Caution !

A lot seems to have changed in a very short amount of time... whether I've wanted it to.. or NOT!
I have moved back to Cape Town and in a drastic turn of events, I have found myself working at an old age home for those with dementia or any other kind of psych diagnosis really' varying from mild depression and anxiety to catatonic schizophrenia! (I didn't even know that actually existed)

In the short 7 weeks that I've been working here, some residents have arrived and then left again and some have told me they are ready to die (and they're still kicking) and a resident actually did pass away.

I have had countless conversations about absolute nonsense (due to the dementia), I have heard how many proud grandparents boast about their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren's success! I have played bingo with a 96 year old and I have been called Desire.. more than once ;)

I have witnessed frail old women defend their territory by poking anyone who comes into their bubble with their walking stick, I have witnessed a woman try to steal a massive potted plant (just picture it in your head) and I got to read a book compiled by one of my residents.

I have met doctors, teachers, stay at home mothers, accountants, a lady who makes jewelry, a woman who won prizes for her crafts and a man who flew fighter planes in WWII and managed to bomb the area where his daughter's future father-in-law was stationed as a soldier.

I have wiped away tears, held hands, I have told many jokes and been the but of a couple. I have given away more hugs than I care to admit and probably talk too much.

I have improved my knitting and beat a woman at scrabble who I think is the most intelligent woman I have ever met!

I get to play with our therapy pets, go on outings and a residents parrot now lets me stroke his head without trying to take my finger off.

I have learnt many lessons, but the one I'd like to share today is the one they tell me the most: Don't get old!

My job is also challenging, and some days I don't feel that I'm cut out for all the emotional trauma. But just writing this post has convinced me that I have already gained so much and stand to gain so much more if only I am always willing to give a bit of myself and am willing to persevere.

Being old is not determined by your age but rather what fuels your mind and heart.

photo credit: www.turbulenceahead.com

Highlights of 2012

Its SO important to take stock of our highlights!

1.       Because most of us complain a heck of a lot!

2.       Because lets be real.. who remembers the bad times???

3.       Because I believe that we don’t deserve any special treatment over anyone else so when cool stuff comes our way we should give thanks where thanks is due!

- 1^st January: I started the year off with a bang at the Ruins in St Francis bay with my best friend, some amazingly cool friends and every 16 year old male from the Eastern Cape (and possibly a few brave stragglers from Durbs)

- Dirk Ellis Junior: He drinks caramel vodka, has a house over-looking the ocean in Cape St. Francis and the most intelligent, adorable dog! On hot days he brought us suckers and sweets, at braais he brings freshly caught sashimi for starters and basically reminds you of bear grylls. Our friend Dirkie has really been a stalwart figure of this year that we really couldn’t have done without!

- Meeting the com serves. We’ve seen one another through various ups and downs but I really can’t say I would have picked a different group of girls. From birthdays to camping to random nights out at Dodgy’s.. I’ll have a hard time forgetting you all (:

- Trips to East London. OH MY HAT. What great fun! The discovery of Numbers Nightclub and their numerous LUMO parties also The Boys Next Door (Dave, Ali, John and Xavi) and the girls on the other side! Everytime I went up was such a special time and so worth the drive!

- Roadtrip to The Burra. Eish! WHYYY would that be a highlight??? The music of course ;) Newton Faulkner, Noah and the Whale, Miike Snow and Gotye’s “Somebody that I used to know” countless times on repeat. Ok but really, we drove through the Majestic Kei (which I’d never done before). The company was so good I couldn’t sleep at all and they let me play in the park at Wimpy. The roadtrip also meant some quality time with 2 of my best friends on Earth! How special?! (: That weekend we also managed to fit 10 people on a golf cart. BOOM!

- Another sure highlight was firstly winning tickets to see Two Door Cinema Club and then getting to go with my bestest, Ross and Bron. What a completely EPIC adventure and one of my favourite bands EVER!

- I completed the 2 Oceans in the pouring rain and spent a great few days in CT with friends and family.

- I got put under conscious sedation.. it was hilarious!

- Knysna!!! With the boys next door and Caits and Lys, Knysna with Jess Voss and her family, Knysna on route to CT with Jess Engelke and later with Elani. Knysna is just so NICE!

- A fat catch up and heart to heart with my favourite boy from Westville <3

- Tragus piercing and watching The Lucky One with Terri and Jess VB

- My Tattoos!

- St Francis with the Brombachers.. I fill in the dates on my calendar as soon as I get them. My other family and I just feel so  privileged to have met them!

- Every single familiar face I’ve seen out on com serve!

- Billabong Pro! :D

- Bonding with Neesh, Presh and Gen

- Going to see Switchfoot with so many of my amazing friends!

- Meeting Jon Foreman and his merry men at a braai in Jbay with more amazing friends

- Meeting Sean Starnes because he turned my com serve year around for the better!!

- Mozam with my amazing friends. My word! :D

- Thailand with amazing girls. Honest, couldn’t have asked for a better time!

- Wave/ surfer watching at Magnas

- Getting Rhino the hamster.. honestly that boy is such a clown but he makes my home even happier

- Seeing all my awesome friend’s faces stuck up in my lounge has made this flat my home!

- Falling asleep to the waves breaking on the shore

- Meeting Andrew Parkes. Honest, the boy is a legend and my LIFE is better off for having met him.

- Bonding with my momma

- Lemon & Fig coffee shop in PE! Thanks Jess Crankshaw

- Road trip to ADDO elephant park with the Aleph interns

- Serving at the Billabong junior pro

- Dancing like complete and utter randoms at our various spots

- Meeting The Party ;) and then being part of the discovery of their 2 newest members

- Kyle Maher's NPS number plate

- Sarah Murless, Sarah Van Rensburg, Jaclyn Neethling.
- Amy Maltby, her mom, rusks and her books!

- MUSIC. So Many New and GREAT bands!

- Dress up parties, photo shoots, good times, bonding with the interns <3

- SKYPE!!!!!!

- Completing my com serve (:

- New and Old friendships

- Countless lessons learnt

- So many blessings!

bring on 2013 (=