This blog is about a 22-year old millennial, living in South-Africa. I am open minded. I write about university and the travels, which I am going to have. I have a wanderlust that can't be satisfied, unless I travel. Adventure is my middle name.
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen It's easy to forget how powerful Mother Nature can be, but today she reminded me that she is the most powerful.
We went for a walk and a bit of a hike, at the botanical gardens, near our house. There is a beautiful waterfall and mountains/hills. We hiked up the hill to see the eagles' nest and to enjoy the view.
The clouds broke and it was mad rain. I took photos of the waterfall before and after:
The stream before the rains
The waterfall before the rain
And then the clouds opened in full mighty. We were very lucky to be safe in the restaurant, when the storm transpired. After the rain has stopped we went back to the waterfall, because we heard it roaring from afar. This is what we found:
The stream from before- now full of mud and the water much higher!
The waterfall coming down like crazy and full of mud
I have never seen anything like this before, but man, I really am glad I saw it. So beautiful and majestic!
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
Technology is a funny thing, don't you think? Some people have no idea what it is. Some people had to adapt to it and others grew up with it.
This past week, when we were on holiday, we were three generations in the home. My grandparents, my parents and me and my sister. I realized that we differ so much in the way that we use technology.
How my grandparents use technology
My grandparents are pretty good with technology, seeing as they only recently started using it. My grandma uses Whatsapp, Skype and Facebook, which I think is great! But she constantly asks me to help her out with things on her phone. They also use their laptop to play games like Solitaire and other card games.
How most parents are
I must say, my parents are fairly good with technology. My mom often struggles with things like remotes for the TV and DVD machines and she will sometimes appear like the woman above, but she is better than me in social media and all things digital. My mom is a real social media devotee. My dad is also really good with technology. In our home, we are constantly trying out new stuff. The newest is the Apple TV.
How my generation is
Forgetting to look up. Forgetting to face reality. Social media, not really being social, with the people around you. Yes, this is my generation.
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
We struggle to find things to do for my baby sister during the long December holidays. The schools and holiday care at the school is closed for the festive season and we are running out of ideas, so my sister's best friend came to sleep over, last night, and she played here for the day. This is roughly the summary of my babysitting adventures:
Coloring in Tinkerbelle
Painting ceramics
A letter to the Tooth Mouse/ Fairy
My sister had lost her tooth, because she refused to take it out, only to later realize that it wasn't in her mouth anymore. We had to write a letter to the Tooth Mouse, asking forgiveness and asking him if he would be so kind as to search for the tooth and to still give my sister money for it.
Pizzas for lunch
I made the girls delicious, little pizzas after they nagged me for it, only to change their minds that they want pasta and I ended up eating it.
Playing dress-up
Clay play- making all sorts of interesting things
Man, kids are different kinds of species and hard work. I am waiting another 20 years before I get my own children. Babysitting is hard work and I have mad respect for all the teachers, babysitters and nannies out there.
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
One of my biggest dreams is to travel the whole world. This has been my dream, since I went to France and London in 2011. I have discovered that I have a wanderlust. According to the Urban Dictionary the definition of Wanderlust is:
1. A very strong or irresistible impulse to travel.
2. Strong longing for or impulse toward wandering
I want to see and explore every country. I want to eat the weird and wacky foods of those countries and learn about the traditional foods, the traditions. I want to experience EVERYTHING!!
But what does it help if you travel the world, but you never explore your own country?
This past week, we went to Uvongo in Kwazulu-Natal on the South Coast of South-Africa. Here are some photos of our time there and the surrounding areas. I decided to use photos, because they are worth a thousand words.
Beautiful mountains on our trip to the coast
We have arrived! Rock pools at Uvongo
Sister taking a photo of me at the rock pools
Sisters ready to go to the beach
The beautiful beach, Uvongo.
My flip flops in the sand
A coffee tour at the Beaver Creek Coffee Estate in Port Edward
Taking a walk at the Clearwater Trails in Port Edward
I find the name Clearwater Trails ironic, when I look at the river.
Travelling back home, my sister made a fort for herself out of pure boredom
Travelling starts locally and then internationally. I had the best time this past week and I realized all over again, just how beautiful my country is. South-Africa truly is majestic and amazing!
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
My best and life long friend, Marinda, is living the dream. She has the privilege to work and live in France in Savigny-sur-Orge for 8 months. She is working there as an English assistant at a school. I am very jealous about the fact that I am not there with her. We went to France together in 2011 and I am burning with every part of me to go back! I am in love with France!
Anyway, I asked her to write a blog post for me about her experiences of the food there. Marinda the food connoisseur.
Here is her post:
"I have been living and working in France for the last two months, and during my time here I have come to realise how important food is to any culture in the world. I absolutely adore food, and if you ask my friends, they will be able to tell you that I am always hungry! So, when I came to France I was obviously excited about strolling through Paris and getting to know the people and the culture, but most importantly, the food!
Keep in mind that when you explore the world on a budget, it is not always possible to visit the five-star restaurants and cafes. However, I have discovered one of the French people’s most beloved places to get food… a boulangerie (or bakery). They are everywhere!
On my first day in France, before I had even had the chance to unpack my bags, one of my colleagues directed me to the best boulangerie in town. It is now my favourite boulangerie in the whole of the Paris region!
When you walk into the tiny shop you are met with the sight and smell of traditional French breads, pastries, tarts and cakes. I have made the decision to try something new every time that I go to the boulangerie. I must admit that when you order something without being completely sure of what it is, you set yourself up for a shock every now and then. For example, I ordered a quiche which I thought contained vegetables. To my surprise it was filled with a very strong cheese (which I later found out was goat’s milk cheese). I generally like cheese, but that was too strong and too much for me to handle!
Here are some of the tasty treats that I have tried so far:
Tarte au citron – it’s like lemon meringue without the meringue
Mille-feuille – like a custard slice, just better
A delicious chicken sandwich and a chauson au pomme – a pastry filled with apple puree
Something very chocolaty and yummy!
So, in my opinion, if you want to add that something special
to your travel experience, try some of the local and traditional food. Don’t be
afraid to try something new or strange, because you might get a very pleasant
surprise… or a good story to tell!"
Marinda also created her own blog about her travels in France, as well as other countries in Europe.
Check it out here.
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
Everyone knows she's on her way. She comes around every single week and she is truly hated. When she is around, things go wrong and people are miserable. She is also referred to as 'Fifty shades of blue'. Who is she? Her name is:
MONDAY!
Call me Monday Dreader, Kiara the Monday Dreader. Yes, I am also one of THOSE people, who is really not a fan. Monday has a black belt in making your day absolutely miserable. She reminds you that the weekend is truly over and she makes you so positive for new beginnings or things that you want to change during the week. But she always misleads you, because it never happens....
I have an antidote against Monday:
Since I have a three month holiday, I decided to politely give Monday the cold shoulder. Yep, I'm avoiding Monday...
How?
By not getting out of bed, except to scavenge for some food in the house. If she calls on my cellphone or just arrives like she always does, I will just ignore her and forget to answer the phone.
I am Kiara the Monday Dreader, and I shall be ignoring Monday from this day until death releases me from her hell.
I am taking part in the SITS Girls blogging prompts for the month of December. Check it out: 31 days of writing prompts.
Tell me how you feel about Mondays?
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
I am always a sucker for a December holiday job. Most of the time I use the money to buy Christmas presents or to put into my study fund for next year.
Previous holidays I have babysat, i have worked along with Cinderella in shoe stores and I did interning at my dream job as a Public Relations Officer... Yes, I have worked in a huge variety of jobs...
One of the motto's at the shoe store, where I worked
This year, I'm working at a law firm, where I have to answer telephones and help the people with requests. My first day went pretty smoothly. Except for the power that went out, me being alone in the office, finding out that I'm deaf and struggle to hear the people over the phone (making them repeat their case a million times over) and getting a few things wrong, but what is a first day without those glitches and itches?
At the end of the day I wanted to give people legal advice and wanted to charge them a consultation fee (Just kidding! Or am I?).
In a very professional company, I also drank out of a Winnie the Pooh mug and felt very rebel, but it's the firm's mug, so I'm in the clear.
My very professional coffee mug!
All in the day of a phone answering person at a law firm!
I always appreciate a bit of extra bucks over the holidays and also to add more jobs to my CV.
A while back, I was informed by my mother that I got my degree when I was 6! SIX!!!
But the human race just couldn't accept that I am such a genius. So, I had to go through with school (yawn) and through university (yawn again), just to prove to them that I am THAT smart.
Proof of my first degree at 6
With my first degree, I studied physics and graduated as a physicist...The clever alien that I am, but the second time, I tried to be more NORMAL and studied communications. (So, I would know how to communicate with the human race).
Well, human race I made it a second time! Our graduation only takes place in March, but one of these days I'm gonna have my graduation gown and cap on! Just so I can prove it to you! VAT SO!
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
Last week, I launched a competition on my blog, because it's my blog's blogaversary! The competition was that you could win an iTunes voucher!
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
News just in: Romance was murdered this morning when he was getting off the high-way. One-night-stand, laziness and Alcohol shot him through the window. He was trying to make his way to Effort and Time (his family). The people responsible have not been caught yet. It is a sad time for all the single people out there. His funeral will take place on the 14th of February.
Or could the loss of Romance be blamed on Cupid, because he is always drunk? And forgot all about his duties? Like protecting Romance, Time and Effort? He will be taken in for questioning for failing to do his duties and also for FUI (Flying Under the Influence).
Romance was totally murdered. Maybe, it's the era that we're living in or maybe it's the phase of our lives, which we're in? I have no idea, but where are the flowers, the going on dates, the getting to know one another, the excitement when the person messages you, the late-night phone calls?
Because I have not experienced it! Maybe it is an ideal that is painted by movies, but I don't want to believe it.
The other night when I was out with friends, a guy came up to me and asked for a dance. During this dance, I accidentally stepped his toe. He then demanded that I give him my number, to make up for his sore toe...
No, sonny boy! If you made the effort to talk to me, then maybe you would've gotten my number. I tried to make conversation, but all I got was shrugs... Maybe if you took the time to even ask my name, I would've wanted to talk to you. I should've stepped on your other toe, as well. Too bad I didn't.
I am not saying that guys alone should do all the effort, girls should also take time and put effort into relationships. I truly believe in equality. Guys and girls should pay for dates. Guys and girls should really put effort into relationships. But where has that effort gone??? Maybe murdered along with romance. Or maybe Cupid tripped and fell on effort and he is suffering from brain damage and Cupid refuses to do anything about it...
Whatever it may be: I will find someone who will try to bring back the romance, effort and time to get to know me. Maybe this person will put Cupid in rehab and get him sobered up, so he can continue to do his duties.
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
Last year, the 20th of November, I wrote my first blog post on this blog! Time flies when you're having fun, I guess!
I have learned so many things about blogging, as well as social media, while I enjoyed myself on this blog. I also met a great deal of people, who I would never have met if not for this blog.
I have decided to give away an iTunes voucher of a R150 ($15), because it's the blog's birthday!
What do you have to do to win?
You have to:
Comment on this post and tell me what you will do with the voucher.
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
On Thursday I wrote my last test for my communication degree, I wanted to scream with joy after the test, but I had to be considerate of the other people who were still writing. But on the inside I was screaming of joy!
I MADE IT THIS FAR!!!!!
Blood, sweat and tears were all part of my degree. So were all-nighters, calls to mom crying my eyes out, running like an Olympic champion to give projects in on time. and also going to write an exam for the second time, because I failed the first exam.
Yes, it wasn't always easy, but there were more good times than bad. I made amazing friends, who will be my bridesmaids. I have fallen in love and also fallen out of love. I have learned to replace my "what if's" with "Oh well's". I realized that it is fine to not know what the future holds and to simply tackle each day as it comes. I discovered myself.
My amazing group of friends
We had a lot of group projects this year and in previous years, we had people in our group who did nothing and we were stuck with all the work. This year we had the perfect group and they became my best friends (See photo above). We worked very hard, but also played hard. Without that combination I would've drowned.
Unfortunately, some of my friends are not going to study further and my last goodbye's have been said. But most of my friends will be staying on and doing their Honours or a diploma of some kind.
I will also be making new friends next year when I am doing my post-graduate diploma in management.
I look forward to the adventures and the unknown awaiting me next year. I am also gonna complete my bucket list for university. This song is my motto for next year:
But that is next year! Now, I am going to enjoy my 2 months vacation and spend some time with my amazing family and friends from home.
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen I love my country for the richness we have in races, cultures, beliefs and just the diversity. I love that we braai and watch rugby, that we have things like Heritage Day. I love the fact that we have Human Rights and the fact that we have Freedom of Speech.
But when did our Freedom of Speech become freedom of hate speech? How can you hate people so much, just based on their race, religion or culture? Why can't you let go of the past. The past that already made history books. It's so 20 years ago, bru!
Yeah, before I was born I stood in front of a machine, telling it which race I wanted to be and how I wanted to look. But with choosing a race I would either be stupid and good for nothing or I would be the boss of everything and the most clever race there is...
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is a celebrity here in South-Africa making a big noise on social media about Apartheid. Here is the article, if you want to read it:
The singer, Steve Hofmeyr, said that black people were the architects of Apartheid. This really infuriates me. In what century is he living? Apartheid has been over for 20 years. Who gives a rat's ass, who the architects of Apartheid was? I believe that he is one of the architects of Apartheid, especially if he can't leave Apartheid where it is: In history books. Where it belongs. But he keeps bringing it up, because he can't let go of his hate for other races. He told the media that he is not racist, but actions speak louder than words, my friend.
I am 21 years old and Apartheid is just another story in the history books to me, but luckily my mom also raised me to respect EVERYONE and that no one is inferior to another. THANK YOU, MOM!
Sexy Karabo and me!
Some of my best friends are black and coloured. If I was a racist, I would've missed out on all these amazing friendships. That would've been a shame! I would like to say to Steve that he is really missing out and that he is boring, because he only knows his own race and culture.
Me, Granville, Margerethe, Martin and JJ
Me, Suvahn and her bf
I have always been a very curious person about other people's beliefs. I find it most interesting to learn about all the religions, cultures and races. I once wrote a blog post about working in a shoe shop, here I learned that they have very funny perceptions of white people, but I absolutely loved it and corrected them on those perceptions, but if we never try to learn from them, how will we ever know?
All I want to say to people, who hate so much:
You are missing out. You are the dumb one, move on and go sit in the hate corner with all the other losers. The only hate you have, is the hate for yourself!
AND YOU ARE MISSING OUT! STOP BEING A LOSER, LOSER!
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
I am final year Communication student at my university and it got me thinking that I have not done everything that I wanted to do here. I still have a year left at my university because I'm going to do a post-graduate course in management, which means I have a year left to complete my bucket list.
My bucket list will only make sense to me and the people studying at this university with me, but I will still share it, because sharing is caring....
I want to 'Sokkie' in Impala (It is a dance form, which I want to do in Impala [a bar/pub/dance place])
I want to get a tattoo.
I want to attend a class, that I am not registered for.
I want to hide in the library so that I can spend the night there with friends and watch movies.
I want to pull an all-nighter with my amazing friends or someone special or both.
I want to go to the roof garden in F1.
I want to go to the 'Purple' garden, which is on one of the roofs on campus. I always see it when we drive over the bridge.
I want to go to Potch Liggies, but with someone special or great friends (view where you see the city lights)
I want to go on an adventure with my friends.
Dress silly and go and eat in the Draak (Our campus restaurant/bar)
I want to go and eat at all the dining halls.
I want to see what is behind the random doors on campus
I want to go and watch a rugby game with my dad.
I want to go to a spa therapy with my mom
I want to dress up silly with my baby sister and go out to a mall or something.
If I think of anything else, I will gladly share them afterwards... What is on your bucket list?
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
Here in South-Africa, there is no such thing as spring. We get the blossoms that bloom like spring, but we have the heat of a full-blown summer! I was born in the winter and therefore I am a lover of summer. I blossom in summer (pun intended).
My mom, Momagain@40, asked me to take part in this Summer List. Well, here goes: What is your favorite thing about summer?
My favorite thing about summer is the fact that the whole world gets life again. Everything is green and blossoming, people dress pretty and colourful for summer and everyone is inspired to accomplish higher heights. But my most favorite thing is that I can open my windows and just take it all in.
Do you have a favorite summer drink?
I must confess that after a long and hot day, there is nothing better than an ice cold beer, running down my throat.
Is there a location you like to go each summer?
I don't have a place where I always go, but I am crazy about the bush veld and going to game farms. It feels like I belong there and should be running wild with all the animals...
Dresses or skirts?
Oh, I love me some dresses! And each and every year, the dresses just get more beautiful and then I just want them all! If I could wear them 24/7 I would!
Sandals or ballet pumps?
Sandals are the best option for summer, because they won't give you smelly feet like pumps. I am crazy about my sandals and I wear them down in the summer time...
Hair up or down?
I am a hair down type of person come hell or high water even though it is hot....
Hair always down
Smokey eyes or bold lips?
I recently discovered the power of bold lips: red lips. I love the boldness and it makes me feel so sexy! But I prefer smokey eyes as well in the summer, especially when we are having a night-out.
My red lips and I
Favorite perfume for summer?
My favorite perfume for summer is Adidas: Pure Lightness. It smells delicious and it doesn't cost this student an arm and a leg....
Favorite music for summer?
My favorite music for summer, is music that make me want to go on an adventure or roadtrip. Music that makes me feel infinite and invincible... This song by NONONO- Pumpin Blood, makes me want to go an adventure with great friends...
I am a third and final year Communication student and since my first year, I’ve been staying in a
hostel. An all-ladies hostel. Meaning hormones, moodiness, back-stabbing, but also so much love and friendships... I've also met my bridesmaids here.
My hostel is the home to 260 unique ladies and that means unique things happen and you learn your lesson very fast here. Here are the things that my friends and I have learned:
·Sometimes it’s better to not
see/hear anything (Jonanke)
·Never leave your dishes in the
kitchen, no matter how insignicant you think it is, it will disappear
(Mart-Mari)
·There is not really ghosts in the
residence, but yet you sometimes believe it (Toni)
·People who do not live in
residences will never really know what goes on there (Hanri)
Never stay next to the balcony, because you will have people constantly smoking next to you and chatting very loud (Mone)
·You get one toilet roll per week.
TOILET ROLLS ARE GOLDEN! If you accidentally forget them in the bathroom, they
will be gone by the time you go looking for them.
·Silence is not golden.
·It is totally acceptable to walk
in pajamas all day long or slip into your pajamas any time of the day.
The more you participate, the more friends you will make.
The more you participate, the more fun you will have.
·Bathing is too much cleaning work
(because people don't clean after themselves) and it takes too long to take a
bath. SHOWER INSTEAD.
·The walls are thin. Watch what you
say and keep your music down or you will have angry neighbors.
·There will be someone studying the
same as you, so get yourself a study buddy to make things a bit easier.
·Buy some earplugs for noisy
nights.
·You will have a lot of friends in the residence, so doing projects can sometimes be hard when they
pop.
·Having a tidy room, makes you more
positive and feel task-oriented.
·If you go to sleep before 11 pm,
people will ask you if you're sick. NO ONE SLEEPS EARLY.
·Watching scary movies is not great
when returning to the residence. A residence is scary by nature.
·Watching a lot of series' is
acceptable.
·Being up to date with ALL the
movies and series is acceptable.
·Great food is scarce.
·Having an almost empty fridge is
common and not strange. Fridges mostly contain sauces and food that no one
wants to eat.
·I would not have preferred to stay
anywhere else, it is so much fun to participate in activities and all the
friends that one makes, makes life worth the while.
Living in a residence makes you part of something fun, you will have stories to tell your children one day. Living in a residence has taught me many lessons and how to work with other people.
So, for those who know me, know that my skin color is just a shade darker than snow! I have always been a casper and had many nicknames like Tippex, The milk man's daughter, snowy, etc... Name it and I had that nickname!
It is summer time and it means that I have to show some skin again and then I realize that I really am insanely white! My family and I are also going to the sea in December. I found this gem of the last time when we were there
Yes, this is me!
I white-out on photos, I am invisible on some, and sometimes I get a photo I can actually use, where I don't white-out!
I have tried tanning, I have tried spray tans... I have tried every trick in the book, so stop giving me tips: Been there, done that, got the leopard striped spray tan marks....
Yes, I have had some bad times just trying to tan, like being sunburned very badly, etc, etc...But then I realized there are perks to being a Casper:
When I'm old, I won't have a rubbery and ugly skin, because I never tan.
I can't tan (Tanning is bad for your skin), I just stay snow white.
I can scare people in the dormitory and make them believe that I am a ghost.
All the colors of rainbow look good with my skin
I shine like white paper when I'm in the sun (almost like the vampires in Twilight, unfortunately I don't sparkle...YET).
Chinese think of me as royalty, because kings, queens and other royalty are not allowed out of the palace, therefore they have very white skins. (I learned this fact, when I was in Paris and met a lot of Chinese tourists).
I won't be mistaken for another race.
People instantly know that I'm from European lineage.
I give Snow White a run for her money. I make Tippex look brown. I give snow Arc Eyes. I shine brighter than a white paper in the sun... AND I LOVE IT!
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