I say chips, you say fries

Someone commented to me that they could tell where in South Africa a person was from just by listening to their accent. I honestly am not good with that. Sure I can spot a real deep south Capetonian accent anywhere(Hectic bru!) but the rest of the South African accents get me confused.

International accents are a bit easier for me to place.

An accent can be such an important thing to some people, especially when English is their language and their accent is the only thing that sets them apart from other english speaking countries.

As far as my own accent goes its a bit warped and a little twisted from travelling. Some people can go overseas for 20 years and still keep their accent intact, but not me. I am like a damn word and accent sponge.

I spent 2 years on and off in merry ol' england and I returned with what my mom likes to call "a Harry Potter" accent. In England I found it a natural progression to start picking up a bit of the "queens english". For alot of people British accents are very similar to posh South African accents anyways.

After a year back from UK I decided to head to the USA (The food alone is worth travelling there for). In America they look at anyone who doesnt speak with an american accent as strange. They use so many words in a different way that you kind of have to start speaking a bit like them to get them to understand you. These are my favourite example of the difference in words we use:

In America: Jelly is Jam. Jello is Jelly. Jam is when you having an issue "Like I'm in a Jam" or a "traffic jam".

After 3 years in America I returned home with a west coast accent and a whole lot of a americanisms (This accent my mother liked to call "horrible").

I didnt notice how much 0f my own accent I had lost until I was in a Cape Town store and the conversation with the shop girl went something like this:

shop assistant: Hi, can I help you with anything?

Me: No Thanks, I am doing good. Just having a look.

Shop assistant: Are you enjoying your holiday here?

Me: Actually I live in Cape Town

Shop assistant: It must be very different from where you are from

Me: *confused look* Ummmm.....

Its been a few years now since I went anywhere outside of South Africa and my accent is almost back to normal.. and its lekker!

;-)

The Friday happy feeling

The week is finally over. Yippee!!! I feel the urge to sing and run around peoples desks.

So far my friday has started off ok. I woke up wearing my *super girlfriend cape, So I made the boyf coffee, eggs and toast for breakfast.

After I did all my usual "getting ready" things, I did the math and calmly gave into the fact that I wasnt going to have a good hair day (curly hair + no time + rain = frizzy mess). With the hair issue out of the way and a big kiss from The boyf , We took off for work...

I got to work and some parking challenged person had partially invaded my parking space. I felt annoyed and considered lipstick writing something on his windscreen BUT in the middle of my mad thoughts I realised its Friday (Yippee!!!) and I could not bring myself to seek revenge. I finally squished my car between the two cars and said a little prayer that the parking challenged man on my left is not a fatty.

So here i am, at my desk with a clear view of "Stumpie" (This is what i affectionately call the dead office plant that had all its limbs cut off and hasnt been replaced yet) wishing I had a vanilla latte and hoping for 4:30pm to arrive asap.

Notes: * For those who were wondering I do not literally have a super girlfriend cape, I do think it would be cool to own one..Im sure I could find some uses for it ;-)

baked beans

I loathe being broke....but dont we all.

I bought some books yesterday and now i feel guilty. They were such nice books, I just had to have them (Damn you books, why must you have such pretty covers).

Hopefully i can practice self control for the rest of the month or the boyf and I will have to live on baked beans. Worse still, we will have a to take our own food along on the short August trip....and I dont know how customs will feel about that.. I see it now:

Customs official: Miss, are those baked beans in your bag?

Me: Well not really. You see, thats a new face mask. They package them in cans now. Beans are the new clay.

Customs official: Miss, can you please come with me. Sir, Are you travelling with this lady?

The boyf: Nope, never seen that crazy bean carrying lady in my life.

I am afraid its time to learn to really save - maybe i will even like it (hey, it could happen!)

Great shots!

I stumbled upon this amazing photographer, Paul Armstrong, on Flickr. Go check out some of his photos!

Soap scum

I have found myself watching The Bold and the Beautiful in the evenings....I know, i am embarressed to even admit to such a thing -but admitting I have a problem is the first step to recovery.

Its an evil, superficial show that get you hooked because every episode ends when you really want to know what the person is about to say..so you watch the next day and the same thing happens....grrrrrrrr.....Its a vicious, unending, soapie cycle.

The B&B has been on TV since 1987....Scary fact, but true.

Im sure alot of people are actually highly addicted to shows like this. I am not yet at the addiction stage (or am i deep in denial), but I am seriously thinking I better stop watching before I get dependent.

I mean who knows what will happen once you make one soapie part of your life..next thing you know you will start to watch Days of our lives or Passions as well. Then you will start speaking about all the characters in your soap opera like you know them personally (seriously I have met people like this)..After that you will probably lose most of your friends...but by then you wont care anyway because you will have new celebrity "friends" in TV land

:)

If you worried you may be addicted to soaps click here and read the signs of soap opera addiction. If you are already sure you have an addiction to soap operas then click here

Scrabble inspired furniture

Interesting idea. Im sure this would be perfect in any scrabble enthusiasts home or games room.

These pieces were made by Stephen Reed for employees in the London offices of Bloomberg financial services. I found this cool picture on Freshome.

Seriously folks - Candy!!

As we all get older we find out more and more about our families ...Some things are great surprises and other discoveries are not so great...

a few good things to find out about family:

1. your Gran has owned shares in Microsoft since it started

2. Your related to a royal family

3. Your parents are actually super heroes (That would be awesome)

4. Your mom has a secret stash of cool stuff for you that she has been saving for when you get older

5. Your parents are actually cool friends to have

6. Your older brother has seriously hot friends

7. your parents didnt name you something awful

a few bad things to find out about your family:

1. Your parents are getting divorced and are not really happy

2. Your dog didnt run away, he is burried in the back yard

3. Some of your family members are on the FBI's "Most wanted"list

4. That you are far more innocent than your little sister

5. your parents actually have sex (you know this because you walked in on them)

6. your parents were going to name you "Candy" (Shocking!!)

*

Yup, my parents once told me they were going to call me "Candy". Not Candice or Canderella or something like that...Just plain Candy with a "y". Thankfully they didnt. If they had called me that I have a feeling I would have had a fascination with Playboy mags, pink mini skirts and stripper shoes .... Thanks Mom and Dad.

:)

O Captain, my Captain

Dead Poets Society is a film no DVD collection should be without (well, in my opinion). This 1989 classic film, starring Robin Williams, was not only brilliant but it made "Carpe diem" a catch phrase and I am sure it encouraged lots of people to read poetry again. I can honestly say i watched my VHS copy over 20 times :)

One of my favourite scenes in Dead Poets Society is the one where all the guys stand on their desks...It tugged on all the heart strings. If you are lost and dont know what i am talking about - go and rent the movie. You will probably love it!

I'll leave you with this truly great quote for the day (It is also featured in this movie but in fewer words) :

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, to discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life......"
Extract from Walden or Life in the Woods
- Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862)

Lazy days

I had a lazy weekend and thankfully only left the flat once. The current chilly weather is a great excuse to stay indoors. Sometimes Its fantastic to just shuffle around in comfy clothes, lounge and eat food.

My mom came to visit me and she brought multi-coloured roses. Theres nothing like a great bunch of flowers to perk up a gloomy day. She also brought my middle sister and Trouble (AKA my nephew). We all watched Finding Nemo.

On our mission to save pennies the boyf and I are trying to lie low and not do anything that requires extra money (like driving, eating out, clubbing etc etc) We are meant to be saving for our August trip. Even though we did nothing much at all, the weekend sadly raced by.

"There is not enough time to do all the nothing we want to do." ~Bill Watterson

(The stunning images are from the movie "Marie Antoinette")

Fairytale photography

I just adore these fairytale inspired photos that were taken by Annie Leibovitz.

These photographs were created for the "Disney Dream Portrait Series" which is part of a Disney campaign to celebrate their "Year of a Million Dreams." Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida commissioned Leibovitz to create images featuring international celebrities in fairy tale settings (the series has now been extended through 2008).

In the above pictures you will see Rachel Weisz as Snow White, Julie Andrews as the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio, Abigail Breslin as Fira from Disney Fairies, Scarlett Johansson as Cinderella, Julianne Moore as the Little Mermaid and swimmer Michael Phelps as a merman.

In the above photo illustration supermodel Gisele Bundchen, left, is portrayed as Wendy Darling, dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov as Peter Pan and actress Tina Fey as Tinker Bell.

The photos shown in the post are just a few in the series. To view these photos and a few more click here

Have you seen Midori?

I had almost forgotten about my dear friend Midori until i stumbled upon a picture of a bottle online. How could I have been back over 2 years and not craved this wonderful green drink???

One of my absolute favourite drinks is a "Midori Sours" (which can be made with Midori, some sours mix and Sprite -but i know other people may make it differently.)

Unfortunately this is one more thing i got addicted to in America, but can not find in South Africa? Has anyone seen Midori Melon Liqueur in SA?

Birdie says...

Aren't these mugs just too cute? I wish i had one of these to take to the office. Check out Birdie Says for more cute birdie stuff.

What would you do if I sang out of tune?

Today I was thinking alot about my childhood and how much life changes as you grow up.....These thoughts sparked off a memory of one of my favourite TV series while i was growing up. The series was filled with so many life lessons, so much wisdom and had the best theme song.....Oh yes people I am talking about "The Wonder Years".

The Wonder years ran from 1988 to 1993. I dont think there ever been another tv series quite like it....Here are some great, memorable quotes from the series (all about growing up):

-"Things never turn out exactly the way you planned. I know they didn't with me. Still, like my father used to say, 'Traffic's traffic, you go where life takes you' and growing up happens in a heartbeat. One day you're in diapers, the next you're gone, but the memories of childhood stay with you for the long haul. I remember a time a place, a particular fourth of July, the things that happened in that decade of war and change. I remember a house like a lot of houses, a yard like a lot of yards, on a street like a lot of other streets. I remember how hard it was growing up among people and places I loved. Most of all, I remember how hard it was to leave. And the thing is, after all these years I still look back in wonder "

- "Growing up is never easy. You hold on to things that were. You wonder what's to come. But that night, I think we knew it was time to let go of what had been, and look ahead to what would be. Other days. New days. Days to come. The thing is, we didn't have to hate each other for getting older. We just had to forgive ourselves... for growing up."

- "When you're a little kid you're a bit of everything; Scientist, Philosopher, Artist. Sometimes it seems like growing up is giving these things up one at a time".

Watched

It was a long, chilly weekend here in Cape Town. What better way to spend the weekend then curled up on the couch watching some movies..heres 2 I really enjoyed -

Movie 1:
I enjoyed watching Cloverfield even though it was a bit scary at times (and i dont really like anything scary).

Cloverfield has the appearence of being shot through a camcorder and because of this it has an almost real feeling about it. Sure, we have seen this camcorder effect before in movies like "The Blair Witch Project" but unlike the Blair Witch project (which was a small budget film with a shakey camcorder effect) Cloverfield shows you alot more of what is actually going on and the film quality is much much better.

The film centers around a group of friends that are trying to get out of Manhatten after a creature begins to attack the city. As you may have expected theres lots of running around and plenty of random camera shots.

Movie 2:
Be Kind Rewind was funny, clever and thanks to Jack Black it was totally silly at times.

The film centers in and around an old video store called "Be Kind Rewind". Jerry ( Jack Black) becomes magnetized after trying to sabotage a nearby power plant and then unknowingly erases all the videos at the video store. This happens while his good friend Mike (Mos Def) is looking after the video store for his boss, Mr Fletcher (Danny Glover).

After discovering all the videos have been erased Mike and Jerry decide that they will have to remake all the movies themselves so people can still rent them. To the crazy duos surprise people love their homemade "Sweded" films and want to see more. What Mike and Jerry dont realise is that the video store is going to be demolished if Mr. Fletcher cant come up with alot of money quickly.

Its a great, original script. If you like Jack Black and enjoy quirky films you will love this :)

Weekend stuff

This weekend i got a few cool things (and its only Saturday). Heres two of the things I am really happy about:

Number 1: Today I picked up a package from the post office. My American friend, Mish Mish (AKA The feminist from Cow Country), sent me a Roxy beach-type bag and some chewable sweeties.... thank you, thank you, thank you.....

Numer 2: I went into a second hand bookshop (i had never actually been into) and discovered not only great old books, but great old records too. Me and my boyf bought 5. While we do actually plan to get a old record player, we might also frame some of these covers(sorry, not the best photo). I adore the 1950's Sleeping Beauty cover -

Reading list

I have just finished reading "The Third Angel" by Alice Hoffman. To read a good honest review by the Economist (that i agree with) click here.

I have chosen the next 2 books i would like to read:
"Eat, Pray, Love" by Elisabeth Gilbert and "Garden Spells" by Sarah Addisson Allen.

Snappy happy

I absolutely love Etsy. It is fast becoming one of my favourite sites on the internet.

I found this print today and would love to buy it and frame it for my boyf...maybe i will.

Its raining today

Well, its been a very rainy morning in Cape Town.

I love the rain -It can feel so wonderful walking in it and hopping about like a crazy woman trying to avoid giant puddles...There is one bad thing about rainy weekdays though, i cant park close to my office. So today I arrived looking a bit like drowned rat who was in serious need of windscreen wipers for its glasses... but at least i had a smile on my face..

Heres some rain quotes i found this morning:

"Weather is a great metaphor for life - sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, and there's nothing much you can do about it but carry an umbrella." ~Pepper Giardino

"Rain is grace; rain is the sky condescending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life." - John Updike

Have your cake and drink it

I had a very interesting shooter at my birthday party this year. Everybody that had one loved it, but noone knew exactly what was in it. I decided to find the recipe. Now you can make one and try it for yourself:

How to make a "Chocolate Cake" Shooter:

1/2 shot plain or vanilla vodka (i like Absolut vanilla vodka)

1/2 shot hazelnut liquer (Frangelico)

1 sugar coated lemon wedge ( before sugar coating - you can also soak the lemon wedge in alcohol or use an orange wedge)

Mix equal parts vodka and Frangelico into a shot glass. Drink the shot, and follow it immediately by sucking on the sugar-coated lemon wedge.

Scare them off with your style

Crime is everywhere and sadly this means most of us should secure our homes...this used to mean ugly wires, spikes or locks.....Well not anymore, a company has come out with cute animal spikes, star wire, happy bear face locks and a few other fun things.

To see cool ideas for fun home safety check out Sweet Dreams Security.

Indiana Jones

This weekend I went to see Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the Crystal Skull ......All together now.....da da dada da da da...

If you missed out on the first 3 films you will probably enjoy this film, but fans of the Indiana Jones franchise may walk away a bit dissapointed. Sadly, this film cannot compete with "Raiders of the Lost Ark", "The Last Crusade" or "the Temple of Doom"

After more than 20 years since the last Indiana film, I knew Harrison Ford could never be the young action hero that I so fondly remembered. Though I must say Ford still did a great job, cracked some good jokes and thankfully acted his age.

Luckily there was a fresh young face to help bring some of the much anticipated action into the film. Mutt (played by Shia LeBeouf) took on the role of the young Indiana "in-training".

The movie was just what you might have expected from Steven Spielberg (director) and George Lucas (writer). It was humorous, action packed and extremely far fetched

(I mean really, what was with the Tarzan scene and who knew you could hide in a fridge to survive a nuclear bomb????)

The film was entertaining, but far from epic.

Sadly the Indiana Jones most of us knew and loved can still only be found in the 1980's films.

:)

The Burrito with too much filling

I lived in California for a few years and while I lived there i began to love a few things: The cheap clothes, Being able to see all my favourite bands, cold stone ice-cream, Disneyland, my american friends and Mexican food.

Since Ive been back in South Africa I have craved Mexican food everyday. Not just any mexican food though - the kind i could get in California. Sadly, there is no El Pollo Loco, El Torito or Taco Bell on this continent and finding a decent mexican restuarant is a bit of a mission..... So I decided to make some of my own mexican food.

Today i shall share my burrito with too much filling recipe. Okay, so its not an authentic burrito recipe but it tastes good!

What you must get to make easy burritos:

* cut up fillet chicken (or thin cut steak- but I prefer chicken)

* some tortillas (flour ones)

* ripe avocadoes

* onion

* tomatoes

* grated chedder cheese

* sour cream (plain)

* Spanish style rice (if you can find it or any rice you like)

* hot chilli sauce (if thats your thing)

(Note: amount of ingredients depends on how many burritos you want to make)

* a can of Pinto beans

________________________________________

How to put it all together:

* Cook the chicken anyway you like it (preferably hot or cajun spiced).Cook the chicken on high heat in a pan with olive oil.

* Make the rice.

*pour the pinto beans into a pan with oil (dont need to drain them). Add some garlic & herbs. Squash with a potatoe masher until soft and easy to stir (if it gets to hard and lumpy, add some water). Heat until hot and squishy. Put onto a plate and add some grated cheese in (if you like)

* Mash up the avocadoes (without skin) and add salt and pepper.

* Cut up the tamotoe and onion into small little pieces. You can cook the onion a bit in olive oil if you are not a fan of raw onions.

* Heat the tortillos under the grill on each side for about 30 seconds to 1 minute (Do not burn them or they become too crispy to roll nicely)

* Put the tortilla on a flat surface, then place all the ingredients on top of one another, along the center of the tortilla : starting with refried beans, grated cheese, rice, chicken, a blob or two of sour cream, mashed avo, tamatoe/onion mix and ending with a few drops of chilli sauce (if you want).

* When you are done, roll the tortilla from one side to the other. Obviously pass over the filled part when rolling and do not roll the food out :)

In the end you should have a yummy Burrito with too much filling.

Now pour yourself a Margerita and enjoy!

Couture cookies

Wish i could get my hands on some of these cookies! Unfortunately the gumdrop cookie shop is based out of New York - but arn't they pretty to look at. Makes me feel like baking...

Poem

This is an old poem of mine I thought id share:

Half & Half:
I do not always recognize myself
Too much these days I have become split
Down the middle, two halves of this whole
Part of me wanting nothing, the other side demanding it all

I hate to admit that I have become dull and uncreative
I write so little, I feared I could not anymore
Challenging myself now to grab onto any remains
Things cant stay the way they are in two places

My childhood seems far behind me, my adulthood still far in front
Dwelling this middle ground of chaotic notions
On this plain I stand, untouched, indecisive, moving nowhere

I must jump or run or dance
But I stand knowing I cannot go back
So petrified to just move forward
A little war that rages within me, tempts me to freeze

I realize I must take these steps now
Dream these quixotic, unstoppable dreams
Half and half I am still a whole
Divided by my regrets, but held together by my passions

by me - Nov 2005

Off the wall...

I absolutely love this cute clock from Tin Town.

Reading space

One day i would like to have a reading room/study....a relaxing room with ample sunlight, a big desk with computer for my man, a full wall of book shelves (for my slow growing book collection) and a gorgeous couch.

I was thinking something like this:

Kiss me, you chicken!

I love these quirky, savage chickens cartoons. These cartoons are drawn on post it notes.