Yes...I did!

Some people have been asking, others have probably forgotten and I've just been too busy but YES!! I did reach the 50 000 word mark for Nanowrimo 2011....winners badge below. The novel, however, is no where near finished and is probably THE MOST BORING novel ever written....heck, it almost puts me to sleep. SO before those of you who are interested ask/email me reading it, sorry, it's going to be a while...a LONG while before its readable. Almost 3/4 of the book is boring! (That's what happens when you study and head straight into novel writing without plotting!!) I shall try during my on and off holiday over Christmas to work on it and let you know how its coming along. I am currently at night editing my second novel...I'm almost done so that those who are waiting for the edited novel can get it and if you read the unedited version (Hanna) can get the edited. :o)

Cheerio all!

It's everything you wanted, it's everything you don't....

A new song that has caught my attention....

Day 30 - Woooohoooo!!!

Day 30 - A photograph of yourself today + three good things that have happened in the past 30 days.

Woohoo....30 days of the blog challenge DONE!! So here is a picture of me from today.

(And yes folks, that is a pink shirt!! Don't all go falling off your chairs now!)

Three good things that have happened in the past 30 days:
1) A holiday in Mossel Bay with family...the start of birthday celebrations.
2) Turning 30 and celebrating with family and close friends...including tonight (yes, I wore that hat for both parties!)
3) Going on a microlite flip!! What an adventure and amazing experience.

Day 29 - wRiTe...

Day 29 - Something you could never get tired of doing.

I think now, one thing I could never get tired of doing is writing....granted I do  become uninspired if working on a book, but a quick change or a good movie and I'm up and running again. Once you know your characters and the world they live, it's like an escape from  your real life. When I write it's almost like I'm in another world. There was a quote I read once, I'll try my best to get it as close to original as I remember it but it said something like "Sometimes the world you create on paper is easier than the world you live in." ...which is SO true simply because you know the outcome at the end before anyone one does and ways for your character to conquer when in real life you struggle on bad days and sometimes cant seem to find a way out.

If I could, I would sit and write here every day until I cracked a "bestseller"

:)

I'd never get tired of writing with that view!

Day 28 - Your favorite movie.

Day 28 - Your favorite movie.

Eish, this is a hard one. I don't have a favorite, I have a few favorite... ...so to name a few:

Inkheart is one I enjoy simply because I'd love to be able to write a book like that! It's an interesting movie that I enjoy watching over and over.

 I also enjoy Pirates of the Caribbean...all of them. Johnny Depp's acting is just brilliant.

The Dark Knight is another one of my favorite! Also Batman Begins.

I also LOVE animated movies and my latest favorite is RANGO!! I know some find it boring but I find it entertaining and thought provoking.

And, if you noticed on the side of my blog, I have a link to the movie INK. It's definitely one of those movies you either love or hate. It's one of those where the first time I watched it I was like "Huh?" but it gained enough interest for me to want to watch it again.

There are loads more I could name but yeah, I'll leave it there for now. :o)

Day 27 - Another picture....

Day 27 - A picture of you last year and now and how you've changed since then?
Not sure how I've changed...two different styles of photos but anyway, my hair is still dark, short and untidy....I still have a goofy smile, big nose, round face, I still listen to music with earphones....I guess the main thing was I was in my 20's then and now I've hit the 30's!!
(And no, I've always had glasses...I just wasn't wearing them the one time)

Day 26 - MB!

Day 26 - A photo of somewhere you've been to.

I've been to some places and a place of somewhere I've been just recently is Mossel Bay. Maybe one year, if I do this again, a photo of somewhere I've been will be USA! :o)

Town of Mossel Bay.

Day 25 - What's in your purse?

Day 25 - What's in your purse?

Ha ha ha...yeah, ummm, I don't own a purse (scandal I know) - so instead I'll tell you what is in my bag I take to work.

- Laptop

- Lunch

- Spare notepad (for random thoughts I get some days)

- Laptop and cellphone charger

- Pen and pencil

- Lipice

- Asthma pump

Think that's about it.

Now I know yesterday I was too tired to post a picture of my family that makes me happy, but after thought, since I did post a picture a while ago of my family, I'd post a picture of something I did to celebrate my 30th birthday. It was unbelievable and made me really happy.

Day 24 - too tired...

Day 24 - A photo of something that means a lot to you.

My family mean a lot to me. Unfortunately I'm too tired to post a picture tonight and since we had a "family" picture tonight at my birthday party, I'll try remember to post it tomorrow. Until then, sweet dreams world.

Day 23 - Facts....

Day 23 - 15 facts about you.

1. Today I turned 30
2. I am the youngest of four children
3. I am addicted to CSI New York (in case you missed it earlier)
4. I enjoy writing
5. I enjoy photography
6. I got hit by lightning when my sister made me wash dishes in a thunder storm (still love you sister dear)
7. I hate park town prawns (google it if you don't know what they are)
8. I love coffee
9. I love sport
10. I had insomnia and vertigo
11. I have a dog
12. I have great friends
13. I love flying
14. I love the ocean
15. I love nature

Hows that???

Day 22 - A letter....

Day 22 - A letter to someone who has hurt you recently.

Dear Brother-in-law.

I can NOT believe you closed the gate on my car tonight!! It shocked me!! However, since the rest of the evening was enjoyable and damage not really noticeable....and if my car tyre doesn't pop anytime soon.....you are forgiven. :o)

With love from your sister-in-law,

Me.

Day 21 - Happy...

Day 21 - A photo of something that makes you happy.

Being at sea makes me happy....specially at this spot. It means more to me now than it did a few years ago cause if I'm there, that means I'm with my family...something else that makes me happy.

The Meaning behind it all....

Day 20 - The meaning behind your blog name.

The meaning behind my blog name is simple. I'm a wannabe writer and have these little voices in my head that give me inspiration...and generally I would write a blog when my over active mind aka voices wouldn't keep quiet...so “As the voices speak, so I write random blogs.”

It used to be called Jacky – Life in Africa...but it was too boring for me! :)

Day 19 - say CHEESE!

Day 19 - Another picture of yourself....

Day 18...can you say BILTONG!!

Day 18 - Something you crave a lot.

Short and sweet tonight (cause I want to go to bed)...

I'm a salty person, I generally crave salty food and so the one thing I often crave a lot is biltong!

Mmmmm... ...now I'm liss again!

Day 17

Day 17 - A photo of you and your family.

Yay for an easy one. This is a picture of the 6 original Robus family taken in August. I don't have a recent one of the WHOLE family which include:

2 sisters-in-law

1 brother-in-law

4 nephews and

3 nieces.

Maybe one day I'll have a more up-to-date picture but this is it for now.

Day 16

Day 16 - Your celebrity crush.

Right... ..so my great celebrity crush is... IS... ummmm... *sigh*. I don't have a celebrity crush.

I have some hero's but I don't have a crush on them...like:

Ryan Giggs

Mark Boucher

Jacques Kallis

Gary Sinise

Yes.....I am a sports fan and I only REALLY watch CSI NY.

So celebrity crush = NONE!

Day 15 - Half way....

Day 15 - Something you don't leave the house without.

Generally, I try not to leave home without my cellphone. It's happened once or twice where I've forgot it charging on the table, but it's one thing I normally have on me.

The other thing I don't go without is my glasses. The odd time I do forget, driving to work is scary (unless my sunglasses are in my car) but work is fine. :o)

Day 14 - No surprises here...

Day 14 - A TV show you're currently addicted to.

Those who know me well will know that I am addicted so CSI... ...more specifically CSI:NY.

It's the program that I try watch every week when it's on and I buy the series too so that I can watch it whenever I want. Even though, most times, you remember who the killer is, I just enjoy the comedy and quirks between the cast and characters.

But honestly, for me, Gary Sinise aka Detective Mac Taylor makes the show for me. He has that pose of being a superior and sometime somber, but he has this light moment that happens every now and then. Detective Mac Taylor is the  inspiration for my character Greg Taylor in my books. Greg is just a lot younger and working up to be like Mac Taylor - head of the Crime Lab.

Day 13 - MUUUUUUUsic....

Day 13 - Your favorite musician and why?
I dont have a favorite musician and my taste of music always depends on my mood.

Right now, the band I am enjoing is Coldplay and I find myself listening to them almost daily.

If I had to choose a musician, then I'd go for: Josh Groban and Michael Bubble.

Day 12 - A photograph of the town you live in....

Day 12 - A photograph of the town you live in.

I live in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, Gauteng. I don't have a picture of the town Kempton Park, but we are close to OR Tambo International Airport and when I head on the highway towards work, I can see the skyline of Johannesburg....a beautiful picture when the sun sets.

Day 11 - What's in your makeup bag....

Day 11 - What's in your makeup bag.

I can see my family and friends who know me well clicking on this one to read!
What is in my makeup bag... ...I think the better question would be, Do you own a makeup bag?
I DO NOT own a makeup bag, so I can not tell you what is in it... ...I do have a toiletery bag and since I'm on holiday using it, I can tell you what's in it:

Medication

Sunscreen

Deoderant

Asthma pump (both types)

Flu medication (one doesn't want to get sick on holiday)

Lipice

and then the usual,

shampoo

soap

facecloth

toothbrush

toothpaste

So that is it for today, sorry it's another boring one. I was hoping to write this blog with more excitement after sailing in shark infested water but alas, weather turned bad and sailing was cancelled. Would have loved to have given it a try...although I was slightly weary after hearing about the sharks in the bay (and my nieces not wanting me to get eaten by a shark)....right where I'd be sailing but anyway....it never came to be.

So long for now....

.....here sharky sharky sharky

a shark from my nephew's lego he is building



Day 10 - A photo of your favourite place to eat.

Day 10 - A photo of your favourite place to eat.

Well, I'm placing two pictures of the two places I like to eat.
Wimpy - cheaper but good and Cappuccinos... ...since I haven't been to either in a while, I don't have a photo of the actual place I go, so I decided to place their logos instead. :o)

Day 9 - A photo of the item you last purchased....

Day 9 - A photo of the item you last purchased.

I bought these yesterday cause for a while  now I've been tired of bulky tekkies....so I went for a different "look" and finally found a pair of sneakers I liked.

I like them a lot....and so do my nieces, nephew, sister-in-law and her mom....so clearly it was a good buy. :o)

Day 8 - Music music music

Day 8 - A song to match your mood.

Wow...ummm I guess the song I'm enjoying now is "Every Teardrop is a waterfall" by Coldplay... ...actually I'd put most of their song on their new CD - MYLO XYLOTO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyMhvkC3A84&ob=av3e

Day 7

Day 7 - Your dream wedding.

Starting this one I have to say that the first thing that came to my mind was “Cricket Whites instead of a wedding dress.” When I was in high school I got selected to play for Central Rand Girls Cricket Team (not sure what it's called today) and I had to buy cricket whites...well my parent's did for me. Anyway, I was so into playing cricket at that stage in my life and I loved playing games in my cricket whites that my dad was convinced I'd get married in cricket whites and not a wedding dress. I am glad to say that I have changed (a lot) since then.

However, if money were not an issue for me, family and friends, I'd love a beach wedding. Sand between my toes, the waves crashing nearby, that sea smell, sun on your face...aaaaahhh....yes, that would be it. My friend Andrew and Shareen had a beach wedding and unfortunately I wasn't able to attend but the pictures I saw were beautiful – it really does make for something special I think. But living a few (hundred) kilometres from the beach, it probably wouldn't happen.

Honestly though, I don't really have a “dream” wedding (other than a beach wedding – I have ideas, but as mentioned below they change) simply because:
a) I'd like my future husband to influence my decision and theme – for example yellow stripes for decorations and yet he doesn't like yellow – so something we'd both be happy with since it would be OUR day, not mine or his.
b) My mind changes a lot – right now it might be a crime scene wedding... ...okay maybe not but get the idea that my mind changes A LOT; and
c) I'm not in a relationship so I have other things more important to think of.

I don't know...maybe I'm just strange.

*for my none cricket knowledge friends, cricket whites are the clothes one wears when playing cricket - since we always got the shirts for the team, when they said cricket white it ment the pants.

Day 6 of 30...

Day 6 - A photo of an animal you'd love to keep as a pet.

I'd love to keep a dolphin as a pet. I'd probably swim everyday then! :o) I took this picture at uShaka in September - just such beautiful animals... ....aaaah.

5 of 30...

Day 5 - A photo of yourself two years ago.

Here is a photo of me and Charlie taken two years ago... ...scary to think that little puppy is now a HUGE dog!!!

So I'm sitting here, in the dark, listening to Coldplay (again) having just finished packing for my holiday. My excitement is still there but it has been dampened by the news of a friend's mother passing away. It's a reminder for one to be thankful for what you have. Yesterday I posted that my best friends were my mom and my sister...I'm extremely thankful to the Lord for them and for the rest of my family and friends. I love them all!

Day 4 of 30....

Day 4 - Your favorite photograph of your best friend.

This might be a little cliche, but my best friends are my mom and my sister.  So below is a picture of me with my mom...

and below is my sister with one of my nephews and one of my nieces. 

 Obviously, family is very important to me and I love my family very much.

But other than family, I have many other friends who mean a lot to me and will stand by me through many things. I have two special friends who impact my life and whom I wish I could see more than just twice a week (at bible study and church). Carol and Sandra, thanks so much for your friendship!

So that's the challenge done.... ...as I sit here I have loads on my mind. The sermon tonight was interesting to say the least. I have to be honest and say that it made me think and wonder if my thinking of how I think my life should be has made me missed hearing God's voice. Actually I've had two sermons today that have hit me. The sermon this morning was also thought provoking... (It must be these BTC people....oh wait, I'm one of them too now) ...but this evening has made me ponder slightly. In a few short weeks I'll be 30 (scary thought) and honestly I thought I'd be married with kids by the time I was 30. Out of all my dreams, only one has happened, that's owning my own car. I cant say that its always easy to accept that everything else hasn't happened but what does help, sometimes, is knowing that God has the plan to my life. I sat at the coffee bar tonight listening to a gentleman who is about to go into the mission field in Malawi and just hearing him talk openly about various things encouraged me more - God is ultimately in control and even though sometimes I'm wondering "Lord, how much longer does this have to go on?", He knows. He knows the pain we feel when we have to say goodbye, the joy of seeing someones life change, the agony when we see something that breaks us, the love we have for family and friends. He knows the plans He has for us and whatever the outcome, be it thrown into a toilet or doing great work for His Kingdom, He knows.
I hope this makes sense...cause it half makes sense to me, half not....if it makes sense *yay*, if not sorry.
Well that's it for today. It's late. I'm going to check the score on the Broncos game *GO BRONCOS!!!* - So they lead 17 - 7 in the 4th quarter with 2min to go. Hopefully they hold that lead!
Until tomorrow, goodnight folks.

Day 3...

Day 3 - Your idea of the perfect first date.

Hmmmm...this one is an interesting one. My idea of the perfect first date depends on one thing: How long have I know the guy before going on the first date!
Due to the type of person I am, quality time with someone means a lot to me, so if I've known the guy a few months or years and the interest is there, then my perfect first date would be dinner somewhere nice (like a cuppachino) where we can just talk and spend time together. If I don't know the guy well, then perhaps coffee at a nice coffee shop...this way, if it isn't working out, I don't have to think about how I'm going to get through a whole meal with him, instead I can drink my coffee and leave...and if it is working well, then hey, I love coffee and we can drink coffee the rest of the evening/night.

Plain and simple. :o)

Day 2 of 30....

Day 2 - A photo of something you ate today. 

Kinda wish I had read this BEFORE I ate my food!!! So, since it's lunch time, here is a picture of what I'm currently eating for lunch...a sandwich with cheese spread on!! Mmmmm....doesn't look appetizing but I like it. :o)

 So that's the challenge down. I had another challenge today. I was told I'd get $10 if I could spot a fundamental change made in the schedule change flow chart for the next three years...now since majority of you have no clue about schedule change flow charts I am going to spare you the details and just say that I got the $10! *woop woop* :o) It's turning out to be a good day! I have just over 4 hours left of work (or at least until all my flagged items are un-flagged) and then I'll be on my annual leave... ...so the trick is, since I had forgotten about the challenge until I saw my friends notification about her blog, I need to remember doing this while on leave! So I'll be doing lots of writing over the next few days and spending time with family at the beach! Yay!!

So until tomorrow, HAPPY FRIDAY YA'LL!! :o)

Day 1 of 30....

And so it begins. Today's challenge: Day 1 - A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was.

  

Okay, well, here is a photo of me that my sister took on her cellphone while we were at the beach in September. I love the sea...and will swim in any weather....most times.

My day, so far, has been interesting/boring/normal in some ways. Woke up a little later than planned... ...snooze buttons aren't always good. Rushed to pick people up for work and get to work. We had a global day of prayer today so in our small groups we prayed for various TWR regions. I then inhaled my breakfast and headed into a meeting. The meeting is normally two and a half hours long, but due to a few members not present, it was only an  hour and a half long *woop woop*. Since then I've edited some reports and am now currently waiting for my sister to come for lunch. And so that has been my day thus far. :) 

What I do have planned for the rest of the day, and Lord willing will happen, is editing more reports and another meeting at 3pm. That meeting will take me close to home time. Tonight is "wii night" so I'll be heading to my sister for supper after popping in at home, and then challenging her to some wii games with my nephew and niece too.

That's it for day 1!