Bucket list: 100 things to do before I die

1. Paraglide along the west coast
2. Track mountain gorillas in Uganda
3. Sky dive - tandem of course
4. Go shark caging diving
5. Go river rafting
6. Get married - and have the big white wedding
7. Have a family
8. Grow in faith – and be a good Christian
9. Hot air balloon over the Maasai Mara in Kenya
10. Pony trekking in Lesotho
11. Go back to Mozambique for a holiday
12. Microlight over Victoria Falls
13. Soak in the Wikki Warm Springs – Nigeria
14. Travel back to Venice: take a Gondola ride and buy a glass ring – the one I bought fell and broke :-(
15. Stroll through the Roman ruins of Leptis Magna – 130 km east of Tripoli
16. Visit the Kruger National Park
17. Bungy jump again but this time actually jump off as opposed to someone pushing me
18. Learn to surf, more importantly to be able to stand up on the board
19. Learn sign language
20. Learn photography
21. Work one summer at a soup kitchen for the homeless
22. Learn to be more patient
23. Take a road trip and not know the destination
24. Go on holiday and not over pack as I always do
25. Be debt free – not that I have debt now
26. Donate blood on regular moment
27. Take a cruise holiday – destination does not really matter
28. Go to the Maldives and stay in a water villa (house built on stilts in the lagoon).
29. Go to Egypt and explore the pyramids
30. Be able to drive and not get road rage at the stupid people on the roads
31. Be able to stand in front of a crowd and Karaoke like no ones listening
32. Learn to ice skate
33. Be able to go to my dad’s grave and not be sad but rather at peace
34. Learn a new language
35. Blow a month’s salary on shoes/clothes and items for the house
36. Visit the churches of Lalibela – Ethiopia
37. Learn to be quiet and meditate
38. Realise that there is no such thing as PMS and that its just my personality
39. Swim with a dolphin
40. Have an invisible friend
41. Go watch a ballet or opera show at a theatre
42. Make a snow angel in real thick snow
43. Go to India and ride an elephant
44. Visit Greece
45. Write my will
46. Go to Thailand
47. Shop in Bangkok
48. Tell my loved ones that I love them – while I still can
49. Spend the night talking with my husband and watch the sun rise
50. Go to Zanzibar
51. Build a tree house – its for the kids of course
52. Flash an officer of the Law
53. Win the lotto and tell my boss to take a hike – must be dramatic and creative resignation (like in the movies)
54. Learn to cook
55. Go on an African safari
56. Walk the great wall of China
57. Learn to master the art of eating with chop sticks
58. Be a great mom (if I ever do embark on that journey)
59. Learn to make sushi
60. Save enough to make provision for the loved ones I leave behind
61. Learn to play a musical instrument - maybe the harp
62. Touch a snake or let one hang over my shoulders
63. Give to various charities
64. Not care about my weight or the occasional muffin top
65. Have a professional photo shoot done
66. Shop antiques and tasseled fezzes in Fes
67. Learn to drive a motor bike
68. Go to Jamaica – perhaps even retire there!
69. Learn to garden
70. Set off a fire alarm at work and hope that someone doesn't catch me
71. Attend an Oprah show – the Christmas Show!!!
72. Stay out all night dancing and go straight to work the following day
73. Cut my hair into an outrageous hairstyle
74. Purchase my first pair of Manolo Blahnik or Jimmy Choo shoes – break the bank.
75. Go to a wedding and wrestle to catch the bride's bouquets
76. Make my first million
77. Have a happy fulfilling marriage – more importantly, just have ONE marriage and not succumb to the divorce rate
78. Do a job that I love and am passionate about
79. Learn to take a compliment
80. Learn to take criticism
81. Fall deeply in love - helplessly and unconditionally
82. Ask for a raise
83. Shower under a waterfall
84. Experience a white Christmas
85. Look at my family from a distance and realise what a great job I have done
86. Make my own wine – stomping it and "the whole 9 yards"
87. Buy a house and make it a home
88. Overcome a fear
89. Learn to keep in touch with friends and family
90. Become a Sunday school teacher
91. Pitch a tent in my backyard and camp the night under the stars with my kids
92. Send my mom red roses on her birthday and Valentines Day to let her know how much she is loved
93. Stick to my New Year’s resolutions
94. Give ten percent of my income to the church
95. Go to a place where nobody knows me and pretend to be a completely different person – like a millionaire or a doctor
96. Learn to DJ
97. Be a non-smoker
98. Crash a high school party in my 50s
99. Be active and in good health
100. Be an organ donor - to help someone else

Bonus...

101. Be happy and content that I lived a fulfilling life with no regrets

Fantabulous is an understatement

Life can be quite a daunting thing…prices are always going up, work and family life is demanding, the unexpected curve balls of life which seem to happen all at once make it hard to sit back and enjoy the little pleasures in life. That’s why when my boyfriend surprised me with tickets to go see Madame Zingara I was over the moon.

I was dying to see the show; I heard numerous excellent reviews about the show and was sure to whisper them in my boyfriend’s ear. The initial reaction was that tickets are quite expensive but if he wants to spoil me…who am I to say no.

You walk through the demarcated area, noting each and every piece of décor carefully selected to transform you on the Love Magic Show. What was so amazing about the show was that you were constantly entertained from the moment you walked through those doors, there was no curtain to showcase the start and end but rather from the moment you entered performers where interacting amongst the crowd.

The costumes were elaborate, it made you want to buy a feather bower to feel part of. The characters of the performers were beyond entertaining and their performances were jaw-dropping. Characters ranged from a woman on stilts, a midget who had the bubbly personality bigger than any I have ever seen, a clumsy magician, a dark angel, Russian acrobats, beautiful woman displaying art bound to make your heart skip a beat, a soulful rapper, contortionists, a woman who took a childhood playtime, holla-hoops, to another level and three voluptuous singers who had us linger on every note. Be careful though, if you see a large woman flirting with you…don’t’ be fooled…that is actually a man – you have been warned. I think the act that sent shivers down my spin was a couple, who managed to perform with roller skates whilst doing flips, dips and swings.

Now many of you may think that the tickets are overpriced, after the show, I beg to differ. With riveting entertainment to keep you enthralled in the show and scrumptious food throughout…what more could you wish for. The show provides a four course meals which is pure taste bud perfection. You receive a free non-alcoholic Motjio As you may know, the show is famous for their choc chilli steaks…I now understand why. This unusual combination is utterly delectable…the steak is so soft it melts in your mouth. If you are looking to be mesmerized, I highly recommend this meal to anyone going to the show. If steak is not your thing…trying their Thai curry or their generous portion of Lamb Shank.

One of the things that struck me was that the food was served perfect and on time. How often does that happen in a restaurant?! There were hundreds of people seated at round tables yet the service was spectacular – 5 gold stars. Staff was dressed to the T in the theme, friendly yet professional and highly efficient.

I left the show not wanting it to end, entertained beyond my wildest dreams and my stomach satisfied from all the mouthwatering food. We were unable to take photographs of the extravagant performances but take it from me it was impressive. Perhaps it’s a good thing that photographs were not permitted so that you can go and experience this show for yourself. Taking someone to see this show is the ultimate gift, so grab and friend, colleague or loved one and make your booking to see this unforgettable show.

To the Madame Zingara Love Magic Show…the show was magical, extravagant and worth EVERY penny. I can’t wait to see the show again on your next tour!

Love at 50 something

I have come across various people in life….different cultures, religious backgrounds, status and race etc. Some of them just cross my path with no real meaning or impression left. Then there are the few that makes me sit back and take a few minutes out of my life to reflect.

This is the case with one of our volunteers who helps us on a regular basis - let’s call her Gloria. She straight off is a remarkable woman; she is in her mid fifties and she speaks about 4 different languages. Is originally from Germany but relocated to Namibia before coming to the Mother City. She has traveled the world and has had a book store in the family for generations. She never watches television yet her knowledge on life around her is outstanding. When she speaks you, you linger on her every word.

Gloria is nothing short of amazing; she has blown the lid on child abuse and survived her late husband taking his life after enduring a long and painful battle with Cancer. She later discovered she had Cancer and moved back with her parents whilst receiving chemo treatment. She told me about her struggle with Cancer…how the worst part was others seeing her slowly die. Despite it all, she has survived.

She now embarks on a new journey of love, which seems to be a scary and uncertain path. She tells me how her first kiss with her new love interest feels natural – this said as she squirms like a little girl. I enjoy watching her blush and burst to tell me new developments on the blossoming of their love.

How the first experiences feel as though she had never done it before. How to be sharing a house with a man after so many years of solitude feels like a brand new experience. We have many long talks about his 3 children and their discovery and acceptance of their relationship. Not forgetting his horrid ex-wife we call the ‘Rottwieler’. She is beyond entertaining as she mentions how she would go ‘Jungle-Jane’ if the Rottweiler stepped out of place.

She mentions how at the fifties they are all of a sudden young at heart and playful as he does the Charlie Chaplin and she laughs the night away. She recalls the evening where she drew a heart with her lipstick on his car mirror and how hard she found it not to tell him it was her who did it. Listening to her is the kind of thing that makes your heart warm and smile at how delightful life can turn out. How amazing it must feel to find love at their age and find another reason to live.

I ask whether she is at all weary of being hurt, or being left alone again. She casually replies that she has spent her life cautious and has died once before…now is the time to start living.

Is it better to be feared or loved?

When watching the Alice in Wonderland movie, one of the characters, the Red Queen, posed an important question which got me thinking…is it better to be feared or loved? In the movie the character tries hard to be loved by the kingdom but when betrayed she quickly changes to be a fear-driven queen.

These characteristics had me thinking as to which leaders are more effective in their ruling? There are many examples of leaders which have taken both sides of the fence. You have Nelson Mandela who proves to be an unselfish leader who fosters relationships based on love and sound governance. On the other side, a good example is Adolf Hitler or better yet, let’s keeps it local, Robert Mugabe. These leaders fostered a following based fear and hardship.

How often is it that you come across a work environment whereby, the manager is adored and respected – not too often. I think a contributing factor is due to the fact that mangers have the unfortunate of disciplining staff. Would it then be a factor in which the success of the leader is dependent on? Is it possible that if the people in question are good that it is possible to have a loving superior?

While Hitler may have been a cruel leader, he got results. In today’s world, his governance may have been out of line as we attempt to become more civilized human beings. One thing is for sure, I am glad I come from a democratic ruling where there is freedom of speech …even if the people at the top do very little about it.