My love list

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

So, I saw the Love List on Momagain@40  and decided to compile my own Love List.

(In no specific order)

• Books
• Coffee dates with my friends
• My parents  
• 
• My baby sister

• Flowers
• My entire family
• All things beautiful
• Good food
• Popcorn
• Love
• Fruit
• Positivity
• Being happy
• Friends 
• Visiting my friends
• My friends visiting me
• Travel
• Holidays
• The bush veld
• The ocean
• Our two dogs
• The color blue
• Sunsets and sunrises
• Lays chips
• Liquorice
• Dubbel zout droppies
• Water
• Coffee
• Tea
• Pasta
• Being in nature
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Making memories
• Photos
• SLEEPING!
• Writing letters
• Shoes
• Scarves
• Dresses and skirts

Yes, I love a lot of things.

There is also a hate list, but I am not going to compile such a list, because it is negative and to focus energy on a hate list, is wasting energy on the things which I do love.

What are the things that you love?

How to motivate yourself when things get tough

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

Sometimes, life gets tough. In the past month, I had so much work to do that it felt like I was drowning. But then I try to motivate myself with these few things:

• Just remind yourself how privileged you are, to be able to study. Other people wish they could be in your shoes. So work hard and appreciate what you have.
• Only focus on the next project. One can only eat an elephant bite for bite, swallowing it whole, will kill you! Looking at all your work that needs to be done, will make you negative and will not help you with the next project!
• Make a cup of tea, take a deep breath and start.
• Go to 8tracks- choose a study and classical playlist and relax while working.
• Allow yourself some 'me' time, but not too much or you will fall behind.
• Cry it out, moan and complain, but then move on! You have to face your work...
• It might look like a mountain now, but once you start, things will look better!
• My best advice to myself is always: Anything is better than nothing... Even if you get bad grades, you could've gotten NO grades if you didn't do it!

I hope these few tips will help you, when things feel too much. 

My exams are starting in a week's time and here we are still busy scraping together participation marks so we can go and write exams! Yes, studying is tough! Suck it up and get a move on :) 

Why I hate shopping

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

Today, we braved the dangerous world of malls. I don't get to see the mall a lot and will get a heart attack if I do.

I needed some clothes for the cold winter coming our way here in South-Africa, especially at my university. The gusting winds cuts right through your warm clothes like it's nothing here. Therefore, me and my mom braved the dangerous world called, The Mall (shark music playing in the background).

The reason why it is so horrible, is because my mom and I have different ideas of what clothes would look good on me. I am very difficult and picky about clothes I want to wear, she is not. I would prefer to shop on my own. I also know where to find exactly what I want, I don't want to walk in EVERY SINGLE SHOP. But I am truly grateful for all the beautiful clothes my mom has bought me today:

I also think there should be rules, while shopping in a mall:

• Keep left, pass right (like the traffic rules)
• Chats should NOT happen in the middle of the way. Catch up with old friends at coffee shops, please. (Support the economy, while catching up).
• Yes, you have a trolley. No, you cannot walk with it down an aisle which is the same size.
• Keep left, pass right!
• This is not holiday season, walk faster.
• Strong spiced food are not to be eaten in shops with little to no-ventilation. 
• Wear suitable clothes. Your sister's clothes is too small for you and not everyone appreciates it to see butts hanging out. 
• Do not drag your feet. You are here to shop, not to ice skate.
• When in a queue, allow personal space to the people in front of you. No one wants to smell last nights dinner.
• Keep left, pass right.

I told my mom that I only want to see the mall again in two years time. Before that, I will wear torn and old clothes.

"The quickest way to know a woman is to go shopping with her." -Marcelene Cox

Museum day at University

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

Every year, there is a museum day on campus, where you can take a tour of the museum and learn more about the university's history.

Students are not always that interested until you throw something in for free. This year they offered free coffee, which was perfect for the current cold weather we are experiencing.

Nice warm coffee for the cold day

I also got a tour through the museum

F.W. de Klerk

I was very surprised to see that F.W de Klerk was once a chancellor here at the university. Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk fought together to end Apartheid in South- Africa. I have great respect for this man, as well as for Mandela.

The only sad thing about the museum is that it is out dated, most of the history only goes up until 2003 and so many things has happened at the university since then. But all in all, it was very cool to see the museum again.

I think that more awareness should be raised about museums and it should be visited regularly, because it's always nice to find out the history of a place you love so much.

CANSA relay for life

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

Yesterday, we went to the annual CANSA Relay for life. This was my second relay of CANSA that I attended and it is always great fun!

This relay was to raise awareness about cancer and to raise money for CANSA to help cancer patients. A few years ago,, I detected a lump in my breast. It is a very scary thing to discover.
The lump is benign. But after the detection, I decided to support wherever I can.

They have been planning this event for months and we really enjoyed ourselves. At the starting line you buy a necklace and add a bead for every time you walked around the field.

There were also food stalls and health stalls next to the field to show you how to lower your risk to cancer. A friend and I, went to check our health...

I am almost 21 and my age in health is 21.1, so I am not that unhealty, except that I should learn more good habits in order to live a healthier life. Challenge accepted!

No smooching in public please!

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

In the past week, I have walked past numerous couples smooching each other on campus! Sies man!

Painting in our subway at university

Where is your self-respect and respect for others?
The whole campus does not want to see that you are dating. Also, people might think you're dying, because you are making such a big HOO-HA about parting with your lover. You are going to see them in an hour or so.

What I've also noticed is that these smoochers, usually have a friend tagging along. Again, SIES MAN! Consider your friend and that it is awkward to watch you guys smooch, while they have to wait for the parting to happen, so they can walk the rest of the journey with you.

Last week, I also bumped into two couples, who randomly stopped to smooch in front of me. Be considerate and step out of the way before smooching. You are not living in a world where it is only the two of you. People are walking here.

Maybe, I'm just jealous, because I have no one in my life, but I seriously think you should keep the smooching for the not so public places and that you should be considerate towards others and also have a little bit of self-respect to tell your better half to not eat your face off.

Go and read this article about How much display of affection is acceptable.

Blessed with the best

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

Today is Mother's day!

No "thank you" will ever be enough for everything that my mother has done for us. She is amazing and always puts us first. She taught me many life lessons and showed me how a woman should be treated. Nothing less than the best.

When looking in the dictionary and searching for the meaning of 'Mother', my mom's name will appear. Motherhood doesn't come with a manual, but I'd say my mom is the manual to motherhood!

Mom, thank you for everything that you have done for Mieka and me. No words will ever be able to describe my love and appreciation for you. Thank you for raising Mieka and me to the people we are today.

Hope you enjoy Mothersday! Wish I could be there to celebrate it with you!

Lots of love xx