August 21st, 2011 ...

Was the day I celebrated my 45th birthday.  It was a lovely day.  On Saturday, a special friend of mine came and spent the day and stayed over.  We stayed up until past 2am catching up, discussing life, love and everything inbetween and beyond.  Sadly, she lives very far away and when she returns in a few weeks time, we have no idea how long until we'll see each other again.

Sunday morning, G-man took her back to her moms and just before leaving, told me I needed to be ready by 10am.  When he got back I was still faffing, so I had to hot-tail to get done, collect young Jarod and head to my 'surprise'.  Between our house keeper and my dd and G-man, they'd arrange a stunning cake for me as well.  So off we headed, virtually across the road to breakfast at Thaba Ya Batswana and when we arrived, my sisters were there.  They'd kept it a complete surprise, which was fabulous. 

I took some photos but still need to download them.  Although as we were leaving, the wind was howling - welcome to the end of August in Jozie.

As far as gifts go, I got money from G-man, my mom and sisters (which is what I asked for towards my course) and Lynn had included a huge bag of Kettle Corn from Woolies, a Lindt Chocolate and a shopping bag.  Courteney gave me a box of Lindt Lindor Chocolate Balls (so yumm) and Liam spoilt me with three little photo frames and a bottle of Essie Nail Polish.  Estelle gave me two cravats (spelling?) and a stone.  Yesterday morning I got a gorgeous bouquet of flowers from the office and Sharon gave me a stunning camel and black striped top from Foschini ... all in all, a very spoilt girl I am.  Of course, Mz T had sent me money earlier which was my Mother's Day and Birthday gifts together. 

My gift to myself this  year - I bought myself a hair straightener.  I usually give myself a gift, and this year, I decided on something for my hair. I can't remember what I got myself last year, but the year before it was a lamp. 

But now that the festivities are drawing to a close, (as they usually do, but I'm still enjoying the flowers on my desk and am yet to tackle the Lindt and Kettle Corn), it's time to start plotting the next year.

First up, my photography course.  I'll be booking for the course that starts on the 1st October.  I'm so excited.  Other things on my list for the coming year are:

1. These other courses : Dynamic Photography Expressive Photography and Wedding Photography or Portrait Photography


2. A new lens, mentioned previously - Nikon 50mm


3. Start shadowing on a few weddings and anything else I'm able to wangle my way into


4. Save towards studio lights and backdrops


5. Remote light metre


6. Then we get to the personal things and one of the big ones I'm not able, or to be more specific, willing to discuss in public, but it's something big and it's a huge weight I'm carrying around and I need to settle it once and for all.


7. Work hard at maintaining and fostering a good relationship with my little girl when she moves to her dad.


8. Earn enough through the photography to either fly both my girls home for a visit next Christmas, or be able to fly to them for Christmas ... that would be so kewl.


9. Work on managing my time and space better so that I can start producing creatively.


10. I really need to work on my overall health and fitness level.  It's a sad state of affairs in that department after this cold winter we've had and I've picked back up the weight I'd lost.


11. Spend more time doing activities with the family.

Those are just a few of the thoughts mulling in my head.  I will not mention scrapbooking, reading or writing, nor any other 'hobby' type activity. 

So, I'm a little older and a wee bit wiser and maybe a little sadder or mader than I was, but I'm alive and well and all is right with my world.

Something to share : A positive thought

At 211 degrees...water is hot.

At 212 degrees...it boils.

And with boiling water, comes steam.

And steam can power a locomotive.

And, it's that one extra degree...

That makes all the difference.

I'm working on that one degree as part of my year ahead - how about you?