Tails’ Blography

So unfortunately, (or is it fortunately), I dont have any photos from New Years Eve itself, but rest assured a great time was had by all!

We were invited out to the Misverstand Dam by a Warwick, a friend of the bf’s, and we happily agreed to go! Its a holiday resort with, well, a huge dam where people can waterski/wakeboard/swim/fish/etc. The last time I was there was around 9 years ago so I was keen to go back and see what had changed.

The evening was started with a “Booze Cruise” in our hosts’ speedboat, where we anchored few km’s out into the river. After being joined by two other boats and tying them together, we were ready to bring out the booze and chill. Most of the time was spent bobbing about in the river with our lifejackets being worn as nappies which enabled us to sit comfortably with our drinks in hand whilst floating about. I’m sure we all looked rather silly, but it was great fun!
After about an hour or two, we headed back, had a braai and got ready for the party ahead, which was a little rougher than I thought haha! My poor bf got two drinks spilt on him whilst we were inside dancing, so we ended up hanging out outside the place with a bunch of other people. Drinks were flowing and being passed around and thankfully I actually didnt get drunk! My drinks for the evening were as follows: 3x glasses of Graham Beck Blanc de Blanc Brut Champagne (though I may be incorrect about which champagne exactly – its the only label that looked familiar now), numerous swigs of champagne from the bottles being passed around (by people I knew, not just anyone haha), 1x SoCo & Lime, 3x Redds, 1x Jagermeister, 3x Jagerbombs (Jagermeister & Red Bull), swigs of tequila from a bottle being passed around, swigs of Po10cy (a caffine-fueled alcholic shooter), and a swig or two of a double brandy and creme soda.

Ended up going to bed at around 2am and woke up at around 9.30ish and had a fantastic breakfast of bacon and eggs! Then got ready to take the bf out to learn how to wakeboard!! Warwick graciously taught the bf to wakeboard, and by his 3rd try he was up!! Albeit for about 3 seconds hehe but on the 5th time he had an awesome ride of a good minute or few, which sounds short, but really isnt while you’re out there – I was so proud of him! He eventually tired and let go by choice, sinking graciously into the water, giving me a nice photo op! Then we headed home to laze about for the rest of the day. Another quieter booze cruise followed later that afternoon, where I took my camera along and got some scenic photos. We left promptly afterwards as the sun was setting and the drive back home was a long one, and got home at around 9.30pm. My bed never looked so good before! Hehe.

So, I hope you saw in the new year in a great way, and may the best of last year be the worst of this year!

The view from our place

The bf learning to wakeboard

Comfortably going on his 5th try!

Chillaxing

Yes, I was there too ;P

Our host, Warwick, going Titanic-style

So the bf and I are back from holiday in PE, and are feeling nice and relaxed. PE was great, filled with lots of great people and even better food! I even thought I may have had to be rolled to the airport and checked in with the luggage haha!

The flight back was hair-raising though! As I mentioned before, I get airsick, but this time I was fine, other than being scared witless with all the turbulance haha. Unlike my other plane trips, this time I was semi at the back. Right on the back of the wing, actually, and people even yelled when the plane lifted us all out of our seats for a brief second. I can giggle about it now, but wow was I nervous in-flight. Hehe.

We were picked up from the airport by my mom, and Christmas promptly resumed back at my parents’ place where we all exchanged gifts (we like to wait for both parties to be present -no pun intended- before opening each other’s gifts). I was thoroughly spoilt by all members of my family, and hope they liked their gifts as much as I liked mine. I was extra pleased with the bf’s gift of handmade sheepskin slippers, which he said he had to have especially made for me in my size, since they were out of stock until next year. The shoemaker kindly offered this service and I’m very thankful to him. They’re uber soft and keep my feet really warm!

During my trip I also took some family photos of the future extended family as well as some pet photos, so look out for them soon. I’m really happy with them!

The bf’s niece is also coming for in impromptu holiday to Cape Town She’s very excited, as are we, as she was last in CT about 7 yrs ago. It’ll be nice to take her around and maybe sneak her into a club or summing Debbie, if you’re reading this, just kidding!! Also will be doing a photoshoot of her which her uncle and I gave her for Christmas, which will be fun!

Ok, on that note, over and out!

So on Sunday my bf and I left for our holiday in Port Elizabeth (PE). We take turns spending Christmas with each other’s family and this year it’s his Christmas with his family. We flew up, which is always fun, though I have to ashamedly admit, I get airsick. There’s just something comforting about the rumble of tar under car wheels that an aeroplane just doesnt have. I’m fine with take-off and landing, though I’m still not 100% used to it (apparently I pull funny faces during each of these events, but I dont believe that haha), its the turning in-air that gets me. Gag!

Weather has been pretty good. Did some light swimming yesterday, but by the evening the wind had picked up (about the only time I’ve seen PE live up to its name of “The Windy City”) and then it rained for the rest of the evening. Unfortunately I dont get to sleep in, as there appears to be a pack of rather bored dogs next door, who do nothing but sit and bark…starting at 7am!!! I dont even get up at that time for work!! Sigh. I like to sleep in on my holiday…is that too much to ask?!?

I’m looking forward to Christmas, though I’m missing my family and pets. Found some photos of Xeon on my cellphone and I got all choked up looking at them My old cronky. I really miss her.

Not much else to report, I’ll probably post again after Christmas, so may I take this time to wish my (however many) readers a very Happy Christmas! May the day be filled with family and friends, and may you be filled with festive spirit. God bless, everyone!

So on Sunday, Viia, her bf, his daughter, myself and my bf all went to Kirstenbosch for a picnic and to see the bonsai show. We got off to a very late start and while we meant to be there at around 12, ended up getting there and settled at 2! It was cloudy but warm, and of course, being right on the side of the mountain it drizzled slightly but all in all was fine.

Food was great and consisted of potato salad, hotdogs, a normal green salad, biscuits, wine, coffee & teas, and more wine. We sat, ate, went on a small walkabout with Viia’s bf’s daughter (she’s too cute!!!) and then we packed up and moved off to see the bonsais before it closed at 5.

There were quite a few of them, unfortunately there was a lot to carry for the picnic side of things, and with the weather being so dangerously close to rain I didnt take my camera with so no photos, but trust me there were some really nice ones! Even grape vine bonsais with little bunches of grapes, and even a pomegranite tree (one I’ve been considering as my own bonsai).

Turns out, this bonsai kai, Bishopsford Bonsai & Art Centre, offer a one-day intensive course and we all decided to do it! We took a form and are going to book this week. Cost is R385 per person, or R550 per couple. The couple price is less expensive because you only get one manual per couple, saving R110 which is the cost of the manual. Included in the cost is 1x manual (R110), 1 yr subsription to the kai (R195) and a tree and a pot to turn into a bonsai with their help (most likely a wild fig). So myself and my bf, my sister and her bf, and Viia and her bf will all be doing the course. Sounds like fun and I’m excited! I’ll keep y’all updated!

Ok so thats a pretty cheesy title haha. But its feels like forever since I last blogged. A find myself thinking a few times in the week about something I’d like to blog about, but then realise there are a backlog of things I’d like to blog about, and so on and so forth…in the end I keep procrastinating.

But enough of my inadequacies, the latest news is that I’m done with my move. I’m out of our old flat, and I actually miss it. It was nice and cosy, and I adored the paint colour (since I painted it only four months before moving!). The new place has boring cream/yellow on the walls, but at least its a fresh coat. Our new place has an extra bedroom which we’re using as a computer room for our 2 computers. The lounge is about the same size as our last one, but seems more roomy due to the computers no longer being kept in there. The bedroom is slightly smaller which is fine because the bookshelf is now in the computer room as well, so less stuff in the bedroom. The kitchen is BIG which is great! There is so much more counter space to work with, and our clothes horse stands at the back of the kitchen nicely tucked out of the way. I’d show you photos, but I dont have any just yet. Still waiting for the remaining boxes to be sorted through/put away. The toilet is separate from the bathroom, but there is a lack of cupboard space for the small things like toothpaste, razor blades, etc. There’s a linen cupboard, but all those small things get lost inside. Oh and the flat comes with two parking bays!

On the whole I’m happy with our new place. Still trying to find brown bulldenim curtains for the bedroom that arent tab-topped. Sigh. Currently my winter blanket is the curtain. Sigh.

Other news is I’m finally done editing one of my two models’ photos from the beach shoot in Nov. You can see those in my recent pics to the right. I’m particularly happy with the results, and have had a good response from people online who’ve seen them. Best of all, Katharine is happy with them. Amongst those recent pics are photos I took of our 5.5m Christmas Light Tree which graces one of our shopping malls. I got some shots before security came and chased me away hehe.

My Christmas Tree is up (couldnt take it anymore and spent Sunday Nov 30th putting it up haha. I also hung lights in my window to spread some festive cheer. I’ll take photos of that soon as well and post them. So much to do, so little time.

My new babies have settled in nicely, and Ramoth, who was the smallest, has grown considerably. They’re all very happy looking good. Xeon’s looking a little thinner, but I’m trying to give her more fatty/protein-rich foods like scrambled egg etc. She’s currently sleeping and bruxing on my lap

I think thats about it…oh wait! I forgot to tell you about my garden! The new flat comes with a small garden that was pretty run down when we moved in, but I’ve since pruned it and watered it and bought new plants for it (petunias). I’m very proud of it, being that I’ve done it all myself and not just called in a gardener.

Speaking of gardening, looks like I’ve finally got into Bonsai keeping. Viia gave me a teeny tiny birch sapling which we’re going to grow into a bonsai (she’s got a few for herself) and I’m looking into getting myself an already-established bonsai to train. I’m having trouble deciding on which tree to get though. I’ve always wanted a bonsai apple tree, but with research have decided it might be a little complicated to grow. Other options I’m favouring are cherry, pomegranite, olive, fig, and the latest option is a Serissa foetida (Tree of a Thousand Stars) which looks easy enough to grow and has pretty flowers.

There’s a Bonsai Show on at Kirstenbosch Gardens next weekend which I’ll be going to. I’m also looking for a Christmas/English Holly bonsai for my sister. If anyone has bonsai experience, or a bonsai blog, please leave a comment for me