Parents: Angels in disguise

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

Everyone would always talk about their amazing parents, but I can truly say that my parents aren't like any other!

My amazing parents and me at the Holi Festival of Colours

Every single day, I get tears in my eyes, because I can never say thank you enough to these two angels, with the names of Mom and Dad. My appreciation can never be put into words.
Why are they so amazing?

Dad:

I met this fellow when I was 9 years old. From the beginning, he always took me into consideration even on their first date. He could've chosen a fancy restaurant, but instead he chose a family restaurant with jungle gyms, so I could tag along. He married my mom when I was 11 and became my wonderful father! LUCKY ME! He crept into our hearts with his good food and lame humor (much love, Dad!) He also gave me a beautiful sister! Yes, sometimes we can disagree and we are both stubborn, because we know what we want. But he has taught me what a real husband should be like and how a woman should be treated. He is always game to do fun stuff and he is adventurous! Just what my mother needed in her life. He is my blood. I don't care what my birth certificate says!

Mom:

Wow, what can I say? THANK YOU! You are the most amazing woman I know! You are strong willed, you do not let people mess with you, you are my role model. You are the dictionary definition of an amazing mother! I know now that you will literally do anything for me and Mieka. When I was younger, I didn't always see it, but as I'm getting older, I've seen it with my own eyes. You have taught me so many life lessons, but actions speak louder than words, and your actions literally shouted your words. You are my Power Woman. I am glad that we have a very strong bond and it only grew stronger since I started studying and for that I am grateful.

Thank you for being such great parents! You are really appreciated and I miss you every single day when I'm not with you! If I'm only half the parent (one day far, far from now), you are, then I'll already be great.

I LOVE YOU BOTH!

Feeling like an application form

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

Ah, the mysteries of 2015...

Autumn-the change of seasons just like 2015 will be to me

In previous blog posts I have written about my uncertainty about next year and here I am two months later and still clueless as ever. As a final year student, many important decisions have to made in this crucial time; decisions like am I going to do my honors, or another diploma, or am I going to start working. For the past two weeks I've been filling out so much forms and applications, I'm starting to feel like one, no jokes.

I imagine myself meeting someone and I'll be like:
Me: "Student number?
Person: "Huh? Why?
Me: "Okay, person doesn't know... What is your title, initials and surname?
Person: "What? You wanna stalk me on Facebook already?"
Me: (Filling out the form in my head thinking: Initials are YWSMO and surname is Facebook)
       "What is your date of birth?"
Person: "Dude, I'm 21!" (Walks away, not knowing what just happened)

Yes, that is the extent of the Application Syndrome. Normal conversation has been forever ruined because of these life changing forms. These forms will determine the beginning of my working career, but not necessarily the end of it. It feels like very big decisions that I'm making. I might sound negative, but I'm actually very excited for the possibilities and I still have the perception that I can change the world with whatever choice I decide to make.

Today, I also heard that I got accepted at Flow Communications to shadow there in October. They are a very prestigious communication company and I am indeed a very lucky person! This will be a big step for me, because it will be great putting it on my CV, as well as the experience I'll be gaining will be priceless!

Signed on the 27th day of August
Signature of student:
AKOosthuizen

Being COLOURFUL at the Holi Festival of Colours

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

Since June, I've been excited about this festival, because all the previous times that there were colour fests like these I was not able to go. But then the REAL DEAL came along and I was able to go!

Paint being thrown in the air

Thrown with colours by the photo bomber

The parents and me

It was really a fun day and it really was worth the money, because the whole day there were DJ's rocking the fest and there were great food stalls (Always a bonus for me).

We had an amazing DJ line-up:
DJ FRESH
PASCAL & PEARCE
MARK STENT
ROYAL K
LADY LEA
VIN GROOVIN
NICK ESSENTIAL
HOUSESHAKER
OZZY FUNK
KEREN ONAY
WILSON FURY

DJ Fresh and Pascal and Pearce, really delivered and they got the whole crowd singing and dancing! But later on, it got super cold and our flimsy jackets and jerseys was no comparisons to the wind.
But non the less we had a lovely time. So, if the Colour Festival is coming your way, make sure to get your tickets, because you will have a blast! This is a bucket-list event...

A little Monday inspiration

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

So, it's always hard to get a Monday started. Then I saw these quotes and it motivated me to get studying and get writing! Hope it helps you as well!

Have a lovely Monday and try to make the best of it!

Soapbox: Have you ever known fear?

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

Have you ever woken up several times per night in cold sweat? Having dreams of being killed by the one person you feared most?

Why is Millenium Lady on her soapbox again? Because August is the month of Women Rights. Yes, this is a huge issue and a very relevant campaign that is creating awareness about women all over the world, who do not have rights or their rights aren't respected.

This was me a few years ago, when my biological dad was still present in my life. I knew how to walk on egg shells, just to not start a fight. Just to keep the peace. Just to remain in one piece. I was between 12 and 15 years old when I already knew these skills. Sad for a young teen to live a life like this. December the 6th, 2008, was the day when I said enough...

But this is the hard and cold reality. Domestic violence exists! Emotional manipulation exists! Verbal and physical abuse exists!

Marinda and me

This photo was taken at the age of two or three. We have been friends for literally our WHOLE lives. Our dads had the same personality... The verbal and emotional abuse was always a factor. Did we know it at the time? NO! We were still children, just trying to have a normal childhood.

I remember how I constantly lived in fear when visiting my dad every other weekend and everyday after school. Always wondering when the next fight will be, what it will be about and how bad will the fight be.

As a child, you always believe that your parents are perfect and you are the princess, but then you realize it was an illusion. That first time your biological father pulls out the gun, that first time he hits you, that first time when he grabs your stepmother around the neck... Yes, that is when you realize it was just an illusion. Your parents are just people. Normal and sometimes crazy.

But abuse is not okay! Whether it is verbal, emotional or physical... Never will it be okay! Not from a beggar, parent or the fucking king! Never! But YOU have to stand up. YOU have to say ENOUGH! The situation won't change unless YOU change it. The person won't ever change. A leopard never changes its spots.

My heart goes out to everyone stuck in a situation like this, but YOU have to do something! YOU HAVE TO! We as women have rights and we should use them.

Previous posts on the subject:

Soapbox about abuse and relationships
What is abuse?

It is not normal to live in fear. It is not normal to wake up in cold sweat. The normal life should be where you are excited to spend time with your family. Where there is only love and happiness. Where abuse is only a rumor and things you read about in history books.

Women's rights in the month of August

By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen

So if you haven't noticed, the month of August has crept up on us like a mouse wearing socks. Only four months 'til the end of the year... scary thought. But the month of August has a great significance to me and many other women around the world. It is the month of Women Rights.
On the 9th, we have Women's Day and is a public holiday.
On the 9th of August, 1956, women marched for their rights here in South-Africa. They marched to gain their right to vote, to be considered equal. Now, if you think all women are considered as equal, please watch this video:

The video of a Saudi Arabian woman, who does not have 'Women Rights'. Please note the video is graphic and can be offensive to sensitive viewers.

At the end of the video she pleas for help. For her. For other women. Because it can't go on like this! Women need to be seen as people and not as property, who you can beat up as you please. NO! We are equal in each and every way to a man.

Yes, I am a feminist and I will be one until everyone has equal rights and are seen as equal! Then I will be a normal woman, but for now I am a feminist.

Women should unite. Help one another when you know something is wrong. We are strong! Stronger than you can imagine.

I know about abuse, because I was also subjected to it by my biological father. I know how it feels to be powerless and to be afraid for your own life. But the responsibility of the extent of the abuse, does not only lie with the abuser, but with you and how much you will allow until you say: ENOUGH!

Previous blog posts about abuse and tips on how to handle it:

• Soapbox about abuse and relationships
• What is abuse?

A woman's rights doesn't end in August, it should be everlasting. Women should help one another and unite. Help a friend out if you see them struggling and be a shoulder to cry on.