Happy Helpers

Oh look, mom’s tidying up, let’s play that fun game – The Roll Around Outside and Bring As Much Sand and Grass Into the House As We Can game.

Living in a Threatened World

In the time it took me to have a cup of coffee, I had responded to an animal rescue post, pleading to adopt a dog that I haven’t even discussed with Rob yet.

I also came across a post about a boy who was abducted in Australia that chilled every fibre of my being.  There is so much wrong with this world. Children, women, animals, the oceans, all under attack.  Last night my nephew was lucky to escape an incident.

I keep coming across loads of posts about, crime and corruption and the general uncertainty of so many South Africans, and these totally match what I have been feeling. South Africans have endured much in the past, but through it all, I always was so certain about the future of this country, my home. The difference now is this overall feeling of hopelessness.  About the world in general.

I’m trying hard to remain hopeful.

High On A Happy Vibe :)

I came across this post yesterday and was describing it to the kids this morning.
Me: “Do you guys know what zen is?”
Kids: “No.”
I was quite surprised “Zen! Like when you are in a good space and feeling generally happy. Zen.”
She replies in a confused tone “Then why do they call it ‘zen’ophobia?”

How Can We Help You?

So I got a call from a Bleep Bank agent today. It was quite an interruption as I was in the middle of something.
The consultant speaks very clearly and slowly in that ‘we are being recorded’ kind of voice. She wants to ‘share with me’ (code for ‘take up my time’), info on a new benefit.
At first I was annoyed, then suddenly thought, awesome! I needed to go into Bleep Bank to enquire about the incredibly high charges on my account, perhaps she could help me telephonically and save me the schlep. So I tried to strike up a deal with her.

The conversation went something like this:
Me: ‘I am actually so glad that you called, I need to get to a branch to resolve a couple of issues. If you can save me the time and help me with my queries, then I will be happy to spend the time chatting to you.’
Her: ‘Er, well I’m actually from an insurance division so not sure that I can help you.’
Me: ‘Isn’t Bleep Bank all about ‘How can we help you?’ Why not get someone who can help me, to contact me.’
Her: ‘Er, thank you for your time.’

How can you help me?!
First off, respect my time.
Listen to what I need before you try to sell me what you think I need.
Go the extra mile. Listen to my issue, decide who would need to handle this, take my number and get them to call me back.

Home Sweet Home

After over a month of holiday camp, I have the house to myself.
It has been a really busy time at The Centre and as home becomes part camp during the holidays, I am loving the p&q. I am also looking forward to getting in some much needed time on the mat.
And, I even got to blog! First time this year!!!
Still, I am looking forward to doing it all again in June (the camp not the blogging).
We have had such amazing children on camp and walking past the labyrinth they made always makes me smile. Thank you parents for all the incredible feedback and we are looking forward to seeing everyone soon.

Happy Thanksgiving

During the Festive season one of my final children’s yoga lessons is an end of year celebration of each other’s different customs and beliefs. We discuss each other’s different traditions and the various holidays and celebrations at this tme of the year. And we celebrate those individual differences.
My favourite year end holiday is Thanksgiving. I’m amazed at how Halloween has gained such popularity. Of all the American holidays we choose to celebrate, how come Thanksgiving is not high up on the list?! I always start and end off the year with a lesson on Gratitude. At the beginning of the year, I always ask the younger groups – What is Gratitude? One grade 2 threw up his and said: “It’s like, when you do something wrong and your mom is shouting at you and tells you ‘don’t give me that gratitude’.” Too funny.

Oxymoron

Yesterday was a super busy day, not at all a day of rest. With exams starting and the holiday camp coming up, there is so much to get done. Felt good to get so much done. I even updated the kids books. I’ve been meaning to get to them in such a long time, but keep postponing that to do and the scrap bits of jotted down funnies at my desk and the notes saved on my phone had blossomed into a to do list all their own. They are growing up so fast and are at such an awesome age, it was fun to go through all the sweet memories.
My favourite funny for the month: Rafael had a science project for school so we made an amorphous solid – a solid that doesn’t hold it’s shape. I said, that’s an oxymoron and they asked what an oxymoron was. I explained and gave the example ‘bittersweet’. Raquel says, ‘Oh I know, like clever boy!’

It Is On!:))

Yep, Silly Season is definitily here and there is such a charged energy in Joburg. I am excited for the next couple of weeks and with our upcoming holiday programme, also super silly busy.
I hadn’t blogged in so long, I just about forgot my password and it wasn’t in my password book. Yes, I have a book. I have so many passwords and codes and pins that I just cannot remember them all. Luckily I remembered this one first time.
It seems that most people are at full speed. There is so much happening and so much to get done before that well deserved upcoming break. I have loads of students sending me ‘bunking class tonight’smses. Everyone is just so busy and we tend to then put everyone before ourselves and our yoga practice falls by the wayside. Last week was so jam packed, I also couldn’t attend classes. This week is proving the same and it is so tempting to use class time for other pressing tasks. But when you don’t have the time or energy for a class is exactly when you really do need some yoga. Pranayama Class this morning was just perfect. Just what I needed to catch my breath. Thank you Carla. Feels good to be back on track.

Bright Sunshiny Day

We received a newsletter from Eskom the other day, ironically titled ‘Connect’, letting us know that we would have no electricity today. My first thought was caffeine. Not doing too badly so far, embracing my electricity free day – spring cleaning my study and drinking lots of water. And what happened to spring? We seem to have jumped straight into summer and the silly season. The other day I actually saw chocolates on sale, all festively packaged! Really? Christmas stuff? In September? Loving the sunny days though, and with renewed energy I say, silly season? Bring it on 🙂 Happy summer everyone.

Riding the Wave

I’ve been hit by an IT wave! And not in a good way. It is a crashing type of wave. I am having such data issues with Cell C. And the worst is that their company policy is to not give out email addresses for Managers. Really? You mess up and then I can’t even let you know about it. I waste my MTN airtime speaking to a ton of consultants, each time repeating my complaint, and each time getting fobbed off. And you hide behind a company policy. Nice one Cell C, perhaps you should revisit your status as a ‘service provider’.
And now my computer has died! It would seem I got it to the technician just on its last breath. I rattled off a list of issues my machine was having while we waited for it to start up. He remarked that it was taking a quite while to start. Apparently three minutes is cause for concern. It is slow but it gives me time to go make coffee. It always starts up, it just needs a little time. Well, not anymore.
Like a scene from a movie, ‘Doctor, my puppy!…’ Gigabyte takes one last breath, then dies on the vet’s table.