So, yesterday reminded me why I chose not to live in the UK and I am pleased to say that I am totally happy with that decision :)

It was actually a lovely day. NJ, his friend Jason (who had arrived the day before from the States) and I got dropped off at the train station in Petersfield bright and early. We bought our train tickets and wondered around the town looking for a place to have breakfast. (It is cheaper to travel after 9am on a week day so we had to waste some time). The only place open for breakfast was this horrible little coffee shop called Cafe Nero... It served its purpose though I guess :)

Then at 9am we hopped on a train bound for London!!!

My main intention for going into London was to:
a) SHOP
b) see some of the places I used to visit so often when I lived there
c) Shop!!!

I don't know if it was the cold rain, or the fact that I stupidly wore my brand new boots (Note: to anyone visiting London... wear comfy shoes!!!!). But I couldn't find one thing to buy!!! I really did try. We hit Oxford St with a vengeance and I had my bargain seeking sensors turned on... but alas! I left there empty handed. I'm sure it was the shoes!!  

Can you visualize just how cold it is???

We went to have lunch at Pizza Express (YUM!!!) and then went to have desert at Haagen Dazs (I only had one scoop of ice cream, I promise) and then, after another mini unsuccessful shopping expedition we met up with Jamie and went to see a wonderful play called Love Song.

We even had front row seats!!! Which was great because those theatre seats were the most uncomfortable seats I've ever sat in... At least we could stretch our legs :) I highly recommend this show to anyone visiting London in the near future (or already living there). All the actors were well known and it was just a clever and funny show.

So that was my day in a nut shell :)

I can't believe I go back home tomorrow already :( sigh

So, after an 11 hour flight I finally made it to the UK. I landed bright and early on Saturday morning and nj was there to meet me :) Poor guy had to wake up before 5am so that he could be there on time.

I can't begin to tell you how nice it is to see nj again. It feels like the 4 year gap since I last saw him never happened. Yes, I do speak to him almost every day online, but seeing him in the flesh again is awesome. I am already dreading saying goodbye next week. But I'm sure that we will see eachother again soon.

It is FREEEEEEEZING cold here! It is quite a shock to the system to go from a 28 degree (centigrade) day, to a 2 degree day. But to be honest, I am actually enjoying it and it makes the novelty of being in another country much more real. I definitely didn't bring enough warm clothes with me but it is boxing day today and we are off to hit the sales with a vengeance!!! *grin* I can't wait! I just hope I actually manage to find stuff :) I am going to need a whole new wardrobe for my new job. I have to dress smart. No more jeans and T-shirts :( *sniff* I think it will be a good thing though. I like dressing up for things.

I am so excited! I FINALLY got to "meet" kyra online yesterday. We hooked up our web cams and actually got to speak to and see eachother. It was so much fun! I can't wait to chat again :) It is so strange to finally hear someone's voice, after chatting to them for so long on a chat program. It is so good to be in a country with a decent broadband connection. I am going to have to set mine up as soon as I get to Australia. Being able to physically talk to and see friends and family online is a life saver :) Don't you just LOVE technology!!!!!!!!!

If anyone else out there has skype or msn and wants to "meet" me :) please email me ASAP.

Yesterday we drove two hours to Datchworth in Hertfordshire to have Xmas lunch with nj's sister. I finally got to meet her and her family. We had a really lovely day with them. The house was full to the brim with people. I think there were something like 12 kids! It was noisy and boisterous and I enjoyed every minute. The wine was flowing and the turkey that nj's sister made for lunch was divine. I certainly did a good job of stuffing myself :) I have some photos but once again I am being disorganized and haven't prepped any to post online. But I will get some up soon. Watch this space.

I only have one complaint about my holiday. I can't sleep late!!!!!!! I know that I am two hours behind South Africa, but still! I'm on holiday!!!!!!!!!! I am up at 6am every day and it is pitch dark (can't even blame the birds). I guess I should be happy that I get time to type up a blog entry :) And chat to my parents... And watch a DVD... hehe I would go for a jog BUT I think my chances of getting frost bite are strong. So I'll just sit here, in the nice warm house and catch up with all of you :) There is always something good in every situation!

I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday. And that Santa was generous.

So, today is my 1 year blogging anniversary! I seriously can't believe I have been bloggin for a whole year! Where has the time gone?

I have some VERY VERY VERY big news to tell you all. Up until yesterday I was keeping it quiet until I knew for sure. But now it's all in the open and I can happily share with you.

As most of you will probably know, it has been a dream of mine for a very long time to be able to live in Australia. I even managed to get over there on a working holiday visa for a whole year. But after going to many different immigration lawyers and trying to find sponsorship of any kind I had to give up and come back home.

I still tried for a while to get into Australia but it just wasn't meant to be.

So, after living back here for over two years, I finally accepted that this is where I will be living forever and I was actually happy with that. I completely accepted the fact that Aus was just going to be a holiday destination for the rest of my life, and I would only get to see my sister and nephew every couple of years and on Skype once a week.

BUT THEN, a few weeks ago I was approached by a recruiting company in South Africa, who had acquired my number through a friend of mine. They were looking for someone in my industry who was interested in working in Melbourne. I honestly didn't think I had a chance, but I sent off my CV anyway.

A few days later I got a call to say that the head of marketing was coming to SA for a few days and wanted to interview me. I very quickly got a portfolio together (in one day) and off I went to the interview. The whole process took no longer than 15 minutes.. It was one of the oddest interviews I had ever been to. I left there feeling that it just wasn't meant to be.

BUT a week later I got another phone call to say that the Aus company wanted to do a 2nd interview on the phone. Which happened at 6am the next day at my house.

I didn't hear from them for about two weeks after that. So I took it as a sign that it wasn't going to happen.

BUT after one more phone interview, they made me an offer!!!!

And OF COURSE I accepted!!!! *grin*

So the last part of the process was to apply for the Visa. Lucky for me, this all happened when my family were here from Australia and they were able to take the necessary forms back with them. (which really sped things up a lot)

From then on it was another waiting game and finally yesterday I got notification that my Visa was granted.

I AM GOING TO BE LIVING IN AUSTRALIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I should be there by the 1st of Feb the latest :) *bounce*

I still can't believe this is actually happening.

I am so excited but at the same time I am so scared. I am going to be uprooting my entire life in less than one month. I don't know if I've made the right decision, but fate seemed to be playing a big role in this and I think that it is where I am meant to be.

I don't think I have felt this emotional for a long time. I don't know if I'm happy, sad, scared, excited or what! And no! the PMS is over for this month.

All I know is that things like this don't normally just happen. The universe is telling me something and I have to listen.

So, here I go, into 2007 with a brand, spanking new fresh start, in a brand spanking new city, in a brand spanking new country. (With a brand, spanking new blog).

I hope that you will all be sharing my new adventures with me and I hope to be able to continue sharing your lives with you.

I'd also LOVE to finally meet all you Melbourne bloggers when im there :) Maybe we can arrange a little meet? Please let me know if you are keen and please spread the word!!! It will be some time in mid February I think. I'm open to any ideas.

I'm not sure how often I will be blogging from the UK, but if I don't get a chance, let me wish you all a VERY merry Xmas and a HAPPY new year!!!

So, carrying on with the theme from last week. This week is my one year blog anniversary week :)

First let me just tell you my exciting news :) (its probably not THAT exciting, but for me it is).

I WENT TO GYM TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I actually got up and went! *grin*

I can't even begin to describe to you how happy I feel right now. All I did this morning was cardio, but I managed to build up quite a sweat. I feel more awake today then I have felt for a very long time.  Why on earth do we let ourselves get into slumps? I honestly feel amazing during and especially after a workout, so why do I convince myself that it is such an effort?

Well the following photographs should convince me and maybe you EXACTLY why I enjoy my new lifestyle!

*grin*

I was looking at my old photographs over the weekend and I couldn't believe that I let myself get like that. I was a totally different person back then. I think the middle photograph is me at my biggest, just before I got my head right and started on my healthy lifestyle. What gets to me most is what horrible clothes I wore. I lived in huge big ugly T-shirts (mostly men's). As you can see, I even used to go to the beach in T-shirts and long pants... What kind of a life is that???

Even my smile is different!!! You can actually see it ;) hehe

I'm so glad I looked at these photos (and believe me there are some scary ones) because it made me realize how far I have actually come. How much better I am in so many different ways.

Yes, I did put on 4kg's over the last couple of months BUT I am human. I am allowed to slip up every now and then.

The good thing about being human is that when we fall, we can always get back up and start again!

I feel all revved up and ready to go!

In exactly a week it will be my 1 year blog anniversary!!! I was going to wait till then (21st Dec) to update the look of my blog and write this post but after redesigning my blog yesterday and seeing how bland and boring my old one was I just couldn't wait!

Welcome to my new look! I also got rid of the Bee's Bulge title because I really didn't like it anymore... :) I hope you are as happy as I am with the new, "warmer" blog.

I am feeling extremely fragile this morning. It was a friend of mines wedding last night and I got on rather well with a bottle of whisky... Why did they put the bottle infront of me?  *shake*

I have demolished a bottle of water already and I have plenty waiting in line. I think what I really need is a jar of paracetamol!

I was going to post some photos from the wedding but unfortunately I can't figure out how to get the photos off my new camera (without having  a card reader handy). I am working on it and will hopefully have some photos up shortly.

I got so many awesome comments about how nice I looked last night :) I really love it when people take the time to let you know that they actually notice you. Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside...

Oy, I think some of that whisky might still be in the old blood stream... *hickup*

So I will love you and leave you with the new Bee's Buzzing Brain!

And a quick thank you to all of you for being around :) I love you guys!!!

*hickup* *shake*

So, last night I had to help my brother sort out some photography work that we had done a while ago. I made sure that I came home early so that I could go to bed early and wake up in time for gym this morning.

I set my alarm for 4:40am (which is my normal waking up for gym time) and I read one chapter of my book (I HAVE to read before I go to sleep) and turned the lights off just before 9:30pm... All ready for my new start today.

Or so I thought...

My mind started racing and I ended up tossing and turning till the wee hours of this morning (or so it felt) and I ended up resetting my alarm and not going to gym AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sigh. I am so pissed off with myself. I am even not speaking to myself today because of it.

OK.. I'm not really that strange ;)

I know I have a hell of a lot on my mind at the moment but sheesh! What is going on with me???? I am also at my heaviest weight that I have been for a LONG time *weep*

As you can see, I have removed my SW, CW and GW from the left hand bar. They were really annoying me.

I have to get back into gear. I have started with my food intake. But I just wish I could snap out of whatever it is I'm in and go back to gym!!! I know that the exercise will help me deal with stress BIG TIME!! And yet I just can't get there.

I WILL BE AT GYM TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!

hmpf. *stomp*

Okay right.. all that is now off my chest. whew.

The streets around my office are in turmoil (somewhat like my mind). They have decided to build an underground train from the airport to various parts of Johannesburg and they have elected to start here. This means that they have now turned most of the roads into one ways and have basically re-routed EVERYTHING!!! It is most annoying. Yesterday people were stuck in traffic for hours. It took my one friend over an hour to get around one block!!! What is with this stupid municipality? Why can't they leave things as they are, seeing as they have worked for decades! Rather they choose to change things and make our lives miserable for three or more years.

I have a sneaky suspicion that I may be suffering from PMS today.... must check the diary...

At least I'm not craving chocolate ..... yet

Is it just me, or has this year flown by faster then a tornado through the streets of London? I can't actually believe it's almost 2007!!! What on earth happened to 2006?

After starting off this weekend with absolutely nothing to do, I ended up having one of the busiest weekends ever! Now I am regretting it. I need one day to just chill. But as soon as I get some chill time, I get bored and end up being busy. hmpf.

I seem to also be in some kind of self sabotage mode. I have a new stomach growing on my stomach and I just don't like it one bit! I always seem to come up with some kind of excuse. Where on earth do I get them all from? I am not fooling myself but at the same time I am.

Wow, this post makes so much sense doesn't it! :)

Basically I seem to be in a strange place right now with regards to my eating and exercise. I don't know where all my self control and discipline have gone but if anyone finds them, please return them to me ASAP! I miss them both terribly. We used to work so well together.

*wipes eyes with a tissue*

I think it has something to do with the fact that it is December. The month of December effects most people in truly bizarre ways. Do you get December Syndrome?

So anyway, that's enough rambling for today.

*the crowd cheers*

I hope you are feeling more awake then I am.

I come from one of the most colourful and beautiful places on earth, it also happens to be one of the most dangerous and poverty stricken cities in the world. Every day I encounter homeless, desperate people. Often, when I am driving around I see people begging at traffic lights (with their kids playing precariously on the traffic island) or rummaging through rubbish bins. It's really hard to see but you can't help everyone and you have to learn to switch off and harden yourself to it to a certain degree. You have to!

You also have to be very much on your guard all the time. That seemingly harmless beggar standing at the stop street may just be a hijacker. That smart looking lady in the business suit with a clip board and questionnaire may well be a con artist. You just can't tell.

So last night I was out with my friend for dinner. We were in quite an upmarket part of town, with loads of shops and restaurants. After dinner we decided to stroll around and do a bit of window shopping. We were busy admiring one of the nicer (more expensive) window displays when a guy approached us. He looked fairly harmless but I was instantly on guard.

The guy looked very hassled and upset and told us a very jumbled story about how he came all the way from Natal (an area about 6 hours away from Joburg) to write his university exam in Pretoria (about an hour away from Joburg in the other direction) and how he didn't bring enough money with him to get back home. His eyes were darting all over the place and I don't think he made eye contact once. This was very off putting but made me think that he was being genuine and wasn't used to begging. If he was a con artist, I'm sure that he would have made eye contact and been a lot more sure of himself. So, either he was a VERY good actor and could make himself cry on demand or this was a genuine story.

I just stood back listening to his story, while my friend asked him a few more questions. She gave him some money (not enough to get back home, but it was still a lot of money). He burst into tears as she handed it to him, he couldn't even speak. This convinced me that he was NOT someone who was trying to con us. No way. However, you have to be very careful and I didn't want to open my bag and pull out my wallet in front of him just incase. So after thanking us very humbly, he went on his way. I couldn't just let him go without giving him some money too so I quickly took out some more money, called him back and gave it to him. This made him burst into tears all over again. I wish we could have given him the whole amount but I know that what we did give him was a big help and I just hope he gets home safely.

It really put a damper on our evening. It made me think that all my troubles are so trivial. So what if I put on 3 bloody kg's over the last month. So what if my car stalls every time I put my foot on the clutch! (at least it still goes..kind of... and at least I have a car!!!).

I am so sensitive to things like this and it really upsets me. It's not easy to block everything out all the time.

I also realized last night just how little trust I have in people. I instantly thought the guy from last night was a con man. I have been burnt a few times while trying to help seemingly desperate people but not EVERYONE is out there to get me. There are real people, with real problems. I have to try and be more open minded and to LISTEN!

This was a big lesson for me.

So, life is somewhat back to normal after all the festivities of the wedding and overseas visitors.

My flat feels very empty but at the same time, it's good to have it back to myself.

I am feeling a bit flat too. I think all the excitement of the last few weeks, and the fact that I was continuously running on adrenalin and lack of sleep hasn't helped either.

Also, my grandmother is in hospital with pneumonia and we heard yesterday that she has a clot on her lung. They say that she is doing well though. She is a very frail lady and I worry so much about her. She also has Alzheimer and that makes things so much worse.

On Saturday, when she was admitted to the hospital, she couldn't find her house keys anywhere. My uncle searched for them but he couldn't find them either so he just closed up her flat and took her to the hospital. In the meantime, someone discovered that it was open and all her jewellery has been stolen :( I feel so bad for her. She really doesn't have much left in the world and she was so proud of her jewellery. I feel so depressed about it all.

Sorry, I didn't mean for this to be a depressing post, I think I've just hit a low after being on such a high for so long. I am allowed to feel like this once in a while :) Don't worry, it won't be forever.

Just scrolling down and looking at the photos of my nephew and the wedding do help to cheer me up! *scroll* aah, much better! *scroll* :)

I have decided to spend this weekend going through all the cupboards in my old bedroom at my parents house. I have been living on my own for a few years now and yet I have left those cupboards full of all my stuff. My poor mom has been begging me for ages to sort it out so that she can use the space hehe. So this weekend I'll do it! I know its going to be hard. I am a hoarder of note (and used to be far worse when I was younger). But I have decided to be ruthless. What's the point of hanging on to that painting I did in primary school? It just gathers dust and fish moths and had gone yellow... I am also donating all my old fluffy toys etc to charity. Some child out there will benefit far more from those toys then the dusty cupboard. Wish me luck!!! *scroll*

I also have some very exciting news!!! *grin*

In precisely 18 sleeps time I will be in the UK!!! I made a very un-Belinda like move and spontaneously booked a ticket to visit nj the UK over Xmas. (he had a LOT to do with that spontaneity) *huge grin* I haven't seen him for over 4 years!!!! Its madness!!! He is my best friend and we talk virtually every single day but seeing someone in the flesh is so much nicer. I haven't been back to the UK for years!!! I can't wait!! *bounce* So if anyone is in the vicinity between the 24th Dec and the 31st, I'd love to meet up!!! And a BIG thanks to nj for helping me to make this happen. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (yes, I've said that already but its true)

I made up my mind to go back to gym today... but I over slept :( I think I need the sleep though so I'm not going to be angry with myself just yet. I'm sure that by next week I will be back in my old routine and melting those extra kg's away.

I hope you all have a great day! Do something spontaneous! Its fun!

After the most incredible three weeks, it is good to be back. I had such an awesome time but it has been exhausting.

First we had my nephew's first birthday which he shared with my dad.

We had a little party for them which really was fun! Even though it was pouring with rain.

I think he enjoyed his party :) Especially his gifts!!!

My 3 cousins came all the way from Melbourne for the wedding, so we took them to the game park.

Where we saw some very interesting stuff!!!

The next day we went to the Lion park where we got to play with lion cubs. They are sooo sweet but their claws are very sharp!

My brothers wedding was seriously the best wedding I've ever been to. I completely let loose and had so much fun! It seemed to go on forever though.

 It all started on the Wednesday night before the wedding with my sister inlaw's bridal shower.

My brother calls his wife Pigg and she calls him Phrogg (Kermit and Miss Piggy), so naturally I HAD to dress her as Miss Piggy for the shower :) Looks good huh!

To be honest, the whole evening went by in a blur. I find it quite stressful to organize something like this but it went off with a bang and EVERYONE enjoyed themselves.

Someone told me that I should organize bridal showers professionally. hehe NO CHANCE!

The following night was my brothers Bachelor party. And naturally we dressed him as Kermit :)

The guys all went go-carting. It was a pretty tame evening and no one got hurt :)

I think this is going to be more of a picture blog then a writing blog because there is just too much to tell you about :) 

The first one is of me and my nephew. He seriously is the most gorgeous little boy in the world. AND he actually took his first steps while he was in South Africa!!! He isn't walking properly just yet but it was a HUGE milestone and I am so glad that my parents were with him when it happened. The next one is of me with my siblings :) It was so good for us all to be together. The last one is of me and my sister in our bridal party gear :)

This next one is of the bride walking down the isle with her parents and entourage (that's me) :), Then we have one of the happy couple just after they have been married (can you spot me?). The third one is of all the girls in the bridal party, I must say, the colours really did work well.

So now its back to work and to my normal life. I am sad but happy at the same time. I managed to put on 3kg's over the 3 weeks.. I thought I'd have put on more hehe So I'm back to being super super strict with my eating. I will be back at gym tomorrow too. I did manage to go three times over the past 3 weeks :) Not bad huh...

I'm sorry I haven't posted for so long but as you can see, it has been a busy time. I can't wait to catch up with your blogs and see what has been going on in your lives.