mvn

Its the right thing to do!

... and sadly I’ve been working on it for so long that it can’t be anything less than perfect! Sadly, the perfect becomes the enemy of the good…

I have a wonderful year behind me, in which my life and my thoughts about my life have changed a lot and now seem to have settled. But, the more I sure I become of what I want, the less I seem to do about it. This reflective period in my life has been good, but I really yearn for the same eagerness and productivity I possesed a few years ago. (That sounds like something my mum could say!!) Now, if I can only get out of bed when the alarm clock goes off…

I received an email from a friend today, with a photo of me and some friends at a party attached. I didn’t even know that the photo had been taken (which, inevitably, are the nice ones), but now I’m really happy to have it. This is something I could and should also do.

Not only do I get to cook (which I love doing!), but I get a chance to give people a glimpse on a part of my life which I consider as very private and well-guarded – my “domestic” side. And sometimes the favour is even returned!!

I flew back home after 5 months abroad, and somehow collected 20 kg’s worth of books over there. Posed various problems… But I love my books!!

I started as a researcher at the Economics Department at my uni recently. Life is good!!

Am progressing slowly but surely. On one of my excursions, I asked where I could urgently go to a mental hospital (sanatorio) instead of a ladies room (sanitario). Perhaps I would need one in that event…

This is a continuing goal that I’ve inadvertently embarked on as soon as I started reading. The result is that I compulsively buy books (and read them). The problem is that I’m currently a student and move on a yearly basis. Moving when you have a lot of books is really tiresome. And books are heavy! Especially when traveling. Yet, I can’t resist the urge – and I don’t want to. Owning books is a great pleasure.

The list is growing at a faster pace than my pace of reading books on the list. Mmm, maybe I should get a USB port at the back of my head (like in the Matrix)... Oh, and then I won’t have to settle for translated books either!

I’m traveling in North America at the moment. And I’ve encountered many strange opinions about Africa, the people of Africa and the future of Africa. Sadly, these weren’t very positive. But, where there is confusion (or even misunderstandings) there is an opportunity to attempt to change peoples’ ideas. So I’m probably more adament that ever!

There are a handful of people who really make my life worth living, and I haven’t seen them in 3 months. I try to keep in touch on a regular basis, but don’t always get round to it. And by now I really regret that. So, I’ll have to try harder!

[I don’t speak well, but…] I’m finally getting there. Being in Mexico for a few months helps a lot!!

... moment of each day is that second when you rest your head on your pillow and exhale. All the better if I know that whatever I’ve done with my day has been worthwhile. And that includes a lot of things, like reading something thought provoking, or having a good conversation, or laughing out loud when I see something funny. That makes me happy, and that makes me smile.

...because any person just lights up when they are praised unexpectedly. Moreover, it encourages me to notice the efforts of others and not focus so much on my own.

Conversations that are worth extending past bedtime are conversations well worth having! Drowsiness the next day is nothing compared to making a new friend / expanding your mind / regretting not having that conversation / solving the worlds’ problems! Prefered mode: with a pot of rooibos tea and good music.

I’m very interested in the process of development and think that the place that faces the most interesting developmental issues to date is the African continent. Also, to quote Pres. Mbeki, “I am an African”. And I would like to bring this message accross to as many people as possible: forget what you hear about Africa in the news and come and discover Africa, its heritage and people for yourself.

I study taxation. I find the concept of taxes fascinating. And before I ever criticise government policies again, I’ll think where the money to implement policies has to come from.