A little bit of music

I would like to share a song that I love with you guys…

Jimmy Cliff- I can see clearly now

I can see clearly now the rain is gone

I can see all obstacles in my way 
Gone are the dark clouds that had me down 
It's gonna be a bright bright bright bright sun shiny day 
It's gonna be a bright bright bright bright sun shiny day 

Oh yes I can make it now the pain is gone 
All of the bad feelings have disappeared 
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for 
It's gonna be a bright bright bright bright sun shiny day 

l Look all around there's nothing but blue skies 

Look straight ahead there's nothing but blue skies 

I can see clearly now the rain is gone 
I can see all obstacles in my way 
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for 
It's gonna be a bright bright bright bright sun shiny day 
It's gonna be a bright bright bright bright sun shiny day 
Bri-ri-ri-ri-right 
Bright bright bright bright sun shiny day 
Oh yeah 
It's gonna be a bright bright bright bright sun shiny day 
It's gonna be a bright bright bright bright sun shiny day 
It's gonna be a bright bright bright bright sun shiny day.

Source: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/j/jimmy+cliff/i+can+see+clearly+now_20171834.html

Chicken basquaise

Ingredients:

·         3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

·         1 teaspoon paprika

·         3/4 teaspoon salt

·         1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

·         1 4-pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces

·         1/4 cup olive oil

·         1/2 cup chopped raw ham

·         2 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped

·         1 cup chicken stock

·         2 medium green bell peppers, cored, seeded, and sliced

·         2 medium red bell peppers, cored, seeded, and sliced

·         2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

http://debskeywestwineandgarden.blogspot.com/2007/10/chicken-and-wine-sign-says-it-all.html

Preparation:

Stir the flour, paprika, salt, and pepper together on wide plate or wide, shallow bowl. Evenly coat the chicken pieces with the spices flour mixture and set them aside.

Heat the oil in a Dutch oven set over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Cover the Dutch oven with a lid, turn the heat to low, and continue cooking the chicken for 15 minutes.

Add the ham, garlic, and chicken stock to the chicken, and then cover and cook for an additional 15 minutes. Stir the sliced bell peppers into the mixture and cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until the peppers are hot and tender. Do not overcook the peppers. Serve the chicken and peppers garnished with the fresh parsley.

This recipe makes 4 – 6 servings. 

Last lecture

I did not really know what to write for this topic...I guess it means the last lecture referring to the end of the year...I have learnt so much through the year thanks to the lecturers and my fellow students. I gained new skills and I have learnt to apply them. It has really been a fruitful year.

Besides; this year I have started hip hop classes in February. It was one the best decisions I have made for myself as I have always wanted to do it. And now I am part of the CPUT hip hop dance group "Logik". I still have a lot to learn of course but the journey is just starting.

This year has been great and I accomplished a lot.

If presented with the opportunity to get a message to a large group of people, what would your message be?

My message would be simple; live, laugh and love and help. We spend too much time focusing on the wrong and u necessary things. If people could just see that we don’t need too much to be happy. Happiness lies in your ability to be content with what you have. I truly believe that people are happier when they realize that. People spend time chasing things like money; power and so forth. Of course it is nice to own nice things and live in beautiful mansions but after a while; this feeling goes away and people realize that it is not as important as it used to be; especially if they don’t have people around them.

http://bytesdaily.blogspot.com/2011/09/live-laugh-love.html

This fact makes me think of a movie The Ultimate gift in which a old man teach the true values of life to its grandson through a series of challenges given to him after the grandfather’s death. Everyone in the family id greedy; looking for more and more money everyday. It is truly the ultimate gift as he teaches his grandson that money is not that important; there are other values such as hard work that need to be respected continuously. We need to just live with the things we have; laugh at situations in order to overcome them and above all love one another.

http://www.impawards.com/2007/ultimate_gift.html

Besides; I would tell people to help others especially the less fortunate. I think that I have been blessed with wonderful things in my life. My parents are not the richest people but I have always had everything I needed. Some people did not get that chance; so it is important to reach out to them and help them get a decent life.

http://crossfitovercome.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/giving-back/

How old would you be if you did not know how old you are?

I think I would be seven years old. Since I passed that age; I have always been referring to it every time I had a childhood memory. Even my brother knew about that and he was always making fun of me (but in a good way). It was like "I remember when I was little and I used to do this and that". And my brother would say "when you were seven years old right". He always used to say that all my childhood happened when I was seven years old...This is why I chose that age without even thinking...

http://a2zscraplets.com.au/product_details.php?item_id=3423

I think childhood is the most beautiful and magical time; everything is simple; you just have to eat, sleep and play all you want before you start with the real school. I think most people agree with me because they say that sometimes they want to be little again; the time of innocence. I think it is important to give your children a great childhood; because it will affect them forever. Mine was fantastic and I could not have asked for a better one.

Of all the forms of courage the ability to laugh is the most…

http://alanparsonsliving.com/alan-on-love/5-ways-to-make-women-laugh.html

Of all the forms of courage the ability to laugh is the most ...important. In our daily lives; we are faced with situations that have the potential to hurt us. It is then important to know how to overcome them and look at the bright side of life. We are always going to come across difficulties and obstacles during our lives. The real tricky part is how we handle them; we can let it define us or raise above it.

http://www.focusonlinecommunities.com/blogs/Finding_Home/2012/06/18/35-steps-to-a-better-life

The ability to laugh shows that we are willing to look past it and see that after all; there is a good side to the situation or that it will get better. Through this way of thinking we can overcome any obstacles and be happy with what we have.

Llandudno beach

I recently visited a really beautiful beach called Llandudno beach.It must be one of the finest Cape Town Beaches. As you wind your way down to the beach you are treated to the true beauty of this beach, white sand framed by rocky points on either side. Llandudno is great for sunbathing and recreational activities. The views from the beach are spectacular and the water is often a clear tropical blue that’s inviting and refreshing, but rather cool. Stay a little later on the beach and you will be treated to awesome sunsets. If you feel like taking a stroll, there’s a great walk out to the rocks on the right hand side that will give you stunning views looking back at the beach. The waves are powerful and great for surfing. If you are not a strong swimmer do not venture out too far. This is a popular surf spot.

http://www.uncoverthecape.co.za/local-attractions/beaches/llandudno/index.htm

http://www.uncoverthecape.co.za/local-attractions/beaches/llandudno/index.htm

Source: http://www.uncoverthecape.co.za/local-attractions/beaches/llandudno/index.htm

Did you know that...?

http://www.matavuvale.com/forum/topics/did-you-know-1?page=2&commentId=2150904%3AComment%3A8674110&x=1#2150904Comment8674110

1. Colour of Facebook is blue because Mark Zukerberg is suffering of colour blindness.
2. The word google is derived from word googol that means 1 followed by hundred zeroes.
3. 80% of students misspell world vacuum as vaccum.
4. Longest word that can be made from a single row keys by your keyboard is typewriter.
5. The typical lead pencil can draw a line that is thirty five miles long.
6. No piece of paper can be folded in half more than 7 times.
7. The largest employer in the world is the Indian railway system in India, employing over 1.7 million people.
8. You share your birthday with at least 9 other million people in the world.
9. The most liked word by a person is his name.
10. The White House has a movie theater, swimming pool, bowling lane, jogging track, and a tennis court

Source: http://www.famongi.com/unbelievable-facts/

Diary of a wimpy kid

 I love the movie Diary of a wimpy kid"The story is so simple and appealing. It is a very funny family movie.It is a realistic fiction novel by Jeff Kinney. It is the first book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The book is about a boy named Greg Heffley and his struggles in middle school.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1196141/

As Greg Heffley is getting ready for middle school, he is teased by his older brother Rodrick Heffley because his mom, Susan Heffley, bought him supplies for school, including a blank red diary,instead of his mom buying him a journal like he asked her to. He has a little brother,Manny who is "spoiled rotten" because he gets everything he wants and also gets away with everything he does wrong, unlike Greg, who gets in trouble for everything he does wrong. His father Frank Heffley does not encourage Greg's way of life - playing video games all day - rather than going outside and playing sports. 

Jeff Kinney released an online version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, with 217 pages. The website made daily entries until June 2005. The book became an instant hit and the online version received about 20 million views as of 2009. Many online readers requested a printed version. Jeff had agreed and in 2007, Diary of A Wimpy Kid was published.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diary_of_a_Wimpy_Kid

The statute of limitations has expired on most of our childhood trauma

At some point in our childhood; we may experience traumatic experiences. It can be the loss of a loved one; an accident or anything that has profoundly hurt us. It is especially difficult for children as they are more fragile individuals. When a child experiences a traumatic experience; it never truly  goes away. Therefore; I do not agree with this statement: "The statute of limitations has expired on most of our childhood trauma"

http://www.earlytraumagrief.anu.edu.au/trauma

When we grow up; we try to forget about what happened; but somehow it is stuck in our memories. It is true that it has happened a long time ago; but the effects of that experience still remain. Some people handle it better than others who may have psychological problems. The way it affects people depends on  the individuals and the environment around them .

Rumba

Today I would like to talk about one of my favorite type of music: rumba. (Congolese rumba)

When most people think of the rumba they immediately think of Latina America. Debate over the origins of this drum-driven dance music is hot topic; the reality is that it originated in Africa.

     

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/music/congo-rumba-on-the-river-african-pearls-vol-1

RFI Musique explains as: “Infectious rumba rhythms began emanating from the Belgian Congo in the 50s and the hip-swaying dance soon caught on right across Africa. From there it was only a matter of time before rumba fever spread to Europe and the Americas, going down in the record books as the first African music to take off on the international music scene.

The international success story of rumba is all the more amazing when you consider that the movement was largely ignored in the Western media. Rumba’s frenzied rhythms were left to filter through on the bar and club ‘underground’ where they fueled dance parties and soirées that frequently ended in collective hysteria.

One of the first musicians to pop up rumba was Papa Wemba. Since then, numerous wonderful artists became master of Congolese rumba such as Madilu System; Mayaula Mayoni or Francois Luambo

Source: http://www.tastekulcha.com/exploring-congolese-rumba-music/

Only bad things happen quickly

Everything  worthy in life need to be worked for. It is not possible to have something worthwhile  without putting any efforts. Only bad things come to you quickly. I will take a simple example such as diet. It is so easy to gain calories but so hard to lose it. You can gain weight in an instant if you don't eat a balanced diet; and it is so easy to do so with fast food; chips; ice cream and so on...If you are not careful with with what you eat then and put in the effort to eat a balanced diet; bad things will come quickly (calories). On the other hand; if you apply yourself; sacrifice and think about you body in the future then good things will come to you (healthy mind in a healthy body).

http://www.mayanrocks.com/?p=4308

This example highlights the fact that in life; we must make an effort for the things we know are good for ourselves. Bad things happen quickly that'st true; you don't have to wait a lot (or at all) for bad things to happen. However; it is satisfactory only on a short term level. If you think long term ; then you will know that it is better to sacrifice and make an effort to do the right thing.

http://jahanc.wordpress.com/2012/02/11/do-the-right-thing-anthony-charles/

Did you know that...?

http://infosthetics.com/archives/2009/03/did_you_know_30_video.html

1.    Charles Sherwood Stratton was born 4 January 1838, and his growth virtually stopped at six months, reaching only one meter at adulthood. He was picked up by P.T. Barnum and became a huge circus success as "General Tom Thumb.

2.    No-one knows Albert Einstein's last words, because his attendant nurse did not speak German.

3.    Women in the Tiwi tribe of Northern Australia are married at birth.

4.    The active ingredient in Chinese delicacy, bird's nest soup, is saliva.

5.    During World War I, a South African monkey was promoted to corporal.

6.    "Abracadabra" was originally used to cure those afflicted with hay fever

7.    Julius Caesar wore his signature laurel wreath in order to cover up his oncoming baldness.

8.    There are 240 dots in Pac-Man

1.    Urination was once used as a way of washing clothes.

2.    In Russia, it's a criminal offense to drive around in a dirty car.

Source :http://www.buzzfeed.com/fjelstud/23-unbelievable-facts-you-didnt-know-about-hu

Cream sauce

I love food and cooking!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't get enough of it...I wanna try every recipe that exist in this world (well most of the recipes). I want to give you the recipe of really delicious cream sauce.

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3040/creamy-bread-and-onion-sauce

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup heated milk

1/3 cup heavy cream

salt

white pepper

freshly ground nutmeg (optional)

Few tablespoons dry white wine, a few teaspoons mixed fresh herbs, Parmesan cheese, etc.

 Recipe

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and stir until mixture is well blended. Gradually stir in hot milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sauce begins to boil and thickens. Simmer, stirring frequently, over very low heat for 5 minutes. Stir in cream and wine, if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add a little nutmeg and herbs, if desired. Makes about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups of medium thick sauce

Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid

I came across a really interesting image related on this topic:

http://www.beautifulbodybistro.com/2012/08/12/magic-and-genius-at-your-disposal/

We can be compared to the boat and its purpose in life. It is easy to build a boat; the boat is not practically doing anything; he just is being built. It refers to our childhood in which our parents do practically everything for us; providing food; shelter; love ; etc. When the boat is ready there are two choices either leave it in the harbor or let it fulfill its destiny. As humans; it means that when we are grown ups we have two choices; just do the bare minimum to live or pursue our destiny and reason for being.

When the boat goes on water; the weather is not always favorable; there can be storms or other obstacles that may make damage it or worst make it sink. The boat can either surrender and sink or fight for its life. If it decides to fight ; he will go through the storm at the end might even discover its promise land. It just refers to our actions and decisions. When life throws obstacles at us ; we must persevere. There will always be storms; it is up to us to go throuh it to find “our promise land"

If not now then when?

                          I asked myself this question not so long ago. 

http://thatgirlwithapen.blogspot.com/2011/08/if-not-now-then-when.html

I have always been afraid of trying new things and doing certain things that I always wanted to do. Frankly; today I ask myself what was I afraid of? It is true that it is scary to step out of our own comfort zone because you don't what to expect; it is like a whole new world. But all I can say is that it is worth it. There are some areas of my life where I succeeded in trying new things such as the decision to take a dance a dance class and be part of an actual dance group. It is fun (I knew it would be even before I started)!!!     I guess we are afraid because deep down we think that we are prisoners of that “fear”; that it owns us in some way. It is like a little voice in your head saying  “this is too difficult; what will people think of you; you’re not good enough to do that” and 

so on…

http://redmountainstaff.wordpress.com/2010/12/07/do-not-be-afraid/

Let me tell you something: YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH! I am asking you the same question” If not now then when?” I know that deep down inside of us we all have desires; dreams ; things we want to achieve but are too afraid to.  The dance class I am taking is just the beginning; I will carry on fighting that fear because at the end it can only bring positive things. Live what you have always wanted to live. Start now; don’t waste time because you don’ t know  what tomorrow will be like. ..

http://truththeory.com/2012/07/20/if-not-now-then-when-2/

Number 14...Done!

I recently did my bucket list…and on there; there was something that I really wanted to do and soon. Now I can say that I did it. It was number 14 on my list…Perform on a huge stage with my dance group. Okay..I admit the stage was not that huge…but nonetheless it was a stage. It really felt great and brought me a sense of accomplishment.

First; I said to myself that I couldn't do it (stress and fear I think) but afterwards I got myself together and I realized that it was something that I really wanted to do and I needed to get rid of that fear. Everyone is afraid of something but the ones who don’t let it stop them are the ones who really achieve something with their lives (whether small or large accomplishments).  So; I decided not to let that fear stop me; because at the end ; if you let that fear win and don’t act; it will only bring regrets which is even worse that being afraid.

I encourage you to start accomplishing things that you put on your bucket list if you haven’t started yet…

Source: http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10151236971501550&set=a.10151236964981550.510589.300206231549&type=1&theater

Watch this space

Something big is coming…To me that’s what this sentence means.  I don’t know exactly when and what but I just know that something big is coming. We need to make things happen and not just sit and wait fr things to happen. I am starting to really apply this sentence.  The word “space” in the sentence refers to the infinite opportunities that we have to do something new and different. So why not take a chance. I recently read on Twitter that we must not be afraid to try something new. Remember amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic. When you have faith; you can do whatever you  want to.

http://fermoyprintanddesign.wordpress.com/author/fermoyprintanddesign/page/2/

So I am saying it again watch this space... We are the ones who make our lives either average or memorable. But it needs to be for the good reasons of course. I would like that to happen to me. I want to do something memorable; to help others and so much more. The future will tell me…

My favourite cat in the hat book is...

I have never read any of Dr Seuss' books; so I did not really know where to start on this topic. I did some research on the book. Through that i can say that my favourite cat in the hat book is Nick.

Nick is infinitely good-natured and game to try almost anything and, if he winds up getting tangled up into a knot, he is the first to laugh at himself and the situation. He is impulsive and instinctive and he flushes out problems and tests theories, jumping first and asking questions later. Nick loves the Thinga-ma-jigger and it is he who gets to flip the jigger-ma-whizzer that launches them on each adventure.

http://www.pbs.org/teachers/catinthehat/characters/

Nick is a dreamer; he is willing to try anything and that shows courage. The fact that he launches the jigger-ma-whizzer on each adventure really prove that point.  He knows how to take risks. And even if what he tried  did not work; he is still positive. I think it is a really good trait. No matter what happens; he won't let anything bring him down because he is good natured and cheerful. H e is a dreamer and is prepared to do anything to achieve his dreams.

Source: http://www.pbs.org/teachers/catinthehat/characters/

Like a boy

I don’t know why lately I have been listening to that Ciara song over again… It is like I never really heard it before. Maybe because now it relates to me in a way it never did before. “Like a boy” deals mostly with the way guys behave with their girlfriends in general (cheating; lying and so on). She is just asking “and if I did the same to you; what would you feel? Would you like that? No; you would not like that”

http://www.videos-musicales.net/ficha/Ciara.html

It just flashed this concept of relationships nowadays in my head…Men can behave as badly as they want; the more they cheat the better they are perceived. But if it is a girl who behaves that way people judge her negatively.  I am not saying I want to behave as the guys do; but I just want to point out that it is not fair; that’s all. But unfortunately it is a perception that is stuck in our society nowadays.

http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-09-08/strategy/30129530_1_mileage-car-amy-danise

I just want the guys to take a minute and ask themselves if they would like their girlfriends to do the same. If not; then think again before doing it to them; that’s all I am saying…

Benefits of laughter

            We all need to take a moment to realise how laughter is important in our daily lives. It has short and lobg term benefits for our health. We need it, here are the benefits of laughter:

·         Lower blood pressure

·         Increase vascular blood flow and oxygenation of the blood

·         Give a workout to the diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscles

·         Reduce certain stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline

·         Increase the response of tumor- and disease-killing cells such as Gamma-interferon and T-cells

·         Defend against respiratory infections–even reducing the frequency of colds–by immunoglobulon in saliva.

·         Increase memory and learning; in a study at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, humor during instruction led to increased test scores

·         Improve alertness, creativity, and memory

After this; you can see that it is indeed an important thing to do in our lives. Please take a moment in your busy lives to laugh. Make jokes; tell a funny story; watch a funny movie. Laugh at least once everyday.

 

http://www.trespassmag.com/what-makes-you-laugh/

Source: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-health-benefits-of-laughter.html