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Today was my last day as an events manager. Although I am super excited and happy to be taking on the new challenges with my new job, I was a little sad to be saying goodbye to the people I’ve worked so closely with over the past few years.
I was presented with this gorgeous bouquet of flowers and a goodbye card this afternoon. And the hugs and goodbyes when I left finally made me feel appreciated…
So…farewell. Thank you for all the experiences and memories we’ve shared. I wish each one of you the best of luck in your professional and personal future.
Hugs & Kisses
Jessica Giggles
…and I’m a nervous wreck with an over-active imagination!
My mom will meet Gary’s parents for the first time tonight and I’m so nervous that they won’t get along or find things in common. I’m worried that there’ll be a very awkward silence while we’re around the dinner table. And I’m worried that I’ll have to resort to wine* to calm my fears. I’m sure things won’t be that bad though… *Holding thumbs and crossing fingers*
On a lighter and much less worried note… Gary joked with his parents yesterday saying that he’ll have to give them a manual on what the correct etiquette is when dining with a baroness**. And for a second they thought he was serious…
Hopefully tonight will kick my fears in their butts, and have the parentals laughing and chatting until I have to drag my mom home…
Hugs & Kisses
Jessica Giggles
*Anyone that knows me well, knows that I can’t handle alcohol. I’m such a cheap date that I’m plastered after just one sip!
**My mom is a baroness and I so wish the title could be handed down to me.
Note: My mom lives and works in Abu Dhabi so I wanted to organise for her to meet Gary’s parents while she was out here for my niece’s birth, else she’d end up meeting them for the first time at the wedding! My dad and step-mom have not yet met Gary’s parents since they also live in Johannesburg and there isn’t any rush. I think I’ll be even more nervous when their time comes to meet…
Ever since I started driving I have never let my car run out of petrol. Probably because I have a fear of being stuck on the side of the road with no one able to come to my aid. And because I’m super organised and efficient, I fill up as soon as it’s only a quarter full.
I have being going steady and strong with my little Bullet for over two years now. And still I have no idea how far I can go once my petrol light comes on. I’ve looked it up in the manual, but there is no mention of anything in there… I’ve searched online and haven’t really found something concrete… I even asked Twitter, but got a few different responses.
I fear I may have to drive around a petrol station to clock up the KMs this afternoon so I don’t have to worry about being stuck on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere far away from the nearest petrol station…
So! Does anyone know how far I can drive on my reserve tank in a T1 Yaris?
Hugs & Kisses
Jessica Giggles
I have seen Being Brazen post this many a time and I thought I’d give it a bash…
1. I can stare at a sleeping baby for a long time. It’s like staring at a fire and not being able to take your eyes away.
2. I am an eight-hours-of-sleep kinda gal. And I will take an afternoon nap when I can.
3. I am really looking forward to starting my new job on Thursday.
4. I have been a really bad friend and need to organise catch-up sessions soon.
5. I will miss some people from my current company.
6. Some cuddling and kisses in the morning can put all my fears and jealousies at bay.
7. Coffee is not that bad as long as it’s milky and sweet.
8. My doglets are still cute even if they’re naughty.
9. I can be too bossy for my own good.
10. The best way to spend a weekend is falling in love with a new baby girl, and cuddling on the couch watching series.
This week will be filled with bittersweet moments…
The happy moments will be seeing my mom again (she lives in Abu Dhabi so I don’t get to see her often), meeting my sister’s little one for the first time, and starting my new job at the beginning of April.
The sad and teary moments will be spent with my grandfather.
He has been in hospital for over six weeks. He was first admitted with a collapsed lung. A few weeks ago he found himself in the CCU (Coronary Care Unit). And last week he had to be put on a dialysis machine for a few hours a day as his kidneys were failing. When I saw him last Thursday he was weak, pale, and was slipping in and out of consciousness. I also had to keep reminding him of what time, day or date it was. (Note: the CCU is -1 level at Milpark. You cannot see the sky to see if it’s day or night. You cannot see a clock to tell if it’s morning or evening. And there are no calendars. The ugly fluorescent lights are always on. And when there is no-one visiting, you’re all alone. Things happen minute by minute, day by day.)
My dad called yesterday afternoon to let me know that he and my aunt had decided that it was time to take my grandfather off all artificial life saving equipment, remove all the tubes and monitors, and get him discharged from hospital. He will be taken home this afternoon, put on oxygen and have round-the-clock care from nursing staff. He will now be able to tell when it’s morning or afternoon. He’ll be reminded of the day and date with a calendar beside his bed. He’ll be able to keep track of the days and nights that pass. The decision to move him home was made so that he can feel more at peace when the time comes to leave this world – so he can pass away graciously without all the tubes and beeping machines and awful hospital smells.
I have a gut feeling that his time will come just as my sister brings her little one into this world…
I hope that if he is to survive this, that he is given the strength to fight. And if he is meant to go into the arms of my grandmother, that he is taken quickly and painlessly.
My dad has organised for communion to be brought and given tomorrow morning, so please send your hugs and kisses and keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you to everyone who entered my competition post.
And now to the exciting part… The part you’re all waiting to read!
Drum roll please…
Because you’re all wonderful… And because you all posted the correct answers… I am making everyone who entered a winner!
Woohoo! Yipeee! Whoop whoop!
Congratulations to Angel, blackhuff, Jeanette, Glugster and CraigN.
Hope to hear all about your time at Zebula Lodge!
I saw this on @SproutsMom’s blog and thought I would give it a go too…
The idea is to look at this list of 99 things you could have done, and bold the ones that you actually have done!
1.) Started your own blog
2.) Slept under the stars
3.) Played in a band
4.) Visited Hawaii
5.) Watched a meteor shower
6.) Given more than you can afford to charity
7.) Been to Disney World
8.) Climbed a mountain
9.) Held a praying mantis
10.) Sang a solo
11.) Bungee jumped
12.) Visited Paris
13.) Watched a lightning storm
14.) Taught yourself an art from scratch
15.) Adopted a child
16.) Had food poisoning
17.) Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18.) Grown your own veggies
19.) Seen the Mona Lisa at the Louvre
20.) Slept on an overnight train
21.) Had a pillowfight
22.) Hitch hiked
23.) Taken a sick day when you’re not sick
24.) Made a snow fort
25.) Held a lamb
26.) Ran a marathon
27.) Went skinny dipping
28.) Rode in a gondola in Venice
29.) Witnessed a total eclipse
30.) Seen a sunrise or sunset
31.) Hit a home run
32.) Been on a cruise
33.) Seen Niagara Falls in person
34.) Visited the birthplace/home of your ancestors
35.) Seen an Amish country
36.) Taught yourself a new language
37.) Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38.) Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39.) Gone rock climbing
40.) Seen Michelangelo’s David in person
41.) Sung karaoke
42.) Seen Old Faithful erupt
43.) Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44.) Visited Africa
45.) Walked on a beach by moonlight
46.) Taken a ride in an ambulance
47.) Had your portrait painted
48.) Gone deep sea fishing
49.) Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower
50.) Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
51.) Kissed in the rain
52.) Played in the mud
53.) Gone to a drive-in theater
54.) Been in a movie
55.) Visited the Great Wall of China
56.) Started a business
57.) Taken a martial arts class
58.) Visited Russia
59.) Worked at a soup kitchen
60.) Sold Girl Scout cookies
61.) Gone whale watching
62.) Gotten flowers for no reason
63.) Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
64.) Gone sky diving
65.) Visited Nazi concentration camp
66.) Bounced a check
67.) Flown in a helicopter
68.) Saved a childhood toy
69.) Visited the Lincoln Memorial
70.) Eaten caviar
71.) Pieced a quilt
72.) Stood in Times Square
73.) Toured the Everglades
74.) Been fired from a job
75.) Seen the changing of the guards in London
76.) Broken a bone
77.) Been a passenger on a motorcycle
78.) Seen the Grand Canyon in person
79.) Published a book
80.) Visited the Vatican
81.) Bought a brand new car
82.) Visited Jerusalem
83.) Had your picture in the paper
84.) Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
85.) Visited the White House
86.) Killed and prepared an animal for eating
87.) Had chickenpox
88.) Saved someone’s life
89.) Sat on a jury
90.) Met someone famous
91.) Joined a book club
92.) Got a tattoo
93.) Had a baby
94.) Seen the Alamo in person
95.) Swam in the Great Salt Lake
96.) Been involved in a law suit
97.) Owned a cell phone
98.) Been stung by a bee
99.) Swam in the Black Sea
42 out of 99… not too bad…
Everyone loves a competition! And since I was given a voucher from Zebula Lodge, I’ve decided to give it away to one of you, my loyal friends and readers.
Up for grabs is a chance to spend your discount voucher on accommodation, activities, spa treatments or meals and drinks at Zebula.
How to Enter
1. Answer the easy question below via the comments section
2. For an extra entry, you can write a blog post about why you think you should win this prize (linking back here of course so I can track things)
Ts & Cs
The draw will take place on Tuesday 23 March 2010
This competition is open to anyone in the Johannesburg/Pretoria region as I’ll need to deliver the voucher to you
This voucher can be used for a 30% discount during the week or a 20% discount over a weekend at Zebula Lodge
This voucher is valid until Monday 31 May 2010
Question
What star rating has Zebula Lodge received?
(Clue: Have a look at the bottom of their home page)
Good Luck!
Hugs & Kisses
Jessica Giggles
*Pictures taken from the Zebula Lodge website
Time is rushing by and so my countdown begins… 
1. There are 4 days until the first long weekend of the year
Since Human Rights Day is on Sunday, the public holiday falls on Monday. I’m super excited for this long weekend, and had I not had to work on Saturday evening, I probably would have organised a weekend away.
2. There are 10 days until my mom arrives from Abu Dhabi
3. There are 11 days until my sister’s little one is born
My mom is arriving the day before my sister is being admitted to hospital for her little one’s birth, and sadly she’ll only be here for a week. I am so excited to see my mom since I don’t get to see her often. And so excited to meet my niece/nephew for the first time!
4. There are 17 days until I start my new job
I am so nervous and excited for this! Nervous to meet the staff but excited for the challenge.
5. There are 40 days until my brother and his wife arrive
They are coming out for my sister-in-law’s sister’s wedding. They have been living in Australia since October 2008 and will be moving home (to Johannesburg South Africa) at the end of this year. Excitement! The last time I saw them was at the beginning of last year so I am really excited for their visit.
What are you counting down to?
Hugs & Kisses
Jessica Giggles
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