, I used them to their full potential. They were worth every pence spent.

The one bad thing about public transport is that when one person gets the common cold or any flu the chances are you get ill as well.

I can't wait for Spring. I'd love to do some kayaking or horse riding outdoors. In the meantime I'll spend my evenings reading a book or surfing the internet...

I'm going to try to fight this cold so that I don't miss any more work!!

The first day at work

The first day at a new job is always a little scary. The best way I like to handle the situation is to think less about what it will be like and put a smile on my face. I think the optimism worked in this case.

Maybe I should mention that my thoughts were more about missing my family , that I had the priviledge of visiting in America over Christmas and New years ,than work today. I think of the laughter playing 'Balderdash' and the tense competition whilst playing Wii together as a family. London is cold and dark in early January. The Christmas lights have almost all been taken down and the only thing left is knowing that the nights are already getting shorter and the sunshine is closer than before.

None of the house mates are back from their holiday yet. I'm up at night wondering what my options are. Should I stay in London much longer and travel a little more or is it time for more sunshine and friendly faces.